Chapter 227 (1/2)

Her fellow transmigrator was the current emperor, so her life would be over if he just randomly charged her for any crime! That wouldn't do. If the emperor heard the name 'corn', her ident.i.ty would be exposed! No, she definitely couldn't let that happen!

”Uh…” Under the young royal prince's doubtful gaze and everyone's scared expressions, Xiaocao muttered, ”Young Royal Prince, this commoner is just a fisherman's daughter from the mountains. How can I be qualified to name the new species of crop that you, this royal prince, has brought back? Aren't you thinking too highly of me? Young Royal Prince, this commoner reckons that such a valuable crop should be named by the emperor or you!”

Zhu Junyang saw clearly the action and expression of the young girl racking her brains to think of a reason. He felt that the young girl in front of him was very similar to a small animal—an alert, sensitive, and interesting little squirrel. Unbeknownst to him, the indifference in his eyes gradually faded, and an unfamiliar emotion emerged within him.

Head Steward, Liu Fusheng, noticed the slight change in his master. While he felt surprised, he also felt that he should put in a word for his master's savior, ”Master, the young lady's words are reasonable. Let's discuss the matter of naming the new crop when we get back to the capital! Master, if you leave the noodles for too long, they will muddle together!”

However, Zhu Junyang didn't want to let go of this young girl who was like a little squirrel. Based on his intuition, this young girl definitely knew how to grow corn. Before he went on the voyage, the emperor had once told him that it would be best if he could also bring back someone who knew how to grow corn. Unfortunately, those natives all felt inseparable from their homeland. As a result, he was unable to fully accomplish the task that the emperor entrusted to him. But, perhaps the young girl in front of him could give him a different surprise!

When Liu Fusheng saw that his master seemed to have taken in his words, he turned around and walked to their temporary lodging. After walking a couple steps, Zhu Junyang stopped again and turned back to look at the young girl, who secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was currently patting her own chest. Seeing this, he almost couldn't refrain himself from laughing. Why did this little la.s.s have so many expressions? Compared to those n.o.ble ladies in the capital, who were either delicate or dull, she was simply a weirdo, a cute little weirdo.

He took in a deep breath inwardly, kept a calm expression on his face, and then said to Xiaocao, who had instantly resumed an innocent expression, ”If… I give you the seeds, can you guarantee that you can grow them?”

Liu Fusheng peeped at his master and felt surprised inwardly, 'Master has really changed today. Not only is he taking the initiative to speak with others, but they're also chatting very happily (Yu Xiaocao: With which eye do you see us chatting happily?). I wonder what expression Princess Consort Jing would have if she found out about this?'

It should be noted that it was always Princess Consort Jing pestering his master. She had even pretended to be sick to gain sympathy from him so that he would say a few more words with her. Princess Consort Jing was always worried about whether her youngest son would lose his ability to speak. It seemed like Princess Consort Jing's concern was unnecessary.

Yu Xiaocao noticed that the crisis had been resolved, so she quickly put on a flattering smile and said, ”Of course! Young Royal Prince, you can go ask around. My family members are experts in farming. During this season, besides families with hot spring resorts, only my family can grow fresh vegetables! There're also watermelons, which my family has already started breeding. In a little over two months, if you can come to Tanggu Town again, you will be able to eat my family's watermelons… I can say for certain that if my family can't grow the seeds, then there isn't anyone else who can!”

Zhu Junyang watched as the young girl patted her chest and vowed with confidence, yet he didn't detect any sense of boasting at all. It seemed like this young girl was really confident in her family's farming skills. Perhaps… he could believe in her this one time. If she could really grow the crop of the seed that he brought back, then that could make up for his regrets from this voyage.

”Head Steward Liu, go make the arrangements to get fifty catties of corn and fifty catties of potato seeds for the little la.s.s.” After thinking about it briefly, Zhu Junyang decided to give a portion of the seeds from the two crops that he brought back the largest quant.i.ty of and let the young girl try growing them. Even if she failed, it wouldn't be a big problem.

Yu Xiaocao was extremely delighted about this. Fifty catties of corn seeds were enough for at least ten mu of land! But, there didn't seem to be enough potato seeds. She looked at the young prince with bright eyes and weakly asked, ”Young Royal Prince, can you give me a little more of the potato seeds?”

Zhu Junyang looked at Yu Xiaocao with a 'so you really do know what a potato is' expression. Yu Xiaocao decided to just go-for-broke and continued to stare directly at the young prince's intimidating gaze with expectant eyes.

”How much do you want?” Zhu Junyang stopped trying to find out where the little girl had heard about corn and potatoes. Since she had heard about them, it meant that there was an even higher probability that she would be able to grow them.

Yu Xiaocao thought about it and answered, ”At least a hundred catties? That's enough for half a mu of land…”

”I'll give you two hundred catties! Do you dare to make a military writ that you will definitely be able to grow the potatoes?” Zhu Junyang's intuition became even clearer—this young girl might be able to create a miracle! His intuition had never been wrong since he was a child!

”Yes!” Yu Xiaocao replied firmly without any hesitation.

Head Steward Liu Fusheng coughed on the side and tried to give the little girl some room for leeway. He explained softly, ”Young maiden of the Yu Family, do you know that if you can't fulfill a military writ, you will be beheaded?”