jdhmnovel Chapter 316 Deep Affection
Chapter 316 Deep Affection
The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Miss Li, there's no need for such formalities. Rise."
Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen cautiously glanced up at the Emperor. And you know what? He was quite handsome, young, and beautiful.
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
The Emperor said, "Miss Li possesses extraordinary abilities; she is truly a blessing to my Purple Star Dynasty."
Li Shuchen: "This humble woman dares not accept such praise."
Princess Changning said coquettishly, "Uncle Emperor, she's here! Tell her what happened, don't frighten her."
The Emperor looked at Princess Changning with affection and said, "You, I was just praising her, I didn't scare her at all."
Princess Changning pouted: "It's Li Shuchen's first time entering the palace. She's never seen anything like this before, so it's understandable that she's a little scared."
The Emperor nodded slightly upon hearing this: "It was my oversight. In that case, I will speak directly. Does Miss Li have any more floral essential oils?"
Oh dear, do I really need to buy floral essential oils?
Li Shuchen: "Yes, may I ask what kind of floral fragrance Your Majesty desires?"
The Emperor quickly uttered two words: "Peony".
Li Shuchen thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, we only have one full-size bottle of peony essential oil left."
The Emperor said, "Miss Li, please bring it here."
Huh? Giving it to the Emperor for free? Will the Emperor even give her money back?
It could sell for over ten thousand taels of silver, which would be a huge loss for the Emperor!
Li Shuchen's eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, she generously said, "Your Majesty, this humble woman runs a small business and doesn't make any money. One full-size bottle of essential oil is enough to support the employees of the Happiness Inn for half a year. I'm currently struggling financially and barely have enough to wear. I beg Your Majesty, the wealthy and powerful, not to trouble this refugee woman."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor raised his eyebrows: "Hahaha, Miss Li is quite interesting. When did I ever say I wouldn't pay you?"
Huh? Just give her the money. It's only right to pay for things. Even if the customer is an emperor, you can't be lenient.
Li Shuchen: "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty. The total cost is 11,800 taels of silver. In addition, I would like to give you three sample bottles of floral essential oil, three medium-sized sample bottles of floral essential oil, one daisy brooch, one chrysanthemum brooch, and one rose brooch."
The Emperor: "Guards!"
Eunuch Wu: "Your servant is here."
The Emperor said, "Go to my private treasury and fetch 11,800 taels of silver."
"Yes"
Eunuch Wu withdrew from the hall.
Li Shuchen opened the brocade box, examined the essential oils inside, and asked, "May I ask if Your Majesty has any other essential oils with a fragrance you would like?"
The Emperor waved his hand: "Miss Li, you can choose any pair you like."
"it is good"
It seems the Emperor only wanted to buy floral essential oils for the Empress; the other concubines were just incidental purchases. It must be said that the Emperor and Empress have a deep and loving relationship.
But the Empress doesn't seem like the type to whisper sweet nothings in someone's ear.
Li Shuchen was selecting essential oils.
A young eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu requests an audience."
The Emperor: "Let her in."
Young eunuch: "Yes, Your Majesty."
A moment later, a beautiful woman dressed in a gorgeous pale yellow palace gown entered through the palace gate.
Li Shuchen only glanced at it and felt breathtakingly beautiful.
Princess Changning pulled Li Shuchen along to bow.
Consort Yu stepped forward with graceful, lotus-like steps and said sweetly, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Your Majesty: "Rise, Yu'er. What brings you here?"
Consort Yu said softly, "Didn't His Majesty promise me he would buy floral essential oils? It's been several days already, and they'll be sold out if we wait any longer."
Li Shuchen paused upon hearing this; the floral essential oil was actually what Consort Yu had requested.
The Emperor laughed and said, "Look behind you, what's that?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu turned around and exclaimed in surprise upon seeing a box full of floral essential oils, "Ah, floral essential oils! Your Majesty, you are so kind to your concubines!"
After saying that, he jogged over to Li Shuchen.
"Young lady, are you the owner of Happiness Inn?"
Wow, Consort Yu has done quite a thorough investigation; she even knows she's the owner of the Happiness Inn.
Li Shuchen: "In response to Consort Yu, I am indeed the owner of the Happiness Inn."
Consort Yu smiled broadly upon hearing this: "Good girl, do you have any full-size peony essential oil?"
Wow, Consort Yu even found out the grades of essential oils! Impressive!
Li Shuchen answered truthfully, "Yes, but only one bottle."
Consort Yu's eyes shone brightly: "I want it, Your Majesty will pay for it."
Li Shuchen frowned slightly upon hearing this: "This commoner has already been sold to the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu stopped asking Li Shuchen and turned to the Emperor, saying in a coquettish tone, "Your Majesty, may I have some peony essential oil?"
The Emperor said, "Peony is for the Empress's use. Even though Yu'er is a Noble Consort, she cannot overstep her bounds."
Consort Yu was not angry at all; instead, she looked shy and said, "This concubine knows, and this concubine will not break the rules. However, this concubine wishes to personally present the peony essential oil to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Emperor said, "I will personally deliver the Empress's items. Yu'er can simply choose a bottle of essential oil she likes to take back to the palace."
Consort Yu tugged at the Emperor's sleeve: "Your Majesty~, please let me deliver it~. I live near the Empress's palace, so it's on my way. Besides, Your Majesty has an important meeting with General Liang tonight, so you don't have time to deliver it~. Please let me go~"
Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen gave Princess Changning a look: Yuying is coming?
Princess Changning responded with her eyes: I don't know either, it should be coming.
Li Shuchen gave him another look: Why does Consort Yu know about this?
Princess Changning shook her head, "I don't know either."
The Emperor, worn down by his nagging, finally gave in: "Alright, alright, Yu'er, go deliver it."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu immediately rose without the slightest hesitation, as if all the previous tenderness had been an illusion.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After saying that, he quickly walked up to Li Shuchen.
"Little girl, which bottle is peony essential oil?"
Li Shuchen picked up a full-size bottle of essential oil and handed it to Consort Yu: "Your Highness, this is it."
Consort Yu held the glass bottle in her palm, her eyes filled with joy: "It's so exquisite, Her Majesty the Empress will surely like it."
Li Shuchen smiled and said, "The Imperial Concubine and the Empress have such a good relationship."
Consort Yu smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Just like you and Changning, we're very close. Are there any flowers that go well with peonies?"
Li Shuchen thought for a moment and said, "Both peonies and tree peonies have a light, refreshing fragrance that is pleasant to the senses. The combination of the two will not be overpowering or pungent. Moreover, the shape of peony flowers is similar to that of tree peonies, and they also symbolize wealth and prosperity, which is quite suitable for the status of the Imperial Concubine."
Consort Yu nodded happily: "Very well, then give me a sample bottle of peony essential oil."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Li Shuchen found a sample of peony essential oil and handed it to Consort Yu.
Consort Yu, holding two bottles of essential oil, said happily, "Your Majesty, this concubine takes her leave."
He then happily walked out of the hall.
Eunuch Wu entered carrying a tray: "Your Majesty, the money has been collected."
The Emperor: "Give this to Miss Li."
Eunuch Wu: Yes
Li Shuchen's eyes gleamed as he stared at the glittering gold and the stack of silver notes, and he steadily accepted them with both hands.
"This humble woman thanks Your Majesty and Eunuch Wu."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wu smiled and said, "Miss Li, you're too kind."
Li Shuchen put the silver coins from the tray into a brocade box, and then placed the other five bottles of essential oils, each with a different color and fragrance, on the tray and politely handed them to Eunuch Wu.
Eunuch Wu presented the tray to the Emperor, who glanced at it briefly and said...
"Take good care of Miss Li."
Eunuch Wu: Yes
"Miss Li, please."
Li Shuchen smiled and nodded, then stepped out of the palace gate.