Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 408 - 372: The Ten-ingredient Great Replenishing Pill

Chapter 408: Chapter 372: The Ten-ingredient Great Replenishing Pill

The revelation of Prime Minister Xun’s transgressions had caused a tremendous upheaval in the court and brought significant resentment among the populace. The Capital City was cloaked in an indescribable heaviness, as though the skies themselves were overcast with gloom.

The wedding between Princess Wanping and the Rooster Guard came at the perfect moment. A grand and lively celebration swept through the Capital City like a burst of spring sunshine, dissipating the lingering gloom in just one day. freēwēbnovel.com

The Supreme Emperor seized the opportunity of the princess’s wedding to reduce taxes, exempt corvée labor, provide disaster relief, and set up soup kitchens. In this manner, the ten taels of silver that Prime Minister Xun had "stolen" from each household were returned to the people, with interest.

The citizens, moved to tears, cheered loudly for the Emperor’s benevolence.

In truth, returning the money to the people had always been part of the plan—but the timing and method were of utmost importance.

If not executed properly, the populace would see it as a mere consolation. But when executed skillfully, as in the current case, the people became deeply grateful, to the point of wanting to kneel before the Imperial Family in worship.

More importantly, the Supreme Emperor’s actions not only restored the people’s trust but also elevated Princess Wanping’s reputation among the masses.

Parents who love their children deeply always think for their long-term welfare.

Zong Zhengxi and Princess Wanping were, after all, born from the same womb. Despite Zong Zhengxi’s kind and gentle nature that ensured he would never mistreat his sister, their father still felt compelled to pave the way for the future of the daughter he cherished most deeply.

At today’s wedding banquet hosted at the Princess Mansion, members of the Imperial Family, civil and military officials, and their families were invited—but the Lu Family was not on the guest list.

It was Princess Wanping herself who personally struck the Lu Family’s name from the invitations.

When Meng Qianqian arrived at the banquet holding a jar, she happened to encounter the Old Madam waving her arms and walking toward her like it was a matter of life and death. "Help! Help!"

"Great-Grandmother!"

Meng Qianqian quickly covered the jar and freed up a hand to steady the Old Madam. "Why are you here?"

The Old Madam was quite advanced in age and rarely stepped out, especially on such a snowy day. Neither Meng Qianqian nor Lu Yuan had considered taking her out in the cold.

Yuanyang and Zhao Si, who had hurried after her, let out visible sighs of relief upon seeing Meng Qianqian.

Zhao Si apologized guiltily, "Miss, I’m sorry. I failed in my duty and couldn’t stop the Old Madam."

Yuanyang was also full of self-reproach.

Meng Qianqian said, "It’s not your fault."

She understood her great-grandmother’s temperament well. Once the Old Madam became agitated, ordinary people couldn’t hold her back. Countering her head-on would only trigger an episode of her condition.

Meng Qianqian turned around and gently reassured the Old Madam, who was now hiding behind her. "Great-Grandmother, I’m here. Are you hungry?"

The Old Madam lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong. "Qianqian, my pants are wet."

Ah, so that’s why she insisted on finding her?

Meng Qianqian softly replied, "It’s okay. I’ll take you to change."

The Old Madam slowly followed Meng Qianqian to a side room.

When they came out of the room, the Old Madam appeared refreshed, looking as spirited and imposing as if she were ready to fight bandits.

Meng Qianqian opened the jar. "Great-Grandmother, here’s a ginger pill to drive out the cold."

The Old Madam immediately covered her mouth. "Trying to trick me into taking medicine again! I won’t eat it!"

Meng Qianqian coaxed gently, "It’s really a ginger pill. It’s sweet and delicious."

"No!"

The Old Madam flatly refused.

Meng Qianqian continued persuading softly, "You’ve been out in the cold. Just take a ginger pill to warm up. I just had one myself; it works wonders."

She was indeed feeling warm all over now.

"Bah, I didn’t hear that, didn’t hear that!"

The Old Madam waved her arms and fled.

Soon after, a well-fed Tan’er arrived at her side. "Sister!"

Meng Qianqian held out the ginger pill toward her. "A ginger pill made with preserved fruit and red dates. Want one?"

Tan’er clutched her round belly and let out a satisfied burp. "I’m full from the braised pork. Can’t eat anymore."

Meng Qianqian then went to find Bai Yuwei.

Since the ginger pills were a gift from Princess Wanping, they were bound to be excellent. She wanted to let her little sister give them a try.

"I hate ginger!"

Bai Yuwei wouldn’t even touch ginger tea, let alone a ginger pill.

Liu Qingyun, however, politely accepted the pill but spat it out as soon as it entered her mouth.

"What’s wrong, Mother?"

Meng Qianqian asked, perplexed.

Liu Qingyun nearly retched. "It’s horrible!"

Meng Qianqian murmured in disbelief, "It doesn’t taste bad at all."

Was she the only one who thought it was tasty?

At that moment, Yuanyang approached the banquet table and reported, "Miss, the Old Madam is sleepy."

Meng Qianqian nodded. "Alright, I’ll take Great-Grandmother back to the mansion. Mother, little sister, I’m heading off now."

"Go on, then." Liu Qingyun waved her off while cradling a sleeping Bao Shu. She added, "Leave Tan’er here. Qing Shuang’s off drinking, and this little one is too heavy. Let Tan’er carry her."

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian didn’t suspect a thing and informed Tan’er before leaving.

Tan’er obediently stayed behind.

As soon as Meng Qianqian left, Liu Qingyun quickly grabbed a teacup to rinse her mouth thoroughly.

Bai Yuwei stared at her in confusion. "Aunt, is the ginger pill really that bad?"

"It’s not just bad—it’s inadvisable to eat it at all."

Resurfacing memories from the past made Liu Qingyun shudder.

Once, she had mistakenly consumed two of these so-called ginger pills, which left her overwhelmed with an uncontrollable burning desire and led her to force herself upon a passable-looking man. She only later discovered that those pills were far from ordinary ginger pills.

By the time she realized what had happened, her son had already been born.

The past was too painful to revisit.

How did that girl end up with such a thing?

And why was she freely handing it out to others?

As a doctor, didn’t she notice there was something mixed in the pills?

Then again, it would be odd if she did notice. What proper doctor would ever study such improper remedies?

A sudden thought struck Liu Qingyun, and she anxiously asked, "Tan’er, where did your sister get those ginger pills?"

Tan’er replied, "The Princess gave them to her to help keep warm!"

Liu Qingyun calmed down. "Then there’s no issue."

After a pause, she asked, "How many has she eaten?"

Tan’er tilted her head in thought. "She’s been eating them nonstop. I lost count."

Liu Qingyun choked violently.

Lu Yuan approached to greet Liu Qingyun, ready to escort Meng Qianqian and the Old Madam back home.

Liu Qingyun scooped up a bowl of venison and handed it to him, speaking meaningfully. "Finish this before you go."

Lu Yuan gave her a puzzled look. "I’m not hungry."

Liu Qingyun held him back. "Trust me. Eat it before you leave."

Lu Yuan said, "I’ll eat it when I get back."

After hesitating briefly, Liu Qingyun pulled a medicine bottle from her pouch and handed it to him. "Then take this with you."

Lu Yuan examined the bottle and asked, "What’s this?"

Liu Qingyun replied, "The Great Replenishing Pill."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Lu Yuan found his mother’s behavior strange today. Why was she giving him something like the Great Replenishing Pill?

It clearly felt like she was hiding something from him.

Knowing his mother’s personality, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for her to pull some tricks to ensure she could hold a grandchild soon.

"A replenishing pill? There’s probably something suspicious inside."

As soon as Lu Yuan stepped out, he tossed the Great Replenishing Pill away.

After all, since Meng Qianqian was a doctor and had a sharp sense of smell, if she caught the odd scent on him, she’d misunderstand and think he had ulterior motives toward her.

At this moment, Lu Yuan had no idea what kinds of consequences tossing away the pill might bring.

With an aloof expression, he stepped into the carriage.