Capítulo 1840: Chapter 1840: The Rich Old Lady (Part 3)
“Enough.” The Empress Dowager laughed heartily and, after settling down, said, “I have a Hot Spring Manor called Songquan Villa in the South Suburb. I’ll give it to you.” She blinked, “Now, don’t say this old woman snatches things unscrupulously, right?”
Yang Ruxin blinked: “Empress Dowager, I never said that.” She thought to herself, old madam, you are truly lavish. Just giving away an estate on a whim? These days, Du Yunpeng has been checking the real estate prices in the area. Any estate within a day’s journey of the Beijing Suburb, no matter how small, costs tens of thousands of silver. And none are for sale, much less with a hot spring.
“So does that mean you don’t want it?” The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Princess of Pingning County, beside the Empress Dowager, mischievously winked at Yang Ruxin, implying that she should hurry and express her gratitude.
Yang Ruxin hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, “Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your grace.”
“This girl… rise.” The Empress Dowager nodded at Yang Ruxin, “Gu Qingheng truly picked a treasure.”
At this moment, Aunt Hong Ye, who was beside the Empress Dowager, had already brought over a box, showing it to Yang Ruxin with a smile: “On top is the deed, below is the indenture of fifty households within the estate.” She closed the lid after showing it and handed it to her.
Yang Ruxin glanced briefly and saw the numbers on it, feeling shocked. She originally thought it would be a small estate of at most a hundred mu, but it turned out to be a large estate of five hundred mu, which must be worth fifty to sixty thousand silver, and crucially, cannot be bought at all.
Quickly holding the box, she kowtowed again to express her gratitude.
“Since the Empress Dowager has given a gift, I cannot be left out, though I am not as wealthy as the Empress Dowager.” Emperor Xuanjing chuckled, “I’ll give you a token. In the future, you can freely enter and exit the Palace and use the Imperial Post Stations across the country. Come to the Palace to chat with the Empress Dowager when you’re free…”
Attendant Lan quickly presented a palm-sized gold medal on a tray, “Congratulations to Madam Gu.” Last time when the little eunuch returned, he brought back a big package of herbal tea because Yang Ruxin knew about his insomnia problem. After drinking it for three days, he was able to fall asleep, and now he sleeps soundly every night, feeling much more energized during the day. He remembers this kindness well.
“Thank you, Attendant.” Yang Ruxin smiled, then kowtowed again to express her gratitude, thinking that when she returns to her village, she won’t have time to chat with a lavish old lady!
“Alright, from now on, everyone do as you please.” Emperor Xuanjing waved his hand grandly, then took a sip of wine.
Immediately, the sound of music arose, and a group of palace maidens in red walked up in small steps and began to dance gracefully.
Yang Ruxin quickly retreated, breathing a sigh of relief.
Gu Qingheng reached under the table and held Yang Ruxin’s hand, his eyes full of laughter.
Yang Ruxin squeezed his hand back, not speaking but communicating with her eyes full of understanding, their surroundings filled with a pink glow of warmth.
However, not everyone enjoyed the sweetness between the two.
“General Gu.” Qi Jingyun, holding a wine cup, circled around the dancers and approached, “I toast you.”
Only then did Gu Qingheng release Yang Ruxin’s hand, standing up to raise his cup, “Thank you, Prince Yun.” Then he drank it all in one go.
Qi Jingyun then looked at Yang Ruxin, “Xing… Madam Gu is a heroine among women, definitely not the kind of woman who can only embroider and look after children indoors…” And certainly not the type who gets jealous or is entirely consumed with competing for favor. The more he looked, the more he felt this woman was suitable for him.