The moment the Empress uttered this sentence, Zhang Jian frowned, only to see Madam Qi Wan with a radiant smile. She turned and, with numerous palace maids behind her, entered the imperial carriage and quietly departed.
Zhang Jian stood at the entrance of the East Study, watching the distant figure of Madam Qi.
He sighed a little in his heart.
He was unsure whether Madam Qi had already learned of Yu Hua's destiny as a Phoenix, especially since the Phoenix Blood Jade he sent out back then indeed passed through the hands of Yu Zhu.
The various strange phenomena appearing around Yu Hua might have been concealed from Madam Qi Wan, but could not be hidden from the two sisters who spoke of everything to each other.
Perhaps Yu Zhu had another implication in her words...
However, Zhang Jian was not particularly worried. Even if Yu Zhu guessed that Yu Hua was carrying the Phoenix Destiny, she would not reveal it, as it would be of no benefit to her at all.
…
Nanyuan Palace
Consort Lande returned to the palace with the Third Prince, Wei Cheng. A faint smile appeared on her mature and beautiful jade-like face, unaffected by the presence of the Empress.
"Your Highness, it seems the Empress is watching Scholar Zhang very closely. We might face some trouble ahead!"
Behind her, a graceful female official displayed a worried expression on her face.
This Empress did not seem like someone easy to deal with.
Offending her might invite retaliation.
Consort Lande simply chuckled lightly, "The Empress is still young, and she lacks composure!"
She was not worried about the forthcoming troubles at all.
Compared to that position, the Empress's little annoyances were nothing, and with the power she had cultivated over many years in the palace, the Empress would find it no easy task to act against her.
Her gaze was completely focused on Zhang Jian.
From the moment Madam Qi entered the palace, she had been observing quietly from the shadows.
She had long discerned that the supposed 'mutual hearts' between Emperor Jingwu and Madam Qi was entirely fictional. The union between Emperor Jingwu and Madam Qi seemed more like a marriage of convenience and political alliance.
Initially, Consort Lande thought Emperor Jingwu valued the potential of the Qi Family, but after two years of investigation, she understood that the union was not about the Qi Family at all.
It was likely about Grand Scholar Zhang Jian.
After contacting strong allies outside, she became more certain of her speculation.
It was rumored that Scholar Zhang possessed Vast Righteous Qi and was very likely to achieve sainthood, becoming the second Yu Saint.
This could be the true reason Emperor Jingwu appointed Qi Yuzhu as the Empress.
Whatever the Qi Family could give to the Zhang Family, she, Consort Lande, could provide the same and even more.
She summoned an older female official by her side.
"Nanny Lin, try to leave the palace and verify with my brother. It's said that Scholar Zhang has two sons and a daughter under his care, all studying at West Splendor Academy. My brothers have nieces among their children, many of whom are beautiful and talented…"
A trace of a smile appeared in Consort Lande's eyes, and the nearby female official also understood immediately.
…
Inside the Great Nong Temple, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture Qian Pan was busy going up and down, unable to hide the smile on his face.
Since Zhang Jian optimized batches of high-quality seeds, the Great Nong Temple had been inundated with orders.
Orders from various Land Reclamation Offices of different counties came like snowflakes, along with requests from civilian merchants who, after personally cultivating a batch of trial vegetables and fruits, smelled the business opportunity.
Qian Pan was currently in a state of blissful woes, constantly dealing with various social engagements every day.
But today, looking at a batch of newly harvested tomatoes, Qian Pan was a little stunned.
The tomatoes in front of him were not just a bright red color, but also far larger than the previous small tomatoes. He was well aware of the yield ability of the tomato plant; if it bore fruit as large as these, it would significantly increase their value.
More importantly, it held immense political value.
"This is an auspicious sign. If it were not for the Emperor's wisdom, how could such substantial fruits appear…"
Qian Pan hurriedly found Zhang Jian, and this was his first statement.
Zhang Jian was at a small fertile patch behind the Great Nong Temple, where a small area of land had been sealed off with heavy guard posted around it.
Part of it even contained small Dharma Artifacts to maintain temperature!
Qian Pan's eyes followed the opening into this region, and as he looked at the large patch of red inside, his eyes began to shine brightly.
He eagerly looked at Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian understood his intent.
The previous two years of Daqian had been plagued by drought, followed by floods last year, leaving many people in various places struggling for food.
The fruition of these crops, especially at this time, was indeed an auspicious sign.
Especially for Emperor Jingwu.
Though his original intention was to alleviate the suffering of the common people.
With a thought, Zhang Jian nodded and said.
"Fine, prepare a basket and send some to the palace!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Pan was overjoyed, primarily because Zhang Jian was allowing him to deliver such good news.
He promptly picked some big tomatoes and hastily headed to the palace, proclaiming auspicious blessings and that auspicious manifestations had appeared from the Great Nong Temple.
For a moment, the entrance of the palace grew lively.
…
At that time, Emperor Jingwu was not reviewing memorials in Jingtai Hall, but was instead fishing at the lake inside the Imperial Garden. With the spring breeze blowing, Emperor Jingwu sometimes sat quietly for an entire afternoon, taking a light nap.
Just then, a few little eunuchs hurriedly rushed over, and moments later, they whispered a few words by the ear of the old eunuch by the lake.
"Auspicious?"
The old eunuch Liang Shiwu was momentarily stunned, though skeptical, he dared not delay and quickly went to report to Emperor Jingwu.
On the central lake, as he watched the bobbing reeds, Emperor Jingwu casually lifted his fishing rod, but it came up empty. His interest was not diminished, and he cast the line again, only to see Liang Shiwu stepping down from a small boat nearby with a smile, approaching.
"You old rascal, why are you here in such a hurry?"
Emperor Jingwu's expression remained calm.
Observing the Emperor's expression, Liang Shiwu quickly said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, auspicious omens have appeared from the Great Nong Temple!"
"Auspicious?"
Hearing this, Emperor Jingwu raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
"An auspicious omen from the Great Nong Temple? What kind of auspicious could that place produce?"
The Emperor's expression had a tinge of peculiarity.
With a smile on his face, Liang Shiwu recounted the commotion at the palace gate.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu was somewhat at a loss but immediately instructed Liang Shiwu to bring in the officials from the Great Nong Temple.
A moment later.
"So big?"
Looking at the large tomato in front of him, Emperor Jingwu was somewhat stunned by this fruit, or vegetable, which the Great Nong Temple had already sent to the palace a few times.
Emperor Jingwu had tasted it before; while the taste wasn't his favorite, he felt it could stave off hunger.
Yet this tomato before him overturned his previous impression of the fruit.
This indeed could be called an auspicious omen.
If widely cultivated, it would undoubtedly be a blessing for the people of Daqian.
Seeing this, Qian Pan quickly knelt down: "Your Majesty, congratulations! It's because of your wise governance that such exotic fruits can emerge from the Great Nong Temple. The merit and virtue of the Court are immeasurable, and Your Majesty's fame will be remembered throughout history!"
A slight smile appeared on Emperor Jingwu's face. He gestured for Qian Pan to rise and asked, "How many fruits can these plants typically yield, and how many bushels per acre?"
At this, Qian Pan's heart skipped a beat, and he showed some anxiety, realizing he hadn't prepared such details while only focusing on taking credit.
Emperor Jingwu slightly furrowed his brow, but did not blame him.
"Was it Mr. Zhang's research again?"
"Great Companion Liang, go invite Mr. Zhang over!"
Emperor Jingwu was somewhat moved at the moment. If only the cultivators of the realm could contribute to the Court as Mr. Zhang did, then why would he need to worry about the suffering of the people!