I made my fortune by livestreaming in ancient times.

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Xiao Zhuoying led Zhu Luo to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in the Princess's Mansion.

Baihua Pavilion is located in the southwest corner of Princess Huaning's residence, facing Qin Lake and with green mountains in the distance.

Although autumn has arrived, the garden is still ablaze with peach blossoms and willows, with all kinds of flowers blooming in a rush, like a sea of ​​flowers rolling into view. Waves of fragrance drift freely on the wind, as if determined to keep the spring colors forever within the garden.

Princess Xiao Huaining sat gracefully in the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Her features were exquisite, her demeanor dignified, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, exuding an innate nobility and elegance.

She was surrounded by a circle of the prince consort's family members.

Zhu Luo secretly counted them in his mind and found that there were as many as eight beauties.

The princess found so many concubines for her husband, wouldn't that keep him extremely busy?

"Ying'er is here, please come in," Xiao Huaining greeted with a smile. When he saw the person next to his sister, he was slightly taken aback. "Could this be the eldest daughter of the Shen family?"

Zhu Luo stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "This humble woman, Shen Zhu Luo, greets Your Highness, Princess."

"It really is Luo Luo, come and let me see her." Xiao Huaining looked around, and the beauties smiled and made room for him.

Zhu Luo glanced at Xiao Zhuoying, who gave her a push: "Don't be so polite, we're old acquaintances."

Xiao Huaining laughed and said, "Ying'er is right. We used to play together when we were little. It's been six years since you left. I've become a haggard old woman."

“Your Highness is too kind,” Zhu Luo said, forced to sit down next to the princess as her hand was pulled.

Because they were sitting close, they could see the princess up close. "The princess is beautiful and graceful, at the peak of her charm. She is so lovely."

Before speaking, she glanced around and noticed that none of the eight beauties stepped forward to offer any advice while Xiao Huaining was making self-deprecating remarks.

Some even had a hint of smugness in their eyes.

Zhu Luo didn't know whether the princess treated them well, but the concubines certainly didn't show much respect.

Banxia was right about one thing: Ba Mei's status in the mansion was extraordinary.

Xiao Huaining wasn't unaware of their behavior; rather, he smiled and endured it.

That demeanor is really...strange.

"Lolo's words are still as sweet as ever, so I'll believe you then."

At this moment, the surrounding noblewomen echoed, "The princess is a beauty of unparalleled grace, more charming than any flower."

Speaking of flowers, the head maid reminded the princess that the guests had all brought gifts, waiting to be presented.

Suddenly, a boy in brocade robes appeared out of nowhere, climbed onto a round stool, and reached out to take the pastries and fruits from the plate on the table.

Because they were so close, Zhu Luo was almost knocked to the ground by him.

"What are you doing? Don't you know the rules!" Xiao Zhuoying quickly caught Zhu Luo.

Zhu Luo waved to indicate that everything was alright, and then stood up.

After being scolded, the child sniffed hard and burst into tears.

Her cheeks were chubby, just like the chubby babies in New Year paintings.

One of the eight beauties, a woman in rose-red, quickly pulled the child into her arms, glancing at Xiao Zhuoying with a hint of reproach: "Fourth Princess, Ming'er is still a child."

"Child? He's almost ten years old. Didn't you see my sister here meeting guests? Take him away quickly."

The woman in rose-red immediately reddened her eyes and looked to Xiao Huaining for help: "Princess, it was Ming'er's fault. Please don't blame me, Princess. If you must punish someone, punish me instead."

The ladies who were watching the commotion all shut their mouths.

Everyone knows that in the Huaning Manor, the princess values ​​family harmony the most and will not tolerate any outside interference.

Xiao Huaining frowned slightly and said gently, "I'm not blaming you at all. Eat whatever you want tomorrow."

Then he turned to his younger sister and said, "Why are you arguing with a child?"

“But…” Xiao Zhuoying glanced at the dim eyes and suddenly felt bored, so she waved her hand, “Never mind, it’s none of my business. Sister, you should look at everyone’s gifts.”

The head maid breathed a sigh of relief; without the gift, all subsequent procedures would have to be delayed.

After being granted permission to enjoy the pastries on the table as much as she wanted, Ming'er quickly broke free from her mother's embrace, knelt on the stool, and grabbed whatever she wanted to eat, keeping both hands full, her little mouth glistening with oil as she ate.

This was the first time Zhu Luo had ever seen parents spoil their child so much, especially the child of a concubine. He was amazed.

Shen Nianjiao sneered from behind the crowd.

In the previous round, she stood out in this kind of situation and said a few words similar to Xiao Zhuoying's. Later, Princess Huaning didn't give her a good look throughout the entire flower viewing period.

Afterwards, Ba Mei continued to mock her behind her back, saying that she was the child of a concubine and that the real legitimate daughter should be Shen Zhuluo.

This time, she will not repeat the same mistake and allow herself to be caught in the center of sarcastic public opinion.

Several maids carried out a screen embroidered with several large peony flowers, which immediately caught everyone's eye, prompting them to exclaim in admiration.

Lady Liu stepped forward and said, "Princess, this is an embroidery that my daughter imitated from Master Gu's painting. I hope Your Highness will like it."

Everyone gasped.

Did Qi Xinyue embroider it herself? How much effort must that have taken?

Xiao Huaining slowly stood up, stepped forward to examine the screen carefully, and praised it repeatedly: "This was actually embroidered by Xinyue herself. It must have been hard work for you. I like it very much, but I dare not keep such a fine piece of embroidery to myself. I will present it to the Empress Dowager on another day."

She is holding this banquet today with a mission.

Qi Xinyue's marriage to Prince Xuan has been basically settled, so she doesn't need to participate in the selection of concubines by the Crown Prince and other princes. She dares not accept this generous gift; it would be easiest to hand it over to her mother.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qi Xinyue bowed respectfully, but inwardly she scoffed.

The princess is so ungrateful. She even found an excuse to give away the gifts she was given. No wonder she has such a bad reputation and is bullied by the concubines in her family. Who would want to talk to such a cold-hearted person?

Then came some more gifts, and Xiao Huaining said without exception that they were all presented to the Empress Dowager for her review.

Some families don't care, after all, they're after the position of Crown Princess, and giving gifts to the Empress is the proper way.

It was finally the Shen family's turn.

Xiao Huaining was somewhat surprised: "You actually sent three gifts?"

Qi Rong glanced at her niece, nodded slightly to her sister-in-law, and stepped forward, saying, "It's all my fault for not discussing it with the children. Now that they've all prepared, I don't want to disappoint them, so I'm presenting it all here."

Some of the ladies chuckled under their breath, "They're really giving us face."

"It's all thanks to the Empress's backing, but it's not her daughter who's backing her up."

Shen Nianjiao heard this and gritted her teeth in hatred, her fair face turning pale. She thought to herself that she would be able to slap them in the face hard in a moment.

Xiao Huaining nodded: "The sentiment should not be wasted, so please present it. Whose should we look at first?"

Shen Nianjiao patted Qi Rong's hand, and Qi Rong immediately understood: "Then let's look at my daughter's gift first."

Everyone turned their attention to Shen Nianjiao and the black gift box behind her.

Shen Nianjiao stepped forward with a hint of pride and, with the help of the servants in the mansion, opened the gift box containing crystal.

As a dazzling light suddenly burst forth, illuminating the entire hall, the guests marveled at the sight and then suddenly discovered that the room smelled wonderful.

Shen Nianjiao pointed to the various colored perfume bottles in the crystal display case and explained, "Your Highness, this is the gift I am presenting: fragrance."