The eldest princess sized up Li Ying scrutinizingly. Hu Qinzhu knelt timidly beside her, not daring to even breathe loudly.
After a long while, the princess finally let out a relieved smile.
"I've long heard that Boss Li is resourceful, bold, and capable. Although you're a woman and a merchant, you have extraordinary ambitions. Now that I've met you in person, the rumors are indeed true."
As her voice softened, the stone in Li Ying's heart finally dropped to the ground.
The eldest princess stood up, personally helped Li Ying and Hu Qinzhu up from the ground, and then offered them seats again. Only then did she slowly explain the reason why the emperor had summoned Lu Xunguang.
"Indeed, just as Boss Li said, after the emperor took the nine - roasted bamboo salt, his health improved greatly. But for some unknown reason, he caught a cold, and now he's listless."
"The imperial physicians have investigated from many aspects, but they still can't figure out the cause. Just when they were at a loss, they heard some speculations from others, which is why they began to suspect the head of the Lu family."
Her words were evasive, and she simply glossed over "the speculations from others".
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Li Ying and Hu Qinzhu exchanged a look and clearly understood.
Who else could be the one who sowed discord and harbored ill intentions other than Hu Maolin?
Hu Qinzhu's face instantly flushed red with shame.
Li Ying, however, didn't seem to mind. She gently patted Hu Qinzhu's hand.
"Your Highness, I'm somewhat knowledgeable in medicine. Now that the emperor is in poor health, I have a plan that might relieve his discomfort. I wonder if Your Highness could recommend me to enter the palace?"
In her opinion, the emperor's health didn't seem to be seriously ill. Instead, he had probably been living a life of luxury for many years, being overly particular about his food, which had caused him to develop some so - called "rich people's diseases".
It was the time of season change in spring. It was quite normal to feel unwell.
She knew a bit about the concept of integrating food and medicine. As long as she could enter the imperial kitchen, she was confident that she could make the emperor, who had a poor appetite, regain his appetite and spirits.
The eldest princess looked at her intently, as if assessing her capabilities.
She had personally tasted Li Ying's cooking skills and knew that Li Ying was eager to save her husband. She also wanted to see how capable Li Ying really was and whether she was truly worthy of being entrusted with important tasks. After a moment of hesitation, she finally nodded.
"Alright. I'll take you into the palace."
"If you can really take good care of the emperor's health as you said, Lu Xunguang will surely be safe and sound. As for the cosmetics business you mentioned, we can discuss it later."
Since the eldest princess had finally given her consent, Li Ying felt a bit more at ease. She then bowed gratefully to the princess.
Hu Qinzhu left the princess mansion with her. Recalling what had just happened, she still felt terrified.
Li Ying was so bold!
Entering the palace to meet the emperor seemed to be an honor that an ordinary person could hardly ever achieve in three lifetimes.
However, serving the emperor was like being beside a tiger. Preparing food for the emperor was no easy task!
If there was the slightest mistake, not only would it be impossible to save Lu Xunguang, but even Li Ying herself might not be able to escape death!
She looked at Li Ying seriously, and tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily.
"Boss Li, Master Lu is in prison now, and this matter must be related to my elder brother. I..."
She opened her mouth carefully, with a tone of self - reproach.
Li Ying smiled and waved her hand.
"Qinzhu, why blame yourself? As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. Although Master Lu is currently in trouble in the palace, fortunately, his life is not in danger. Now that the eldest princess is our guarantor, as long as I can take good care of the emperor's health during this visit to the palace, the Lu family will surely gain more influence. It will be all advantages and no disadvantages."
She was confident. After a pause, she fixed her sharp eyes on Hu Qinzhu.
"However, after this incident, Hu Maolin will surely have no more chances to act secretly."
Hu Qinzhu nodded.
After what her elder brother had done, the Hu and Lu families had become sworn enemies.
If someone else took the position of the imperial merchant, as the saying goes, when the nest is overturned, no egg will remain intact. She would surely be deeply affected.
She took a deep breath and said resolutely, "I understand, Boss Li. You can just do as you please."
She added, "My elder brother is heartless and ambitious. I feel really sorry for what he has done. Boss Li, preparing food for the emperor in the palace is no small matter. I don't have any special skills, but if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."
Although she said so, she wasn't really confident in her heart.
The emperor was the supreme ruler. In the imperial kitchen, there were all kinds of rare delicacies.
Even though the Lu family was extremely wealthy and she was a young lady from a noble family, she was afraid that she couldn't come up with any rare and special food.
Li Ying had her own plan. She thanked Hu Qinzhu and gave a non - committal smile. Then she went back to her mansion first to make preparations.
As for Hu Qinzhu, as soon as she entered the inner courtyard, she saw Hu Maolin with a cold face, looking at her menacingly.
He usually presented himself as a refined young master, but only the servants in the inner courtyard had seen his violent side.
When Hu Qinzhu saw her personal maid trembling and kneeling in the corner, covered in wounds, her heart skipped a beat.
Something was wrong.
Today, when she and Li Ying went to visit the eldest princess, she had asked her maid to dress up as herself and pretend to be ill in the room while she sneaked out.
Judging from the current situation, it seemed that the matter had been exposed.
"My dear sister, I didn't know you had such great abilities."
Seeing her pale face, Hu Maolin sneered and stepped closer.
"I told you to seduce that Lu fellow, but I didn't expect that my sister is so capable that you've actually become good friends with Li Ying?"
"Previously, I asked you to put in a good word for me in front of the eldest princess, but you kept making excuses and refused no matter what. Now you're actually helping our family's enemy?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone, and Hu Qinzhu felt flustered.
"Brother, please listen to me..."
She wracked her brains, but before she could come up with a suitable explanation, she heard a loud "slap".
Hu Qinzhu felt a burning pain on her cheek as a slap landed on her face.
"You ungrateful thing!"
Hu Maolin was furious and roared.
Hu Qinzhu was slender and was knocked to the ground by the blow. A trace of blood slowly oozed from the corner of her mouth.
Not satisfied yet, Hu Maolin kicked her hard and then roared, "Drag the young lady away. She's not allowed to leave her room without my permission!"
"And this insolent maid, execute her with the rod!"
Ignoring Hu Qinzhu's pleas, he stared down at her coldly and said, "Even the most skillful housewife can't cook a meal without rice. I'd like to see what tricks Li Ying can come up with!"