Chapter 100
The lingering heat of the Imperial Chef Competition continued to ferment throughout the capital, not cooling down but intensifying. In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, and among all walks of life, almost everyone was talking about the "Saltless Feast" and the "Soy Sauce Braised Fish with Tofu" that turned ordinary food into something magical.
Overnight, Lin Xiaoshu went from an unknown kitchen helper to a sought-after rising star. His "Yupinxian" dish became legendary.
"Have you heard? That 'Imperial Fresh' has the power to turn everything into gold. Just one drop can transform ordinary dishes into delicacies!"
"Not only that! Aunt Wang next door used that soy sauce to stew a pot of meat. The whole yard was filled with the aroma and it was so fragrant that I couldn't even walk. Her three-year-old child even drank up all the soup from the bowl!"
"That's good! We no longer have to worry about those salt merchants raising prices. The East Palace has found a way out for us ordinary people!"
Praise flooded the East Palace like a tide, and Song Qingyuan's reputation among the people reached an unprecedented height. She was not only a noble princess, but also a "living Bodhisattva" who could solve practical problems for the people.
The line in front of the specialty store on Zhuque Street was longer than in the previous few days. Some people even brought small stools to reserve a spot before dawn.
Shopkeeper Qian was so busy that his feet never touched the ground. The wrinkles on his face were all transformed into a chrysanthemum by a smile. While directing his employees to restock the goods, he kept wiping the sweat from his forehead and muttering to himself, "The Crown Princess is truly a deity, a deity!"
In the East Palace, Song Qingyuan was sitting by the window, holding an account book in his hand, listening to Tingyu reporting the grand scene outside with a beaming eyebrow.
"Your Majesty, you didn't see it. Those who didn't get the 'Imperial Fresh' were beating their chests and stamping their feet, as if they had lost a treasure. Some people even offered double the price, wanting to buy it from those in the queue!" Tingyu imitated those people with exaggerated expressions, which made Song Qingyuan laugh.
"Tell them not to worry. Tell Manager Qian that the workshop has already assigned more staff, working day and night to ensure supply. However," Song Qingyuan put down the account book and tapped his fingertips on the table, "the price cannot be changed, and the rules cannot be changed. Each person is limited to two bottles per day. The rarer it is, the more precious it is to them."
"Yes, I understand." Tingyu responded crisply, and then said, "Your Majesty, we've made a killing this time! The money allocated by the Ministry of Revenue has already paid back more than half of our investment in just a few days. At this rate, we'll be profitable in less than half a month!"
Song Qingyuan smiled, his eyes gleaming with the light of a money-grubber, which made Shen Yanzhi beside him both angry and amused. He had just returned from outside when he saw his Crown Princess grinning at the account book like a little fox that had stolen a chicken.
"Do you like these yellow and white things so much?" He walked over, put his arms around her waist from behind, and rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"Your Highness, these are not just simple gold and silver items." Song Qingyuan turned around, pinched his cheek, and said confidently, "This is called confidence. With them, I can pay double the monthly wages to the servants in the East Palace, buy better equipment for our secret guards, and avoid being strangled by those old men in the Ministry of Revenue when you want to do something."
Shen Yanzhi felt warm in his heart, and he took her hand that was messing with his face, placed it on his lips and kissed it. "Yes, my Crown Princess is the most far-sighted."
The two were in a tender moment when Eunuch Wang hurried in, his face unusually solemn. He reached the door, hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, someone has arrived from the palace to deliver His Majesty's instructions."
Song Qingyuan and Shen Yanzhi exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of confusion in the other's eyes. What was the emperor sending someone to do at this time?
The two men straightened their clothes and entered the main hall. An unfamiliar eunuch was standing in the hall, holding a bright yellow imperial edict. He looked haughty and arrogant. Seeing them enter, he simply gave them a halfhearted greeting.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince, Your Highness, Crown Princess, please accept my order."
Shen Yanzhi frowned slightly, but still knelt down with Song Qingyuan to salute.
The eunuch cleared his throat and read in a shrill voice, "The Emperor's edict says: Crown Prince Chen Yanzhi is both virtuous and talented, but within the Eastern Palace, there are few heirs, which is a real concern for the foundation of the country.
I have heard that the daughter of the Marquis of Weiyuan, Shen Ruyi, is dignified and gentle, and has been specially appointed as the Crown Prince's concubine, entering the palace immediately. I hope the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will treat her well, live in harmony, and soon have children for the royal family, to comfort my heart. I decree this."
Just a few words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the quiet main hall.
Tingyu and Eunuch Wang's faces paled instantly. A concubine? Or the legitimate daughter of Marquis Weiyuan? Everyone knew that Marquis Weiyuan held military power in the capital and was one of the emperor's most trusted confidants. What did the emperor mean by forcing Marquis Weiyuan's daughter into the Eastern Palace at this moment?
Is this a warning to the Crown Princess? Or is it a check on the power of the Eastern Palace?
Song Qingyuan knelt on the ground, her head buried so deeply that no one could see her expression. Her heart sank little by little. She had defeated the King of Wei and Li Deyu, but she had never expected that the one who would finally strike her down would be the emperor, who was so high and mighty.
The lack of offspring was just an excuse. How long had she been married to Shen Yanzhi? The emperor was dissatisfied with her popularity, that she, a daughter of a merchant, had surpassed the reputation of the nobles among the people. So he sent a true noblewoman to suppress her and remind her who was the true ruler of this imperial world.
Shen Ruyi... Shen Ruyi. What a "Ruyi"! I don't know whose wish it fulfilled.
Shen Yanzhi's voice was as cold as ice: "Son, I accept your order and thank you."
His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. He understood the deeper meaning behind this imperial decree better than Song Qingyuan did. His father was warning him not to rely too much on the Song family's financial resources, not to let the Crown Princess overshadow him as the Crown Prince.
The Weiyuan Marquis Shen family was a distant relative of his mother's. Shen Ruyi, judging by seniority, had to call him cousin. His father was trying to use the relationship between in-laws and clans to plant a spy next to him, a woman who could rival Song Qingyuan.
Seeing that they had received the order, the eunuch who delivered it smiled smugly. He handed the imperial edict to Shen Yanzhi and added in a sly tone, "Your Majesty has also given a verbal order. Concubine Shen will enter the palace in three days. Please, Her Majesty, make good preparations and do not lose the dignity of the royal family."
After saying this, he walked away with a swagger.
There was dead silence in the hall.
"Your Highness..." Song Qingyuan raised his head and looked at Shen Yanzhi. His face was terribly gloomy, and his whole body exuded a cold aura that kept strangers away.
"Everyone, step back." Shen Yanzhi's voice was hoarse.
Eunuch Wang, Tingyu and others did not dare to say anything more. They bowed and retreated, gently closing the door of the palace.
Shen Yanzhi quickly walked to Song Qingyuan, helped her up, and held her tightly in his arms. "Qingyuan, I'm sorry for wronging you."
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