Xiao Jinheng couldn't help but inwardly complain, Father Emperor, are you just going to keep neglecting your son like this?
Good heavens, ever since I entered the palace, you haven't spoken a single serious word to me...
You've poured all your energy and enthusiasm into that little village child. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?
"Xi Tián girl, can the Qí Yèzi you use drive away locusts with one hundred percent certainty?" Emperor Chéng asked earnestly.
Little Xi Tián, who was devouring food, nodded, picked up her teacup, took a sip of water, and then patted her chest before saying, "Yes, Uncle Huáng. Locusts are very afraid of the thick smoke produced when Qí Yèzi burns. It not only drives them away but also completely kills the eggs..."
Mainly, fried locusts are too delicious, and Little Xi Tián is reluctant to kill them with insecticides...
Locusts that have been poisoned cannot be eaten.
Emperor Chéng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "Are these Qí Yèzi found all over the country?"
Many places in the south are currently suffering from locust plagues. If Xi Tián girl's method of driving away locusts can be used, the imperial court can save a large amount of money for disaster relief...
In the past two years, Liang Kingdom has been constantly fighting with the barbarians, and the national treasury has long been emptied.
The south has also suffered from consecutive droughts and locust plagues. If the people are not to become disillusioned with the country, the imperial court must do something...
Little Xi Tián let out a "uh," thought for a moment, and said, "Not all places have it. This kind of leaf is suitable for growing in the dense forests of the north. If Uncle Huáng wants to use Qí Yèzi to deal with locusts, you can send people up the mountain to pick more and transport it to the disaster-stricken areas in the south!~"
"If the quantity is insufficient, you can also cultivate it yourself. This plant is very easy to grow, and as long as it receives sunlight and water, it can grow in large areas and is very productive..."
Emperor Chéng was so delighted that his eyes crinkled as he heard this, and his affection for Little Xi Tián grew.
These two suggestions were simply heaven-sent brilliant strategies.
The ministers had uttered a lot of suggestions, but none were as reliable and practical as this method...
It requires neither too much manpower nor material resources, yet it can solve the problem from the root, which is truly gratifying.
"Good, good, good. Then I will immediately send people into the mountains to pick all the Qí Yèzi, and then have some people clear out a piece of land to cultivate this plant specifically..." Emperor Chéng said with a smile.
Little Xi Tián took out a handkerchief and wiped the pastry crumbs from the corner of her mouth, "Okay, I have a portrait of Qí Yèzi here. Uncle Huáng just needs to look for it according to the drawing!~"
As she spoke, Little Xi Tián opened her small satchel, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Emperor Chéng, "Here, Uncle Huáng, please keep it..."
Emperor Chéng carefully took the drawing, so moved that he was speechless.
It was said that the youngest daughter of the Old Yún family was a prodigy rarely seen in a century, but in Emperor Chéng's eyes, Yún Xi Tián possessed more wisdom and intelligence than any minister before...
He couldn't help but sigh, wishing that Xi Tián girl were a boy. Then he could marry the most beautiful and virtuous princess to Xi Tián, and let Xi Tián help Liang Kingdom achieve brilliance.
Just then, a loud shout came from outside the hall, "The Empress has arrived..."
Everyone turned to look and saw Empress Xiāo, holding up her skirt, leading Granny Qián, and striding in.
"Where is Héng'er? My Héng'er is back?" Empress Xiāo said excitedly.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinheng quickly stood up and took two steps forward, "Your subject pays his respects to Mother Empress..."
Little Xi Tián also brushed off her clothes and stood up to bow.
Empress Xiāo was so excited that tears streamed down her face. She stepped forward and pulled Xiao Jinheng into her arms, sobbing, "Wuwuwu, you unfilial child, how could you sneak away from the palace? Do you know how worried I was? Wuwu..."
Xiao Jinheng was hugged so tightly that he couldn't breathe. He gently pushed Empress Xiāo, "Mother Empress, I'm fine, aren't I? Don't cry, your eyes will swell and won't look good!~"
Granny Qián stood by the side, also shedding tears...
Alas, it was truly difficult for them, mother and son, to meet.
In the past, with the concubine Xián and her faction causing trouble in secret, the Crown Prince dared not return and could only be sent to the countryside to be raised...
Now, Concubine Xián's influence had been completely eradicated, yet the Crown Prince still preferred to stay in Dashuǐ Village.
This was very puzzling.
What kind of charm did the Old Yún family possess to keep the young Crown Prince so firmly attached?
"You're the only one who knows how to talk..." Empress Xiāo broke into a smile through her tears and pinched Xiao Jinheng's cheek, "Did you miss Mother Empress?"
Hmph, if he missed her, why didn't he write her a single letter?
Even the letters submitted to the Emperor were about official business, not showing any affection for his parents at all.
Xiao Jinheng felt both amused and helpless, "If I didn't miss you, I wouldn't have returned to the palace to visit Father Emperor and Mother Empress..."
"Then what about your Imperial Sister?" Empress Xiāo's mood eased a little, and she scanned the surroundings, "Why isn't she back?"
Both Xiao Jinheng and Xiao Xīnlíng were her darlings, and she couldn't lose either of them.
When her Imperial Sister was mentioned, Xiao Jinheng was particularly helpless, "Imperial Sister said that the grass carp in Gōugōu Lake in August is the most delicious, so she doesn't want to miss this season!~"
Empress Xiāo: "..."
What kind of reason was this?
For the sake of eating fish, she wouldn't even see her parents?
"Hmph, that brat. When she returns, see how I deal with her..." Empress Xiāo rolled her eyes.
After speaking, she looked at Little Xi Tián again, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, "Oh, Tián Bǎobao is here too! Come, let me have a good look!~"
She had heard that this little girl had become capable, and Concubine Xián's downfall was partly her credit...
Little Xi Tián walked over with a smile, "Greetings, Empress!~"
"Ah, good, good, what a lovely girl! Stay in the palace with me from now on and keep me company, don't leave!~" Empress Xiāo rubbed Little Xi Tián's head, her heart filled with affection.
Little Xi Tián: "..."
Once one enters the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea. If she entered the palace, it would be difficult to get out again.
After all, there were still so many things to do.
Seeing Little Xi Tián's troubled expression, Emperor Chéng tapped his rice bowl with his chopsticks and shot Empress Xiāo a glare, "What are you doing? Yún girl is eating, and you've come to disrupt everything..."
Really, not at all like an Empress.
Empress Xiāo stomped her foot after hearing this, "Why are you scolding me, Your Majesty? Is there something wrong with me liking Tián Bǎobao?"
All day long, they only knew how to whine and shout at her.
Emperor Chéng: "..."
I can't be bothered to argue with you.
After Empress Xiāo took her seat, she glanced at Little Jiè Kōng beside her, surprised, "Oh? Who is this young gentleman?"
Seeing how rosy and delicate he looked, like a porcelain doll, she didn't seem to have seen such a handsome little child in the palace.
Little Jiè Kōng let out a hiccup and rubbed his bulging little belly, "Empress, I am Xi Tián sister's little boyfriend!~"
Everyone: "..."