Yang Yi had no idea what the Empress was thinking. He only found it strange that her eyes were unfocused, a blush suddenly appearing on her fair, delicate face. He raised an eyebrow and leaned in.
“What are you thinking about?”
Wu Zhao was startled, suddenly realizing she had been lost in thought. Yang Yi’s handsome face was so close that her heart fluttered, and her blush deepened all the way to her neck.
Instinctively, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lowering her gaze.
“I… I was thinking that our Great Zhou should take this opportunity to develop further. Yes… that’s what I was thinking…” Her voice was unnaturally stiff, her heart pounding as she feared Yang Yi might see through her.
For some reason, an inexplicable grudge against Shangguan Wan’er rose in Wu Zhao’s heart. If it weren’t for that woman’s nonsense earlier, how could she have been so unsettled?
Her stammering only made Yang Yi more suspicious, but he didn’t dwell on it for long. He simply nodded thoughtfully.
Wu Zhao, afraid that her fleeting “improper” thoughts would be exposed, quickly changed the subject.
“Our steel production has increased significantly over the past few months…” She paused before continuing in a measured tone. “Now, various nations are sending envoys to discuss cooperation with Great Zhou. What do you think, Yang Yi? Should we work with them?”
Yang Yi gave her a strange look. Wasn’t this just idle chatter? This was a matter for the Ministry of Finance—what did it have to do with him?
Casually, he replied, “As long as we master forging techniques, steel can certainly be turned into a business. Great Zhou can become a major steel exporter, earning money from these nations while also fostering diplomatic ties. Why not?”
“Yang Yi is right,” Wu Zhao affirmed without hesitation.
In truth, she had already been engaging in steel trade with other nations for some time. She had merely been flustered earlier, her mind blanking for a moment, forcing her to latch onto any topic as a distraction.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she feigned nonchalance and said,
“Tonight, I will dine with Mingyue. You… will stay at the palace for the banquet as well.”
Yang Yi was momentarily surprised. He hadn’t expected Wu Zhao to extend an invitation, though he thought little of it. It was common for the Emperor to host trusted ministers for meals. He nodded. “I’ll have my servant bring some fresh fruits from my residence…”
By nightfall, darkness had settled over the capital. The vast sky stretched endlessly, stars twinkling like scattered gems. A lone moon hung high, its silver glow bathing Luoyang in a soft radiance.
In the heart of the imperial city, Qianyuan Hall stood like a slumbering beast, its grand silhouette illuminated by the golden glow of countless lanterns. Inside, the hall was as bright as day.
Countless palace maids, clad in saffron skirts, moved gracefully like butterflies. Amid the lively yet orderly scene, a curious voice broke the air.
“What is this? Why have I never seen it before?”
Wu Mingyue’s eyes locked onto a dark yellow, oval-shaped fruit. She pinched it lightly with her pale fingers, her curiosity piqued.
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow. “This is called a papaya. I had it gathered and planted in my orchard.”
“I’ve heard that Prime Minister Yang’s orchard is filled with rare and exotic fruits, but I never expected it to be true.” Wu Mingyue’s rosy lips parted slightly in astonishment. “I’ve never heard of papaya before. What benefits does it have?”
Shangguan Wan’er and Wu Zhao, equally intrigued, turned their attention to the fruit.
Yang Yi’s gaze briefly flickered toward Wu Mingyue’s ample chest before he replied in a serious tone,
“This fruit has both medicinal and nutritional value. It primarily aids in calming the liver and stomach, promoting blood circulation, and nourishing the spleen and lungs.”
Then, as if remembering something, he added, “Oh, and it also enhances breast growth.”
Wu Mingyue’s face instantly turned crimson. She shot Yang Yi an incredulous glare. Holding the papaya, she suddenly felt at a loss—keeping it felt awkward, but putting it down seemed just as embarrassing, as if it were a hot potato.
She was still an unmarried young woman—how could she endure such teasing? Breast enhancement? This scoundrel had done that on purpose!
Gritting her teeth, she muttered under her breath, “Shameless rogue… hmph!”
Yang Yi chuckled. “Princess, you misunderstand me. How does that make me a rogue? This fruit also promotes blood circulation and strengthens the lungs. You shouldn’t focus on just one effect.”
He smirked, his voice deliberately casual. “They say people are most sensitive about what they lack the most. Princess, could it be that you…” His eyes flickered over Wu Mingyue’s chest before he made a knowing expression.
Wu Mingyue, flustered beyond belief, instinctively straightened her back, pushing out her full chest. If her elder sister weren’t present, she would have shouted, Do I need this?! Read complete version only at NoveI[F]ire.net
Seething, she leaped at Yang Yi, her hands clawing at him. But before she could reach him, he pressed a hand to her forehead, holding her at bay. No matter how hard she struggled, her arms were too short to reach him, leaving her scratching at empty air.
Wu Zhao watched the scene unfold with amusement. Her usually composed younger sister turned into a playful, spirited girl in Yang Yi’s presence. It was a rare sight.
Observing the two, Wu Zhao suddenly felt something heavy settle in her chest. Wu Mingyue was in the prime of her youth, standing beside Yang Yi—a perfect match. Meanwhile, she herself was several years older, already past her brightest years.
Beside her, Shangguan Wan’er blinked thoughtfully, her gaze shifting between the Empress and Yang Yi, as if contemplating something.
A few moments later, Wu Mingyue gave up on her futile attack and sullenly sat back down, secretly vowing to write something terrible about that scoundrel in her diary later.
Wu Zhao, glancing at them once more, let a small smile play at her lips.
Yang Yi, unbothered by the earlier commotion, began his meal without hesitation. By now, he was no stranger to the palace and felt as comfortable as if he were at home.
After a while, Wu Zhao casually turned to Wu Mingyue, her gaze thoughtful.
“Mingyue, you’re not young anymore. Recently, many ministers have expressed interest in marriage alliances…” Her tone was measured, but there was an underlying weight to her words. “What are your thoughts on your future husband?”
Caught off guard, Wu Mingyue blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
She had never seriously considered such matters before. Faced with her elder sister’s unexpected question, she found herself utterly at a loss.