Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

Hua Ling was clearly stunned for a moment. Although she had the Empress Dowager backing her up, even Rongrong admitted defeat too quickly.

She had already met Lian Rongrong twice, and this woman was definitely not the kind of person who could be easily manipulated.

Or perhaps, seeing that even His Majesty couldn't do anything to the Empress Dowager, Lian Rongrong decided to back down?

With this hope in her heart, Hua Ling's mood improved.

"Your Highness is too kind to Ling'er. How could Ling'er possibly deserve Your Highness's apology?"

"How could she not be worthy? Miss Hua is now the Empress Dowager's goddaughter. In the entire Great Sheng Dynasty, how many women are more noble than Miss Hua?"

The Empress Dowager glanced at Lian Rongrong with an expression that said, "You know it, that's good," before turning her attention back to Li Yuanqi.

"Prince Qi, now that Princess Qi has admitted her mistake, why don't you hurry up and put the necklace on Ling'er?"

Lian Rongrong's lips twitched slightly. It seemed that if the marriage wasn't granted today, the old hag wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

However, between her insomnia and the old witch's insomnia, Lian Rongrong resolutely chose the latter.

"Grandmother, let me put the gift on Miss Hua. After all, this gift was made by me."

Moreover, Miss Hua has said more than once that she has no improper thoughts about Prince Qi.

After all, men and women should not touch each other. If His Highness and Miss Hua were to make such intimate gestures in public, Miss Hua would likely face criticism in the future.

"Many voices can melt metal, and three men can make a tiger—no one knows this better than I do." Lian Rongrong glanced at some of the people present, seemingly unintentionally.

Those who had been gossiping at the wedding and were just now couldn't help but lower their heads.

At the same time, Lian Rongrong slowly walked to the Empress Dowager and Hua Ling's side and respectfully extended her hands.

The Empress Dowager felt a lump in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out. And yet, what Rongrong said seemed perfectly reasonable.

"Grandmother? Am I not worthy to place a necklace on Miss Hua?"

The three women stood frozen in front of everyone, and as time went on, the situation became increasingly awkward. Finally, the old emperor spoke again.

"Mother, it's just a necklace. Hua Ling is not yet married, so it's really inappropriate for Qi'er to wear it."

Since the old emperor had spoken, the empress dowager couldn't refuse him too much. She glared at Lian Rongrong angrily, but in the end, she still threw the necklace into Lian Rongrong's hand.

A sly glint flashed across Lian Rongrong's face, unseen by others, but clearly seen by Li Yuanqi.

He nudged Fu Bao, who was still eating, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Stop eating, or you'll regret missing out on the fun."

Hearing the commotion, Fu Bao immediately turned to look at her mother.

Lian Rongrong walked behind Hua Ling with the necklace in both hands. The "diamond" necklace was placed around Hua Ling's neck, but suddenly the necklace tightened.

Hua Ling felt her neck being tightly constricted, and a slight feeling of suffocation instantly overwhelmed her.

Hua Ling instinctively reached for the necklace around her neck, but before her hand could touch it, the necklace tightened even more.

The feeling of suffocation gradually intensified from its initial slightness, and a sense of fear flashed through Hua Ling's heart. The people around her were also stunned by the scene before them.

This isn't just putting a necklace on someone; it's practically a death sentence. That rare necklace is now like a death warrant.

However, compared to the others, the white silk might be gentler.

Lian Rongrong's actions clearly angered the Empress Dowager, but just as the Empress Dowager was about to lash out, Lian Rongrong let go.

She patted the dust off her hands, which hadn't actually been there, and said lightly and cheerfully, "All done!"

"All done?" The Empress Dowager wished she could spit a mouthful of blood onto Lian Rongrong's face.

Hua Ling's face was almost purple from the pressure, but Lian Rongrong just casually said, "Okay."

"Oh, isn't it wearing perfectly fine?"

Inside the main hall, Li Yuanqi, Fu Bao, the Lian family, and the old emperor were all nearly bursting with suppressed rage.

But laughing at this time is rather inappropriate.

"Princess Consort Qi! Are you doing this on purpose?" The Empress Dowager finally couldn't hold back any longer.

But looking at the person opposite, she had an innocent look on her face, and even Rongrong turned to face Hua Ling as if she was nervous.

Then she exaggeratedly covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Oh dear, Miss Hua, is your neck so thick?"

"Pfft." Someone in the crowd couldn't help but laugh out loud. Then everyone lowered their heads, their shoulders shaking.

From birth until now, Hua Ling had never been so humiliated. As a pampered young lady, she couldn't bear such an insult.

Hua Ling forcefully snapped the necklace in half and threw it on the ground in a huff. But before she could react, Lian Rongrong's sarcastic voice reached her ears again:

"Oh my goodness, Miss Hua, this is a necklace that was given to you by the Queen Mother. How could you just break it and throw it on the ground like that?"

Even if you're a bit thick-skinned, there's no need to take it out on a necklace. It's a royal gift; to insult it like this is a grave offense!

"If you don't believe me, ask Minister Yan!"

Yan Hui was sitting quietly when he was dragged into this mess for no reason. He nervously swallowed, realizing that no matter how he responded, it would be wrong.

After all, Hua Ling's actions did offend the royal dignity, but it's clear that Hua Ling and the Empress Dowager are in cahoots.

If Hua Ling is truly wrong, the Empress Dowager will likely be the first to hold him accountable.

Hua Ling was so frightened that she quickly picked up the necklace, and then knelt before the Empress Dowager with tears in her eyes, confessing:

"Your Majesty, Ling'er didn't do it on purpose. It's just that Princess Qi tightened the necklace too much."

Ling'er was out of breath for a moment, which is why she accidentally broke the necklace.

"Oh? Miss Hua, are you implying that you're blaming me? It's a perfectly good necklace; if you had worn it yourself, this wouldn't have happened."

Lian Rongrong really didn't miss the slightest opportunity to strike. Her barrage of words left Hua Ling speechless.

Hua Ling looked at the Empress Dowager with her eyes full of grievance. She stopped talking because she knew the Empress Dowager would definitely take action!

As expected, everyone heard a loud shout: "Princess Consort Qi, how dare you! Do you know your crime?"

Lian Rongrong knelt down slowly, but her whole body showed no sign of submission.

"If Your Majesty thinks that Miss Hua's thick neck is also my fault, then I admit my guilt."

Although one was sitting and the other was kneeling, the Empress Dowager clearly did not gain any advantage over Lian Rongrong.

"Very well, a mere princess dares to talk back to me like this! Guards! Slap me in the face!"

As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, the head maidservant beside her immediately stepped forward. However, before the slap could land on Lian Rongrong's face, Li Yuanqi had already leaped forward and grabbed the maidservant's wrist.

"Let me see, who dares to hit her?"

"Rebellion! Rebellion! It's truly rebellion!" The Empress Dowager was so angry that her chest ached, but then she heard the Emperor beside her say in a deep voice:

“There is indeed no one who can touch Princess Qi! When she risked her life to bring Prince Qi back, I already bestowed upon her the title of First-Rank Princess. No one may touch her without my decree!”

The head maid awkwardly withdrew her hand and cautiously glanced at the old witch, the Empress Dowager.

In this situation, the Empress Dowager clearly had no advantage to gain. She snorted coldly and let Li Yuanqi lead Lian Rongrong back to her seat.

Fu Bao's face lit up with a big smile as she watched Lian Rongrong return victorious.

This is the real mother I know; this is the authentic taste.