jdhmnovel Chapter 518 Showcases Sweet Potatoes
Chapter 518 Showcases Sweet Potatoes
We can't let his father-in-law laugh at us.
The leading eunuch didn't laugh at them. He smiled and looked at them gently, saying, "Don't be afraid, gentlemen. It's a good thing that the Emperor has summoned us. Let's go in quickly."
The three hurriedly agreed, leaving Granny He and Tian Shuang to wait in the carriage at the palace gate.
They arrived quickly. Several eunuchs came out from the door, inspected the wooden box thoroughly, and then carried it into the hall. After the box was put down, Zhang Liang, along with Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi, hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.
Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi were so nervous they felt like they were about to faint. Good heavens, it was the Emperor! They had seen the Emperor. Although they didn't dare to look up and look around, they still caught glimpses of the magnificent decorations in the palace out of the corner of their eyes. The pillars at the entrance were intricately carved, and the carpets on the floor were also splendid. They didn't dare to stare at them too closely.
"Rise, no need to be so formal. Bring the wooden box closer so I can take a look." A gentle yet authoritative voice rang out, and the three hurriedly stood up and moved the wooden box closer, but dared not look up at the emperor.
Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi didn't dare to move an inch. They followed Zhang Liang wherever he went, figuring it was the right thing to do.
"Your Majesty, these wooden boxes contain the sweet potatoes I grew. They were delivered by my cousin and his guards." Xiao Wan's voice rang out, and Xiao Zhuzi and Xiao Nan were relieved to hear it.
It's good to have girls around.
Upon hearing Xiao Wan's words, Emperor Yuande walked down to the wooden box, wanting to examine it personally. Consort Gui also followed curiously to take a look.
Inside the three rectangular wooden boxes, a large patch of green seedlings grew, their leaves close together. Emperor Yuande raised his hand to look through them but found no fruit. Curious, he asked Xiao Wan.
Xiao Wan hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, the sweet potato has leaves on top and the fruit underneath. Please allow me to use a wooden shovel to dig out the sweet potato."
Emperor Yuande asked Li Quanfu to fetch a wooden shovel. Xiao Wan handed the shovel to Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi. The two waited for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and slowly dug out the sweet potatoes.
With Emperor Yuande watching, the two were somewhat nervous, but fortunately they dug it out quickly.
Xiao Wan also breathed a sigh of relief. She had only given the wooden shovels to Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi because she wanted them to get more experience. After all, they were her cousins, and she had brought them out here to give them important responsibilities. She wanted them to broaden their horizons so they wouldn't panic in the future.
Fortunately, the two managed to stay composed, though their hands were a little shaky, but they performed quite well.
Xiao Nan took out the dug-out sweet potato, wiped it clean with the cloth handed to him by the eunuch, and then held it up with both hands to show it off.
Emperor Yuande ignored the soil and picked up the sweet potato in his hand to examine it closely.
The sweet potatoes are quite large, round and pleasing to the eye. If you smell them up close, you can detect a faint earthy smell mixed with a fresh fragrance.
These seedlings were grown by Xiao Wan using spiritual spring water mixed with water, so their size and taste are naturally top-notch.
“Your Majesty, this seedling can produce about four or five sweet potatoes. Please take another look.” After saying that, Xiao Wan gestured for Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi to dig out the sweet potatoes.
When Emperor Yuande saw that there were many sweet potatoes sticking out from under the melon vines in the wooden box, he was overjoyed and exclaimed "Good!" several times.
"Good, that's wonderful! Wan'er, you've done well! With a subject like you who cares so much for the Great Yuan, how can the Great Yuan not prosper!" Emperor Yuande clapped his hands and laughed, praising Xiao Wan as he spoke.
"Your Majesty's praise is too much for me. I only hope to contribute my share to the prosperity of the Great Yuan Dynasty, so that our Great Yuan may become more and more prosperous!" Xiao Wan replied with a bow.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuande and Consort Gui both showed expressions of relief, and Consort Gui even personally helped Xiao Wan up.
"Good, I will remember this merit. By the way, how should we eat these sweet potatoes?" Emperor Yuande asked Xiao Wan, looking at the sweet potatoes.
"Your Majesty, I have several recipes for cooking sweet potatoes here. Please have the Imperial Kitchen prepare them." After saying this, she handed the recipes to Li Quanfu.
Seeing that the Emperor nodded in acknowledgment, Li Quanfu took the prescription to the Imperial Kitchen.
While waiting, Emperor Yuande inquired about Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi's hometown, acting like a kind old neighbor.
Although Xiao Nan and Xiao Zhuzi dared not look directly at the emperor's face, they gradually relaxed and carefully answered Emperor Yuande's questions.
When Emperor Yuande heard that their lives had gone from being unable to get enough to eat or wear to now having jobs, earning money, and being well-fed and clothed, and that the village had even established a village school, he felt very gratified.
All of this is thanks to Xiao Wan, and I must not let her down!