Chapter 94: King Chu "Father is so partial!"...
Chapter 94
Jing Yue poured another bowl of soup for Lin Zhiyi and placed it beside him. "Aren't you the doctor in charge of tea finance and taxation? Why are you checking the fields again?"
"Those who are capable should do more work." Lin Zhiyi swallowed the meat in his mouth and smiled. "This time, the statistical method for tea tax collection was recognized by the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Finance. My father must have praised me to them as well. Plus, my methods of making milk tea and tea powder into pastries are profitable. So...Sir Shen, the doctor in charge of land taxation at the Ministry of Revenue, asked me to help him find a way to increase tax revenue by utilizing farmland."
"So that's how it is..." Jing Yue saw that although she was tired, she still had a smile on her face, so she guessed, "Is there a solution?"
"Yes. I went with Lord Shen and his men to look at the fields south and east of the city and found that the soil was suitable for growing potatoes and pumpkins."
It's not that Lin Zhiyi is omnipotent and knows everything, even good at farming, but because she lived in the countryside with her grandparents for a period of time when she was a child. At that time, her grandparents would grow potatoes and pumpkins. In autumn and winter, these two things are durable and delicious. She has the impression that when she grew up and drove back to her hometown to visit the elderly, the trunk would be filled with the love of the elderly.
In addition, this time she went on a field trip and saw the pumpkins grown in the old farmer's yard. She also consulted with more experienced farmers of this era and came to this conclusion.
Jing Yue knew nothing about this: "Potatoes and pumpkins? What's so special about them?"
It should still not be as reliable as food like rice and wheat, right?
Lin Zhiyi: "These two foods are easier to store in autumn and winter, and can be used to make a lot of delicious food. If you manage them well, the yield will be quite high. It's better than letting the land go to waste, right?"
Jing Yue understood. "That makes sense," he praised sincerely. "You're proficient in so many areas."
Lin Zhiyi: "It's just because it's easier to collect and summarize information in my original place. If you read more books and travel more, you will understand a lot more."
"I understand. I'll try my best to keep up with you." Jing Yue smiled and handed her the soup that was stirred at the perfect temperature. "Have a sip."
Lin Zhiyi drank it all in one gulp, and he felt alive again: "It's delicious!"
"Eat some more fish."
"Um."
After the two of them had dinner, Jingyue went to take a shower. Lin Zhiyi, who had taken a shower as soon as he got home, lay on the bed and played with Yuanbao, but fell asleep soon after.
Jing Yue came out of the bathroom and saw her sleeping on the edge of the bed holding Yuanbao. She felt both distressed and admired her. Without even wiping her hair, she went forward to help her move her feet that were sticking out of the bed a little further in. Yuanbao shook his tail, jumped off the bed, and went back to his own cabin. Jing Yue then pulled the quilt over Lin Zhiyi to cover her.
Lin Zhiyi's breathing was steady, her face was rosy from sleeping, and her bright red lips were extremely tempting.
Jing Yue stared at him for a while, and was about to move in to kiss him when she noticed some water droplets falling down the hair that had not been wiped clean, right onto Lin Zhiyi's brow.
She frowned at the cold water droplets. Jing Yue leaned back to prevent more water droplets from falling, then reached out to wipe the water droplets off for her. He patted her head soothingly and then placed his palm on her cheek: "Go to sleep, it's okay, I'm here."
Lin Zhiyi rubbed his palm like a cat, but didn't wake up. He was sleeping soundly.
Jing Yue smiled and sat here with her for a while, then gently withdrew her hand, wiped her hair, extinguished the candle, and went to bed.
The weather in October is already very cold, and it is even colder at night.
Sensing the source of heat, Lin Zhiyi leaned into Jingyue's arms.
Jing Yue put his arms around her waist, and this time he could steal a kiss. He quietly tasted the flavor of her two bright red lips before falling asleep.
…
The third prince Jing Zhuorui’s wedding is scheduled for October 18th.
Emperor Longshun named him King of Chu and specially gave him a mansion that was once a former minister of the previous dynasty.
King of Chu is an extraordinary title.
——Traditionally, the four titles of "Qin, Jin, Qi, and Chu" are the most honorable, because the countries represented by these four titles were the most powerful during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.①
King Rui was simply named after the word "rui" which means auspiciousness.
For a moment, the court officials could not help but speculate secretly.
Your Majesty, do you want the princes to be granted fiefs and become vassals?
Twenty years ago, your majesty's brothers - princes from various places - attempted to rebel, but were suppressed by Lin Shuo and the Gu family. Later, your majesty also became wary of his own sons.
The crown prince was appointed very late, and the princes generally got married late as well. The second prince, who got married three years ago, did not even leave Beijing to become a fief.
But now... His Majesty has appointed the Third Prince as the King of Chu.
His Highness the Fourth Prince has also conquered several small countries in the Western Regions, and is about to marry a princess of the Western Regions... Will His Highness the Fourth Prince also be given the title of prince and go to the Western Regions to be a vassal?
No matter how well-mannered King Rui was, he was so angry that he kicked over the table and chairs in front of him when he learned of the title of King Chu.
The servants beside him were so scared that they knelt on the ground.
"Your Highness... don't be anxious or angry." Princess Rui's voice was soft and weak, but it was full of soothing power. She gently stroked Prince Rui's chest a few times, "If the emperor knew about this, he would find fault with you again."
Prince Rui took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Father is so biased!"
Princess Rui: "With the Crown Prince here, what does the King of Chu matter? Why should Your Highness worry about this?"
The prince... The prince has a very strong backing and cannot be brought down easily.
Last time, he was so roundabout, but he still got discovered!
Fortunately, he secretly dealt with Hedda. The evidence and witnesses that the fourth brother sent back to the capital were all small fry and could not prove anything. He could just say that the other party was framing him.
Originally, he wanted to deal with these people and the evidence, but Fang Jinsheng suggested not to act rashly, otherwise the other party would likely catch more evidence on him, and His Majesty would definitely be even angrier then.
Now, as long as he doesn't admit it, the witness evidence of those small fry can be said to be forged by the Fourth Prince, or that Haida has bad intentions and deliberately alienates the brotherly relationship between the Crown Prince of Dayan Dynasty and several princes.
Since Hedda was already dead, this was the safest option.
Sure enough, when he was called to the palace by his father to be reprimanded and questioned, he used Fang Jinsheng's words. His father was angry, but he did not really convict him based on one-sided words.
Now the fourth brother has the support of General Gu and the secret help of the second lady of the Lin family in the Western Regions. He has conquered the countries in the Western Regions so easily and will also marry a princess of the Western Regions. No matter how you look at it, the fourth brother is the winner. His father must be shaken in his heart.
He was confined to his house for a month and his duties were handed over to other court officials.
These punishments were what Jing Zhuowu expected, so he could accept them.
But the third brother was actually named King of Chu, and he felt unfair!
"Perhaps the Emperor has new plans. Your Highness, why not listen to Mr. Fang's plan?" Princess Rui, Shi Yun'er, said, "It was Mr. Fang's plan that helped Your Highness survive this crisis."
"Yun'er is right. I'll go see Mr. Fang. You should stay at home and take care of your pregnancy." Jing Zhuowu stroked her slightly bulging belly and his mood changed.
Ever since Li Yang got married, the royal family had indeed been blessed with many happy events. The Third Princess was first diagnosed with pregnancy, then the Crown Princess, and then his beloved concubine. Furthermore, Yun'er and the Crown Princess were both in the same pregnancy stage. If Yun'er could have a son before the Crown Prince, it would definitely piss him off...
…
Soon, Jing Yue also received the news that Prince Rui was under house arrest.
Lin Zhiyi happened to be on vacation. She received an invitation from Ji Wuyou yesterday, inviting her to have a drink, along with Zhou Mingyan and Xie Junxing.
Everyone has had some happy events in their family recently, so it's a good excuse to get together.
While Lin Zhiyi was changing clothes, she listened to Jingyue telling her that Prince Rui was under house arrest.
"So... Hedda's death is really related to him?" she speculated in a low voice.
Jing Yue nodded: "Ye Changning was also blamed by the emperor for this matter - he did not keep an eye on the prisoner and gave Prince Rui an opportunity to take advantage of him."
"This shouldn't happen. Ye Changning is such a vigilant person. How could such a thing happen?" Lin Zhiyi felt very sorry.
Jing Yue still remembered Ye Changning's special care for Lin Zhiyi, and also remembered that Ye Changning seemed to be aware of Lin Zhiyi's daughter. He became alert and pretended to be relaxed, saying, "Ye Changning is very busy with official duties. The Haida case has long been transferred to the Ministry of Justice. He is not omnipotent, so something like this... is actually understandable."
Lin Zhiyi raised his eyebrows: "I can't believe you admire him so much?"
Jing Yue: "It's because my father appreciates him more. Therefore, he has higher expectations of him and hardly allows him to make mistakes."
Lin Zhiyi nodded in agreement: "That's right, this is the tragedy of elite talents."
Jing Yue asked her back, "You are the one who has higher expectations of him, right?"
"Hehe, a little bit. It's an occupational disease." Lin Zhiyi shrugged. After fastening the red belt around her waist, she asked Jingyue, "Do you want to go with me?"
Jing Yue was tempted, but felt something was wrong.
The capital is in a turbulent time now, so he'd better be cautious.
"I'll wait for you at home, go ahead."
"Okay, I'm leaving now!" Lin Zhiyi walked over to him, stood on tiptoe and kissed him, then smiled and said, "I'll be back soon. I'll bring you some Hundred Flowers Wine!"
"Okay. Be careful." Jing Yue reminded gently.
Lin Zhiyi took Ji Feng and Lin Song out, and Youyi brought three people to protect them secretly.
In the private room of Piaoxiang Tower, Ji Wuyou had already instructed the waiter to prepare delicious food in advance, waiting for his friends to arrive.
Zhou Mingyan and Xie Junxing arrived first. Lin Zhiyi stopped by the elder sister's milk tea shop and ordered four cups of milk tea to bring over.
Seeing her carrying the milk tea shop's special wooden basket, Zhou Mingyan laughed at her: "Xiuyuan, why do you like to drink what little girls like? When we brothers get together, of course we have to drink to have fun!"
Lin Zhiyi glared at him. "So you don't want to drink it? Then I'll give Wuyou two servings and let him take them home for his family. Wuyou's sister should like it, right?" She looked at Xie Junxing and said, "Second Brother Xie, do you want to drink it?"
Xie Junxing was getting along well with Lin Zhihua, and it was time for them to discuss marriage, but unfortunately Miss Lin and Young Master Zhou got engaged first, so they had to postpone it... At this time, how could he possibly refute Lin Zhiyi?
Xie Junxing took it with a smile: "Thank you, Xiuyuan." He looked at Zhou Mingyan and said indifferently, "This thing is the most popular thing in the capital now. You may not be able to buy it even if you queue up. Ah Yan, don't regret it later..."
Zhou Mingyan: "..." He smiled flatteringly, hooked his arm around Lin Zhiyi's shoulders and said, "Xiuyuan, I was just kidding. I'm a little girl. Give me back my share, okay?"
Lin Zhiyi smiled helplessly: "Okay... here you go." After she distributed the milk tea, she asked Ji Wuyou, "Wuyou, how are the wedding preparations going in your house?"
"Everything went smoothly and properly." Ji Wuyou said, "Uncle Meng also helped the Third Prince with some preparations before the wedding ceremony. I think the Third Prince should be satisfied with marrying my sister."
He drank a glass of wine in silence, feeling an indescribable feeling in his heart.
My sister is getting married, and she's marrying a prince...
I wonder what the future holds...
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