Chapter 50 Preparing for the Lotus Viewing

Seeing that familiar, confident smile emerge once again on the young Emperor's tender face, Little Anzi swallowed back the words that had already reached his lips.

For he knew very well that whenever this expression appeared on the Emperor's face, it meant he was plotting another grand spectacle!

"Your Majesty, what do you need this servant to do?" Little Anzi asked with unwavering resolve.

Instead of answering, Ning Chen slowly paced back and forth, unconsciously rubbing his fingertips together.

Seeing this, Little Anzi said no more, knowing full well that Ning Chen must be calculating everything over and over again within his youthful mind.

A moment later, Ning Chen finally beckoned with a small hand. As Little Anzi leaned in close, the Emperor whispered, "During this upcoming Lotus Viewing Festival, I must rescue Fan Dayou while also making distilled liquor and the Manyin Pavilion a nationwide sensation. Here is what you will do..."

The following day, after the Empress Dowager announced the specific details of the Lotus Viewing Festival in the imperial court, Ning Chen skipped over to the Fengyi Palace, carrying the remaining flask of liquor, a bar of soap, and a bottle of perfume.

"Chen'er, you were targeted by assassins just last night. Instead of recovering properly in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, what brings you to my quarters?"

The Empress Dowager seemed to be in a goodly mood, her face graced with a rare smile.

Ning Chen widened his bright, limpid eyes, looking pure and innocent. "Imperial Mother, aren't you hosting the Lotus Viewing Festival?"

"When Chen'er went out of the palace yesterday, I stumbled upon a few wonderful novelties. Initially, I thought of presenting them to you as gifts, but upon learning that you are hosting the Lotus Viewing Festival, I wanted to see if these items might prove useful. This son merely wished to contribute in some small way to you, Imperial Mother..."

Observing Ning Chen's foolish yet earnest demeanor, the Empress Dowager let out a scornful smile and remarked indifferently, "How remarkable! You went out of the palace yesterday to eat, drink, and frequent pleasure houses, yet you still managed to think of me!"

"As for gifts, what good could possibly be found among the common folk? The finest treasures in all the realm are right here in our Great Ning Imperial Palace!"

"As for the Lotus Viewing Festival, you are still a child; your assistance is not required!"

Realizing the Empress Dowager was completely unwilling to give him an opening, Ning Chen suppressed his inward revulsion and hastily tugged at her sleeve, shaking it with the utmost spoiled, coaxing demeanor. "Imperial Mother, just take a look at them! These things are truly wonderful!"

"Dearest Imperial Mother, please just take a look!"

"Chen'er guarantees that you will absolutely love them..."

The Empress Dowager frowned, appearing somewhat impatient, a trace of suppressed disdain flashing in her eyes. "Chen'er, although you are only nine years old and it is indeed an age for such spoiled behavior, you are, after all, the Son of Heaven. Acting so petulant at every turn is hardly fitting!"

"Be a good boy and go back to rest properly..."

Ning Chen frowned slightly, then swiftly turned to present the bottle of perfume before the Empress Dowager. The moment he uncapped the bottle, an intoxicating fragrance instantly filled the entire chamber.

"Oh, how exquisite..."

Both the Empress Dowager and the elderly nanny exclaimed in unison. Exchanging glances, they cast their gazes back toward the small bottle in Ning Chen's hand.

The Empress Dowager asked in puzzlement, "Chen'er, what is this? Why is it so fragrant?"

Seizing the moment, Ning Chen feigned mystery as he dabbed a single drop onto his own wrist, waved his hand through the air, and said, "Isn't it fragrant, Imperial Mother?"

"This is the perfume Chen'er bought on the streets yesterday!"

"Perfume? What is perfume..." The Empress Dowager widened her eyes, asking with puzzlement, her tone tinged with an inexplicable wariness.

Seeing the Empress Dowager acting like an ignorant rustic who had never seen the world, Ning Chen wore a respectful expression on the outside while inwardly unleashing a scornful chuckle.

"Much like a sachet, perfume is something that allows a person's body to continuously emit a pleasant fragrance. Furthermore, this perfume is far superior to any sachet. It is said that a single drop can keep a person fragrant for an entire day, immersing them from morning till night in a refreshing atmosphere that constantly puts one in a good mood, and it even has properties that prolong life!"

"The crucial point is that, unlike a sachet, you don't need to carry it on your person; you merely need to apply a single drop. It is exceptionally convenient!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager and the elderly nanny exchanged glances once more. Their interest instantly piqued, they crowded in close for a thorough inspection and a series of deep sniffs.

"A marvelous item! Truly a marvelous item!"

"Never did I imagine there would be such a clever artisan in this world capable of inventing such a miraculous creation..."

Seeing the two of them break into spontaneous praise, Ning Chen smiled. Indeed, women could never resist the allure of perfume...

"And there is this soap!"

Striking while the iron was hot, Ning Chen introduced the soap in glowing detail. "This soap is used for bathing and cleansing. After using it, one's body retains a pleasant fragrance, and it can also effectively prevent illness..."

"Soap?"

The two of them were instantly captivated by the soap, and even the surrounding court maids found it difficult to contain their curiosity, stirring with eagerness.

True enough, even the lofty Empress Dowager could ultimately not resist these epoch-making objects.

Finally, Ning Chen brought out his crowning piece: the distilled liquor.

The moment the cork was popped, the rich aroma of wine spilled forth, making mouths water uncontrollably.

The Empress Dowager discarded all her previous vigilance, and even the elderly nanny cast aside her reserve as the two of them tasted cup after cup.

"Splendid wine! Truly splendid wine!"

"In all my years, why have I never tasted such magnificent wine..."

"Indeed, Your Ladyship! Compared to this, the fine wines presented as tribute from various regions to the palace are like mud versus the clouds. I never could have imagined such a peerless treasure could exist among the common folk. I wonder who could have invented such a brew!"

"Quite right! Whoever could craft wine such as this is a true talent—a rare talent indeed..."

"Old thing, old thing, drink more slowly! I merely told you to taste a drop; if you finish it all, what shall I drink!"

"Your Ladyship, this old slave will just have one more sip—just one..."

Seeing that the two of them had become utterly immersed in the sensory shock of this novel creation, drinking the bottle down to its last drops and even losing a measure of their composure,

Ning Chen knew the time had come. He spoke up once more: "Imperial Mother, ever since His Majesty passed away, the Lotus Viewing Festival has not been held for three full years. Your decision to revive it this time is truly an event eagerly anticipated by all the people."

"Chen'er thinks that since we are holding it, we ought to make it a grand and lively celebration!"

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager suddenly frowned, looking at Ning Chen with suspicion. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Ning Chen was momentarily taken aback, not expecting that this old witch would remain so vigilant even while slightly intoxicated.

He immediately put on an innocent and harmless expression, saying earnestly, "Chen'er wishes to host some events much like the celebrations held during your own birthday banquet in the past, such as song and dance performances, poetry gatherings, and the like!"

"Chen'er has inquired, and previous Lotus Viewing Festivals merely consisted of looking at lotuses and admiring flowers, which lacks any real novelty. Therefore, Chen'er dares to boldly request to plan this Lotus Viewing Festival on your behalf, ensuring Your Majesty is fully satisfied..."

The Empress Dowager frowned, seemingly tempted yet somewhat hesitant. "Now that our Great Ning has just dispatched envoys north to negotiate peace and submitted as a vassal to Greater Jin, holding a grand Lotus Viewing Festival at such a moment might make the common folk of the realm feel..."

Seeing this, Ning Chen was about to speak when the elderly nanny unexpectedly stepped forward, leaning close to the Empress Dowager's ear and whispering in a voice audible only to the two of them:

"Your Ladyship, this servant believes it is feasible!"

"Firstly, precisely because we have just sought peace in the north, we need to host a grand event to instill confidence in the common people, letting them know that our Great Ning does not care about that trifling amount of silver paid as tribute to Greater Jin!"

"Secondly, hasn't the young Emperor already made a wager with Zhao Siwen? Since he has voluntarily offered to plan the Lotus Viewing Festival for Your Ladyship, let him do it. It will precisely showcase your magnanimity and benevolence."

"Thirdly, if he pours all his energy into the Lotus Viewing Festival, he will have far less time for reckless scheming, giving Your Ladyship peace of mind. When he inevitably loses the wager, he will have no excuses left to fall back on—after all, it was he who insisted on planning the festival!"

"Most importantly, isn't Your Ladyship planning to deal with Prince Jing during this Lotus Viewing Festival and announce several new measures? At such a crucial juncture, you do indeed need some fine novelties to set the stage!"

"Especially this wine; when it is brought out later, they are bound to drink to excess. Once they are thoroughly drunk, won't matters become far easier to handle?"

"Moreover, with Little Anzi and Cao Dahai about, Your Ladyship can keep abreast of whatever the young Emperor is doing at any moment. There is no fear of him stirring up any trouble..."

Though Ning Chen did not know what the two were discussing, the Empress Dowager's attitude shifted swiftly, and she granted his request.

"Very well! Since Chen'er is so filial, how could I refuse to fulfill your wish!"

"Go then, and plan the Lotus Viewing Festival well on my behalf..."

Ning Chen immediately bowed respectfully. "Understood. Chen'er thanks Imperial Mother for your grace!"

With that, he turned and departed from the Fengyi Palace.

Little did they know that the moment he stepped out of the Fengyi Palace, the corners of Ning Chen's mouth curled upward once more.

Splendid, the first step is successfully accomplished!

My dear Imperial Mother, just wait—I shall certainly give you a tremendous surprise...