A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 290 The Emperor Bestows Rice

Tian Xiang patted her lightly with a sigh, "You still know you're the future Crown Princess, yet you have no manners."

"Actually... I still really want to go back to Baishi County..." Tian Xiang and Tian Tian exchanged a smile, then slowly withdrew their smiles and said softly.

Tian Tian reached out and took her hand. "Big sister, I understand you."

From Qingliu Village to Baishi County, as they struggled to make a living, they also felt that life was full of stumbling blocks.

However, as life got better and better, life in Baishi County gradually became more stable.

People are also more accustomed to life in Baishi County.

Now that she's in the capital, it's normal that Tian Xiang is having trouble adapting to the events that are happening one after another.

If she really wants to go back to Baishi County to live, Tian Tian will support her.

But Tian Tian also knew that Tian Xiang was just saying it; given the current situation, it was impossible for her to return to Baishi County.

"Alright." Tian Xiang perked up and gently patted Tian Tian's hand. "Let's not think about these things anymore. You should go back and rest too."

*

The Ministry of Rites indeed set the wedding date for Gu Yu and Lu Tao in those two days, which would be three months later.

That is, two months after Tian Tian and Ling Yao get married.

The Ministry of Rites was responsible for preparing everything for Tian Tian and Ling Yao's wedding, including the procedures for sending betrothal gifts.

As for the Princess's residence, it was arranged by Lu Tao and Liu San Niang. Because they had a nanny sent by the Empress to help them, all the procedures went very smoothly.

And Tian Tian... went to harvest Oden's rice.

The Emperor originally said that the harvesting of rice should be left to the Ministry of Revenue to arrange for people to harvest it, but Tian Tian still felt that things should be done properly from beginning to end.

On the day of the harvest, after the emperor finished his court session, he came with the empress, Ling Yao, and all the officials.

He's building momentum for Tian Tian before she and Ling Yao get married.

"Sweetie." Empress Li called Tian Tian to her side and kindly took her hand. "You don't need to go down and cut it; let them do it."

This wasn't the first time she'd witnessed a rice harvest; she'd seen it before in Baishi County.

This wasn't the first time Emperor Lingjun had witnessed a bountiful rice harvest.

But when Ling Jun held the first handful of harvested rice, he truly understood what a bountiful harvest meant!

The handful of rice in my hand is just the right amount to hold in one hand, but the drooping ears of rice are heavy.

The golden grains are plump and heavy! They feel like holding a handful of broken gold!

"You...give some to the ministers as well." Ling Jun was shocked himself, but he didn't forget to let the ministers experience it too.

So the guards distributed the rice to the ministers one after another.

The Minister of Revenue was the first to step forward, trembling as he took a handful of rice stalks, rubbing the grains with his fingertips, his eyes filled with disbelief!

"These...the rice grains are so plump! One ear of rice weighs as much as seven or eight ordinary ears!"

He broke open the rice stalk, revealing the large grains inside, his voice trembling, "It's really pure white rice, such a big grain."

"No wonder... Your Highness went to the border of Shazhou, and they no longer need the court to allocate grain there."

The Ministry of Revenue manages the imperial court's silver, and every year they try to break that silver into smaller, more manageable amounts, treating one tael as if it were ten or a hundred taels.

They are in a difficult position, both above and below them.

If you distribute silver to lower-level employees, but don't distribute enough, you'll get scolded!

If nothing goes wrong, all will be well, but if something does happen, you'll still be scolded by the Emperor.

Last year, with the reduction of military grain allocations from Shazhou Prefecture, the entire imperial court's expenses were much easier to manage.

Once the people have planted high-yield rice varieties and there is ample grain tax, he will have even less to worry about.

An elderly minister knelt down, tears streaming down his face, exclaiming, "In my sixty-plus years of life, I have never seen such heavy ears of rice!"

"Princess Fufeng is truly a lucky star for our Great Qi! With such high-yield rice seeds, there will be no more famine in the world!"

The emperor held up a stalk of rice, looked up and laughed heartily.

If there were no more famines in Daqi, he, as emperor, would be truly content.

"Quickly, weigh the yield per acre."

The guards watched the harvest on the same acre of land, and soon began to remove the straw, leave the rice grains, and weigh them.

"Your Majesty, the yield is 1,760 catties per mu."

"It really weighs that much!!" Everyone was shocked.

The Emperor was also delighted, "Excellent!! My people of Daqi are blessed!!"

The courtiers echoed, "Princess Fufeng's improvement of such a high-yield rice variety is a monumental achievement!"

"Once the people all plant such high-yield rice varieties, their granaries will be full, and the world will surely be at peace!"

Tian Tian smiled and said, "This is all thanks to His Majesty's good fortune! Heaven's blessing!"

The Emperor was even more pleased upon hearing this, "I am truly delighted today, my beloved ministers..."

"I will then bestow upon each of you a bundle of newly harvested rice, to share with me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing rice!" the ministers exclaimed in gratitude.

The Emperor looked across the entire imperial field and said, "Minister of Revenue, once all the rice has been harvested, send people to transport the rice to the streets."

"Everyone can take a handful of rice, and the whole nation can enjoy the joy!!"

"Everyone should try this new rice tonight!!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Minister of Revenue accepted the order.

The guards in the imperial field quickened their pace, and because there were so many of them, they harvested all the hundred acres of imperial fields in just half a day.

Each official received a bundle of rice, which they carried in their arms as they walked out of the palace gate.

The Minister of Revenue even mobilized fifty horse-drawn carriages to transport the newly harvested rice out of the palace after all the officials had left.

Every official who came out of the palace received rice as a gift from the emperor.

Knowing the emperor's intention, they simply didn't ride in the carriage and instead carried the rice on their way home.

When the people asked, he would spread the news that the imperial rice fields had yielded a bumper harvest, with a yield of 1,760 catties per mu.

Of course, they also told the people that officials would come to distribute rice later, and asked everyone to go to the street to wait.

On that day, the entire capital city was deserted as people flocked to the widest imperial street in the capital.

"Are you here yet?"

"I'm coming."

"Is there really such a high-yield rice?"

"I heard that the rice ears are very heavy, and the rice grains are large and round."

"The rice grains inside are white and plump."

"They're here, everyone, please don't push."

The soldiers pulled the horse-drawn carts, saying, "Don't push, there's enough for everyone."

The first carriage arrived at the end of the Imperial Street and settled down to begin distributing rice.

"This is the rice that Princess Fufeng planted in the imperial fields. The soldiers weighed it in front of the emperor. The yield was 1,760 catties per mu."

The soldiers distributed the items while talking.

The people took the rice and exclaimed, "My God, it's really heavy!"

"So many grains of rice on one ear of rice."

"I have never seen so many ears of rice."

"I heard that the people of our capital city will be planting this rice in a few days."

"really?"

"Really? The Ministry of Revenue official has already started cultivating seedlings in the suburbs, and the seedlings will be transplanted in a few days."

"I've been inspecting the rice paddies of the people every day lately."

"The rice paddies need to be plowed and ditched according to Princess Fufeng's requirements."

"I know that, but I don't know when to transplant those seedlings?"

"It seems to be six or seven days from now."

"We'll have to go and take a look then."

"After the rice planting, the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince will be held in a few days."

"Then we should definitely go and see what's going on."

"What do you mean by watching the show? It means supporting Princess Fufeng."

"Correct."

"The rice seeds of Princess Fufeng will ensure that our people will never have to worry about not having enough to eat again. She is a lucky star for our Daqi."

"Yes, we're adding to Princess Fufeng's dowry."

"The princess has countless riches; why would she need us commoners to contribute to her dowry?"

"You don't understand. Adding to the dowry doesn't necessarily mean adding money. We can add other things."

"What is it? Tell me."

"Come on, come on..."

"We can add..."

The Emperor's move was truly brilliant.

Previously, everyone was talking about how high-yield rice varieties were, but this time, the mature rice ears were directly distributed to the people so that they could see for themselves.

On the one hand, it's to let everyone know that Tian Tian's reputation is not unfounded; she truly has high-yield rice varieties.

On the other hand, high-yield rice has begun to be planted in various parts of Daqi, which gives people confidence.

That evening, all the people in the capital cooked porridge with the new rice bestowed by the Emperor...

They discovered that this high-yield rice was not only high-yielding, but also exceptionally soft, sticky, sweet, and smooth to the taste!

*

Before we knew it, it was time to transplant the rice seedlings.

The official in charge of rice cultivation in the capital city led dozens of workers to the seedling field.

It is very hard work to start large-scale seedling cultivation.

Every day, we need to check the condition of all the seedlings and take measures such as replanting, watering, and fertilizing as needed.

In addition, they also need to go to nearby villages every day to check on the plowing and ditching of rice fields.

When encountering items that don't meet the requirements, besides spending a lot of time persuading them, sometimes you also have to go to the fields yourself to help improve them.

In short, we must put in our best effort and make all the necessary preparations.

After working so hard for more than a month, it's finally time to transplant the rice seedlings.

The officials in the capital were also very nervous; this was a crucial step, and success or failure hinged on it!

Despite his nervousness, he was also well-prepared thanks to Tian Tian's unreserved guidance throughout the process.

Tense, but not panicked or flustered.

Even with crowds of onlookers surrounding the seedbed, he confidently directed the workers to dig up the seedlings.

He had previously arranged for people from each village to come and collect the seedlings, staggering the collection times so that they would collect seedlings from one village at a time.

While rice was being planted in the capital, rice planting also began in various parts of Daqi.

Progress from various places was reported in letters sent to the capital.

This was also an agreement made by Tian Tian and all the other men; this was the first time they had been dispersed to different places to plant rice, and they had to do their utmost.

After all the rice seedlings in various places successfully turned green, Tian Tian and Ling Yao's wedding was put on the agenda.

At this time, Tian Tian was unaware that the people of the capital had prepared several surprises for her.

*

At the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), before dawn, the Princess's mansion was already brightly lit.

Tian Tian was dragged up by Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou, and then by palace maids to the inner room to take a bath.

This bath was really... thorough.

Several palace maids used all sorts of tools to wash, scrub, and knead Tian Tian, ​​and it took them a full half hour to finally get her out.

As soon as I came out, before I could even catch my breath, they surrounded me again and started smearing all sorts of things on my body and face.

Cream on the body, cream, powder, rouge on the face...

They didn't stop until Tian Tian felt numb all over.

Then they started sweeping and brushing all over my face...

After brushing my face, I started styling my hair.

Another half hour passed, and Tian Tian, ​​dressed in a wedding gown embroidered with phoenixes in gold thread, wearing a nine-phoenix crown with four pheasants, and pearl tassels hanging down like curtains...

Her face was fair and smooth, and the rouge was festive and alluring.

Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou looked at her, their eyes glistening with tears.

After today, their sisters will be married into the palace...

Lu Tao and Liu San Niang were not in the room, but waiting in the front hall.

The palace maids beside them said that the auspicious time today is 1:15 AM, and Ling Yao will set off directly from the palace to the princess's residence.

After Tian Tian finished walking on the street, she took a walk around the Imperial Street.

Therefore, they also need to prepare in advance and carefully check the entire process again to ensure there are no mistakes.

Ling Yao set off from the palace, dressed in the black crown prince's robes, riding a tall horse, followed by a chariot inlaid with gold phoenixes.

The distance from the palace to the princess's residence was very short, and he didn't waste a moment.

"This prince is really impatient," Lu Tao muttered.

Liu San Niang gently patted her back. "His Highness has long been eager to marry Tian Tian into the palace, so naturally he's impatient."

“It’s a pity that Tian Tian has no father or brother…” Lu Tao wiped away her tears.

Logically speaking, since it's Tian Tian's wedding day, she should be carried out by her father or brother.

Tian Tian has neither a father nor an older brother, but she does have a younger brother...

Lu Tao glanced at Tian Jinghe, who was playing with Chu Qian and Chu Yao, and sighed. It was a pity that her younger brother was too young to carry Tian Tian.

Liu San Niang knew that Lu Tao was being emotionally affected by the scenery, so she stayed by her side without leaving for a moment.

She would try to appease Lu Tao whenever she said a word.

"It's alright. After you and the Duke marry, he'll be a sweet father to you."

"He was also a hero of Daqi, with outstanding military achievements."

“It’s fine if he carries Tian Tian on his back.”

Having Gu Yu carry Tian Tian to her wedding was not only their idea, but also the Emperor and Empress's.

Ling Yao had asked Tian Tian beforehand, and she agreed before making the decision.

At this moment, Gu Yu was already waiting outside Tian Tian's courtyard.

He got up very early for today's task and carefully applied a hot sea salt compress to his shoulders and back.

My shoulders and back feel especially relaxed right now.

Inside the room, Tian Tian was all dressed up.

Tian Xiang suddenly stuffed a package of oil paper into her arms, "This is the jujube cake I steamed this morning, to tide you over."

"I also hope that your future life will be sweet and happy."

Tian Tian took it and stuffed it into her sleeve. "Thank you, big sister."

Tian Xiang came out and said, "Lord Duke, it's ready."

Gu Yu then entered the room and squatted down in front of Tian Tian.

Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou helped Gu Yu carry Tian Tian on his back.

Gu Yu carried Tian Tian out of the room and slowly walked towards the front yard.

"Sweetie, I'm not your biological father." Thinking of the girl on his back, who was the beloved daughter of the man he loved, Gu Yu felt a slight pang of sadness and his throat tighten.

"When you were young, I never carried you on my back."

“I didn’t help you when you and your daughter were in trouble.”

"But don't worry, from now on I will take good care of your mother and treat you as my own daughter."

Tian Tian sniffed. "Thank you, Duke."