Chapter 370: Returning Loaded

Chapter 370: Returning with a Full Load

Emperor Jingyang: "!!!"

His gaze fell upon the large golden bathtub, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.

This bathtub, he had named it "Dream of the Pond Carp," symbolizing that he was the true Dragon Son of Heaven, no ordinary being.

Yet unexpectedly, from the time he had it crafted by artisans until now, two whole years had passed.

Emperor Jingyang had wanted to choose an auspicious day to personally try out this bathtub, but before he could even choose an auspicious date, and without having used it even once, it was being handed over to Ji Yuntang just like that?

Emperor Jingyang would be lying if he said he wasn't heartbroken. He never dreamed that his most trusted eunuch, Zhang, would make such a mistake.

He had only asked him to deliver fifty thousand taels of silver, but the eunuch had brought fifty thousand taels' worth of banknotes instead, and had his "Dream of the Pond Carp" brought over as well.

Now everyone assumed this was his gift to Ji Yuntang, and it would be impossible to ask for it back now.

Emperor Jingyang clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, his face twisted into a smile that looked worse than tears.

"Heh heh, this gift was carefully prepared for Princess Ye by me. I'm glad the Princess is pleased."

The smile on Ji Yuntang's face widened, her excitement barely contained.

"Satisfied? More than satisfied! This bathtub is just right for both me and Prince Ye to fit in. Your Majesty truly knows how to give a gift that hits the spot."

"Just thinking about bathing in gold every night from now on makes even my dreams sweeter."

Emperor Jingyang: "..."

Emperor Jingyang: "!!!"

These words from Ji Yuntang's mouth were nothing short of a dagger to the heart.

She was delighted, but Emperor Jingyang's heart felt like it was being sliced with knives.

For the first time, he truly understood the meaning of heartbreak.

Beside him, Madam Meng clenched her teeth, her eyes turning red with envy!

With so many good things bestowed by the emperor, they should have rightfully gone to Ji Zihang, yet this little wretch had snatched them up first!

The hatred in her heart burned even more fiercely!

And then, thinking about how Master Yuqing had taken fifty thousand taels in banknotes without eliminating Ji Yuntang, Madam Meng's hatred intensified even further!

The envious glances from those around her didn't faze Ji Yuntang in the slightest. Having collected so many treasures today, she was truly returning with a full haul.

After the gift-giving ceremony ended, it was time for the palace attendants to serve the dishes, but Emperor Jingyang had no appetite whatsoever.

His gaze kept involuntarily drifting toward the large golden bathtub.

The more he looked, the stronger his urge to snatch it back grew.

Emperor Jingyang feared he might lose control and do something irrational, so he didn't even bother watching the meticulously choreographed dance performance. Using the excuse of feeling unwell, he hastily left the banquet!

With Emperor Jingyang out of the picture, Ji Yuntang found the food on the table suddenly more appetizing, and the dishes tasted even more delicious!

After eating her fill, she ordered Chen Hu to come carry the golden bathtub.

Xie Liuzheng, worried that Chen Hu might not be able to lift it, also sent men to assist him.

Unexpectedly, Chen Hu, right in front of everyone, hoisted the massive golden bathtub onto his head and spun around three times in place.

Xie Liuzheng: "..."

Xie Liuzheng: "!!!"

The shock of this scene was overwhelming; he felt his mind go completely blank!

Who could possibly lift such a heavy bathtub with such ease?

And this was made entirely of pure gold—the weight of the tub alone was unimaginable.

Luo Sinian, seeing Xie Liuzheng's stunned expression, was reminded of the time he first saw Chen Hu single-handedly carrying his third brother's Ice Stone Bed to the Chen Prince's residence.

Back then, the shock he felt was no less than what Xie Liuzheng was feeling now.

Luo Sinian patted Xie Liuzheng on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "You've seen it too—Third Sister-in-law doesn't keep idle people around her. Now that you're her nominal elder brother, don't you think you're living a bit too comfortably?"

"She may be a woman, but she's exceptionally capable. Aren't you afraid that as the gap between you two widens, you'll feel ashamed standing before her?"

Luo Sinian said these words merely to encourage Xie Liuzheng to do something worthwhile.

Not to loaf around all day without any ambition.

He sighed, not really holding out much hope, because he had said such things to Xie Liuzheng many times before!

And the other had never once listened to him.

To be honest, Xie Liuzheng was even smarter than him, but unfortunately, his intelligence was misdirected.

Xie Liuzheng remained silent, his head lowered, lost in thought.

Xie Jinrong and his wife walked Ji Yuntang to the palace gates.

Before leaving, she gifted the pair of radiant glazed cups to Xie Jinrong and Madam Cai.

"Father, Mother, I know you enjoy collecting rare treasures. Please accept this pair of glazed cups that His Majesty gave me!"

"In the future, if I find anything even better, I'll send it to your mansion."

Xie Jinrong caressed the glazed cups Ji Yuntang had given him, unable to put them down.

Deep down, he felt as though Ji Yuntang had bestowed a great honor upon him, and unexpectedly... he felt a bit like crying.

Madam Cai held Ji Yuntang's hand, a smile curving on her lips.

"Tang'er, we'll gladly accept the glazed cups you've given us. Your victory in winning the Laureate has brought honor to our Duke Rong residence. Your father and I are both overjoyed for you."

Ji Yuntang knew they genuinely cared for her. Touched by their kindness, she said to them, "Mother, Father, once A He's legs are better, I'll bring him to visit you."

Xie Jinrong reacted quickly, catching a key piece of information from Ji Yuntang's words.

"Tang'er, are you saying Prince Ye is almost fully recovered?"

Ji Yuntang nodded. "Mm, he can sit in a wheelchair now. But the situation at the Prince Ye residence is still unstable, so I haven't dared tell anyone—I'm afraid someone might try to harm him if they find out."

Xie Jinrong only needed a moment to realize that Luo Junhe's paralysis was a conspiracy—he was most likely the victim of foul play.

And that person might be in the palace.

So not spreading the word is the best way to protect Luo Junhe and Ji Yuntang.

"Don't worry, Tang'er. Your mother and I have our lips sealed—we won't tell a soul."

"I hope Prince Ye can get back on his feet soon."

Ji Yuntang's lips curved into a smile. "Soon!"

She had already tracked down the Dragon Scale Herb—it was in the imperial palace of the Xishu Kingdom.

With the exact location known, all that was left was to figure out how to get her hands on the herb.

Xie Jinrong and Madam Cai watched Ji Yuntang leave, then they both returned to the carriage.

The moment they got on, they saw Xie Liuzheng with red-rimmed eyes, saying, "Father, Mother, I want to learn how to do business alongside Sister Yuntang. This time I'm serious—please let me."

Seeing that Xie Liuzheng didn't look like he was joking, Xie Jinrong cautioned, "You need to think this through carefully. Business isn't easy. Once you start, you'll have to stay at the shop every day to help out—you won't have as much free time anymore!"

Xie Liuzheng clenched his fists and said solemnly, "I've made up my mind. I want to earn money on my own. If Sister Yuntang can do it, I believe I can too."

He had just seen Xie Jinrong and Madam Cai holding the glazed cups Ji Yuntang had given them, their eyes welled up with tears.

Xie Liuzheng then realized how much he had let his parents down over the years.

He had only ever spent money and asked things of them, never contributing a single coin to the household.

Madam Cai's face showed a look of relief. She reached out to touch Xie Liuzheng but hesitated, then pulled her hand back.

"Zheng'er, you've finally grown up!"

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