If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

According to Zhou Wu's plan, the first priority should naturally be to send a copy to the palace, since the actions of a monarch at any time have a great influence on those below. Then there are his friends such as the Crown Prince and Duke Gu, who are of high status and are also Zhou Wu's friends, so it is a win-win situation.

Unsurprisingly, the canned fruit became incredibly popular even before it went on sale. Wealthy people in the capital were all asking where they could buy it, and eventually, they actually found the canned fruit from the Duke of Lu.

Recently, the news about canned fruit has been too intense. Lu Da knew he might have been exposed, so he prepared to slip away as soon as the morning court session ended. However, he was too slow and was stopped by someone.

“Hey, you old rascal, that’s not very nice of you. Hurry up and open the can of fruit and give me some. My little grandson hasn’t had a good appetite lately, and he usually loves to eat fruit.”

"Hey, Lao Wang, it's not that I don't want to give it to you, the goods haven't even arrived yet. There's only a little bit left, and it's all been delivered to that person."

Lu Da pointed in the direction of the palace. The other party naturally knew he was referring to the emperor, but it was clear that this little trick wouldn't fool the Duke of the Kingdom. The two had been dealing with each other for most of their lives, and they knew each other well.

"Stop trying to fool me. I won't shortchange you. I'm not getting any canned food today anyway, so I'm sticking with you. Wherever you go, I'll go."

Lu Da was notorious in the court for his tantrums and outbursts, and the Duke of Wangguo began to imitate him in a similar manner.

Despite the freezing weather, Lu Da felt a surge of heat. People seemed to be slowly gathering around him. If he were to get surrounded like dumplings, he would be completely doomed today.

"Duke of Lu, His Majesty summons you."

Just as he was about to be surrounded, a heavenly voice suddenly entered his ears. Lu Da swore that he had never heard a eunuch's voice so beautiful in his life.

"What? His Majesty wants to see me? He's here, he's here. Everyone, please make way. His Majesty wants to see me. I'm sorry, everyone, haha."

Lu Da vividly demonstrated what it means for a petty person to gain power.

At this point, everyone could only watch helplessly as the instigator slipped away right under their noses.

"Hmph, what a despicable face! I can give up the things, but I can't swallow this insult."

"Exactly, with so many of us, we're being led by the nose by him?"

"If the monk can run away, can the temple run away? Let's go wait for him at the Duke of Lu's place. I don't believe he won't come home."

"Good idea, let's go together."

"Yes, let's go together."

Perhaps it was because Lu Da had offended too many people by acting shamelessly in court, that the canned fruit became the last straw that broke the camel's back. Everyone was indignant and criticized the Duke of Lu for his usual rogue behavior.

His arrogance today is simply intolerable. Let's team up and go to the gates of the Duke of Lu to raid him, just waiting for him to walk right into our trap.

Unaware of the situation, Lu Da was excitedly following the eunuch to the back hall to see Li Tiancheng.

"See Your Majesty."

"Come on, sit down."

Li Tiancheng was unusually enthusiastic today, which even Lu Da, who was oblivious to such things, could sense. In general, there are only two possible outcomes in this situation: either His Majesty the Emperor is about to set a trap, or he has something to ask of him.

Lu Da quickly put his already underdeveloped brain to work, and after several attempts, he was relieved to find that the court didn't seem to have anything to blame for recently.

"I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

"It's nothing, it's just that it's been a long time since we brothers have sat down together like this. Don't go back for lunch, come and have lunch with me."

"Ah~~"

In the past, Lu Da would have happily agreed. Although life in the palace was always frugal under the Empress's advocacy, the Emperor's meals were an exception. As the head of the empire, the Empress only allowed the Emperor to have exceptions.

However, recently, due to the booming business of the general store at the Duke of Lu's mansion, the food at the mansion has also been doing quite well, even better than what is served in the palace. Therefore, Lu Da has become somewhat disdainful of the imperial cuisine.

What's worse, Lu Da's disgusted expression was completely undisguised and was openly seen by Li Tiancheng.

Li Tiancheng was seething with hatred. He thought to himself, "If it weren't for your few broken cans, I, the emperor, wouldn't have to compromise like this."

"Well, Your Majesty, it is my mother's birthday today, so I'm afraid I cannot dine with you."

Can't you at least be a little more sincere when you lie? Do you think I wouldn't know it's your mother's birthday?

"Oh, really? It's the birthday celebrant's birthday. Why didn't you inform me?"

"Hehe, Sansheng, Sansheng, my mother said that we shouldn't trouble everyone. We'll just cook a bowl of longevity noodles at home."

Li Tiancheng was stunned. Was this still Lu Da? When did his mind start working so fast? Did canned fruit have some kind of brain-boosting effect?

"Alright, filial piety is the most important of all virtues. I am relieved that you have such a filial heart."

After Li Tiancheng finished speaking, a long silence fell over the entire hall, so quiet that only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

Since the emperor wouldn't let him leave, Lu Da naturally couldn't leave either. But Li Tiancheng didn't know how to ask for canned food; he couldn't just say it directly, that would be too embarrassing.

Lu Da, on the other hand, stood there blankly, oblivious to everything.

"Uncle Lu, you're here too?"

Just when the atmosphere was extremely awkward, Li Xixue arrived. As soon as she entered, she saw Duke Lu and her father, the Emperor, staring at each other with wide eyes.

Li Xixue's voice temporarily broke the awkward silence.

"Xixue, why are you looking for Father?"

Finally, we can change the subject; it was so awkward.

"Father, I...I..."

Perhaps because Lu Da was there, Li Xixue was a little embarrassed to say it.

"Uncle Lu is no stranger to us, so just say what's on your mind."

"Father, could you give me some more of that canned fruit? There's only so little, it's not nearly enough."

Upon hearing this, Li Tiancheng couldn't wait to hug his beloved daughter and give her a big kiss. It was all worth the love he had shown her; it was like a godsend.

"Oh dear, Xixue, Father has run out of that canned food too. Last time he sent over only a small amount, and Father didn't even finish distributing it to the concubines in the harem before it was all gone."

Li Tiancheng deliberately raised his voice, as if afraid that Lu Da wouldn't hear him.

"Oh, I see. ~~"

"Did you hear that?" Li Xixue was disappointed and prepared to leave.

Normally, Lu Da should have stepped forward and offered the canned food with both hands at this point. However, the script didn't seem to be playing out as Li Tiancheng had imagined. Lu Da just stood there in a daze, as if he hadn't heard the conversation between the father and daughter at all. This infuriated Li Tiancheng. It turned out that all his efforts had been in vain.

“Xixue, your father doesn’t have it, but your Uncle Lu does.”

Li Tiancheng no longer cared about saving face and directly turned his attention to Lu Da.