For a time, both the court and the harem understood one thing: it was better to offend anyone but the Prince of Mingrui and his son, and Sheng Lengshuang, or face a fate worse than death.
One day.
Sheng Lengshuang finally welcomed the busy Minister of Agriculture.
The Minister of Agriculture was very dark-skinned, rather plain, and dressed less elaborately than typical court officials, favoring attire that allowed for easy work, giving him an air of simplicity and forthrightness.
"Minister of Agriculture, please have a seat," Sheng Lengshuang invited him to sit and explained the purpose of her invitation. "I plan to plant some bamboo on the mountain, but I'm unsure which varieties would be best, so I've specifically come to seek your advice."
The Minister of Agriculture touched his beard, a smile appearing on his dark face. "Planting bamboo on the mountain is a good idea. It's both ornamental, and the bamboo shoots can be sold for money. Most importantly, it's good for the soil."
He couldn't stand seeing mountains left barren. What fine mountains they were, capable of growing anything, yet left to waste. It pained him to see it.
Sheng Lengshuang thought the same. "Minister of Agriculture, which bamboo varieties have edible shoots?"
She was unfamiliar with this matter, but she knew that not all bamboo shoots were edible; only those from certain varieties were.
The Minister of Agriculture first introduced the common varieties of bamboo: "Common bamboo varieties include single bamboo, four seasons bamboo, variegated bamboo, water bamboo, palm bamboo, thorny nanmu bamboo, luohan bamboo, phoenix tail bamboo, and giant dragon bamboo, among others. Rarer varieties include black bamboo and other precious types."
"Generally, the shoots of moso bamboo and nanmu bamboo are edible, but it depends on the season. There are many types of bamboo shoots, generally divided into spring shoots, winter shoots, and whip shoots. Some households also make dried bamboo shoots. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Miss Sheng, if you wish to plant bamboo in the mountains, it depends on what you primarily intend to use these bamboos for. If you want bamboo shoots, plant moso bamboo or similar varieties. If you want them for ornamental purposes, then you would plant different types of bamboo."
Sheng Lengshuang had already thought this through. "I want bamboo shoots, not for ornamental purposes. If it's for viewing, where can't one view? Besides, there are plenty of bamboo forests. I don't want to put in effort for little reward."
Most importantly, she wanted bamboo shoots that were edible and could be sold for money.
The Minister of Agriculture raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Sheng Lengshuang shifting slightly. This woman was indeed different from the rumors. To him, such a woman was much better. He truly couldn't stand those delicate ladies of the boudoir.
"Then Miss Sheng can plant moso bamboo and similar varieties. However, you won't see results for a short while; it will take a few years to yield anything."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't mind. "There's no rush. I plan to raise chickens, ducks, and geese in the bamboo forest. This way, we achieve multiple benefits. The bamboo will take a few years to generate income, but the chickens, ducks, and geese will bring returns quickly."
The matter of hiring people needed to be put on the agenda.
The Minister of Agriculture offered a suggestion: "Since Miss Sheng plans to raise chickens, ducks, and geese, you'll need to fence off the mountain and assign people to watch it. There are individuals in the nearby villages who are prone to petty theft."
Sheng Lengshuang thanked him, asked a few more questions, and then saw the Minister of Agriculture out.
As she turned around, she saw Mo Lingxi standing not far behind her. Her brow twitched. "Did you scare me?"
Mo Lingxi chuckled. "...I just arrived, and you turned around. How could I have scared you? Are you finished talking with the Minister of Agriculture?"
Sheng Lengshuang nodded. "I need to go out of the palace later; there are many things to attend to. Please look after Xiao Feng. I'll try to return as early as possible."
Mo Lingxi knew what she was going to busy herself with. He cautioned, "Take more people with you and be careful."
Speaking of which, Sheng Lengshuang remembered something. "Sima Min and the others haven't made a move for several days. We must remain vigilant."
Mo Lingxi comforted her. "Don't worry. If they aren't making a move, it means they dare not act rashly again, or they are plotting a larger scheme. We might as well wait and see."
Sheng Lengshuang was not unaware of this. "I'm just very worried. Oh well, there's no use dwelling on it now. I'm going out of the palace. You take good care of Xiao Feng, don't let him run around. His injuries haven't fully healed yet."
"Alright," Mo Lingxi escorted her out of the palace.
Sheng Lengshuang returned to the Sheng family.
General Sheng and his wife, upon seeing her return, first inquired about Xiao Feng's condition. Although they had visited Xiao Feng in the palace, they were still very worried.
Sheng Lengshuang smiled and reassured them, "Father, Mother, please don't worry. Xiao Feng is recovering very well. I estimate that in a few more days, he'll be able to come home."
General Sheng and his wife were finally relieved. Madam Sheng clasped her hands together. "Thank heaven! Thank heaven!"
Sheng Lengshuang understood her parents' worries and advised, "Father, Mother, you must take care of yourselves and not worry too much."
Madam Sheng wiped the corners of her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief and sighed, "How can we not worry? Your father and I can't stop feeling heartache and, more importantly, concern whenever we think of the suffering Xiao Feng has endured."
"This palace is truly not a peaceful place..."
Before she could finish, General Sheng interrupted her with a cough. "Madam, speak with caution. Matters of the palace are for His Majesty to resolve. We shouldn't concern ourselves with what is not our business. If you have the time, it's better to think about how to nourish Xiao Feng when he returns."
Madam Sheng realized her slip of the tongue and followed his lead. "Yes, we must think carefully. Xiao Feng has lost so much blood this time. If he isn't properly nourished, it could lead to lingering health issues."
"By the way, Lengshuang, did you come back to get something for Xiao Feng?"
Hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang felt as if her parents, having a grandchild, now viewed their daughter as insignificant. "No, I came out of the palace to attend to matters concerning the mountain. I plan to hire more people and purchase bamboo and other things."
"Having others help buy things is never as suitable as choosing them yourself. Besides, I also wanted to get out of the palace and stroll around. I feel stifled after staying in the palace for too long."
Others envied being able to enter the imperial palace, but she didn't see it that way.
Madam Sheng nodded. "If you have things to do, then go ahead. Just remember to bring Xiao Feng back next time. When Xiao Feng isn't home, your father and I feel very lonely."
Sheng Lengshuang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "...Mother, aren't I still your beloved daughter? With me accompanying you, you're thinking of Xiao Feng. This truly breaks my heart."
Madam Sheng lightly tapped her a few times, chiding with a smile, "You're even jealous of your own son. Look at you, aren't you ashamed?"
Sheng Lengshuang spread her hands. "I'm not ashamed. Even though he's my son, I still have to vie for attention."
Madam Sheng pointed at her and said to General Sheng with a beaming smile, "Look, look, your daughter is so mischievous and shameless, just like you."
General Sheng laughed heartily. "My daughter is naturally like me. Besides, it's good for a daughter to be a bit mischievous and shameless, so that those with ill intentions don't dare to bully her."
Madam Sheng lightly patted him. "Fortunately, Prince Mingrui is determined to marry only Lengshuang. Otherwise, I don't know what Lengshuang would do."