Soon, Eunuch Yue finished reading the imperial edict.

Then, he respectfully handed the imperial edict to Yan Qingqing and said, "Congratulations, Madam Mingzhao!"

Although you are a second-rank lady, with that title, you wouldn't need to perform grand courtesies even when meeting a first-rank lady.

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Yue."

Then she took the purse from Ruyi's hand and stuffed it into Eunuch Yue's hand, saying with a smile, "You've worked hard again, Eunuch Yue. Please have some tea with this little something."

Eunuch Yue quickly declined, saying, "Oh dear, this is absolutely not allowed. Lady Mingzhao has been very generous with her gifts the last two times, and I cannot accept them this time no matter what."

Although the rank difference between "Lady" and "Heshuo Ren" is only two ranks, the significance is completely different.

You can tell from the way Grandpa Yue treats Yan Qingqing.

This is not to say that Eunuch Yue was snobbish, but rather that his status and position were what they were, and that was the reality.

When Yan Qingqing saw him making excuses, she said, "Father-in-law has come all this way, and if I don't even pay for a little tea, how will other high-ranking officials in the capital view me?"

Besides, it's not just Eunuch Yue alone; he has a whole group of brothers with him. We can't let them work for nothing.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yue accepted the purse with a smile and said, "In that case, I'll take it without shame."

Then, Eunuch Yue ordered the accompanying guards to open the boxes.

Under the sunlight, these things glittered, stinging Yan Qingqing's eyes.

These chests and trunks contained everything imaginable: gold and silver jewelry, jade ornaments, and fine silks and satins.

Yan Qingqing was still wondering why the emperor was being so generous this time.

Not only were there more gifts than ever before, but the quality of these items was also top-notch.

Is this some kind of compensation for losing everything?

However, Eunuch Yue quickly answered Yan Qingqing's question, saying with a smile, "These things are all collected in His Majesty's private treasury and are not easily given away."

However, His Highness Prince Chen explained that Lady Zhao had made great contributions.

So His Majesty opened the private treasury. These items were all personally selected by Prince Chen.

Yan Qingqing smiled broadly upon hearing this, thinking to herself, "No wonder, it was Mo Chen who personally chose it. He must have picked the best one for her."

But this is too much; has he emptied the emperor's treasury?

Before Yan Qingqing could speak, Eunuch Yue said, "This is only a small part. Some of them were sent directly to Lady Mingzhao's residence in the capital by His Highness Prince Chen."

It also indicates that Lady Zhao will be arriving in the capital soon, and she will definitely be of use.

Let's not bother with all that transporting; it's too much trouble.

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing said helplessly, "That Prince Chen is really something. I don't lack anything."

These things belong to the Emperor's private treasury; how can they be handled so casually?

When Eunuch Yue heard Yan Qingqing mention Xiao Mochen with a doting tone, he knew that Lady Mingzhao and Prince Chen had a better relationship than he had imagined.

So he jokingly added, "That's right, these are all the wealth that the Emperor has accumulated over the years."

When rewarding someone, it's usually only one or two items at most, and they have to be picky.

You have no idea how furious the Emperor was when he saw the emptied warehouse.

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing exclaimed "Ah!" and then asked, "Then His Majesty won't have any opinion about Prince Chen, will he?"

Eunuch Yue smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam Mingzhao, Prince Chen is the Emperor's only legitimate son."

As the only prince to be granted a title, the emperor won't really hold it against him.

Besides, Prince Chen suffered a lot while wandering around recently.

The Emperor already doted on him; as long as Prince Chen was happy, these things were just material possessions, and the Emperor was willing to give them up.

Yan Qingqing took a deep breath. The Emperor wouldn't hold a grudge against Xiao Mochen. But that didn't mean the Emperor wouldn't hold a grudge against her.

In the end, all of these things ended up in her hands.

However, Yan Qingqing thought again, the emperor shouldn't be so petty, he should have this much magnanimity as the ruler of a country.

After chatting and laughing with her father-in-law, Yan Qingqing invited him to have tea in the flower hall.

Eunuch Yue smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Mingzhao. I appreciate it."

However, I'm afraid there's no time. We've been away from the capital for almost a month now, and if we don't return soon to report back, this servant will be derelict in his duty.

It wasn't that Grandpa Yue was delaying the journey, but rather that they were carrying too many valuable items, forcing them to proceed with extreme caution, which slowed their pace.

Seeing that Eunuch Yue was determined to leave, Yan Qingqing did not try to stop him. She said, "Since Eunuch Yue has official business to attend to, I cannot stay any longer. But having everyone have a cup of tea and rest should not delay your return to the city."

Furthermore, let me treat you all to a simple meal as a token of my hospitality, and also prepare some provisions for your journey.”

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yue could no longer refuse. Everyone was indeed tired from the journey, and the food at Madam Mingzhao's house was no worse than that of the imperial chefs in the palace. Besides, they wouldn't be short of a few hours, so he readily agreed.

Yan Qingqing's enthusiasm in inviting Eunuch Yue to have tea stemmed primarily from her desire to understand the situation in the capital and Xiao Mochen's circumstances.

After entering the flower hall, Yan Qingqing asked Ruyi to serve tea.

He gestured to Eunuch Yue, who picked up the tea, took a sip, and then sniffed it carefully before asking, "What kind of tea is this? I see a flower in it."

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "This is peony flower tea. It is made by picking the best-looking peonies during their peak bloom and then processing and baking them."

When you brew it, you can brew it again. This tea not only has the fragrance of peony, but the peony flowers also come to life after brewing.

Most importantly, this peony flower tea also nourishes the skin, delays aging, aids digestion, and clears heat and toxins.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yue quickly took two more sips. Indeed, it tasted much better than ordinary tea. He exclaimed sincerely, "It is truly a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. I wonder where Lady Mingzhao obtained such fine things?"

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "It's nothing valuable. It's from my family's peony garden and I made it myself."

If Father-in-law Yue likes it, I'll have Ruyi pack some for you before you leave."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yue quickly stood up and thanked her, saying, "In that case, thank you very much, Madam Mingzhao."

"If Madam needs anything from our household after she goes to the capital, please feel free to ask."

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "It's just some flower tea, it's not worth much money. I'll thank you when I need to trouble you, Father-in-law, after we go to the capital."

Eunuch Yue came to the Li family three times to deliver imperial edicts, each time bringing food and gifts. Yan Qingqing's aim was to win him over.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before Yan Qingqing inquired about Xiao Mochen's situation.

Eunuch Yue naturally spoke frankly and without reservation.

He told Yan Qingqing about the emperor's favor towards Xiao Mochen and the general situation in the palace.

Finally, Eunuch Yue changed the subject and brought up the incident where they fought in court over Yan Qingqing's request for a title.