The Emperor asked Shen Chengyao several agricultural questions, a field in which Shen Chengyao was expert, and he answered them smoothly and confidently.
The Empress also asked Xiao'er several questions typical for a girl, and bestowed upon Xiao'er a pile of jewelry and fabrics as a gift. It wasn't an exaggeration to say it was a pile - they filled two large wooden boxes. It seemed the Empress had prepared the varied jewelry Xiao'er would need from the age of eight to eighteen!
In reality, the Empress's heart was filled with gratitude towards Xiao'er for curing Shangguan Xuanyi's poison and also for saving the life of another son with her medicinal pills. The Emperor would grant them the honorary titles they deserved, and she could only show her gratitude by giving more material rewards. Besides, a large part of these rewards were added upon the request of her own son, knowing that they were meant as gifts.
