Chapter 80 Inside the manor, the last room for cultivation…
Inside the manor, the curtain of the last incubation room was lifted, and Cheng Lixu led Feng Mian out, looking slightly tired, but still trying to keep his spirits up as he reported to her.
“Your Highness, based on Lord Lu’s notes, we have divided the seeds into three batches and are trying to plant them at different depths, spacings, and with different amounts of base fertilizer.” He rubbed his hands, looking troubled. “The weather outside is getting hotter and hotter. White berries are best grown when the ground is warm. We can use some methods to control the temperature indoors, but if the people want to plant them, they will have to wait until April next year.”
Feng Mian nodded, then asked, "If several officials were to cultivate the white cypress, approximately how many plants could be grown before winter?"
After a moment's hesitation, Cheng Lixu replied cautiously, "Your Highness, it's too early to say. Of the first batch of two hundred seeds planted, only about half have sprouted. We'll need to continuously adjust the water, soil, and sunlight to see how many of the remaining three hundred will germinate. In farming, seven parts depend on the heavens and three parts on human effort; we can't force it."
"It's alright, half is enough. The seed merchant will continue to send more white peony seeds. Plant as many as they send. Don't waste any that grow; save them for seed."
"Your humble servant obeys." Cheng Li gave a perfunctory reply, but unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked, "The princess seems to value this item highly, perhaps because she is particularly fond of the flowers of the white cypress?"
Feng Mian paused for a moment, then remembered that the seed merchant had indeed classified the white berry as a rare and exotic plant. A mysterious smile curved her lips as she said softly, "The flowers of the white berry are indeed different from other flowers and plants, but its most magical feature is not just that."
"I once read in an ancient book that the snow-white and soft fluff of the white cypress can be picked, dried, and then the seeds removed and the fluff ginned. It can be used to fill clothes and bedding, making them light and warm, ten times better than silk and linen."
"If this method can be implemented, everyone in the northern frontier will be able to wear winter clothes with white cotton padding and cover themselves with a thick, warm quilt. Perhaps in the dead of winter, there will be fewer frozen corpses on the roadside."
Cheng Lixu was deeply shaken, his eyes suddenly blazing with intense light. If Bai Diezi truly possessed such miraculous effects, it would be a feat that would benefit the present and future generations! As one of the officials in charge of cultivating this substance, wouldn't he also have the opportunity to be remembered in history?
He was filled with excitement and subconsciously wanted to share his joy with his good friend Gu Chunwen beside him, but he suddenly saw that the other was looking at the princess with a gentle smile in his eyes and staring at her intently.
Cheng Lixu: "..."
His pounding heart skipped a beat in shock. Brother Gu's gaze... could hardly be considered innocent!
Cheng Lixu was still reeling from the shock of discovering a huge secret when Feng Ciyan, who was trailing behind, asked, "It's getting late. Lord Cheng, Lord Gu, have you had dinner yet? Why don't we go to Fengyang Tower for a few drinks to reward you for your hard work these past few days?"
Feng Mian nodded with a smile: "Indeed, all of you have worked hard these days. Today, I will treat you all to a relaxing trip to Fengyang Tower."
Cheng Lixu stammered, "Oh, I haven't..." He subconsciously looked at Gu Chunwen, "Brother Gu, you..."
“What a coincidence, I’ve never used it before either.” Gu Chunwen said calmly, with a gentle smile on her lips. “Since the princess is so kind, I’d be impolite to refuse. I happen to be a little hungry.”
Cheng Lixu's pupils trembled. Who was it that rubbed his stomach this afternoon, saying he was too full from tea and snacks and wouldn't be able to eat anything in the evening? He had refused when Cheng Lixu invited him to the newly opened roast goose shop, saying he was already full. How come he's hungry now that the princess is hosting? Only an hour has passed! He's never gotten hungry this quickly before!
Oh no, Brother Gu's intentions seem to be anything but innocent!
From then on, it was as if Cheng Lixu had opened the door to a new world. He couldn't help but glance at Gu Chunwen all the way, which made him tremble with fear. In a corner where no one was paying attention, he clearly saw that Gu Chunwen's gaze always seemed to linger around the princess, concerned about whether she was being blown by the wind or stepping on pebbles. However, when the princess looked back, he would always naturally look away at just the right moment, his sense of propriety was impeccable.
Gu Chunwen noticed his gaze, and helplessly turned her head to ask him in a low voice, "Why are you always looking at me? Do I have gold on my face or are there words carved into it?"
Cheng Li gave a forced smile and turned his head away. No, I was just checking to see how much guts you had to harbor such thoughts about the Crown Princess.
Once the group entered Fengyang Tower, they saw Gu Chunwen naturally accompanying Feng Mian, gently introducing her to the restaurant's signature dishes and even asking about her dietary restrictions and preferences. The attention to detail was extreme, leaving Cheng Lixu completely numb.
There was no need to ask anymore, no need to confirm with her personally. He could be certain that his audacious friend truly harbored inappropriate feelings for that noble, married princess.
Gu Chunwen appears gentle and easy to get along with. He is always tactful and considerate in any situation, ensuring that no conversation falls flat. But is he really that eager and proactive, even eager to strike up a conversation with others?
Cheng Lixu couldn't help but recall the day the princess got married. As soon as Gu Chunwen entered the teahouse, he sat down alone by the window, staring intently at the long street below. When the princess's entourage arrived in a magnificent procession, he remained silent, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding conversations and laughter.
At the time, I even went over to ask when I could drink at Brother Gu's wedding. Brother Gu said that his sweetheart was already engaged. I'm afraid that the sweetheart he was talking about was the princess.
That's really strange. When exactly did he meet the princess?
The rumors of Baili Shizi's ruthless and cold-blooded nature flashed through his mind, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't help but look around, fearing that the demon might suddenly appear from some corner and devour his friend alive. "Little Baili, am I seeing things? I think I see my little cousin?"
In a private room on the second floor, Chu Jingqi lifted the hanging bamboo curtain with one hand, peeked out half his head, rubbed his eyes, and tugged at the sleeve of the person next to him with an incredulous look.
Baili Xunzhou had booked a table well in advance, and thinking it would be a waste not to eat, he simply came over with Chu Jingqi. Hearing this, he casually glanced downstairs and happened to see Feng Mian and her group entering Fengyang Tower. And walking side by side with her, chatting and laughing, was none other than Gu Chunwen.
With a soft "crack," the pair of ebony chopsticks in his hand snapped in two.
Sitting opposite, Chu Jingqi's hand trembled, and the bamboo curtain fell again, blocking the view downstairs.
If you're going to come to Fengyang Tower, why don't you come find him? A small flame suddenly ignited in Baili Xunzhou's heart, mixed with an indescribable bitterness, burning and making his chest feel heavy. He stood up abruptly, almost ready to go downstairs immediately.
But he stopped in his tracks at the threshold. Finally, he took a deep breath and sat back down heavily.
Chu Jingqi was getting anxious: "Aren't you going to go check on things? Are you just going to sit here like this?"
He saw it clearly: that man surnamed Fu followed his little cousin closely, his intentions were obvious!
Baili Xunzhou's eyes were deep, and he unconsciously switched to a different pair of chopsticks. His voice was sullen: "Forget it, there are so many people here. It wouldn't be good if I rushed over rashly and embarrassed her again."
Gu Chunwen is just one person, and besides, his uncle is still alive... Thinking of Feng Ciyan, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned down. This "wicked mother-in-law" can't stand him no matter what, could she be up to something bad?
He paused, as if to comfort himself, or perhaps to say to Chu Jingqi, "It's alright, we can ask again tonight... tonight when we get back."
Even so, he couldn't taste the food at all.
His chopsticks hovered on the table for a long while, his gaze hesitantly drifting towards the closed door. He wondered if he had seen it earlier. Feng Mian thought absentmindedly.
As she entered, she caught a glimpse of Baili Xunzhou leaning against the railing through the gap in the bamboo curtain that had been lifted on the second floor. Instinctively, she wanted to look up and greet him. However, Feng Ciyan, who was following behind her, coughed lightly twice, and she restrained herself, lowering her eyes and pretending not to have seen him.
The waiter who had led the way was unusually enthusiastic, telling her that the young master was in a private room on the second floor, almost leading them there. Feng Ciyan quickly brushed it off with a few words. But surely the innkeeper would tell him too? Knowing he was here, knowing he had specifically sent Qingyi to invite her, and now not only did she not dine with him, but she didn't even offer a greeting—what would he think?
A soft "tap" was the clear sound of a cup falling onto the table.
Feng Ciyan gently called her back from her reverie: "Princess, the soup is getting cold."
Feng Mian took the hot soup he handed her, gave him a resentful look, and whispered, "Does it have to be this way?"
Feng Ciyan raised an eyebrow slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Just testing him. And you're already feeling sorry for him?"
Feng Mian pursed her lips and muttered softly, "Don't always come up with bad ideas to bully him."
After she finished speaking, she realized that her behavior was very strange and unreasonable. She had clearly agreed to it and become the most important "accomplice".
Feng Ciyan shook his head inwardly. The little girl was just like her parents; whoever she cherished most, she would unhesitatingly side with them. He finally relented, saying, "Alright, I'll only bully him this once today. Now you can finally eat in peace, right?"
Feng Mian then picked up the spoon and scooped up a mouthful of soup.
Gu Chunwen, sitting to the right, gently pushed over a small plate of deboned chicken and said in a gentle voice, "This is Fengyanglou's signature dish. It's simmered in old broth for twelve hours. Princess, please try it."
Sitting opposite, Cheng Lixu glanced at Feng Ciyan on his left and then at Gu Chunwen on his right, feeling as if he had stumbled into some extraordinary scene. Fortunately, he was not the only outsider at the table; the other four ministers who had accompanied him were also enjoying their meal.
He silently stuffed a chicken leg into his mouth, feeling a little sorry for the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness," the innkeeper warmly stopped Baili Xunzhou as he came downstairs, "Did you and the Crown Princess enjoy your meal? We are a long-established restaurant in the Northern Frontier. I wonder if the dishes suit the Crown Princess's taste?"
Bai Lixunzhou: "..."
Chu Jingqi, who followed him downstairs: "..."
The shopkeeper, peering behind Baili Xunzhou, asked, "Where is the Princess Consort? Why isn't she with the Prince... Hey, why are you pulling me like that?"
The shopkeeper turned around angrily and glared at the waiter who had been tugging at his clothes.
The waiter covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "His Highness and Princess Consort did not come together..."
"What are you saying? Speak louder!" The shopkeeper frowned angrily. "We're doing business openly and honestly. What is it that His Highness can't hear?"
Waiter: "..."
I'm so tired. It's bad enough that the shopkeeper doesn't understand human language, but how can his emotional intelligence be so low!
Just as he was about to repeat himself loudly with a death-defying air, the Crown Prince spoke up in a cool and aloof tone: "The Crown Princess did not come with me. She still has guests to entertain, so why don't you ask her directly later, innkeeper?"
After saying that, he walked away quickly.
The shopkeeper finally shut his mouth and cast a helpless look at the waiter: What's going on?
The waiter shrugged and spread his hands: How would he know?
That evening, speculation spread throughout the city that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had quarreled. The people clearly remembered the Crown Prince's heroic act of resisting the arranged marriage, and many wondered if he hadn't given up on divorce.
In the dead of night, as he lay side by side with Feng Mian in bed, His Highness finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind all day.
"It's just a casual meal with the officials to discuss official business," Feng Mian explained reasonably. "You know, the seeds they are trying to plant are very important, so I have to pay extra attention to them."
Looking into her clear eyes, Baili Xunzhou felt that she made sense. In the past, she often went out with Gu Chunwen and Lu Mingzhu for official business. But that sense of loss lingered.
He was about to say something more when he saw Feng Mian's lips move slightly, as if she wanted to explain more, but in the end she just pursed her lips and swallowed her words.
Baili Xunzhou noticed this subtle hesitation, and a few doubts quietly began to grow in his heart. What did she want to say to him? Did she need to hesitate and be unable to speak?
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