Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

This wasn't the first time Xiao Fengyi had asked about the source of the betrothal gifts; her voice was so faint that neither of the two maids could hear her clearly.

"Miss, what are you saying?"

Xuan Hua finished sketching the last item on the betrothal gift list and looked up at her, bewildered.

"It's nothing. After you've tallied up the betrothal gifts, you'll come with me to try on the bestowed robes," Xiao Fengyi said coldly.

"Yes, I was just imagining what it would be like to wear the dress on the ship, Miss. You must be stunningly beautiful and captivating."

When Zi Hua was holding the phoenix crown, she was already imagining what the young lady would look like in her phoenix crown and wedding gown. She imagined her to be elegant and beautiful. When the young lady said she wanted to try it on, how could she not be overjoyed? She immediately put down what she was doing.

Although Xuan Hua was composed, she also wanted to see her young mistress's beautiful and elegant appearance, so she was more lively than usual, and her eyes shone with anticipation.

She handed the betrothal gift list to Xiao Fengyi, saying, "Miss, I have placed the betrothal clothes on your bed."

Although the words were subtle, Xiao Fengyi understood that Xuan Hua wanted her to hurry up and review the list. She then said to the two maids, "Alright, let's go try on the clothes."

After entering the room, Xiao Fengyi placed the gift list on the table and was then pushed by two maids to the bedside to try on clothes.

Before long, with the help of Zi Hua and Xuan Hua, she changed into her bright red dress. The two maids then pushed her in front of the mirror, straightened her clothes, and placed the dragon and phoenix crown on her head.

The two maids then applied rouge and powder to Xiao Fengyi's beautiful face.

Before long, Xiao Fengyi saw a dignified and beautiful woman in front of the bronze mirror.

She couldn't help but wonder, "Who is this?"

Zi Hua assumed that she was stunned by her own beauty, which explained her distraught expression, and asked with a strange smile, "Miss, how come you don't even recognize yourself?"

Xuan Hua slapped Zi Hua's hand, "What nonsense are you talking about, you silly girl? How could Miss not recognize herself?"

She could also tell that Xiao Fengyi was acting strangely, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong. She just felt that her mistress looked very sad.

Xiao Fengyi was heartbroken because seeing herself in the bronze mirror reminded her of her previous life when she was preparing to become empress, and she wore a more elaborate and prestigious imperial robe. At that time, she thought she could marry the person she loved, and she was truly lucky and happy. However, when Xiao Qingyin, who was wearing the same robe, appeared, she realized that she was wrong.

She was betrayed, utterly and completely.

In her past life, she had done nothing wrong, so why did she die so tragically? Even after being reborn, she still didn't understand. Perhaps even the heavens couldn't bear to see her suffer, which is why they allowed her to start over.

Zi Hua smiled and said, "Miss, quickly stand up and turn around."

Xuan Hua wanted to distract her, "Miss, let us see how beautiful you are."

Xiao Fengyi readily agreed, stood up, and her graceful figure, accentuated by the red dress, appeared breathtakingly beautiful.

While they were trying on clothes, the old lady had already arrived at Xiao Qishan's study, Jing'anzhai.

As soon as she entered, she asked about Xiao Qishan's favorite sandalwood incense and also heard Shen's voice.

“My lord, I don’t really want to manage Fengyi’s dowry. Although I am her aunt, she has never been close to me since she was little, and I don’t know how to discipline her. If these betrothal gifts come to me, it would be bad if something is missing or lost, causing unnecessary trouble.”

"Hmph, it's because we spoiled her too much that she developed such an unruly personality."

Xiao Qishan's brush stopped in mid-air, his face full of anger.

A moment later, Xiao Qingyin, who was grinding ink nearby, also spoke up, "Father, is it because my sister is afraid that Mother will take away her betrothal gifts that she is so protective of her? Actually, we really don't want her betrothal gifts, even though what Prince Zhao sent were all good things. I think the Empress of Yong must be especially beautiful. If Mother could wear it, it might be the most suitable."

Was it placed on Shen's head?

After hearing Xiao Qingyin's nonsense, the old lady scoffed repeatedly. This girl was indeed eyeing the betrothal gifts.

Madam Shen scolded, "Qingyin, don't talk nonsense. That's the Empress's crown. Wouldn't it be presumptuous of me to wear it?"

Xiao Qingyin covered her mouth, making a face as if she had said something wrong, "I'm sorry, what I meant was, even though you're not the empress, you can still have that crown. What's wrong with giving it to Mother? Nobody else knows."

After she finished speaking, she deliberately asked her mother in front of Xiao Qishan, "Mother, do you really not want that crown?"

“I…” Madam Shen did not refuse immediately, but hesitated for a moment and said, “I am different from your sister. She is destined to be the empress, which is why she was able to obtain the crown of the empress of Yong Kingdom.”

These words sounded quite aggrieved, and the mother and daughter's back-and-forth seemed to be aimed at Xiao Qishan in front of them, clearly indicating their intention to have her go to her eldest daughter to snatch the crown.

While listening from the side, Liu kept lamenting the viciousness of the mother and daughter, and also lamenting that the relationship between Qishan and Fengyi was deteriorating due to their instigation.

Sure enough, Xiao Qishan actually believed it.

He put down his pen and asked Shen seriously, "Do you really like the crown worn by the Empress of Yong?"

This time, Ms. Shen didn't pretend and directly nodded in agreement, "I like it."

"Then I'll find an opportunity to have Fengyi give it to you."

Xiao Qishan spoke very casually, completely forgetting that the Emperor had once decreed that the crown should be kept by the Princess Consort of Zhao herself, and no one else was allowed to keep it.

He also forgot that this crown was originally a gift from Feng Xingye to the Empress. If it weren't for the Consort's interference, it might have become the Empress's private collection. Unless the Empress was willing to bring it out at a banquet, he and Shen would never have had the chance to see it.

Now that things have come to this, and due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, it has become Xiao Fengyi's property, he really thinks it belongs to the Xiao family and is his own, so he can do whatever he wants with it. Anyone who hears this story would find it bizarre.

Madam Liu kept shaking her head, lamenting how she had given birth to such a fool. To make matters worse, the fool's youngest daughter was egging her on, clinging to his neck and whining, "Daddy, I knew you were the best to Mommy. If that crown is given to Mommy, can I secretly wear it too?"

Madam Shen affectionately tapped Xiao Qingyin's temple, "You little rascal, you're quite the schemer. But whatever belongs to your mother will be yours from now on."

Mother's things?

Upon hearing Shen's words, Liu really wanted to rush up and scold this family to wake them up. How could there be such shameless people?

Xiao Qingyin shamelessly thanked her mother, "Mother, I knew you would give me the phoenix crown."

She wanted that phoenix crown because she wanted to be empress. Why should only her sister be empress?