Su Quanping was naturally afraid of losing his head, but he also knew that cotton was a hot potato and couldn't be left in his hands overnight. Moreover, once this product was promoted, it would bring about tremendous changes to the people of Sangchao and cause significant changes to trade with neighboring countries!
He had served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and was not a clueless agricultural official.
The biting wind was like a knife, cutting painfully into one's skin.
Su Quanping, however, was completely oblivious to the burning passion within him. He raised his whip high, and his steed galloped through the capital.
If this happened during the day, it would definitely have hit pedestrians, but Su Quanping didn't care anymore.
Just as they were about to reach the palace gate, Su Quanping forcibly reined in his horse, jumped off, and shouted, "Open the palace gates quickly! Su Quanping, Vice Minister of Revenue, requests an audience with the Emperor!"
Gu Yuchen hadn't had a proper rest lately, and only after finishing his business in the evening did he finally have a moment to choose a concubine. At this moment, he was in Consort Liang's palace, and the two were reunited after a long separation. They were being very affectionate and gentle. Just as they were about to rest, Zhao Xi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Minister Su requests an audience."
Consort Liang's expression changed slightly, her eyes filled with grievance. She clutched Gu Yuchen's sleeve and muttered, "Father is really something. What time is it now? He still comes to bother His Majesty."
The Emperor hasn't visited the harem in ages; he finally managed to find her...
Hmph, I've interrupted her good time!
But Consort Liang knew her father's personality; something big must have happened for him to act this way.
She helped Gu Yuchen get dressed, and the two went to the outer room together. Zhao Xi said, "Minister Su brought several boxes, saying they were New Year's gifts sent by His Highness Prince Wen."
Upon hearing that it was sent by Gu Yuzhi, Consort Liang immediately stopped being coy and aggrieved. She let go of Gu Yuzhi's arm, took two steps forward, and peeked out: "What did Xiao Liu send?"
Although the local specialties that Xiao Liu sent were offered as tribute every year, the feeling of receiving the gift was completely different because it also included a handwritten letter from Xiao Liu.
Gu Yuchen glanced down at his slightly bent arm and subtly restored it to its original position.
He was also curious about what Xiao Liu had sent that made Minister Su so rude.
Zhao Xi hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I heard from Vice Minister Su that some cloth was sent over."
"cloth?"
Consort Liang blinked, feeling as if she hadn't heard clearly.
Zhao Xi bowed slightly and replied in a low voice, "This old servant noticed that he has a small box in his arms. Minister Su treasures it very much and doesn't even want this old servant to take a second look at it."
Gu Yuchen knew Su Shilang's temperament well; to obtain something as precious as this from him, it must be the seed of some kind of treasure.
So his rudeness today was actually because of that box of seeds?
Gu Yuchen had Zhao Xi help him put on his outer robe. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Consort Liang, who had already done her simple makeup and was smiling at him: "Your Majesty, shall we go?"
Gu Yuchen's expression darkened slightly. How could Consort Liang be so fast?
Consort Liang said smugly, "Oh my, I'm the first person to receive Xiao Liu's letter today! The Empress and Consort Shu are so envious of me now!"
Most importantly, they secretly placed a bet on this matter, and whoever won would receive one hundred taels of silver!
Money is a small matter, but face is of utmost importance!
Consort Liang, unable to see Gu Yuchen's expression, walked forward excitedly. Only after she had left the palace gate did she realize that the Emperor had not yet come out. She quickly turned around and looked over, saying softly, "Your Majesty, it's cold and the road is slippery. I'll accompany you."
Gu Yuchen scoffed, flicked his sleeves and stepped forward, not even glancing at Consort Liang as he passed by.
However, he did not miss the smile on Consort Liang's face when she talked about Xiao Liu. He wondered if he should stop taking the contraceptive soup. If these women had their own children, they wouldn't still be eyeing Xiao Liu, would they?
With their own thoughts, the group finally arrived outside the Imperial Study. Consort Liang, still possessing some sense of reason, did not follow them inside. Instead, she happily accepted the letter and went to bother the other concubines in the harem.
At this moment, Vice Minister Su was oblivious to Consort Liang. Clutching his "treasure," he cautiously followed Gu Yuchen into the hall. He first placed the small box on the ground before loudly proclaiming, "Your subject Su Quanping greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Gu Yuchen leaned back leisurely, as if he had no bones, and his voice carried a rare hint of teasing: "Minister Su, what's in this box?"
Judging from this, it's much more serious than the potatoes and sweet potatoes we had before.
Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Su hurriedly got up. Instead of opening the small box, he had someone bring in a box of cloth and presented a bolt of cloth before saying, "This is cloth woven by His Highness's weaving shop. Your Majesty, please try to feel its texture."
In his letter to Gu Yuchen, Gu Yuzhi mentioned that he wanted to open a weaving workshop and knew that the women in the harem had worked together to send a loom to Xiao Liu.
It was just some linen...
Gu Yuchen casually placed his hand on top of her, his previously nonchalant gaze becoming slightly more serious. He sat up a little straighter, checked again, and glanced at the small box next to Minister Su. He already had his answer in his heart.
The smile in Gu Yuchen's eyes gradually spread.
The master was right, Xiao Liu really is a lucky star!
He handed over the cloth, then tapped his fingers and looked at Minister Su. Minister Su was eager to answer, with an expression that said, "Your Majesty, please ask me, I have something to say." Gu Yuchen suddenly smiled and said, "Minister Su, where is the letter from Xiao Liu to me?"
Minister Su never expected the Emperor to be like this!
He could clearly see the joy in the Emperor's eyes!
Minister Su grumbled inwardly, glancing at the Emperor as he pulled out his letter, hoping the Emperor wouldn't open the young prince's letter first and would ask him first so he could properly show off.
But even after the letter was presented, the emperor didn't ask him about the little box, leaving him with a sore throat that he couldn't get it out for a long time. His face turned red, and his eyes couldn't help but show a hint of resentment.
Gu Yuchen got goosebumps all over from that look and hurriedly opened the letter to read on.
Gu Yuzhi's handwriting has improved significantly compared to before, and it's clear that he has put in a lot of effort.
He read quickly and soon found the answer he wanted. He looked up at Minister Su and said, "Minister Su, now you can tell me what exactly is in that precious box you're carrying?"
Minister Su, who had been hanging his head and feeling a profound sense of loneliness as if no one understood him, was suddenly struck by the Emperor's question...
His gaze darted back and forth between the Emperor and the letter several times, wondering to himself if the young prince hadn't told the Emperor that he had sent him the seeds.
That shouldn't be the case, right?
"Minister Su?"
Only when the Emperor's impatient voice rang out did Vice Minister Su straighten up, his eyes gleaming as he swiftly opened the box. He couldn't help but smile as he spoke, "These seeds are a gift from His Highness the youngest prince—the best New Year's present!"
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