After the arranged marriage, she farms and survives under the tutelage of the villainous boss.

The banquet is in full swing, and everyone around is offering their congratulations.

Even the ministers who initially found the matter extremely boring gradually got into the swing of things, eating the steamed buns they had made and finding them delicious.

The main thing is that they are really tastier than the buns I used to buy at the market or the ones my own cook makes at home.

"It's really delicious! How is this flour made? I heard that the Emperor and Empress cultivated it themselves?"

"Anyway, it's not the kind I ate before. Although this is vegetarian and doesn't look very appealing, it's something I made myself that's unique. In fact, it's made from the most precious things around us. And it tastes good too."

"The filling is delicious too; it's from the cooks at the Xinsheng Restaurant."

"I heard that the cooks at the New Life Restaurant include the current Prime Minister's wife, General Shen Huichuan's wife, the Empress, and some other wives from before. These women are all quite capable."

"..."

They were all chatting and laughing, and their initial frustration at being forced by the emperor had turned into joyful celebration, feeling that it was all worth it.

Jiang Zhiyun kept saying, "Oh my, this lady's work is beautiful. It looks just like a little rabbit. Not bad."

"This gentleman's is also quite good. Look, he's made them into heart-shaped buns. Doesn't that show his love for his wife? Or perhaps his love for his child...?"

As she spoke, Yunniang addressed each child, her words filled with excitement and joy. She even patted each child's head, appearing quite pleased with everyone.

Little Rice Ball followed behind his mother, greeting the court officials with such polite manners. It was truly remarkable that such a young child could clearly understand everyone.

However, everyone was immersed in the joy of having eaten delicious food tonight.

Yunniang smiled and said, "This free stuff is wheat flour, which we made overnight. The amount of flour used in all these buns is actually very small, just the little bit of white flour in front of you."

"Isn't that enough to show that if this kind of flour were used in every household, just eating steamed buns would be enough to fill their stomachs?"

Xie Shuheng nodded and said, "That's right. Right now we're experiencing it because we have enough time and money, and enough things we want to do. So we can try things like this. But on second thought, these things could be a lifeline for the people."

"According to my opinion, this should be planted by the people. Not too much of it will be enough to feed them for half a year."

"If the technology we cultivate is taught, wouldn't more people be able to survive? And wouldn't there always be famine?"

The people around were still eating when Xie Shuheng said this, and they all nodded, their eyes full of smiles and support.

"We know, we know."

The Duke was the first to speak: "In that case, we will certainly support the Emperor. The Empress is so wealthy, why not let her cultivate the land for everyone?"

“We are just ordinary people with salaries from the imperial court. How can we compare to the merchants who earn so much money?”

Song Yu's husband, the Duke of Wei, was short of money recently. When he heard that the emperor was asking everyone to contribute money, he volunteered to let the empress take the fall.

The Empress has been holding banquets everywhere lately, already taking a lot of money from the noble ladies. Now, this steamed bun banquet is clearly just another way to get more money. It's obvious at a glance that she's just a fool who only knows how to eat.

But at this moment, the Empress shook her head and said, "No."

"How could I possibly have that much? Even merchants only contribute a tiny fraction. After all, the national treasury has been completely emptied by those parasites, hasn't it, Duke of Wei?"

The Duke of Wei remained silent, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Jiang Zhiyun: "So what do you mean?"

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” Yunniang spread her hands. “If Duke Wei feels uncomfortable, then I’m sorry, because it’s not my words that will make you feel comfortable.”

"Furthermore, I will naturally donate this money to the people. Haven't I given them enough over the years? Just ask anyone and they'll know how much I've given. But what the people want is not just empty fame, but real medical treatment."

"So I don't see anything wrong with everyone giving the people more money to eat. This is just wheat. Does the Duke of Wei think that the people can't eat such good wheat?"

The Duke of Wei looked grim.

"I will definitely donate."

“Then here is thirty thousand taels.” Jiang Zhiyun immediately said, “I may not be able to tell you about other things, but this time, thirty thousand taels is just a drop in the bucket.”

"When the Duke of Wei gave Xie Lin, that emperor, he also gave him a full 50,000 taels. I remember it was a big deal at the time, and people even said that the Duke of Wei was the one who carried it all out."

“I still remember it now, and it brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. So I think the Duke of Wei would definitely donate at least 30,000 to the emperor.”

“After all, you are such a kind person.” Jiang Zhiyun said excitedly, “I just like talking to kind people, that’s my favorite thing.”

"..." Duke Wei was already in a difficult position.

Because this is a comparison with the former emperor Xie Lin. It might be hard to say about others, but there's no way to compare with Xie Lin.

Xie Lin was the former emperor, and he gave so much back then. He was indeed very powerful. Now, if Xie Shuheng doesn't give so much, do you think he's going to rebel with the former emperor?

At that time, Xie Lin actually had a deal with the Duke of Wei, and it was even a shady deal. The 50,000 taels of silver were not clean either.

Now that Jiang Zhiyun has said so, the Duke of Wei noticed the whispers around him and the stares from many people. These people were hoping he would make a mistake so they could take his place. So, when faced with real power, no one would say a word.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I have my own plans for this matter. I might even give the Emperor a surprise."

"Secondly, it's mine. No matter what, it will surpass what the previous dynasty gave to Xie Lin."

"Back then it was out of necessity, but this time it's a voluntary donation."

Hearing the Duke of Wei say such things, Song Yu felt a jolt in her heart. If the Duke's mansion didn't have much money left, it was because they had previously relied on dowries to support the family.

So now... isn't it time for my dowry?

After calculating the money, Song Yu's dowry over the years was quite substantial.

I don't know what to do yet, but all the blood in my body has already clotted.