Youthful Glory

Perhaps aware that Ming Tan had begun receiving guests, the next day Empress Zhang sent someone to Prince Dingbei's Manor with a message. She mentioned that the palace had newly cultivated green chrysanthemums, which were blooming splendidly these days, and invited Ming Tan to admire them together in the palace.

Ming Tan naturally accepted with pleasure.

Cultivating these green chrysanthemums was quite laborious. After entering Prince Dingbei's Manor, Ming Tan had also been carefully nurturing them, but this was something that couldn't be rushed. This year, the ones grown in the manor only showed faint green hues at the edges.

"The palace gardeners are truly more skilled in this art. Besides 'Green Clouds' and 'Green Peonies,' these 'Ink Lotus,' 'Commander's Flag,' and 'Jade Pot Spring' are also blooming so magnificently. Especially this 'Phoenix Fluttering Its Wings'—it's truly dazzling. In my humble opinion, it suits Your Highness the Empress most perfectly," Ming Tan praised with a bright smile.

"It seems the Princess Consort is quite the connoisseur of chrysanthemums," Empress Zhang couldn't help but smile, taking Ming Tan's hand and patting it gently. "It's been quite some time since we last met at Yongchun Garden. I see you've grown thinner—you must take good care of yourself."

"Yes, thank you for Your Highness's concern."

Empress Zhang continued, "If you like these chrysanthemums, how about selecting some of the finest of each variety to be sent to Prince Dingbei's Manor?"

"Thank you for Your Highness's generous favor," Ming Tan replied with a respectful curtsy. "However, I believe chrysanthemums look most splendid when clustered together. If some are taken to the manor, the remaining ones might appear a bit lonely. I would be more than content with just those two pots of 'Commander's Flag.'"

After all, the imperial garden only had so many flowers. If she took several pots of each variety, there might not be much left for the Emperor to bestow upon other consorts.

Since becoming Princess Consort Dingbei, she had gradually learned many things about the palace. Even flowers had their designated allocations in the palace. The rare varieties obtained each season were symbols of status among the consorts. It was better not to take what others cherished, especially since Prince Dingbei's Manor wasn't lacking in a few pots of flowers. Moreover, if Empress Zhang had truly intended to send her some of each variety, she wouldn't have asked "how about it" first.

Empress Zhang nodded, her smile deepening slightly.

This Princess Consort Dingbei was indeed exceptionally tactful.

"That would be fine as well. Prince Dingbei is a rare military genius, and the 'Commander's Flag' suits him perfectly. Attendants, send those two pots of 'Commander's Flag' to Prince Dingbei's Manor."

As if remembering something, Empress Zhang pointed ahead and instructed, "And those two pots of 'Jade Pot Spring'—send them to Duke Changguo's residence."

Bai Minmin, who had been trailing behind the Empress with uncharacteristic decorum, hurriedly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for Your Highness's generous favor."

The Empress also smiled gently at her. "No need to be nervous. Treat this as your own garden."

Bai Minmin verbally agreed, but her palms couldn't help but sweat.

On previous occasions, the Empress had summoned her mother to the palace. This time, she had been summoned without any prior notice, leaving her no time to prepare proper attire—how could she not be nervous! Fortunately, Ming Tan was also present today, which eased her mind somewhat.

Compared to Bai Minmin, Ming Tan was naturally more adept at handling such formalities. Having visited the palace frequently, she now navigated these situations with ease.

Seeing Bai Minmin so uncharacteristically well-behaved, Ming Tan found it rather amusing and teased, "It's rare to see my cousin so docile as she is today. I suppose... she's been utterly captivated by Your Highness's majestic grace as the mother of the realm."Bai Minmin couldn't help but glare at her, but when the Empress's gaze shifted over, she immediately lowered her head, eyes fixed on her nose in a meek posture like a quail.

The Empress smiled faintly. "Minmin is lively. It's natural to be nervous meeting me for the first time. Once you visit more often, you won't feel so restrained."

Zhang Huaiyu had set his sights on this young lady from Duke Changguo's household. Initially, hearing about her spirited temperament had left her somewhat dissatisfied. But after reflecting on the Emperor's comforting words, she found them quite reasonable.

She had spent a full year evaluating Grand Preceptor Zhang's granddaughter before finally settling on her, believing her to be a dignified and graceful young lady. Who would have thought she'd turn out to be utterly lacking in propriety!

After the incident, fearing that the reckless man from the Bu family had forced himself upon the girl and tarnished her virtue, she had ordered a thorough investigation. It turned out the Zhang girl had been completely willing, utterly charmed by the Bu scoundrel's sweet talk. After the incident, she even tearfully begged Grand Preceptor Zhang to save her beloved, nearly giving the old man a stroke from rage.

This Bai girl, though a bit too lively, came from a respectable family and was quite comely. Since Zhang Huaiyu fancied her... she pondered, perhaps it wasn't entirely out of the question.

With her as Empress, the Zhang family had produced an imperial consort. To avoid accusations of nepotism, her father had always held only honorary positions without real power. When Zhang Huaiyu inherited the title, he too would have to remain wealthy but inconspicuous, never showing too much ambition.

Not that Zhang Huaiyu had any ambition to show—he cared nothing for official careers but was quite diligent in pursuing leisurely hobbies.

Given his temperament, if he could marry a girl he liked and live out his days in comfort and happiness, she as his elder sister had no reason to object.

Thinking this, she took Bai Minmin's hand again and patted it gently. "Come, sit with me for a while. I've grown tired from walking."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Bai Minmin and Ming Tan accompanied Empress Zhang to a pavilion in the garden. Seizing the opportunity, Ming Tan brought up the idea of encouraging noblewomen to donate unused items, which could then be sold to provide winter supplies for impoverished regions.

After brief consideration, Empress Zhang smiled approvingly. "That's quite a good idea. The noblewomen of the capital have always indulged in extravagance, but in times of peace, enforcing austerity would only breed resentment. However, asking them to donate unwanted items should meet with little resistance."

Bai Minmin chimed in, "Your Highness, I believe we should set standards for the quality and types of items donated. After all, charity isn't about collecting trash—if things are too worn, they might not fetch any price..." She quickly added, "This is just my humble opinion. Please disregard it if it's inappropriate."

"How could I disregard it?" Empress Zhang said with evident satisfaction. "I find Minmin's suggestion most reasonable."

Ming Tan seized the moment to praise her cousin like a proud merchant. "Indeed, though my cousin is spirited, she's always been clever and attentive, often noticing things others overlook."

Bai Minmin flushed slightly at the praise but seemed encouraged. She went on to share more of her ideas, with Ming Tan subtly helping to refine any shortcomings.

For Empress Zhang, this was an effortless way to bolster her reputation—all gain and no loss. Finding the proposal thoroughly feasible after careful consideration, she finally took a sip of tea and gave her quiet approval."In that case, I shall host a tea gathering in a few days and invite several titled Madams to discuss this matter. As for the sale of donated items, since the idea was proposed by the Princess Consort and Minmin also has considerable thoughts on it, I shall entrust the Princess Consort with the responsibility, with Minmin assisting. How does that sound?"

The two exchanged glances and promptly curtsied in unison to accept the order.

When dealing with intelligent individuals, many things need not be overly explained for both parties to feel comfortable.

Empress Zhang, having received such a reputation-boosting idea, did not selfishly monopolize it but delegated authority to Ming Tan to oversee.

Admittedly, Ming Tan had no intention of using this matter to gain reputation, but she genuinely wished to personally handle it. She was grateful that the Empress allowed her to fulfill this wish.

By assigning Bai Minmin to assist, the Empress clearly had thorough considerations. As an unmarried young lady, accumulating more reputation would benefit both herself and her future marital family.

Moreover, handling such matters could reveal a person's character and abilities. The future mistress of Duke Pingguo's Mansion, no matter how lively her disposition, could not lack the capability to manage household affairs.

With this settled and the day growing late, Ming Tan and Bai Minmin rose to take their leave.

The palace was not a place for casual conversation. Though Bai Minmin had much to say, she restrained herself and quietly departed the palace with Ming Tan.

However, upon reaching the Hongyong Gate, they unexpectedly encountered Jia Guiren's palanquin.

Bai Minmin, holding no official title and merely being the daughter of an official, was obliged to pay respects to imperial consorts.

Yet she hesitated momentarily, noticing that the consort in the palanquin wore attire befitting a rank below Shuyi but was riding a palanquin...

Before entering the palace, her mother had specifically arranged for someone to instruct her: only consorts of Shuyi rank and above were entitled to ride palanquins. So what exactly was this consort's rank? The etiquette differed depending on the rank.

In her confusion, Jia Guiren had already halted the palanquin. Covering her noticeably protruding belly, she looked down at them with a sidelong glance and demanded, "Who is this? How dare you not pay respects upon seeing my palanquin?"

Bai Minmin hurriedly prepared to curtsy according to the etiquette for Shuyi and above, but Ming Tan subtly stopped her. Smiling faintly, she said, "Has Jia Shuyi been reinstated? Congratulations."

"You!"

This Princess Consort Dingbei—was there no end to her provocations? Not content with causing her demotion, she now deliberately brought up a sore point!

Though her pregnancy was now advanced, and everyone said she was surely carrying a young prince, the Emperor had recently softened toward her, lifting her confinement and exceptionally permitting her to ride a palanquin. Yet her rank remained unreinstated!

Still wary of Prince Dingbei, she dared not stir further trouble. Instead, she turned to Bai Minmin and repeated, "Who are you? Why do you not pay respects upon seeing me? Do you not understand propriety?"

Just as Ming Tan was about to speak, a dashing young man in crimson brocade robes approached from outside the Hongyong Gate, lazily fanning himself. "I wondered which palace's consort this was. Jia Guiren, your repeated use of 'my palanquin' truly demonstrates your grasp of propriety."

The rank of Shuyi was like an insurmountable chasm. Above it, one could ride palanquins and refer to oneself as "my palanquin"; below it—

Palanquins might be an exception, but the self-reference was not. Jia Guiren, still clinging to the glory of her former Shuyi rank and now pregnant, had not been challenged on this before.

At the sight of the newcomer, Jia Guiren felt a surge of anger stuck in her chest, neither rising nor subsiding.

Fine, another one she couldn't afford to offend.

If she couldn't provoke them, couldn't she at least avoid them?She bit her lip and said angrily, "Let's go!"