Chapter 71: Commoners! Commoners!
The shopkeeper glanced at Princess Changle, then at Han Lei, feeling at a loss for a moment.
Princess Changle was the niece of the Empress, offending her could make life difficult in the future. But on the other hand, Han Lei had the support of the old madam, and she couldn’t afford to offend her either.
Just as the shopkeeper was in a dilemma, Princess Changle suddenly spoke impatiently, "This set of jewelry, this Commandery Princess wants it. You can sell it to anyone but her."
Han Lei smiled gently and said, "Princess, this set of jewelry belongs to Six Blessings Hall. Whether it is sold or not is naturally up to Six Blessings Hall to decide. If the Princess really likes it, you can bid for it. Why resort to bullying?"
Upon hearing this, Princess Changle flew into a rage and pointed at Han Lei, cursing, "You ungrateful wench! You dare to snatch something this Commandery Princess fancies! Do you believe I’ll have you thrown out right now?"
"How dare you!" The old madam stepped forward. "Though I am old, I am still the Duchess. This is a gift I intend to buy for my daughter-in-law. If the Princess wants to rely on her status to steal, then I don’t mind taking this matter to the Emperor."
A gift for the daughter-in-law?
This statement provoked Princess Changle even further.
The old madam was Zhao Zun’s mother, and she didn’t want to leave the old madam with an impression of being domineering and ill-tempered. But the status of daughter-in-law should have been hers, now it was Han Lei’s, how could she be content?
"My Lady, Changle is not targeting you." Princess Changle softened her expression and affectionately took the old madam’s arm. "This set of jewelry will surely look elegant on you. But look at that wench, where could she possibly wear it?"
Princess Changle’s constant use of the word "wench" made the old madam feel repulsed.
She withdrew her arm and retorted lightly, "We common folk, of course, do not have the noble status of a Princess, but my daughter-in-law, no matter how low her status, as long as my son likes her, as long as I think she is worthy, I am willing to buy it for her to wear."
"You..."
Princess Changle did not expect the old madam to be so straightforward, and her plain face immediately filled with anger.
"Unbelievable. Just commoners, commoners."
Han Lei, however, was not intimidated, and calmly stated, "Princess, please be respectful, this is Six Blessings Hall, not your Commandery Princess Mansion. If you continue with such unreasonable behavior, don’t blame me for being impolite."
Unable to endure such humiliation, Princess Changle was about to have her men take action.
At this moment, the old madam spoke, "Princess Changle, my husband died in battle protecting the Da Jing, and I hold an imperial title. Do you still intend to act recklessly in my presence?"
In the Da Jing Dynasty, everyone knew the former Duke Zhen who died fighting for the peace of Da Jing, and he was respected as a hero, even the late emperor respected him. That’s why the late emperor conferred the title of Rank Three Imperial Lady to the Duchess of Zhen.
Seeing the old madam use her title as an Imperial Lady, Princess Changle’s expression shifted slightly, and her tone softened at once.
"My Lady, this set of jewelry is something this Commandery Princess genuinely likes, I hope you can bear to part with it."
The old madam looked at her coldly and said, "Princess Changle, as a royal kin, you should be more reasonable and not act so high-handedly. I have already decided to give this set of jewelry to Lei’er, there’s no need to speak further."
Seeing that the old madam was impervious to persuasion, Princess Changle’s face turned ashen, but she dared not say more. She glared fiercely at Han Lei, and with gritted teeth, she issued a threat to Han Lei.
"You wait and see, someday I’ll make you pay."
Knowing why Princess Changle was competing with her over the jewelry, Han Lei was not afraid at all, and instead, even made a face at Princess Changle.
"I’m ready whenever you are, just to make you furious! Hehe."
Princess Changle was so angry she almost fainted backward. She threw the exquisite jewelry heavily onto the counter and turned to leave.
After Princess Changle stormed off in anger, Han Lei took the old madam’s hand, gratefully saying, "Aunt, thank you!"
"Why say thank you? With Zun’er not around, I naturally have to protect you." The old madam gently patted the back of Han Lei’s hand.
Hearing the old madam say this, Zhao Ling’er covered her mouth and giggled, "Yes, yes! That’s how it should be, otherwise how could we explain to brother when we get home."
Han Lei blushed furiously at Zhao Ling’er’s jest. She felt that her future mother-in-law and sister-in-law were actually very easy to get along with.
As for the harsh words of Princess Changle, Han Lei didn’t take them to heart at all.
After all, they were about to move to Canzhou, what could Princess Changle do to her?
Besides, it was just a set of jewelry. Once her jewelry store was open, those modern-designed jewels, while not extremely luxurious, were ahead of the times and exquisite, sure to dazzle all the women in the Capital City.
By then, someone like Princess Changle, who was vain and lofty, would just be a customer eager to bring money to her door.
...I am the lazy dividing line...
On the fifth day of the new year, everything needed to be taken to Canzhou was packed in the Prince Mansion, filling dozens of big and small boxes. Tomorrow, they could directly set off after loading them onto the carriages.
The old madam had asked Ms Qin two days ago if, as family members of the Prince Mansion, they wanted to move to Canzhou together?
Upon hearing this, Ms Qin immediately waved her handkerchief, and with a look of disdain said, "What’s good about Canzhou? If you want to go and suffer in that godforsaken place, go by yourself. My daughter is married in the Capital City, I’ll naturally stay in the Capital City."
The old madam sighed and said, "If you are unwilling to go, we won’t force you. Although you are a mere concubine, you did give birth to Zhao Qiao’er for the Zhao family. Though we have not had a pleasant relationship over the years, once we leave, who knows when we will return to the Capital City. Qiao’er is married now and has her own family. You’ll find it hard living alone in the Capital City as a woman, so I’ll leave you with this mansion and the servants you once bought."
Zhao Zun also stated that when they went to Canzhou, someone would be sent monthly with a portion of the court-distributed allowance for Ms Qin.
Upon hearing this, Ms Qin, who was usually well-maintained, smiled so broadly that crow’s feet appeared, continuously praising the old madam, her grandmother, for her kindness and generosity.
Han Lei thought at the time, of course Qin Mingniang would be smiling.
When they all left for Canzhou, Qin was left as the only mistress of the Prince Mansion; she would control household affairs and do what she pleased.
The bustling Capital City and the independence of managing the household were certainly preferable to an uncertain future in Canzhou.
However, Han Lei was pleased that Ms Qin was not joining them in Canzhou. She would be spared the daily irritation of dealing with Ms Qin’s sharp tongue.
After lunch, Zhao Zun sent Xiao Zhengfei, leading a few trusted aides, to make haste to Qingshui County.
He would deliver the emperor’s decree and the news of their departure for Canzhou to the County Magistrate Luo Hai. Also, Luo Hai was to draft official documents to inform all provinces and counties in Canzhou.
Just as Xiao Zhengfei and the trusted aides left the Prince Mansion, Zhao Qiao’er, clad in opulent attire and dressed to the nines, arrived back at her maternal home with two maidservants in tow.