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

Hua Ling was truly surprised that Lian Rongrong would agree so readily. She had thought that Lian Rongrong would make things difficult for her, so that she could pretend to be pitiful in front of Prince Qi.

But who would have thought that this woman would agree so easily? Lian Rongrong's move caught Hua Ling off guard.

But since things have already come to this point, there's no reason not to accept it.

Hua Ling took a barely perceptible deep breath, then asked with a look of surprise, "Really? Can I really stay?"

Lian Rongrong wore a calm and distant smile: "Of course. Miss Hua only needs to do one thing well!"

"What is it? Please enlighten me, Your Highness!" Hua Ling was not stupid and would not rashly agree to anything.

"It's not something that violates the law or ethics, but it's still a secret for now and can't be discussed!"

“Then…” Hua Ling looked somewhat troubled. Seeing this, Li Yuanqi impatiently interjected:

"Since Miss Hua is in a difficult position, why should the Princess insist? I see that there are very few people in Mingyue Hall who like Miss Hua."

In my opinion, it would be best for Miss Hua to return to her grandmother's side to fulfill her filial duties.

Li Yuanqi's yin-yang theory left Hua Ling no time to think. She steeled her heart, figuring that even Rongrong wouldn't really do anything rebellious, so she agreed.

"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand Ling'er. It's not that Ling'er is unwilling, but she's worried that if she doesn't do well, she will embarrass the Princess."

Since the Princess doesn't mind, Ling'er will do her utmost in whatever it takes!

Seeing that Hua Ling was behaving so well, Lian Rongrong seemed to feel much better. She smiled slightly and said softly:

"It's really nothing big, we just want Miss Hua to play a tune on the zither on a special day to create some buzz!"

Hua Ling breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. She had thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be just playing the zither.

After happily agreeing, Hua Ling left the main hall. Although she often tried to make her presence known to Li Yuanqi, Hua Ling also knew the principle of moderation.

After Hua Ling left, Li Yuanqi looked at his wife with a gossipy expression and asked softly:

"What mischief are you up to now?"

Lian Rongrong's lips curled up slightly, a sly glint in her eyes: "Yuanyang Tower will be reopening soon."

Regardless, Yuanyang Tower was once a brothel. To promote it, we need some capable people.

Miss Hua is now the Empress Dowager's goddaughter. If she plays the zither in front of the building, wouldn't that be a clear indication of the Empress Dowager's attitude?

Those high-ranking officials and dignitaries who usually frequented the place would probably not dare to be too presumptuous when they saw Miss Hua.

If we further cultivate the atmosphere that this place is under the Empress Dowager's protection, will we still worry about people offering money to us in the future?

Listening to Lian Rongrong's shrewd scheme, Li Yuanqi's face was full of doting. He reached out and grabbed Lian Rongrong's arm, pulling her into his arms with a force.

"My wife is so naughty, but I just love it!"

"Li Yuanqi, you're getting more and more reckless!"

Three days later was the day the Mandarin Duck Tower would reopen. As soon as Rongrong was a day away, she asked Lanxin to inform Hualing to bring her guqin and wait in front of the Bright Moon Hall.

Hua Ling knew that Yuanyang Tower was reopening today. Although she had a bad feeling, she was happy to bring her guqin and go as promised when Lan Xin told her that Li Yuanqi would also be coming.

Hua Ling waited at the main gate for less than half an incense stick's time before the carriage from Prince Qi's residence arrived.

The coachman lifted the curtain, and sure enough, Li Yuanqi and Lian Rongrong were there.

"Miss Hua, please get in the car." Lian Rongrong greeted her with a smile, as if the two had never had any grudges.

Hua Ling responded and then stepped onto the carriage using the bench.

After Hua Ling got into the car, the atmosphere inside became noticeably quieter.

Li Yuanqi's face, which had been so smug just moments before, suddenly turned as cold as an iceberg.

Even so, it couldn't dampen Miss Hua's enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, Ling'er has prepared the ancient musical score 'Butterfly Love' for today. Please take a look at it later."

Lian Rongrong raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hua Ling. This woman really doesn't miss any opportunity.

She's even seducing men so far that she's luring them into front of the wife; this "Butterfly Love" is a famous piece from the Great Sheng Dynasty.

It tells the story of a woman who bravely pursues love, and in the end, the lovers are united in marriage.

Hua Ling specially chose this song, which shows her sincerity. However, whether it's about love for butterflies or butterflies in love, Lian Rongrong doesn't care.

All she cared about was whether Hua Ling could appear at Yuanyang Tower; all she wanted was Hua Ling's current identity!

Li Yuanqi was annoyed by Hua Ling's subtle confessions. He closed his eyes slightly, too lazy to respond.

Hua Ling, though rebuffed, was not discouraged. Even though Li Yuanqi ignored her, she didn't remain idle. Instead, she turned to Lian Rongrong and continued asking:

"Your Highness, where are we headed?"

“West Tower!” Lian Rongrong answered succinctly.

"West Tower? Where is the West Tower?"

"It used to be the Mandarin Duck Building."

"Yuanyang Tower?" Although Hua Ling had expected it, she still couldn't help feeling somewhat dissatisfied.

Who is Hua Ling? How could she possibly support a place like Yuanyang Tower?

"What? Miss Hua is not happy? If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

Since today is the last day of the month anyway, if Miss Hua is unwilling to help, she can simply leave Mingyue Hall as previously agreed!

Lian Rongrong used Mingyue Hall as leverage, leaving Hua Ling with no choice. She had patted her chest and assured the Empress Dowager of this.

If we return empty-handed, we will surely anger the Empress Dowager.

"Ling'er was just surprised, not unwilling. It's just that Ling'er is worried about places like the Mandarin Duck Tower..."

"What are you worried about? Yuanyang Tower no longer deals in prostitution. From today onwards, this will be the first Western-style pastry shop in the capital."

Doing business openly and honestly, just like you and me, there's nothing to be ashamed of!

"Ling'er understands!" What else could Hua Ling say? She already understood what Lian Rongrong was going to do.

Even if they understood, they couldn't refuse, since Li Yuanqi was still around.

At this moment, only by going along with Lian Rongrong could Li Yuanqi at least not dislike him so much.

The carriage traveled all the way to Yuanyang Tower, and in just over ten days, the tower was completely different inside and out.

The previous gold-plated plaque has been replaced with an elegant wooden plaque that reads: West Tower.

The girls in the building have also removed their heavy makeup, and their light, natural makeup has given them a fresher, more refined beauty.

A large crowd had gathered in front of the West Building. The famous brothel in Kyoto had suddenly become a dessert shop. Such a change was truly unbelievable.

Therefore, there were people watching the excitement and others enjoying the spectacle in front of the West Tower.

"Miss Hua, please!"

After the driver lifted the curtain, Lian Rongrong raised her hand to signal Hua Ling to get out of the carriage.

"Isn't the Princess going?"

"Of course I'll go, but I'll be in a different place than Miss Hua. Go ahead, someone will take Miss Hua to where she needs to go."

"The prince and I will find the best viewing spot to listen to Miss Hua's song of butterflies!"

Lian Rongrong and Li Yuanqi didn't even enter the West Building; they simply found a spot in the teahouse opposite the West Building to watch the excitement.

As it turns out, Lian Rongrong's decision to have Hua Ling support Xilou was absolutely brilliant.

Miss Hua's appearance indeed saved Xilou a lot of trouble, and the transition from brothel to pastry shop was completed smoothly.