Chapter 390: Sui Sui is Princess Qing's Daughter
Chapter 390: Sui Sui is Princess Qing's Daughter
Before Feng Xuan Cang could snap out of his daze, Feng Xuan Bo had already placed the plant in his hand.
Sui Sui's gaze followed her fifth brother's hand and landed on her third brother, her beautiful round eyes filled with anticipation. "Can you, Third Brother?"
Feng Xuan Cang: ...
It had to be possible!
Moreover, it wasn't difficult for him.
So, Feng Xuan Cang quickly smiled and said, "Of course, Sui Sui. Just give Third Brother a moment, and he'll make one right now."
Feng Xuan Cang set to work, weaving the grass with speed.
The children played happily on one side.
On the other, the adults were overjoyed.
Three qing of land produced over three dan of potatoes! The Emperor was so pleased he kept patting his thighs.
He rarely expressed his emotions so openly.
But he couldn't contain his excitement!
Whether this potato was a vegetable or a grain, its high yield was incredible!
That was all that mattered!
Both steamed and roasted potatoes were readily available.
After testing for poison, the Emperor even tasted them.
The texture was average, but it was finer than that of coarse grain.
The level of satiety it provided was still being tested, so the exact details were unknown.
However, it was edible, and from its appearance, it seemed like it could be a staple food.
That was enough!
As for more ways to prepare it, there were the cooks.
That was their job.
As for how to promote its cultivation...
Oh yes, and there was also breeding to consider.
For now, this large harvest was just a novelty.
Most of it would be needed for breeding.
The laborers and managers who had experience growing potatoes were summoned by Prince Qi.
These people faced the Emperor directly for the first time and were scared out of their wits.
Fortunately, the Emperor didn't meet them himself but sent officials to handle the matter.
They needed to know how to cultivate and promote this potato, as it was something planted by the young county princess.
As a result, the royal palace attached great importance to it, and all the necessary arrangements were made meticulously.
After listening to the report, the Emperor fell into deep thought.
The yield was good because it had been carefully cultivated.
If ordinary commoners grew it, the final yield might not be as high.
However, it probably wouldn't be too low either.
Potatoes were truly magical!
Prince Qi hadn't forgotten what Sui Sui had mentioned before: "The ones with sprouts can't be eaten. When we first got this, Prince Qing's younger brother said that it was because several rabbits fed these potatoes by the merchants had died, and they were worried about getting stuck with them, so Guai Guai and the others bought them."
Finally, Prince Qi couldn't help but exclaim, "My Guai Guai is just too kind-hearted."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor asked, "It's poisonous?"
That indeed called for caution.
However, compared to its yield, this was just a minor flaw and not a problem.
Most of these potatoes were taken away by the Emperor, leaving only a small portion for Prince Qi's manor to sample.
The Emperor intended to have the Royal Garden start breeding them the following year.
He wanted to increase the yield even more so that they could promote it in the areas around the capital next year.
It would be a waste not to promote such a wonderful crop!
Moreover, there was a whole year to figure out how to prepare potatoes for consumption.
Additionally, there would be a specific plan for cultivation in the Royal Garden, which would serve as a reference and consideration for future promotion outside the palace.
With a grand gesture, the Emperor had the rest of the potatoes packed up and taken away.
The freshly harvested potatoes still had tender skins.
The people the Emperor arranged were extremely careful, afraid of bruising or damaging the potatoes in any way.
The potatoes weighing over three dan were soon taken away, and although Prince Qi felt a bit reluctant, he wasn't too saddened by it.
After all, the Imperial Brother had left some for them to eat.
Moreover, he had previously asked Sui Sui, "If we give these to Imperial Uncle, may we?"
Since Sui Sui didn't object, Prince Qi felt relieved.
After wrapping up everything, the sky gradually darkened.
Sui Sui quickly followed her father king and queen mother back to their residence.
His Majesty also led his entourage back to the palace, intending to discuss the matter of potatoes at the morning court.
The officials from the Royal Garden and the Ministry of Agriculture would surely struggle to sleep tonight.
Aside from their excitement, they also needed to formulate a plan to properly manage the potatoes going forward.
Fortunately, Sui Sui and her group of children didn't have to worry about such matters.
All they needed to do was eat, play, and sleep.
After a tiring day, they slept soundly.
As the night deepened, Prince Qi found himself unable to sleep.
He tossed and turned, disturbing Princess Qi's rest.
She gently asked, "Is something troubling you?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Prince Qi replied, "Of course, I wouldn't be lying awake otherwise."
Upon hearing this, Princess Qi sat up, and Haitang, who was keeping watch, quietly inquired if they needed a lamp.
Princess Qi felt her way in the dark and glanced in Prince Qi's direction. "No need," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "You may sleep."
Haitang quietly withdrew, but Prince Qi seemed uneasy. After some thought, he added, "Haitang, you may go and sleep alongside Aunt Qiu. You need not keep watch tonight."
Although Haitang didn't understand, whenever the royal couple shared intimate moments, she would respectfully keep her distance.
Thus, she didn't ask further questions and soon withdrew with light footsteps.
Princess Qi realized that Prince Qi had dismissed everyone, indicating that he had something important to discuss.
She didn't rush to ask, waiting patiently until she finally heard Prince Qi's voice choke with emotion as he spoke, "Tell me, doesn't Heaven care for me at all? Am I not worthy?"
Upon hearing these words, Princess Qi carefully considered the matter.
Indeed, upon closer inspection, Prince Qi was a decent man.
Perhaps he wasn't the best among the powerful and noble lords of the capital, but he was certainly above average.
He wasn't particularly charming, and while he lacked ambition and cunning, he also avoided causing major troubles that would require others to clean up after him.
Even in recent years, as he desperately sought a daughter, he hadn't resorted to extreme measures like favoring concubines over his wife. He still respected her as his queen.
Thinking of this, Princess Qi gently nodded, "My lord, you are indeed a thousand times better."
However, Prince Qi's voice carried a hint of discontent as he asked, "Then why doesn't Heaven bless me with a daughter? Am I not worthy of one?"
This question sounded rather odd.
Princess Qi was puzzled, "Don't we already have Sui Sui?
We already have a wonderful daughter. Why, do you wish for another, especially a biological one? Your health doesn't permit such thoughts, my lord."
Guo Yi Niang's belly likely carried another prince, not a princess.
Furthermore, wasn't Sui Sui good enough? Princess Qi felt that having Sui Sui was more than enough, and whether she was biological or not didn't matter as much.
Unsure of Prince Qi's thoughts, Princess Qi decided to wait and see.
Before she could speak, she heard Prince Qi's voice crack as he said, "But... but she's not our daughter. She's Prince Qing's younger sister. Waaah!"
Second watch at 7 pm.
(End of Chapter)
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