In just two to three days, everyone in the imperial court knew that the little princess, who had just turned three years old, had actually come up with a plan for the emperor to build a canal!
This matter caused an uproar in the court.
On the one hand, many people felt that building a canal was a waste of labor and money and that it’d destroy society’s foundations.
On the other hand, people were shocked that the little princess was so smart at such a young age.
When such thoughts came from a three-year-old girl, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her a child prodigy.
Everyone couldn’t help but think of the auspicious sign that came from heaven when Gu Nuo’er was born.
This time, it further confirmed the rumor that the little princess would bring blessing and great fortune.
There were thus many people who wanted to use this opportunity to cheat money.
On the fifth day of the first month, the Daoist priests from the Baiyun Temple entered the palace to pray for the emperor and celebrate his birthday. They also visited the high-ranking consorts of the various palaces to give them safety amulets.
When the priests came out of the emperor’s imperial study, they first went to Noble Consort Qiao’s Qiushui Palace.
Noble Consort Qiao was wearing an ordinary blue dress and carrying Gu Nuo’er, teaching her to read.
Gu Nuo’er studied for a while in her mother’s arms and then silently raised her head, blinking her watery eyes. “Mother, Father taught me these when I was two years old.”
Noble Consort Qiao was stunned and laughed dryly. “Is that so?”
Why did the emperor want to beat her to everything?!
At this moment, Wanyin lifted the curtain and entered. “Your Highness, the Baiyun Monastery’s priests have arrived and are outside. Do we invite them in?”
Every year at this time, the Daoist priests would enter the palace to deliver the safety amulets.
No one would say no to ‘safety’.
Noble Consort Qiao was no exception.
She waved her sleeve gently. “Invite them in.”
After a while, the bead curtain moved slightly. A middle-aged Daoist priest entered with four acolyte children and greeted Noble Consort Qiao and the little princess.
“This priest has two safety amulets here and would like to give them to the Noble Consort and the Princess to bless for good fortune for the coming year.” The priest cupped his hands and one of the acolytes behind him immediately handed over two triangular yellow amulets.
Gu Nuo’er raised her head curiously and stopped practicing her calligraphy. Instead, she placed the brush horizontally between her nose and mouth and pouted her lips to hold it as she looked at the priest.
Noble Consort Qiao nodded slightly and Wanxuan handed over some silver bags. “Priest, this is the donation that Her Highness has given. It’s the New Year, so take it that Her Highness has sent incense to Baiyun Temple.”
The priest did not stand on ceremony and reached out to take the money while expressing his thanks.
He raised his gaze slightly and glanced at Gu Nuo’er, who was sitting there like a snow-white porcelain doll.
Then, the priest cupped his hands together. “Your Highness, I don’t know if I should say this.”
“Priest, please speak.”
“The fate of the little princess is precious, but she’s a child from the heavens. All children with such a fate won’t live past ten years old. If you want to crack it, you’ll have to send a substitute. Only then can you ensure her safety.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Noble Consort Qiao frowned.
Wanyin scolded angrily, “How dare you?! Her Highness treats you so generously, but how can you fabricate stories about the princess like this?!”
The priest bowed quickly.
“The characteristics of a child born with the Acolyte1 Fate is just like what the princess has. They are born with exquisite and cute looks. Not only are they intelligent, but they are also different from ordinary people. This priest is doing this for the sake of the princess. Your Highness, please understand.”
Noble Consort Qiao’s eyes were cold. She looked at the priest for a long time before saying, “Tell me, how much do you want to take care of these?”
The priest was stunned.
He probably hadn’t expected that the Noble Consort would be so straightforward.
“It… it’s not much. Your Highness, this is money that will be used to save the princess. It’s not that I’m greedy.”