After the tense yet lively exchange between the two people and the System inside the room, the hall fell silent. Xue Dongyu and the System grew so bored that they began playing Plants vs. Zombies on the System’s projection screen.
Amidst the unfamiliar sounds of “A huge wave of zombies is approaching, why plant sunflowers? The zombies are coming, put up a wall nut…” Zhao Zhen focused intently on studying the various functions of the System interface.
Having been a ghost for hundreds of years, the former Emperor Renzong of Song had thought nothing in the world could unsettle him anymore. Yet, this miraculous entity before him shattered all his preconceptions.
Rice seeds yielding a thousand catties per mu, advanced machinery, books on governance and political power describing the relationship between the people and the economy, and even the legendary cultivation methods of immortality.
At this moment, he was filled with hope for revitalizing the Song Dynasty and restoring the Han lineage’s rightful rule. Unfortunately, all the knowledge, technology, and unheard-of weapons and supernatural abilities could only be obtained after Xue Dongyu brought them out.
He could only browse, and the more he looked, the more he wanted. He decided to close the interface. As the Emperor who possessed everything under heaven, he had never desired something he couldn’t afford. Now, well, those in debt were not entitled.
Zhao Zhen abruptly approached Xue Dongyu and the System, who were deeply engrossed in their game, forcefully interrupting Xue Dongyu’s attempt to place a Peashooter to block a Buckethead Zombie. Ignoring the System’s light sphere’s clamor, he declared, “I want that Hybrid Type III rice. How many Achievement Points does it cost?” The people’s livelihood depends on food. With enough grain, the people’s hearts could be won. Zhao Zhen carefully compared the options and confirmed that among similar grain seeds, it was the most cost-effective choice. He decisively made his demand.
Xue Dongyu had been prepared for this. She knew that in an agrarian society, any ruler with ambition would first seek high-yield grain seeds. Even if one hadn’t eaten pork, they had at least seen a pig run.
In the transmigration novels of her previous life, why were sweet potatoes and potatoes written about endlessly? Because in ancient times with low productivity, whoever fed the people held the power.
Xue Dongyu leisurely spoke, “No need for lengthy talk. Opening the mall costs five thousand points, purchasing the seeds costs three hundred points. After deducting the debt each month, only ten points remain. How do you plan to buy it?”
In truth, a fifty percent discount would suffice. Since the System’s items were tangible, pricing could still be manipulated behind the scenes. She needed to save some private funds, after all.
The Emperor smiled faintly and recited softly, “With three thousand beauties in the rear palace, all favor rests on one alone.”
Xue Dongyu then smiled as well. The arrogant, domineering, and unapproachable favored Consort Xue was about to make her entrance. How thrilling.
The System was left utterly confused. For a severe illness, strong medicine is needed. In order to earn a large number of Achievement Points quickly, Zhao Zhen cautiously probed, “Your rank has just been elevated; it wouldn’t be appropriate to make a fuss about that. How about granting honors to your family?”
He also knew that Xue Dongyu’s previous self seemed to have had a difficult life, having grown up by Consort Meng’s mother’s side.
Xue Dongyu was unwilling. That scoundrel of a father and stepmother—she had originally planned to find time to torment them a bit. How could she possibly let them benefit from promotions and wealth instead?
Seemingly sensing Xue Dongyu’s reluctance, Zhao Zhen gazed into her eyes with apparent sincerity, coaxing her like a child, “Consort Yang became famous for seizing her son’s wife, Empress Wei Zifu gained renown for giving birth to the Crown Prince and supporting Wei Qing, while the Zhao sisters Feiyan and Hede were tacitly permitted for their ruthless killing of imperial princes.”
"Think about it—you're barely four months along, establishing a crown prince is out of the question, and there's nothing particularly shocking about our identities. As for killing a child, my own offspring are nonexistent. What remains is to reward your family."
Xue Dongyu sneered, deliberately drawing out her words. "Didn't Wu Zetian achieve fame throughout history by killing Empress Wang and Consort Xiao?"
Zhao Zhen was completely unfazed by Xue Dongyu's words and replied casually, "You wouldn't do that."
Xue Dongyu grew furious. Although she truly wouldn’t—why should women make things difficult for other women?—she simply didn’t want those so-called family members who had bullied the original host to benefit.
"First, I’ll confer the title of Guo Furen upon your birth mother and allow your stepmother and birth father to enter the palace for an audience," Zhao Zhen said shamelessly. "You can torment them however you like." After all, as long as the goal was achieved, what did the life or death of the Xue Family matter to him?
Xue Dongyu’s mind immediately raced through thousands of ways to torment people from palace intrigue and household conflict stories, and she grew eager to experiment. "Fine then."
With the two in agreement, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more harmonious. Bestowing rewards wasn’t something that could be done overnight. Coincidentally, ten days later was the death anniversary of the original host’s birth mother, so they decided to stage a performance: the consort dreaming of her birth mother at night, and the Guanjia acting foolishly for love.
The System eagerly joined in, offering to add special effects to enhance the mystery of the story.
Inside the hall, harmony prevailed. Outside, the scorching sun beat down, causing flowers, grass, and leaves to droop. Despite wearing breathable, lightweight summer clothes, Zhang Maoze was drenched in sweat from head to toe.
The young eunuch accompanying him, his own face dripping with sweat, vigorously fanned him with a fan. Bai Xing couldn’t bear to watch and stepped forward. "Zhang Zhongguan, it’s so hot today. It seems the Guanjia and Lady won’t need anyone guarding them for a while. Why don’t you go rest as well? It’ll help you conserve your energy."
Zhang Maoze was no ordinary person. With a single glance, he understood that this Bai Xing girl had a soft heart and couldn’t bear to see the young eunuch suffer, which was why she invited him to rest. She was probably cursing him for being heartless in her mind. He snorted inwardly but had no desire to offend someone close to Lady Xue.
He glanced up at the hall doors, estimating that nothing would happen for a while, and took the opportunity to step down gracefully. "Alright, let’s go." Before leaving, he played a trick, instructing the fan-wielding young eunuch to keep an eye on the hall doors, watch carefully, and inform him if the Guanjia had any orders. If there were no orders, he was to stand in front of the hall doors without moving.
Bai Xing wanted to say something, but Yu Chai, who had followed along, tugged at her sleeve, and she closed her mouth. At least the fan-wielding could stop.
Following Bai Xing through twists and turns, they entered a small, unassuming room at the back of a side hall, with red eaves and white walls, simple and plain. Ahead was a corner, surrounded by a few clusters of flowers and plants, easy to miss if one wasn’t paying attention.
Bai Xing walked ahead, pushed the door open, and turned to Zhang Maoze. "Please come in, Zhang Zhongguan. The room isn’t large, but it’s clean. Water has been prepared, so make yourself at home."
As soon as Zhang Maoze stepped inside, waves of cool air washed over him, instantly evaporating the sweat on his body. He exclaimed in surprise, "There’s ice in the room!"
In summer, ice was scarce even for the masters, let alone in this small room clearly meant for servants to rest. Could it be that the palace servants were taking advantage of Lady Xue’s gentle nature and stealing her ice?
Just as Zhang Maoze was about to question this, Bai Xing cheerfully picked up the teapot on the table, poured tea into a white porcelain cup, and respectfully offered it to him with both hands. "There’s no need to worry, Zhongguan. The ice here is specially permitted by Lady Xue for us to place a basin every day at noon, the hottest time, so we can take turns resting."
After finishing, both Bai Xing and Yu Chai wore expressions of pride and gratitude on their faces. Look, Lady Xue valued them, genuinely caring for these insignificant palace servants.
Zhang Maoze took the tea, lost in thought. Could there truly be such a kind-hearted person in the palace? Whether genuine or not, Lady Xue was remarkable. If genuine, such benevolence was rare indeed, a kindness in the palace worthy of Guanjia's affection.
If false, that she could consider such minute details—even if for reputation or winning hearts—to such an extent was even more terrifying.
The senior eunuch took another sip of tea. Whether Lady Xue was sincere or deceitful had nothing to do with him. He only needed to know that Guanjia favored Lady Xue.