Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

Lian Rongrong smiled as she took the wooden box. With a slight thought, a two-layer cake appeared inside the box.

Of course, the others present could not see any changes during this time.

"Alright. Please let Grandmother see." Lian Rongrong winked playfully and glanced at Li Yuanqi beside her.

Li Yuanqi smiled slightly, his eyes full of doting affection.

The maid took the wooden box from Lian Rongrong's hands; it was noticeably heavier than before. One wonders what trick Princess Qi was playing in front of everyone.

The maid placed the wooden box on the table in front of the Empress Dowager.

"Open it," the Empress Dowager ordered.

The maid responded and then carefully opened the box.

As soon as the box was opened, a sweet aroma wafted out. The smell was so pleasant that even the Empress Dowager, who was used to seeing fine things, couldn't help but become curious.

Once the box was fully opened, a two-tiered cake appeared before everyone's eyes. The top layer of the cake prominently displayed the Chinese character for "longevity".

Next to the character "寿" (longevity) are two huge peaches, and sitting on the peaches is the "God of Longevity".

The bottom layer of cake also has many small peaches, which look festive and fresh.

"what is this?"

The Empress Dowager's nature was also stirred up.

"Your Majesty, this is a birthday cake that I specially prepared for you."

"Birthday cake?"

"Indeed. Shall I serve Your Majesty a taste?"

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, and Lian Rongrong stepped forward calmly. She picked up the plastic knife next to the cake and gently cut off a piece with the longevity peach on it, placing it on the Empress Dowager's plate.

Looking at the white, soft, and sticky substance on the cake, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but ask again, "What is this?"

"This is cream, please try it, it tastes very good."

The Empress Dowager took the chopsticks handed to her by Lian Rongrong, and was about to pick up some food when she heard Yan Mingyue shout from below:

"Grandma Royal, wait a moment."

All eyes turned to Yan Mingyue. Yan Mingyue glanced around, then looked at the Empress Dowager, and said as if with concern:

"The food that Your Majesty eats must be tested. If someone were to try to harm you, it would be a terrible thing."

As soon as Yan Mingyue finished speaking, she was met with several unfriendly gazes, one of which came from her own husband.

"Sister-in-law's concerns are not without merit. How about this, I will give it a try for my grandmother?"

As she spoke, Lian Rongrong took a small piece of cream from the cake and put it in her mouth.

After a long pause, she smiled and looked at the Empress Dowager: "Grandmother, you see, I'm fine. You can eat with peace of mind."

The Empress Dowager nodded, picked up a small piece with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. The creamy texture burst out of her mouth instantly.

The Empress Dowager's expression gradually changed from probing to enjoyment.

"This birthday cake is really delicious," the Empress Dowager said, picking up another piece and putting it in her mouth.

It was extremely rare for the Empress Dowager to eat the same thing so frequently.

"I'm glad Grandmother is pleased." Lian Rongrong bowed slightly, her manner graceful and poised.

The Empress Dowager instructed her maid to cut the cake and distribute some to everyone present. After eating the cake, everyone looked on incredulously.

Even though everyone present was a big shot who had tasted the finest delicacies and seen the world, this was the first time they had ever seen such a unique flavor.

Yan Mingyue was even more annoyed to see that everyone was captivated by a mere cake.

But what does Rongrong's current smugness matter? She still has a big gift waiting for her sister-in-law.

The Empress Dowager's gifts are indeed special. I wonder what kind of birthday present she originally planned to give to the Empress Dowager?

A cunning glint flashed in Yan Mingyue's eyes, and at that moment, the maid in charge presented the box containing the Longevity Picture.

Lian Rongrong glanced at the box, then at the smug look in Yan Mingyue's eyes. Although she didn't know what was inside, she figured it couldn't be anything good to please the Empress Dowager.

But now that the items have been delivered to me, it would seem a real shame not to open them, given my enthusiastic sister-in-law's kindness.

Seeing that Yan Mingyue was getting quite impatient, and considering that Lian Rongrong was so kind, she naturally had to grant her wish.

Lian Rongrong smiled as she took the box from the maid and turned to look at the Empress Dowager.

"Grandmother, this box does not actually belong to me."

Everyone looked puzzled upon hearing this, except for Yan Mingyue, who wore a smug expression. She knew that the Empress Dowager disliked Li Yuanqi, so she would spare no effort to suppress him whenever she had the chance.

"Oh? My sister-in-law says this box isn't yours? Then what exactly did you prepare for my grandmother?"

"You wouldn't be suggesting, sister-in-law, that the cake you just shared was a gift you prepared for the Empress Dowager, would you?"

Yan Mingyue's intention in speaking up beforehand was to shut Lian Rongrong up, so that Lian Rongrong would have no way of identifying the brocade box as hers.

Because everyone understands that it is simply impossible to prove oneself in a short period of time.

However, if things escalate, the Empress Dowager will certainly not be willing. If Lian Rongrong is provoked by Yan Mingyue and falls into the trap of self-proof, she may end up offending the Empress Dowager instead.

At this moment, everyone was waiting to see how Lian Rongrong would break the deadlock, and those on Prince Qi's side were naturally worried for Princess Qi.

Yan Hui and the others, however, were eager to see Lian Rongrong make a fool of herself.

Lian Rongrong turned to look at Yan Mingyue, but did not reply. She simply looked calmly at the Empress Dowager in the hall again.

"Grandmother, this box is indeed not mine. As for what is inside, I think it's best not to open it in public."

After all, the appearance of this box was so sudden that I was truly terrified.

"If any despicable person tries to use this to frame me and sow discord between me and my grandmother, I will have no way to defend myself."

Yan Mingyue was getting increasingly anxious when she saw that Lian Rongrong refused to open the box.

But if she acts too eager now, it would be tantamount to admitting that she is that "lowlife".

Yan Mingyue thought about it and decided that since that was the case, she would have no choice but to take another route.

"We can't tell whether what my sister-in-law said is true or false. After all, without any evidence, who knows what the truth is?"

Perhaps it's true, as my sister-in-law said, that someone wanted to frame her with this thing, but we can't rule out the possibility that it actually belongs to her.

Perhaps the princess felt that her gift was not presentable enough, which is why she was being so secretive.

But saying all this is useless, since the Empress Dowager says this box is not yours.

"Like I said, then bring out the birthday gift you gave to the Empress Dowager."

Why does my sister-in-law seem so anxious? Or is she certain that I have nothing else to offer?

"What does Your Majesty mean by that? I don't understand."

"It's best if you don't understand; it would be troublesome if you did."

Lian Rongrong glanced at Yan Mingyue one last time, then clasped her hands together. When she opened her palms again, a necklace was now in her hands.

The necklace wasn't anything valuable; it was just a high-quality imitation rhinestone from a two-dollar store in a shopping mall.

Lian Rongrong knew exactly what kind of person the Empress Dowager was, so how could she possibly agree to spend money to give her a real diamond necklace?

Moreover, for people of this era, even rhinestones are rare enough.