Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

"Not only do you have to plead poverty, but you also have to plead misery." Pei Zhihui pointed to the wine in the courtyard. "You have to tell the Emperor that you almost died at the hands of river bandits because of this batch of wine, that your ship was destroyed, you lost everything, and you were left penniless. The more thrilling the story is, the better. Ideally, you should make the Emperor feel that he owes you a favor."

Zhao Qiyan's eyes lit up: "Brilliant! This tactic is a desperate measure that leads to victory. If the Emperor believes it, he might even reward us with more silver!"

Pei Zhihui turned to look at Shen Qiongju, who had been silent all along. His gaze softened for a moment when it touched her face, but then turned cold and hard again.

"As for my sister-in-law..." Pei Zhihui paused, "Tomorrow you will accompany Zhao Qiyan into the palace. Do not say anything more for now."

"If anyone points out a problem with this batch of wine, you only need to be flexible and adaptable. When responding, remember—the divine heart silently approves of the phrase 'mandate of Heaven,' and simply incorporate this into your speech."

The next day, at the Imperial Palace, in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and songs and dances filled the air with peace and prosperity.

Today is the Imperial Concubine's birthday banquet, and all the civil and military officials, as well as imperial relatives, are present.

Shen Qiongju and Zhao Qiyan, as the people who were to offer the wine, waited outside the hall.

Pei Zhihui did not hold an official position and could not enter the main hall; he could only wait in a carriage outside the palace gate.

"Summon Zhao Qiyan of the Yongning Marquis's Residence and Madam Shen of Qionghua Pavilion to an audience!"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice pierced through the layers of palace gates.

Shen Qiongju took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and followed Zhao Qiyan up the white marble steps that symbolized supreme power.

Inside the magnificent hall, the emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne, chatting and laughing quietly with a beautiful woman beside him.

That was Consort Wan, who was the most favored concubine in the harem.

"Your subject Zhao Qiyan (a commoner woman surnamed Shen) kowtows to Your Majesty and to the Noble Consort!"

"Rise."

The Emperor seemed to be in a good mood, waving his hand. "I heard that the young marquis almost lost his life at the hands of river bandits while trying to find good wine for the Imperial Concubine?"

Zhao Qiyan immediately put on a playful smile: "What is my life if it can make the Imperial Concubine smile? Besides, this wine is indeed rare, and I went through a lot of trouble to get it."

"Oh?" Consort Wan became interested, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "Bring it here."

Shen Qiongju, holding the jade vase, walked forward with her head bowed and eyes downcast.

Just then, an untimely voice suddenly rang out.

"Your Majesty, wait!"

A middle-aged man in a scarlet official robe stepped forward; he was the Vice Minister of War and also a relative by marriage of Wen Xiujie.

"This wine was brewed in a private workshop and has not been inspected by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. It would be inappropriate to present it to the Imperial Concubine so hastily."

The vice minister glanced at Shen Qiongju, his eyes full of contempt. "Besides, I've heard that the boat carrying the wine sank en route, and the wine has been soaked in the river, tainted with bad luck. How can it be served in a refined setting?"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion within the hall.

The emperor's face also darkened.

Shen Qiongju felt a chill run down her spine. Sure enough, this hurdle wouldn't be easy to overcome.

Just as Zhao Qiyan was about to speak in her defense, Shen Qiongju knelt down first.

"Your Majesty, this wine is not tainted by bad luck, but rather imbued with the essence of heaven and earth."

Her voice was clear and resonant, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Oh? What do you mean?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow.

Shen Qiongju raised her head, her gaze frank: "This wine is called 'Drunken Swan,' and it is made using a rare 'boat-brewed method.' The wine is at the bottom of the boat, swaying day and night with the waves of the river, just like the reflection of a startled swan, rising and falling."

"As for the shipwreck..."

Shen Qiongju smiled knowingly. "That's because the Dragon King also loves to drink and wanted to keep this wine in the Dragon Palace. But this wine is dedicated to the true Dragon Emperor, and the Dragon King dared not take it away. That's why we, the commoners, were able to deliver the wine to the Emperor safely."

These words not only explained the sinking of the ship, but also subtly flattered the emperor.

"What a silver tongue!"

The Emperor was overjoyed. "Since this is a wine that even the Dragon King wanted to keep, I shall have a taste."

Eunuch Li quickly stepped forward, took the jade pot bottle, and poured out a cup.

The wine, when poured into the glass, was golden like amber, and a clear, elegant fragrance of pear blossoms instantly filled the hall.

Consort Wan's eyes lit up after just one sniff.

She picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.

It has a smooth and mellow taste with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. It has both the strength of strong liquor and the sweetness of fresh fruit, without the spiciness and pungent smell of ordinary baijiu.

"Excellent wine!"

Consort Wan exclaimed with delight, "Your Majesty, this wine has a unique flavor. I have never tasted such a smooth wine before. Moreover, it warms me up and makes me feel very comfortable."

Seeing that his beloved concubine liked it, the Emperor also took a bite and immediately nodded in praise: "Indeed excellent. Reward her!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Shen Qiongju kowtowed deeply.

Upon seeing this, the Vice Minister of Rites turned ashen-faced, but dared not say anything more.

Just then, Consort Wan suddenly asked, "Since this wine is made from pear blossoms, why is it so mellow? I remember that the pear blossom wine in the palace always had a sour and astringent taste."

Shen Qiongju's heart stirred.

This was something Pei Zhihui had specifically instructed him to do last night.

If the Imperial Concubine asks, the credit must be attributed to "divine will".

"Your Majesty, this is precisely the secret of the 'Boat Brewing Method'," Shen Qiongju said respectfully. "The bumpy waterway actually facilitates the perfect fusion of wine and fruit. If it were brewed on flat land, it would never have this flavor."

"I see."

Consort Wan exclaimed in admiration, "Since this wine is so rare, let it be the premier tribute wine of this year. Shen, you have made a great contribution to the brewing of wine, so I hereby bestow upon you a gold medal, granting you exclusive rights to supply the imperial court with wine from now on."

"This humble woman...thanks to Your Majesty's grace!"

The title of "Imperial Merchant" is not only a prestigious brand, but also a protective talisman!

With this gold medal, even Wen Xiujie would have to think twice before trying to take action against the Shen family.

As she stepped out of the palace gate, the sun had already set. Shen Qiongju felt unsteady on her feet, as if she were walking on cotton.

She successfully transformed her family's wine into tribute wine.

Pei Zhihui stood beside the carriage, the setting sun casting a long shadow over him.

When he saw her come out, he didn't ask about the result, but simply reached out and pulled her cloak, which had been blown open by the wind, back up.

"Did it work?" he asked softly.

"It's done." Shen Qiongju looked at him, her eyes suddenly stinging.

Pei Zhihui's lips curled into a very faint smile, and his eyes, which always held a shadow of gloom, shone with an astonishing brightness at this moment.

"This is just the beginning."

He turned his head and looked at the majestic palace walls, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "Sister-in-law, one day I will make sure you don't have to kneel before the powerful and wealthy."

Zhao Qiyan watched the two of them from the side and suddenly felt a little superfluous.

He touched his nose, feeling a pang of sadness as he thought:

Pei Erlang is indeed a clever fellow.

The things Shen Qiongju said in the hall just now, even that "Dragon King" thing, were all Pei Zhihui's tricks.

This guy calculated the Emperor's thoughts, the Consort's preferences, and even the reaction of the Vice Minister of War with perfect accuracy.

This isn't doing business; it's clearly manipulating people's hearts.

"Alright, alright, stop standing here."

Zhao Qiyan shuddered, breaking out in goosebumps. "I'm hungry! Let's go to Zuixianlou to celebrate! We're drinking until we drop!"