Chapter 68, Sister

Chapter 68, Sister

Despite saying that, Pei Wu still left several guards with Jiang Ru, and even if Jiang Ru didn't go out, they would always keep watch in the courtyard.

Jiang Ru wasn't in a hurry to go out. She wrote a letter to Song Shu, telling her to come see her another day. Then she soaked the seeds in water first, which would make it easier to sow them later.

Pei Wu was not directly involved in the investigation, and he had been meeting with Lin Chenghai from time to time these past few days, keeping him so busy that he had no time to rest. In addition, the Ministry of Revenue always used some means to obstruct the investigation, which slowed down the progress of the investigation.

However, Chen Ming has been too arrogant over the years, leaving many loopholes. Even with the difficulties, the amount of evidence collected is still overwhelming, and all of them are undeniable crimes.

Jiang Ru soaked her rice seeds for several days, unsure where to plant them. There were a few acres of land outside the city, which Pei Wu had previously allocated, and he had deliberately reserved a few acres for unforeseen circumstances. However, the timing wasn't right, and Jiang Ru couldn't leave the city, so there was nowhere to plant the seeds.

After Pei Wu returned, he chose a place for Jiang Ru: the imperial palace's rear garden.

Jiang Ru said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. How am I supposed to go to the palace?"

The next day, Jiang Ru, who had been sent to the palace with the token, was speechless.

She led Xia and Xiaozhu into the long palace corridor. From time to time, palace eunuchs and maids hurried by, and many officials in official robes also walked by. Apart from a few who could ride in sedan chairs, everyone else in the palace had to walk.

Jiang Ru kept her eyes downcast and thought to herself that Pei Wu really knew how to choose a location. There was no way the Chen faction would target her in the palace, but it seemed even more dangerous now. If she made a slight mistake, she might lose her head. It was really too unsafe.

Jiang Ru and others were led into the back garden. She was a master who had been specially invited by Pei Wu and was quite knowledgeable about Liaocheng rice.

Jiang Ru felt guilty. The soaked Liaocheng rice had already been transported to the back garden. According to Pei Wu, the court did not value Liaocheng rice, but now their attitude was quite good, and they had done a lot of favors for Jiang Ru.

The palace maids in the back garden were all transferred from the flower room. Not just anyone could enter the palace; if anyone was to be used, it was someone from within the palace.

Jiang Ru directed them to help clear out a plot of land specifically for growing rice.

These palace maids were all very lively. Perhaps because they didn't have to be constantly cautious in the flower room, they were much more cheerful. Jiang Ru became familiar with them in just one day.

The girls were all fifteen or sixteen years old, younger than Jiang Ru, and naturally a bit more outgoing. Once they got to know each other, they would occasionally ask Jiang Ru about things outside the palace. Jiang Ru told them almost everything, and the girls all showed envious expressions.

Before leaving, Jiang Ru promised to bring them food from outside the palace. They were very happy and tried to give Jiang Ru money, but she refused, saying it was their way of repaying her for her help.

On her way home, Jiang Ru stopped by a shop and bought some steamed pig's trotters and sweet dumplings, which she planned to bring into the palace the next day.

The entire court has been busy these past few days. In order to get the envoy from the Southern Kingdom to leave the capital as soon as possible, the Three Departments have been working hard to gather the return gifts and send them to the guesthouse where the envoy from the Southern Kingdom is staying.

The envoy from the Southern Kingdom was originally supposed to leave the capital after the archery banquet, but it was only now that he gave a return gift. Naturally, he should go to the palace to express his gratitude.

Jiang Ru only learned about these things when she returned home that night. Pei Wu was annoyed with Zhao Tuo and suggested that she not skip a day to enter the palace. However, Jiang Ru was worried about her seed, and besides, she was acting like this at the very beginning of the project, which made her seem like an ignorant and lazy fake master.

Pei Wu understood the reasoning behind it, and even though he was reluctant, he could only let her go in the end.

He was in a bad mood when he heard Zhao Tuo's name. Jiang Ru rummaged through the basket and took out the sweet rice balls she had bought that day, giving them to Pei Wu. She pointed to the sweet rice balls and said, "They're sweet and sticky, and very delicious. You should try them."

The sugar dumplings were plump and white. Pei Wu stared at the bag of sugar dumplings without touching them until Jiang Ru urged him again, at which point he took one and put it in his mouth.

Bianjing has many snacks, many of which Jiang Ru has never seen before, and they taste quite good. Jiang Ru only discovered these sweet dumplings today. She loves them herself, and she thinks Pei Wu will love them too.

Although Pei Wu no longer suffers from hypoglycemia, Jiang Ru still told him, "From now on, you can eat this whenever you're so hungry you feel dizzy. It's delicious and filling."

Pei Wu only ate one and then stopped. Jiang Ru observed him for a moment: "You don't like it?"

Pei Wu shook his head and ate another one. Then he handed the paper bag to Jiang Ru: "You eat some too."

In fact, Jiang Ru had already eaten a lot today. The sweet dumplings were delicious, but they were too cloying and she couldn't eat any more. However, Pei Wu opened the paper bag, and not wanting to spoil his mood, she took another one.

After finishing the sweet rice ball, Jiang Ru waved to Pei Wu, "I'm not eating anymore, I'm going back to my room to sleep."

As she spoke, she placed some of the steamed piglets she had sold on Pei Wu's table, saying, "These are also delicious; we can save them for tomorrow."

She left some food for Pei Wu, then skipped away from his room, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.

Pei Wu didn't try to keep her; he simply sat at the table and ate the sweet dumplings one by one.

The next day, when Jiang Ru went to the palace, the food she bought was highly praised by the young palace maids. Some of the maids even shared their own saved pastries with Jiang Ru, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Until an uninvited guest arrived in the back garden.

Zhao Tuo and his companions came to the palace to pay their respects today. They happened to mention Liaocheng rice. Since Zhao Tuo and his companions were all from the South, they should know a lot about Liaocheng rice. So they suggested that they come and take a look and see if there was anything they could help with.

Hearing Zhao Tuo's voice from afar, Jiang Ru couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Pei Wu's guess was indeed correct. Zhao Tuo was like a piece of chewing gum; once he was on top, he couldn't be shaken off. Logically, they should have left after expressing their gratitude, but instead, he tricked the emperor into coming to the back garden.

Jiang Ru saw the bright yellow figure at the front. This was Jiang Ru's first time seeing the emperor. She was not afraid of the emperor like people in ancient times. She simply followed the example of the palace maid beside her and bowed.

The emperor and his entourage soon approached. Although the emperor's voice was still somewhat childish, it already possessed the majesty of a true emperor. After listening to his subordinates' introductions, the emperor asked, "My dear minister, how is the rice cultivation in Liaocheng progressing?"

None of the envoys from the South knew anything about this. They were all pampered and knew nothing about farming. They couldn't explain anything clearly. They just said a few words to fool Jiang Ru because she seemed to know what she was doing.

The emperor was very satisfied, and the envoy from the southern kingdom was also very satisfied. This inexplicable exchange was now almost over.

Zhao Tuo was the only one who didn't want to leave. He had been to Jiang Ru's house these past few days, but each time he was turned away. Now that he had received a return gift, he was leaving tomorrow, which meant he would never see her again.

Zhao Tuo clearly wanted to take this opportunity to improve the relationship, or rather, to make one last effort, so he said, "Your Majesty is unaware that I have met Lady Jiang once before."

Jiang Ru immediately sensed something was wrong. Zhao Tuo was clearly trying to force a sale. If the emperor actually believed his nonsense and impulsively granted them a marriage, Jiang Ru would be disobeying the imperial decree if she refused.

"Shameless scoundrel," Jiang Ru cursed inwardly.

Unfortunately, no one heard her curses. The emperor seemed curious: "Is that so?"

Zhao Tuo shook his head regretfully: "I fell in love with Miss Jiang at first sight as soon as I arrived in the capital, and wanted to propose to her, but her cousin obstructed me in every way, so the matter was left unresolved..."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhao Tuo sighed with regret.

Jiang Ru felt she should make her stance clear, otherwise the emperor might play matchmaker and she would be in big trouble, so she paused for a moment before speaking.

But the emperor spoke first, looking at Jiang Ru: "Your cousin is..."

Jiang Ru then announced Pei Wu's name.

The emperor nodded thoughtfully, then smiled at Zhao Tuo: "I understand what you mean, Zhao Qing. However, I have also heard about how much Pei Qing cherishes his cousin. I cannot make that decision for you. I cannot force Pei Qing to do so."

Zhao Tuo knew there was absolutely no way out. He glanced at Jiang Ru reluctantly and had no choice but to give up.

Jiang Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief. If the emperor had really listened to Zhao Tuo, she would have defied the imperial decree.

The envoys from the southern kingdom had visited the rice fields of Liaocheng and then accompanied the emperor on his departure. It was time for them to leave the palace and prepare to leave the capital.

Jiang Ru only looked away after everyone had gone far away. Fortunately, the emperor was smart and didn't easily listen to others' opinions, otherwise Jiang Ru would have been in real trouble.

That's the downside of ancient times. The emperor's word was law. Even though this young emperor didn't have much real power yet, there was almost no way he could take back what he said.

Jiang Ru took a sweet glutinous rice ball and ate it. Chewing on the sweet and glutinous rice ball was perfect for spacing out. She stared blankly at the land in front of her until a bright yellow expanse appeared before her. Only then did she belatedly realize that the emperor had come again.

Even the palace maids who were working here have disappeared, and Xia Xia and Xiao Zhu are gone too.

Jiang Ru suddenly stood up and looked around. The emperor said, "Don't be afraid, just let them leave for a while."

Jiang Ru finally turned her attention back to the emperor. The emperor was twelve years old, about the same height as Jiang Ru, but a little shorter. He was dressed in a majestic dragon robe and was indeed the emperor. Even though he was young, he was not to be underestimated.

Jiang Ru had never encountered such a situation before. She bowed to pay her respects, but the emperor raised his hand and said, "No need."

Jiang Ru didn't know if his "no need" was genuine or not; she only knew that ancient emperors were usually hypocritical, so she still completed the formalities.

The emperor didn't say anything, but sat down on his own. The floor was very dusty, but he still sat down. After sitting down, he looked up and said, "You sit down too."

Jiang Ru only slowly sat down beside him after confirming that he was serious.

Having never spent time with such a young emperor before, Jiang Ru was a little reserved. The emperor, however, remained calm and simply said, "The food you just ate looked delicious."

"It's just sweet dumplings. What delicacies hasn't the emperor eaten?" Jiang Ru asked, puzzled. "These are sweet dumplings, a delicacy of Bianjing."

The emperor looked at her and said quietly, "I have never eaten it."

Jiang Ru looked over hesitantly. The emperor's face was so tender, like a child's. The emperor was very cute, with skin so tender it looked like you could squeeze water out of it, and extremely beautiful features.

At this moment, those eyes were fixed on the sweet rice balls in Jiang Ru's hand, as if they were longing for them.

Jiang Ru hesitated before extending her hand: "Would Your Majesty like to try some?"

The emperor accepted it without hesitation and actually ate one.

At that moment, Jiang Ru looked at the young emperor and, for some reason, felt that he was also pitiful. He was put on the throne at a young age and was always restrained, unable to make his own decisions.

Perhaps it was because he had a very cute face that Jiang Ru felt such pity for him. But then she remembered that the emperor's diet should be strictly controlled, and he should not eat things given to him by others, especially since the origin of Jiang Ru's food was unknown.

If Jiang Ru intended to poison him, the emperor would die here.

Jiang Ru hesitated for a moment, wanting to take back her sweet dumplings: "These sweet dumplings..."

The emperor looked up, his eyes shining as he looked at her: "Thank you, sister. It's delicious. I've never eaten such delicious food before."

Jiang Ru withdrew her outstretched hand.

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Author's note: I'll revise it this afternoon; I'm still a little short of finishing.