Everyone widened their eyes upon hearing this. My goodness, the carrots actually need to drink a century-old ginseng and fleeceflower soup? No wonder theyâre so tasty, no wonder you feel so lively after eating them.
Can I have some more?
"What if I ask you to supply them to the palace?" Emperor Xuanjing casually bit into the end of a carrot, not caring about his image at all.
Everyone was stunned by these words. Supplying to the palace? That would make one an Imperial Merchant.
However, Virtuous Concubine Xiao Jinâs expression changed. Over the years, the supply of vegetables to the palace had always been handled by the Gong Family. If Yang Ruxin supplied them, wouldnât that cut off the Gong Familyâs source of income?
The head of the Gong Family, Gong Zhi, was her maternal cousin, and he had been helping her earn silver and manage external ventures for years. The contract to supply vegetables to the palace had been a hard-fought business.
Qi Jingyunâs eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your Majesty, please donât make things difficult for me." Yang Ruxin quickly shook her head, "My little patch of land only produces a few dozen roots at a time, not even enough for my family to have one each. How could I supply the palace? These are still the ones I stockpiled last year." She paused, "But now my godmother has given me an estate with hot springs, and Iâm planning to mix that spring water with potion when I return to see how it works. If itâs good, I could possibly irrigate on a large scale, and then I might be able to send two roots to the Emperor and Empress Dowager each month for a taste..."
Although thereâs a lot in the space, now is not the time to bring them out, let alone to compete for the Imperial Merchant status.
"Two roots?" Emperor Xuanjing frowned.
"What about make it three?" Yang Ruxin looked troubled.
"Four." Emperor Xuanjing raised an eyebrow slightly, "At least four a month."
The people around were feeling so awkward, thinking, what an effort for a carrot, the Emperor is really going all out, whereâs your majesty?
The Crown Princess Consort originally wanted some too, but it was not the time to speak up, so she could only wait to mention it later.
"And thereâs me too." The Empress Dowager suddenly interjected, "I want four roots as well."
"Then can I have two roots?" Noble Consort Mu also spoke up, "Letâs not forget, today itâs my birthday gift."
"Is it possible?" Emperor Xuanjing smiled as he looked at Yang Ruxin.
Yang Ruxin exaggeratedly put on a bitter face, "If the Emperor says yes, even if itâs not, Xinxin will have to make it work."
"Haha..." Emperor Xuanjing started laughing.
"Forget it, I wonât bother." Suddenly, Virtuous Concubine Shu spoke with a giggle, "Since itâs Noble Consort Muâs birthday today, we wonât compete..." She glanced at Xiao Jin, "Sister Virtuous Concubine, donât you think?"
"Iâm not interested in carrots." Xiao Jin chuckled.
Yang Ruxin visibly breathed a sigh of relief and then exaggeratedly patted her chest, "Thank you, ladies, if everyone wants two roots, then Xinxin can only turn into a carrot herself... In that case, we wonât eat any, weâll leave them all for the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Noble Consort to enjoy..."
"Haha, look at her, sheâs even feeling aggrieved..." The Empress Dowager laughed, "The way she talks, itâs as if we are robbers..."
Emperor Xuanjing nodded, "I suppose in her heart, she thinks Iâm a muddle-headed ruler."
"Xinxin wouldnât dare." Yang Ruxin quickly waved her hands.
"Haha, I think you dare." Emperor Xuanjing laughed, "Gu Qingheng, youâve married well."
"Indeed." Gu Qingheng hurriedly saluted, "Without Xinxin, I wouldnât be where I am today."