Chapter 62: Fairy Skin Jade Dew Rejuvenating Cream
Deep in Fengyi Palace, a quiet room originally used to store ancient books has now been transformed by Dongfang Yuning into an exclusive "laboratory".
There was no smoke of gunpowder here, but instead a different kind of tense and exciting atmosphere permeated the air. A faint, sweet mixture of herbs and an indescribable pure fragrance drifted through the air.
Dongfang Yuning was facing a row of crystal-clear glassware on the table, her expression as focused as if she were disassembling the most delicate "round ball." She had no assistants by her side, only the invisible System 118, engaged in a heated discussion with her in her mind.
In the center of the table sat a small, exquisite, snow-white jade pot. Filled with spiritual spring water from the Spiritual Spring Dimension, shrouded in wisps of milky white mist, this pot of water was the core of her experiment today.
[118, are you sure it's okay to dilute it like this? My parents and big brother may have strong bodies, but they're still mortals. Wouldn't it be too strong for them to drink pure spiritual spring water directly? Like what I did last time... well, a strong detoxification reaction wouldn't be good either!]
Dongfang Yuning carefully poured a small stream of spiritual spring water into a larger celadon teapot, which contained warm tea made from the top-grade cloud mist tea given by the Queen.
System 118: [Drip—The host has been thoughtful. The life energy contained in the spiritual spring water does have an impact on ordinary constitutions. Diluting it into tea at the current ratio (1:100) is sufficient to gently nourish the meridians, strengthen the body, and prolong life, with minimal side effects (at most, you'll feel exceptionally energetic and won't feel tired even if you run two laps of horseback). Bring it back to the old marquis tomorrow morning after court. It's perfect for him, his wife, and the young generals.]
【That's good! 】
Dongfang Yuning breathed a sigh of relief, and looked with satisfaction at the clear tea water, which had taken on an extremely faint, almost invisible, lustrous luster due to the infusion of that trace of spiritual spring water.
[First, give this to the Empress Dowager, my sister, Cheng Qian, Yue Er, and the others! Adults and children alike, all need some nourishment!]
She was thinking about filial piety and family affection in her heart.
Then, her eyes turned to several exquisite white jade jars next to her, which contained the base of the cream she had previously prepared using various precious medicinal materials (some of which came from robbing her brother-in-law's private storehouse).
She picked up a jade spoon and carefully scooped up a drop of pure spiritual spring water.
【For face cream... the concentration needs to be higher! 】
Her eyes sparkled.
[System, analyze the optimal ratio! It needs to be incredibly effective, making people want to be inseparable, but it also needs to be not so shocking as to cause unnecessary trouble... Um, there's also room for upgrades! Do you understand hunger marketing?]
System 118: [Drip—Simulation analysis in progress… Optimal ratio: 1 drop of Spirit Spring Water to 100 parts of cream base. Predicted results: Significant wrinkle and blemish reduction (visible to the naked eye), leaving skin firm and smooth like a young girl. Long-term use can delay aging. Side effects: Radiance in the user, which may cause minor jealousy. Recommendation: Initially, limit supply to create a sense of scarcity.]
【Perfect! 】
Dongfang Yuning snapped his fingers excitedly (silently), carefully dropped the precious spiritual spring water into one of the jade jars, and then began to stir it extremely gently and evenly with a jade pestle.
As she stirred it, the jar of cream, which already had a pleasant fragrance, seemed to be infused with a soul, emitting a warmer, more attractive luster and an indescribable fresh scent, which made people feel refreshed!
[I'll take care of my own people! My sister, the Queen Mother, my mother, my eldest sister-in-law... and my future mother-in-law (glancing towards the door), I have to use the best! As for those princesses, noble ladies, and wealthy women outside...]
The corner of her mouth curled up into a "profiteer" smile.
Is your wallet ready? Are you ready for this princess to wield her sickle... oh no, this ethereal face cream, and plunder it mercilessly? Hunger marketing! Purchase limits! VIP exclusive! I've figured out all the tricks! Just wait until your hands cramp from counting money! Hahahahaha!]
The villain in her heart has been immersed in the ocean of gold ingots.
System 118: [Host, please pay attention to your image. You're smiling like a bandit who just robbed a bank. However... this system supports your business plan! 'Spiritual Spring Rejuvenating Cream' (tentative name) will surely become the Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce's new money-making tool! Estimated profit margin: 1,000% and up!]
The electronic sound is full of optimism about the prospects of "cutting leeks".
Dongfang Yuning had a heated discussion with the system in the laboratory, carefully mixing and repeatedly verifying the dilution ratio and the degree of cream integration.
She had no idea that her extremely penetrating voice, full of excitement and a touch of profiteership, had already penetrated the walls of the quiet room with incredible clarity like a live radio drama, and echoed in the main hall of Fengyi Palace!
Inside the main hall.
The Empress Dowager sat at the top, twirling Buddhist beads in her hand. She seemed to be resting with her eyes closed, but in fact her ears were pointed sharper than anyone else's.
Next to her, Queen Dongfang Qiwu remained calm and composed, sipping her tea gracefully. However, the fingers holding the teacup seemed steadier than usual, and a barely perceptible smile and anticipation flashed across her eyes.
[Fairy Spring! Dilute! Strengthen your body! Prolong your life!]
The Queen Mother's heartbeat accelerated unconsciously.
[For me, Chengqian, and Yue'er? Ning'er... this child is so filial! I have these old cold legs... and the occasional heart palpitations...]
She twisted the Buddhist beads noticeably faster.
[Facial cream?! Anti-wrinkle and lighten blemishes? Make your skin youthful?! Delay aging?!]
The Queen Mother's eyes suddenly opened, gleaming with brilliance. She no longer looked old at all! She couldn't help but look at the Queen:
"Wu'er, why do I feel like... this palace has suddenly become much more fragrant? Like... the scent of nectar?"
Dongfang Qiwu put down his teacup, smiled slightly, and said tacitly:
"What the Queen Mother said is true. Perhaps Ning'er is tinkering with some new scented lotion again. She is such a clever child."
[Ning'er, remember to keep double the amount of my sister's face cream.]
The queen placed the order calmly.
At this moment, steady and brisk footsteps were heard outside the hall.
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian, about twenty years old and with a calm demeanor, walked in with the eldest princess Nangong Yue. They both had apparently smelled the strange fragrance in the air, and there was a hint of curiosity in their eyes.
"Royal grandmother, queen mother."
Nangong Chengqian bowed in a clear voice. Nangong Yue also bowed gracefully:
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Mother."
"Huh? This fragrance..."
Nangong Yue sniffed, a hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"It's refreshing and pleasant, and it makes me feel relaxed and happy. It doesn't smell like ordinary spices. Is my aunt developing something new?"
She also looked towards the quiet room. Although she was a few years older than Dongfang Yuning, in terms of seniority, Dongfang Yuning was her aunt.
[Oh, my nephew and niece are here? Perfect! I'll give them some diluted Lingquan Tea later! It's good for your health and refreshes your mind! Young people can handle it!]
Dongfang Yuning's voice came at the right time.
The Queen Mother and the Empress exchanged a glance, their smiles deepening. Nangong Chengqian and Nangong Yue paused, a thought flashing through their minds at the same time:
What is my aunt mumbling about? Can she handle it? What can she handle?
However, they had long been accustomed to the occasional surprising actions (and inner voice broadcasts) of this "young" aunt, and still maintained a calm and elegant expression.
Almost at the same time, a tall and straight black figure also stepped into Fengyi Palace.
Nangong Ye walked calmly and his temperament was cold, but his deep gaze was immediately and accurately cast towards the quiet room, with a hint of helplessness and deep doting.
He had been busy dealing with military affairs and the placement of sacred artifacts these past two days, and was actually left aside by his own young fiancée!
What should I do with my career-minded fiancée? Oh, just spoil her. If she doesn't have time to come to me, then I'll come to her.
He sighed inwardly, but calmly saluted the Queen Mother and the Empress.
"Meet the Queen Mother, the Empress Dowager."
He nodded slightly to the Crown Prince and the eldest princess.
Immediately afterwards, another heavyweight figure arrived in a hurry - Emperor Nangong Yu!
He had just left the court and hadn't even had time to change his dragon robe when he heard his trusted eunuch (not Eunuch Zhang, who was still crying at the door of the private storehouse) report mysteriously:
Princess Fuxing seems to have drawn a fairy treasure from some Tong! She's tinkering with it in the Fengyi Palace lab! It's said there's a fairy spring there that can prolong life!
When Nangong Yu heard this, how could he sit still?
[Immortal treasure?! Longevity?!]
He instantly threw away the pain of his private vault being looted, and his mind was filled with beautiful images of being full of vigor and strength!
[Ning'er! My dear sister! My brother-in-law is here!]
He almost ran over, his face filled with a kind, almost flattering smile:
"Mother! Wu'er! Are you all here? Chengqian and Yue'er are also here? I heard Ning'er is busy? I won't disturb you, I just came to check on you, check on you!"
But his eyes kept glancing towards the quiet room.
Thus, the originally spacious main hall of Fengyi Palace now seemed a bit crowded. The Empress Dowager, the Empress, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Princess, Prince Yong...
The core members of Dayan's royal family gathered together. On the surface, it was a happy family gathering, but in fact, they had different thoughts. But they all pricked up their ears, catching every thought and movement coming from the quiet room.
The palace maids and eunuchs held their breath, lowered their heads and hands, and tried their best to become the background board, while their minds were frantically scrolling through the screen:
[I heard it! I heard it all! The elixir! The cream! Longevity! Radiance! But I can’t say it! I can’t say it even if I’m beaten to death! Hold it in!]
Finally, under the anticipation of everyone, the door of the quiet room was pushed open with a creaky sound.
Dongfang Yuning came out with a tray. On the tray were:
A warm celadon teapot (for diluting Lingquan tea).
Several matching small celadon tea cups of the same texture.
There are also three exquisite and small white jade jars (Lingquan Huanyan Cream) that exude an attractive luster and elegant fragrance.
Her face was filled with a hint of satisfaction and fatigue from a successful experiment. Seeing the room full of people, especially the Crown Prince and the Princess, she was stunned for a moment:
"Eh? Queen Mother? Your Majesty? Brother Aye? Cheng Qian? Yue'er? Why are you all here?"
Especially when she saw her brother-in-law's overly enthusiastic smile, she felt a little uneasy for some reason.
"Ning'er, you've worked hard!"
The Queen Mother was the first to speak, with a kind smile.
"I, your sister, His Majesty, and the others just happened to come over for a chat. Cheng Qian and Yue Er also just came to pay their respects. What good things have you made? This fragrance is so comforting!"
His eyes were fixed on the teapot and jade jar.
Nangong Yu immediately agreed:
"Yes, yes, yes! Ning'er is truly ingenious! This fragrance is more fragrant than all the flowers in my imperial garden combined!"
[Fairy Spring! Let me taste the Fairy Spring!]
Nangong Yue also approached curiously. Although she was older than Dongfang Yuning, she looked like a younger generation who was looking forward to something new.
"Aunt, what kind of perfume is this? It has a unique and elegant scent. It makes me feel refreshed when I smell it." She maintained an elegant demeanor, but her beautiful eyes were full of curiosity.
Nangong Chengqian also nodded calmly in agreement:
“It’s really different.”
Dongfang Qiwu was the calmest, just looking at her with a smile:
"Ning'er, are you done? Have some tea and take a break."
But his eyes swept over the jade jar.
Nangong Ye walked up to her, took the tray from her hand naturally, and said softly:
"Are you tired?"
His eyes swept across her slightly tired but exceptionally bright eyes.
Dongfang Yuning looked at the eager eyes of everyone (especially his brother-in-law), and although he felt a little strange
【Why do you feel that everyone is particularly enthusiastic today? 】
But she didn't think much about it. She smiled:
"Everyone's here! Ning'er just mixed some nourishing flower tea and some new face cream for everyone to try!"
She first handed the teacups to the Queen Mother, the Empress, and the Emperor. Nangong Yu's hands were shaking, and Nangong Ye poured each of them a cup of diluted Lingquan tea:
"This tea is mild and nourishing, everyone should try it."
Then he poured some for Nangong Chengqian and Nangong Yue as well:
"Chengqian, Yue'er, you should try it too. It's refreshing."
Then he picked up the jade jar and presented it as if it were a treasure:
"This is the new Sensin Jade Dew Rejuvenating Cream. I've tried it myself, and the results are... well, okay!"
She tried to be modest.
[So-so? Host, your modesty is a bit too Versailles.]
System 118 complains.
How could anyone wait any longer? The Queen Mother was the first to pick up the teacup and carefully take a sip.
As the warm tea went down my throat, an indescribable feeling of freshness instantly spread throughout my body, and all my internal organs were washed by the gentle warm current. My mind, which had been a little drowsy for the past few days, suddenly became clear, and even the soreness in my waist and legs was relieved a lot!
Her eyes lit up and she couldn't help but take another big sip:
"Good! Good tea! Ning'er is so thoughtful!"
Nangong Yu couldn't wait to take a sip, and instantly felt a warm current rushing from his throat to his dantian. The fatigue from reviewing memorials for days was swept away, and he felt refreshed.
[Xianquan! It really is Xianquan! It's worth it! The private vault I gave you before was not in vain!]
He was so excited that he almost burst into tears.
The Queen and Nangong Ye also savored it gracefully, feeling the gentle yet noticeable power nourishing their bodies, with a hint of surprise and understanding flashing in their eyes.
Nangong Chengqian and Nangong Yue also picked up their teacups and sipped them politely. As the tea went down their throats, a hint of surprise flashed across their eyes.
Nangong Chengqian only felt a clear and spiritual energy rushing straight to his mind. The fatigue from handling government affairs for several days dissipated for the most part, and his thoughts became much clearer.
Nangong Yue felt a warmth flowing through her body, even her fingertips were slightly warm, and her skin seemed to have become more radiant. Although the two of them did not show it on their faces, they were both moved in their hearts:
[This tea... is truly magical! ]
Dongfang Yuning looked at everyone's satisfied reactions and felt very happy. She opened the jade jar again and used the small jade spoon to pick up a little crystal clear, fragrant cream, and first applied a little to the back of the empress dowager's hand:
"Your Majesty, please try this. It feels very comfortable when applied."
The Queen Mother gently rubbed the cream as instructed, and found that the cream was delicate and silky to the touch. It was absorbed instantly, and the areas where it was applied were covered with a layer of warm luster. The dry skin immediately became moisturized and plump, and even a few fine wrinkles seemed to be smoothed out!
She looked at the back of her hand in disbelief, then touched her face:
“This…this…”
Dongfang Qiwu and the beauty-conscious Nangong Yue also tried it immediately. The Queen felt her skin instantly moisturized and tightened, and looked at her sister with eyes full of admiration.
After trying it out, Nangong Yue couldn't help but look carefully at the shiny bronze mirror. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Although she tried her best to maintain her princess's dignity, the slightly raised corners of her mouth revealed her surprise.
"Queen Mother! Imperial Grandmother! This cream... the effect is truly immediate!"
She looked at Dongfang Yuning with eyes full of amazement and a hint of barely perceptible envy - her aunt was the youngest but had the best skin, and now she had such a magical artifact!
Although Nangong Ye was useless, looking at Dongfang Yuning's little look expecting praise, a gentle smile appeared in his eyes.
Nangong Yu was itching to try it, but as a grown man, he was too embarrassed to ask for the cream. He could only watch helplessly, feeling mad inside:
[Where's me? Where's my face cream?! Ning'er! You can't be partial! I need to maintain my appearance, too!]
His resentful eyes drifted towards Dongfang Yuning.
Dongfang Yuning felt a chill when he saw the look in his brother-in-law's eyes, and quickly scooped a small spoonful for him:
"Your Majesty, would you like to try it? Although you are naturally handsome, it would be good to maintain your appearance."
Inner complaints:
[Brother-in-law, your eyes... are so creepy! ]
Nangong Yu was overjoyed. He took it carefully and applied it to his face, imitating the way it was done. Feeling the magical effect, he was overjoyed.
【It’s worth it! Everything is worth it! 】
Just when the atmosphere was harmonious and everyone was happy, except for the emperor who was still feeling sorry for his private treasury and struggling to maintain his dignity, Dongfang Yuning cleared his throat and dropped a bombshell that had been brewing for a long time!
"Ahem, well... since everyone thinks this tea and cream are okay,"
She tried to make her tone sound casual, but the light in her eyes was surprisingly bright.
"I plan to open another branch under our Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce - Fengming Jiuxiao Auction House!"
"Auction Pavilion?"
Everyone was stunned.
"right!"
Dongfang Yuning puffed out her chest, her voice filled with unquestionable confidence.
"Specializing in the auction of the top-tier, rarest, and most effective items! For example, this rare edition of the 'Immortal Jade Dew Rejuvenating Cream'!"
The quantity is extremely small, and the effect is 30% better than what everyone is using now! There are also life-saving pills and body-strengthening pills made from special medicinal herbs..."
She paused, looked around at her shocked family, and announced in a resounding voice:
"The highest bidder wins! Starting price—ten thousand taels of gold!"
boom--!
It was like an invisible "ball" exploding in Fengyi Palace!
"Ten thousand... ten thousand taels of gold?!"
Nangong Yu almost spit out the Lingquan tea he had just drunk, his eyes widened like bells, and his heart was pounding uncontrollably!
[Starting price?! This isn't an auction? This is a money grab! No! It's faster than a robbery! Ning'er! You... you're the reincarnation of the God of Wealth, right?!]
He seemed to see mountains of gold and silver rolling into the national treasury (and his sister-in-law's private treasury)!
The Queen Mother was so shocked that she forgot to twirl her Buddhist beads:
Ten thousand taels of gold... for a bottle of face cream? This... shouldn't I save more money for myself?
Empress Dongfang Qiwu's hand holding the teacup finally paused imperceptibly, and a storm of emotion surged in the depths of her eyes:
[Ten thousand taels of gold... starting price? Ning'er's generosity...]
Even though she was used to dealing with ups and downs, she was still shocked by her sister's ruthlessness and confidence in cutting leeks. The assets of Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce were likely to experience a geometric increase!
Nangong Ye looked at his young fiancée, shining like the brightest star in the shocked eyes of everyone. Her confident, bold and high-spirited look made him intoxicated.
The corners of his lips curled up in a proud arc, silently giving the most firm support: no matter what she wants to do, he will be her strongest backing.
Even though Nangong Chengqian was calm, he was shocked by the starting price of ten thousand taels of gold, and his pupils shrank slightly. He was shocked in his heart:
[My aunt...what a bold person! ]
Nangong Yue, who loves beauty, tried hard to maintain the demeanor of a princess, but the light in her beautiful eyes was brighter than the stars. She couldn't help but take a step forward, her voice filled with suppressed excitement and a hint of coquettishness (towards an elder younger than herself):
"Aunt! You are so amazing! Ten thousand taels of gold! Yue'er... Yue'er can learn business from you in the future? You are the big gold nugget that Yue'er admires the most... Aunt!"
She almost called out the God of Wealth, but fortunately she changed her words in time, her pretty face slightly reddened.
[Pfft! Auntie Big Gold Pimple? That title... Yue'er, you're such a complimenter! I love it!]
Dongfang Yuning was amused by the cute contrast of his eldest niece, and the villain in his heart laughed wildly with his hands on his hips.
Just then—
Ding-ling-ling~Ding-ling-ling~
A clear and pleasant ringing sound, which seemed to carry some kind of rhythm, suddenly rang out from an ancient and exquisite Xuanji bell hanging on Dongfang Yuning's wrist!
The first sound is as clear as the sound of spring water.
Fengyi Palace instantly fell silent, and everyone looked towards the small bell that had suddenly rang.
Dongfang Yuning was also stunned, and then an even brighter light burst out of his eyes!
[Xuanji bell rang?!]
She exclaimed inwardly
System 118: [Beep—The Xuanji Bell rings for the third time, confirming: Your third brother Dongfang Linyuan's quarterly tax payment has been deposited. Amount: 15,000 taels of gold.]
To confirm her (and the system's) thoughts, an excited eunuch's voice was heard from outside the palace:
"Report! Your Majesty! Her Majesty! Imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan has arrived outside the palace gates to present the first quarter tax revenue from the Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce, along with 15,000 taels of gold!"
boom--!
Another invisible hammer hit everyone's heart!
Fifteen thousand taels of gold! Just... one quarter's... tax for a restaurant branch?!
Nangong Yu felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest!
[Ten thousand… ten thousand taels of gold… and that’s just taxes?! Hot pot… milk tea… what kind of Midas touch is that?!]
He only knew that his sister-in-law's business was profitable, but he didn't expect it to be so profitable!
Empress Dongfang Qiwu finally lost her composure. She set down her teacup, her beautiful eyes gleaming with surprise. Even the Queen Mother clutched her chest in shock.
Nangong Chengqian's calm mask finally showed a crack. He subconsciously clenched the teacup in his hand, and his fingertips turned slightly white.
Nangong Yue even covered her mouth with her hands, and looked at Dongfang Yuning with eyes full of admiration.
Nangong Ye looked at Dongfang Yuning's expected smug look, and the doting in his eyes almost overflowed.
Dongfang Yuning listened to the eunuch's report, felt the lingering sound of the Xuanji Bell, looked at the shocked and numb expressions of everyone in the hall, and the admiring eyes of his eldest niece, and an unprecedented sense of pride arose spontaneously!
[Where do we go from here?]
The villain in her heart has already stood on the top of the golden mountain, looking down on the world.
[Basic food is just an appetizer! Spiritual spring cream, rare elixirs, various future artifacts (civilian versions)... and the auction house!]
[Will the third ring be the first hammer falling at the auction house, with millions of gold scrambling for the prize?]
She glanced at her brother-in-law Nangong Yu and showed a "kind" smile.
[The contribution of a certain emperor's brother-in-law who emptied his private treasury (if any were left) to buy limited edition creams and pills?]
Silence reigned within Fengyi Palace. Only the lingering sound of the Xuanji Bell echoed silently, along with Princess Fuxing's (forced) overhearing, "money-smelling" yet blood-boiling, grand blueprint.
The expressions on everyone's face were brilliant, but they were all tightly controlled, not daring to reveal a single word—holding it in! For the sake of the Nine Clans! And also for the future purchase of the immortal cream and miracle medicine!
The Crown Prince and the eldest princess, two younger generations who were older than the aunt, were not only shocked, but also felt a deep awe for this magical aunt and a yearning for the big gold nugget.
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