The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 713: Chapter 713: A Show of Authority to the New Bride

Princess Consort Ji indeed felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. Clearly, she was the proper mother-in-law, but in terms of etiquette, she did not hold the legitimate status, so the tea offered by her son and daughter-in-law was not first given to her, but to the legitimate mother.

How truly distressing.

Besides, she couldn’t even surpass Empress Dowager Wang in the tea recognition ceremony for the new daughter-in-law, otherwise, it would be against the protocol.

However, regarding this point, she was quite pleased and welcomed it wholeheartedly. Who would want to bestow a grand ceremony upon an unsatisfactory daughter-in-law?

”The Prince hasn’t returned yet, has he?” Princess Consort Ji asked the Palace Maid beside her.

The Palace Maid smiled and said, ”They should be almost back.”

”They’ve been gone for too long.” Princess Consort Ji couldn’t help but mumble, growing impatient from waiting, and thinking of how Empress Dowager Wang might mock her from behind, a bit of anger welled up in her heart.

”Dowager, the Prince has returned.”

Princess Consort Ji’s eyes lit up, and she adjusted her court attire, maintaining a composed face as she said, ”Get everything ready for me.”

Soon after, Prince Min entered the great hall with his Princess Consort Xia Yu, the latter a step behind him. This caught the eye of Princess Consort Ji, who nodded secretly, pleased with the observance of propriety.

In the entire Prince Mansion, the only one eligible for their tea recognition was Princess Consort Ji, so there were not many people in the hall, even the concubines were waiting outside; they surely needed to offer tea to the new Princess Consort.

Princess Consort Ji looked at the rosy-cheeked Princess Min. She was exceedingly beautiful, and considering her appearance, if she could bear a legitimate son, he would certainly be an exceedingly handsome young man, though such a pity...

With Nanny accompanying, the maid holding the tea tray moved forward, smilingly singing, ”Please, Prince and Princess, offer tea to the Dowager.”

Prince Min took the tea, knelt before Princess Consort Ji, and respectfully said, ”Son offers tea to Consort.”

”Good, good, Consort will drink, get up quickly, don’t kneel.” Without another word, Princess Consort Ji took the teacup and sipped it, urging him to rise, as if fearing he might get leg pains from kneeling too long.

Princess Min knelt straight, took the tea, and held it high above her head, her voice clear, ”Daughter-in-law offers tea to Consort.”

Princess Consort Ji didn’t take the tea at first, wanting to leave her waiting for a moment. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Prince Min’s gaze upon her.

She hurriedly took the tea and lightly sipped it, saying, ”As the new bride, Miss Xia, you have entered the door of Prince Min Mansion, from now on, you are a person of the Great Qing Royal Family. Forget all of your past. As the Official Wife, your duty is to serve your husband wholeheartedly, be filial to your mother-in-law, educate your children, manage the household concubines, and it’s your responsibility not to stir up trouble, causing inconvenience to the Prince Mansion and to Ze’er.”

Princess Min respectfully bowed her head, ”Daughter-in-law will heed Consort’s teachings.”

Off to the side, Wan Chun felt somewhat distressed; this was clearly asserting authority over the Princess Consort.

Princess Consort Ji nodded with satisfaction, took a pair of white jade bracelets from a maid’s tray, and handed them over, ”I have nothing much to give, nor should I surpass the Empress Dowager, these bracelets were bestowed to me by the late Emperor, I always intended to leave them to the daughter-in-law, so I grant them to you.”

She truly got them cheaply.

Princess Min received them with both hands, bowing respectfully in thanks for the reward, ”Daughter-in-law thanks Consort for the reward.”

Seeing her so obedient, Princess Consort Ji had nothing more to say, ”Since you have returned from the palace, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Have breakfast here with me, and then return to the main courtyard. You also need to meet the concubines in the rear court and Song’er; you should at least recognize some faces.”

Princess Min looked at Prince Min, who then said, ”Then have the meal served.”