Chapter 79: Entering the Palace
Yi Huan smiled and said, "I heard that when you first started out in Sui County, you encountered many setbacks, but fortunately you overcame them one by one. Do you have any lessons learned from your journey?"
"A summary?" Yu Wan looked at him; was he about to give her a lecture?
Yi Huan said, “The power of a single chopstick is different from that of a bundle of chopsticks. For an ordinary person to make a name for themselves is probably harder than climbing to heaven. Moreover, the situation is unstable now, and the Liang Kingdom could attack at any time. Why don’t you move your whole family to the capital? This is under the emperor’s nose, and we will hold out to the very end no matter what. If you can come to the capital and build a food city like Sui County, I will definitely do my best to help you.”
Yu Wan looked at him and said, "How could I possibly have such an ability? Land in the capital is incredibly expensive; it's not something I can afford. You've overestimated me, Prime Minister."
Yi Huan, fearing she might not understand, explained further, "You're young and unfamiliar with the capital. Of course, you can't do without someone supporting you. The capital is full of powerful and influential people. Anyone on the street might have relatives or friends who are officials, or even some who are connected to the imperial family. If these people cause you trouble, and no one speaks up for you, it will be extremely difficult to seek justice."
Yu Wan sneered inwardly. How dare he say that? He knows the social atmosphere is bad, but instead of rectifying it, he uses it to scare people.
Yi Huan took out a blueprint from his sleeve. "Take a look and see which places are suitable for building a food court. Choose a location."
Choose an address?
Yu Wan took a stack of blueprints. Without a doubt, these must all belong to the Prime Minister's properties.
Every place was great.
She pointed, "This one."
Yi Huan chuckled and said, "I also think this piece of land is quite nice. By the way, I'll need to trouble Miss A-Wan to help with the design. I've seen the plans for your food court in Sui County, and they're really great. However, I want to build a food court that's twice the size of yours, and then everyone in the capital will go there to spend money."
Yu Wan asked, "Prime Minister, aren't you afraid of war?"
Yi Huan said, "You want to ask me if I'm afraid of the country's demise, right? I have a way to protect myself, so you don't need to worry. As long as you help me with this favor, I will also ensure your safety. After all, we are partners, so helping me is also helping yourself. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to establish yourself in the capital alone. I won't let you work hard for nothing; I will ensure you earn enough to last several lifetimes."
On the way back, Yu Wan was pondering her next plan. She didn't want to do someone else's work for free, but how could she deal with that old scoundrel?
Before I knew it, the carriage had stopped.
A sharp male voice came from outside, "The Imperial Concubine has decreed that Miss Yu Wan be summoned to the palace."
Yu Wan lifted the curtain and saw several armed guards blocking the carriage with expressionless faces.
It seems she has no choice but to agree today.
"This humble woman, Yu Wan, obeys the decree."
The imperial concubine was beautiful, with a graceful figure and charming demeanor. No wonder she was the emperor's favorite.
"You're Yu Wan?"
She looked somewhat tired, and spoke listlessly.
Yu Wan knelt at the lower end, "Your Majesty, this humble woman is indeed Yu Wan."
"Yes, get up and answer."
Yu Wan stood up. "I wonder what business Your Majesty has summoned me for?"
The Imperial Concubine yawned. "I don't have much of an appetite today. I've heard your cooking is even better than the Imperial Kitchen's, so I'd like to try it. Starting today, you will stay here with me and prepare a few dishes for me every day. I don't have the same appetite as the Third Princess, so I don't need to cook much, but you must try your best to prepare a variety of delicious dishes each day. Do you agree?"
Yu Wan had no choice but to agree; this was the imperial palace, and no matter how many magical treasures she possessed, it wouldn't be easy for her to escape. She could only slowly devise a plan.
For the next seven days, she made snacks for the imperial concubine every day.
The imperial concubine loved it more and more as she ate, so she urged her to continue making it.
Even when the Prime Minister came to demand her release, the Imperial Concubine refused.
The two of them actually started arguing over her.
"Your Majesty, this old minister has important business with Yu Wan. Please ask her to come out and see me."
"I know you want her to help you build a food city, but not now. I haven't had enough of her cooking yet. I'll only let her out to see you when I've had my fill."
"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be delayed any longer."
"I don't care, you have to listen to me now."
Yu Wan was cooking in the small kitchen when she overheard several palace maids talking. They said that the Prime Minister and the Imperial Concubine often quarreled before, but this time it was the worst quarrel ever.
Yu Wan seized the opportunity to ask, "Are they on good terms or not?"
"Of course it's good. Don't you know? The Imperial Concubine is the Prime Minister's adopted daughter."
"I see." Yu Wan then asked, "Ladies, I don't understand anything. My father and brother went to the battlefield and haven't been home for several years. I don't know if they're alive or dead. I want to ask, why are our Jin Kingdom and Liang Kingdom at war?"
A palace maid grabbed her arm. "Someone from my family also went to the battlefield. It's my younger brother. We haven't heard from him for years."
Several other palace maids also said that their families had gone there.
“I don’t know why we have to fight. When will it end? My parents are getting old and they are worried about my brother. My mother has cried all her tears.”
"I've heard about it, but I don't know if it's true," said a palace maid.
Everyone was watching her, waiting for her to continue.
The palace maid whispered, "I once overheard the Imperial Concubine talking to herself. She said everyone would get their comeuppance, and she wanted the whole world to be buried with her. So do you think the Imperial Concubine has anything to do with the war? Everyone in the palace knows that the Emperor favors her the most. She even told the Emperor that they must fight Liang to a draw, otherwise Jin would be destroyed by Liang and several other countries. The Imperial Concubine supports the war. I remember that at first the Emperor wanted to negotiate peace."
Yu Wan asked, "So what exactly caused the war in the first place?"
The palace maid said, "I overheard some officials saying that this war was a farce, possibly manipulated by someone with ulterior motives. Originally, Liang and Jin had an agreement not to fight, but because of one incident, Liang actually sent troops."
Yu Wan handed the finished pastries to the palace maids, saying, "Sisters, hurry back so we can continue our chat. Otherwise, I'll get so bored. I don't know anyone in the palace except you."
After observing her for several days, the palace maids realized that she was of good character and were happy to chat and laugh with her.
"Okay, we'll be back in a bit."
A short while later, the palace maids did return, but each of them had severely swollen and red cheeks.
"What's wrong with you all?" Yu Wan asked in surprise.
"It's alright, it's alright. The Imperial Concubine was just angry and taking it out on us. Luckily, she had the pastries you made. After eating them, she felt much better and kicked us out. Otherwise, we would definitely have been beaten to death today," the maid said gratefully.
"That's good." Yu Wan exclaimed, "Do you have any ointment? Quickly, apply some."
The palace maids laughed and said, "Don't worry, we're all very experienced. By the way, what kind of delicious food do you want to make now?"
Yu Wan said, "Let's make braised chicken wings."
The palace maids said enviously, "We really want to try some, but these are for Her Majesty to eat, we can't eat them."
Yu Wan comforted them, saying, "When you have the chance to visit Sui County in the future, I'll treat you."
“Alright,” the palace maid said, “I just don’t know when we’ll be able to leave this palace. Awan, you should think it through. What if Her Majesty keeps you here for the rest of your life? I heard that the Third Princess also wanted to take you away, but she didn’t succeed.”
Yu Wan couldn't stay here forever. "Don't worry, someone will take me away."
Sure enough, two days later, the prime minister came again to demand the person.
He and the Imperial Concubine parted on bad terms again, but he finally managed to get Yu Wan out of the palace.
Yu Wan smiled and thanked him, "Thank you very much, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
Yi Huan was both amused and exasperated. "You don't seem worried at all. Are you waiting for me to save you?"
Yu Wan said, "Just as you said, I am a powerless woman. If I want to save myself, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven. I will have to rely on you in the future."
"Hmm, don't worry. As long as you do your job well for me, no one will dare to do anything to you." The Prime Minister stroked his beard with satisfaction, assuming that she had assessed the situation and completely pledged her allegiance to him.
"How's the design for the food court that I asked you to draw coming along? Is it finished?"
Yu Wan took out a drawing and presented it with both hands, saying, "It's finished. Please take a look, Your Excellency."
The prime minister glanced at her in surprise, took the blueprints, opened them, and saw that they were indeed magnificent and grand.
"Good! Very good! I didn't expect that you would be cooking for the Imperial Concubine every day in the palace and still have time to draw. You are quite remarkable, young lady. I underestimated you."
"If there's nothing else, sir, I'd like to return to my residence first," Yu Wan said respectfully.
The Prime Minister thought he had the young girl completely under his control. Little did he know, Yu Wan had her own schemes in the dark.
Back at her residence, Zhu Zhifeng looked haggard and looked at her with concern.
"A-Wan, how have you been these days? I heard you've been in the palace the whole time, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, don't worry." Yu Wan looked around but didn't see He Suzhi.
Xue Xiujun said, "Don't bother looking anymore. Ever since the night you went to see the Prime Minister, that man surnamed He hasn't shown up again. We don't know where he went. We were all so worried after you disappeared. Luckily, Zhu Zhifeng found the letter you left in your room. Boss lady, how did you know someone would take you away? You even told us to stay put. If I hadn't searched everywhere and finally found you in the palace and confirmed that you were safe and sound, we would have been worried to death."
Yu Wan sighed, "Never mind him, there's no time to explain anymore. Xue Xiujun, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?" Xue Xiujun asked curiously.
The landlady rarely gave him such serious instructions, which made him a little nervous.
"Don't you want to be a good person anymore? Do you want me to kill someone? Fine, I agree. The person you want me to kill must be very evil."
Yu Wan smiled, took out a drawing, placed it on the table, and then picked up a brush and made a dot on it.
"Do you dare go here?"
Xue Xiujun followed the direction of her pen and was shocked. He hadn't expected the landlady to allow him to trespass into the Prime Minister's residence.
"What's there to be afraid of? I could even break into the palace. Just tell me what you need, madam."
This time it was Yu Wan's turn to be surprised. "You agreed without even asking me what you were going to do there? This place is a den of dragons and tigers, probably not much different from the imperial palace."
Having known her for so long, Xue Xiujun understood her character very well. Although she was focused on making money, she never had any intention of harming anyone, nor would she provoke anyone without reason. She hoped that no one would bother her, allowing her to make money peacefully and live a quiet life.
There must be a reason behind it.
“Boss lady, I believe you. Even if you really ask me to kill someone, I will do it for you! Do you want me to kill the Prime Minister? I have already inquired about him. This man holds a high position, but he does not work for the benefit of the people. Instead, he condones his subordinates to do evil. Such a person deserves to die.”
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