Currently, all the necessary things have been planted. Li Guang's departure for more than twenty days should not have had much impact on farming. Besides, I cannot refuse the princess's orders.
"I will tell Li Guang tomorrow that there are no problems with the farming, and I can arrange for Zhao Xiaosheng to manage it."
"Thank you, Registrar," Li Xue said excitedly.
"When will the princess travel south? Is it after the imperial decree arrives?" Zhao Xian asked.
"That's unnecessary. I don't want the Crown Prince to know that I've been here."
My father told me that the emperor requires the eldest prince to follow local customs wherever he goes, which means he will have to eat and live with you.
Your family's chef is incredibly skilled; he can make even a simple dish taste delicious. I know it's because he uses a special seasoning.
When the Crown Prince arrives at Narcissus Village, I suggest that you only cook ordinary dishes and not use these seasonings.
The clerk is a wise man, and there are some things I cannot say outright. You must be very careful when dealing with these people.
Your father also said that the emperor greatly admires you, but he dares not let you serve as an official in the court. Because the court is full of factions and the party struggles are fierce, it may not be a good thing if you go to the court.
Staying in the countryside is a form of protection for you; the imperial court will provide you with everything you are entitled to.
Li Xue's words surprised Zhao Xian, but also touched him.
"Thank you for telling me so much, Princess. I remember General Lin of Qing'an Prefecture once told me that he had no choice but to retire and return to his hometown because he was framed by some forces in the court."
General Lin, a veteran of many battles and a loyal subject to the court, was ostracized; if he was, then others were even more so.
It seems that a thorough overhaul of the court is indeed necessary, otherwise the Great Northern Dynasty will face endless troubles.
"What the registrar said is absolutely true. Father's temper is getting worse and worse. Last time, he cursed those people in court as bastards. I guess only Father would dare to do that in the entire court."
"To rectify the court's affairs, relying on the current emperor is certainly not enough. We don't know who the next emperor will be; if it's the eldest prince, the situation will be even worse."
After Li Xue finished speaking, she fell into deep thought.
Normally, Li Xue shouldn't say these things, but the fact that she said so much to me shows that she trusts me a lot.
"Princess, there is no need to worry. The Emperor should be aware of the problems in the court, and what he is doing now is an effort to change this situation."
The fact that the eldest prince is out here for training proves this point.
Li Xue nodded and said, "I hope so."
After finishing dinner, Li Xue was about to return to the inn to rest when she suddenly remembered something.
"My lord, today Li Guang took me to the lakeside. The environment there is beautiful. If some pavilions and towers were built by the lake, it would be like a fairyland."
I noticed that many tender lotus stems have sprouted from the bottom of the lake, but they haven't emerged above the water yet. I estimate it will take a while before the lake surface is completely covered with lotus leaves.
"Really?" Zhao Xian feigned surprise.
"We guess that there may have been lotus leaves in the lake before, and this is the season when lotus roots grow and sprout."
"I am a native of Shuixian Village and I know this lake very well."
According to the village elders, an immortal once stayed here, and this lake is the footprint left by the immortal, so the locals call it Immortal Lake.
Fairy Lake didn't belong to any village before. It was only last year that the imperial court bestowed Fairy Lake upon Narcissus Village, but I know that lotus leaves have never grown in Fairy Lake.
"So that's how Fairy Lake came to be. No wonder it's so spiritual. Needless to say, the lotus flowers growing in the lake must be a gift from heaven."
"I'm sure the lotus flowers that grow in the lake will be very beautiful," Li Xue said excitedly.
The next morning, Zhao Xian was about to go to the farm when he suddenly remembered something. He took out a contract from the system's storage space. This was the contract of servitude that Chen Xiaoxiao had previously signed with him.
Since the system's storage space was introduced, I've been storing some of my important items in it, which is both convenient and safe.
The storage space isn't very big, so it can't hold too many things. I'll upgrade the system later, and the storage space will be bigger, allowing me to put in more things.
At the farm, Zhao Xian didn't see Li Guang, only Chen Xiaoxiao and Zhao Xiaosheng. He asked around and found out that Li Guang had gone to the sweet potato field.
Chen Xiaoxiao looked at Zhao Xian, a little embarrassed. Zhao Xian smiled and asked:
"Xiaoxiao, when are you and Xiaosheng getting married? You two are not young anymore, and everyone wants to attend your wedding."
Chen Xiaoxiao's face flushed red. She was too embarrassed to speak and glanced at Zhao Xiaosheng.
Zhao Xiaosheng scratched the back of his head, grinned foolishly, and said:
"Brother, we'll listen to you."
"You two should decide your own affairs. Why should I listen to you? Of course, I hope you can get things done as soon as possible."
After Zhao Xian finished speaking, he took out the indenture from his pocket and handed it to Chen Xiaoxiao.
"This is the contract of servitude we signed back then. Now that you and Xiaosheng are about to get married, you must redeem yourself."
Now I will give you the contract of indenture. According to the original agreement, you must pay me eight taels of silver.
Chen Xiaoxiao took the contract of indenture, and her eyes immediately reddened as she recalled what had happened back then.
If it weren't for Zhao Xian's help, she and her brother would have faced unknown circumstances.
Since arriving in Narcissus Village, Zhao Xian has treated the siblings as his own, and they will never forget this kindness.
"Xiaoxiao, I'll pay these eight taels of silver," Zhao Xiaosheng quickly said, taking silver out of his pocket.
"Xiao Sheng, you shouldn't get involved in this. Xiao Xiao has her own money and the ability to redeem herself. Only then can she have true freedom."
Chen Xiaoxiao understood Zhao Xian's meaning and felt even more grateful. They were not short of money, but they needed to go through this procedure.
Zhao Xian took the silver from Chen Xiaoxiao and said:
"Li Guang is going to accompany the princess to the south and will probably be back in more than twenty days. During this time, Xiao Sheng will take care of things in the fields. Once Li Guang returns from the south, you and Xiao Xiao will get married."
"Okay, we'll do whatever you say, brother," the two said excitedly.
"That's settled then. I'll go find Li Guang now."
After Zhao Xian finished speaking, he left the farm.
Over at the sweet potato field, Li Xue and Li Guang stood by the lake, with four guards also there. They looked at the lake and seemed very excited.
Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, Li Guang went to greet him.
"Brother Zhao, you're here! Come and take a look. There are lotus roots in the lake, and they've already sprouted tender leaves."
Following Li Guang's direction, Zhao Xian could see clearly that the lotus seedlings he had planted some time ago had their roots embedded in the mud and were growing rapidly. In just a few days, the lotus leaves would emerge from the water.
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