Chapter 275

The empress had just finished speaking when Zhang Jian frowned, but he saw Qi Shi smiling brightly, turning around and leading the many palace maids behind her into the imperial carriage, departing quietly.

Zhang Jian stood at the door of the East Study, watching Qi Shi's retreating figure.

He sighed inwardly.

He did not know whether Qi Shi had already learned of Qi Yuhua's phoenix destiny, after all, when he had first presented the phoenix-blood jade, it had indeed passed through Qi Yuzhu's hands.

The various omens appearing on Qi Yuhua's body might have deceived the Qi Wan clan, but they could not have deceived the two sisters who had shared everything since childhood.

Or perhaps Qi Yuzhu's words carried another meaning……

However, Zhang Jian was not overly concerned; even if Qi Yuzhu had guessed that Qi Yuhua bore the phoenix destiny, she would not reveal it, for doing so would bring her only harm and no benefit.

……

Nanyuan Palace

Lan De Fei returned to the palace with the Third Prince Wei Cheng, her mature and beautiful visage at this moment bearing a faint smile, unaffected by the empress's arrival, her mood unimpaired.

"Your Ladyship, it seems the empress holds Zhang Xueshi in high regard; we may well face trouble ahead!"

Behind her, a graceful female official's face showed traces of worry.

This empress does not appear to be an easy person to deal with.

To offend her would inevitably invite retaliation.

Lan De Fei, however, smiled faintly: "The empress is still young in years and lacks composure!"

She cared nothing for the impending troubles.

Compared to that position, the empress's slight difficulties are nothing; moreover, relying on her years of cultivated influence in the palace, even if the empress wished to act against her, it would not be so easy.

Her gaze fell entirely upon Zhang Jian.

Since Qi Shi entered the palace, she had been secretly observing her.

She had long discerned that the so-called 'mutual affection' between Emperor Jingwu and Qi Shi was entirely fictitious; their union resembled more a political alliance and courting of favor.

Initially, Lan De Fei thought Emperor Jingwu valued the Qi family's potential, but after two years of probing, she had clearly seen that their union had nothing to do with Qi Shi.

Rather, it might lie with Zhang Jian, this Grand Scholar.

After establishing contact with external allies, she became even more certain of her suspicion.

Having heard that Zhang Xueshi possesses the grand righteous aura and is likely to achieve sagehood, becoming a second Jade Sage.

This may well be the true reason Emperor Jingwu appointed Qi Yuzhu as empress.

What the Qi clan can offer the Zhang family, Lan De Fei can likewise achieve, and she can offer even more.

She summoned an elderly personal attendant.

"Lin Momomo, go out of the palace and seek confirmation from your brother; I have heard that Zhang Xueshi has two sons and one daughter, all currently studying at the Xihua Academy, and my several brothers have nieces, not lacking in graceful appearance and spirited bearing among the younger generation……"

A hint of a smile appeared in Lan De Fei's eyes, and the attendant beside her also understood.

……

In the Ministry of Agriculture, at this moment, Minister Qian Pan was busy going to and fro, his face nonetheless bearing an undisguisable smile.

Since Zhang Jian had refined batch after batch of superior seeds, the Ministry of Agriculture's orders had poured in.

Orders from the garrison farming offices of various commanderies came like snowflakes, and some also came from merchants in the private sector; these merchants, after personally cultivating a batch of test vegetables and fruits, also sensed the business opportunity.

Thus, Qian Pan now found himself in a state of happy distress, daily engagements unceasing.

But today, gazing upon this batch of newly harvested tomatoes, Qian Pan could not help but stare blankly.

The tomatoes before him were not only vividly red, but their size far surpassed that of the previous small tomatoes; he was well aware of the fruiting capacity of this crop, and if such large fruits were to fill the vines, it would indeed multiply the value of this crop.

Of course, more importantly, it was its political value.

"This is an auspicious sign; if not for the Son of Heaven's sagacity, how could such grand fruits descend……"

Qian Pan hastily sought out Zhang Jian; this was his first words.

Zhang Jian stood on the small fertile plot behind the Ministry of Agriculture; at this moment, a small patch of land before him had been enclosed with barriers, surrounded by heavily armed guards.

Inside, they had also brought forth several small magical devices capable of maintaining constant temperature!

Qian Pan's eyes, following the opening of this area, gazed inward, beholding a vast expanse of ruby-red within, his eyes already beginning to gleam.

He gazed longingly at Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian understood his meaning.

In the preceding two years, the Great Qian had suffered drought, and last year also floods; now, many places' common folk could not even fill their stomachs.

This harvest, especially at this time, could indeed be called an auspicious sign.

Especially for Emperor Jingwu.

Although his original intention had been to alleviate the suffering of the common people.

In the midst of these thoughts, Zhang Jian also nodded slightly.

"Very well, prepare a basket and send some to the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Pan rejoiced greatly; of course, more importantly, Zhang Jian had actually yielded this good fortune to him.

He then picked a portion of the large tomatoes and hurried into the palace, all the way shouting "Auspicious sign! The Ministry of Agriculture has produced an auspicious sign!"

For a time, the palace gates and walls became lively.

……

At this moment, Emperor Jingwu was not reviewing memorials in the Jingtai Hall, but was fishing in the center of the lake beside the imperial garden; the spring breeze blew, and Emperor Jingwu would sometimes sit quietly for an afternoon, taking a brief rest.

Just then, several young eunuchs hurried over with quick steps; after a moment, they arrived beside the old eunuch by the lakeside and whispered a few words.

"Auspicious sign?"

The old eunuch Liang Shiwu's expression froze; though inwardly doubtful, he did not dare delay, and hurried forward to report to Emperor Jingwu.

In the center of the lake, gazing at the reeds drifting and swaying on the lake's center, Emperor Jingwu casually raised his fishing rod, yet caught nothing; his interest remained unaffected, he cast again, only to see Liang Shiwu disembark from a small boat nearby, smiling broadly as he approached.

"You old fogey, why have you come running over like this?"

Emperor Jingwu had a calm expression.

Liang Shiwu observed his words and expression, and hurriedly said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, the Ministry of Agriculture has produced an auspicious sign!"

"An auspicious sign?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu was slightly surprised.

"What auspicious sign has appeared at the Ministry of Agriculture?"

The emperor's face showed something strange.

Liang Shiwu's face was smiling, and he immediately reported the commotion at the palace gate in detail.

Emperor Jingwu, upon hearing this, was somewhat speechless, and immediately ordered Liang Shiwu to bring in the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

A moment later.

"This big?"

Gazing at the large tomato before him, Emperor Jingwu was somewhat dazed; this fruit, or perhaps vegetable, the Ministry of Agriculture had already sent to the palace several times.

Emperor Jingwu had tasted its flavor, and though he did not particularly like it, he also thought it could fill the stomach.

But the tomato before him completely overturned his inherent impression of this fruit crop.

This truly could be called an auspicious sign.

If it could be widely promoted, it would indeed be a blessing for the people of the Great Qian.

Qian Bian, seeing this, quickly knelt down: "Your humble servant congratulates Your Majesty, that the Ministry of Agriculture could produce such an extraordinary fruit is truly due to the Holy Son's governance; with this extraordinary fruit, the court's merit is boundless, and Your Majesty shall also be remembered in history!"

Emperor Jingwu's face showed a hint of a smile; he gestured for Qian Bian to rise, and asked: "How much can one such extraordinary fruit plant usually yield, and how many stones per mu?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Bian's heart skipped a beat, his expression somewhat panicked; he had only been thinking of seeking credit, and had not done such calculations.

Emperor Jingwu slightly furrowed his brow, but did not blame him.

"Was this also researched by Mr. Zhang?"

"Grand Companion Liang, go fetch Mr. Zhang!"

At this moment, Emperor Jingwu felt somewhat moved; if the cultivators of the world could strive for the court like this Mr. Zhang, he would not need to worry about the people's hardships!