While the outside world was in turmoil, Xie Yuan remained in his brand-new palace, completely at ease.
"Time flies! It's already New Year's Day!"
Red lanterns hung in the courtyard, and the maids and servants all changed into festive new clothes.
Winter in Lingnan is sunny and bright, with only occasional sleet, barely giving it a wintery feel.
The people in the Yue King's Palace were mostly from the north, and they felt somewhat out of place not seeing the grand scene of "heavy snow foretelling a bumper harvest."
However, thanks to Xie Yuan's efforts, the New Year's atmosphere was still created.
The new Prince's Mansion, red lanterns, new clothes, and chubby little Xie Zhen, under the watchful eyes of the guards, are setting off firecrackers in the huge courtyard.
The fire was burning brightly, and the cut bamboo sections thrown in made a crackling sound.
Outside the Prince's Mansion, a small town has already formed.
Most of the villagers have some connection with the Prince's Mansion.
Either the sons of the family served as guards in the prince's palace, or the family members worked in shops such as sugar shops.
With the arrival of villagers, merchants began to appear.
With shops available, people from other areas began to flock here.
In less than six months, the once desolate seaside village has been transformed into a bustling town.
Crescent Moon Village has also been successfully upgraded to Crescent Moon Town.
Thanks to the royal residence, the people of Crescent Moon Town lived a life free from worries about food and clothing.
After a year of hard work, on New Year's Eve, people lit lanterns and set off firecrackers.
Crackling! Crackle, crackle!
At first, the sounds were sporadic, but as midnight approached, the sound of firecrackers filled the air.
"Happy Chinese New Year!"
Xie Zhen's chubby little face was full of happiness as she ran around and called out in the yard.
In the main seat, "Helian Jue" still had disheveled hair. After drinking a jar of wine, he started to act crazy while drunk.
Xie Yuan quickly ordered someone to take him back to the courtyard.
"Alas! If only His Highness could pull himself together!"
Looking at that frantic figure, Granny Zhao sighed softly.
"Let him be! Perhaps he'll be happier in a world of drunkenness!"
Xie Yuan knows the truth, but he can't tell anyone.
She continued to play the role of a resigned and suffering princess, and said something indifferently.
Granny Zhao nodded, "Your Highness is right!"
The King of Yue was once the crown prince. To be deposed in one fell swoop and fall from grace is a fall from grace that no one could bear.
To be lost in a dream, never to wake up, might also be a kind of happiness.
It's just that my young lady is suffering.
Although the eldest daughter is a princess, she has no children.
If she had a son, even if the prince died drunk, the young lady wouldn't have to worry.
Thinking of this, Granny Zhao glanced at Xie Yuanping's flat stomach, her lips twitched a few times, but in the end she swallowed her words back.
It was New Year's Eve, such a joyous day; she couldn't possibly stab the young lady in the heart.
Xie Yuan: ...
She noticed Zhao Mama's scrutinizing gaze and her hesitant expression.
Xie Yuan also had some guesses about what Granny Zhao was thinking.
but--
She and Helian Jue never consummated their marriage, so where did the child come from?
Furthermore, Helian Jue himself wasn't even at the Prince's residence. If Xie Yuan were pregnant, that would truly be courting death.
Judging by the time, Helian Jue should have already arrived in Huangzhou. I wonder if his "double-crossing" trip is going smoothly or not.
Wait a minute, Xie Yuan's mind raced, and he suddenly remembered something:
Huangzhou is adjacent to Jiaozhou. Now that Helian Jue has arrived in Huangzhou, could he take the opportunity to visit Jiaozhou as well?
Seeing that Granny Zhao was patiently coaxing Xie Zhen to stay up late on New Year's Eve, Xie Yuan excused himself to go to the toilet and temporarily left the courtyard.
She dismissed those around her and whispered, "Xuanjia!"
Whoosh!
A figure flashed into view.
"Are you able to contact His Highness now?"
Xie Yuan asked softly.
Since Helian Jue led his troops to Huangzhou, Xie Yuan has temporarily cut off contact with him.
"……Can!"
Xuanjia hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, I'll write a letter later, and you can find a way to send it to the Prince!"
Worried that Xuanjia would refuse, Xie Yuan added, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to find out His Highness's whereabouts, much less spy on military secrets."
"There is something I would like to ask Your Highness for help with."
Xuanjia was taken aback; he had been following Princess Xie for some time now.
Except for private times such as using the toilet and taking a bath, Xuanjia is almost always by his side.
Even when the princess was resting, he would stay on the roof.
Xuanjia witnessed Xie Yuan's character, conduct, and strategic planning firsthand.
In Xuanjia's view, Princess Xie was very capable and did not resemble a wealthy noblewoman of this era at all.
She seemed to live a wonderful life on her own, without needing to rely on a man.
Therefore, Xuanjia could never have imagined that Princess Xie would ever make a request of her own prince!
"What's up?"
Out of curiosity, Xuanjia forgot the rules and asked a question he shouldn't have.
"It's a very important matter, concerning the food supply of Yuezhou and even the entire country."
Xie Yuan wasn't exaggerating; he spoke with utmost seriousness.
Jiaozhou?
Isn't it just Jiaozhi?
Is that Vietnam in later generations?
The historically renowned Champa rice originated in Vietnam.
Champa rice is known for its high yield, early maturity, and drought resistance.
In ancient times, before hybridization technology existed, Champa rice was considered a miraculous crop for increasing grain production.
It is drought-resistant, can be grown anywhere, and has a maturation cycle of only about fifty days.
In places like Lingnan, double-cropping rice has always been a tradition.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
