As to how much help palm oil can bring to the Ming Dynasty, it is not yet possible to find an answer.

However, one thing is certain: if managed well, palm oil could indeed supplement the food supply for the people of the Ming Dynasty. In an era where industrialization was almost impossible, Zhu Yunying still needed to develop the agricultural economy.

It's not just about doing a good job in the agricultural economy; it's also about developing some trade. Zhu Yunying felt that this was also his responsibility.

Zhu Yunying wasn't just thinking about expanding territory; he also hoped to see some practical benefits, long-term benefits for the Ming Dynasty and the nation.

Otherwise, Zhu Yunying wouldn't have considered granting fiefdoms to some members of the imperial clan. These were all painstakingly conquered; with a little more effort, they could have been incorporated into the territory. The reason he didn't do so was actually due to practical considerations.

Sending people out as fiefdoms actually had some advantages. This was something Zhu Yunying had been doing all along, and he had no intention of changing it.

Zhu Yunying didn't seem particularly concerned about certain matters, nor was he in a rush to do anything. The palm oil issue didn't need to be discussed in court right now, as things were still undecided and it wasn't appropriate to make a big fuss about it.

Since we're preparing to do something big, we should bring it up at the most opportune time to create a sensation, generate more buzz, and attract more attention.

Of course, it wasn't just these members of the imperial family and nobles who could boost their prestige; Emperor Zhu Yunying himself could also gain the most prestige, receiving more praise and popular support.

The Duke of Kaiguo's mansion received the Empress's decree, and they felt honored to receive it.

Leading the way was naturally Chang Mao's wife, Lady Changzhou, who was the wife of the founding duke and the emperor's maternal uncle. Since she was summoned to the palace this time, it was naturally her, as a titled lady, who took the lead; no one could compare to her.

At the Prince of Zhongshan's residence, Xu Huizu's wife, Madam Xu Li, along with her three sisters-in-law, were also dressed in the attire of a titled lady, preparing to enter the palace.

Although it was somewhat strange, generally speaking, even when there were rewards from the palace, it was usually the matriarch of the household who went to the palace. But this time was different; all the women of the household were summoned at once, which was quite unusual.

So much so that Lady Xu wondered if her husband had performed great service in Goryeo, which was why he received such great favor.

However, upon seeing the commotion at the Kaiping Prince's residence, the Zhongshan Prince's residence also lowered its profile. This was because the Kaiping Prince's residence was associated with the Emperor and Empress's maternal aunt, a distinction in seniority. Even though the Zhongshan Prince's residence and the Kaiping Prince's residence were of equal social standing, they still needed to be mindful of their conduct, lest they embarrass the Empress and the Crown Prince.

This can be considered a reflection of the family tradition of Xu Da and Xu Huizu in managing their household; the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion was relatively low-key and modest.

Xu Li's bridal gown was bright red, embroidered with gold-embroidered cloud and phoenix patterns. Although she was about the same age as Chang Zhou, Xu Li always maintained a proper position in front of Chang Zhou, as her social status was indeed inferior.

"My niece greets her eldest maternal aunt." Xu Lishi led her younger siblings forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings to my second and third maternal aunts."

Chang Zhou quickly helped Xu Li up, saying, "Don't be so polite. Your Zhongshan Prince's Mansion is much more proper. We are not good at etiquette, so we were careless and didn't put on our wedding robes properly."

Madam Xu smiled and said, "My niece is too polite. I dare not be disrespectful when summoned by the Empress."

Suddenly, Madam Chang felt that her adopted niece's words might have been subtly sarcastic, perhaps even a dig at the Kaiping Prince's Mansion for lacking family tradition...

At this time, the women of these two top noble families got along even better.

Because Princess Wu was cautiously following behind Princess Zhu Yue, they both appeared to have been summoned to the palace. However, everyone was even more puzzled: how could this be considered family, truly family?

Zhu Yue stepped forward with a smile and asked Chang Zhoushi, "Aunt, how have you been lately?"

To her niece, Chang Zhou said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well."

At this moment, Madam Sang stepped forward and said, "Your niece greets your maternal aunt."

Xu Li felt a pang of jealousy. Everyone knew she was the wife of the Duke of Zhongshan, but look at Chang Zhou, the eldest princess and the Princess of Wu—they all bowed to her. In front of Chang Zhou, it wasn't just a matter of ruler and subject; it was more like family.

However, Lady Changzhou was aware of the situation and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Princess and Princess Consort of Wu."

Although Zhu Yue is now married and has her own children, she still manages the affairs of the Wu Prince's Mansion. "This time it was the good-for-nothing second son and his wife who caused trouble. They knew that there was some kind of tree oil in Southeast Asia, so they ran to the palace to present it as a treasure."

Sang kept her head down. Although she was somewhat reckless, she had always been completely controlled by her two sisters-in-law, Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue. Despite the Prince of Wu's reputation as a playboy, he was always the younger brother being disciplined in front of his older siblings.

Now, both the Zhongshan Prince's lineage and the Kaiping Prince's lineage probably know something. This time, being summoned to the palace, they finally understand the reason, and there's no need to speculate anymore.

Since it was an audience with the Empress, there was no need to present a palace token for entering the palace; one could simply enter directly.

Xu Miaoqing was in a good mood and did not put on airs or emphasize her status, especially in front of Chang Zhoushi and the others. She was not just the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, but also Zhu Yunying's wife. It was not appropriate for her to put on airs in front of her aunt.

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