Chapter 358: Concubine

Huo Lin picked up a yam, weighed it in his hand, and then smelled the chili pepper. His breathing became slightly rapid: "Is this true? What is the yield per acre? Is it easy to grow?"

Jiang Huan nodded: "He Ling personally tried planting it, so it can't be wrong. As long as it is promoted properly, people's dining tables will not only have more flavor, but their grain reserves will also be more abundant."

Huo Lin suddenly stood up and paced excitedly around the hall.

Chili peppers add flavor and enrich the diet; yams are both food and medicine, helping to increase reserves.

First potatoes and sweet potatoes, now chili peppers and yams! This is truly a godsend.

If this method can be widely adopted, it will be a tremendous benefit to the country and its people.

The gloom on his face completely disappeared, and he walked back to Jiang Huan's side, taking her hand in his.

"If this succeeds, He Ling will be credited with the greatest contribution, and you will also deserve much credit!"

Jiang Huan smiled and withdrew her hand: "I dare not take credit. I haven't been able to help with the pregnancy during this time. These troubles were all caused by He Ling herself. However, she came to see you today but was stopped outside by Eunuch Wang. She pitifully begged me to come here. Don't blame her for disturbing your political discussion."

Huo Lin was taken aback, then chuckled: "She has made such a great contribution, I should be rewarding her."

He immediately raised his voice and said, "Wang Degui, convey my decree: Consort Ling has made great achievements in agriculture. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Consort, given the title of Hui, and granted the position of Principal of Changchun Palace. She is to be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade. The Ministry of Revenue shall immediately send a special person to take charge of the cultivation of various new varieties, record the planting methods in detail, select good fields for trial planting after the spring, and promote the cultivation of new varieties vigorously after success."

Wang Degui was taken aback, then bowed and said, "This servant obeys the decree."

This reward is extremely generous.

When the imperial edict reached the side hall where He Ling lived, she was squatting in the courtyard without any regard for her image, muttering to herself while looking at a few pots of newly transplanted chili seedlings, her hands still covered in mud.

"My little darlings, be good and grow up well. Your big sister is counting on you..."

When the eunuch came to deliver the imperial decree, she was startled and hurriedly stood up, almost knocking over the flowerpot.

When she heard the contents of the imperial edict, she was completely stunned.

[Me...I got a promotion and a raise, and I've reached the pinnacle of my life?]

[System, am I dreaming?!]

"Ding! Detection indicates the host has received significant recognition, with a substantial increase in reputation points. Congratulations on your promotion to Consort Hui!"

"Friendly reminder: The host's current position is secure. It is recommended to strike while the iron is hot and continue to expand the agricultural advantages."

He Ling was so overwhelmed by this huge surprise that she accepted the imperial decree in a daze, expressed her gratitude, and even after the eunuch delivering the decree left with a fawning smile, she was still standing there, holding the bright yellow imperial edict and grinning foolishly.

The palace maids and eunuchs in her palace had already knelt down with joy, shouting in unison, "Congratulations, Consort Hui!"

The sound was so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

He Ling finally came to her senses and looked at the palace servants kneeling on the ground. She was so proud of herself that she could hardly contain herself.

[Hahaha, Consort Hui, I am Consort Hui now!]

[System, see this? As long as you cling to the Empress's coattails, you can become a concubine even if you're just farming!]

System: "...The host's current emotions are fluctuating too much. It is recommended to remain calm and avoid turning joy into sorrow."

"Based on data analysis, the host's promotion this time is mainly due to 'practical value' rather than 'emotional value.' We suggest that the host..."

He Ling was in high spirits when the system poured cold water on her enthusiasm, and she immediately became unhappy.

[Shut up! What's wrong with practical value? Can emotional value put food on the table? Can it yield 800 bushels per mu?]

He Ling proudly raised her chin, feeling an unprecedented sense of triumph.

She was happily planning how to decorate the new palace and how to spend that huge sum of money when a commotion arose outside the palace gates.

"Oh~ I wondered who was making such a big fuss. It turns out to be our Consort Hui. How unique it is to receive the imperial decree while squatting in the mud."

He Ling looked up and saw Wen Yilin standing at the palace gate with two palace maids, looking at her and the mud on her hands with a look of disgust.

Wen Yilin had been feeling unhappy these past few days. Her father was the Minister of Revenue, and she had thought that he would be able to make great strides in the spring plowing and gain the Emperor's favor. However, she never expected that He Ling, who spent her days farming, would steal the limelight and be promoted to the rank of Consort.

She got angrier and angrier, so she came over specifically to say a few sarcastic things and vent her anger.

But He Ling is now a legitimate imperial concubine and has just made great contributions, so she is very confident and has no reason to be afraid of Wen Yilin's little show of force.

Moreover, she was by Jiang Huan's side every day and learned a lot of skills from her.

She slowly stood up, patted the dirt off her hands, and instead of being annoyed, she looked at Wen Yilin with a smile.

"Oh, it's Consort Wen. What brings you to my humble abode? Are you here to offer your congratulations?"

Wen Yilin was taken aback by her use of the term "this Empress," and her expression darkened further. She snorted.

"Congratulations? Yes, congratulations! Congratulations to Consort Hui for rising to the rank of consort with her excellent farming skills. It's truly unprecedented. I just don't know if the 'Hui' in her name means 'practical benefit' or 'favor'? After all, the way Your Highness has received this favor is quite unique."

The sarcasm in those words was practically overflowing.

The palace servants around held their breath, heads bowed, not daring to speak.

He Ling wasn't angry at all. She even took a step forward, getting closer to Wen Yilin, her smile unchanged, but her voice rising a few decibels.

"What you're saying, Consort Wen? What's wrong with farming? His Majesty is wise and cares deeply for the people. I am merely doing my small part by cultivating some high-yield and easy-to-grow crops. It is my honor to be able to share His Majesty's burdens and bring happiness to the people!"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Wen Yilin's well-maintained hands: "Does Consort Wen think that doing practical things for the country and the people is less noble than spending your days applying makeup, playing the zither, and singing? Or does Consort Wen think that the Emperor is wrong to value agriculture and care about the people's livelihood?"

When this huge accusation was slapped on her face, Wen Yilin's face turned pale instantly.

"What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever say the Emperor was wrong!" she shouted angrily. "Stop spouting nonsense!"

"Oh? Is that so?" He Ling blinked, feigning surprise. "Then what did Consort Wen mean by what she said just now? Is she envious that I can share the Emperor's burdens? That's easy! There's a plot of land in the backyard of Changchun Palace that I can give you half of, and teach you how to farm. I promise I won't hold back anything! How about it? Consort Wen, would you like to experience it too?"

As she spoke, she deliberately stretched out her muddy hand, making a gesture as if to pull Wen Yilin.

Wen Yilin screamed in fright, took a step back as if she had touched something dirty, and shook her sleeves vigorously, her face turning green.

"Who wants to learn farming from you? You're so ignorant!" she said angrily. "You think you're so great just because you've been made a concubine? You're nothing but a concubine who farms! You're from the peasant family! You'll never amount to anything!"