Yun Shu looked at the dozens of merchants who had been let into the courtyard by the golden-armored heavenly soldiers, taking in every detail of their expressions.
How could a deity's promise be given so lightly?
She had only given the promise to Zhao Qiusheng after she and the system had observed him for a long time, conducting a detailed evaluation and analysis of his character and past experiences to ensure a 99.99% probability that he would wish to restore the damaged books.
As for these merchants.
She could guess with her toes how outrageous their wishes would be if she gave them a chance to make one.
Because of this.
she had no intention of looking for trouble.
However, these merchants were useful, and they had indeed done good deeds—opening their granaries to distribute grain and handing out winter clothing. The expenses involved were by no means small, and some smaller merchants had even put up their entire family fortunes. This was a level of boldness ordinary people lacked, and it was also the unique investment vision of merchants. They were gambling that their actions would win the favor of a deity, in exchange for even greater benefits.
No matter what, she had to give them some reward.
It was like the old saying.
If you want the horse to run, you have to let it graze.
At times like this, the cheap 9.9-yuan trinkets she had bought wholesale from the Pinduoduo System would come in handy.
Using some insignificant items to bind these merchants and turn them into entrepreneurs who could contribute to society, while also harvesting a wave of Shock Value along the way—why wouldn't she do it?
“Distributing porridge, donating clothes, repairing bridges, and mending roads are all deeds of great kindness. You are well deserving of the words 'benevolent and charitable.'”
She paused.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, she continued, “I once traveled to a minor world separated from this realm by thousands of years. The things used by the mortals of that world are quite novel. I brought some back with me, and I shall bestow them upon you.”
Hearing this, the merchants looked at one another, a hint of irrepressible disappointment simultaneously flashing in their eyes.
The Divine Lady had not given them a chance to make a wish as she had for Zhao Qiusheng. The mountains of gold and silver they wanted, or the elixirs of immortality...
None of them were happening!
They were certainly disappointed.
Yet, the novel objects mentioned by the Divine Lady were also like a spark, crackling and igniting their curiosity.
Objects used by mortals of an otherworldly realm were likely just mortal things after all, surely incomparable to the treasures of the Heavenly Palace.
But they were still items from thousands of years away.
Who wouldn't be curious to see what they looked like?
The merchants fell to their knees one after another to express their gratitude, their voices tinged with anticipation. “To be regarded so highly by the Divine Lady and to be personally bestowed with otherworldly objects is a blessing we must have accumulated over several lifetimes.”
Yun Shu's expression remained unchanged. She merely turned her head slightly, casting a faint glance at the invisible little fox beside her.
The little fox understood immediately. Pulling a sack from the system inventory, it began distributing the items inside to the crowd.
Because it had to deliver everything in a very short amount of time, it moved so fast it practically left afterimages in the crowd.
It muttered to itself as it finished distributing to the owner of the Treasure Pavilion, then to the owner of the cosmetic shop, and then to the owner of the restaurant...
The first to snap out of it was the manager of the Treasure Pavilion.
He stared at the object that had appeared out of thin air in his hand, studying it meticulously for a long while before crying out in shock, “This... this is actually a bronze mirror! But how can a bronze mirror be made as thin as a cicada's wing? The surface is so clear and bright, and the back is as smooth as fat!”
No one accused him of making a fuss, because everyone present was so astonished their mouths were agape.
In the blink of an eye, an unprecedented, magical object had suddenly appeared in each of their hands.
Madam Zhou of the cosmetic shop had received a slender glass tube. She tried opening the cap and twisted it, and a bright red paste swiveled up.
“Could this be lipstick?”
Madam Zhou murmured to herself, “How on earth did they make lipstick with such a bright and beautiful color?”
Madam Zhou's younger sister leaned in, showing her a glass bottle filled with liquid. “Sister, smell the liquid in this glass bottle of mine. It is so fragrant! The scented powders we sell in our shop can't compare to this perfume at all.”
She grew more excited as she spoke. “If we could make this kind of perfume and sell it on the streets, our cosmetic shop's business would definitely boom! Maybe even the high officials and nobles in the capital would scramble to buy our perfume!”
The restaurant manager held a piece of food that was neither quite a biscuit nor quite noodles. Smelling the fragrance wafting from it, he couldn't resist taking a bite. A flavor he had never tasted before exploded on his tongue, instantly blowing his mind.
“How can such a delicacy exist in the mortal world!”
After taking just one bite, he carefully placed the yellow noodle block back into the cardboard box in his arms.
He had just counted them; there were only ten packs of these yellow noodle blocks in this box. He had to bring them back to the restaurant and let the head chef study them to see if they could recreate them.
The merchants cradled the otherworldly items they had received.
From their initial disappointment, to their bewilderment when the objects appeared out of thin air, to their current profound shock.
They had clearly realized that these otherworldly items were not mere trinkets to satisfy their curiosity, but a brand-new business opportunity that could make them filthy rich.
【Madam Zhou Shock Value +100】
【Manager Li Shock Value +100】
【Manager Liu Shock Value +100】
【...】
【Current Shock Value: 2,616,000】
The crowd fell to their knees in unison, bowing solemnly.
“We thank the Divine Lady for bestowing these treasures upon us...”
Yun Shu stood quietly in the courtyard, the breeze fluttering her skirt embroidered with green mountains and misty rain. Her features remained as cold and indifferent as frost and snow.
She knew very well that most of these merchants acted out of self-interest, but as long as their actions tangibly helped the common people, whether they were sincere or not sometimes didn't matter all that much.
One should judge people by their deeds, not their thoughts; if one judged by thoughts, there would be no perfect person in the world.
As long as they did not cross the red line and commit major transgressions, minor faults and little schemes could be tolerated.
Only when everyone's emotions had settled down a bit did she speak slowly.
“What these otherworldly objects can achieve in your hands depends entirely on your intentions. Use them well, and they will benefit both others and yourselves; use them recklessly, and you shall suffer the backlash. Do not waste this opportunity.”
The merchants complied in unison, their voices echoing off the courtyard walls.
Watching the merchants, who held the lowest social status among the four classes of society, receive the Divine Lady's appreciation and be bestowed with otherworldly treasures, the commoners outside the courtyard would be lying if they said they weren't envious.
“So what the scholars of Yecheng Academy said is true—in the eyes of the Divine Lady, everyone is equal!”
“My second daughter wanted to go to town to sell her embroidery back then, but I stopped her. Did I make a mistake?”
“I regret it so much. I should have learned how to do business...”
The Divine Lady's gaze swept lightly over the crowd.
The surroundings instantly fell dead silent.
Her gaze finally locked onto Shen Yu. “Come forward. I have a task for you to perform.”
Shen Yu was startled for a moment. Then, subconsciously adjusting his robes and crown first, he walked into the courtyard.
Standing where he was, Shen Jue watched Shen Yu's retreating back and the Divine Lady not far away, his hands tightening unconsciously.
The Divine Lady's gaze had not fallen upon him in a long time. In her eyes, there was Li Qinghe, there was Fang Shuo, there was Fuyan...
But there was no him.
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