Chapter 86 - A Presumptuous Request
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nDinner started officially after the performance, and it was time to present the emperor the gifts.
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nMu Chaoyang went first, “Father I found the best embroiders in the south and asked them to embroider this painting of Tianqi Country, happy birthday father, and the whole world joins in the jubilation!”
nWith that two eunuchs carried a roll of paintings and unfolded it, it was such an exquisite piece of art.
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nThe emperor nodded repeatedly in approval, “What a great present! Good job Yang.” with that he signaled Eunuch Cao to take care of the storage of the painting.
nOf course a king would love a present like this, a painting of his country to remind him of what he owned.
nSeeing how happy the emperor was, the empress chimed in, “It’s Yang’s duty to find the perfect present for you, Your Majesty. I only wish my present was half as good as Yang’s, see, I searched all over the country and found this Dragon Fish, hopefully you will like it.”
nThe emperor’s eyes sparkled when he heard the name of Dragon Fish for that creature wasn’t easy to come by.
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nWith it the empress clapped her hands, her maids presented a golden Dragon fish which had enormous symbolic significance for imperial power. The Dragon Fish looked so shiny under the candlelight, swaying and glittering in the water.
nThe ministers rose to their feet and kowtowed in unison, “Dragon Fish is such an auspicious sign, congratulations, Your Majesty, this is such a blessing for you and Tianqi Country.”
nLuo Qianqian was curious why everyone was saying the same thing, she was almost sure they had some secret rehearsal behind her back.
nThe empress was happy to see how cooperative the ministers were and she looked at the Imperial Noble Consort, “My good sister, I’m curious to see what present are you going to give to His Majesty.”
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nThe Imperial Noble Consort’s face reddened, she floundered, “Your Highness… I… I”
nAs a matter of fact, she had also prepared a Dragon Fish for the emperor but she dared not to say it at this point for the empress might consider this as great disrespect to her.
nSeeing that, Luo Qianqian rose to her feet and chimed in, “Your Highness the empress, Your Majesty, the present that Imperial Noble Consort has prepared for the emperor is right here, it’s an elixir which will help the emperor become immune to external poisonous attacks or influences.”
nLuo Qianqian turned her hand and a little jade bottle appeared on her palm.
nThe Imperial Noble Consort turned stiff, and she cast Luo Qianqian a grateful look.
nMaster Lingtian took a glimpse at her, he knew Luo Qianqian was helping the Imperial Noble Consort out.
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nThe emperor was intrigued by this elixir, “Eunuch Cao, let me have a look.”
n“Yes, Your Majesty.” with that Eunuch Cao walked to Luo Qianqian and got the little bottle.
nThe emperor fondled the pill in the bottle admiringly and asked, “Qianqian, is it true this little pill can help me become immune to external poisonous attacks or influences? Such a small pill?”
n‘Of course it is! This little pill costs me as many as ten points in the space. But how can I prove that to you without giving you a heart attack and say I’m from a different time and space and I have a little animal called Xiao Bai who sold me this pill?’
n‘Should I poison myself and take that pill? No way! That’s my last pill, I cannot afford to buy a pill from Xiao Bai any more, well, I can, but I don’t want to, it’s so expensive!’
nLuo Qianqian was so torn, she didn’t know how to reply.
n“Your Majesty, I can prove it’s true.” Master Lingtian’s voice rang.
nLuo Qianqian turned her head in delight, “Master Shifu~”
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nThe emperor asked, “Oh? Have you taken the pill before, Master Lingtian?”
n“I haven’t, but my wife has. It’s a known fact that my wife had been bedridden for a long time until she took the pill from Qianqian, Doctor Lin said my wife at least gets twenty more years.”
nThat had set the whole hall in an uproar, and everyone stared at Luo Qianqian, wishing she had more.
nLuo Qianqian shrugged, “Sorry everyone, that’s my last pill. The two pills are the result of serendipity, so I cannot promise anyone that I will find more.”
nEveryone’s eyes dimmed, how they wish they could also acquire such a pill.
nThe emperor put the pill back in the little bottle, “Great job, my Imperial Noble Consort and Qianqian girl.”
nThe Imperial Noble Consort and Luo Qianqian exchanged a meaningful look and replied, “This is all Qianqian’s suggestion, you should give credit where credit it due, Your Majesty, Qianqian will make a perfect daughter-in-law, I know it.”
nYue Qiqi turned green with envy when she heard the way the Imperial Noble Consort spoke highly of Luo Qianqian.
n“Yes, I agree, Qianqian is a good girl, just the right girl for our Yun.” the emperor smiled.
nThe empress and Mu Chaoyang looked crestfallen, they exchanged a look and Mu Chaoyang changed the subject, “Brother Eighth, it’s time to see your present, isn’t it?”
nThe emperor was curious too, “Yes, I want to see what surprise has Yun prepared for me.”
n“Ten barns of army provisions.” Murong Yun said with indifference.
nThe emperor was stunned, this was such a timely help! The situation on the front line was tense, army provisions was crying needs!
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n“Yun, let me say thank you on behalf of our soldiers on the front line!”
nAnd then it was the ministers and the young childes and young ladies’ turn, some presented paintings, some presented curios, and some presented performances.
nLuo Yuyan played zither and won critical acclaim.
n“Prime Minister Luo, good job on raising two beautiful and elegant daughters, you must be very proud.” the emperor was full of praise.
n“Your Majesty, I’m so flattered.” Prime Minister Luo beamed.
nYue Qiqi took advantage of this timing and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve also prepared a performance.”
n“Is that General Yue’s daughter?” the emperor was a bit tipsy.
nGeneral Yue nodded and smiled, then she looked at Luo Qianqian provokingly, ‘See? The emperor knows me.’
nToo bad Luo Qianqian missed it for she was busy eating.
n“What performance?”
n“A swordsmanship show.” Yue Qiqi replied with pride.
n“Oh? You learned from your father General Yue I assume?” the emperor was intrigued, he had watched enough dancing and singing now.
n“Yes, Your Majesty. But I have a presumptuous request, I want to invite someone to perform with me together.”
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