After the coming-of-age ceremony, seeing that His Majesty's mind was firm, the petitions to add more women to the harem gradually subsided.
They realized that as long as His Majesty didn't have a conflict with Lord Li, they wouldn't have a chance.
But what if they have a conflict? Is that possible?
Everyone knows the answer in their hearts—it's impossible.
At most, the adults will get angry, and His Majesty will have to coax them. Look at how clingy they are, His Majesty won't get tired of it even if they're sick of it.
Liang Bang, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, offered a friendly piece of advice: "Everyone, take a break. His Majesty has the final say in the court, and you and I can't change his decision. Besides, the country is at peace now, and His Majesty and the Imperial Tutor have a deep relationship. Many things are under discussion between them. As long as the court is not in chaos, why worry about so much? Just do your own thing and don't fret. That way, everyone will be happy."
Liang's words made sense, and after a moment of sighing, everyone agreed that they were right and soon dispersed.
Yun Qing was unaware of what had happened in private, and no one dared to speak of it to her. After all, it was best to discuss it quietly; if it were brought to Lord Li's attention, His Majesty would not give them a friendly look.
After the spring, Shen Tingsi and Jiang Liuzheng left the capital, leaving their daughter behind. Yun Qing then took the little girl to school.
She was a bit frail at a young age, but she was really smart. She could remember everything the teacher said after just one listen, and it was clear that she was very interested in these things. Yun Qing had a feeling that she would be a good prospect.
Everyone has their own strengths. Whether it's the frontier or the imperial court, there's always a place that suits her. Once she grows up, it shouldn't be uncommon for women to participate in the imperial examinations. In short, the future is promising.
As girls' education flourished, good news also came from Tan Zaiheng—overseas merchants had found potatoes.
This is the third high-yield crop discovered, after corn and sweet potatoes.
After realizing the benefits of high-yield crops, the imperial court has been investing in this area. As the saying goes, "a generous reward will surely attract brave men," which essentially opened up another avenue for merchants to connect with the court. Everyone was eager to become imperial merchants, so they were naturally willing to put in the effort.
Yun Qing had anticipated finding it, but the process was much faster than she had imagined.
Indeed, the whole country must be united; then what can't we accomplish?
Of course, the more imperial merchants there are, the better. However, because of their discovery of high-yield crops, the group of itinerant merchants not only received rewards but were also included in the scope of evaluation. If they perform well in the future, they can become imperial merchants.
When Yun Qing entered the palace, she happened to encounter the Imperial Guards inspecting the potatoes being sent into the palace. Only after confirming that there were no problems were they allowed to enter the vehicle.
Deng Yanzhong was on duty at the palace gate today. Upon seeing Yun Qing, he quickly greeted him, "Greetings, Lord Li. Are you going to the palace to see His Majesty?"
One of the reasons.
Yun Qing said, "Take a look at the potatoes that were delivered."
Busy with official duties, Yun Qing chatted with him briefly before entering the palace.
When they arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Xie Rang had already come out to look at the potatoes. He picked one up and squeezed it. Yun Qing seemed to notice the question in his eyes and stepped forward with a smile: "The traveling merchant brought quite a lot. Tonight, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare some new dishes for Your Majesty to try."
After all, he is the emperor. He can try new things first. The common people don't lack food for the time being, so there's no need to be so stingy.
"Okay." Xie Rang was not worried at all that Yun Qing would harm him, and agreed without any suspicion.
The palace servants around were used to it; His Majesty had no airs in front of Lord Li.
Because it was a new thing and the method had not yet been developed, the Imperial Kitchen welcomed His Majesty and the Imperial Tutor, two important figures, for the first time in a long time, before preparing dinner.
There are many ways to cook potatoes, and they all taste pretty good no matter how they are cooked. Considering that Xie Rang prefers a milder taste, Yun Qing instructed the imperial chef to make stir-fried potato shreds and mashed potatoes, while she herself ordered a dry pot potato chicken dish.
This kind of food, which is commonplace in later generations, is still very rare now. Yun Qing hadn't had it in a long time and felt a great appetite. Xie Rang tried it and, judging from his expression, seemed to like it too.
"Potatoes are a staple food, but there are many taboos associated with their consumption. I will write them down later and give them to Lord Tan."
Yun Qing thought about this issue. In order to make the people willing to accept it, it is also necessary to prevent them from being poisoned by eating potatoes due to a lack of understanding.
"He's lucky."
Xie Rang muttered to himself, still resentful that Tan Zaiheng was the first to see Yun Qing in women's clothing.
Yun Qing put down her chopsticks, her gaze sharp: "That's enough. If you insist that the first person to see me in women's clothing was the old lady who saved me, why are you arguing with Lord Tan? Haven't you seen me enough times? You say you're magnanimous, but is this how you behave?"
Xie Rang was speechless and didn't dare to argue with her: "I understand."
He was just talking; he never actually went to negotiate or discuss the matter with Hengshui.
Otherwise, how could Tan Zaihai still stay peacefully in the imperial court?
Seeing that she was very nice, Yun Qing looked away and didn't continue.
She was a woman of action, and the sooner she resolved things, the sooner she could feel at ease. After dinner, she wrote a letter, in which she carefully explained the planting methods and dietary restrictions for potatoes. Only after confirming that there were no problems did she send someone to deliver it to Tan Zaiheng.
After she finished her work, Xie Rang, who had been patiently waiting for a long time, finally came over, fiddling with something in his hand.
Yun Qing, with her sharp eyes, noticed it and pulled his hand over to take a look; it was a silk ribbon.
"What is this for?"
Xie Rang smiled and stared at Yun Qing: "It's for blindfolding."
When they were alone, Xie Rang's intense gaze remained unwavering, which Yun Qing witnessed. She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Use it on me?"
Xie Rang's Adam's apple bobbed, and he brushed his fingertips against the corner of her lips without saying a word.
Their ambitions are obvious.
Yun Qing curled her lips and easily pulled the silk ribbon from his hand, saying, "Your Majesty, bow your head."
Yun Qing didn't want to investigate where Xie Rang had learned so many strange things for the time being. She only knew that if she didn't take some action soon, she would be completely at his mercy.
She chose to strike first.
"Is the Grand Tutor sure you want to do this?"
Xie Rang asked, but he had already begun to act, obediently lowering his head in front of Yun Qing and letting her do as she pleased.
Yun Qing covered his eyes, which were always staring at her intently, with a silk ribbon, and then tied it on him rather clumsily.
She chuckled softly, "If we hadn't done this, this thing would have appeared on me by now. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?"
Yun Qing knew exactly what kind of person Xie Rang was. She got up, took Xie Rang's hand, and led him toward the bed. Since he couldn't see, Xie Rang just obediently followed her and was eventually pushed onto the bed.
He said rather innocently, "If the Grand Tutor doesn't agree, I certainly won't do it."
In a sense, Xie Rang is a very principled person. No matter what he does, he needs Yun Qing's approval before he will act rashly.
Yun Qing lowered her eyelashes, looking at him with an unreadable expression: "Wouldn't you try every means to get me to agree?"
Xie Rang's persistent nature is quite different from his usual demeanor in public.
As if he had just thought of something, Xie Rang's breath hitched slightly: "Grand Tutor..."
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