Eighty-three bunches of carrots one

  No matter how nervous Jiuniang was, the carriage still arrived at the palace on time. After getting off the carriage, she changed to a sedan chair and then followed the attendants to Hui'an Hall to meet Empress Yang.

  Empress Yang was still as warm and enthusiastic as ever, first holding her hand to exchange pleasantries, then inquiring after her elders. After hearing that Lady Li was ill, she even bestowed a large quantity of medicine and tonics.

  Looking at the rewards she received, Jiuniang's heart couldn't help but feel joyful.

  If these are taken back, Li Taijun's illness will definitely be reduced by half.

  Alas, this old man at home is not the kind of person who follows the trend and is infatuated with fame and wealth, but he hopes that his children can make a good name for themselves and earn people's respect.

  What a pity... What a pity that he is too rigid and square in his dealings with people, not good at educating, so that the children all follow established rules without making any progress.

  "The princess and the crown prince's consort have arrived!" Just then, a palace maid hastily approached, bowing to the empress.

  "Oh...... let them in!" The Empress Yang nodded and said.

  Although she had mentally prepared herself for this, Jiu Si Er couldn't help but frown inwardly after hearing these words.

  Alas, it's impossible to hide.

  In a moment of contemplation, Princess Jingning and Crown Prince's consort, Ms. Hao, had arrived surrounded by several palace attendants.

  Princess Jingning's light makeup was like a wisp of smoke, her slender figure clad in a long gown embroidered with golden silk flowers, and she looked even more charming and beautiful than the countless beauties.

  And Hao's family was dressed in a colorful dark flower cloud brocade palace dress, with high hairpins and a cloudy bun, also showing the same elegance.

  Compared to the two of them, Jiu felt like a small weed. She couldn't help but think of Su Junzhen again, that good kid who had abandoned darkness for light. It was just a pity that he had gotten himself into trouble and was now worried about being cannon fodder all the time.

  "Miss Wenjiu, it's been a long time!" Jingning surprisingly took the initiative to greet her.

  She naturally felt honored and surprised, ignoring the queen's obstruction, and hastily gave a kneeling ceremony to the two of them.

  It must be intentional to deal with her, looking at Jing Ning's subtle hooked lips, she knew it, but she didn't get angry, thinking about the last time that counter-plot, it must have brought a lot of trouble to this little girl.

  "Jiuniang, look at you, what's going on? Your sister is getting married soon. This time I came to find you mainly because I want to ask for your help again to make a few more bars of special soap. It's clearly troublesome for you, yet you're still being so polite."

  "Oh...... Your Ladyship is too polite, thank you, Your Ladyship!" Jiujier hastily replied.

  But after finishing speaking, he suddenly felt a sense of unease, and turned his head to find that Jing Ning was staring at him with expectation.

  She was taken aback, what's wrong?

  Until Jingning's beautiful big eyes were replaced with a hint of coldness, Jiusi'er suddenly realized that earlier, it seemed that Haoshi said... said that Jingning was going to get married, and getting married meant becoming husband and wife with Su Junzheng.

  Was she... expecting herself to be sad?

  Uh...

  She also hoped to be sad, so as to satisfy the vain psychology of this quiet and peaceful princess, but... but just now she didn't think of it, I don't know if being sad now can still please this princess?

  But it seems like it's no use, as Jing Ning has already changed the subject again.

  "After all, it's not just Jingning and her sisters who like the soap made by Wen Jiuniang, Hui'er also likes it very much. Last time Jingning wanted to keep Jiuniang for a while longer, but didn't expect Fourth Brother to insist on having someone escort her away, saying that Hui'er was also thinking of her, so Jingning had no choice but to give up. However, those beautiful big eyes still flickered with the intention of making things difficult for Jiuniang."

  "Oh..." Yang Huanghou and Hao Shi heard this and immediately looked at Jiu Si'er, Yang Huanghou's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  Isn't this obviously the rhythm of framing her?

  She and Yang Hui'er may have had a relationship that could be hidden from the Hao family, but how could it be hidden from Empress Yang?

  She and Yang Hui'er didn't have a relationship, that is to say she had a relationship with Yang Guofeng... uh, it seems that's not called a relationship, but rather an affair...

  She suddenly felt her face burning, but in fact she had thought about how to answer this question on the way, and how could she fight without being confident?

  At this moment, facing Yang Huanghou's seemingly harmless but actually piercing eyes that could see through everything, she didn't dare to utter a single word of her countless excuses.

  Be silent...

  At least it won't leave an impression of being cunning and changeable on *oss.

  As for Yang Guofeng's reputation, that... anyway, he is already a stud horse, so it's polluted, but actually she is the one who is more disadvantaged.

  The inner hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone was quiet.

  Fortunately, another servant soon came rushing in, breaking the unbearable silence. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."

  "Oh..." Empress Yang hesitated for a moment, then instructed the servant, "Let him wait in the front hall for a while, I'll be right there."

  The waiter heard this and bowed his head as if he was about to leave.

  "After the empress, Third Imperial Brother has been busy reviewing the governance of various provinces for several days. Jingning hasn't seen him for over ten days now. Tell him to come over here and let Jingning see him too, she misses him."

  At this moment, Princess Jingning suddenly pulled Yang Huanghou's sleeve and coquettishly said, while glancing at Mrs. Hao who had been lowering her head in silence after hearing that the Crown Prince was coming.

  It seems that Jing Ning is indeed a clever and capable person. The ninth sister couldn't help but secretly admire her as she took in every detail of the scene.

  Although Hao's family was of high birth and she herself was born beautiful, in the vast palace, what was least lacking were beauties, and there were also the restraints and balances of power, so for the crown prince's consort to see her husband was not a common occurrence.

  It was at this moment that they met, and the quietness of human nature would give her an opportunity.

  But Ninth Sister thought it wasn't bad, she could take advantage of their good fortune to meet the Crown Prince who was above everyone else. Of course, this was secondary, the most important thing was that there was someone to interrupt them, so they wouldn't have a chance to investigate her mistakes together.

  Of course this is just temporary, what else can it be? Let's calm down for a while.

  Soon, Prince Ouyang Zhi entered the hall surrounded by two palace maids, just as Jiujie had imagined.

  The dark blue and purple cloud-patterned brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, had a clear and handsome face, and also grew a pair of slender black eyes similar to those of the fourth prince Ouyang Rui and Weiyuan Wang Yang Guofeng. The only difference between him and these two people was that this crown prince looked very pale and weak.

  Yes, standard pretty boy!

  Jiujie was secretly sizing up Ouyang Zhi and making an evaluation in her heart, but suddenly she was shocked, her eyes wide with surprise.

  Because this weak and beautiful young man entered the temple, turned behind the exquisite and expensive garden lady's picture inlaid screen, for some reason, he slightly stumbled, one of the attendants hurriedly supported him, he stood still for a moment, before continuing to move forward.

  "Is Zhi'er's eyes still not good?" At this time, Empress Yang suddenly asked Hao Shi, her voice was very low, but still revealed a strong sense of worry.

  "Not good..." Mr. Hao shook his head.

  The two didn't say anything else, because Ou Yang Zhi had already arrived in front of them. First, he paid his respects to Empress Yang, then the Hao family and Jing Ning also paid their respects to Ou Yang Zhi. Empress Yang then introduced Jiu Jie Er to Ou Yang Zhi, and Jiu Jie Er also paid her respects to Ou Yang Zhi.

  After a while, everyone sat down, enjoying the tea and refreshments brought by the attendants and palace maids while chatting.

  Jiujie who sat at the far end could only be a listener——

  "...It's a pity that your uncle has gone back, otherwise he should have taken a look at this eye for you..." Looking at her son, Empress Yang's eyes were even more gentle and loving.

  "Empress Dowager, you're worrying too much. This is really nothing serious, I'm just exhausted from the past few days. Can't you see that everything is fine now?" Ouyang Zhi hastily comforted Empress Yang.

  "It doesn't matter, you're so tired, just take a good rest. I heard that Xiang'er has composed a new song recently, you've always loved this kind of thing, don't bother with those official duties for now, go help her take a look." The Empress Yang said, looking at the Crown Princess Hao by her side.

  The "Xiang Er" in her mouth is actually the crown princess Hao Shi. This Hao Shi is a typical ancient traditional woman, proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, especially with a deeper attainments in music, several popular songs currently circulating in the boudoir are from her hand.

  "Hmm, I will!" Upon hearing this, Ou Yang Zhi also looked towards Hao Shi.

  It just so happened that Mr. Hao was also looking at him, and the two gazes entwined in mid-air...

  It seems that this prince and princess have a good relationship, but what's the use of being good? Isn't it still the case that there are many concubines on the side?

  The ninth sister couldn't help but shake her head secretly, of course, in her heart.

  So many women, can the weak and sickly prince handle it? Suddenly a very improper thought sprouted in Jiu's mind.

  What's it to you? Mind your own business! Later, she quietly warned herself that after chatting with her mother and brother for a while, Jingning looked at her again, probably thinking about something.

  "All right, Empress Dowager, I won't stay any longer. Feng, the younger brother and fourth brother are out hunting in the Weichang suburbs today, they should be back by now, I'll go take a look!" After chatting for a few more sentences, Ouyang Zhi stood up to bid farewell to Empress Yang.

  Yang Huanghou naturally gave another instruction, and then Ouyang Zhicai walked outwards, but unexpectedly stopped in his tracks when he reached a spot with backlight.

  "Zhi'er, what's wrong?" Then Yang Huanghou, Hao Shi, and Jingning Gongzhu also followed immediately.

  Ouyang Zhi shook his head and turned to smile at a few people.

  Jiujier was afraid of offending him, so she didn't dare to approach, but in the instant when Ouyang Zhi turned his head, she clearly saw the empty and lifeless look in those long black eyes.

  "It's all right." But the effort was not great, Ou Yangzhi recovered normally again, and saluted Yang Huanghou once more. Only then did he turn around and leave with the support of two palace maids.

  But the wind does not stop

  "Xiang Er, tomorrow I will write a letter to Shifu, before that you should take good care of Zhi Er."

  "Yes!"

  "Also, especially when Zhi'er goes out at night, find a few more people to follow him!"

  "Yes!"

  Yang Huang Hou and Hao Shi finished their conversation in a low voice, and suddenly turned their heads to find that there was actually another outsider here, which was Jiu Jie Er.

  But looking at the little girl's focused expression as she ate the salt-baked cashews with herbs, she couldn't help but put her mind at ease again.

  It's nothing, really. The rumors about Chujun's frail health have been an open secret in the Great Viet court all along; she was just worried that someone with ulterior motives would make a big deal out of it.

  Think back to the year before last, there was a time when Zhi'er had a nosebleed twice because of physical weakness and not being able to receive nourishment. If he hadn't recovered quickly, who knows what kind of trouble would have been stirred up?

  Hmph...

  This little girl seems to have a steady temperament, I guess she's the kind of person who keeps things inside and doesn't dare reveal anything that shouldn't be said.

  Moreover, relying on just a few words and phrases, what can this young lady from a boudoir possibly see? Thinking of this, the tightly furrowed eyebrows of Empress Yang involuntarily relaxed again.

  But this clever and capable empress greatly underestimated Ninth Sister

  Two lifetimes as a human being, plus this lifetime's special living environment, had long since shaped her sharp and extraordinary temperament and inner world.

  So, Yang Huang Hou and Hao Shi's words had naturally been heard by her ears. In fact, she had not only heard them with her ears but also guessed a few reasons for the illness of Prince Ouyang Zhi through observing his expressions and colors.

  In the dark, he couldn't see anything or saw things vaguely, but everything was normal elsewhere. Adding Ou Yang Zhi's weak appearance, she initially judged that he should be suffering from night blindness.

  Actually, night blindness was quite common in ancient times, but most of them were some poor people who didn't eat or drink enough. As for why Ouyang Zhi got this disease, it should be related to his personal diet and living habits.

  The prince also fell victim due to his picky eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle.

  According to her previous life, this "bird blind" night blindness should have been recorded in a certain medical book of Sun Simiao, the Medical Sage of the Tang Dynasty, and naturally there is also a medical method.

  But here, in this grand palace, it's as if I know nothing about it at all.

  However, she suddenly realized that this fictional dynasty was somewhat different from the history of her previous life. With so many medical skills in Wenjing Shui, she had never seen the masterpiece of this medical sage.

  After all, this is an ancient society, which cannot be compared to the previous life she lived in a technologically advanced era. The knowledge of night blindness was naturally not widespread.

  Actually, night blindness is easy to cure. When she was a child, her parents entrusted her to her grandmother in the northwest mountain village to take care of her. She had such a memory that the little partner next door got myopia and went to see a doctor. The doctor gave this mischievous and medicine-averse kid a prescription, which was carrots.

  Later, the child ate a bunch of them while playing and making trouble. At night, when he went to the toilet to have a bowel movement, he was surprised to find that he could see clearly.

  Now she thinks about it and still wants to laugh, but after laughing, she deeply knows that the carrot has a great effect, so she never lacks this in her three meals.

  But...

  If she rashly went forward and told Empress Yang that the crown prince had night blindness and needed to eat carrots, how would Empress Yang react?

  She couldn't guess and didn't dare to guess. To be honest, it wasn't a matter of guessing or not, but rather she didn't dare say that...

  It's clear that the queen and the crown prince, for some unavoidable reasons, both have a psychology of fearing illness and avoiding doctors. After all, they are not ordinary people, but the future ruler of a country, which is a matter of great importance.

  She cannot afford to take this risk. If she fails, people will think she's doing it on purpose and that would be troublesome.

  She doesn't seek merit but seeks no fault, she thinks that Empress Yang also likes conservative and obedient people, it's just a pity to miss this excellent opportunity to establish merit...

  The ninth sister couldn't help but feel a pang of regret in her heart.

  After seeing off the crown prince, Empress Yang seemed to have lost all interest, but she couldn't get rid of a few people because several princesses and concubines had come over.

  She thought it should be Empress Yang who, in order to demonstrate her pro-people policy, had summoned her and was having her interact with these princesses and imperial consorts who liked that soap, so for now she could only reluctantly play along.

  Fortunately, an elderly imperial concubine known as Jing Guiren came over after a while. This concubine seemed to be in the good graces of Empress Yang, who immediately pulled her onto the kang and started chatting with her, while the young princesses and consorts surrounded Jiu Si'er asking about soap.

  After a while of noise, those princesses and imperial concubines also returned one after another. Only two who were close to the empress remained, pulled by the empress to sit on the kang to chat.

  The ninth sister also couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, because these golden branches and jade leaves were too difficult to deal with, they had many problems, made many demands, and put on airs.

  Fortunately, there was still a harvest, and as she looked at the account book in her hand, Ninth Sister seemed to see a sea of silver.

  Empress Yang ordered Ms. Hao to make a record of all the things that these golden branches wanted, prepare to pay her, and at a price twice as high as the market price.

  With this relationship established, the Jiang and Yan families would no longer be able to shake her off.

  Although the Jiang family's shop also got involved with the imperial court because of the Zou family, it's unknown whether it was due to not burning incense correctly or not, but this soap didn't become very popular and as a result, they didn't make much money.

  This can be considered a thorough flag-raising now, and I believe the prospects will definitely be great...

  At the moment when Jiu Jie was secretly delighted and proud, she suddenly felt a numbness on her scalp, turned her head, and immediately met that calm and cold smile.

  Her good mood was instantly shattered.

  How could she have forgotten that this god was still thinking of her? Her smile, of course, knew what it meant - "You wait!"

  In fact, Jing Ning had never stopped plotting against her. Just now when answering the questions from Jin Zhi, she led the way in asking many tricky questions, making it clear that she wanted to make her lose face.

  Fortunately, she was quick-witted and adaptable, plus the rich makeup and skincare knowledge accumulated from her past life, as well as her photographic memory.

  Not only was she not defeated, but also made those golden girls convinced, which is also the reason why they are willing to pay more than double the price for her soap.

  Promising refinement is not enough, she can also help them choose suitable styles according to their individual situations, and Jingning really helped her get over the addiction of being a cosmetics counter lady.

  Evil intentions have done a good deed, and now it's hard to pretend anymore.

  I just don't know what other means she will use though?

  Of course, soon Jiu Jie Er found out ——

  "Oh dear, Wenjiu, how careless of you! Don't you know this is the Empress Dowager's favorite vase?"

  That Princess Jing Ning pointed at the colorful jade vase that had been smashed into pieces on the ground, and exaggeratedly shouted.

  Look at the broken jade on the ground and look at Jingning's pretended angry and surprised face. What can Jiuniang say?

  This is not my fault, I just got up to put down a cup, but you took advantage of my carelessness and pushed me from behind on purpose!

  But does anyone believe it?

  This isn't ancient times, we can just make a video and see who's right or wrong.

  Even if there is a video, she wouldn't dare say anything. What status does this princess have? She dares to question, but can only suffer in silence...

  "What's going on?"

  Yang Huang Hou had just sent away all the princesses and imperial consorts, and was quietly sitting on the kang with Jing Guiren and Hao Shi, speaking in a low voice. Suddenly, she heard the loud cries of Princess Jing Ning, and immediately her face fell. With the support of Jing Guiren and Hao Shi, she got down from the kang and walked over.

  Zhen Ning remained silent, gazing at the shattered flower vase on the ground, then at Empress Yang, and finally turned to Jiu Si Er.

  Experience told her this was the wisest course of action; the empress dowager did not like people who talked too much.

  Hehe......

  Not uttering a single word, yet still able to make a good case for oneself.

  Looking at Yang Huanghou's expression as calm as water, she also knew that she was truly angry. She wanted to see what would happen to this woman after all, it was a gift from the Emperor himself.

  In fact, the humble and ordinary her was not a threat to her at all. She just didn't like Su Junzhen's tone when mentioning her, and also Yang Huanghou's favor and praise for her, so she made up her mind not to let her have an easy time...

  "Please punish the queen, it's all because of my daughter's coarseness and rashness!" The quiet and introspective Empress thought to herself, while her ninth sister had already knelt down on the ground.

  "Never mind, it wasn't intentional." Empress Yang fell silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice, but she didn't tell Ninth Sister to get up.

  "Your Majesty, I know that this is a crime of disrespect in the imperial presence and should be punished with flogging. However, my grandmother at home is seriously ill and needs me to take care of her, so... can't... can't Your Majesty please spare Xiaojie from this physical punishment?" But then Jiusi added cautiously.

  As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the hall suddenly turned cold, which naturally came from the strong aura of Empress Yang.

  She was so unaware of herself, and the slightest bit of guilt she had just felt in her heart suddenly vanished completely...

  The ninth girl quietly raised her head, and what she saw was the empress Yang's stern expression with narrowed eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, but she still weakly said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Jiu is not an ignorant person, it's just that... today I couldn't return home injured. My grandmother has been bedridden for many days due to illness, but when she heard that Your Majesty summoned me to the palace, she suddenly regained her spirits and ate some porridge. Her... her thoughts are all on you, I think... Your Majesty naturally understands... so I'm begging..."

  It was originally supposed to be pretended, but unexpectedly, when it came to Li Taijun, he felt a sense of nostalgia for himself, and the tears really fell to the ground like broken pearls, one by one. Later on, he even choked with sobs.

  She naturally saw through Qing Ning's trick, so she deliberately endured that one push.

  Rather than being always on guard, it's better to take the initiative and turn the tables, this has always been her guiding principle when she's at a disadvantage.

  As for her plan, it naturally had something to do with that Crown Prince. She wanted to cure his nyctalopia.

  As expected, Yang Guifei's crying did ease her expression somewhat, but she still refused to forgive her.

  She naturally did not disappoint her, if she let her go, then the subsequent conspiracy would not have been able to succeed.

  She took a deep breath and carefully chose her words, "Your Majesty, Xia Jiu... can Xia Jiu be so bold as to ask for an opportunity to redeem herself?"

  ……

  Digression

  Aiya, Xiao Jiu is quite bold, daring to show off in front of the Empress!