Verdant Green Maiden walked around Sun Simiao and came to stand before the makeshift altar. She picked up the statue of herself that had been placed on it and examined it closely.
The statue had been carved from a single block of agarwood, the workmanship bold and masterful, as though it had grown that way naturally!
"Not bad!"
"Where did you get this?"
"Master carved it," Sun Simiao said.
At that, Verdant Green Maiden's eyes lit up. She clicked her tongue and shook her head, then glanced again at the agarwood statue in her hands. "I never would've guessed Little Tiying had such a talent for this! If she ever stops being a doctor, she could sell each statue for a tael of gold and make a living just fine. Not bad, not bad."
Sun Simiao blinked at her words, unsure how to respond.
The last time he had met Verdant Green Maiden with Chunyu Tiying, Yang Jian and Bai Susu had been getting married, so he hadn't paid her much attention.
Only now did he realize that Verdant Green Maiden was...
so mercenary.
Was this really the flawless Empress Yuan Jun Chunyu Tiying had spoken of?
As Sun Simiao was thinking this, Verdant Green Maiden suddenly lowered the statue in her hands and turned her gaze on him. Her red lips parted. "What are you thinking about?"
"N-nothing."
Sun Simiao jolted and immediately shook his head.
Verdant Green Maiden gave him a once-over, then laughed. She put away the statue and turned to leave. "Come with me."
"Right!"
Sun Simiao nodded and hurried after her.
Verdant Green Maiden led Sun Simiao into the palace.
When the three siblings heard that Sun Simiao had arrived, they could hardly wait. By the time Verdant Green Maiden brought him to Lizheng Hall,