The salt crystals glowed with a soft smoky purple light. What else could it be but the nine - roasted bamboo salt made by the Lu Family Salt House?
Li Ying asked in confusion, "Huh? The quality of this bamboo salt is top - notch. It would be worthy of being presented to the Son of Heaven. Miss Hu, where did you learn the technique of roasting bamboo salt? If you're free, our two salt houses might as well have a friendly competition."
Her face, lightly powdered, was as pure as white porcelain, and her eyes were as clear as a spring. Now with that innocent look on her face, she truly seemed to have "harmless" written all over her. No one could detect the slightest hint of calculation.
Hu Qinzhu knelt on the ground without getting up, her face full of panic. But she still enunciated each word clearly and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Boss Li may not know. This bamboo salt in my hand is, without a doubt, from the Lu Family Salt House!"
"My elder brother planted spies and secretly stole the tribute salt that was prepared for the palace from the Lu Family's salt storage. Then he tampered with it, which made Your Majesty ill!"
"Ultimately, it's just because the head of the Lu Family is in Your Majesty's favor. My elder brother is so narrow - minded that he did such a daring thing! Although I'm just a young girl, I can't just sit back and watch my elder brother use such despicable means to gain power."
"Moreover, his actions have already harmed Your Majesty's health. I can't stand by idly! I beg Your Majesty to punish him!"
Although her voice was not loud, it was like the rolling drums of war. Every word landed heavily in the main hall of the Princess Chang's Mansion.
Hu Maolin felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in his head, which made him feel dizzy.
What an ungrateful bitch!
He was furious. Since he was used to throwing his weight around at home, he raised his hand and was about to slap Hu Qinzhu hard.
But Su Buchi quickly stepped in front of Hu Qinzhu.
"Master Hu is really imposing. How dare you act so recklessly in front of the imperial court?"
Li Ying also widened her eyes, looking extremely shocked.
"Master Hu, how could you be so stupid? If you're dissatisfied, just come at me and the Lu Family. No matter what tricks you have, our whole Lu Family will surely do our best to deal with them. But now you've even tampered with the imperial food? Plotting against the Son of Heaven is a serious crime that will cost you your head!"
She seemed extremely pained. With just a few words, seemingly casually spoken, she immediately alerted the Princess Chang and the Son of Heaven.
"Good! Hu Maolin. No wonder I've been feeling unwell these days. It turns out that you poisoned the bamboo salt and tried to harm me. You're really bold!"
The Son of Heaven was extremely angry. He smashed a white porcelain cup hard on Hu Maolin's head. Immediately, a stream of dark red blood trickled down.
Hu Maolin's robe was stained red, but he didn't dare to move. He quickly began to defend himself.
"Your Majesty, please investigate. I've always been loyal and would never dare to have any rebellious thoughts! The Lu Family is so well - guarded. How could I have planted my own people there! Li Ying is talking nonsense. I'm innocent!"
He wailed and pleaded for mercy. But there were indeed a few little eunuchs in the imperial kitchen who were on good terms with him and passed on information for him. This was an established fact. Even if he refused to admit that he had tampered with the nine - roasted bamboo salt, who would believe him?
"Your Majesty! I'm innocent, I'm innocent! Please, Your Majesty, considering that my Hu Family has been a royal merchant for many years and has shared your worries, even if we have no great merits, we've at least put in a lot of hard work. Please find out the truth and punish me lightly!"
Hu Maolin kept begging. The Son of Heaven slightly narrowed his eyes, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "Hu Maolin, since you like to play tricks on medicinal materials so much, fine. I'll order you to test the medicinal herbs in the Imperial Medical Bureau!"
He waved his hand, obviously not planning to waste any more words on Hu Maolin. Two imperial guards on either side dragged him away without hesitation.
Hu Maolin's wailing gradually faded away. The Son of Heaven looked calm as usual. He chatted with the Princess Chang and highly praised the "Spring Banquet" for its ingenious ideas, as if nothing had happened just now.
Li Ying caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye that Hu Qinzhu still kept her head down and knelt on the ground obediently, not daring to overstep the mark in the slightest.
Her heart tightened.
She had once heard Lu Xunguang and Su Buchi mention in private about this so - called "testing medicinal herbs in the Imperial Medical Bureau".
In recent years, the Son of Heaven was no longer as young and vigorous as before, and his health was deteriorating. Therefore, the Imperial Medical Bureau had added a new task - preparing tonics for the Son of Heaven to regain his former glory.
But as the saying goes, "Medicine has its side effects." Those who tested the medicinal herbs for the Son of Heaven would eventually end up with a weak constitution and exhaust their vital energy.
It was ironic that the Son of Heaven's order to test the medicine was regarded as a great favor. Poor those "medicine testers", even if they died from testing the medicine, they still had to kowtow to thank the Son of Heaven for his kindness.
It seemed that Hu Maolin was really doomed this time.
Li Ying took a deep breath. This was the first time she had interacted with the Son of Heaven. Everyone said that the current emperor was a rare wise ruler, but she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.
It was really true that serving the emperor was like being with a tiger.
The Son of Heaven drank two more cups of her Double - Gold Four - God Soup. Then, as if he just remembered something, he turned his head and saw her.
"The Li of the Lu Family is really chaste and heroic."
There was no hiding his admiration in his tone, but Li Ying didn't dare to act rashly or get carried away.
"I was in a good mood and detained Lu Xunguang in the palace for a few days to keep me company. I forgot that you and your child might be worried at home. Well, you can go back with him today."
He waved his hand and then looked at Hu Qinzhu. He frowned slightly, as if not knowing how to deal with this embarrassing young lady.
Li Ying stole a glance at Su Buchi.
Su Buchi understood. He stepped forward, bowed slightly, and advised, "Your Majesty, please listen to me."
"The Hu Family has been a royal merchant for many years. If you order him to test the medicine today and then punish Miss Hu, there may be some rumors in the streets speculating about Your Majesty's will."
His words hit the Son of Heaven's mind. After a moment's thought, he waved his hand again.
"Miss Hu has shown great righteousness by eliminating her relative and making meritorious service while atoning for her family's crimes. Her loyalty is worthy of praise."
"After Hu Maolin leaves, the Hu Family can't be without a master. I'll give this position of the head of the family to you. However, there has never been a precedent in our dynasty for a woman to serve as an official. So, the Hu Family should first step down from the position of royal merchant!"
With just a few words, he overturned the foundation that the Hu Family had painstakingly built for a hundred years. Although Li Ying kept her head down and said nothing, her heart was like a raging sea.
But Hu Qinzhu seemed to have been prepared. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed to thank the Son of Heaven, showing perfect etiquette.
The two of them left one after another. When they reached the secret door in the back courtyard of the Princess Chang's Mansion, Hu Maolin was being led by a few eunuchs to change his clothes. He was about to leave through the back door and go straight to the Imperial Medical Bureau.
He obviously saw Li Ying too. His face was full of resentment, and he roared angrily, "Vicious woman! You two are in cahoots to harm me! Hu Qinzhu, you even plotted against your own elder brother!"
Su Buchi winked at the two guards.
Now that he was in the Son of Heaven's favor and handled things very smoothly, the close attendants around the Son of Heaven were naturally willing to give him some face. They let the people go with a smile.
"Sir Su, if you have anything to say, please hurry up. After all, this is the Princess Chang's Mansion. Although it's not as strictly guarded as the palace, if His Majesty finds out, we'll be in big trouble... We'll wait over there. Just call us when you're done!"
Su Buchi understood and took out some silver coins to tip them.
Li Ying held Hu Qinzhu's hand and looked at Hu Maolin, smiling calmly.
"Master Hu seems to be dissatisfied with this outcome?"