Gu Ziyi always referred to himself as "I" in front of the Shen family, but he used "I" in the last sentence.
This was undoubtedly telling her that he was the crown prince, and that she could do things with peace of mind.
Lili looked at him shyly.
Gu Ziyi always seemed to be like this, patient and serious, never perfunctory.
"Your Highness...when was it..."
Gu Ziyi didn't say anything, but smiled softly.
This was the first time he had ever seen the little dumpling look bewildered and guilty.
This little dumpling wasn't afraid when it was kidnapped in the street, nor was it panicked when it was abducted; it even dared to hold scissors...
How could he have scared the little dumpling like this just by saying one sentence?
Seeing that he didn't speak, Lili thought to herself, "Help!"
This isn't some gentle little boy, he's clearly a cunning little boy!
Lili was quite embarrassed when someone pointed it out.
Looking around, Zi Yi didn't intend to tell her. Li Li looked around, coughed a few times to cover her embarrassment, and then raised her head confidently: "Well, Your Highness is right. It is Your Highness's honor to be Li Li's backer!"
Not far away, Zhui Feng listened in shock to the back-and-forth between the two, almost not understanding the meaning of the words.
His Highness the Crown Prince said that Miss Lili sees him as a protector?
Miss Lili is really outspoken; only His Highness has such a good temper.
Gu Ziyi laughed out loud, more cheerful than ever before, and nodded good-naturedly: "Yes, that's right."
Lili felt like she had punched cotton; she just didn't get the satisfaction she wanted.
He simply stomped his foot, turned around, and ran quickly back home.
It had a sense of fleeing in disarray.
"He really is just a little kid."
Gu Ziyi chuckled softly.
In fact, regardless of the reason, it would be something anyone would do to bring Lili, who is somewhat "magical" or even mysterious, into their camp.
Putting everything else aside, her expertise in farming alone is enough to make her a talented person.
Not to mention the strange and unfathomable mysteries surrounding Lili.
At first, Gu Ziyi was surprised that a baby knew about herbs.
Later, he noticed something different about this little boy. His insights were no less than those of his own disciples, his composure was beyond his years, and he felt an inexplicable sense of trust in him, all of which amazed him.
Later, it was discovered that she was skilled in far more than just a few things; she even had profound insights into the art of governing a country, saying, "The way to govern a country is to first enrich the people."
He was even more impressed that these words came from a little baby.
So what if such a vibrant, kind, and loving person like Lili is taken advantage of?
While it may be called exploitation, the two have always benefited from each other. What's wrong with him being her protector?
He was glad that Lili believed him.
Zhui Feng was increasingly unable to understand his prince. Although his prince had always been good-tempered, the prince now seemed to have a feeling of joy from the bottom of his heart.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by 'having a backer'?"
Gu Ziyi concealed the smile on his face, his steps never faltering: "It's nothing."
After saying that, he entered the Shen family's new house, which had its gate open.
Upon hearing that Gu Ziyi was coming, the Shen family had already made excuses to send away the villagers who had come to pay their respects at the Shen family home for the New Year. At this moment, the Shen family home was quiet, with Old Mrs. Shen leading everyone in the courtyard to welcome him.
Gu Ziyi's black cloak was covered with snowflakes, and his hair fluttered, but it didn't look messy at all; instead, it made him look even more noble.
Although the Shen family had met Gu Ziyi several times, they still had to observe proper etiquette and hurriedly bowed to him.
Gu Ziyi said gently, "No need. I've heard that Nanlin County has a custom of visiting each other to exchange New Year's greetings. I've come here today to wish everyone a Happy New Year."
After saying that, the all-powerful Chasing Wind took out many more things, all of which were suitable for each member of the Shen family.
Old Mrs. Shen looked at the items and politely declined, saying, "I didn't know Your Highness would be coming today, so I didn't prepare anything. These things are too valuable, Your Highness, please take them back."
"It was Ziyi who was bothering me, so there's no reason for me to return the favor," Gu Ziyi said with a smile. "If Madam Shen insists on returning the favor, then let Ziyi stay for a couple of meals."
"This..." Old Madam Shen hesitated.
Lili, who was hiding behind Yang Shi trying to conceal herself, quietly peeked out and said in a muffled voice, "Grandma, let Brother Ziyi stay for dinner."
Gu Ziyi raised an eyebrow and looked at her meaningfully.
Not hiding anymore?
Understanding Gu Ziyi's gaze, Lili pouted, snorted, and shrank back.
Gu Ziyi chuckled.
Since that's the case, Madam Shen didn't refuse and accepted the gifts: "Then thank you, Your Highness. Breakfast has been prepared inside. Your Highness and Lord Zhuifeng, please go and have a bite to eat."
Gu Ziyi nodded: "Thank you, everyone. You don't need to worry about me. It's enough that Lili is with me."
“…I don’t want to go.” Lili silently complained.
Upon hearing this, the Shen family members quickly fled, even the younger ones ran off, saying they were going to find Tiedan to play on the back mountain.
For a moment, only Lili and Shen Ye remained in the room, silently standing beside Lili and staring intently at Gu Ziyi.
Gu Ziyi calmly sat down, tasted the millet porridge, and leisurely praised, "Sweet but not cloying, light but not bland, Madam Shen's cooking is as good as ever."
Lili pouted and sat down next to him: "Do you need to tell me?"
Since she was eating with him, there was no reason for her to watch him eat. Lili ladled a bowl of millet porridge for herself and another for Chen Ye, gesturing for Chen Ye to come and sit down as well: "Brother Chen Ye, come and eat."
Shen Ye was clearly very happy. When she sat down, she glanced at Gu Ziyi with a hint of smugness.
To his surprise, Gu Ziyi didn't even look at him.
Shen Ye inexplicably felt that he had been humiliated.
Shen Ye sat on the left, and Gu Ziyi sat on the right. Their court etiquette was completely different, and they were extremely elegant.
On the contrary, Pear, whose cheeks were stuffed full in the middle, seemed a little "unrefined".
The four of them ate quietly for a while, when suddenly they heard Gu Ziyi speak, seemingly casually.
"I heard that the Fifth Prince fled to Southern Jin?"
Lili paused, looked up at him, and was a little confused.
Zhuifeng already knew the origins of these two people, and he should have reported it to His Highness the Crown Prince. Why did he have to ask again?
Shen Ye looked at him inquisitively, trying to figure out what Gu Ziyi was up to.
But one of them is a spoiled prince who grew up carefree. In the past few years, he has spent his time playing around and running around with his cronies. How could he possibly understand the crown prince who was forced to develop a clever mind from a young age?
Shen Ye stared for a long time, but all she could see was Gu Ziyi's unchanging faint smile, the curve of which never changed.
On the contrary, Shen Ye's thoughts were written all over his face, and it was obvious at a glance.
Shen Ye didn't answer, and Gu Ziyi wasn't annoyed. He slowly picked up a dumpling and dipped it in vinegar.
Lili looked left and right, and felt that there was something strange about the two of them.
For some reason, Shen Ye said stubbornly, "I am now a member of the Shen family."
Gu Ziyi put down his chopsticks and looked up to meet Chen Ye's eyes: "I heard that the situation in the Great Jin is tense right now. Although last night was New Year's Eve, I seem to have heard..."
Gu Ziyi paused for a moment, then frowned slightly, as if he was thinking.
In just a short while, Chen Ye was so frightened that she immediately asked, "What? What did you hear?"
Lili looked over curiously. What happened to Dajin?
Gu Ziyi smiled and said calmly, "It's nothing serious. I just heard that your country's fourth prince has been demoted to a commoner. The reason seems to be... murdering his own brother and being unworthy of his position?"
Lili was startled. Shen Ye had said that his elder brother, the eldest prince, and the third prince, who was the crown prince, were involved in the power struggle between the two major forces of the Great Jin Dynasty: the Empress's family and the Shangguan family.
Meanwhile, although the forces behind the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince were not as powerful as the two clans, they had been secretly waiting for an opportunity to act.
The Fifth Prince and General Shangguan have disappeared without a trace, their fates unknown. At this critical juncture, the Fourth Prince has been demoted to a commoner, accused of murdering his own brother.
What this means is self-evident.
Shen Ye exclaimed excitedly, "What? Could it be that the person who was chasing me and my uncle was Fourth Brother?"
Gu Ziyi shook his head slightly: "I don't know about that."
No, it's not necessarily the fourth prince.
Lili is more inclined to believe that the Fourth Prince was a shield pushed out by the Crown Prince.
However, Lili only thought about it for a moment; she didn't think she was smart enough to predict the situation in other countries.
Shen Ye's expression was complicated. After a long while, he could only sigh and say, "So be it, it has nothing to do with me anymore. I am no longer the Fifth Prince Yuchi Ye of the Great Jin Dynasty. I am now just Shen Ye of the Shen family!"
Gu Ziyi narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had instantly lost interest in the topic, and changed the subject: "I heard that Lili has recently started a new business?"
Lili nodded and smiled, "Yes, isn't Lili amazing?"
"Could you take me to see it?"
"Sure, but is Your Highness referring to potatoes or my second uncle's carpentry?"
Gu Ziyi then remembered the business of Shen's second uncle. Not long ago, a letter from a friend in the capital mentioned the "custom-made wooden bed" that was all the rage in the capital. Not only was it novel and exquisitely crafted, but the "custom-made" style also made countless noble ladies in the capital vie to buy it.
"Oh, right, I heard that these wooden beds are very popular in the capital. The second batch of wooden beds took almost three months to arrive after the first batch, which is longer than the first batch, but there were no negative reviews. On the contrary, it increased their popularity even more."
Lili nodded. When Shen Laoda returned home, he brought a second order. However, the Shen family was in a hurry to build a new house. Although Shen Jiahao and Shen Jialu replaced Shen Lao Er in doing the work, Xinghua Village started planting potatoes again. As a result, this order was delayed for almost three months.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly in the end, and not a single penny was lost.
On the contrary, it raised the level of Shen Lao Er's carpentry skills. Now people in the capital believe that the wait is necessary. After all, the journey is long, it is a custom-made product, and the craftsmanship is unheard of. In addition, the more the carpentry skills are spread, the more superior the nobles who buy this wooden bed feel.
With the support of many parties, the negative impact of Shen Lao Er's "inefficiency" has been brought to an end.
Lili led Gu Ziyi into the fields, but Chen Ye didn't follow; she ran off to find Shen Zhongzheng.
“Oh, right.” Lili glanced at him sideways, “Your Highness, happy birthday.”
He was so caught up in his guilt at being seen through that he didn't even have a chance to congratulate Gu Ziyi on his birthday.
Gu Ziyi raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile curving her lips. "Thank you."
Lili paused, then inexplicably thought of that famous lyric—"Your gentle smile is like plum jam."
Ah, what a handsome little boy, what a gentle little prince!
The guilt she felt from being caught red-handed vanished instantly. Considering how handsome the young prince was, she decided not to hold his intelligence against him.
"By the way, Your Highness, are you like the characters in the sketchbook, with many talented and extraordinary people under your wing, and many retainers offering you advice and strategies?"
Gu Ziyi thought about it seriously for a moment: "Ordinary princes my age have not yet been granted the title of king and live in the palace. They are subject to certain restrictions in various aspects and cannot recruit too many retainers. However, I am the Crown Prince, and since childhood, my father has selected several talented people to be my retainers."
From this perspective, this emperor seems pretty good?
"From this perspective, Your Highness's father seems to be a wise ruler. But with Your Highness's obvious move to come to Nanlin County, doesn't he see the undercurrents between the First Prince and Your Highness?"
Discussing the emperor is a major taboo, but Gu Ziyi didn't think it was wrong and seriously discussed it with her.
"My father was a wise ruler, and he was impeccable in his role as emperor. Because of this, although he loved me, he loved his other sons just as much, and like other emperors, he would use various forces to maintain a balance of power in the court."
Lili seemed to understand but not quite: "Oh..."
No wonder, the eldest prince has gone so far, how could the emperor not have noticed at all?
It's just a temporary measure.
Similarly, after the eldest prince's actions were exposed, he only confined the eldest prince to the palace, and Gu Ziyi did not think this punishment was too lenient.
Because the emperor still needed the power of the eldest prince's faction to check and balance the court.
"Your Highness, shall I give you a birthday gift?"
"Hmm?" Gu Ziyi smiled. "Then thank you very much, Lili."
"Lili hasn't said what it is yet, but His Highness will definitely like it!"
"good."
Gu Ziyi smoothed out the wrinkles in her cloak and said, "Regarding the matter of Xixiang County, in order to appease the people, Grand Tutor Zeng personally led a group of officials to provide disaster relief. They set off with a large amount of supplies before the New Year."
Lili seemed lost in thought. Seeing this, Gu Ziyi seemed to sense something and asked softly, "Lili, do you think the situation in Xixiang County this year... can be improved?"
"It's hard to say." Lili looked up at the sky; the light snow was still falling gently, and a thin blanket had already covered the ground.
"The worst is yet to come. Grand Tutor Zeng's dispatch of disaster relief will indeed provide temporary relief to Xixiang County, but later..."
Lili didn't finish speaking.
Gu Ziyi had already understood, and his eyes darkened.
As they spoke, the two had already reached the fields.
The original rice paddies have all been converted into potato fields. Spring planting will begin in April, which is a good time to improve the soil structure and increase soil fertility through crop rotation.
After this round of potato planting is finished, Lili will have to start researching double-cropping rice.
Otherwise, rice can only be planted once a year, which is really inefficient.
Lili spread her arms wide and proudly raised her head: "Look, this is Lili's kingdom!"
She wouldn't dare say she's the best at anything else, but she's confident she is when it comes to the fields.
Gu Ziyi squatted down, not caring at all that his cloak was covered in mud.
It has lush green leaves and is growing very well.
Gu Ziyi didn't even need to dig it up to see the fruit buried underneath to know that these potatoes must be just as good as the ones sold in the grain shop in Liucheng.
This was also one of the purposes of his visit.
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