"Peng shopkeeper, please preheat the oven tomorrow morning. My mother and I will come over to try baking some new snacks.""Yes, master. I will personally arrange it." Pengchuan accompanied Li Zhenshen...On ordinary days, even princes and princesses would be restrained in his presence, daring not speak a word more than necessary or take an extra step.

And this little girl was actually as sly and cunning as ever.

He didn't dislike her at all; instead, he was delighted by her closeness and authenticity.

"Someone will come to get the recipe for you shortly, just take it with you when you leave the palace." The emperor tapped the little maid's head.

Jia Yin beamed with a smile and quickly thanked him. Then she turned back and called out, "Second Uncle, Village Head Grandfather, please help cut the watermelon for Emperor Uncle!"

Li Lao Er smiled again and bowed to the emperor before rolling up his sleeves and fishing out a jade gourd from the bucket of ice water.

The village head also took out two golden fruits from another bucket.

The chief eunuch hurriedly brought up a small table with the help of a little eunuch.

The emerald watermelon and golden fruits were chilled throughout the journey. When cut open, they exuded a cold air, and their sweet fragrance wafted out.

The Emperor, pleased with what he saw, asked, “With the drought this year, has the harvest in the fields been unaffected”

The village head, with a steady heart, replied: "Your Majesty, it is true that the weather is dry today and the fields are short of water. But you see, if everyone works hard, this little trouble can be overcome."

“Before, the villagers had watered the fields three times to save these jade gourds and golden fruits. Although everyone was exhausted and tanned from the sun, when they saw the orchard bloom, they felt it was worth the effort.”

The Emperor couldn't help but nod, feeling a little lighter in his heart.

When it comes to difficulties, everyone faces them, year after year. But what's important is to face them and actively solve the problems.

This emperor, is he not even as good as a group of farmers!

Soon, the jade melon and golden fruits were cut.

Because the eunuch supervisor personally oversaw it, there was no need to test the poison.

The emperor picked up a jade gourd, took a bite, and felt a refreshing sweetness. The irritability in his heart instantly vanished without a trace.

"Wonderful melons! This year's melons seem even sweeter than in previous years!" The emperor couldn't help but praise, causing Li La Er and the village head to laugh with rows of white teeth on display.

The village head suppressed his pride and excitement, nodding repeatedly. “The Emperor is indeed amazing, he could tell just by one bite. Actually, the Jade Cucumber and Golden Fruit are like thirsty crops that have finally received rain, especially the Golden Fruit, so sweet it’s frightening, like a sugar jar!”

"You can eat too!" the Emperor beckoned to Li La'er and the Village Chief, finally handing Jia Yin a piece of jade melon with his own hand.

Jia Yin saw the eunuch supervisor, and he half-bent his waist standing aside, then handed him his piece.

The Chief Eunuch was startled and wanted to refuse, but then the Emperor said, "It's a gift from the County Princess, you should have it."

"Ai, ai!" The eunuch supervisor quickly knelt down and laughed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, County Princess."

Jia Yin picked up another piece of jade melon and nibbled on it, like a little squirrel hugging a big fruit. She ate with a face full of satisfaction and happiness.

The Emperor, though infected, also felt that the melon in his hand had become three points sweeter.

He chatted with Jiayin, though their conversations were a bit childish, it made him feel incredibly relaxed. He unconsciously ate three pieces of emerald melon and two golden fruits.

Occasionally, he would also ask Li Lao'er and the village head about how the crops were doing in the fields, how many visitors there were in the mountain valleys, and how abundant the harvest was in the orchard this year...

Li Laer and the village head both answered carefully, without any exaggeration. They were truthful and straightforward, saying whatever they thought was necessary. This allowed the emperor to understand the true lives of ordinary people outside the palace walls.

Just at that moment, a young eunuch suddenly came in from outside and moved to the steward's side, whispering a few words.

The emperor saw this and asked, "What's the matter"

The Eunuch Supervisor laughed and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager brought Princess Three to deliver some sour plum soup for you."

The Emperor frowned slightly, but still said, "Let them in."

The chief eunuch personally went out to invite someone, and soon led in a beautiful woman in her thirties.

The woman was tall and slender. She wore a crimson court dress and a gold phoenix crown, which made her eyes appear more sharp and serious, and less gentle and warm.

Standing beside the beautiful woman was a little girl of six or seven years old, taller than Jiayin. She wore a goose-yellow cross-collar shirt and a snow satin skirt.

The little girl's features were unremarkable, but the red gold pendant necklace with eight treasures around her neck added a touch of "wealth".

Li Laoer and the village head quickly knelt down and kowtowed. Jia Yin also jumped off her chair, but before she could kneel, she tripped on her skirt hem and fell to the ground.

The Emperor burst into laughter, bending down to help the flushed little girl up. "Last time your foster father said you needed to lose weight," he chuckled, "but it seems your weight loss progress isn't going so well."

Having said that, he patted Jia Yin's knee again and said, "Alright, you’ve already paid your respects to the Empress with this deep bow. That's enough."

Jia Yin immediately knelt down and paid her respects to the Queen and Princess. The Queen reached out and helped Jia Yin up, smiling and saying, "This is the County Lord Kang Le She is indeed beautiful and lovely. No wonder the Marquis doesn't want to marry or have children, he has simply given his entire estate to this girl."

This statement sounds casual, but the meaning doesn't seem like praise no matter how you listen to it.

Li Lao'er and the village chief, kneeling, caught each other's eyes and both felt a surge of anxiety.

Jia Yin seemed not to have heard, so she climbed back onto the chair beside the Emperor and innocently chatted with the Empress, "Empress Dowager, do you know my godfather When do you think he'll be back"

"When her godfather left, Fu Nuer hugged him tightly and wouldn't let him go. Her godfather said he was going to kill the enemy and take back half a river or sea for the emperor! He also said that if he didn't come back, Fu Nuer should go find the emperor. Last night, Fu Nuer even dreamed of her godfather..."

Speaking and speaking, her eyes turned red.

To be honest, the little girl's pouting face, wanting to cry but holding it back, was truly heartbreaking.

The Emperor immediately took his handkerchief to wipe the little girl's tears, coaxing her, "Funiang, don't cry. Your godfather sent word back yesterday that he will be back in Jiangnan in another half month."

"Really" Jiayin exclaimed, her face immediately breaking into a smile. "Funiu just learned how to steam egg custard. She'll make it for her adoptive father when he gets back."

"When my godfather returns, father will return too, Uncle Dayong will return as well, and grandma won't have to stand at the village entrance every day looking out. Mother won't have to secretly shed tears at night anymore!"

The little girl spoke quickly and excitedly, clearly overjoyed.

The emperor sighed inwardly, gently stroking the little girl's hair.

To speak of it, the Li family was just an ordinary peasant. They even delayed their southward journey and suffered a lot more hardship along the way. The place they were allocated to settle was a barren stony beach.

If this were to happen to someone else, they probably wouldn't just complain about the emperor, but would curse him out.

But the Li family never said no. They worked hard to cultivate the land, planting melons and fruit trees. Even after becoming a feudal fiefdom, they still paid taxes in silver, grain.

Now the family has even sent their grandchildren to go to the battlefield with the Marquis.

For Tianwu, for this pathetic emperor who lost half his territory, I've given my all of loyalty and strength.

Even if it's very small...

Then look at the entire court, all the powerful and wealthy families in the capital city. They only know how to live in drunken stupor and dream of death, they only know how to scheme for their own benefit from his hands.

Compared to the Li family, it's truly disgraceful.

He thought about it for a moment and then instructed the Empress, "From now on, don't mention this matter of the Marquis not getting married again. Among the powerful aristocratic families, no one is worthy of him. The Marquis has his reasons for liking the Li family, and no one should interfere."

"Besides, have someone prepare some fine fabrics and ornaments, the best ones we have, to be given as a gift to the Li family. It is a way to commend them for their loyalty and filial piety."

The Empress's eyes flickered, but she still rose to her feet and responded.

Li Lao'er and the village head quickly kowtowed in thanks.

Jia Yin this time jumped down from the chair, landing steadily and squarely. She knelt down in a respectful bow to thank the Emperor.

When the Emperor saw her grinning, he found it even more amusing. "Just like your godfather said, Fu Nu'er is a little money-lover. She's happy whenever she gets something good."

After some idle chatter, the Empress and Princess ate two pieces of emerald melon.

Li Lao'er and the village head lowered their heads, not daring to look up. They were about to retire.

Jiayin also felt she had brushed enough for presence, and planned to stop while she was ahead.

Although she didn't want to, the Empress suddenly said, "Your Majesty, the Third Princess has never had any playmates. Now that County Princess Kangle has come to the palace, why not let her stay for a few days and keep the Third Princess company"

Three updates are offered, my treasures. The influenza virus has been rampant recently, and my son single-handedly infected our whole family. Huahua is truly in a world of pain! There might be occasional delays in updates, please bear with me, dears. Thank you all. Autumn has arrived, everyone, please pay attention to the changes in temperature. some disdain, "This tonic isn't bitter, but it's a bit fishy.""Grandma finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled, saying, 'This noodles must have been made with bird's nest. Not only is it good for...