Chapter 36: The First Charcoal in the World

There couldn't be a more embarrassing situation than this.

Just when I made a bold statement, help arrived, and it happened to be the Emperor!

The only consolation is the official decree I used.

Even so, Princess Nan Ting's face turned green with anger, and she remained silent for a while, gasping for breath.

Mrs. Three looked at her, her shoulders trembling slightly.

The old lady's face turned cold as she said, "Let the Young Master enter the palace."

The maid ran to the ancestral hall to relay the message and received a reply, "Do they want to punish him by making him kneel quietly?"

"I won't go!"

"I absolutely refuse to go this time!"

Ziling sat on the cushion, rubbing her knees with an angry expression.

Gu Yunfeng knelt straight beside her, his mouth twitching in response to Ziling's words.

Before entering the room, the maid was already complaining.

As soon as she heard that he was being summoned to the palace.

She instantly became furious.

It's as if she enjoys punishing him by making him kneel.

The maid delivering the message was a little angry. The Young Master hadn't spoken yet, and the Young Mistress stood in front, blocking her.

"The Emperor summons the Young Master to the palace."

Afraid that Ziling didn't hear clearly, the maid repeated it.

Only the Young Master is summoned to the palace.

You, Young Mistress, have nothing to do with it at all!

Ziling arched an eyebrow, looked at Gu Yunfeng, and blinked. "It seems like they didn't ask me to go with them."

"It doesn't matter. I will kneel with you until tomorrow evening and then go to the palace the day after tomorrow," Gu Yunfeng said with a doting expression.

"My husband is so good."

"..."

The maid looked furious.

Qian Qian shouted, "Go quickly! Don't disturb the kneeling punishment of my lady and master!"

The maid: "...!!!"

Is the Young Mistress being punished by kneeling?

She has been sitting since she entered the room!

Seeing that the maid didn't leave and kept persuading her, Qian Qian directly dragged the maid out.

The maid was weaker and stumbled a bit when being pulled. After leaving the room, Qian Qian closed the door, placed her hands on her hips, and raised her fist. "If you don't leave now, be careful, I'll beat you up!"

The maid stomped her feet in anger, rubbing her sore arm from being pulled, and hurriedly left.

Inside the room, Ziling remained seated until Qian Qian knocked on the door, and then she quickly knelt down.

The door was pushed open.

Princess Nan Ting walked in.

Seeing the two of them kneeling upright with a serious attitude, a wave of anger surged from the soles of her feet to her head.

Who are they pretending for?!

Before she could speak, Gu Yunfeng spoke first, "Mother, please explain to the Emperor on my behalf. I will enter the palace to plead guilty the day after tomorrow."

Princess Nan Ting's jaw nearly dropped.

They dared to show off after receiving a little favor!

If it weren't for the fact that the summons came from the Emperor.

They would have to kneel until their skin peels off!

"If you like kneeling, after you pay your respects in the palace, you can kneel as long as you want!" she gritted her teeth.

Ziling: "..."

She looked at Gu Yunfeng.

"I can't handle this, you go ahead," Gu Yunfeng replied with a glance.

"I can't handle it either, you go ahead," Ziling said.

"...," Princess Nan Ting was at a loss for words.

Gu Yunfeng and Ziling kept deferring to each other, refusing to speak.

In Princess Nan Ting's eyes, their interaction seemed affectionate and tender, completely ignoring her presence.

Princess Nan Ting trembled with anger.

The maids and servants were speechless.

They had never seen Young Master and Young Mistress act so arrogantly, inviting trouble for themselves.

Young Master had never behaved like this before—definitely influenced by Young Mistress!

Zhao Mama stepped forward and said, "Young Master, defying the imperial decree is a grave offense. The palace eunuch is waiting in the front courtyard to deliver the message. Don't keep the Emperor waiting."

Ziling was getting tired of kneeling.

She looked at Gu Yunfeng and said, "How about we compromise?"

"...," Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

Seeing her struggling and about to give up, Gu Yunfeng sighed.

Was he going to abandon his domineering principles after kneeling for such a short while?

"How do we compromise?" he asked.

Ziling blinked and said, "Within one month, no matter what mistakes we make, we shall not be punished."

"...," Gu Yunfeng still didn't respond.

Princess Nan Ting almost choked.

Was this a compromise?!

This was not just a case of being arrogant, but climbing on top of her head!

With clenched fists, Princess Nan Ting turned around in anger.

At that moment, a maid rushed in from outside and said, "Young Master, the eunuch is urging you to hurry."

Princess Nan Ting stopped in her tracks.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Half a month, that's the maximum I can give. If you continue to be arrogant, keep kneeling forever!"

After speaking, she swept her sleeves and left.

Ziling smiled.

"Half a month it is then. The Emperor has been kind to me. Let's not make him worry."

"...," Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

After leaving the ancestral hall, Ziling couldn't help but ask, "You just met the Emperor in the morning. Why did he summon you to the palace again?"

Gu Yunfeng didn't say a word.

Qianqian said, "I know it's not good news."

She looked worried.

Ziling raised an eyebrow.

How did Qianqian know it wasn't good news?

Just as Ziling was about to ask, Qianqian asked Gu Yunfeng, "Young Master, are you hungry? I'll get you some food."

She was about to run off but Ziling grabbed her and said, "Where are you going?"

Qianqian said, "The little maid said that the Emperor wants Young Master to hurry to the palace. It's a long way from the Duke's residence to the palace, and even if he goes as fast as he can, he won't arrive until after dark. If he doesn't eat enough, he won't have the energy to make the journey."

"...," Ziling was speechless.

"...," Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

This maid was being too straightforward.

If this got out, it would be laughable.

Ziling tapped her on the head and said, "The Emperor's command to 'roll' was just an angry expression, not a literal command to roll."

"Miss, are you sure you're just joking?"

"Otherwise, should I really roll?" Ziling chuckled.

"Of course, really roll. Every time Lord Hou tells someone to roll down the mountain, they actually roll," Qianqian affirmed.

"..."

Afraid that Ziling wouldn't believe her, Qianqian added, "Anyone who rolls down Qingyun Mountain ends up with broken arms and legs, completely transformed, starting a new life."

"..."

Gu Yunfeng quietly quickened his pace and walked ahead.

Laughter echoed from behind:

"Qianqian, grab your weapon. We'll escort Young Master to the palace."

"A whip?"

"No, grab some melon seeds, bring plenty."

"..."

When Ziling looked up, there was no trace of Gu Yunfeng.

"Where is he?" She looked around.

Qianqian called out, "There, Young Master is right there!"

"Where? I didn't see him," Ziling stood on tiptoes, unable to spot anyone.

"Young Master climbed over the wall and left."

"..."

"Miss, should we still accompany Young Master to the palace?"

"He's obviously avoiding us. Why would we go after him?" "Let's go back and sleep."

Ziling yawned and stretched lazily.

It had been an exhausting day.

Meanwhile, Gu Yunfeng entered the palace and headed straight to the study.

Seeing him walk in, the Emperor slammed the memorial he was holding heavily onto the desk and said, "You dare to come in and see Us? Weren't the rolling activities of your Qingyun Mountain Feihu Village genuine rolls?!"

Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

"I warned you earlier to keep Dongling Marquis in check, but right after, you were out on the streets, robbing people. Truly living up to your reputation as a son-in-law of Feihu Village, disregarding Our words!" The Emperor's anger was evident.

Gu Yunfeng had a headache. He had anticipated the Emperor's anger.

He explained, "Robbing The Duke of Nan'an County was just a joke. Ziling wants to open a shop and have them invest in it. The Emperor summoned them to the palace to verify my words."

"Open a shop?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "What kind of shop?"

"She said it would sell charcoal."

"..."

The Emperor's anger subsided slightly, but his brows furrowed again.

"Why did she choose such a business?"

"..."

"But at least she's more enterprising than her father, knowing how to earn money."

"..."

"Give the order, from now on, the palace will buy charcoal from Young Mistress of Zhenguo Marquis's residence." The Emperor instructed.

"..."

"Yes," the eunuch acknowledged.

"..."

"You may leave," the Emperor dismissed him.

"..."

Outside the study, Gu Yunfeng gazed at the brilliant sunset on the horizon.

He wore a troubled expression.

How did he end up in the palace helping her with her business?

The Emperor seemed genuinely hopeful about her doing business.

If he continued assisting her, perhaps he could seize the opportunity to request a favor from the Emperor.

Gu Yunfeng turned and entered the study once again.

When he emerged, he held a beautifully calligraphed piece with the words "Number One Charcoal in the World."