CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 191 BOWING

Imperial Study, side hall.

The Emperor had just finished his imperial banquet and was preparing to wash his hands.

The little eunuch approached with a tray.

On the tray was a dish with a piece of glossy and smooth soap inside.

The little eunuch smiled as he brought it before the Emperor.

Eunuch Fu reprimanded, "Such impudence, don’t you know the rule that anything the Emperor eats must be tested for poison first?!

The little eunuch, "..."

"It’s not for eating," the little eunuch said.

"..."

Eunuch Fu’s face was somewhat embarrassed.

Frowning, he asked, "Weren’t you sent out to buy coal? How come you’re back so quickly?"

The little eunuch raised the tray in his hand, "This is soap sent by the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion for the Emperor."

The Emperor turned his head and asked, "What is it used for?"

"In response to the Emperor, this soap has many uses; it can be used for washing hands, bathing, and even washing clothes. I’ve tried it, and it works excellently."

The little eunuch smiled and moved the tray forward a bit.

The Emperor was just about to wash his hands and decided to give it a try.

After washing, the Emperor praised, "Indeed, it’s quite good."

"How is the business at the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s shop?" the Emperor asked casually.

"In response to the Emperor, the shop is quite desolate," the little eunuch replied.

"Now is not the time for a coal business; it’ll naturally get better in the winter," Eunuch Fu said with a smile.

"..."

"The Eldest Young Madam’s shop doesn’t sell coal," the little eunuch said.

"..."

"Not selling coal?" The Emperor sounded slightly surprised.

"Then what does it sell?" Eunuch Fu inquired.

With the tray still in his hands, the little eunuch lifted it, "It sells soap."

The Emperor, "..."

Eunuch Fu, "..."

"Like Eunuch Fu, everyone misunderstood that the Eldest Young Madam sold coal, which is why no one buys such good soap," the little eunuch sighed.

"..."

"Knowing that the Emperor cherishes her and takes care of her business, the Eldest Young Madam was touched and sent a whole box of soap to the Emperor," the little eunuch said.

"..."

The little eunuch couldn’t quite understand the Eldest Young Madam’s offering.

Usually, when courtiers offer gifts, they present the best to the Emperor.

The quantity may not be much, but it’s certainly the best.

Yet the Eldest Young Madam was too sincere and offered a whole box.

No exaggeration.

So much soap could scrub off ten layers of the Emperor’s skin.

When the Emperor returned to the Imperial Study,

the little eunuch brought over the box of soap for the Emperor to inspect.

The various soaps were neatly arranged, pleasing to the eye.

With the bandit nature of Qingyun Mountain, it’s a miracle they don’t rob others, let alone give things away.

Nothing they do is without reason.

For instance, bringing ice to the palace was to ensure the ice from Duke Chong’s Mansion went unsold.

This time, it should be no different.

Sitting on the Dragon Chair, the Emperor pondered for a moment, then a smile curved his lips.

Eunuch Fu, seeing this, smiled, "Your Majesty?"

"Select two pieces of soap and send them to the Empress and the Empress Dowager," the Emperor ordered.

Eunuch Fu, "..."

The little eunuch, "..."

The Emperor.

Do you not know that the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen and the Empress Dowager don’t see eye to eye?

The gifts from the Eldest Young Madam, sending them to the Empress Dowager, isn’t that inappropriate?

Just as these thoughts formed—

Eunuch Fu tapped his head.

He completely misunderstood.

Today’s Emperor is not the Emperor of the past.

He has been entirely corrupted by Marquis Dongxiang, inside and out.

Eunuch Fu grinned and said, "I will send them to the Empress Dowager and the Empress immediately."

...

After having a good meal, Su Jin prepared to return to the mansion.

Leaving the Beauty Pavilion, Su Jin instructed the steward, "It seems there’s no business today, let’s close for now."

The steward, "..."

"Then when should we open?" the steward asked.

"We’ll open as usual tomorrow, but if business is still bad, we’ll close and give you all a break," Su Jin said with a smile.

"..."

Prince NanAn and the others exchanged glances.

The sister-in-law really is quite caring toward the staff by opening a shop.

That soap is truly excellent, and it’s hard to justify such poor business; they must do their best to help.

After Su Jin left in the carriage,

the four of them discussed and had a servant return the Purple Jade Token to the mansion.

Along with it was some soap.

Prince NanAn Mansion.

Princess NanAn sat in the pavilion, heaving long sighs.

She hadn’t seen her son for days, constantly worried he wasn’t eating or dressing well, wanting to visit Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion but hesitant.

Her heart felt uneasy, unable to eat or sleep well, anxious by day and night.

The maid, knowing the crux of her worry, didn’t know how to console her. It was the Prince who wanted to sever ties with the Commandery Prince.

The maid advised, "Princess, please don’t worry. The Heir of Marquis Jingguo is with the Commandery Prince, and if things were unpleasant at Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion, he would have returned long ago."

"As long as the Commandery Prince acknowledges his mistake, how could the Prince not forgive him?"

Just as they spoke, a servant came running over, "Princess, the Commandery Prince has sent you a gift."

Princess NanAn was delighted.

The maid took the opportunity to say, "The Commandery Prince is filial; he’s always thinking of you, Princess."

These words soothed Princess NanAn’s heart.

The servant brought the soap and Purple Jade Token, and Princess NanAn was pleased to see them.

"Did the Commandery Prince say anything?" Princess NanAn asked.

The servant nodded repeatedly, "The Commandery Prince said that the shop of the Eldest Young Madam from Duke Zhen’s Mansion is not doing well and asked you to take more noble ladies to support her business."

Princess NanAn’s smile froze.

All the anger rushed to her face, turning it purple.

This rebellious son!

Sending something back, and it’s to bribe her!

Is there a way to push his own mother into a pit of fire?!

Seeing Princess NanAn so angry, the maid quickly advised, "Princess, please calm down. The Commandery Prince is living at Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion now, and one has to bow under another’s roof."

This advice only made Princess NanAn angrier.

"Isn’t the grand Prince NanAn Mansion enough for him to live in that he has to go stay at Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion and bow to them? Is he trying to anger me to death?!" Princess NanAn was so furious her chest hurt.

"..."

The servant glared at the maid.

You silly maid.

If you can’t speak properly, just don’t speak, okay?

You’re just asking for the Commandery Prince to be scolded. Would the Commandery Prince really bow to someone under a roof?

If anything, he’d be tearing the roof down!

Remembering the Commandery Prince’s bruised face, the servant silently added in his heart: Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion’s roof is an exception...

The servant quietly withdrew.

But before he could turn around, Princess NanAn asked again, "What did the Commandery Prince have for lunch?"

After all, he is her flesh and blood; despite her anger, she couldn’t help but worry.

The servant’s mouth twitched as he replied, "The Commandery Prince had lunch at the Beauty Pavilion, consisting of fifty-six dishes made by the Imperial Chef."

Princess NanAn, "..."

"I’m not sure of the dish names, but there were things from the sky, the ground, and the water."

"..."

"The Commandery Prince was so full, I had to help him onto the horse."

"..."