BACK AT THE Duke Estate, packs of gifts were being received by the servants at the entrance much to their surprise. There were apology gifts from the emperor and empress. And there were also apology gifts coming from the Prime Minister's Estate.
Hearing about the prime minister sending apology gifts, Lily's face scrunched up in disgust.
"What apology gift? His good daughter took a disgusting thing from me. So, what's there to apologize for?" she said. She was currently attending to her grandfather's tea early in the morning in his study when the news came to her ears.
"....." said Duke Pei. His granddaughter's dislike towards the crown prince already reached new heights. Regarding this, he was curious. When did Lily start having ill feelings for the crown prince? How come he wasn't aware of it? Or maybe he wasn't just as attentive to his granddaughter as he thought he was. With this thought, he was feeling sad again.
Lily looked at her two personal maidservants, Ji Lei and Ji Mei. After some thought, she gave an order to Ji Mei, "Bring out the golden phoenix brocade and the luminous black pearl stored in my treasury. Wrap them in a careful and beautiful manner before sending them to the prime minister's daughter."
"What?" Duke Pei remarked, not waiting for Ji Mei to accept the order. "Why are you giving such treasures to them? Wouldn't it be a waste?"
The golden phoenix brocade was the most beautiful fabric in this world. During Duke Pei's father's expedition, this treasure was obtained. It has a sparkling golden colour and is soft when touched.
As for the luminous black pearl, that one was a treasure greater than the other. It was also obtained by Duke Pei's father during his expedition. And it was far from ordinary. At night, it would glow like a star. Also, it could store positive energy from nature, turning it into a treasure that could relax the muscles. Minor diseases like colds and the like could easily be healed with the help of this luminous black pearl.
Duke Pei didn't care if the golden phoenix brocade was given. But thinking that the luminous black pearl was about to be turned into a gift as well, he felt his mouth swell with blood.
Lily ignored her grandfather's glare. She first handed him the tea that she just finished making before saying, "I like to convey to the prime minister how much gratitude I have towards his daughter for seducing the crown prince. A simple gift isn't enough. I think sending those so-called treasures would properly inform him of my feelings."
So-called treasure---
Duke Pei felt his mouth twitch. This granddaughter of his was belittling these treasures. However, come to think of it, in their original place, these treasures were really nothing. But in the secular world, these treasures were enough to make a country compete just to obtain them.
He sighed.
Nevermind.
The Pei family was now under Lily's hands. Whatever she wanted to do with it, he would just support her.
Within the day, the thank-you gifts from Lily were sent to the prime minister's door. Looking at the treasures and the emotionless Ji Mei, Prime Minister Carna couldn't help but think that Young Miss Pei was plotting a scheme. Otherwise, why would she suddenly be so generous? The treasure that the previous emperors tried to obtain from the hand of the Pei family was sent to his home just like that.
"This," Prime Minister said, forcing out a smile, "How could I accept such treasures? I am not qualified to have these."
Ji Mei remained emotionless as she explained, "Our young miss has no affection for the crown prince and has been thinking of ways to dissolve the engagement. Fearing that our duke would be hurt if she dissolved the engagement without a valid reason, she didn't do it. However, with the help of your good daughter, seducing the crown prince and even offering her body without the prospect of marriage, our young miss is so happy and full of gratitude. So, please Prime Minister Carna, accept these little gifts our young miss is sending you."
Those words...
Prime Minister Carna's face darkened. Weren't those words humiliating his daughter and slapping him in the face? His daughter seduced the crown prince who was already engaged with the chaste-loving Pei family and he, as the father, didn't educate his daughter well. He was the prime minister, yet the conduct of his child was disappointing. As such, how could he help the monarch govern the country?
Ji Mei didn't care about the prime minister's expression as she added, "These gifts are for your daughter. Our Duke Estate hoped that she wouldn't despise these little gifts."
"Miss, our prime minister's estate is nothing compared to your duke's estate. However, we will not condone such humiliation," said Prime Minister Carna with a cold voice.
"Prime minister jests," Ji Mei replied calmly. "This servant is simply stating facts. Which part of my words was humiliating your prime minister's estate? Or," she trailed as she stared right through the prime minister's eyes, "does the prime minister think that the conduct of your daughter is humiliating you? Please, Prime Minister Carna," she waved her hand indifferently, "do not blame your daughter. Our young miss is really thankful and even requested the emperor to give your daughter and the crown prince their most awaited marriage. She doesn't blame your daughter at all."
"You. You. You!" The Prime Minister was seething in anger as he pointed his finger at Ji Mei. The servants around the estate gasped, worried that the angered prime minister would do something stupid resulting in the demise of their estate.
That's the servant of the Pei family. Keeping aside the fact that the other person knew martial arts, the Pei family was composed of a bunch of mad people who would take revenge on a simple matter. If the Duke Estate knew that this maidservant was bullied by their prime minister, would they send their legendary armies to trample them down?
Ji Mei remained unaffected. Seeing that the prime minister had no other words to say than 'you', she bowed slightly and left the premises.
Prime Minister Carna slumped down on his seat as he trembled in anger. He had wished for so long to finally trample that arrogant Pei family. What million armies? What a powerful family! In the eyes of the real mighty people, the Pei family was nothing!
"Call the young miss to my study!" he roared to his servant. Afterwards, he entered his study and waited for his good daughter to come.
Not long after, the only young miss of the prime minister's estate entered the study.
"Father," Olivia called out softly upon entering the study room. She moved like a gentle fairy and spoke in an unhurried manner. She was raised with a gentle demeanour but with a scheming heart. She wanted to be the best and hated those women who were above her.
"The maidservant of the Pei family came with gifts for you. Have you seen those treasures?" Prime Minister Carna asked calmly, but his eyes were spurting coldness.
Olivia knew that her father was angry this time. So, she tried to appease him. "Father, Eldest Brother's master has been looking for that Luminous Black Pearl for decades. The Pei family was stupid for gifting it to us. Why don't we give it to Eldest Brother's master to deepen our relationship with him?"
"Are you certain that your eldest brother's master is capable of trampling down the Pei family?" he asked. He didn't want to risk offending the Pei family only to end up shooting himself in the heel.
Olivia smiled as she reassured, "The Pei family is only known in this world. In the world where the master of Eldest Brother is residing, there's no such family surnamed Pei. Although the Pei family's origin is unknown, it is estimated that they are just an ancient family in this world."
The world they were currently in was called the secular world, the world where mortals resided. Above it was the Earth Realm, her eldest brother's master's world. The people there were experts and used spiritual energy to condense magic.
Her eldest brother had a good encounter with that expert, who was now his master. However, the master didn't want to know about his existence, so they had to keep it a secret. With the reason of a 'journey to gain experience', her eldest brother left the empire to train with his master. Later on, the said master was suddenly willing to become their backer and also became interested in her inner talent. Apparently, she had the ability to conduct magic like her eldest brother.
It was said that the expert would be coming into the empire in the coming days. And Olivia held onto this to gain the emperor's affection in the future. She wanted to be the mother of the world, the empress that would gain the envy of everyone.
She wanted all the women to look up at her with envy and jealousy!
The expert agreed to her request. Aside from teaching her the basics of magic, she would become the empress of this empire.
Prime Minister Carna nodded. Although he believed his daughter's words, he was still frowning deeply. He just hoped that this wouldn't be a mistake. Otherwise, it would be his demise and not the Pei family's.