Chapter 348 Jade Bracelet
The Emperor smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
The Empress Dowager complained, "Don't you even know what good things the Liu family has done? You still want to marry Liu Zijun to Huo Ran. In my opinion, the two of them are not suitable for each other."
At this point, the Emperor fell silent. He had just discussed this matter with Huo Ran two days ago, and now even the Empress Dowager was against Huo Ran and Liu Zijun's relationship. It seemed he had to change his mind.
"I'll go back and think about it some more. After all, we've been using these people for so many years. Besides, we need to investigate everything thoroughly before using the Imperial Merchant. This matter can't be rushed, but I'll keep it in mind."
Hearing the Emperor say this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly: "Alright, I understand. Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs, so let the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department handle this small matter."
In the past, the Emperor would have left after exchanging a few words with the Empress Dowager, but now he was reluctant to leave and wanted to take another look at Jiang Mi. The Empress Dowager noticed this and was somewhat displeased. This was Huo Ran's beloved, and the Emperor couldn't just shamelessly try to steal her away, could he?
"Your Majesty, I am feeling well. You have many things to attend to, so please go ahead and do your work. You don't need to stay here with me."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had sent him away, the Emperor reluctantly got up, but his eyes were still glancing at Jiang Mi intentionally or unintentionally.
"Since Your Majesty is in good health, I am relieved."
Having said all that, the Emperor had no choice but to leave. Jiang Mi only felt much more relaxed after he left. The Emperor's gaze had been fixed on her, making her feel very uncomfortable.
The Empress Dowager noticed Jiang Mi's discomfort and said gently to her, "Is the Emperor too imposing and frightening you? That's how men are. Don't worry about him. He may look intimidating, but he has a very good heart and is a good emperor."
Jiang Mi nodded. Of course, she should praise her own son, especially since no one dared to speak ill of the Emperor.
"It's getting late, Miss Jiang should go back now," Zhao Mama reminded her. Someone of Jiang Mi's status shouldn't stay in the palace for lunch unless it's a special favor from the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Then you can go back now. I will summon you to speak with me when I have time."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager yawned. Jiang Mi stood up and bowed, saying, "This humble woman will take her leave now. Your Majesty, please rest well. If you have trouble sleeping, you can drink some raw milk before bed, which will help you sleep."
The Empress Dowager looked at her curiously: "You know these things? I didn't realize you knew so much, little girl."
After giving her reminder, Jiang Mi left Kunning Palace. Zhao Mama saw her off, but unexpectedly, the system, which she hadn't seen for a long time, suddenly spoke.
[The benefactor's mission has been completed. The host will receive the benefits brought by the benefactor.]
Jiang Mi was stunned. She hadn't expected that her benefactor would be the Empress Dowager. She had thought it would be Princess Jinning or the Old Madam. She never expected it, especially in this place. This meant that her becoming a royal merchant was now a certainty.
Seeing Jiang Mi standing there in a daze, Granny Zhao stopped and waited for her: "What's wrong? Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Mi shook her head and smiled easily: "It's nothing, I just sat for a long time and my legs are a little numb."
Zhao Mama smiled and said, "It's normal for Miss Jiang to feel reserved since this is her first time entering the palace. She'll be less reserved after coming a few more times. You should be able to see today that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is a very easy person to talk to, right?"
Jiang Mi nodded: "The Empress Dowager is indeed very kind, and she has always worked for my benefit. I don't know how to repay the Empress Dowager."
Granny Zhao smiled and said, "You don't need to take it too seriously. This is also a good thing for the Empress Dowager. It will be more convenient for her to use soap in the future."
Jiang Mi nodded. When she returned, she rode the carriage alone. She quickly used her mind to ask the system, "System, why haven't you appeared for so long? I thought you were going to disappear."
System: [How could I possibly disappear? I was just bored because you couldn't complete your task, so I took a long break. I'll come back out once you finish your task.]
Jiang Mi asked, puzzled, "But you can give me other tasks. I can't just do this, can I? Don't I have any other options?"
System: [You haven't even finished this one yet, and I'm giving you a few more? Besides, these tasks are limited; the later ones are harder and take longer. You're doing so well in any business now, do you really need me?]
For some reason, Jiang Mi always felt that the system's words sounded a bit aggrieved and pitiful.
"Of course I need it. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. I owe everything to you. I'm not the kind of person who would turn their back on someone after they've served their purpose. Don't worry. What's the next task?"
System: [You sounded quite sincere just now, so why are you so shameless when it comes to tasks? The next task is to gain the trust of a powerful figure and successfully become a royal merchant. Your business is already doing very well; I'm not even sure if I should give you this reward.]
Jiang Mi isn't the type to complain about not getting enough rewards; she'll want anything that benefits her.
"You didn't even say anything, yet you knew I didn't want it? And didn't you say I had no right to choose whether or not I wanted it? I could only follow your orders."
The system thought about it and realized that it was the one in control, so why was it suddenly starting to negotiate with the host?
You're right. The next task is to gain the Empress Dowager's trust and Princess Chongyang's favor.
Jiang Mi couldn't understand why, after gaining the Empress Dowager's trust, she also needed to win Princess Chongyang's favor. Why did she want Princess Chongyang to like her?
"What's the reward?" That's all Jiang Mi wanted to know right now. What was the point of doing all this if there wasn't a good reward? But the task had to be done. Jiang Mi sighed. There was no other way. Fortunately, it wasn't about getting along well with Liu Zijun.
The reward is the method for making shower gel.
"Shower gel? What's that?" Jiang Mi couldn't understand. She hadn't heard such a novel term in a long time and had no idea what the system was talking about.
"It's similar to soap, except this is liquid. It can also be used to wash your body, but it's in a fluid form and can be stored in a box."
"Why not just use soap? Why bother with all this other stuff?"
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