After returning to his residence, Yan Ge sat down at the desk and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his fair arms. “Xiao Chuanzi, grind the ink.”
“Understood.”
Both Xiao Chuanzi and Wan Xiang lowered their heads, avoiding to look at his hands. After all, Yan Ge was the emperor’s concubine, and certain taboos had to be observed.
Once the ink was ground, Yan Ge pressed the paperweight on the smooth white paper and dipped the brush in the ink. “Yan Jin, help me recite the recipes from ‘The Eighteen Arts of Yufu,’ while I write.”
“Alright.” Yan Jin’s voice sounded childish as it began to recite, “Jade Shrimp Rings: marinate fish with salt and pepper, add half a lemon, butter…”
Xiao Chuanzi, who recognized a few characters, curiously asked, “Jade Shrimp Rings, Pearl Bamboo Shoots with Dried Shrimp, Longevity Character Duck Soup… Master, are you writing down recipes?”
Yan Ge continued writing absentmindedly, “Yes. The economic situation is a bit tight on my mother’s side of the family, so I plan to write some recipes for them to open a restaurant.”
“I see.” Xiao Chuanzi understood. After all, having seen so much in the palace, she knew that the young master intended to help his family with their business. However, due to the court’s regulations prohibiting officials from engaging in business, most officials would put their businesses under their wives’ names to circumvent the law. It was a case of “finding a way around the rules.”
After filling a sheet of paper, Wan Xiang carefully placed it on the couch to let it dry.
Yan Ge’s brush moved swiftly, transcribing thousands of characters, not only copying some recipes from “The Eighteen Arts of Yufu,” but also recalling the methods of dishes and snacks he had eaten in modern times, writing them all down. Then, he took another sheet of paper and gave the restaurant a resounding name, “Liu Xianju,” leaving a few words hinting that it was a gift for his mother. Yan Xiaojing and Yan Su would understand immediately.
After some contemplation, he also wrote down modern concepts of decoration, promotion, management, and sales in simple language, trying to be concise. Even if the brushstrokes were small, they took up space, and when all the pages were bound together, it formed a thin book. Yan Ge decided that if he had the chance, he would invent a fountain pen or a ballpoint pen.
“Is there a way to send these things out?” he asked.
Wan Xiang replied, “It’s possible, but carrying such a large item out might be difficult to conceal. In order to prevent people from stealing things from the palace and selling them, the palace residents are searched when they leave.”
Yan Ge interlocked his fingers, tapping his fingertips lightly on his hand. “Ding. Side mission – Please ask Zhou Wenhan for help in delivering the recipes out of the palace. Mission time: within three days. Reward: 50 taels of silver and a silver box. Punishment for failure: deduction of 50 taels of silver. To accept the mission, choose ‘Yes.’ To refuse, choose ‘No.’”
Yan Ge was taken aback and asked in his mind, “Yan Jin, what is this about? Do you know about my experiences in reality?”
Yan Jin replied, “I don’t know. Master, side missions are randomly triggered and not subject to my control. However, Master, I suggest you accept the side missions because the rewards might come in handy in the future.”
Yan Ge hesitated only briefly before accepting. He calculated that the system had rewarded him a total of 65 taels of silver, so even if the mission failed, it would cover the penalty. Besides, he was also curious about the silver box.
But what puzzled him was why the system wanted him to seek Zhou Wenhan’s help. Among the other three male concubines, Zhou Wenhan was the one who least favored him. He didn’t have much hope for success, but there was no harm in trying.
Based on his understanding of Zhou Wenhan during this period, Zhou Wenhan boasted of being proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In that case…
He picked up a pen and quickly wrote something on a sheet of paper, instructing Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, “Let’s go and visit Zhou Wenhan. Xiao Chuanzi, carry this along.”
In Chunlu Pavilion, Zhou Wenhan sat restlessly on the couch, contemplating how he could meet the emperor. Suddenly, his little eunuch, Xiao Linzi, announced that Yan Ge had come to visit. Zhou Wenhan sat up abruptly, almost falling off the couch, and it was his palace maid Xinger, who caught him just in time.
“Yan Ge? He has never visited my Chunlu Pavilion before. I want to see what he wants. Invite him in.”
“Yes.”
After Yan Ge entered, Zhou Wenhan sat by the table, sipping tea without getting up, and smiled, “Yan Daying, what brings you here? Please have a seat. Xinger, pour some tea.”
Yan Ge sat down, “Zhou Daying, it’s fate that we stay within the same Palace. Within this palace, our first adversaries are not each other, but rather the ‘outside’ world…” he gestured towards the grand doors of Chunlu Pavilion, “What are your thoughts on this, Zhou Daying?”
Zhou Wenhan sipped his tea and remained silent, waiting for Yan Ge to continue.
Yan Ge proceeded, “I came here to present Zhou Daying with a gift that may help fulfill his dreams.”
“Oh?” Zhou Wenhan became intrigued but remained cautious. Could Yan Ge truly be so kind as to offer him a gift?
Yan Ge generously produced a sheet of paper containing a long-lost musical score. To assure Zhou Wenhan that there was no poison on the paper, he unfolded it deliberately, using his palm to smooth it out. “This is an ancient and forgotten musical score that I stumbled upon. Zhou Wenhan possesses exceptional talent, and if you were to perform this composition, it would undoubtedly astound everyone. Why should we worry about the Emperor not summoning you?”
Zhou Wenhan struggled to maintain his composure, yet his face couldn’t hide his excitement. He subconsciously leaned forward, his eyes glancing at the paper. “May I have a look first, if you please?”
Yan Ge smiled and said nothing, folding the paper and revealing only the first half of the musical score.
Zhou Wenhan immediately leaned in, the more he looked, the brighter the joy on his face became. After he returned to his seat and composed himself, he asked, “Yan Daying must have a request, right?”
“Zhou Daying is truly smart,” Yan Ge replied. He took a package from Xiao Chuanzi’s hand and signaled for him and Wan Xiang to leave.
Seeing this, Zhou Wenhan felt a puzzled, but he also allowed Xiao Linzi and Xing’er to leave.
Yan Ge opened the package and flipped through a few pages of the book inside, saying, “When idle hands find their way, they become a treasure palace. This collection of recipes was born from my boredom. I wish to send it to my parents, that they may establish a restaurant in the capital and provide some financial support for our household. As you and I both know, with our humble positions, gaining an audience with the Emperor requires careful arrangements and significant expenses. I wonder if Zhou Wenhan would be willing to assist me in this small favor?”
He deliberately spoke half-truths, straightforwardly explaining the need to spend money to secure a path to meet the Emperor, ensuring that Zhou Wenhan would not suspect his intentions.
As expected, Zhou Wenhan looked at him with a gaze that said, “I knew you also wanted to see the Emperor, even if you didn’t admit it before,” laced with a hint of mockery, and then nodded. “You’ve come to the right person if you need help. The disciple of the eunuch in charge of procurement in the palace is a distant cousin of mine. He will still require my assistance in the palace. Moreover, the contents of your book are merely recipes, so taking them out of the palace should not be a problem.”
Yan Ge smiled and clasped his hands together. “In that case, I am grateful to Zhou Daying. I will give you half of the musical score now, and once you have delivered the items, I will give you the other half. What do you think?”
Zhou Wenhan was eager to know the complete content of the musical score, so he was somewhat disappointed, but could only agree. “Very well. The palace makes daily purchases, so by tomorrow noon, Yan Daying should await good news.”
“Good,” Yan Ge stood up, bowing once again. “In that case, I wish Zhou Daying success in achieving his desires. To avoid trouble, it would be best not to let anyone else know about the recipe book.”
Zhou Wenhan lifted his teacup. “Rest assured. I understand, Yan Daying.”
Yan Ge said no more, leaving with Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi.
Du Zhengfeng approached from the other side of the cobblestone path, and when he saw him coming out of Chunlu Pavilion, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Greetings, Du Changzai.”
“No need for formalities,” Du Zhengfeng replied. “Is this the first time Yan Daying has visited Zhou Daying?”
Yan Ge smiled, seemingly unconcerned about Du Zhengfeng’s probing. “Du Changzai, are you and Zhou Daying quite close? To know such details.”
Du Zhengfeng glanced at him. “Changzai and Song Guiren are aware of this. If Yan Daying has the time, you’re welcome to visit me as well.”
“If I have the time, I will certainly trouble you,” Yan Ge replied.
As they walked further away, Yan Ge could still sense Du Zhengfeng’s gaze upon him. He inwardly wondered and turned his head, but Du Zhengfeng was nowhere to be seen. He found it amusing how suspicious he had become.
The following day, before it was time for lunch, Yan Ge heard a notification in his mind: “Ding. Congratulations on successfully completing the side mission – ‘Please ask Zhou Wenhan for help in delivering the recipes out of the palace.’ Mission completed successfully, reward: 50 taels of silver and a silver chest. Would you like to open the silver chest now?”
Yan Ge mentally selected “Yes,” and the silver chest opened. With the words “Congratulations, you have obtained the complete manual for the Flowing Sand Divine Sword technique,” a flash of silver light occurred as something was added to his system backpack.
Yan Ge felt a surge of joy. A sword technique manual? Could he become a legendary martial arts master?
He quickly opened the backpack, finding an item labeled “Flowing Sand Divine Sword Technique.” Upon clicking it, a dynamic light image appeared before him. A young man dressed in ancient garb wielded a sword, performing intricate and ever-changing moves, as fluid as flowing water.
The first movement was slow, the second, fast. Even though it was a mere illusion, Yan Ge could sense a strong murderous intent. After nearly twenty minutes, the young hero finished demonstrating the entire set of sword techniques, standing still in silence.
After clicking once again, the scene started to repeat. Yan Ge used a brush as a sword and began to learn along.
Wan Xiang, accustomed to her master’s occasional peculiar actions, watched with great interest.
Xiao Chuanzi reported from outside, “Reporting to the master, Xiao Linzi from the Chunlu Pavilion requests an audience.”
“Oh,” Yan Ge recalled his arrangement with Zhou Wenhan and put away the brush. “Wan Xiang, give him the musical score.”
“Yes.”
For the next few days, Yan Ge immersed himself entirely in learning the Flowing Sand Sword Technique. His speed increased, and he began to realize the exquisite nature of this sword technique. Not only could he feel his body growing stronger and healthier, but he also sensed a subtle warmth emanating from the lower abdomen. He suspected it to be the result of cultivating inner strength through the sword technique.
Meanwhile, outside the palace, Yan Xiaojing and Yan Su were amazed by Yan Ge’s quick thinking and thorough planning. Although they wondered how he acquired such knowledge, they simply assumed he was inspired by others within the palace and didn’t question the origin of those recipes. They immediately began making preparations for the restaurant. After all, the idea of borrowing a dead body to come back to life was unheard of, and they didn’t even consider that possibility.
It wasn’t until a month later that a eunuch came to Chunfeng Palace with an imperial edict.
Song Ruhao, Du Zhengfeng, and Zhou Wenhan came out joyfully to receive the imperial decree.
During this time, Song Ruhao had never given up on communicating with his father, hoping to persuade the Emperor to bestow his favor upon him.
Du Zhengfeng also occasionally strolled through the Imperial Garden, clearly showing that his mind was preoccupied with other matters.
Zhou Wenhan, on the other hand, persisted in playing the qin every day. About half a month ago, he had the fortunate opportunity to be summoned by the Emperor when he in the Imperial Garden and even received verbal praise from him. Although the Emperor did not reveal his true intentions that time, there was still great hope, wasn’t there?
And now, the imperial edict had arrived. The faces of the three individuals beamed with delight.
Yan Ge knelt quietly at the back, not particularly concerned. The plan outside the palace was not in its final stage yet, and even if the Emperor wanted to summon him, it wouldn’t be now.
The eunuch, who had witnessed countless anticipatory expressions from palace consorts, glanced at each of them and shook his head inwardly. Only after a moment did he announce, “The Emperor has issued an edict, summoning Yan Daying for an audience. Long live the Emperor.”
