The manager knew that Fang Qing was the founder of Sunny Seeds, so he looked at Fang Qing when he asked this question.
"Please speak."
The person in charge was a man in his early thirties, but he had been working in the fields for many years, so his skin was dark and he looked older.
"Two years ago, His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone back with a batch of seeds. We planted them, and the wheat, millet, and bean seeds were all very stable. However, we have discovered a problem with these corn seeds."
Fang Qing knew the reason as soon as the manager asked.
"But the output declined year after year after that?"
"Yes, I wonder how Miss Fang solved this problem?"
"Solving this isn't difficult; you just need to replace the seeds every year."
"You replace it every year? Does that mean I have to buy it from you every year?"
Fang Qing nodded.
The manager's expression darkened upon hearing this.
"This is a righteous act for the people and the country. I thought Miss Fang was also a righteous person, but I didn't expect her to be so profit-driven."
Fang Qing was taken aback by the sarcastic remark, but she instantly understood what the manager meant.
He was certain that she had tampered with the grain seeds for her own profit, forcing everyone to buy seeds from her.
Fang Qing chuckled helplessly.
“Why can’t I prioritize profit? I spent time and effort cultivating the grain seeds, and I also supported many people who cultivated the seeds. I have to pay them wages and support my family. Even street vendors selling pancakes are particular about their brand names, so why can’t I make money? You’re being too morally manipulative.”
Although he didn't understand what "moral kidnapping" meant, the manager understood what Fang Qing was trying to express.
He was furious, but couldn't find the words to refute it.
"Please don't be angry. There are very few people in this world as selfless and righteous as you. I am just an ordinary person. You don't need to be angry because of me."
The manager glared at her.
"But have you ever thought that not everyone can buy your grain seeds? If you hold onto the secret formula for cultivating the seeds tightly, there will be many more people in this world suffering from hunger and cold."
"Although what I just said was quite shameless, Miss Fang, the people of the world need you. Is money really that important?"
He was so excited that his face turned red, and his eyes looked at Fang Qing with a pleading expression.
Princess Wu'an, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but speak up at this moment.
"Alright, I knew you were being silly. Now that Miss Fang has come here, she's naturally willing to teach us how to cultivate seeds."
The steward looked at Princess Wu'an and then at Fang Qing.
Fang Qing smiled and did not refute Princess Wu'an's words.
"Oh dear, I was being presumptuous. I'm such a blockhead, all I know is farming. Please forgive me for offending you earlier."
"I wouldn't dare."
"When does Miss Fang plan to begin her actions?" Princess Wu'an asked.
"I'm afraid it won't work today. I'll go back and make some preparations. Tomorrow morning, I'd like to ask the manager to gather everyone who wants to learn so that I can explain the seed cultivation process to them."
The manager breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Princess Wu'an gave some instructions and invited Fang Qing to ride in the carriage. They strolled around the manor, picked some early-ripening peaches, and had lunch there as well—simple porridge and side dishes.
Fang Qing felt very relaxed when she was with Princess Wu'an.
She didn't have the airs of royalty, and she spoke without any archaic language; she was a very witty person.
Fang Qing forgot where she saw this quote: If you feel very comfortable with someone, it's either because you share similar interests with them, or because they are better than you in terms of interpersonal skills.
Fang Qing thought Princess Wu'an was the second type.
While Princess Wu'an and her group were at the mountain villa, Zhao Shi'an met with the Crown Prince outside the palace.
"Wu'an received an order from the Emperor last night to promote new types of grains and increase grain production. He went to the Ministry of Revenue early this morning. What is your opinion on this matter?"
Zhao Shi'an sat opposite the Crown Prince, brewing tea.
"Princess Wu'an's move was indeed brilliant."
The crown prince looked at him.
"Aren't you worried? I heard that Fang Qing took her away. Don't you know what her intentions are?"
"Are you worried about Fang Qing's safety? Princess Wu'an is eager to gain face in court and the approval of important officials. She needs Fang Qing."
The Crown Prince was angered by his calm demeanor.
In fact, Zhao Shi'an really didn't need to be in a hurry; the one who was in a hurry was him.
The private room was completely silent, with only the sound of water boiling on a small stove.
The Crown Prince, watching Zhao Shi'an brew tea, couldn't resist breaking the atmosphere.
"What do you think I should do?"
Zhao Shi'an placed a cup of tea in front of the Crown Prince.
"Please calm down. What Princess Wu'an is doing is a great thing for the country and the people. His Majesty wants to see results, and Your Highness should naturally also hope for good results."
The crown prince naturally knew this.
However, if Princess Wu'an were to succeed in this matter, there would certainly be more of her supporters in the court.
It was Zhao Shi'an who warned him to be wary of Wu An, and yet he remained calm at this moment.
"Now His Majesty is focused on the Ministry of Revenue. Anything Your Highness does will displease His Majesty. Your Highness, rest assured, the popularization of new seeds cannot be accomplished in a day or two. Let alone all the people, even if the people of the capital were all planted with the new seeds, I'm afraid His Majesty would not live to see it."
The crown prince's heart skipped a beat.
Why are you so sure?
"At the latest, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival."
The Crown Prince met Zhao Shi'an's slightly cold gaze and suddenly widened his eyes.
"Zhao Shi'an, you mustn't do anything treasonous!"
Zhao Shi'an chuckled.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I still want to keep my head. His Majesty's health is indeed poor, and the Imperial Hospital is helping to cover it up. Your Highness should just pretend you don't know anything."
This wasn't the first time Zhao Shi'an had said something like this.
The crown prince felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
Zhao Shi'an always gave him the certainty that he would inherit the throne.
This certainty even convinced the crown prince.
“Yesterday I spoke with my father about Wu’an’s marriage, and sure enough, he mentioned you. I glossed over it for you, but he has taken a fancy to that talented man from Lingnan.”
The Wang family.
The family was large and held a significant position in the imperial court.
When the emperor was choosing a crown princess for her, he did not choose anyone from the Wang family, which shows how much the emperor loved Princess Wu'an.
"Princess Wu'an is of noble status; it would be better for her to marry under His Majesty's nose."
The Crown Prince frowned, and then Zhao Shi'an continued, "Princess Wu'an's fief is in the southwest. If she were to marry into Lingnan, the south would likely become Princess Wu'an's domain. When Your Highness ascends the throne, you will surely divide the country into a north and a south."
The crown prince agreed that this made sense and immediately nodded.
"I'll talk to my father about it later."
The Emperor must also want to keep Princess Wu'an in the capital.
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