Her Power and Favor Span the World

Chapter 118

Iron birch is probably the hardest wood in the world, right? It’s twice as hard as ordinary steel.

In modern times, iron birch is an endangered wild plant. People used to use iron birch instead of metal for small objects, but the prices were quite expensive.

However, she clearly saw the Retired Emperor sawing it short with a saw just now. Also, with such hard wood, carving it must have been very difficult, right? He couldn’t have used a diamond knife to carve it, could he?

"The Retired Emperor carved this personally, this can't be iron birch!" Yuan Qingling said with certainty.

Xi Mama smiled and said, "Only the Retired Emperor can carve this. Ordinary guards can't do it."

"The Retired Emperor is sick and can barely walk. How could he carve such hard wood?" Yuan Qingling asked curiously, making the Retired Emperor sound very impressive.

"He has trouble walking because he's ill. When the Retired Emperor was young, he was the most powerful warrior in Northern Tang, skilled in both literary and martial arts. Now that he's old, he's often sick, but he still has the inner strength for carving."

"So inner strength really exists?" Yuan Qingling was even more curious. In martial arts novels, it's said that when inner strength reaches a certain level, one can pluck flowers and leaves to injure people.

Just as Xi Mama was about to explain, a flash of shadow appeared at the door. She took a close look and said, "Oh, why is the Prince coming so late!"

Yuwen Hao heard that the palace rewards had arrived, and wanted to sneak a peek at the door. Since he was discovered by Xi Mama, he simply walked in and casually glanced at the imperial staff in Yuan Qingling's hand, "Is this the gift bestowed by Grandfather Emperor?"

"Yes, the carvings are extremely exquisite. Take a look, Prince." Yuan Qingling reached it out to him.

Yuwen Hao didn't expect her to be so gracious, somewhat surprised. He took it and stroked it carefully, his fingertips sliding over the dragon pattern. It felt icy cold with unevenness. "The carving is indeed meticulous. A fine object. This is truly a treasure. You must find a place to hide it well and not take it out casually. At least don't take it out unless in dire need. Let me put it away for you."

"No need. I'll keep it myself. I’ll carry it with me." After Yuan Qingling took it back with one hand, letting him hide it would defeat the purpose of having this imperial staff!

"How can you carry this with you? What if you lose it?" Yuwen Hao said solemnly.

Yuan Qingling said, "I'll be careful."

However, although this thing was only as thick as a thumb, it was still one meter long. It wouldn't be good to take it out.

Carrying it on her back wouldn't work either. It would be like confessing a crime with a rod on her back.

She gestured with it, feeling very annoyed.

Xi Mama smiled and said, "Princess, take a close look at the flame pattern."

Yuan Qingling hurriedly lowered her head to look closely. There were flame patterns around the dragon patterns and dragon body, arranged in a regular way. There was a flame pattern every ten centimeters or so.

The flame patterns were carved deeper than the coiled dragons. They didn't seem to be just a base pattern for embellishment.

Yuan Qingling pressed on the flame pattern, and with a "shua" sound, a section of the imperial staff retracted.

She was startled, and pressed the second flame pattern again, retracting another section. She looked up joyfully, "It's retractable with a mechanism."

She continuously pressed several flame patterns until the staff shrank to just ten centimeters, light enough to be placed in her sleeve or hung on her waist.

"How is this done? The Retired Emperor is amazing." Yuan Qingling was overjoyed. As a researcher and developer, she was very interested that such an exquisite mechanism existed in this era.

Xi Mama smiled and said, "The Retired Emperor was an outstanding carpenter when he was young!"

"Incredible!" Yuan Qingling was extremely delighted. She said to Yuwen Hao, "See, I can hide it myself." After speaking, she tucked it into her sleeve and it disappeared.

Yuwen Hao resentfully glanced at Xi Mama. Why did she have to tell her? If not said, this foolish pig would never have known in her lifetime.

But seeing her smiling radiantly, her face as beautiful as a flower, it was rare to see her so happy. Let it go. Anyway she wouldn't really hit him. They had agreed, no domestic violence.

"I'm so happy, Mama Xi. Go make some food and I'll have a drink with the Prince."

"Forget about drinking. This king hasn't eaten much tonight. I'll eat with you."

"I have to build up my alcohol tolerance. Otherwise I'll be at a big disadvantage in the future. It's fine since we’re not going to Prince Huai’s manor until tomorrow. Just have a drink with me." Yuan Qingling sincerely invited him.

Yuwen Hao found himself unable to resist her sincerity.

He shrugged. "Fine, this king just happens to want a drink too." He had to find some excuse, didn't want her to think he'd do whatever she said.

Yuan Qingling felt she had to be able to drink thousands of cups without getting drunk. At least after a weakness had been discovered, it would become her biggest threat.

With Xi Mama's skillful hands, she could always whip up all kinds of delicious dishes, even with the simplest ingredients. By the time the food reached her hands, she could turn it into something magical. As Yuan Qingling ate, she couldn't help laughing, "Second Brother always says the imperial chefs make delicious food, but if he tried Xi Mama's cooking, I'm afraid he'd pack up and come live here."

Yuwen Hao looked at her, "You seem to get along very well with Second Brother."

Yuan Qingling poured wine for him and filled a cup for herself. The small cup held about one mouthful of wine. The wine was clear and aromatic.

Yuan Qingling took a deep breath, already feeling tipsy. With a bright smile she said, "Yes, he's not bad, just a bit gluttonous."

"A bit?" Yuwen Hao sneered contemptuously.

Yuan Qingling recalled Prince Sun's plump figure and fat fingers, and couldn't help laughing again, "You're right, not just a bit. Extremely gluttonous, yet always talking about dieting."

"If he didn't keep yelling about dieting, he'd eat even more crazily."

"Yelling about dieting doesn't mean he’ll actually stop eating."

Yuwen Hao didn't like her always talking about Second Brother. "Let him eat if he wants. Why do you care so much? You don't seem to care about what you should be caring about."

Yuan Qingling slowly sniffed the wine, gathering courage to drink this liquid. She smiled gently, "What do I have to care about?"

Yuwen Hao impatiently said, "What's not there to care about? Such a big prince's manor, yet everything relies on Tang Yang. As the primary wife, aren't you ashamed?"

Yuan Qingling mocked, "I remember you told Xi Mama to just raise me like a dog."

Yuwen Hao was furious with shame. "Do you deliberately like to argue with me?"

"Did you say it or not?" Yuan Qingling glanced at him.

He confronted her, "You're so petty, remembering things from so long ago. If you insist on resenting, why don't we discuss what happened at the Princess' manor a year ago?"

A sore spot.

Yuan Qingling smiled cheerfully as she raised her wine cup. "Let us drink away our grievances!"

Yuwen Hao snorted, but still picked up his cup and clinked with hers. "This king is magnanimous and won't quibble with you. But you can't go too far in the future."

He drank it all in one gulp, showing her the inverted cup.

Yuan Qingling took a mouthful. Spicy!

With a "puh" she spit it all out.

Yuwen Hao trembled with anger as Xi Mama hurriedly came over to wipe the wine off his face. Heavens! She had sprayed so accurately, his whole head and face were drenched.

Yuwen Hao banged the table and angrily said, "Did you do that on purpose?"

Yuan Qingling slowly took out the imperial staff and put it on the table, sincerely explaining, "The wine is too spicy!"

Yuwen Hao stared at the imperial staff, speechless for a while, before calmly telling Xi Mama, "Change to Osmanthus Aged Wine. The Princess can't drink strong alcohol."

On the side, Duo Bao whimpered and turned his dog head away, unable to watch.