Shen Mingzhu: ...
[Guagua, are you short of points again?]
[No, host, I'm currently ranked way ahead in the entire realm, absolutely top-tier!]
Oh, I see!
Shen Mingzhu wanted to tease the system, but soon, she heard the system's exasperated voice.
[Host, you've turned bad! You're bullying Guagua!]
No way! We're best friends, how could I possibly bully you!
She remembered that she had won money and wanted to buy snacks for her father.
Back at Mingzhu Academy, she bought a box of face masks, Snickers bars, candy, spicy strips, compressed biscuits, and 50 boxes of various snacks and fruits from the system store.
"Shaoyao, have someone deliver these things to Father in the main courtyard. These are things he asked me to buy from overseas merchants."
"Yes, Miss."
Soon, Shen Changyuan received "snacks" from Shen Mingzhu.
Upon seeing these "goodies," Shen Changyuan immediately took a mask, put it on, and then ate a Snickers bar, marvelling at the sight.
"It's delicious."
Overnight, Shen Changyuan presented most of the "snacks" to Emperor Jingyuan.
Since learning about Shen Mingzhu's special status, Shen Changyuan has had a special channel of communication with Emperor Jingyuan. Sure enough, the items were soon delivered to Emperor Jingyuan in the palace.
Emperor Jingyuan was also surprised when he saw these supplies.
That night, many people couldn't fall asleep because of Shen Mingzhu's heartfelt words and what she presented, while she herself had already drifted off to sleep.
Mother Shen lay on the bed, tossing and turning like a pancake.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing his wife like this, Shen Changyuan knew that something was on her mind, so he couldn't help but ask.
Mother Shen told Shen Changyuan about her eldest son, Shen Qinghong's marriage.
Shen Changyuan frowned.
"Eldest brother Qinghong's current situation is to take the imperial examination first, and we'll talk about his wife later; as for second brother Qinglan, you pick an auspicious day first, and we'll go through the formalities. Didn't you say that people from the Divine Doctor Valley are also coming? You prepare to welcome them and make sure they feel at home, showing them how much we value Miss Bai."
"I know."
"Mother Shen said softly."
Night returned to its tranquillity.
...
The next day, Shen Changyuan, wearing a mask, excitedly went to court.
In the entire hall, he was the most handsome "young man."
Shen Mingzhu stood at the very back and could smell a faint, unpleasant odour.
[Guagua, why do I keep smelling a foul odour?]
[Host, the Second Prince is attending court today! The effects of the Stinky Pill haven't worn off yet! You should be grateful you're far away.]
Crown Prince Yan Beichen looked helpless. Did no one care whether he lived or died?
He was standing right next to the second prince.
[Guagua, poor Crown Prince, poor my fiancé! How I wish I could give him a face mask right now, but unfortunately, i can't move around freely.]
Shen Changyuan looked very smug today, secretly glad that he had worn a mask.
Being in front of the main hall, he was spared much suffering.
Emperor Jingyuan frowned, revealing his displeasure.
As an emperor, he sat at the head of the table, unlike Shen Changyuan and Shen Mingzhu, who were bowing their heads and wearing masks below...
"Yunxuan, Consort Li misses you. Go see her now."
The Second Prince Yan Yunxuan frowned slightly. It was court time, and he was going to the inner palace to see his mother.
However, since it was his father's decree, he obediently agreed and followed the little eunuch to the inner palace.
Ahhhhh
He's finally gone!
The four princes and several ministers in front of them were finally "rescued."
It has to be His Majesty!
Yan Yunxuan went to the inner palace with a face full of doubt.
Seeing that Consort Li had moved back to Yikun Palace, Chang Le leaned lazily against the armchair, her brows furrowing unconsciously.
"Chang Le, you are a royal princess. Look at yourself now. You have no proper posture, neither standing nor sitting."
"Brother, what are you saying! I am only like this in Mother's palace!"
"You need to tone it down a bit lately!"
"I know, I know, Father Emperor is closely monitoring me!"
"Snort!"
When Consort Li saw that her daughter and son were about to quarrel, she quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Alright, you two are siblings from the same mother, so be well! By the way, Yunxuan, why did you come to the inner palace while attending court?"
The Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan, looked at Consort Li.
"Mother, it wasn't you...?"
Both mother and son saw confusion in each other's eyes.
"What happened?"
Soon, only the concubine and her two children remained in Yikun Palace.
On the other side, the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty, the border between the northern lands and the Hu people has opened a trade market. Our Great Yan is a vast country with abundant resources. We have no need to have such interactions with these barbarians. Opening a trade market will facilitate the infiltration of Hu spies into our country. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages and should be cancelled."
Hearing the minister's report, Shen Mingzhu rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.
[Guagua, who is this minister?! What have the people of Great Yan done to deserve this? They should take advantage of the trade fair to buy as much livestock, furs, dried meat, milk skin, and other valuables as possible to stock up. The key is that the Hu people love Great Yan's porcelain, tea, silk, and so on. When food and clothing become scarce in the future, will that porcelain serve as clothing or food? Shouldn't we seize this opportunity to hoard supplies? It's a golden chance!]
[Host, this is Censor Liu. Perhaps the Censorate has run out of people to impeach lately, so he's come out to cause trouble.]
[Alright, this Imperial Censor Liu isn't good enough; Imperial Censor Wang is better!]
Imperial Censor Wang glanced at Emperor Jingyuan at the head of the table and quickly pulled Imperial Censor Liu back.
"Alright, opening up the border trade is currently more beneficial than harmful, so you should say less."
"Lord Wang, I...I..."
Imperial Censor Wang: "Stop with the 'you' and 'me' talk, stand properly!"
Shen Mingzhu mentally complained, but Yan Beichen had much more on his mind.
Indeed, a batch of porcelain could be transported to the north to be directly exchanged for a large quantity of furs, livestock, dried meat, and so on.
Soon, a preliminary plan took shape in his mind.
[Host, host, I have good news for you! Imperial Censor Wang and his wife have finally resolved their differences.]
That's great news!
Shen Mingzhu looked at Imperial Censor Wang, who had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel; this was indeed good news.
Imperial Censor Wang gave Shen Mingzhu a meaningful look. Did she find out so quickly?
Shen Changyuan was genuinely happy for his friend, whose long-cherished wish had finally come true.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: The devoted lovers finally get married.
Suddenly, the system's voice came through.
[But host, Lady Wang is heartbroken. She wants to give Imperial Censor Wang an heir, but she's too old, and the doctor says the chances are slim. She's also deeply remorseful, which is terribly distressing Imperial Censor Wang. He keeps saying that the two of them can grow old together, but Lady Wang insists on taking medicine with him and bearing him a child. Imperial Censor Wang is so worried that clumps of hair are falling out!]
Shen Mingzhu: ...
[Guagua, didn't I buy fertility pills last time?]
As Imperial Censor Wang listened to Shen Mingzhu's heartfelt words, his eyes sparkled, as if filled with a galaxy.
Very good!
My niece is so sweet!
No wonder she's Brother Shen's precious daughter!
That's how understanding she is!
The more Imperial Censor Wang thought about it, the happier he became. The problem that had troubled him for many days was finally solved, and the smile on his face grew more and more gentle.
His gaze toward Shen Changyuan became much more fervent.