The next day, Yan Qingqing introduced Song Mama to Li Yueniang and the others.

Li Yueniang greeted Song Mama, who quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Miss, you mustn't do that. I'm just a servant; how could I possibly accept such a generous gesture from you?"

Although she had served the late Empress Dowager, she was ultimately just a servant. Moreover, she was different from Granny Lin; she had come to Mingzhao Prefecture eagerly, so she was particularly good at knowing her place.

Yan Qingqing laughed from the side, "Granny Song, there's no need to be modest. You're here to teach her, so she should treat you as a mentor. You deserve this bow."

In addition, I also have to give you two students: one is my eldest daughter who is getting married, and the other is my eldest daughter-in-law who is in charge of the household.

The things that Granny knows are things that the two of them lack, so I hope Granny can put in some extra effort.

As for why Mu Xi wasn't included, it's because Mu Xi didn't need to be. This wasn't just because she possessed absolute martial prowess, making it easy for her to deal with ordinary schemes and tricks.

More importantly, Mu Xi's manners and thoughtfulness are impeccable.

Yan Qingqing had a premonition that Mu Xi was definitely not from an ordinary family, but since Mu Xi was unwilling to say, Yan Qingqing didn't press her for details. In any case, Li Xiang'an had gotten a great deal.

Seeing that Yan Qingqing valued her so much, Song Mama was pleased and quickly replied, "Madam, rest assured, this old servant will do her best to teach the young lady and the young mistress well."

As soon as Granny Song finished speaking, Yuan Huiniang helped Li Xinniang in.

When Song Mama saw that Li Xinniang was still pregnant, she knew what was going on. She had also heard about the matter between Lady Mingzhao and the Wu family in the palace.

In the past, when it didn't concern her, she would only secretly lament that it was such a pity that such a capable person as Lady Mingzhao had such a weak daughter.

Now that Lady Mingzhao has entrusted her with this important task, she will do her best to train them.

Without changing her expression, Granny Song bowed to the two of them and said, "This old servant greets the young mistress and the eldest young lady."

Yuan Huiniang and her companion naturally knew that this Granny Song was specially invited from the palace by her mother, so they dared not neglect her.

So the two of them quickly returned the greeting.

After the two sides met, Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "Alright, Granny Song, these good-for-nothings are yours to deal with."

"I have other matters to attend to and must return home first."

Yan Qingqing was worried that the two nannies wouldn't be able to let her do things properly while she was there, so she returned to her own courtyard.

After Yan Qingqing left, Granny Song introduced herself to the group again, and then began to guide them into conversation. She wanted to understand their personalities from their conversation so that she could prescribe the right approach.

It has to be said that Granny Song was quite capable.

Since Li Xiangyang and Li Jinxiu have recently become fascinated with flower arranging, Granny Lin started by teaching them how to do it.

Granny Lin's flower arranging skills were among the best in the palace. She immediately won over the two young maids, so they learned from her with extra care.

Yan Qingqing's situation is a constant source of concern.

Yan Qingqing was relieved to learn that the group was adapting well.

Two days later, Eunuch Xiang from the palace arrived. Eunuch Xiang was a favorite of the emperor and the chief eunuch, so Yan Qingqing had to personally come to see him.

As soon as Eunuch Xiang saw Yan Qingqing, he said with a big smile, "This servant greets Madam Mingzhao and pays respects to her."

Yan Qingqing quickly avoided his bow and replied with a smile, "Eunuch Xiang, are you trying to embarrass me? I can't possibly accept your courtesy."

Although Eunuch Xiang was a servant, he was the emperor's servant and also in charge of the inner palace.

Even a high-ranking official of the imperial court might not be qualified to have Eunuch Xiang bow to them.

Eunuch Xiang genuinely wanted to pay his respects to Yan Qingqing. In his view, Lady Mingzhao had solved many problems for the Emperor, and only when the Emperor was well could they, as servants, be well.

However, the fact that Yan Qingqing respected him made Eunuch Xiang very happy, at least he hadn't spoken well of her in front of the Emperor for nothing.

Yan Qingqing invited Eunuch Xiang to sit inside, but Eunuch Xiang smiled and said, "No need. The Emperor still needs me to go back and serve him. I'm here to deliver a message on behalf of the Emperor."

Yan Qingqing knew that Eunuch Xiang wouldn't come to the palace without a reason, so she quickly cupped her hands and said, "What are your orders, Your Majesty? Please speak freely, Eunuch Xiang."

Eunuch Xiang laughed and said, "Isn't this because His Highness the Ninth Prince mentioned in his memorial after the New Year that you can refine fine salt?"

The emperor specially built a venue in the palace and had coarse salt transported from the south.

Although Lady Mingzhao, you have written a detailed recipe, His Majesty still thinks it would be better to have your personal guidance.

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "I'm sure there's no problem with that. I just don't know when His Majesty wants me to enter the palace?"

Seeing Yan Qingqing's confident demeanor, Eunuch Xiang breathed a sigh of relief.

The Emperor had a falling out with those salt officials over this matter. If Lady Mingzhao couldn't produce fine salt, things would get really messy.

Of course, if salt production is successful, it will be a great achievement, and she will certainly be granted the title of a first-rank imperial lady.

Eunuch Xiang put aside his thoughts and said with a smile, "Of course, the sooner the better, after all, the Emperor is waiting."

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "In that case, I'll go to the palace first thing tomorrow morning."

"Oh, by the way, after Eunuch Xiang goes back, he should first instruct people to prepare several large iron pots, and then prepare some firewood."

Although Eunuch Xiang didn't know what Yan Qingqing wanted these things for, he still quickly agreed.

Soon, Eunuch Xiang returned to the palace.

The Emperor had been waiting for Eunuch Xiang, who was in no mood to review the memorials. This matter concerned the affairs of the state and the people's livelihood; otherwise, he would not have sent Eunuch Xiang to Mingzhao Prefecture in person.

Hopefully, Lady Mingzhao won't disappoint him.

After the emperor looked out of the Hanlong Hall for the nth time, Eunuch Xiang finally returned.

The emperor quickly stood up from his dragon throne, crouching low as he looked at Eunuch Xiang and asked, "How is it? Is Lady Mingzhao confident?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This servant sees that Lady Mingzhao looks very confident, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Upon hearing this, the emperor breathed a sigh of relief and sprang back into his dragon throne.

This sudden movement startled Grandpa Xiang.

So he quickly stepped forward and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The emperor then realized he had lost his composure and pretended to cough, saying, "It's alright, as long as Lady Mingzhao is confident."

You have no idea how anxious I've been these past few days.

I know that neither Lady Mingzhao nor Mo Chen would lie to me, but this is a matter of state, and I dare not believe it easily before seeing the evidence.

Moreover, Lady Mingzhao was merely a woman…

The emperor didn't say the rest, but his meaning was clear. Ultimately, this was a patriarchal world, and as a man, the emperor was unwilling to admit that Yan Qingqing was stronger than most men.