Chapter 312: All Extremely Useful

All these years, whose house has the emperor visited?

No, he hasn't been to any house, yet he insists on going to Yuan Jiaqi's residence, bringing a princess along; any observant person can tell what's happening.

Consort Rui, Princess Jiamei's mother, upon hearing this, immediately had someone bring the report on Yuan Jiaqi's household, and from this inquiry learned that Yuan Haichuan was talking about a marriage.

No wonder she's the emperor's confidante; she instantly grasped the emperor's intention.

As for this future son‑in‑law, she is very pleased; even though he is only a Sixth Rank, he has great potential, and Yuan Jiaqi is highly valued by the emperor, and the Yuan family's household customs are fine.

Thus, early in the morning, she personally dressed her daughter.

As for Princess Jiamei, the reason she holds this title is that she has been beautiful and virtuous since childhood, and the Old Emperor's affection bestowed it upon her.

The Old Emperor is very satisfied with today's attire.

Yu Bao hurried the carriage, taking his daughter and slipping out of the palace in a carriage incognito.

Upon reaching the gate of Jixiang Yuan, Princess Jiamei alighted first, then assisted the Old Emperor down; she showed no princess airs, resembling an ordinary father‑daughter pair, which is one reason the Old Emperor favors her.

"Fine, I'm tired too; bring me a pot of your family's finest tea leaves to brew, and you must not keep any for yourself, okay?"

"Hmm, over there are Fragrant Antelopes; the products from these two small animals are fine medicinal herbs,"

"I am present!"

"What is that?"

"You little mouth, really slick; let you deliver, you deliver, and if anything goes wrong you won't be held accountable."

The Old Emperor was startled; it seemed Yuan Jiaqi hadn't kept the matter of inviting him to his home secret, making it known to all, and the emperor felt a few more points of satisfaction toward him.

"Finished the tour?"

In the Hua Yuan, naturally he didn't encounter the old lady; while enjoying the scenery and watching the small animals, the Old Emperor likewise didn't let it go.

"I would like to see your kitchen?"

The Old Emperor didn't tell his daughter about the visit, but Qiao Mai told her son; otherwise, given Chuan'er's temperament, he wouldn't have glanced at the other at all.

"What about this?"

The previous visit was too hurried; this time the Old Emperor decided to stay at his house for a day.

"My wife says many households hoard eggs for a long time before selling them, making them not fresh; our own chickens lay fresh eggs daily, and the eggs from my wife's chickens have a different flavor from others,"

"Indeed"

"Oh, then later bring some to the palace for me?"

"I dare not; many people look down on me, and if they tamper with the eggs, I couldn't account for how many mouths there are,"

"What about this?"

Yuan Jiaqi almost shouted; as long as you don't keep it in mind, and don't ask for it, I'll bring it out.

Yuan Jiaqi gave no rebuttal; after all, who is the emperor? Whatever he says is what it is.

"This is Quail; its eggs are small, but not fewer than chicken eggs, and the Nutritional Value is slightly higher than that of chicken eggs."

"Yes"

The Old Emperor swallowed, said nothing further, went to the side of the Martial Arts area, pointed at a line of odd arrangements and asked.

"Hehe"

"This is a Peeling Knife; it can also slice apples."

"I don't know if my wife still has any; I'll ask later, okay?"

"Could I get a set of such kitchenware? It's truly beautiful, glittering; I saw the cook just now use that thing, and the ingredients instantly became fine strands,"

"This is called Green Mango, a kind of grape; Princess, try it," he then plucked one and gave it to her.

The Old Emperor felt a pang of sorrow, "All your kitchenware was brought in by your wife from overseas?"

"Mm-hmm"

Yuan Jiaqi saw through it; today the emperor is using a matchmaking pretext to raid his house, and had he known, he would have simply prepared porridge and salted vegetables at noon.

"She knows a bit; she cultivates medicinal herbs to sell, and she calls it Space Utilization,"

The previous incident was a hardship imposed by him as a strong emperor, but this time there is none—one is unmarried, one is unwed, one is handsome, one is gentle; this time truly seems a match made by heaven, right?

If they still refuse, he'll issue an edict to bestow the marriage, a hardline move, hm!

The party toured Jixiang Yuan, the Old Emperor listening to Yuan Jiaqi's introduction, then turned his head to glance at a pair of young people trailing behind.

Like his father, he dislikes women, a bookworm; if not for the marriage, he wouldn't have left the decision to her.

"Does your wife practice medicine?"

"Hmm, later bring some into the palace for me."

Yuan Jiaqi called out, hurriedly brought his son and ran to greet them; the group entered the Keting, the emperor took his seat at the head, and after Yuan Jiaqi and his son performed their bows, they sat at his lower side.

"Where is your wife?"

"She really eats a lot, eyes many, takes many."

"That's because he relies on Qiao Mai; otherwise, even with tenfold courage, he wouldn't dare think so."

"But the esteemed guest arranged with my master?"

The emperor curled his lip, "Did you really fall for money?"

The old master didn't come; he truly didn't want to see this emperor, and the old lady naturally doesn't favor the emperor either. Being elderly, they don't want any fuss, so after having an early light meal, they returned to Bichun Garden to check on the renovations.

"This is mangosteen, especially sweet; the fruit inside looks like garlic cloves, as white as cotton; would you like to try?"

"For fitness, suitable for adults, children, and the elderly,"

"Please come inside; my family's old master and young master are waiting in the Keting."

"Princess Jiamei is behind us, can't hear clearly; you introduce it to her."

"Again about making money?"

"That's not a Strange Herb; the previous lawn was cleared by my wife, and what we planted are all medicinal herbs."

Jia Mei, after seeing them, looked at the fruits in amazement, "It's already November, how are these fruits still so fresh? Many of them are ones I've never seen."

Ah, ah, your family's kitchenware is truly marvelous, isn't it?

This way, please.

Seeing this they ask, seeing that they also ask.

Yes, it's almost a full circle.

I have planted many Strange Herbs in your garden?

Ah, you still keep deer?

I don't know; my mother brought them.

I sighed inwardly and, resigned, began the introduction.

The Emperor cast a sidelong glance at Yuan Haichuan, saw his upright posture and handsome appearance, his head slightly lowered, and was very pleased with this future son‑in‑law.

The gates of Jixiang Yuan opened wide, and the servants, upon seeing the three, immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

The Steward led the way at the front, and one person ran off to report.

The Old Emperor entered the Qiao Family's kitchen and realized his Imperial Kitchen was nothing—just look at theirs.

It's that a friend of hers often goes to sea; the round trip takes half a year.

He cast another sidelong glance at his own lady, who was the same; looking at this, then at that, he thought they matched even better.

Those are called Scraper, Scrape Silk, Slicing; all are very useful.

Hmm, then could you take me on a tour of your home?

I heard you were coming, and I'm watching over the kitchen.

Entering the Keting, the servants had already arranged a table of selected fruits.

The Princess's face flushed as she took a bite, "Mmm, very tasty, not sour at all; I suppose it isn't from our Ming Emperor's, right?"

Qiao Mai was not in the kitchen at this moment; she was alone in her courtyard reading.

Yo, can such a small chicken lay eggs?

What about that, Yuan Haichuan?

Exactly.

Yes.

Everywhere was spotless, and every place was incredibly pleasant; the Old Emperor examined their ice kiln, their warehouse, their cooks, their quality, their knife work, and finally their tools and ingredients.

Yuan Jiaqi didn't want him to keep looking, "Shall we go back to the Keting and rest for a bit?"

Yuan Jiaqi rolled his eyes in his mind, "Even a few eggs make you greedy, you gluttonous cat! But that's understandable; the lady's produce must be fine, and the emperor is no exception."

Behind, Yuan Haichuan also introduced things to the Princess very carefully; the Princess listened attentively and was quite fascinated.

"You say you're a respectable First Rank Grand Official, yet you raise chickens at home? It seems the capital has no sellers of eggs."

Mm-hmm.

The Old Emperor took a sip of tea at this moment and let out a long sigh.

This tea is good.

As long as you like it!

(End of chapter)