After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband-Chapter 668 Trade

Chapter 668: Chapter 668 Trade
Su Jin looked at Xingxing.
Xingxing handed the bundle to Su Jin.
Su Jin took the bundle and said to Princess Shuning, "The other day at the palace banquet, I fell into the water, and Princess lent me a dress. Since I’ve worn it, it’s not appropriate to return it, so I designed a new set. I wonder if the Princess would like it."
Princess Shuning was wondering why she was being sought out and was a bit afraid just now.
It turned out to be a dress gift.
It was just a set of clothes; she didn’t really care.
Now that the harem is under the control of Consort Li, even if Princess Shuning wears a few more sets of dresses, no one dares to say anything. After all, in this harem, who has more clothes than Princess Shouning?
As long as she doesn’t outdo her, even if the Empress is unhappy, she has to grin and bear it, or else it would be embarrassing for everyone if it leads to a fuss.
Princess Shuning took the dress, casually handing it to the attending palace maid, then said, "It’s just a dress, hardly worth preparing a new one for me. If it weren’t for you and your servant timely rescuing Princess Shouning and the girl from Nanyang Marquis Mansion, my mother consort’s meticulously prepared banquet would have been ruined by someone."
Although that banquet was a conspiracy, and it left her mother consort furious, fortunately, the Empress did not gain any advantage.
Princess Shuning did not want to bring up these unpleasant matters, and she said, "It’s a rare nice day. If the Princess Consort Zhenbei is not busy, why not join me for some flower viewing?"
Su Jin thought that since the Emperor’s meeting wasn’t finished yet, instead of waiting aimlessly at the Imperial Study entrance, it would be better to stroll through the Imperial Garden.
She had no animosity with Princess Shuning and got along with her quite well.
The two chatted happily, enjoying each other’s company.
From afar, Princess Shouning, who was out for a walk, saw them and felt a surge of anger.
The grudge with Su Jin began with the lash in the palace, growing larger and seemingly impossible to reconcile in this lifetime.
Consort Li had seized the Phoenix Seal from the Empress, and Princess Shuning was nearly on equal footing with her, the legitimate princess.
Seeing the two people she particularly disliked together, Princess Shouning felt her liver almost burst with fury.
Not wanting to clash with Su Jin, or perhaps feeling a bit intimidated, Princess Shouning stomped off in another direction.
Princess Shuning saw it, her face breaking into a smile she couldn’t restrain.
Su Jin looked at her, then at the retreating Princess Shouning, not wanting to involve herself in the sisters’ disputes, and since it was about the hour, she said, "I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first."
Princess Shuning did not try to keep her and said, "Come to the palace to accompany me for some flower viewing when you have time."
Su Jin smiled and agreed.
Bowing slightly, Su Jin left with Xingxing.
After Su Jin left, Princess Shuning continued to stroll the garden, soon meeting Princess Shouning head-on.
These sisters had been at odds since childhood, with neither giving ground.
Princess Shuning smiled and said, "I was really worried seeing you just now, thinking you might start another fight with Princess Consort Zhenbei. Luckily, you knew you couldn’t win and avoided it."
Hmm.
The words jabbed right at Princess Shouning’s sore spots or perhaps her pride.
"Do I, a princess, need to avoid a mere Princess Consort?!" Princess Shouning said coldly.
"But as for you, being a princess, you actually lower yourself to please others. I’m just staying away to keep myself from having to scold you!"
With that said, Princess Shouning left with her head held high like a proud peacock.
Princess Shuning flushed with anger.
When did she ever lower herself to please others?!
After strolling outside for a while, Princess Shuning returned to her chamber in a fury.
Upon returning, she saw the bundle on the table. The palace maid opened the bundle, revealing the dress inside.
Just one look and Princess Shuning couldn’t tear her eyes away. The palace maid exclaimed, "What a beautiful garment!"
Princess Shuning touched the dress, a slight curve forming on her lips.
Wasn’t she accused of lowering herself to please the Princess Consort Zhenbei?
This dress was gifted to her by the Princess Consort Zhenbei!
"Quick, help me change into it."
Inside the Imperial Study.
The Emperor sipped tea while sitting on the Dragon Chair.
In good spirits.
A little eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Consort Zhenbei requests an audience."
Why is she here?
"Bring her in," the Emperor said.
Su Jin walked in, curtsying to greet the Emperor.
Looking at her, the Emperor said, "Did you come to see Us for something?"
His gentle tone attracted attention.
Eunuch Fu observed the Emperor.
Previously indifferent, ever since knowing that Su Jin, like Consort Yun, is allergic to Lizhi, he couldn’t help but associate Su Jin with Consort Yun.
In terms of appearance, they aren’t very similar, except for the eyes; otherwise, there’s no resemblance to Consort Yun. Instead, she slightly resembles the Emperor.
The Emperor was always gentle to Consort Yun, and only to Consort Yun. But Eunuch Fu was sure the Emperor didn’t see Princess Consort Zhenbei as Consort Yun.
Consort Yun’s temperament was gentle, while the Princess Consort’s was far from that.
What puzzled Eunuch Fu was why the Emperor was more patient with the Princess Consort Zhenbei than with his own daughters. If it was merely because she saved the Emperor, it wouldn’t suffice.
Standing there, Eunuch Fu ruminated quickly, and he thought that the Emperor undoubtedly had a deep-seated desire to take Marquis Dongxiang’s daughter, though the Emperor never admitted it.
Unable to take the daughter, he’d become a father voluntarily.
Besides, the Emperor would only ever think about it and not actually take action. Marquis Dongxiang had stubbornly prevented his daughter from being made a princess by the Emperor, whose refusal never wavered.
Given Marquis Dongxiang’s temperament, rejecting what was thrust upon him only to seize it later, only required the Emperor to make a sound before Marquis Dongxiang could trap the Emperor, unreachable by any ladder.
Su Jin took out the letter given to her by Princess Beimo from her bosom and handed it to the Emperor to read.
After reading, the Emperor looked at Su Jin, "What is this?"
"Princess Beimo hopes I can sell soap to Beimo. I think it’s feasible, so I came to discuss this matter with you, Your Majesty," Su Jin said.
Su Jin looked hopeful.
With such a large market in Beimo, there’s no reason not to seize the opportunity.
However, the Emperor felt troubled; Beimo and Daqi had just fought a war not long ago, and the two countries had not traded officially for years. Though some secretly traded, the quantity was small and cautious.
Truly opening trade required deliberation and unanimous decision by the ministers.
The Emperor stayed silent, and Su Jin said, "I would give Your Majesty thirty percent of the soap sales revenue."
The Emperor, "...."
Eunuch Fu, "...."
The Emperor touched his face.
Did he, as the Emperor, look particularly poor?
Eunuch Fu had been with the Emperor for years.
He could guess the Emperor’s small expressions with some accuracy.
Eunuch Fu wanted to laugh but couldn’t.
This Dongxiang Marquis Mansion family was something else.
The father had his eyes on the Emperor’s small treasury.
The daughter did too.
One was trying to empty the treasury.
The other was trying to fill it with money.
Did Princess Consort Zhenbei know that no matter how much they sent, it would eventually land in her father Marquis Dongxiang’s hands?
In any case, the Emperor felt quite stifled.
"Your Majesty?"
Seeing the Emperor’s reaction differ from her expectations, Su Jin couldn’t help calling out.