Wu Xuanhuang, traveling incognito, naturally did not want to reveal his identity.

The Jade Liquid Pavilion is doing so well now, with half of its customers being high-ranking officials and nobles, perhaps because they have seen the true face of the current Empress...

Therefore, Xiao Yu was somewhat worried: what if the Empress didn't come?

"Miss Zhen is already waiting for Mr. Xiao upstairs."

"That's what the waiter said."

Then, she added with great interest, "Miss Zhen wore a veil today. Such a beauty looks good even with a veil. She can attract everyone's attention just by standing there, whether it's men or women... Wearing a veil makes her even more alluring. There's a kind of... a kind of... indescribable feeling."

"After much coaxing, she finally appeared, still half-concealing her face while playing the pipa."

Xiao Yu suddenly said.

"???"

The waiter wasn't very well-educated, and after hearing Xiao Yu's words, he stopped and thought for a few seconds.

Then, he excitedly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Yes, yes, yes, that's the feeling! Long-awaited... half-concealed face, hehe, Young Master Xiao is indeed a scholar; I could never come up with such beautiful words."

Enter the hall.

Some familiar faces then appeared.

These were all scholars from the academies in the capital, and loyal fans of Xiao Yu.

"Young Master Xiao has arrived?"

"Young Master Xiao, we've finally waited for you!"

"What poem does Young Master Xiao intend to compose today?"

The scholars crowded around, asking eagerly, just like fans asking their idol what his new work was.

"I haven't decided yet."

Xiao Yu waved his hand and said.

Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed across the faces of the scholars.

Immediately afterwards, someone else said, "Recently, Young Master Xiao exposed the evil deeds of Duke Liu, cut off his legs, and rescued many imprisoned women... Young Master Xiao is not only talented in literature, but also has a strong sense of justice!"

"Yes, I've heard about it too. Not only were women imprisoned, but more than a dozen women died! Among them was the beloved daughter of Minister Wang of the Court of Judicial Review!"

"Such a thing actually happened? Duke Liu is far too audacious! He's utterly lawless!"

"He's a complete scoundrel! If it weren't for Young Master Xiao exposing his evil deeds, who knows how many more innocent women would have been murdered!"

"Thanks to Young Master Xiao!"

"The Xiao family has served the country and its people well; which member of the Xiao family isn't outstanding? Young Master Xiao, in particular, has surpassed his predecessors!"

"right!!"

Listening to the fans around him praising him, Xiao Yu raised his hands and gently pressed them down, saying, "Everyone, let's not disturb the other guests' meal. You can also eat quietly. I'll go upstairs to my appointment first, and I'll come down to tell you what poem I wrote later."

The crowd then quieted down and let Xiao Yu go.

Then.

Xiao Yu arrived at the private room that Manager Xu had reserved in advance.

Push the door open and enter.

Wu Xuanhuang sat there dressed in gorgeous clothes, her hair pulled up high in an intricate yet elegant updo, adorned with exquisite gold ornaments.

This time, Wu Xuanhuang wore a bright red long dress, paired with gold jewelry, which made her stunningly beautiful face appear even more noble and dignified.

"I didn't know she was the Empress before, but now that I see her... her aura is definitely something only an Empress could have."

"Even Jin Mulan doesn't have such a powerful aura!"

Xiao Yu muttered to himself.

Although Wu Xuanhuang simply sat there quietly, he did not deliberately release any aura or pressure.

Looking at her eyes, which shone like stars, and her exquisite features, Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel a little regretful... that he hadn't seen Wu Xuanhuang wearing a veil.

Since there were no outsiders in the room, Wu Xuanhuang had Shangguan Jing'er close the door before she removed her veil.

"Is something on your mind?"

Xiao Yu looked at Wu Xuanhuang's expressionless yet breathtakingly beautiful face and asked curiously.

Although Wu Xuanhuang rarely showed any emotion on her face before, Xiao Yu could still tell at a glance that she was different from before.

"I'm wondering, when did you find out my identity?"

Wu Xuanhuang spoke up.

"???"

Xiao Yu's expression stiffened slightly as he thought, "Have I been discovered?"

After a slight hesitation, he did not kneel down, but bowed directly and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Knowing His Majesty's identity, why don't you kneel down?"

"This is what Shangguan Jing'er said coldly," she said. At the same time, she wondered to herself, "How did His Majesty know that Xiao Yu had discovered her identity? And how did Xiao Yu discover His Majesty's identity?"

"No need for such formalities."

Wu Xuanhuang ignored these questions and continued to ask, "How did you know my identity?"

"I gave the Youlong Sword to Liu Jingtao, the number one grandmaster in the capital."

After saying that, Xiao Yu added, "Before giving it to him, I didn't know His Majesty's identity. Otherwise, how could I dare to give away something bestowed by His Majesty? When Liu Jingtao saw the Youlong Sword, he was very surprised and said that the Youlong Sword had been collected by the royal family many years ago!"

"I became suspicious, so I went to ask General Jin Mulan what the current emperor looks like?"

"General Jin Mulan said that His Majesty is so beautiful that he is a celestial being descended to earth... and then I learned His Majesty's identity. But I think Jin Mulan is wrong; His Majesty is far more beautiful than any fairy!"

After casually flattering the Empress, Xiao Yu secretly observed her reaction.

Unfortunately, Wu Xuanhuang did not seem to appreciate it.

"I see."

Wu Xuanhuang simply nodded slightly.

Then, with her bright eyes, she looked Xiao Yu up and down and said, "You guessed my identity, that's fine... It just so happens that I have something I want to ask for your permission for."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered slightly; he had already guessed nine-tenths of it.

It's related to chicken bouillon and MSG!

"In recent years, several enemy countries have been eyeing the Great Xia with covetous intent. After the last great war, the national treasury is empty and there is almost no silver left."

After a brief introduction, the Empress got straight to the point: "So, I want you to hand over the recipes for chicken essence and MSG so that the country can sell them... Of course, I won't treat you unfairly. In addition to the annual dividends, you can make one request to me."

really!

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes. He had guessed correctly. The Empress wanted the recipe for chicken essence and MSG.

The last great war not only emptied the national treasury, but the Xiao Prince's Mansion also donated all its assets as compensation for the soldiers who died on the battlefield and for the civilians affected by the war.

"No need for any requests."

Xiao Yu shook his head and said, "The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. It's just a formula; I'll give it to His Majesty!"

At the very least, the Empress promised to give him a share of the profits.

Given the power of the Xiao Prince's Mansion, the places where chicken essence and MSG could be sold were limited, mainly the capital and a few nearby cities.

But it's different if you hand it over to the Empress. She can sell chicken essence and MSG to every corner of the Great Xia Kingdom... no, not just the Great Xia Kingdom.

You can even buy from neighboring countries... or even more distant countries.

Even a small dividend would amount to an astronomical sum!