Chapter 356: Chapter 356 Second Update (2)
In early April, after more than half a month of word-of-mouth, even rich merchants from other Prefecture Governments rushed to the ’Summer Garden’ to see for themselves. Some sought to discuss cooperation with the owner of the ’Summer Garden,’ but Feng Xuxu refused them.
Jueqing, Zongzheng Zehang, and Beitang Xuan came to see the Yimi Flowers every day, very cautiously. These were the highlight flowers of this period in the garden, and their value was extremely high. The three took great care.
"Brother Zongzheng, do you think this Yimi Flower is about to bloom?" Jueqing was walking in the furrow when he suddenly glimpsed a bud of the Yimi Flower that seemed to be about to crack open.
Zongzheng Zehang dropped the shovel he had been using to loosen the soil and ran over, and Beitang Xuan ran over directly with his shovel. The three of them huddled together, squatting on the ground to look for themselves, and they discovered that indeed, the flower was showing signs of blooming, which made the three of them extremely happy—it was worth all their hard labor.
"Brother Jueqing, the princess said that the Yimi Flower only blooms for two days, shall we not make early preparations?" Beitang Xuan was happy but also worried, and he asked the Jueqing beside him.
Jueqing considered the situation, that these flowers would probably bloom in one or two days: "I see this blooming to be just a matter of a few days; let’s take turns watching over them at night. If there are signs of blooming, then we can make arrangements early, and start to promote the Yimi Flower tomorrow."
"Should we still charge each person one hundred Silver? Will that be too little?" Zongzheng Zehang also had some doubts.
All fell silent for a moment, and finally, they unanimously decided to ask the princess the next day before making a decision.
The next day, the three of them went to the Prince Residence together to explain the situation to the princess. Feng Xuxu smiled with pursed lips. This Yimi Flower tea was meant to be a high-end product, and it was reasonable to charge more since there was not much of this tea. In the end, after synthesizing everything, they decided to charge each person five hundred Silver, dividing into two, and setting up a separate tea area.
Two days later, the Yimi Flowers gradually began to open their buds, and with intentional promotion, everyone knew that the Emperor had tasted this tea and came rushing to try it for themselves.
"Line up, don’t rush, everyone line up, there’s enough for everyone," a servant shouted while holding a sign, looking at the crowd pushing in front. Forced by the situation, he finally stood on a table and yelled loudly.
One distributed number cards, one collected Silver, and one managed order. Several people worked together in organized labor. After more than an hour, they finally finished and the servants all felt sore all over and had lost their voices.
After three days of busyness, things finally quieted down. When everyone had left, they gathered the servants and maids in the ’Summer Garden’ to start picking the Yimi Flowers, and after two more days of work, they were finished.
Ever since Dugu Han returned to the palace, every time he thought of Dugu Chen’s words, they stuck in his throat like a fishbone, casting a gloomy atmosphere over him and reinforcing his determination that he must send Dugu Chen back to his fiefdom and keep Feng Xuxu as a hostage.
Shiyuan looked outside at the late hour and cautiously advised, "Emperor, it’s already the second watch of the night, you should rest."
Dugu Han pulled himself out of his thoughts, looked outside, and nodded. Eunuch Shi, seeing this, sighed with relief, finally able to get a good night’s sleep.
At the end of April, a royal decree from the Emperor disrupted the tranquility of Prince Mei Residence.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, so decrees the Emperor: The New Year’s Eve has passed for more than two months. Although I am reluctant to let my brother return to his fiefdom to attend to duties, we cannot neglect the nation’s affairs for the sake of brotherly affection. Hence, the stay cannot be prolonged. Princess Mei, being with child, cannot accompany Prince Mei back to the fiefdom. Therefore, I hereby approve that she stays in the capital until the birth. A banquet will be held in the Imperial Palace on the second day of May to bid farewell to all the princes returning to their fiefdoms. This is my will."
Eunuch Shi finished reading the imperial edict and symbolically handed it to Prince Mei. Seeing that the prince didn’t even lift his eyelids, he passed the edict to Little Dezi on the side. After brushing off the dust, he earnestly advised Prince Mei, "Although you and the Emperor are brothers, there is a distinction between sovereign and subject. The Emperor is sympathetic to the Prince, allowing the princess to stay in the capital for the birth. Moreover, there are plenty of Imperial Physicians attending to her. Your Highness need not worry, and you can prepare to return to your fiefdom with peace of mind."
The anger in Dugu Chen’s eyes intensified. ’Sympathetic’ sounded nice, but frankly, it was a hostage situation.
"Go back and tell him, I disdain his throne. I agree to return to the fiefdom, but only if my beloved and I go together. Otherwise, I don’t mind overthrowing him and declaring myself king," Dugu Chen said, his anger seething.
Eunuch Shi glanced at the enraged Prince Mei, his brow furrowed, "I will convey the Prince’s words as they are to the Emperor," he said deeply, looking at Dugu Chen for a moment before turning to leave with Little Dezi and the others.
Feng Xuxu entered the hall and saw him standing motionless. She went up and softly called out, "Chen."
"My lady, why have you come out? Please, sit down quickly." He took her hand, made way for his own seat, and aided her to sit down with a look of anxiousness.
Feng Xuxu smiled softly, "I saw that you had not returned for quite some time, and I was worried, so I came to see how you were."
"I got caught up pondering over some matters and lost track of time. Come, let me take you back."
"Yes." She nodded lightly, allowing him to support her.
After ensuring she was back in their room, he lightly pivoted on his feet and headed toward the study.
**
In the Imperial Palace, Dugu Han, whose mood was exceedingly good, was admiring the premium peonies just delivered to the Imperial Garden from the greenhouse when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Eunuch Shi hurrying toward him from the entrance of the garden.
Dugu Han gave the matter a brief thought and knew immediately what was going on.
"Your Majesty, this servant..."
"Rise," he said evenly, betraying not a hint of anger in his voice.
Eunuch Shi paused, then stood up, stepping behind the Emperor and bowing his head low.
"What exactly did he say?" floated the question, light and airy, while the handiwork remained steady, still trimming the outstretched branches with scissors.
"He said he scorns the throne and that if he goes back to his fiefdom, he must take Feng Xuxu with him, or else he will rebel." Wiping the sweat from his brow, he stood nervously on one side, awaiting the Emperor’s wrath.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Han merely chuckled, gazing at the peonies he had pruned to his liking, growing fonder of them by the moment: "Summon someone to bring this into Our sleeping chamber."
"At once." A nearby eunuch carefully picked up the flower and carried it towards the Emperor’s sleeping chamber.
Eunuch Shi, seeing the Emperor walk away, promptly followed, leaving the Imperial Garden and arriving at the Moon Fairy Palace.
The palace maids inside, seeing the Emperor unexpectedly appear, approached and knelt down quickly to greet him.
Xiu Yang, lying on the soft couch, started up upon hearing of the Emperor’s arrival, but even as she meant to descend, it was already too late.
Extending her fair jade-like foot, she stepped barefoot onto the woven red carpet, her figure graceful and full beneath the sheer white fabric, and slowly squatted down, her charming smile on her face: "May the Emperor be blessed with peace."
Dugu Han narrowed his eyes slightly with a radiant smile on his lips as he gently helped the beauty rise from the ground: "Please, my princess, rise."
Concubine Lian obediently got up, but unexpectedly trod on her own skirt and fell right into the Emperor’s embrace.
"Your Majesty, your servant..." Concubine Lian looked up at the Emperor with eyes as timid as those of a fawn.
"Shh!"
