The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

A large ship, about the height of a two-story building, slowly approached the Kyoto docks. A gray-clad water transport officer, spotting the red flag from the ship from afar, trotted over to greet it. He inquired with a smile about the ship's purpose and was surprised to learn it was a ship carrying gifts from Princess Ning'an to her family. Such a large ship was unusual in Kyoto, and the dozens of well-armored Nanyue officers and soldiers aboard confirmed the importance Nanyue attached to this princess.

He was even more respectful and personally led the steward to the house in front of the dock to sit down. Not long after he sat down, he heard his subordinates come to report that the Lu Tong government had sent Lu Hui, the second son of Lu, to pick him up.

Everyone in Kyoto knew that this Second Young Master Lu was the emperor's future brother-in-law. It was rumored that he had recently led his men to corner Lu Song in an alley and beat him up, leaving no one to speak up for the Lu family afterward. Furthermore, the wife of Hanlin Xu threatened to divorce her daughter-in-law, Lu. Interested individuals discovered that Grandmother Lu and Lu Song were siblings.

I don’t know what happened later.

The transport officer wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurried to meet him in person. "Master Lu, this is the steward of the Nanyue Palace. They have already sent people to move the things down from the ship. Why don't you go sit inside for a while and have some tea?"

Lu Hui had handsome features, his dark hair neatly tied back with a small crown, and he looked neat and tidy in his duck-egg-green student robes. He smiled and bowed, his words very politely saying, "Thank you, sir. I will wait here. You may go and do your work."

The transport officer breathed a sigh of relief, his smile growing even more genuine. "I think it'll take at least an incense stick of time to move all these boxes and crates. We've set up a place on the dock for people coming and going to rest."

Lu Hui took a look and found that it was indeed the case. He bowed again to express his gratitude and followed the grain transport officer.

The boxes unloaded from the ship soon occupied more than half of the open space at the dock. The officers and soldiers on board stood outside the dock with sullen faces, keeping out the growing crowd of onlookers.

By the time the pot of tea was finished, the last box had been moved.

Lu Hui bowed and said goodbye to the transport officer, asked the steward to mount his horse, and took the lead, leading the team carrying boxes in the direction of Lu's mansion.

The line of people carrying boxes stretched for seventy or eighty meters. Zhang, who had received the news long ago, ordered the gate to be opened and all the debris in the front yard to be cleared out. Mr. Lu was still wearing his official uniform. The couple waited together at the gate.

Soon, almost all the nobles in Kyoto received the news that Princess Ning'an had sent a large ship of gifts back to her parents' home.

"Five boxes of various gemstones, one box of pearls, one box of jade jewelry, one box each of gold and silver ingots, one box each of coral and tortoise shell, five boxes of raw jade, ten pieces of Shu brocade, one box of gold-threaded meat velvet, one box of various fresh delicacies, one box each of various cured meats, one box of various wild mushrooms, two boxes of fine leather goods, one box of various spices..."

Zhang sat on the kang and listened to Yinhe read the list. Lu Rong sat next to her mother. She had become visibly thinner. The baby fat on her cheeks had disappeared, and her eyes looked big and bright.

Zhang's eyes were filled with satisfaction. "Sister Yun has made great progress."

"It's so nice of me, sister." Lu Rong sighed, "Mom, am I..."

Zhang gestured for the others in the room to leave first, and gently touched her daughter's cheek. "Rong Jie'er, you must remember what I said. Your husband's heart is important at the beginning, but more important than your husband's heart is the power you hold and the children you give birth to. Other people and things are not very important. Including us, your family members. It is a taboo to let your emotions get in the deep palace."

Lu Rong wrote down everything, her eyes gradually becoming firm. "Mom, I remember everything you said. My sister is younger than me and can do things so well. I can do it too."

Zhang nodded with a smile, summoned Yinhe, and ordered someone to pick out some of the gold and silver ingots, as well as various foods and clothing materials, and send them to Aunt Yao. Also, the box of inkstones and ink sticks was divided into three parts, one for the master, one for Huige, and one for Wang'er.

The remaining part will be included in Rong Jie'er's dowry list. Zhang plans to let Yuan Caohua make the box of jadeite ore into jewelry for the two brothers to use when they get married in the future.

When Yinhe and his men delivered the items to the front yard, the two young masters personally received them. Seeing that the study door was closed, Yinhe had no choice but to hand the items over to Zhusheng, who had become his permanent attendant.

In the study, Master Lu stroked the booklet in his hand, puzzled. "My Lady Princess, did you say anything else?"

The steward shook his head. "The Princess said only that Baibanjiao was extremely harmful. She instructed me to give this booklet explaining the possible uses and exact harms of Baibanjiao to Lord Lu, and to ask Lord Lu to pass it on to His Majesty the Emperor."

Lu Tongzheng had already read the contents of the pamphlet, which detailed the appearance, growth cycle, medicinal value, and harmful effects of the Baibanjiao plant. He even went to great lengths to describe its appearance, including seven or eight color illustrations of the plant.

Lu Tongzheng discovered that this Baibanjiao looked very similar to the poppy at first glance, but its roots, stems and leaves were stronger, larger and more colorful than the poppy.

Thinking of the various adverse consequences that would result from its misuse, Lu Tongzheng's eyes shone. "Without further delay, I will go to the palace and hand this item over to Your Majesty."

The furnishings in the Purple Palace Hall were exactly the same as when the previous emperor was here. Kneeling on the blue lichen with a golden cloud dragon and lotus pattern, Lu Ling had a trance-like feeling that the person sitting above him was the previous emperor.

The current emperor has been on the throne for less than a year, but he already has about 70% of the power and authority of the previous emperor.

"Master Lu, please stand up quickly. Qingbao will bring a chair for you."

Lu Lingcong first handed the things to Eunuch Qing, and then sat down next to the chair.

Emperor Wende quickly finished reading the booklet, and then asked the same question as Lu Lingcong. After learning that Ning An had no other explanation, he frowned slightly, stood up and paced back and forth several times.

No one except Ning An knew the truth behind Qin Xin's use of the specially prepared Xiaoyao Powder to harm the deposed Crown Prince. Ning An had a deep bond with the Lu family, and she would never reveal such a secret that would do the Lu family no good.

Ning An has always been a low-key person. This time, she sent people to give gifts to the Lu family in a high-profile manner, and also gave me this booklet. There must be a hidden story behind this.

What was it that made it so uncomfortable for her to speak directly to him that he could only resort to this method of intimidation and reminder?

Why did you specifically remind me of Baibanjiao? Baibanjiao's greatest danger is that it can cause people to lose their minds and become a puppet!

Emperor Wende paused, then suddenly turned to look at the blue, palm-sized booklet on the table. Could it be that someone was trying to manipulate...

Emperor Wende sat back on the dragon throne with a gloomy face. "I understand. Lord Lu, please leave."

Emperor Wende, who had witnessed a series of outrageous operations within just half a year of ascending the throne, now had no idea who could come up with such a stupid idea. There was definitely no one else except those few.

The question is, how did they know the effect of Baibanjiao? Emperor Wende fell into deep thought.

The steward declined Mrs. Zhang's invitation to stay for dinner because he had not yet finished his work.