The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 626: Chapter 626: Accumulate Another Merit

The monarch and his ministers chatted as they made their way to Cining Palace, where Empress Dowager Wang and Song Ci were already enjoying tea and gossip.

”Yunzhi is here too? Perfect, the four of us can dine together. Today’s potato banquet is something both I and your mother personally cooked, you’re in for a treat,” Empress Dowager Wang said with a smile to Song Zhiyuan.

Song Zhiyuan bowed and said, ”It would be impolite to refuse, so I shall shamelessly partake.”

”This is a rare good day, Lian Qiao, warm up another pot of yellow wine, let’s enjoy a few drinks,” Empress Dowager Wang instructed.

Lian Qiao chuckled and curtsied in agreement.

Song Zhiyuan and Emperor Chu exchanged a glance, their eyes saying, Your mother’s enthusiasm is exceptionally high.

Emperor Chu: No worries, no worries.

”Aunt,” Emperor Chu greeted Song Ci with a formal salute.

Song Ci choked on her hot tea, quickly stood up, and said with alarm, ”Your Majesty, this cannot be, you mustn’t address an old woman like me in such a manner.”

Otherwise, if rumors spread that she’s overstepping, it would mean she’s taking advantage of her favor.

Emperor Chu smiled and said, ”Why not? There are no outsiders here. In my youth, I addressed you this way, yet today, do you not recognize me?”

”I wouldn’t dare,” she replied.

Empress Dowager Wang added, ”The Emperor speaks rightly, there are no outsiders here, this is a family banquet. Ah Ci, back then we were sworn sisters in friendship, him calling you aunt is only fitting. If not for the food you gave up during the hard times, how would my son and I have survived?”

It was during the difficult times of war, and a year of famine, Song Ci went hungry herself to feed them. Touched by her actions, Empress Dowager Wang proposed a sisterhood bond. Without any formal ceremony, they simply knelt and bowed to the heavens a few times.

Song Ci said, ”Lady, the past is already past, let’s not dwell on those hardships. There are good days ahead and in the future.” She sent a meaningful glance to her son, urging him to help.

Song Zhiyuan also smiled and said, ”My mother speaks truly, Empress Dowager, Emperor, we hold this kindness in our hearts, that’s enough. Talking about it too often might make outsiders think we are using it for returns, which doesn’t sound good for the Emperor. In fact, the Emperor was showing favoritism; several ministers gave me rather interesting looks just now.”

Emperor Chu glanced at him. It’s not like he’s favoring anyone else, why have an opinion?

Empress Dowager Wang laughed heartily.

Emperor Chu said, ”Regardless of public or private matters, I should pay this respect to my aunt for the sake of the people, as your cultivation of potatoes is a merit to the country.”

Song Ci hurriedly replied, ”I was merely experimenting blindly; it was the farmers who perfected the method. After all, these are things from overseas we’ve never planted before, it was a fortunate accident to succeed, though unfortunately, the yield isn’t very high.”

In later times, the potato’s yield would be excellent, with over four thousand possible.

”Chen Da said that as experience accumulates, the yield will improve over time, so there’s no rush,” Emperor Chu said with a smile. ”In any case, the introduction of these potatoes is a remarkable achievement of yours and should be rewarded.”

Song Ci’s eyes lit up, and she quickly seized the opportunity: ”Your Majesty, at my age, there’s nothing I want to be rewarded with. How about saving it, like with the greenhouse vegetables last time?”

Emperor Chu: ”...”

Song Zhiyuan’s eyelid twitched, Mother, what are you planning?

”Still signing and sealing?” Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow.

Song Ci nodded, ”If possible, let’s do that.”

With his eyes half-squinted, Emperor Chu was quite curious about what the old lady intended to do by accumulating these merits.

”Alright, as you wish,” he agreed.

The mystery will eventually be unveiled; he wanted to see what these accumulated merits would ultimately become.