"Your Majesty, Miss Yun Xi has arrived," announced Lü Xin.
"Let her in."
The voice was calm, betraying no emotion. Unlike the affected dignity of Lady Jiang, it carried the natural authority of a person in a high position.
Outside the tent, Yun Xi fought the urge to turn and run, but forced herself to move forward.
"Yun Xi of the Prime Minister's Mansion pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy good fortune and peace!"
Ignoring the water on the ground, Yun Xi gracefully knelt down, respectful and humble, yet showing no trace of timidity.
The Queen lowered her phoenix - like eyes slightly, her face expressionless. Her bright yellow palace robe embroidered with silver threads in intricate patterns reflected a cold and resolute light. Wearing a phoenix crown inlaid with pearls, jade, and precious stones, she looked extremely noble and imposing.
She leaned lazily on the yellow - wood carved couch, her sharp eyes scanning Yun Xi inch by inch. After a long while, she finally spoke indifferently:
"Why have you come to see me?"
When she summoned Yun Xi yesterday, she was quite satisfied and planned to ask the Emperor to announce the betrothal in public today.
But who would have thought that this morning, rumors spread that Yun Xi had spent the night away from home and had an affair with a man...
If the betrothal had been announced, wouldn't she and the Crown Prince become the laughingstock of the whole country!
She was already burning with anger and had nowhere to vent it. Yet this woman dared to come and see her brazenly?
The fact that she didn't have her beheaded on the spot was because she was holding back for the sake of the Prime Minister!
The Queen's gaze was as sharp as a thin blade. Yun Xi felt that if she didn't save herself quickly, she would soon be sliced into pieces.
She swallowed hard and carefully chose her words:
"Although I am a young girl in the inner chambers, I have heard that in recent years, floods have been raging in the Liu Kingdom, and the common people have suffered a great deal. Your Majesty is kind - hearted. I heard that you intend to build a temple to pray for the well - being of the people, and I am deeply inspired. After much thought last night, I have decided to offer my humble assistance."
With that, Yun Xi held out a brocade box and carefully handed it to Lü Xin.
"Oh? How do you plan to help me?"
The Queen glanced at the brocade box without touching it, a sarcastic smile curling the corner of her lips.
Yun Xi showed no sign of panic, her smile sincere.
"Your Majesty is working for the country and the people. It is a blessing for the common people. I am just a tiny drop in the ocean, not worth mentioning, let alone helping. I only hope that Your Majesty's grand wish will come true and that you will take good care of yourself for the sake of the people..."
Yun Xi flattered the Queen so skillfully that even the Queen, who had been fuming with anger just a moment ago, began to appreciate her calmness in the face of danger.
Who said that the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion was stubborn and stupid?
With such courage and bearing, even a royal princess might not be able to match her!
"Get up and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yun Xi's knees were numb. She was helped up by Yu Zhu.
The Queen's expression softened a bit. She pointed at the brocade box and asked:
"What's this?"
Yun Xi showed reluctance in her eyes. She bit her lower lip and said:
"I was often ill in my childhood. My grandmother searched all over the Zhou Kingdom and finally obtained a relic of Master Cheng De. I have always kept it with me. Today, I am determined to offer it, hoping that it can be enshrined in the new temple when it is completed."
The Queen was slightly stunned. Then her eyes suddenly lit up. She couldn't believe it as she took the brocade box.
As the box slowly opened, an oval - shaped relic that looked like a stone glowed faintly in the shadow.
"It's really a relic!"
The Queen couldn't hide her surprise. She sat up straight and carefully held the box in her arms.
There were only a few relics left in the world. They were rare treasures that countless temples yearned for!
Even she had only seen one once in her life.
Master Cheng De was a famous and virtuous monk in the past three hundred years. It was said that after he passed away in the Li Kingdom, he left three relics in total. Two of them were enshrined in the largest Pujisi Temple in the Li Kingdom.
The other one had become a treasure that the royal families of various countries vied for.
The Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist. She had sent people to search for it for several years without success. Who would have thought that it was found by the Su Family in Jiangcheng!
And it had become Yun Xi's life - protecting stone?
It was really a pity!
Only the Su Family in the Liu Kingdom could have the financial resources and ability to do this!
"Miss..."
Yu Zhu tightly grabbed Yun Xi's sleeve, on the verge of tears.
This was the life - protecting stone that the Su Family had tried so hard to obtain! How could the miss just give it away?
Yun Xi gently squeezed Yu Zhu's hand.
Although she was also reluctant to let down her grandmother's kindness, even if she didn't take it out, Lady Jiang would steal it and offer it to the Queen in the future.
So, it was better for her to do a favor and get rid of the Queen as a strong enemy!
In this era when Buddhism was prevalent, religion had become a powerful tool for rulers to win the hearts of the people. With this relic, the temple built by the Queen would be extraordinary.
In this way, the Queen could not only please the Empress Dowager but also add a glorious chapter to her own achievements!
However, she had more to do...
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to contribute ten thousand taels of gold to the construction of the temple. But please allow me to present it a few days later."
"Ten thousand taels... of gold?"
Yu Zhu was stunned, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Lady Jiang had been in charge of the family for many years. Even the mistress's dowry had been occupied! Where could her miss get ten thousand taels of gold?
Deceiving the Queen was a capital offense!
All the maids present turned their eyes to Yun Xi in unison, their eyes shining. It was as if they were not looking at the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion but a golden lump!
Which young lady would dare to donate ten thousand taels of gold so casually?
Even the Queen's natal family might not be so generous...
The Queen was caressing the brocade box when her fingers suddenly stopped. The ice in her eyes melted, and a smile finally appeared on her face.
"Lü Xin, offer a seat."
Then she turned to Yun Xi, her gaze scrutinizing:
"Tell me, what do you want from me?"
With her experience in dealing with people, if she couldn't see through Yun Xi's mind, she would be a failure as a queen!
Caught so directly by the Queen, Yun Xi showed no sign of panic and readily admitted it.
"Your Majesty has discerning eyes. I naturally dare not hide my selfish motives."
Yun Xi stepped forward and knelt down respectfully.
"I would like to ask Your Majesty for two things."
The Queen raised her phoenix eyes slightly, a hint of sharpness in them:
"Tell me."
Yun Xi deliberately ignored the warning look from Lü Xin and said boldly:
"I lost my mother at an early age and always regret that I couldn't fulfill my filial piety. So I would like to ask Your Majesty that after the temple is completed, my mother's name can be engraved on the merit stele to receive the incense of thousands of people."
The Queen was slightly surprised.
"Since you have such filial piety, I am naturally willing to grant your request."
"And what's the other thing?"
Yun Xi kowtowed to express her gratitude and continued:
"Recently, I heard that my grandmother is ill. I am very worried."
"But it's a long way away, and I am too weak. I'm afraid I can't help and will only be a burden to my grandmother... So, I would like to ask Your Majesty to send Doctor Zhang to treat my grandmother. If you agree, the Su Family and I will surely repay you whole - heartedly!"
Doctor Zhang was a famous doctor in the Liu Kingdom. He had been recruited into the palace later. Even if an ordinary person had a lot of money, they couldn't invite him.
But this only applied to ordinary people, not the Su Family!
With the Su Family's huge wealth and influence, it was one of the most powerful families not only in the Liu Kingdom but also in the whole world.
Even the relic that the royal family had been eager to obtain was regarded as a life - protecting stone for the niece by the Su Family. This showed their ability!
Yun Xi was helping the Queen build a bridge to the Su Family. How could the Queen not understand?