Madame Sun was secretly resentful of Yue Fuguang’s meddling—why did she have to correct the Empress Dowager in front of everyone?

Wouldn’t it have been easier just to accept it?

Yue Fuguang, Yu Fuguang—the names sounded so similar, didn’t they?

Yet she insisted on exposing the truth openly, shaming the third branch’s family in front of all.

Sure enough, those not raised by her personally were never truly close and didn’t know how to cover for their own mother.

Unlike her dear Sister Rou—that was her true confidante!

At that moment, Madame Sun had already forgotten that Yue Fuguang had said their bond, whether with the original or the current Yue Fuguang, was long severed.

Beyond a nominal relationship, there was no real connection between them anymore.

Yue Fuguang had long seen through the third branch couple’s cluelessness, which was why she revealed the truth in front of everyone—to completely sever ties with them.

She didn’t want them to come crawling back to enjoy the benefits she brought once she “made it.”

That would be utterly infuriating!

She had zero intention of letting those from the third branch take advantage of her.

Yue Fuguang could already predict that if she didn’t quickly cut ties, these people wouldn’t just enjoy the privileges her status brought—they’d shamelessly parade around as parents and siblings, feeding off her while still insulting her as “mother”!

Although she now bore the identity of one who had undergone the Divine Tribulation, as long as she didn’t make it obvious, she couldn’t officially leave the Yu Family just yet.

So she was planning for her future happiness, making sure the two patriarchs of the Yu Family clearly saw what kind of people their son and daughter-in-law truly were, and how she felt about them.

If she let them continue to meddle, it would inevitably affect the Yu Family’s standing in her heart.

She believed that after this incident, the two elders would arrange a favorable solution for her.

If that failed, she’d just find another place to live.

The Empress Dowager continued talking with Yue Fuguang for quite some time, showering her with numerous gifts. Even the Emperor and Empress joined in, bestowing her with many things.

The system chimed in, “Master, the royal family is surprisingly generous, giving you so many items. Although they’re all mundane and lack any spiritual energy, they’re still far better than what you currently have in your room. Change into them once you get back. If the Divine Lord sees you suffering like this, I don’t know how much more he’d pity you!”

Yue Fuguang’s eyes flickered with amusement as she deliberately played it cool, saying, “Don’t worry, my master won’t find out. I’ll cover for you when we return—I absolutely won’t let him know you didn’t take good care of me.”

The system hesitated, stammering, “But, but Master, the Divine Lord cares for you so much, he must be watching the mortal realm from time to time. Nothing we do can escape his divine gaze. It’s all because Zhu Zhu’s items are so different from those here, or else you would’ve changed into them already!”

Yue Fuguang watched the system’s little performance with a furrowed brow and comforted it, “Don’t be afraid. You’re not the one making me suffer.”

Meanwhile, Yu Qinchun and Madame Sun, who were the ones actually causing Yue Fuguang’s hardship, suddenly felt utterly hopeless.

Madame Sun felt even worse—her head spun and her vision blurred.

That scare had wiped away all her previous resentment, leaving only a silent prayer that the Divine Lord wouldn’t bother with their insignificant little lives.

Before she could even faint, a palace maid standing beside her quickly stepped forward and discreetly administered a few injections—there was no way she was going to pass out.

Before the banquet ended, no one present, especially no member of the Yu Family, was allowed to leave.

No one could leave until the esteemed ancestor’s little performance was over.

Yue Fuguang sat in the seat newly arranged for her by the Empress Dowager, looking down. This view was indeed splendid!

She could clearly see the expressions and subtle movements of everyone below.

It felt just like a strict teacher sitting at the podium, catching mischievous students off guard.

Seated to her immediate left was the Crown Prince, about twenty years old, rumored to be marrying early next spring.

Opposite her sat several princes and princesses in their teens.

At the lower end of the table were a group of little princesses and princes—all under ten years old. This time, she was truly sitting at the children’s table!

Not counting a few babies still nursing, their curious eyes were fixed on her. Remarkably, not a single one of them, relying on their royal status, dared to cause trouble.

At least on the surface, they all seemed quite friendly.

It seemed her classic “slap in the face” moment was not going to happen—royals were indeed all sharp-witted.

Take the two little ones right in front of her, the Eighth Princess and the Seventh Prince. They looked about her age and each brought her a plate of snacks.

Only now did Yue Fuguang realize that the royal family didn’t just have common dishes, but also special little treats favored by the nobles.

The snacks she received were specially made by the imperial chefs.

The system said, “These two mortal kids are surprisingly sensible. Since they’re showing goodwill to their mistress, next time Zhu Zhu will let them taste what snacks are like a few thousand years from now.”

Yue Fuguang said, “Put a few pieces of candy and chocolate beans in my purse. These kids will definitely like them.”

Soon, her return gifts—two differently flavored milk candies and a bag of chocolate beans—were placed on the tables of the Seventh Prince and the Eighth Princess.

The writing on the wrappers had been erased by the system, but the nearly transparent, colorful glass-like packaging still drew their silent admiration.

The two were smart enough not to eat them right away because they knew their own father, the emperor, would certainly be interested in these things as well.

Soon, the banquet reached its important segment—officials from various regions sent gifts to the Empress Dowager’s longevity feast.

Yue Fuguang watched as the eunuchs reading the gift lists were replaced twice already, with many more still to come.

The gifts from officials, including the adults in the court, were varied and dazzling.

Besides being valuable, they also emphasized novelty.

Many people went to great lengths to bring all sorts of bizarre and unusual items to the palace.

Noteworthy were the “Eighteen Scholars” camellias sent by Jiangnan Circuit and the one-meter-tall double-sided embroidery from Eastern Shu.

The front side depicted a pine and crane symbolizing longevity, while the back showed a plump, joyful Shou Xing, the god of longevity.

After the second eunuch with a hoarse voice left, the third eunuch came forward clearly and crisply announcing, “Governor He Hongming of Yuzhou respectfully presents one dou of rice seed with an average yield of four shi per mu, and the East Sea’s luminous pearls…”

Hearing this, Yue Fuguang thought to herself, “Our chance has finally come.”

She deliberately asked the system, “Zhu Zhu, why would the Governor of Yuzhou send one dou of rice seed to the Empress Dowager? Is he expecting her to farm? Also, shouldn’t he be sending something with a higher yield?”

[Perhaps it's because the rice grown from this seed tastes better? Although the yield is a bit low!]

When others first heard about this rice seed that could produce four shi per mu, the officials and ministers felt a surge of hope.

For the people, food is the foundation of all things. At this time, even the most fertile and prime land could only yield three shi per mu.

The four shi per mu yield presented by Lord He was a blessing for the Great Yan Dynasty, regardless of whether it came from the best fields or not.

Harvesting just a few more dou per mu could significantly reduce the risk of starvation for countless families.