Chapter 429 Farm Tools
In this palace examination, Su Xueyi and Shen Yueyao became really famous.
Afterwards, the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates was held.
The emperor then issued an imperial decree to confer an imperial decree on Shen Yueyao.
This has never happened in the palace examination before.
Some officials pondered the name Su Xueyi carefully, and suddenly thought of the former Su Guogong Mansion and the former prodigy Su Sangong of the Su family.
When they thought about it, everyone understood it all at once.
This was the former Duke Su’s Mansion.
The emperor will definitely value the people from Duke Su’s Mansion.
It goes without saying that the emperor had a close relationship with the old man of Duke Su's mansion. Old man Su had taught the current emperor.
When the emperor was a young prince, he studied with Su Xueyi. No one else can compare to their friendship.
But everyone was puzzled. Others suffered a lot in exile, but why did he marry such a capable wife, Su Xueyi?
It was discovered that high-yield grains could also be used to make water wheels.
The emperor showed them the design drawings of the waterwheel, and the people from the Ministry of Works were even more shocked after seeing them.
It is said that water wheels can be built in any place where fields are irrigated, which can greatly save labor.
Moreover, the emperor and his clan members all had imperial farms where they grew crops. The Minister of Works was so excited that he wanted to build a waterwheel immediately.
Seeing the excited look on the old scholar's face, everyone realized that this waterwheel was a really good thing.
Even if you don't understand it, you can understand it by reading the detailed explanation of the principle.
They all became curious about Su Xueyi's wife.
I wonder what kind of woman she is!
Or were these all things discovered by Su Xueyi through research, but he happened to pin them on his wife.
No, didn’t he say that he married his wife in the countryside of Beihan? She was just a village woman. What abilities could she have? Only Su Xueyi could treat her like a treasure.
Could it be that Su Xueyi felt that if her wife's family was not prominent, the emperor would not be wary?
Or maybe Su Xueyi felt that since he had just returned to the court, his official position didn't need to be too high, so he should let his wife have an imperial edict first?
Anyway, they couldn't figure it out for the time being.
No one had ever noticed Su Xueyi before.
But now they realized that this was the third son of Duke Su's Mansion, a former boy prodigy, and they had to take him seriously.
The emperor quickly arranged the matter, held three court meetings, and then all officials went back.
After returning, many officials arranged for people to investigate.
"Investigate Su Xueyi thoroughly. Find out everything about him and his wife after he was exiled."
"Let's check how the potatoes and sweet potatoes were obtained. Did that village woman get them?"
"Go investigate Su Xueyi's wife and get all the information about her. Report back in detail..."
For a time, many officials and heads of aristocratic families arranged people to investigate Su Xueyi.
The news that Su Xueyi had won the top spot in the imperial examination and his wife had been granted an imperial decree soon spread.
Of course, there is more than that. The Shangshu also brought out a golden list and posted it outside the palace gate so that all the people could see it.
It was also to encourage all students to take the imperial examinations so as to select talents for the court.
Su Xueyi and the second and third place winners will also participate in a street parade.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites had already been waiting and had the top three scholars change into the clothes bestowed by the emperor and begin the parade.
The people were waiting in the streets early, just waiting to see the parade of the top scholar that day.
The people from the Ministry of Rites were beating drums and gongs in the front, and Su Xueyi, wearing the top-ranking scholar's uniform, was riding a horse and walking in the front. He was a man as beautiful as jade and a young man unparalleled in the world.
The Shuntian prefect also sent people to escort him along the way.
People flocked to the streets and watched excitedly.
The parade of the top three scholars in the imperial examination only happens once every three years. It is a grand event in the capital and the people love to join in the fun and watch it.
"This is our number one scholar. He's so handsome, like a god."
"Yes, he doesn't look like an ordinary person. He is really good-looking."
"I've watched the parade of top scholars many times, but no one has ever looked as good as him. It's not that his clothes complement him, but he makes his clothes look so good."
"We just went outside the palace gate to look at the list of top scorers. The number one on the list is Su Xueyi. His name is Su Xueyi."
"But our number one scholar is really good at learning. He got the title at such a young age."
"That's right!"
The people in the capital also understood that it was extremely difficult to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar. If a family had a top scholar, it would bring honor to the family and be extremely good for the family's reputation.
It can be said that they are a family of scholars.
Some girls couldn't help but ask, "He's so young and so handsome, I wonder if he's married yet?"
"Maybe not. She's so pretty and young, so she's naturally a good match for the best girl. I've never heard of any girl in the capital being betrothed to such a gorgeous person."
"I heard he was from the countryside."
"Hurry up and throw flowers to the number one scholar."
"I think the third place winner is also good-looking. The first place winner is so good-looking that he doesn't look like a real person, but like a painting. The third place winner looks like a real person and has a good temperament."
"The runner-up is also handsome, and he looks so energetic in his second-place uniform. Let's all throw flowers..."
Whether girls or old ladies, they all like to throw flowers to express their love.
It is also to participate in this Royal Street parade, to be lively and to get a taste of the culture.
Su Xueyi rode a horse along the Imperial Street, looking a little dazed.
Back then, his second brother was a top scholar in the imperial examination and rode a horse through the streets, but now his second brother is no longer with us.
He was actually feeling a little sad.
Unexpectedly, he returned to the capital and became the top scorer in the imperial examination.
I still remember when I was young, the teacher said that he would be the top scorer in the imperial examination.
But at that time his father thought he was too young and asked him to wait before taking the next imperial examination.
Or maybe you want him to travel and study to gain more knowledge and experience.
Who would have thought that something like that would happen to the Su family later.
Watching the people excitedly expressing their love and throwing flowers continuously, he couldn't help but recall the time when the Su family was exiled and forced to leave the capital. It was really deserted.
No one came to see me off.
It's completely different from the situation today.
Su Xueyi ignored the flowers thrown by others and automatically used his internal energy to block them.
He was also worried that Yao Niang would be unhappy if she saw him holding the flowers that were thrown at her.
Although Yao Niang never said anything, Su Xueyi was reluctant to let her be unhappy in the slightest.
He only wanted to protect Yao Niang's happiness.
Su Xueyi knew clearly in his heart that if it weren't for Yao Niang, he would never have come this far, let alone return to Beijing to take the imperial examination and become the top scholar.
Now all of this is brought by Yao Niang.
If my mother and elder brother knew about this, they would definitely be very happy.
But according to the time of the letter, my mother set off from Liuhe Village on time, so they should have arrived in the capital by now.
Su Xueyi thought that maybe her mother and the others had delayed her by arranging things at home.
He wanted to share his joy with his family, and his mother must be very happy.
Shen Yueyao came to the second floor of the milk tea and pastry shop early in the morning, waiting for the top scholar parade.
Shen Yueyao guessed in her heart that Su Xueyi would be the top scorer, but she never said anything before the palace examination because she didn't want Su Xueyi to feel pressured.
All the shops and attics along the route of the parade in Beijing were booked in advance, all just to watch the parade of the top three scholars on that day.
Many unmarried girls would blush when they took a quick look through the second-floor windows.
It is true that the top three scorers in this year's exams all look very young.
Of course, the emperor wants to choose as young people as possible.
Talents who have not been polished are more likely to retain a sincere heart.
Of course, it was also because the three of them were indeed knowledgeable, and the court officials had no objection to their being the top three.
Shen Yueyao opened her milk tea and pastry shop at the right time. Ever since the results of the imperial examination were announced, the business of this shop has been booming every day. Now this shop has become famous, and some people even booked private rooms for that day in advance.
So much so that even though many people wanted to make a reservation later, there were no private rooms left.
There are many young girls in the private rooms on the second floor of her store now.
Everyone was chattering and Shen Yueyao could hear it clearly.
"The top scholar is so good-looking."
"Only someone like this can wear clothes so beautifully."
"Fortunately, we booked a private room early. If we had booked a little later, we wouldn't have been able to get one."
"Look, the people down there can't get a table and have to squeeze in the crowd. It's better for us to check the table this way."
"This restaurant's private room is well decorated, fresh and elegant. We can stand by the window without having to squeeze with other people."
"How come the owner of this store is so amazing and talented? He's so thoughtful even when opening a store. My mom asked me to help manage the store, and I have to learn a lot."
…
Everyone was talking blah blah.
Shen Yueyao looked at the team that had just come from the other end of the street from afar, with a bright smile on her face.
She also thinks her husband is really handsome.
Especially when he wears this outfit, he looks even more elegant and graceful.
Su Xueyi had a calm expression at first, but suddenly she seemed to sense something and looked towards Shen Yueyao.
When she saw Shen Yueyao, a smile instantly appeared on Su Xueyi's face, just like the frost melting and adding warmth.
It was really a smile, a fleeting moment of beauty, which made many women's heart beat faster.
"Look, the number one scholar is looking at us and smiling at us."
"Yes, I smiled at him. I smiled. Do you think you are beautiful, my sister?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
A young girl said shyly.
"Oh, this number one scholar is so young, he should not be married yet. I will ask my parents to help find out. With our family background, it is natural for my younger sister to marry him."
Shen Yueyao had excellent hearing, and the corners of her mouth twitched when she heard this.
But she was not angry. This was all normal. Her Xue Yi looked so beautiful, especially in the top scholar's uniform. It was normal for people to like her.
It’s enough for everyone to know about propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame, and not be like Qu Xincha.
Shen Yueyao looked at Su Xueyi and smiled at her.
The people in the adjacent private room were still discussing something when a voice suddenly said, "How dare you! You've forgotten where this is. This is the shop owned by the number one scholar and his wife."
"What? This is the shop opened by the wife of the top scholar. Is that true, Third Sister? Are you sure?"
"Tsk, what's wrong with that? Two women came to cause trouble that day, and it was this top scholar who rushed over and gave the woman a lecture. He defended his wife in every word and every action. It's obvious that he is a sentimental person. He has a wife. Little sister, don't be like that to one person. Our parents value education, so don't ruin their reputation."
"I, I know he's engaged, so naturally we're just going to see him and won't do anything."
"That's right. Besides, look at the elegance of this shop and the murals. You can tell that his wife is not an ordinary person. Such talent is not comparable to ordinary people."
The person called "little sister" whispered, "I also think she is very talented. I admire her."
"So, he's smiling at his wife. Could it be that his wife is also in the store?"
"On a day like this, people naturally want to watch it here."
"So, is there a chance we can meet the woman who painted this mural?"
"Yes, she is an extraordinary woman who can draw such a picture. Besides, I really like the cakes she makes."
"You only know how to eat. Didn't you just say it looked good to the champion?"
“It’s still delicious.”
…
Shen Yueyao couldn't help but smile as she listened to those conversations.
Shen Yueyao waved at Su Xueyi.
The smile in Su Xueyi's eyes became even more intense, so soft that water could drip out of it.
Shen Yueyao had also prepared flowers long ago. When Su Xueyi and her team came over, Shen Yueyao threw a flower at Su Xueyi.
Su Xueyi reached out and caught it.
Many people were paying attention to the top scholar, and they found that he did not accept the flowers thrown by everyone along the way, and no one handed the flowers to him.
He only accepted the flowers from this woman, and he even smiled.
Everyone couldn't help but look in the direction the top scholar was looking.
I saw a woman standing by the window.
She looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. She was wearing a white dress, with a slender figure, a beautiful face, and skin as white as snow, which even seemed to glow in the sun.
Her beautiful eyes are as clear as water, revealing a gentle smile, like a solitary orchid in a valley, extremely beautiful.
There is no head ornament on the hair, yet it manages to squeeze out all the colors.
Everyone couldn't help but admire her in their hearts, what a beautiful woman, just like a fairy from the Yaochi Lake.
At this moment, everyone realized that this is the real beauty!
There is a kind of natural and otherworldly beauty. Just by looking at it, everyone feels as if their minds are cleansed.
At this moment, everyone seemed to automatically block out everything around them and only saw the top scholar and the woman in front of them.
"It's so beautiful!"
"Yes, it's really beautiful!"
Perhaps apart from saying this, everyone really doesn’t know what other words to use to describe it.
Shen Yueyao had appeared in the store before, but she deliberately put on some makeup to cover up her appearance. She also thought that everyone came to the store to consume, and they couldn't always look at her face.
On this day, she did not cover up her face, because she was thinking that Su Xueyi would have a parade in the imperial court after passing the imperial examination, and she wanted to look at him in her most beautiful way.
There was a constant and lively sound of gongs and drums, and Shen Yueyao even waved to Zhou Chong behind her.
Zhou Chong received the signal and hurried downstairs to set off firecrackers to celebrate.
"Crackle, crackle..." the sound of firecrackers rang out.
With so many people following the parade, they naturally noticed Shen Yueyao and their shop when they heard such loud firecrackers.
Some people used to live far away and hadn't noticed such a store.
At this moment, my attention was attracted by the sound of firecrackers.
The sound of firecrackers was so loud that it drowned out the sound of gongs and drums. Everyone looked over there and found that the store signs were different from those of others.
“Milk tea dessert shop!”
It’s a very simple store name, but the word “milk tea” sounds unfamiliar to everyone and they have never heard of it.
Many people are keen on drinking tea, but have never heard of or tasted milk tea.
Everyone thinks this is a new word.
I thought about going back to see what milk tea was.
“When did a store like this open here?”
“Never heard of milk tea!”
"I don't know how it was done."
"Oh, you don't know this shop. It's very popular and the food is delicious. The milk tea is so good. My two daughters love it. They are usually picky eaters, but they love bread and cakes."
"Yes, the milk tea inside is really delicious. I like it."
"They have a lot of different kinds of milk tea, and some even have those pearls in them. They're delicious, and I don't know what they're made of, but they're so smooth."
“Yes, there are many flavors.”
No one knows how to do it.
In fact, Shen Yueyao just put in things like pearl taro balls.
"Yes, yes, our favorite drink is bubble milk tea."
"I think the buckwheat milk tea is delicious too."
"Taro balls are delicious. My grandmother loves them the most. They're soft and don't require chewing. She even said that drinking milk tea whets her appetite. She wondered how there could be something so delicious."
"That's right. My grandmother is the same. She's a very particular old lady. She won't eat food from outside. But this time she wasn't stubborn. The main reason is that the food was delicious."
"And cake? I've never heard of that idea of lighting candles and eating cake on birthdays. Don't they usually just eat brown-skinned eggs and noodles?"
"Oh, our old lady had her birthday a few days ago, so we ordered a big cake. We blew out the candles and cut the cake. It was so delicious. The guests and hosts had a great time. We want to order a cake for her birthday next time."
"Yes, yes, we want to eat cake. We can have cake for lunch and noodles for dinner..."
"And if you order it, it's all made on the same day, so fresh. Sometimes if you go early, the cakes are still warm."
"But some can only be eaten cold, because that's called mousse. It's edible when it's cold, but it melts when it's hot. We don't understand it."
As everyone talked, the topic turned to milk tea and dessert cakes.
I have to say, when people talk about their favorite food, there is really a lot to talk about.
Along the way, the team continued to move forward, and the streets were covered with flower petals.
Shen Yueyao could smell the fragrance even when watching from the private room.
…
After the parade, Su Xueyi went home.
Shen Yueyao was also anxious to go back, but now she said to Zhou Chong, "Let's get a new signboard and write 'Zhuangyuan Milk Tea Dessert Shop'."
Her family has a top scholar, so it's no problem to get this plaque.
This will attract more customers to come to the store to eat and drink milk tea.
Zhou Chong and the others were also excited. They followed such a powerful master, whose husband was the top scholar. They could go out with their backs held high and felt very proud.
Even when they come home at night, their parents are very excited.
Of course, this was before I knew that my master's husband would be first in the exam, and I was already very excited.
Not to mention this time.
It is conceivable that no one dared to do anything in their village.
They do things according to the requirements of their masters. When others look at them, they don't look at themselves, but at the forces behind them.
Nowadays, no one dares to come to their store to cause trouble.
Even the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been here.
After Shen Yueyao explained the matter to the people in the store, she hurried home.
Not long after returning home, Su Xueyi came home, and someone from the Ministry of Rites brought the imperial edict to read out.
When she found out it was an imperial edict, Shen Yueyao was stunned.
Su Xueyi pulled her down to kneel down.
The Ministry of Rites read the imperial edict, "By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Shen Yueyao, diligent and docile, noble yet frugal... canonized as a sixth-rank lady, given the title Min, and granted a set of official uniforms... for her respectful and respectful behavior..."
Anyway, I read a long list.
Shen Yueyao was stunned when she heard this.
Is this the imperial edict conferring the title on her?
Did she receive an imperial decree?
Moreover, he was of the sixth rank, a higher position than that of a county magistrate.
The emperor also gave some gifts, which were delivered by people from the Ministry of Rites.
Shen Yueyao hadn't come back to her senses until everyone left.
Su Xueyi closed the door, pulled Shen Yueyao back home, and asked softly, "Are you happy?"
In fact, looking at Shen Yueyao's dazed look at the moment, Su Xueyi just thought she was very cute.
Su Xueyi had always wanted Shen Yueyao to have an imperial decree and wanted to earn it for her, but this time the imperial decree was obtained by his mother Yao herself.
Shen Yueyao looked at the contents of the imperial edict, and then at the awarded clothes, headdress, and some gold, silver, and jewelry. She said happily, "Yes, I am very happy!"
In this era, men could become successful by taking imperial examinations and becoming officials, while ordinary women could either rely on their family or their husbands or sons to help them improve their status.
"The Emperor really dotes on you. If you win the first place in the imperial examination, he will grant me an imperial decree."
Su Xueyi shook her head and said, "It's not because of that. It's because you discovered the high-yield crops of potatoes and sweet potatoes. The emperor showed them these two things, as well as the waterwheel, and they were speechless."
"Besides, you have ensured that every household in Liuhe Village has enough to eat, so this sixth-rank imperial decree is bestowed upon you by the Emperor."
"The Emperor remembers your kindness. You helped him a lot in the past to bring down the Duke's Mansion and the Princess' Mansion. The Emperor cannot say these things openly because he wants to protect you, but he will compensate you in other ways."
"Our emperor attaches the greatest importance to agriculture and food, so you have no idea how happy he was when he learned about potatoes and sweet potatoes."
While Su Xueyi was speaking, she also described in detail how the emperor confronted the officials in the palace and how he overcame all objections.
Shen Yueyao said happily: "I also think it's great that the emperor pays attention to the people's livelihood. With such a good emperor, his reign should be a prosperous era."
Su Xueyi said: "The emperor wants to be a wise ruler, but he also needs talented people to use. Fortunately, during this court session, the emperor should have selected some talents in his mind."
Shen Yueyao seemed to be thinking of something and said, "By the way, why did the emperor plant potatoes and sweet potatoes in the back garden?"
Su Xueyi said, "Last year, the emperor arranged for Lu Yechen to come to Liuhe Village. He should have brought back potatoes and sweet potatoes at that time."
Shen Yueyao was surprised and asked, "So, the emperor knows everything about us in the village?"
"It was only after Lu Yechen returned to the capital and became a Jinyiwei that the emperor was able to secretly send him here. He didn't know what was happening in our village before."
"He didn't dare to act rashly, fearing that someone would send someone to assassinate him."
Su Xueyi knew that the emperor wanted to protect them.
Shen Yueyao felt a little touched.
"With such a good emperor, we can do many things with ease."
"Go back and thank the Emperor for me."
"Okay, the emperor is still waiting to buy the potatoes and sweet potatoes from your farm so that they can be promoted, but he will buy them according to the imperial market price."
Shen Yueyao nodded and said, "That's no problem. This is good for the people. If it's promoted, it will also allow more people to have enough food to eat."
Chen Yueyao thought for a moment and said, "Oh, right, I don't have much to thank the emperor for. I'll draw some farming tools, such as a simpler and more labor-saving plow, a wheelbarrow, a wooden cart for threshing millet, and a special plow for harvesting wheat..."
The agricultural tools of this era were relatively backward. If Shen Yueyao drew these tools and made them, farmers could use them to improve efficiency.
The emperor can first ask the Ministry of Works to make it for use in the imperial farm. If it is useful, he can order it in bulk.
"For these things, I hope the emperor will allow the court to regulate the prices and compress the prices so that farmers can afford them. They can also make them themselves, as they are easy to make."
Some carpenters and craftsmen can do it.
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