The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 622: Chapter 622: Sigh, We’re Just Playing

Today, the small kitchen in Cining Palace is quite lively and tense. The reason is that two elderly ladies, whose combined age exceeds a century, want to relive their youthful memories by playing at cooking.

The imperial kitchen staff are secretly complaining, thinking, ”You have these two noble figures. Isn’t it more pleasant for them to sit in the cozy palace, munching sunflower seeds and gossiping? Why do they have to come to the kitchen, causing chaos and confusion? Isn’t this just for fun?”

Song Ci and Empress Dowager Wang: ”Some days we just don’t chat, just keep ourselves busy. Hey, we’re just having fun!”

As for this cooking affair, Song Ci wants to show off, while Empress Dowager Wang has genuine interest. Back in their days among the common folk, they often engaged in such activities. It was only after the Great Qing was established, and they entered the deep palace, that they started living in luxury, with no need to lift a finger.

Now, getting involved again is just for amusement and entertainment.

Although they say they’re cooking, in reality, it’s mostly Song Ci directing the kitchen helpers to prepare everything—peeling potatoes, slicing and mashing them, getting the pre-set dishes ready before starting to actually cook.

Otherwise, would you really let the two old ladies wield knives? If they accidentally injured their hands, everyone would have to pay dearly.

So Song Ci didn’t make it hard for them. If something needed cutting, he would do it. They could just handle the light work.

Empress Dowager Wang, smelling the aroma of the potato-stewed ribs from the small charcoal stove, laughed and instructed Duke Hai, ”Go and see if the Emperor is busy. If he’s free, invite him over for a meal with me.”

”Yes.”

Early court sessions were long over, and Emperor Chu was at Yangxin Hall dealing with state affairs with a few ministers when he heard that someone from Prince Dingbei’s Mansion was requesting an audience.

Emperor Chu looked at Song Zhiyuan with a questioning gaze.

”What brings Dongyang County here?”

Song Zhiyuan, however, knew that the potatoes from Prince Dingbei’s garden had been harvested, and he smiled, saying, ”Your Majesty, it seems that there’s been a bountiful harvest at Prince Dingbei’s Mansion.”

Emperor Chu was surprised. Regarding matters of his ministers’ families, he did not look into everything, but he was aware of the happenings in Prince Dingbei’s Mansion. Song Ci had planted a new overseas crop there called potatoes. During casual conversations, he learned from Song Zhiyuan that this crop, once grown, could be a blessing for the Great Qing.

Now he says there’s a bountiful harvest?

Doesn’t look like they planted even an acre, can that be called a bumper crop?

”Summon.” Emperor Chu looked at the other ministers, ”You should also take a look. Duke Zhou, serve tea and present seats.”

The ministers smiled, expressing gratitude, while Prime Minister Fan glanced at Song Zhiyuan with an indescribable look, feeling that the Song Family was about to gain more credit.

Song Zhiyu soon entered, lifted his robe, and knelt on the ground, shouting ”Long live” three times.

”Rise.” Emperor Chu raised his hand with a smile and said, ”Song County, you never enter the palace without a reason. Now, do you have good news to report to me?”

Song Zhiyu offered a deep bow and said, ”Our Emperor, mandated by Heaven, his long life and everlasting glory, is truly a blessing to the people. Your Majesty, it’s truly a joyous occasion; Heaven blesses our Great Qing.”

Emperor Chu twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, looking at Song Zhiyuan, thinking that although his younger brother was flattering, there was always something not quite photogenic about a playboy pretending to be earnest.

Song Zhiyuan half-closed his eyes, maintaining a calm demeanor as if he couldn’t care less.

”What does Song County mean by ’there is no good news’?”

Prime Minister Fan and others: ”...”

For heaven’s sake, just bring on the main course already. Everyone knows the purpose of the visit, and the formalities are tiresome and a bit out of place.

Song Zhiyu grinned and said, ”Your Majesty, Prince Dingbei’s Mansion has something to present to Your Majesty. It is called the potato, a new type of grain. If promoted for widespread planting among the populace, our Great Qing’s granaries will surely reach new heights. Your Majesty, would you not say that Heaven blesses the Great Qing?”