Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 288 - 286 Settling Zhao Jiangning (Part 1)

Yi Yao and the others looked at the white "food" in the bowl, and did not immediately pick up their chopsticks. Instead, they said with some surprise, "Master, are these things all made from soybeans?"

Chen Mo nodded.

Chun Lan added, "Madam, I saw with my own eyes that a large pile of soybeans turned into white tofu pieces. Everything on the table is made from soybeans."

Xia Lan, Dong Lan, and Qiu Lan did not witness the tofu-making process, but they knew what soybeans looked like.

The small soybean could turn into such food before their eyes, making them feel a bit amazed.

Yi Yao elegantly took small tastes, trying both sweet and salty.

She preferred the sweet flavor more and said, "Master, the sweet one is tastier."

"I also think the sweet one is tastier," Chun Lan said with a sweet smile, as she scooped up a spoonful of sweet tofu pudding.

"Those who eat sweet tofu pudding are heretics," Chen Mo couldn't help but say as he remembered the sweet vs. salty tofu pudding debate online in his previous life.

"Ah..." Hearing this, Yi Yao and Chun Lan hesitated to move their spoons again.

Xia Lan, Qiu Lan, and Dong Lan quickly responded, "Master, the salty tofu pudding is still tastier."

"It's okay, I wasn't talking about you all. I just thought of something funny. You can enjoy what you like; sweet or salty, no need to take it to heart."

Seeing that the two women were scared to eat, Chen Mo quickly reassured them.

Actually, there's another way to eat tofu pudding, which is spicy.

But in the Great Song Dynasty, chili peppers came from the Western Regions and were quite pricey.

Chen Mo could afford to eat them, but selling them would raise the cost a bit much.

Chen Mo was eating salty tofu pudding, holding a spoon in one hand while gently stroking Yi Yao's beautiful legs with the other.

Yi Yao glanced down, her face blushing, but afraid others might notice, she quickly raised her head again, and earnestly continued eating the tofu pudding.

However, Chen Mo exposed her, saying, "Yaoyao, if you don't go out, all of you should wear black silk stockings privately for me. It makes it comfortable for me to touch..."

Seeing Chen Mo speak so shamelessly, Yi Yao and the other women all turned red-faced.

Yi Yao nodded shyly.

Chun Lan, bolder than the others, playfully scolded Chen Mo.

After finishing breakfast, Chen Mo asked them to speak frankly and offer their taste evaluations of these tofu products.

More people preferred the salty tofu pudding.

The fried dough sticks were somewhat greasy.

The soy milk was on the sweet side.

The Mapo tofu flavor was quite good...

"Great, Yaoyao, later gather some chefs, and I'll teach them how to make these foods. Once they learn, we'll pass it to the cooks at the Hongfu Restaurant.

We'll take the premium route, set a higher price for Mapo tofu, while tofu pudding, fried dough sticks, and soy milk can be priced lower, but still profitable..." Chen Mo shared his business strategy with Yi Yao.

Yi Yao nodded, taking note.

"Chun Lan, later pack some portions of these and have them sent to the Imperial Palace..." Chen Mo instructed.

"Master, didn't you say last night that you want me to buy a residence for Prince De Ning today?" Chun Lan asked.

"Buy a residence for Prince De Ning?" Yi Yao looked at Chen Mo with surprise.

"Madam, here's the situation..." Chun Lan, who got along well with Yi Yao, explained the affair between Zhao Jiangning and Chen Mo to her at this moment.

Yi Yao's eyes widened: "Master, you..."

Yi Yao wasn't opposed but, compared to Chun Lan, she was more aware of the trouble and difficulties Chen Mo would face if he got involved with Zhao Jiangning.

Chen Mo lifted Yi Yao's beautiful legs to rest on his laps and joked, "Don't worry, when she joins the household, I'll have her call you sister..."

Hearing this, Yi Yao's face turned red and she mumbled, "Master, that's not what I mean."

...

Zhao Jiangning's visit to the Ministry of Justice for a divorce naturally became known to Gao Qiu.

Early in the morning, he rushed angrily to the Prince Consort's Mansion to question Zhao Jiangning, bringing Gao Ying along.

Failing to poison Chen Hong before the divorce infuriated Gao Qiu.

So he decided to take the risk.

He brought Gao Ying with him to force Zhao Jiangning and take her body, hoping emotions would develop gradually.

As for whether Zhao Jiangning would commit suicide afterward, Gao Qiu had considered.

He planned to confine her, watching her twelve hours a day until she slowly accepted her plight.

By then, Gao Qiu doubted she could face revealing such an incident.

However, upon reaching the Prince Consort's Mansion, he was informed by the servants that the Princess had already gone out.

"Find her, bring her secretly back to me," Gao Qiu immediately ordered his guards to search for Zhao Jiangning.

"Yes, sir."

...

On the streets in the southern part of the city.

Zhao Jiangning, accompanied by two personal maids, was looking for houses for rent.

However, her face was notably gloomy.

She never imagined the houses in Bianliang would be so expensive.

Moreover, only selling and not renting; the cheapest property with three rooms and a courtyard, also exceeded ten thousand coins.

Zhao Jiangning didn't have this kind of money.

Ever since she was separated and abused by Gao Fen, he controlled her silver tael supply.

As an Empress, she had grown accustomed to spending lavishly from a young age. Although the palace provided her with an allowance each year, she hadn't saved much over the years.

After Gao Fen died, Gao Qiu further cut off her supply, intending to control Zhao Jiangning through financial means.

But at that time, Zhao Jiangning still had some petty cash, so she naturally wouldn't yield.

However, after today's outing, this petty cash was indeed just petty cash.

"Your Highness, why don't we just live at the Prince Consort's Mansion? After all, you are an Empress, having been with the Prince Consort for so many years, you've suffered enough. According to the law, the Prince Consort's Mansion should also include your share. Would the Grand Commandant really dare to drive you out of the Mansion?" one maid suggested.

Today's weather was unlike the past few days. The sun was high, and the sunlight was sweltering. After wandering for a while, the foreheads and necks of the three women were drenched in sweat.

While Zhao Jiangning was indeed in an unwelcome situation.

Whether Gao Qiu would drive her out of the Prince Consort's Mansion, she wasn't sure.

But knowing him, Zhao Jiangning was aware he was capable of even worse.

Zhao Jiangning glared at the maid and continued walking.

When passing a street with relatively few people.

"...Mmm mmm..."

Suddenly, Zhao Jiangning heard a strange noise behind her. Looking back, she saw her two maids knocked unconscious and gagged by several strong men approaching her.

"Who...who are you? What do you want? Don't...don't come over..." Zhao Jiangning screamed in fright.

The strong men exchanged a glance, then said, "Get her."

Just as they were about to grab Zhao Jiangning.

"Bold! What do you think you're doing in broad daylight?"

A shout rang out, followed by Chun Lan yelling, "Quickly protect the Princess."