Normally, even princes and princesses would be very reserved when they saw him, not daring to say a word or take a step more than necessary.

This little girl was incredibly cunning and sly, almost like a rascal.

He didn't find the girl annoying at all; on the contrary, he was pleased by her closeness and authenticity.

"I'll have someone get you the prescription in a little while, and you can take it with you when you leave the palace." The Emperor tapped the little girl on the head.

Jiayin beamed and quickly thanked them, then turned around and called out, "Second Uncle, Grandpa Village Chief, hurry up and cut the melon for Uncle Huang!"

Li Lao Er smiled and bowed to the Emperor again before rolling up his sleeves and taking the jade melon out of the bucket of ice water.

The village chief also took two golden fruits from another bucket.

The chief eunuch quickly led the junior eunuchs to carry over a small table.

The jade melons and golden fruits had been chilled in ice water all the way, and when cut open, they exuded a chilling aura and a sweet fragrance that wafted out.

The emperor was pleased with what he saw and asked, "Has the drought this year affected the fields?"

The village chief steadied himself and replied, "Your Majesty, the weather is indeed dry today, and the fields are short of water, but how should I put it? If everyone works a little harder, we can overcome this little trouble."

“Before, the villagers carried water three times to irrigate the land, and finally managed to save these jade melons and golden fruits. Although everyone was exhausted and their skin was peeling from the sun, seeing the melons and fruits in bloom now made them feel that all the hard work was worthwhile.”

The emperor couldn't help but nod, feeling somewhat relieved.

Everyone faces difficulties, and every year there are difficulties, but the important thing is to face them and actively solve them.

Is this emperor really less capable than a group of farmers?!

Soon, the jade melon and golden fruit were cut up.

Since the chief eunuch personally performed the procedure, there was no need to test for poison.

The emperor picked up a piece of jade melon, took a bite, and found it cool and sweet. The restlessness in his heart vanished instantly.

"What a wonderful melon! This year's melons seem even sweeter than in previous years!" The Emperor couldn't help but praise, which made Li Lao Er and the village chief grin from ear to ear, showing off their white teeth.

The village chief, barely suppressing his pride and excitement, nodded repeatedly, "His Majesty is truly remarkable; he could tell the difference in just one bite. Actually, both the Jade Melon and the Golden Fruit seem to thrive in drought, especially the Golden Fruit, which is frighteningly sweet, like a sugar jar!"

"You all eat too!" the Emperor said to Li Lao Er and the village chief, and then personally handed Jia Yin a piece of jade melon.

Seeing the chief eunuch standing to one side with his back bent, Jiayin stuffed her piece into his hand.

The chief eunuch was startled and wanted to refuse, but then the emperor said, "It's a gift from the princess, so just eat it."

"Oh, oh!" The chief eunuch quickly knelt down, smiling as he thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Princess."

Jiayin took another piece of jade melon and ate it in small bites, like a little squirrel holding a big fruit, eating with a satisfied and happy expression.

The emperor was infected and felt that the melon in his hand was even sweeter.

He chatted with Jiayin, and although the questions and answers were somewhat childish, it made him feel incredibly relaxed. Before he knew it, he had eaten three pieces of jade melon and two pieces of golden fruit.

Occasionally, he would ask Li Lao Er and the village chief how the crops were in the fields, how many visitors were coming to the valley, and how much fruit the orchard had this year…

Li Lao Er and the village chief both answered carefully, without any exaggeration, stating the facts as they were, which allowed the emperor to understand the real lives of ordinary people outside.

Just then, a young eunuch came in from outside, moved to the head eunuch's side, and whispered a few words.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor asked, "What is it?"

The chief eunuch smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress has brought the Third Princess to deliver plum juice to you."

The Emperor frowned slightly, but still said, "Let them in."

The chief eunuch personally went out to invite the person, and soon led in a beautiful woman in her thirties.

The beautiful woman was tall and slender, dressed in a bright red palace gown and wearing a red-gold phoenix crown, which made her features appear more sharp and serious, and less gentle and warm.

Beside the beautiful woman was a little girl of six or seven years old, who was a bit taller than Jiayin. She wore a pale yellow diagonal-front blouse and a snow-white satin skirt.

The little girl's features were rather ordinary, but the red gold pendant necklace around her neck added a touch of "nobility".

Li Lao Er and the village chief quickly knelt down and kowtowed. Jia Yin also jumped off the chair, but before she could kneel down, she stepped on the hem of her skirt and fell face down on the ground.

The Emperor laughed heartily, bent down to help the blushing little girl up, and said with a smile, "Last time your godfather said you wanted to lose weight, but it seems your weight loss results aren't very good."

After saying that, he patted Jiayin's knee and said, "Alright, you've already done your respects to the Empress by prostrating yourself. Just give another curtsy and that's it."

Jiayin quickly knelt down to pay her respects to the Empress and the Princess. The Empress reached out and helped Jiayin up, saying with a smile, "Is this Princess Kangle? She is indeed lovely and charming. No wonder the Marquis doesn't want to get married and have children, and has given the entire Marquis's mansion to this girl."

These words were spoken casually, but their meaning didn't sound like a compliment at all.

Li Lao Er and the village chief, who were kneeling, exchanged a glance out of the corner of their eyes and both became anxious.

Jiayin seemed not to have noticed, and climbed back onto the chair next to the Emperor, chatting innocently with the Empress, "Your Majesty, do you also know my godfather? Do you know when my godfather will be back?"

"When my godfather left, Fu Niu hugged him and wouldn't let him go. He said he was going to fight the enemy and get back half a river and a sea for my uncle! He also said that if he didn't come back, Fu Niu should come and find my uncle. Fu Niu even dreamed about my godfather last night..."

As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.

It has to be said that the chubby girl's pouting lips, looking like she wanted to cry but dared not, were truly heartbreaking.

The Emperor immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe the little girl's tears and coaxed her, "Don't cry, Fu Niu'er. Your godfather sent a message back yesterday, saying that he will be returning to Jiangnan in another half month."

"Really?" Jiayin was pleasantly surprised and immediately smiled. "Fu Niu'er just learned how to make steamed egg custard. When her godfather comes back, she will make it for him."

"When Godfather comes back, Father comes back, Uncle Dayong comes back, Grandma doesn't have to stand at the village entrance every day looking out anymore, and Mother doesn't have to secretly shed tears at night anymore!"

The little girl spoke quickly and urgently, clearly overjoyed.

The emperor sighed inwardly and gently stroked the little girl's hair.

To be honest, the Li family were just ordinary people. They even suffered a lot of hardship during their journey south, and the place they were assigned to settle down was a gravelly beach.

If this happened to anyone else, they would probably either curse the emperor or complain about him.

But the Li family never said a word of dissent to him. They worked hard to reclaim wasteland, plant melons and fruit trees, and even after becoming a fiefdom, they still paid taxes in silver and grain.

Now, the family has even sent their children and grandchildren to join the Marquis on the battlefield to fight the enemy.

He devoted all his loyalty and strength to Tianwu, to that incompetent emperor who had lost half of the country.

Even if it's very small...

Looking at the officials and nobles of the capital, all they know is to indulge in a life of debauchery and to scheme for personal gain.

Compared to the Li family, they are utterly shameful.

After thinking for a moment, he instructed the Empress, "From now on, don't talk about the Marquis not getting married. Count the noble families and powerful people, and no one is good enough for him. There's a reason why the Marquis likes the Li family. No one should stop him."

"In addition, have someone prepare some cloth and jewelry, remember to choose the best, and give them to the Li family as a reward for their loyalty and filial piety."

The Empress's eyes flickered, but she still got up and agreed.

Li Lao Er and the village chief quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude.

Jiayin jumped off the chair this time, landed steadily, and curtsied to thank the Emperor.

Seeing her all smiles, the Emperor found it even more amusing. "Just as your godfather said, Fu Niu'er is a little money-grubber. She's happy as soon as she gets something nice."

After exchanging a few more casual words, the Empress and the Princess ate two pieces of jade melon.

Li Lao Er and the village chief kept their heads down, not daring to look up, so they were about to take their leave.

Jiayin felt she had made her presence felt enough and decided to call it quits.

Unexpectedly, the Empress suddenly said, "Your Majesty, the Third Princess has never had any playmates. It's a rare occasion for Princess Kangle to come to the palace. Why not let her stay for a few days to keep the Third Princess company?"

Here's the latest update. My darlings, the flu virus is rampant lately, and my son single-handedly infected our whole family! It's been a real ordeal for me. Please forgive any late updates. Thank you all. Autumn is here, please take care of yourselves as the weather changes.