The eunuch rolled the long gift list into a scroll, placed it on the tray holding the imperial rewards, and said to Li Weiyang in a shrill voice: “Accept the decree and express your gratitude.”

Li Weiyang respectfully kowtowed and said: “This humble subject is grateful for His Majesty’s grace, but whenever this humble subject thinks of the common people still suffering in dire straits, she cannot bear to accept these gifts. If His Majesty permits, this humble subject wishes to donate all these gifts to the displaced victims in the disaster area.”

The Emperor was stunned. His cold, stern eyes were unfathomably deep, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking. In truth, he was quite shocked. For such a young girl to be perceptive was one thing, but to not be greedy for wealth was truly rare.

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile, looked at Li Weiyang with meaningful eyes and said: “Good child, these are all what you deserve and should not be declined. Moreover, since you have such a compassionate heart, you should receive additional rewards. Your Majesty, what do you say?”

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: “Mother Empress speaks correctly. I have spoken with golden mouth and jade words—this gold and silver is what I bestow upon you, so accept it all. Since the Empress Dowager says additional rewards are warranted, then let her be granted the title of County Princess Anping. As for your mother—”

Halfway through his words, Li Weiyang suddenly said softly: “Your Majesty, this humble subject’s legitimate mother is already a first-rank mandated Lady.”

Li Xiaoran was the Prime Minister, so the Old Madam held a first-rank mandate, and the First Madam held the same. However, mandates could be bestowed multiple times. The First Madam was already first-rank, which did not prevent the Emperor from granting another first-rank title. So why did Li Weiyang suddenly say such a thing?

This was naturally an indirect way of telling the Emperor: You’ve given my legitimate mother first rank, but I also have a birth mother!

The Empress Dowager almost laughed aloud. This little girl truly refused to suffer even the slightest loss. She reminded: “Since Your Majesty is granting a title to the legitimate mother, this child’s birth mother should also receive a mandate.”

The Emperor also realized this issue. In his original thinking, he only needed to know that Li Weiyang’s father was Li Xiaoran—who cared who her birth mother was? But since she had personally brought it up, he couldn’t shamelessly pretend not to understand: “Very well, extending grace to the mother is also appropriate.” Having said this, no longer wanting to be entangled in these trivial matters, he waved his sleeve and hurriedly left, clearly going to consult with his court officials.

However, the Empress Dowager kept Li Weiyang behind, chatting with her like an ordinary family’s grandmother.

Li Weiyang’s earlier performance made her involuntarily feel a trace of wariness toward this child, but she also couldn’t help worrying for her—for such a small, weak girl, having an overly clever mind was undoubtedly a very dangerous thing. So she solemnly took Li Weiyang’s hand in her own, holding it earnestly as she said: “Women should not participate in men’s affairs. What a young lady of noble family should do most is study music, chess, calligraphy and painting, marry into a suitable family, and live out her life peacefully and safely.”

Though the words were subtle, their meaning could not be more obvious—they were a warning to Li Weiyang.

A child praised so highly today would only attract countless jealousies and hatreds. Who knows when she might fall from heaven to earth, and how would she cope then?

The Empress Dowager worried that Li Weiyang might not understand, or even if she understood, might not accept it and instead harbor resentment. To her surprise, Li Weiyang was very composed, nodding like an obedient student, her eyes even showing gratitude.

While the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, she also felt puzzled and perplexed. Imperial children mostly matured early, so acting like adults at a young age was not strange. But this child grew up in the countryside—how could she have such keen insight, able to distinguish true friends from enemies in such a short time and make appropriate responses? All of this was truly astonishing.

In less than three hours, the decree appointing the Prime Minister’s third daughter Li Weiyang as County Princess Anping came down, along with news that her legitimate mother Jiang Shi received first rank and her birth mother Tan Shi was granted the title of third-rank Virtuous Lady, shocking the entire household.

The Second Madam was startled. That Li Weiyang was exceptionally granted the title of County Princess was one thing, but how could even an insignificant seventh concubine receive a third-rank Virtuous Lady mandate? This was simply unbelievable. Looking again at those eight entire large red lacquered wooden chests with black studs, she knew the Emperor had also bestowed considerable rewards.

When receiving the imperial decree, the First Madam’s facial muscles twitched for quite a while before she could barely maintain her composure. The Second Madam’s eyes turned red with jealousy, and even the usually calm Third Madam was somewhat surprised. Li Changle was so angry her face turned ashen, but the imperial decree required the entire family to receive it together at the gate. Now everyone in the capital knew about the Li family’s third daughter Li Weiyang, knew that she had solved a difficult problem for the Emperor and received His Majesty’s mandate! Originally, this honor should have been hers, but Li Weiyang had interfered, and all the credit became hers!

The First Madam was after all much more composed. After receiving the decree, she instructed people to help the Old Madam inside and generously rewarded the eunuch who came to announce the decree.

Li Changle’s complexion was somewhat pale. Li Changru from the second household very much enjoyed seeing her suffer a setback and deliberately came over to look at her: “Elder Sister, why does your complexion look so poor?”

Li Changle was completely speechless, her crimson-painted nails almost drawing blood in her palm.

The First Madam’s voice was exceptionally gentle and calm: “Changru, your elder sister merely caught a slight chill. It’s good that you care for her, but be careful she doesn’t pass the chill to you. The decree has been received, so return to your room and rest.”

Li Changru pursed her lips and disdainfully helped the Second Madam inside together.

The seventh concubine suddenly received her daughter’s protection and was so happy tears welled in her eyes, but in the First Madam’s presence she dared not show her joy openly. Li Weiyang winked at her. Tan Shi wanted to come forward and speak a few words with her, but with so many people around, she said nothing more, only watching Li Weiyang all the while before finally being helped inside by a maid.

Li Weiyang watched her birth mother depart, then turned her head. Standing on the steps, she saw the First Madam directing the maid Tanxiang to help Li Changle inside on one side, while on the other side supervising people to methodically carry the imperially bestowed items inside. The steward beside them kept pointing: “Careful, careful.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. This time she had dealt Li Changle such a huge blow, yet the First Madam’s face showed no sign of it whatsoever—she was indeed a formidable character.

Li Changle walked gracefully to the steps and suddenly stopped, staring at Li Weiyang.

Bai Zhi felt her heart go cold under that gaze and was truly afraid, so she lowered her head.

Tanxiang said awkwardly: “Third Young Miss, our First Young Miss is feeling unwell and cannot attend the banquet Master is holding for you tonight. This servant will help her back first.”

Li Weiyang nodded impassively: “Very well then, you should take good care of Elder Sister.” Saying this, she turned and walked toward the gate first.

“You stop right there!” Li Changle suddenly called out. Though her voice was not loud, it carried a trace of something unusual.

Li Weiyang looked at her meaningfully and smiled: “Does Elder Sister have something to say?”

Li Changle glared at her coldly: “Li Weiyang, all of this was your scheme!”

“My scheme?” Li Weiyang couldn’t help but smile. “Did I beg Elder Sister to steal my idea? Or did I beg Elder Sister to go claim credit before His Majesty? These were all things Elder Sister earnestly sought for yourself. How can you blame me?”