Was it because there had been too many troublesome things lately that Yi Qing always tended to think of the worst?
Xiao Dezi had been smiling at first. When he saw Xiao Jinghan standing nearby, his smile turned into a bitter one. "His Majesty heard that Lady Xiao was shocked by the assassination attempt and specially sent this thousand - year - old ginseng to calm her nerves," he said as he presented the box.
Yi Qing wasn't interested in much else, but when she heard it was a thousand - year - old ginseng, she perked up. She took it and saw that it was indeed of excellent quality.
"Not bad, not bad. Go back and thank His Majesty for me," Yi Qing said, thinking that the dog emperor was being generous for once.
Xiao Dezi looked at Xiao Jinghan obsequiously. "This thousand - year - old ginseng is a rare treasure in the palace. Even His Majesty is reluctant to use it."
"This thing is for saving lives. He's strong and healthy. What does he need it for?" Yi Qing replied absent - mindedly, her eyes fixed on the ginseng.
Xiao Dezi took a deep breath, expecting Lady Xiao to say something grateful. Instead, he was mocked. He was so choked that he coughed a few times. "Lady Xiao should understand His Majesty's good intentions."
"What good intentions does His Majesty have? Just say it straight," Xiao Jinghan stared at Xiao Dezi.
Xiao Dezi started to sweat under his stare. He hurriedly bowed. "The gift has been delivered. This humble servant will now return to report." Then he turned around and scurried away.
Only then did Yi Qing react. "Is that dog emperor trying to ask something of me?"
Xiao Jinghan stroked Yi Qing's hair, thinking that the emperor might be trying to persuade him through Yi Qing. "He's a wise emperor. Don't mock him like that."
"Whether he's a wise emperor is his business. Since I've known him, what good has he ever done for me?" Yi Qing shrugged.
Xiao Jinghan thought about it and realized that the emperor had indeed done nothing good for Yi Qing. Even when he was trying to detoxify him, he had to be extremely careful and first obtain a token to save his life. Now, because of his elder sister, they were in a bind.
"This ginseng is really good," Xiao Jinghan said, unable to say anything bad about the emperor, so he changed the topic.
"At least he has a bit of conscience," Yi Qing said and went back to preparing medicine.
The news that the eldest princess had contracted a strange disease and her appearance was ruined had spread throughout the capital. It was also said that the disease was contagious, so some people even went out of their way to avoid passing by the eldest princess's mansion.
Regarding the eldest princess's illness, people unanimously thought it was retribution.
Yi Qing was sitting in a teahouse, listening to people talking about it in great detail. They could even make up stories about past lives. She really admired the people's imagination.
"Madam," Lu Youming came in and bowed.
"Have a seat," Yi Qing pointed to the seat opposite her.
Lu Youming wasn't polite. "Madam is really a reincarnation of Hua Tuo. My mother is much better."
Xue Miao'er pushed a box in front of Lu Youming.
"Take this silver and buy a shop. You can decide what to do with it, as long as it's convenient for gathering information," Yi Qing ordered.
"We don't need to buy a shop to gather information. It'll leave traces," Lu Youming said directly. "How about opening a shop selling rouge and powder? Most of the customers will be women. Women like to gossip and will say some unknown things."
Yi Qing thought it made sense. She could make some beauty and health - preserving medicines to sell there, as well as skincare products and medicines for regulating internal secretion. The Liuwei Dihuang Pills could make money from men, and the Wuji Baifeng Pills could make money from women. It was perfect.
"I want you to turn it into a well - known shop in the capital and attract the ladies from noble families as much as possible," Yi Qing suddenly had an idea.
Lu Youming looked troubled. "There are many time - honored brands in the capital, and there are also imperial merchants' exclusive goods and rare items from overseas. As a new shop..."
"It doesn't matter. You go and find a shop first. I'll figure out a way later," Yi Qing thought this was her great money - making plan.
"Okay," Lu Youming nodded.
"Also, the eldest princess's mansion will sell off some maids whose appearances have been ruined. You go and keep an eye on it and buy them all," Yi Qing pushed another box over. "This is a scar - removing and beauty - enhancing medicine. It can make the scars on their faces disappear."
Lu Youming was surprised. "Did Madam go to the eldest princess's mansion and get bullied by the eldest princess?"
Yi Qing thought Lu Youming was really well - informed. "How could that be? Just handle this matter well."
"Yes," Lu Youming took the things and left.
Xue Miao'er watched Lu Youming walk away, then leaned in close to Yi Qing and whispered, "Aren't you afraid she'll run away with your silver?"
"That's unlikely," Yi Qing trusted herself.
The eldest princess, wearing a veil, was crying in front of the emperor, making the emperor's head ache.
The emperor was sure that this matter was related to Yi Qing, but what could he do?
The solution to this matter was: the eldest princess should go and beg Yi Qing. Yi Qing could use this as a threat to make the eldest princess call off the engagement. Wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone? Why did the eldest princess throw this hot potato at him?
"Sister, I'm not a royal doctor. I really can't cure it," the emperor said helplessly.
"Your Majesty knows very well that this matter is related to Lady Xiao. As long as Your Majesty issues an imperial edict, would Xiao Jinghan dare to defy it?" the eldest princess said angrily.
"Sister, don't treat the imperial edict as a trifle. General Xiao has made great military achievements, and Lady Xiao is a first - rank imperial consort. How can I issue an edict without any evidence?"
"Your Majesty is just too conciliatory. When thinking of the Crown Prince..." The eldest princess quickly shut up after she said it.
The emperor's face turned extremely ugly. The eldest princess had referred to the deposed emperor as the Crown Prince. "I think sister has gone crazy. Guards, send sister back to her mansion. She's not allowed to leave without my order."
Several Jinyiwei came in and escorted the eldest princess out.
"Your Majesty, are you really going to be blackmailed by others? General Xiao is becoming too powerful," the eldest princess shouted maliciously.
The emperor's face became even uglier. He had always been very respectful to the eldest princess, just to appease the remaining followers of the deposed emperor and show that he wouldn't kill them all, so as not to let the contradictions erupt in a short time. The eldest princess really thought he didn't dare to touch her.
Actually, what Yi Qing did this time was quite good. It could teach the eldest princess a lesson and make her recognize her own status.
Yi Qing soon heard about the eldest princess's visit to the palace. She was even more convinced that the emperor was trying to ask something of her. He had treated the eldest princess like that. An anomaly signified evil.
Of course, she didn't know that the eldest princess had mentioned the deposed emperor in front of the emperor. That was the emperor's sore spot. Touch it and he would get angry.
"Madam, Young Master Yuan is asking for an audience," Jushuang bowed.
In Jushuang's perception, a first - rank general's mansion of such a high status should be bustling with visitors. But since she came to the general's mansion, there had been very few visitors. Now, finally, there was someone.
"Let him in," Yi Qing suddenly got interested.
That day, Yuan Hecong had swum far away from Bai Yutang, risking being criticized by others. His action really suited her taste.
Yuan Hecong brought two purple ganoderma mushrooms and a Tianshan snow lotus. "It's my first visit, and I didn't know what gift to prepare. I managed to find these two medicinal herbs. I hope they'll meet Lady Xiao's standards."
For the first time, Yi Qing thought being Lady Xiao was quite good. Medicinal herbs that she had never seen before were now being sent to her every day. She was really making a fortune. "How much did you pay for them?"
Yuan Hecong had only prepared polite words. He didn't expect Lady Xiao to be so direct. "As long as they meet Lady Xiao's standards, money is a small matter."
This strengthened Yi Qing's determination to make a lot of money. With great wealth came great confidence.