Li Ying took a deep breath. Instead of getting straight to the point with the Princess Royal, she looked at the plates of pastries and began to explain them to her in a leisurely manner.
"I'm so bold as to have made these two simple snacks today. I'm afraid they'll make the Princess Royal laugh. I wonder if these pastries suit your taste?"
She continued softly without haste, "I heard from your servants that the Princess Royal has had a poor appetite recently. Whenever you eat something slightly greasy, you feel nauseous. You also suffer from aching bones and diarrhea."
"I know a bit about medicine. Judging from your symptoms, it seems to be a syndrome of phlegm and fluid retention and edema caused by internal dampness. If we use the wisteria in the courtyard as medicine, it will be exactly the right treatment. So, I was so bold as to make these two snacks, hoping to relieve the Princess Royal's discomfort a little."
She spoke humbly. The Princess Royal frowned. She really only felt that the pastries on the plate were sweet when she took a bite. The crispy skin as thin as a cicada's wing melted in her mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance. As for the soft and glutinous wisteria cake, it was even silkier and denser, very easy to swallow, and not as nauseating as usual.
She lifted her eyelids slightly and said indifferently, "I've long heard that Boss Li is extremely skilled in cooking, but I never expected that you also have your own unique insights into medicine."
Hearing the softening of her tone, Li Ying knew it was the right time and quickly spoke up.
"The Princess Royal is overpraising me! I'm just showing off my skills in front of an expert. Actually, I learned the way of medicine from my fiancé, the Lu family. The doctors under the Lu family are highly skilled in medicine. In the past, all the villagers in my hometown suffered from gout, and it was also him who sent people to treat them."
She said this without changing her expression and just right mentioned the name of Lu Xunguang. Sure enough, the Princess Royal narrowed her eyes and asked meaningfully, "You mean the salt merchant Lu family? Today, the Emperor sent someone to detain him in the palace for questioning."
Since the Princess Royal brought it up first, Li Ying no longer concealed it.
She nodded. After a moment of hesitation, she knelt down on both knees without hesitation.
"Please, the Princess Royal, investigate clearly. My fiancé has absolutely no intention of harming others. He is strict with his subordinates and only wants to save the world and help the people. He is by no means a scheming and immoral villain!"
Since she traveled through time, she rarely knelt down in the grand three - kneeling and nine - kowtowing ceremony to anyone.
Firstly, she had the blood of someone from thousands of years later in her bones and really didn't like these cumbersome and restrictive etiquettes.
Secondly, it was because of Lu Xunguang.
Even when he was still a farmer, he had an unruly personality. Whenever she had an argument with someone, he would always be the first to jump out and stand in front of her, never allowing her to be wronged in the slightest.
Since he returned to his ancestral family and took over the Lu family, he always put her first in everything. Everyone knew that she was the future mistress of the Lu family. Who would dare to make things difficult for her?
The stone slab under Li Ying's knees was cold, but she only felt her heart burning hot.
It was just a kneel. If it could keep Lu Xunguang safe, what did it matter?
She bowed her head submissively. Seeing that the Princess Royal just fell into deep thought without saying a word, Hu Qinzhu was so anxious that she knelt beside her and said repeatedly, "Your Highness, it's all Qinzhu's fault. If you want to blame someone, just punish Qinzhu! Master Lu and Boss Li have a deep affection for each other. He is definitely a gentleman. Please, the Princess Royal, help him!"
She was so anxious that her eyes turned red. She kept kowtowing, and soon a faint red mark appeared on her forehead.
The Princess Royal finally couldn't bear it. She raised her hand, signaling the two of them to get up first, and then asked calmly, "The two of you come to me today. Do you want me to go to the Emperor and plead for Lu Xunguang?"
"Do you know what crime Lu Xunguang is charged with?"
Her voice was not loud, but she had a majestic presence. Hu Qinzhu rarely saw her like this and felt a chill in her heart.
Li Ying said in a deep voice, "The Lu family presented the nine - roasted bamboo salt. But after the Emperor used it, he fell ill. Please, the Princess Royal, investigate clearly. This matter must be someone's secret plot. It's definitely not the fault of the nine - roasted bamboo salt!"
She composed herself. Seeing that the Princess Royal was not angry but was looking at her with great interest, she simply took a bold step and said frankly, "Your Highness, please forgive my disrespect. You and the Emperor, as members of the royal family, live a life of luxury every day and taste all the delicacies in the world. Eating too much greasy and meaty food will surely lead to excessive indulgence."
"At this time, if someone plays some tricks, those with weak spleens and stomachs will easily be unable to bear the rich nourishment, and their health will deteriorate. Only with careful conditioning can one strengthen the body. And my Lu family, though not very talented, just has a way!"
She looked at the Princess Royal with bright eyes, and her voice was full of unwavering determination.
Hu Qinzhu secretly felt nervous. This Li Ying was really so bold!
What she said was clearly regarding all the imperial doctors in the palace as good - for - nothings!
After a long time, they heard the Princess Royal chuckle.
"Boss Li has a big mouth."
"Those who want to wear the crown must bear the weight. Since you've made such bold remarks, you must show some real skills."
Li Ying guessed she would ask this question. She stared back without flinching and said firmly, "Your Highness, this is not the place to talk. But please listen to me. I must have a good prescription to nurse the Emperor back to health! My fiancé has already prepared everything. The Princess Royal will know once you see it!"
She spoke so confidently that the Princess Royal fell into deep thought. After a moment, she finally asked curiously, "You've painted such a beautiful picture that I can't help but believe you."
"But I'm curious. Why should I get involved in this mess for no reason? What's in it for me to speak well of you and your husband in front of the Emperor?"
Her sharp eyes scanned Li Ying up and down, as if trying to see through her.
But Li Ying just smiled and turned her gaze back to the plates of pastries on the table.
"Your Highness, I intend to serve under you and be at your disposal. Today's flower - based cuisine is my token of submission."
Seeing that the Princess Royal still looked unimpressed, she calmly continued to explain.
"Using fresh flowers in cooking has a long history. It's not something rare."
"But has the Princess Royal ever heard that these beautiful flowers, processed in different ways, whether for external use or internal consumption, can all have the effect of beautifying the skin?"
"The Princess Royal only knows that orchids are precious. What if Qinzhu and I can cultivate unique rare flowers and plants for you and then make them into fragrant balms, hydrosols, and essential oils?"
There was a sparkle in her eyes as she stared directly at the Princess Royal without flinching.
"The national treasury is in deficit. If the Princess Royal starts a unique cosmetics business to relieve the Emperor's worries, I'm sure the Emperor will be very pleased."
Hu Qinzhu never expected that Li Ying would propose to involve the Princess Royal in a business. This bold idea made her break out in a cold sweat.