Chapter 23 What a sycophant!
Just as everyone was secretly swallowing their saliva, the aroma gradually appeared from afar.
The palace maids entered in single file, their steps light and graceful, carrying trays upon trays of tempting dishes.
Golden and crispy, a small mountain of French fries!
The bright red oil makes the wolf tooth potatoes look delicious, and they smell amazing!
And those distinct, tangy, and spicy shredded potatoes!
A variety of potato dishes filled the entire table.
"The food is served!"
The eunuch let out a loud announcement, and everyone's eyes were instinctively drawn to the plates.
A group of palace maids were explaining the names of the dishes and how to eat them.
This time, no one tried to use drinking tea as a cover-up anymore.
One of the military officers could no longer contain himself. He was the closest, so he reached out and grabbed a handful of French fries, dipped them in sauce, and stuffed them into his mouth!
The crisp sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet, warm room.
"Mmm! Delicious! So delicious!"
The military officer's eyes lit up as he mumbled his praise.
A nearby civil official shook his head and said disdainfully, "Old Wu, you look like a starving ghost reincarnated! Watch your manners!"
The military officer surnamed Wu swallowed the fries in his mouth and glared.
"A starving ghost? Where is the starving ghost! Is there such a thing as a lucky starving ghost as me?"
He grabbed another handful with a perfectly justified air.
"No wonder His Majesty was drooling in the imperial kitchen! Who could resist such divine food!"
As he chewed, he shouted loudly, "And don't forget, this stuff yields three thousand catties per mu! Three thousand catties!"
These words thrilled the entire audience.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that!"
"Such a delicious food, and so productive! Heaven blesses our Great Yu!"
"They must be planted immediately! Right now! Immediately!"
A group of ministers suddenly surrounded the Minister of Agriculture.
"Director! You'd better step up your efforts!"
"That's right! I'm counting on you to grow these potatoes!"
The old man from Da Nong Si was pushed and shoved by the crowd and almost fell apart on the spot.
He waved his hands repeatedly, his old face turning bright red.
"Rest assured, my lords! I will do my utmost! I will serve you with all my might, even unto death!"
At this moment, General Weiyuan's powerful voice rang out.
He wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth and raised his glass first.
"If we say that our Great Yu is able to receive such auspicious omens, it is all because of our Emperor's boundless blessings!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
His shout immediately drew agreement from everyone.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Empress Dowager!"
Everyone raised their glasses.
Just then, the eunuch's shrill voice rang out again from outside the hall.
"Grand Tutor Wang has arrived!"
Everyone looked over upon hearing the sound and were all taken aback.
Then, the elderly Grand Tutor Wang walked in, looking remarkably energetic, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.
Behind him was none other than his daughter, Wang Jiaoniang!
Wang Jiaoniang had changed from her haggard appearance of a few days ago, when she seemed to be on the verge of death.
Today, she wore a bright pale yellow dress, with light makeup, and looked radiant.
Her almond-shaped eyes were surprisingly bright; there was no trace of her being lost and dejected.
The warm pavilion fell silent.
A group of ministers looked at each other and whispered among themselves.
"What happened? Didn't Wang's daughter try to hang herself at home just a couple of days ago because of some pretty boy?"
"Yes! I heard that the Grand Tutor's hair has turned half white from worry! Has he taken the wrong medicine today?"
"I heard that after the court session, His Majesty visited the Grand Tutor's residence..."
"What?! His Majesty has gone?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! It's said that His Majesty just went to eat some melon, and then Miss Wang had a change of heart!"
The group of ministers were immediately taken aback.
I ate some melon seeds...
How can a girl who was contemplating suicide be transformed and given a new lease on life?
Your Majesty's melon is far too terrifying in its power!
In an instant, a terrifying scene flashed through the minds of all the ministers who had something to hide.
The little empress, with her short legs, ran happily to her residence, then mentally devoured the gossip.
Just thinking about it is enough to make them faint on the spot and never be able to hold their heads up in the capital again!
The muscles on the faces of the group of people froze instantly, and when they looked at Wang Taifu again, their smiles were more like cries.
"Lord Wang, you've arrived!"
"Your Excellency, you look radiant today!"
Grand Tutor Wang was completely oblivious to the strange behavior of his colleagues; he was in an exceptionally good mood.
The mental ailment that had troubled him for more than half a year was easily resolved by His Majesty simply by watching him eat melons!
His daughter is now lively and energetic, even more so than him, and has even started discussing politics with him!
He felt like he had instantly become ten years younger, and his whole being had come back to life!
At the same time, a deep sense of guilt welled up in Wang Taifu's heart.
Before he thought about it, he had even considered joining forces with some veteran officials to support the second prince and force the young empress to abdicate.
Now it seems that he was the ungrateful ingrate!
His Majesty not only saved his daughter, but also brought high-yield grain to Dayu. Such an achievement is rare throughout history!
While engaging in perfunctory conversation with his colleagues, Grand Tutor Wang quietly moved closer to Chancellor Lin.
He lowered his voice and spoke with admiration.
"Prime Minister Lin, as expected of you! You've already grasped the secrets of heaven so early!"
"If I had been as steadfast as you in serving His Majesty earlier, my beloved wife wouldn't have needed to cause all that trouble!"
"Prime Minister Lin is indeed remarkable; he reacted immediately. No wonder he has won His Majesty's trust!"
Lin Xiang remained calm and composed throughout, not even lifting his eyelids.
He said calmly, "You flatter me, Grand Tutor. This is simply the duty of a subject."
As he spoke, his hands didn't stop; his slender fingers were intently peeling sunflower seeds.
One seed after another, and soon a small pile of melon seeds had accumulated in the white porcelain dish in front of him.
When Wang Taifu saw this, he was overjoyed.
Look at Lin Xiang's social skills!
Knowing I was in a good mood today, they specially peeled sunflower seeds for me!
He was so moved that he smiled and reached out to pinch a handful to taste.
"Smack!"
There was only a soft sound.
With a blank expression, Lin Xiang used the melon seed shell in his hand to accurately slap Wang Taifu's hand.
Grand Tutor Wang exclaimed "Ouch!" and withdrew his hand, looking puzzled.
"Prime Minister Lin, why did you hit me?"
Lin Xiang didn't speak, but just gestured to the side with his lip.
Grand Tutor Wang turned his head in confusion.
Upon seeing this, he froze completely.
Before anyone knew it, the young empress Yu Zhaoning had quietly sat down next to Prime Minister Lin.
She was holding a cup of fruit drink in her little hands, her cheeks were chubby like a little hamster hoarding food, and her mouth was constantly moving.
Grand Tutor Wang: "..."
He thought to himself, "I was careless! I was so careless!"
Who would have thought that a prime minister of a country could be so obsequious!
I have to peel the sunflower seeds myself and feed them to you!
No wonder he was able to so smoothly transform from a former henchman of the First Prince into Her Majesty the Empress's right-hand man!
This method, this awareness, is truly remarkable!
Wang Taifu's eyes darted around, and a bold idea popped into his mind.
He thought, since there is an empress, it would be reasonable for a female prime minister to appear, right?
Although his beloved wife was love-struck before, she was well-read from a young age and in terms of talent, she would be no less capable than the men if she participated in the imperial examinations!
If one could enter the court as an official and become the Empress's right-hand man...
The Empress Dowager and His Majesty must be very pleased to see the emergence of a female prime minister, right?
Thinking this, Wang Taifu's eyes gleamed, and he couldn't help but grin, letting out a chuckle.
Lin Xiang glanced at him and thought that the old man might have some mental issues.
…
At the head of the banquet, Yuan Hua took in everything.
She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
The old nanny Wen stepped forward and whispered with a smile, "Your Majesty, you were right after all! As soon as these officials tasted the delicious potatoes, they immediately began praising His Majesty's virtues! You are truly a prophet!"
Yuan Hua put down his teacup, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
"This is just a superficial effort."
She shook her head, her voice carrying a hint of coldness.
"These old foxes who have been navigating the court for years have complex and intertwined power structures behind them. They are not so easily subdued."
"The high-yield grain that Zhaoning has provided will indeed keep them in line for a while. But once this storm passes, those who are still up to no good will still do it."
"and..."
Yuan Hua thought of the male and female leads again.
They should be almost at the State of Yan by now.
The poison will take effect in seven days. By then, I will be weak all over and bedridden. I shouldn't be able to cause any trouble then, right?
However, as the male and female protagonists of that beloved novel, they are blessed with the aura of heaven.
Since even the "villain" Zhao Ning has a system, will Heaven, in order to maintain balance, also give the male and female protagonists a cheat code?
For example, let them also get a system, so that they can rival Zhaoning from then on?
Empress Dowager Yuanhua's eyes sharpened as she thought of this.
Forget it, we'll deal with whatever comes our way.
No matter what happens in the future, we must live well and protect her Zhaoning!
…
Meanwhile, inside a palace.
The Second Prince, Yu Jinghong, looked at the few potato dishes that the eunuchs had carefully brought to the table in front of him, his face turning frighteningly pale.
He suddenly swung his hand, sweeping an expensive celadon vase off the table and onto the ground!
The sound of porcelain shattering suddenly rang out in the silent palace.
Damn it!
He gritted his teeth, his handsome face contorted in anger.
"That old codger Yuan Hua! And that little bitch Yu Zhaoning! What kind of sorcery did they use to even win over that stubborn old man, Grand Tutor Wang!"
The group of eunuchs and advisors kneeling below were all trembling with fear, their heads bowed low, not daring to even breathe.