Cold-faced Empress

As Fu Siying's breathing became calmer, the Emperor said finally, "Prime Minister Fu, the next reward is bestowed upon your family. I will bestow upon you a plaque, and I will personally inscribe it. The plaque will bear the four characters 'pure and simple, elegant' that the Empress Dowager praised. What do you think?"

After a series of enviable rewards, such a great honor was bestowed upon them! In an instant, all eyes were on Prime Minister Fu and his family.

Why would the Emperor and Empress Dowager reward someone so generously for winning the riddle-solving contest?

If I had known, they would have fought tooth and nail to win the championship!

Prime Minister Fu and Madam Li, along with their children, kowtowed in gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for the generous reward; Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for the generous reward!"

The Emperor laughed: "Haha, it's not over yet, Prime Minister Fu, you thanked me too soon."

Is it too early to thank me?

and also!

Fu Siying and her family were shocked. How could there be more? What else?

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor finally spoke: "Fu Rongchen, you are intelligent, learned, and outstanding. I will bestow upon you an official position. As for what position it will be, I will decide after you have completed your studies and undergone my further examination."

A rewarded official position! An official position personally granted by the Emperor!

Fu Siying felt as if her heart had stopped. Before she could react, she was jolted back to her senses by the uproar in the hall.

Prime Minister Fu immediately stated that Fu Rongchen was too young to be an official.

"Therefore, I will wait until he finishes his studies before formally appointing him to an official position and allowing him to take up his post," the Emperor said in a good mood. "It is not an immediate reward, so the Prime Minister need not worry about it."

Therefore, Prime Minister Fu had no choice but to agree.

Rong Chen excitedly exclaimed "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" three times. Compared to his classmates at the academy, he had clearly taken a significant step forward. Who else could receive an official position personally promised by the Emperor?

At this moment, Yunzhi and Rongchen were extremely grateful to be supervised by their elder sister as they diligently memorized the riddles.

After the bestowal of rewards concluded, Prime Minister Fu was to lead his family to their seats. Suddenly, a soft laugh rang out beside the Emperor.

Consort De's laughter was light and clear, and quite eye-catching.

"Why is my beloved concubine laughing?" the Emperor asked with great interest.

Consort De's makeup was bright and beautiful, and her palace attire was gorgeous and exquisite, like a fairy's robe. Apart from Consort Mei's unique gentle and aloof temperament, none of the other concubines could withstand Consort De's aura and were all overwhelmed.

"Your Majesty, I wasn't laughing at anything else, but at the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Fu who is kneeling behind me!" Consort De said, covering her mouth as she laughed, as if she would lose a tooth if she didn't laugh, and she couldn't stop.

Fu Siying listened quietly, appearing unmoved on the surface.

Clearly, Consort De had received another complaint from Hu Lingjing. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet Consort De singled her out in front of all the officials and their families—what merit did she possess?

Upon hearing that Consort De was making fun of Prime Minister Fu's eldest daughter, Fu Siying, before the Emperor could ask any further questions, the Empress Dowager interrupted displeasedly, asking, "The Prime Minister's eldest daughter is quiet and dignified. She was kneeling there peacefully. What could possibly make Consort De laugh?"

Despite the Empress Dowager's subtle warning, Consort De was not intimidated and said directly, "Miss Fu and Young Master Fu are incredibly learned, but she, as the eldest sister, has gained nothing. I see that she is silent, and she probably regrets following her younger sister and brother forward."