“I appreciate your kindness, but there’s no need for you to be buried with me,” Ji Xuan shook his head. “You’ve served me so diligently for so many years, you shouldn’t be buried in such a miserable state.”
"This servant is not tired. As long as I can stay with Your Majesty, I am willing to die."
Qi Yong was resolute and determined to follow Ji Xuan for the rest of his life.
"Don't say such discouraging things," Ji Xuan handed the empty bowl to Qi Yong. "I will surely die a natural death, and you will live to be a hundred years old."
"Yes, I understand."
Before Ji Xuan could say anything more, Liu Zhiyuan called out, "Master, someone is looking for you."
“It should be the young master of the Han family,” Qi Yong said confidently. “He should have already made a decision.”
If things go as I expect, Han Yi should agree.
The opportunity to serve in an official position is rare; it may only come once in a lifetime. It would be a great pity to miss it.
Businessmen are shrewd and understand this principle well.
"Hmm, let's go out and take a look."
As the two approached the hall, Liu Zhiyuan had already washed the melons that Han Yi had brought and placed them on a plate.
As soon as Ji Xuan stepped inside, she smelled a sweet aroma. Looking into the distance, she saw a plate of five or six white and glistening melons and immediately asked in surprise, "Why are there melons at this time of year?"
Normally, the earliest we could get it was the end of April, and even then, we still had to send tribute from the south to get a taste of it.
"My aunt grew these herself using some special methods. There aren't many, just one furrow. They're extremely sweet and fragrant. I brought some over for you to try."
"It was actually planted by Lady Jiang," Ji Xuan stared at the melon, looking shocked. "It seems that Lady Jiang also has some knowledge of farming."
“It’s not just a dabbling,” Han Yi said solemnly. “Auntie’s farming skills far surpass those of our time. The farmyard manure she uses was also used on the Han family’s estate recently. Experienced farmers say that if the weather is favorable, the yield can be increased by at least 20%.”
"What?" Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan was so shocked that his whole body froze. "Brother Han, is this true?"
"Of course, if Brother Wang doesn't believe me," Han Yi cupped his hands in greeting, "the harvest in another month will prove it."
After his father sent a letter, everyone in the village started composting fertilizer. He was in the capital at the time and couldn't manage it. He thought that all this fuss would burn the crops to death and there would be no harvest this year. But when he returned, he was told that the harvest might far exceed that of previous years.
After realizing this, I was happy, but mostly I felt a sense of indescribable unease.
Logically, he should be happy that his father had accomplished such a great thing, but he just couldn't feel happy at all.
Anyone would be happy to do this, but it's especially hard to accept when your own father does it.
I realized then that my aunt's farming skills were not to be underestimated, but seeing the melons today, I realized that I had underestimated her.
Such an ability to reverse the seasons is probably unmatched by anyone in this world.
“If that’s the case,” Ji Xuan’s eyes burned with fervor, “then it would truly be a blessing from heaven for the Great Zhou!”
Even a ten percent increase is good; a little more harvest means more food for the people of Great Zhou, and fewer tragedies in the world.
"No," Han Yi explained slowly, "farmyard manure is needed in large quantities, but manure is limited. It would be quite good if half of the fields could increase their yields."
“This isn’t bad either,” Ji Xuan shook her head, “It’s better than nothing.”
"Too!"
The Han family owns a lot of land and has plenty of grain. The increased grain production is just icing on the cake, but for some poor families, this extra grain might be a lifesaver.
“Master,” Liu Zhiyuan said solemnly, bowing with his hands clasped, “things that are out of season may bring misfortune. I am willing to take the lead and share your burdens.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yong cursed inwardly, "Shameless!"
What an ominous sight! They want to eat but come up with such a high-sounding excuse.
"Can!"
Ji Xuan felt that Liu Zhiyuan's words made sense.
Things that defy nature will surely be punished by heaven. Melons are good, but they are out of season, so there's something wrong with them. It's good for someone to try them though.
Qi Yong was reluctant to give up, but Han Yi had already tried it. Since Liu Qing was so eager, let him try it too and see the result!
Han Yi's expression was subtle upon hearing their conversation.
He sensed that this group of people were seriously ill!
Just a few melons, and it's escalated to the point of bringing bad luck? Tsk tsk, how come we don't see those nobles in the capital getting any bad luck from eating vegetables in winter?
However, he wisely refrained from refuting it.
Fruits are not cheap even in summer and autumn, let alone during the lean season. Even though he was used to the market, Liu Zhiyuan was still flustered by the sweetness.
I wanted to eat the melon while washing it, but since there's a big Buddha statue in the house now, I can't be as casual as before. No matter what, I have to make an appearance.
Thinking of this, he felt a pang of jealousy towards the Huang family's son.
He finished the whole melon in a fit of rage, then exclaimed with satisfaction, "This taste is amazing!"
It's very sweet, but not in a cloying way. Instead, it has a wonderfully delicate fragrance that makes you feel intoxicated.
Even the melons from the Western Regions that were brought to the palace could not compare to this taste.
This clear and transparent taste always gave him the illusion that it was something extraordinary.
"It's delicious?" Qi Yong frowned. "Master, shall this old servant try some?"
Liu Zhiyuan's exaggerated manner piqued his curiosity.
"Don't rush, wait a little longer."
“Brother Wang,” Han Yi explained speechlessly, “I have been eating for an hour and there is nothing wrong with me. On the contrary, I feel very comfortable.”
“That’s how it is,” Ji Xuan coughed lightly, “Doctor Liu, may I have a taste?”
"No more than the size of a fingernail, no more."
After the master and servant finished eating, their expressions were exactly the same as Liu Zhiyuan's.
Ji Xuan exclaimed, "This melon should be offered as tribute!"
He felt that everything belonging to the Huang family should be offered as tribute.
The wine was excellent, the melons were superb, the plum blossoms were exquisite, and even the ordinary vegetables were sweeter than those prepared by the imperial kitchen.
Thinking of this, I suddenly felt an urge to thoroughly plunder the Huang family.
Such a blessed place is truly enviable!
“Master, the Huang family cannot bear such a heavy responsibility,” Liu Zhiyuan said anxiously. “Think twice before you act.”
Now I can at least get a little bit of it, but if I really become a tribute, not only will my value increase hundreds of times, but the Huang family won't be able to keep much of it either.
Upon hearing this, a dark glint flashed in Han Yi's eyes.
Could it be that the young master of the Wang family is...?
"I was just saying it casually," Ji Xuan forced down her impulse and reassured him, "Don't worry, Doctor Liu."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan immediately relaxed, "That's good, that's good."
Seeing this, Han Yi felt that his guess was about 70% correct. Without the slightest hesitation, he bowed and said, "This humble subject Han Yi greets Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan froze for a moment, then nodded slightly, "No need for formalities, please rise."
This was somewhat unexpected. Although I was prepared for my identity to be discovered, I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, in just three days.
After calming herself down, Ji Xuan asked serenely, "When did you discover my true identity?"
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