Jiang Kangchen, who was unaware of the earth-shattering events that took place in Xiushui Village, returned to the capital and immediately asked to see the Empress. Knowing that he was back, the Empress also summoned him immediately. When Jiang Kangchen came to the Empress’ Jingyou Palace, he brought several large boxes with him. Jiang Kangchen knelt down and kowtowed. “Wishing the Empress a Thousand Years of Blessing.”

“Get up quickly and sit down.” Jiang Kangchen stood up, while the Empress looked at the boxes on the ground curiously, asking, “What did you bring?” Jiang Kangchen bowed and then replied, “Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan asked me to bring the new year’s goods to the Empress. In addition…” Jiang Kangchen wanted to say something but stopped. The Empress waved his hands, making the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall immediately withdraw, leaving only trustworthy eunuchs like Eunuch An.

Jiang Kangchen then said, “Answering the Empress, Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan wants to donate the 3,500 taels of gold they received as a bonus to young general, Dai Zhanxiao.”

“Oh?!” The Empress was so surprised that he sat up straight. “ Why did they decide to donate so much gold?” Jiang Kangchen said, “Wang Shijing used to be a centurion under the command of Young General Dai. He knows first hand that the soldiers at the border are extremely poor. He also misses General Dai and his friends in the army very much. Now that he has money, he wants to repay General Dai. For this reason, he and Shao Yunan also suggested that the Empress establish a ‘relief fund’ to help orphans, disabled soldiers, fallen soldiers, etc., To help those who need help. This is the initial idea behind the operation and establishment of the relief fund. Please take a look at it.”

When Jiang Kangchen said what the so-called relief fund was for, the Empress already had a great interest in it. What Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan did, once again broke his perception of those two. Especially this huge sum of money getting donated to General Dai, who was also from the Dai family. This made the Empress have an even more good feeling towards them.

Eunuch Zhuo, who was also close to the Empress, took Jiang Kangchen’s book and handed it to the Empress with both hands. The Empress quickly browsed through it first and with each page, more and more interest showed on her face. After the Empress closed the book, Jiang Kangchen continued speaking. 

“On this matter, Jiang Kangning, the county magistrate of Yongxiu County, Elder Cen, the dean of the Yongxiu County county school and Kang Rui the dean of the Yongxiu County White Moon Academy all had a discussion. All of them also think this matter is feasible and should be officiated by the future generations of the monarch. In addition, several of us during our stay at the Wang’s house discussed the feasibility of further development of our dynasty’s economy. These are the submissions.”

“Economy?” The Empress was very curious about this new term. Jiang Kangchen handed over another thick book, as the Empress smiled and asked, “Elder Cen is also spending New Year’s Eve in Xiushui Village?”

Jiang Kangchen immediately answered as to who else was spending New Year’s Eve there. Then the Empress asked, “I have some impression of Kang Rui. Is he the son in law of the Imperial General Minister, Zuo Wei?”

“Exactly. Dean Kang is also Elder Cen’s student and a dean of the academy run by Elder Cen.”

“So that’s how it is.” The Empress did not look at the document, but said with satisfaction, “Elder Cen might no longer be active in the court, but he still cares deeply about our Great State of Yan. You all have been doing your best for the imperial court and sharing the Emperor’s worries. I am very relieved. Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan are also very righteous, so I will accept it on behalf of General Dai.  I will send someone to send this money to General Dai personally. For their great righteousness, I will also inform the Emperor and ask for merit for them.”

Jiang Kangchen immediately said, “Your Majesty, they said they did not want any reward. They donated the gold willingly. Firstly, to repay the kindness of General Dai’s army. Secondly, to share the worries of Your Majesty. And thirdly, to show their humble hearts to the people of the Great State of Yan.” The Empress nodded. “I have received their hearts. I also accept it on behalf of the Emperor.”

Jiang Kangchen opened the box containing the gold and showed it to the Empress. 3600 taels of gold, 70 ingots in total, not even one less. The Empress showed an approving smile, then Jiang Kangchen opened the rest of the boxes one by one. 

These were the New Year’s goods (gifts) that Shao Yunan wanted to give to the Emperor and the Empress, his two greatest backers. There were three big boxes full of fresh vegetables, seven jars of solid yuan paste, home-brewed rice wine, wine, fermented glutinous rice, peanuts, and melon seeds, as well as other candy snacks of different flavors. There were also countless more.

The smile on the Empress’ face became deeper as he spoke. “The dishes they previously sent Us was very much enjoyed. His Majesty and I always felt that they tasted even better than the dishes in the palace. It just so happened that those dishes were already all eaten, so I am happy that they sent some more.”

“Answering the Empress, Shao Yunan said that you should not eat the rest of the solid yuan paste and eat these fresh ones. These wines are also brewed by Shao Yunan himself and he said it would be good for your health if you drink two or three cups every day.”

“He has a heart.” The Empress stood up and went to look at the boxes of gifts that looked plain to outsiders, but gave the feeling of a different kind of concern. “Zhuo Jin, take half of this wine and snacks and send them to the Emperor, then divide the rest, except for the solid yuan paste, and send them to the palaces.”

“Yes.” Then the Empress picked up a wooden box and opened it looking curious. “What is this?”

“Answering the Empress, this is ‘Mahjong,’ A game for four people to play together. It was also invented by Shao Yunan, for some entertainment in leisure time.”

“Oh?” The Empress became interested. “Do you know how to play it?”

“I know, since I just learned it.” The Empress returned to his seat and sat down saying, “You must be tired due to your journey back to the capital, so I won’t keep you. You can go back and rest for two days before coming back. When you have finished your work, you can come to the palace and teach me to play Mahjong.”

“Yes. Then I’ll leave now, Your Majesty.” Jiang Kangchen knelt down and bowed. Then he got up and retreated. However, the Empress suddenly said, “You can work at ease. You won’t be disturbed by certain people or things.”

Jiang Kangchen looked up at the Empress, nodding. He was a little confused in his heart, but he didn’t dare to ask the Empress what he meant, so he just withdrew. As soon as Jiang Kangchen left, Zhuo Jin said, “Empress, in case he is willing to return to the Duke’s mansion…”

The light smile on the Empress’ face disappeared. “Then he is not worthy of the monarch’s appointment.” Zhuo Jin nodded his head and Dai Qiyou immediately smiled and said, “The Emperor complained to me yesterday that the dishes from the imperial kitchen were not as good and sweet as those from Xiushui Village. Since Shao Yunan sent some snacks over, hurry up and send these dishes to the imperial kitchen and ask them to fry two of them for the Emperor first. His Majesty didn’t even have a few bites for lunch.”

“Yes.”

“Also, send all the leftover solid yuan paste which has not yet been opened, to the Grand General’s residence.”

“Yes.”

Then Zhuo Jin called people to come in and remove the boxes that should be removed. The Empress then took two thick books and went into the inner room with the box of mahjong tiles in his arms.

As a man, as an ambitious man who had killed people on the battlefield, Dai Qiyou never thought that one day, he would enter the depths of the palace and become one of the concubines of the Emperor’s harem. Dai Qiyou loved Emperor Yongming Murongkun deeply, but he was also in trouble and distressed about it. He had his own ambitions, but he fell in love with the most difficult person in the world to love. For that person, he gave up his ambition, gave up his health, and even as a man took the pregnancy fruit, willingly staying in the harem, to never be free again.

Dai Qiyou was lucky. He was rewarded for his efforts. He received the most precious and deepest love men can give. His lover treated him like a treasure even though his body collapsed and he was unable to bear an heir. That man continued to love him and never abandoned him, even becoming more compassionate in loving him. But deep inside, Dai Qiyou was getting more and more restless. This uneasiness came from the fact that he could no longer help that man to consolidate his kingdom, from the fact that he could not leave a son or daughter for that man.

Emperor Yongming gave the tea and wine business to Dai Qiyou to manage. Firstly because he trusted him and secondly because he was looking for something for him to do. Emperor Yongming, who loved his Empress very much, knew that he had been wronging this man. This person should fly freely on the battlefield or in court, instead of being locked in the depths of the palace doing nothing. Since the tea and wine business started, Dai Qiyou was indeed busier than before and his mood also became much better. He could finally do something to share the worries of Emperor Yongming. Now he was looking at the relief fund in his hand and his blood boiled once again. This novel idea had aroused his interest.

Edited by: Jaisland

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