Being able to support oneself should grant women from the lower class more say in matters, though she wouldn’t interfere much with those already tamed by societal norms and unwilling to resist.

She would simply respect others’ fates and refrain from meddling in their karma.

Even the craftsmen tasked with firing cement were required to be bound by life contracts. It wasn’t that she guarded her techniques jealously, but given the current state of the Great Yan Dynasty, once the technology leaked, one could only imagine the reactions of their neighboring countries.

The Empress Dowager listened intently while signaling her chief maid and the Empress to commit every word to memory. Later, they would need to discuss this thoroughly with the Emperor—this cement was far too crucial for their Great Yan Dynasty!

The Empress Dowager said cheerfully, "How wonderful! I’ll be looking forward to tasting the vegetables grown by Yue Fuguang."

The Empress chimed in playfully, "Your Majesty must not forget this humble servant when the time comes."

"Of course, of course. I’ll be sure to invite the Empress to savor Yue Fuguang’s harvest," the Empress Dowager replied.

Like an inquisitive child, she turned to Yue Fuguang and asked, "What kinds of vegetables do you plan to grow? This ‘sunroom’—I’ve never heard of it before. Should we dispatch some skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to assist in its construction?"

Had she not overheard Yue Fuguang’s inner thoughts, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have dared ask so casually, lest it seem like she was prying into the girl’s techniques.

But now, sensing that the young immortal didn’t mind, they naturally offered their help.

After all, how could they let a child like her shoulder all these burdens alone?

Yue Fuguang brightened at the suggestion. Indeed, when it came to construction, the artisans from the Ministry of Works were professionals selected with the strictest scrutiny—far surpassing the capabilities of the Yu family’s servants.

She didn’t bother considering whether it was proper for the Ministry of Works to assist in her private construction projects. Given her current status, she had more than enough confidence to disregard such trivialities.

With the Empress Dowager and the Emperor backing her, any dissenting voices would surely be silenced by the mother-son duo.

Besides, the higher-ups in the Ministry of Works were all within the range of her mind-reading abilities. Yue Fuguang was brimming with confidence—they might even be eager to take on her private commissions!

Without hesitation, she agreed cheerfully, "Very well. Have them accompany me back to my residence today, and we’ll start construction immediately. By the time winter arrives, Your Majesty will taste vegetables unlike any you’ve had before."

She deliberately kept them in suspense. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, various beans, and leafy greens—none of these existed here yet. Imagine enjoying them in the dead of winter! They’d be overjoyed.

If they started now, the vegetables would grow for over a month, just in time for the colder weather when fresh produce would be scarce.

Before Yue Fuguang had even stepped out of the palace gates, Emperor Mingxi received word and immediately dispatched Eunuch Qian to summon the Minister of Works, Lu Qi, for an audience.

Lu Qi, who hadn’t even finished his meal, was called to duty, initially seething with resentment. But upon learning that the task involved constructing the rumored "sunroom" for Yue Fuguang, his attitude shifted entirely—just as she had predicted.

Not only did his resentment vanish, but he also became unusually enthusiastic. When Emperor Mingxi elaborated on the wonders of cement, Lu Qi nearly rushed off to assist in its production right then.

Seeing his fervor, the Emperor quickly cautioned, "The people you send are to assist in construction, not cement production. Remember—if the Imperial Preceptor doesn’t bring it up, you mustn’t push the matter. We don’t want to arouse her suspicion or annoyance."

After a pause, he added, "But within reasonable bounds, you may guide the conversation as you see fit."

On the surface, it was already an immense honor for a minister’s household to employ craftsmen from the Ministry of Works for private construction. A minister of his rank certainly shouldn’t be personally overseeing the project.

But that was others. When it came to Yue Fuguang, no amount of concern was too much.

Moreover, Emperor Mingxi knew Lu Qi well—regardless of whether others went or not, he would definitely go.

So Yue Fuguang, having eaten her fill, toddled leisurely on her short legs toward the palace gate. Before she could even board her family’s carriage, she spotted the Minister of Works hurrying over from a distance.

From afar, he cupped his hands and called out, "Grand Tutor, please wait!"

When he drew closer, Yue Fuguang feigned curiosity and asked, "Minister Lu, is there something you need?"

Lu Qi replied, "I heard that Your Excellency plans to build a greenhouse. By His Majesty’s order, I’ve brought craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to assist. May I ask if you’d like us to bring any materials along?"

Yue Fuguang thought for a moment and said, "Please have your men bring some stone and timber, that should suffice."

Since the Ministry of Works was providing both materials and labor, it saved her the trouble of asking Old Madam Yu for help. Besides, with such a golden opportunity, she wondered if building just a small greenhouse would be a waste.

After all, even as an immortal, one had to understand human etiquette—whatever the greenhouse produced would have to be shared as gifts.

Not to mention, she craved not just vegetables but also fruits she wouldn’t have to spend points on.

Yue Fuguang recalled that the small courtyard behind her residence, the Moonlight Pavilion, had been left unused. Why not claim it and merge it with her own backyard garden? It would be the perfect spot for a sunlit conservatory.

With a vegetable greenhouse in place, how could she lack a flower greenhouse?

Thus, the moment Yue Fuguang returned to the Yu estate, she sought out Old Madam to request the space.

As she approached the old lady’s courtyard, she could faintly hear the sounds of arguing and weeping from beyond the high walls.

Given her current standing in the Yu household, no one dared block her way.

So when she strolled into the main courtyard, curiosity piqued, she walked right into the middle of a spectacle.

Nearly every member of the household who mattered was gathered in the main hall, including children from the fourth branch who were around her age.

At the center, Madame Sun and Yu Ningrou knelt on the floor, weeping and pleading. Judging by their disheveled state, they’d been kneeling for a while.

Seeing this, Yue Fuguang recalled her words during the morning court session and quickly guessed the reason behind the scene.

Still, she played the part, her face carefully blank with feigned confusion.

After entering the hall and paying her respects to the elders, Madame Sun suddenly rose from her knees.

She rushed toward Yue Fuguang and cried, "My dear child, it was all my fault! Please, have mercy on your mother and your sister Ningrou!"

She tried to grab Yue Fuguang’s hands, but the latter dodged without a shred of courtesy, making no effort to spare her dignity.

A flash of resentment crossed Madame Sun’s eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a pitiful expression. "Sweet daughter, please beg your father for us. Don’t let him send us to the countryside estate! If word gets out, how will your sister ever marry? You’re sisters—wouldn’t this tarnish your reputation too?"

Yue Fuguang smiled. "Madame Sun, my sisters could be Ningxin, Ningzi, or Ninglin—never Yu Ningrou. As for reputation, if you aren’t afraid, why should I be?"

At her words, Madame Sun’s face darkened further. Seeing that soft tactics wouldn’t work, she prepared to try harsher ones.

She unhappily adopted the tone of an elder and said, "It's all because of you that Ningrou and I have fallen into such a state. As a daughter and sister, how can you bear to watch us suffer without lifting a finger? This is nothing short of filial impiety, you—"

"Enough, Madame Sun. If you continue this unreasonable tantrum, I’ll have Third Son hand you a letter of divorce, and you can take that impostor back to your Sun family," the Old Madam finally interjected, her patience worn thin by the escalating nonsense.

"Furthermore, our Fuguang has no 'Elder Sister Zhou' in this household. Though her name has yet to be entered into the family register, she is already a daughter of the main branch—and you are certainly not her mother."

Yue Fuguang promptly played along, calling out, "Aunt Sun!"

That single address nearly shattered Madame Sun’s composure.