After finishing discussing the county magistrate's matter, Lu Yuan didn't forget what Gan Li had said: she had originally come to offer some kind of prescription.
He initially didn't believe that a village girl could have any remedies that would benefit the country and its people. However, after hearing about the twists and turns Gan Li went through in order to offer her remedy, he became interested in hearing about it and took the initiative to inquire about it.
Ganli came here specifically for this matter, and when he asked about it, she quickly told him.
"I accidentally discovered that ice can be made using saltpeter..."
Ganli then explained the ice-making method in detail, and concluded by saying:
"Although it is not the height of summer now, the weather is hot and many people have already suffered from heatstroke. If it comes to July or August, I don't know how many more people will die from the heat. I urge you to inform His Majesty about this so that the people can have ice and suffer less."
Lu Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this. As a local official, he was only in charge of a county town, yet he had already learned of several cases of people dying from the heat in the past few days. This was not even the height of summer, yet the situation was already so serious. He wondered how many more people across the country would die from the heat as the weather got hotter.
If Ganli's method could truly produce ice using cheap saltpeter, ordinary people would have a way to cool off in the heat, and there would likely be far fewer cases of people dying from the heat.
He was overjoyed, already anticipating the great reward he would receive for reporting this matter. His gaze towards Gan Li changed instantly, and he assured her:
"Don't worry, young lady. If this method works, I will definitely report this matter to the Emperor and ask for credit for you!"
Lord Lu was an impatient man, and on the spot he asked someone to bring paper and pen so that Gan Li could write down the method of making ice.
Gan Li is still pretending to be illiterate, so she can only speak while Lu Yuan writes. Only after Lu Yuan finishes writing the last stroke does he breathe a sigh of relief and look at the prescription with obvious excitement.
However, he did not rush to send out the prescription. Instead, he first asked someone to prepare saltpeter, wanting Ganli to be his interviewee.
People in officialdom have to be careful in everything they do. This prescription looks simple, but I don't know if it will work. What if it fails to work out? Wouldn't that be shooting myself in the foot?
Gan Li knew his concerns and didn't say much. After everything was prepared, she personally demonstrated it in front of Lu Yuan and the Princess.
When Lu Yuan saw that the water inside had actually frozen into ice, he was overjoyed.
He immediately wrote a memorial to the throne, copied the prescription onto it, and ordered someone to send it to the front lines. It was to be sent to the capital by fast horse along with news of the Princess's return.
After finishing all this, Lu Yuan said to Gan Li, "Miss, you have made a great contribution this time, and the Emperor will surely reward you!"
They also inquired about Ganli's address so that they could deliver the Emperor's commendation to him.
Ganli didn't hide anything and left her address.
Princess Qingyang did not interrupt while they were talking, but now that they had finished, she spoke up, her gaze towards Ganli filled with admiration:
“If an ordinary person got this method, they would probably be thinking about how to use it to make money. But you, without hesitation, gave it away. This kind of character is truly rare.”
Ganli was embarrassed by the praise and could only smile awkwardly, but in her heart she was thinking: Of course she had to offer it up, otherwise how would she earn more money?
After finishing her business, Ganli got up to take her leave. The princess saw that it was getting late and wanted her to stay the night.
Gan Li replied, "I have things to attend to at home." She felt a vague unease, fearing something might have happened at home, so she wanted to hurry back.
Knowing they were going back, Lu Yuan sent a carriage to take them. With such convenience, Gan Li naturally wouldn't refuse.
Before leaving, she looked at Princess Qingyang, with many things she wanted to say, but felt that nothing she said would be appropriate. In the end, she could only helplessly say "Take care."
Princess Qingyang nodded faintly, looked at her, hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.
The carriage was fast, but even so, it was already evening when they arrived at Yuxi Village.
Ganli and the others decided to go to the old house first to let their families know they were safe, so as not to worry them.
When we returned to the old house, it was completely dark. The courtyard was quiet, with only a faint candlelight shining in the main room.
Ganli's unease intensified, and she quickly went inside.
Gan Mingyi also asked in surprise, "Why are you all staying indoors on such a hot day? Why don't you come out and cool off?"
Gan Tian ran inside, calling out, "Grandpa and Grandma, we're back!"
A flurry of footsteps came from inside the house. Old Man Gan and Old Lady Gan strode out, followed by a haggard-looking Zhao Shi, as well as Gan Quan and Gan Qiao. All of them looked anxious. Only Sun Shi and Gan Lin followed behind, walking nonchalantly. Gan Lin even yawned.
Just as Gan Li was wondering why she couldn't see her eldest brother Gan Mingli, Old Lady Gan grabbed her hand.
When Grandma Gan saw them return safely, she breathed a sigh of relief. However, when she thought of her eldest son who was still imprisoned, her eyes instantly reddened.
"Ali, Mingyi, you're finally back! Your eldest brother... he's been arrested!"
"What?!"
Her premonition came true, and Gan Li's face darkened as she pressed, "What exactly happened? How could my brother have been taken away?"
"It's all because of that damned Chen Danian!" Zhao cried out.
Seeing that they were only crying and not saying anything, Gan Li was getting anxious and angry. Fortunately, Old Man Gan remained calm, sighed, and explained the whole story.
After Gan Mingli was arrested that day, Chen Danian must have failed to get what he wanted from Gan Mingli, so he sent someone to deliver a message.
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