Chapter 85

Chapter 85

"I won't eat it; this is for making tomato sauce!" Danzi said with a serious expression on his little face.

Minghe pointed at Xiaoyuanping's chubby face, "Look at how dirty your face is!"

"I, I, I..." Xiaoyuanping didn't know what to do.

"Second Prince, it's okay, don't worry," Xiaoyu intervened to ease the situation.

Xiaoyuanping turned and asked, "Is it really okay?"

Xiaoyu gently assured, "Yes, it's really okay."

"But, but elder brother and Minghe are upset," Xiaoyuanping said, troubled.

Xiaoyu smiled, "Don't worry, we'll explain it to them."

Xiaoyuanping, still confused, asked, "How do we explain?"

"Leave it to me," Xiaoyu called out, "Crown Prince."

Danzi turned to him, "Uncle."

"Look, there are so many tomatoes in the basin; eating one won't matter," Xiaoyu reasoned, pointing to the ripe tomatoes in the basin and negotiating with Danzi.

Danzi persisted, "It matters! There will be less tomato sauce!"

Xiaoyu's tone remained calm and gentle, "Tomorrow, Uncle will make some more."

Now curious, Danzi asked, "Are you making more tomorrow?"

Xiaoyu nodded, "Yes, tomorrow we'll not only make tomato sauce, but we'll also go to the Ministry of Agriculture to pick tomatoes."

Danzi's smile hadn't fully formed when he suddenly remembered, "I have classes tomorrow."

"That's okay. Tomorrow, I'll talk to Grand Scholar Xun and arrange a special agriculture class. How about we all go pick tomatoes together?" In Dajing, an agricultural society, cultivation and breeding were highly valued. Emperor Yongxi, encouraging everyone to farm, held annual spring plowing ceremonies. He would surely approve of Danzi and the others visiting the fields of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Danzi immediately agreed.

Minghe said, "Uncle, I want to go too."

"Then you can't complain about the Second Prince's dirty face," Xiaoyu joked.

"Second Prince, I won't mind it," Minghe turned and said to Xiaoyuanping.

Xiaoyuanping, now cheerful, said, "Lord Xiaoyu, I want to go to the Ministry of Agriculture too."

"Of course, but first wash your hands and face," Xiaoyu gently urged. Xiaoyuanping, though not resembling Danzi, had a soft and endearing character that made Xiaoyu speak in a softer tone.

Xiaoyuanping, holding half a tomato, said, "I'll finish this tomato first."

"Right, eat it all up. Appreciating food is good," Xiaoyu encouraged.

Xiaoyuanping eagerly began munching on the tomato with his chubby face.

Danzi and Minghe, despite finding Xiaoyuanping's manners off-putting, also craved the tomato.

Noticing this, Xiaoyu suggested, "How about we each have a tomato too? Tomorrow, we'll pick more to make up for it. Sound good?"

"Yes!" Danzi and Minghe immediately agreed.

Xiaoyu also offered a tomato to Xiaoxiangzi, Xiaoliangzi, and the other palace attendants.

The tomatoes grown by the Ministry of Agriculture, free of pollutants and naturally ripened, were small but burst with a tangy and fresh taste upon biting, coupled with a slight grainy texture. They were indeed very fragrant and tasty, even better than last month's tomatoes.

No wonder Xiaoyuanping couldn’t resist eating, his little face and nose smeared with juice.

Xiaoyu quickly finished one tomato, and noticing Xiaoyuanping reaching for another, he hastily intervened, "Second Prince, you can't eat any more. What if you get sick? Look, your elder brother and Minghe aren't eating anymore."

Danzi and Minghe, who initially wanted another tomato, immediately felt a sense of duty to set a good example when they heard Xiaoyu's words, unanimously saying, "Right, we're not eating anymore!"

Children seem to have a natural sense of competition. Xiaoyuanping immediately put down the tomato, declaring, "I won't eat!"

"Good, we'll all stop eating and get back to work," Xiaoyu said.

"Back to work!" the children echoed together.

Thus, Xiaoyuanping didn’t cry or fuss, diligently joining Xiaoyu and the others in their work. Xiaoxiangzi and Xiaoliangzi, observing from the side, couldn’t help but admire Xiaoyu's teaching methods.

In no time, all the tomato skins were peeled off.

To involve the children, Xiaoyu brought a small stove and pot outside and, under their watchful eyes, chopped the tomatoes and added them to the pot with a suitable amount of rock sugar, constantly stirring with a wooden spatula to prevent burning.

Xiaoyuanping, having never seen tomato sauce being made, was extremely fascinated, exclaiming "Wow" continuously, finding it fun.

Xiaoyu said, "Minghe, Danzi, Uncle is tired. Why don't you stir for a while?"

Minghe was the first to step up and imitate his uncle's stirring.

Danzi followed next.

Xiaoyuanping also tried stirring a couple of times.

The three children were thrilled by their first experience of stirring something.

Xiaoyu, smiling, took back the spatula, continuing to stir, then added salt and white vinegar to enhance and sweeten the flavor. Soon, the tomato sauce reached its optimal color and consistency. He poured it into a bowl, telling the children, "Once it cools down, we can eat it."

"How do we eat it?" Xiaoyuanping asked.

Xiaoyu, having cooked for the Northern envoy's delegation these past few days, had used his tandoor oven to bake various types of bread. He took a slice of one kind, spread it with tomato sauce, and said, "Just like this."

Xiaoyuanping, fascinated, watched Minghe and his elder brother take a piece of bread and spread tomato sauce on it.

Following suit, he bit into his slice. The bread was fragrant and soft, and the sweet and tangy tomato sauce complemented it perfectly. Delighted, he exclaimed, "This is so tasty! Really delicious!"

Danzi nodded vigorously.

Minghe declared, "Uncle, you're a genius!"

Danzi added, "The best in the world!"

Xiaoyuanping also wanted to praise Xiaoyu but wasn't sure how. After thinking for a while, he said, "Lord Xiaoyu, I admire you!"

Xiaoyu, smiling, replied, "Second Prince, I'm honored by your words."

Xiaoxiangzi and others also laughed.

Xiaoyu turned and offered some of the tomato sauce spread bread to Xiaoxiangzi and the rest to try.

The morning passed in a relaxed and cheerful manner.

Returning to Fufang Hall, Xiaoyuanping couldn't stop talking excitedly to Consort Zheng about Xiaoyu, Danzi, and Minghe.

"Do you like them that much?" Consort Zheng asked.

Xiaoyuanping nodded firmly, "Yes, mother, I really, really like them."

Consort Zheng, smiling, inquired, "What do you like about them?"

"They're good-looking, they're smart, they can pick tomatoes, they talk well..." Xiaoyuanping counted their qualities on his chubby little fingers, running out of fingers as he continued, "They're so nice to me!"

Xiaoxiangzi and Xiaoliangzi nodded along in agreement.

For a child like Xiaoyuanping, who doesn't lie, it seemed that Xiaoyu, Minghe, and the Crown Prince were truly good people. This thought made Consort Zheng conflicted, considering her brothers' letters and sisters-in-law's words.

"Mother," Xiaoyuanping's voice interrupted Consort Zheng's thoughts.

"Hmm?" Consort Zheng responded.

Xiaoyuanping, with his plump little face upturned, said, "I'm going to the Prince's residence again tomorrow."

Consort Zheng replied, "Tomorrow the Crown Prince and others have to study."

"Then I'll go find Lord Xiaoyu, and after elder brother finishes school, we can go to the Ministry of Agriculture to pick tomatoes." Xiaoyuanping remembered this clearly and spoke fluently. Worried that Consort Zheng might object, he puffed out his cheeks determinedly, "Mother, I must go! Otherwise, I'll throw a fit!"

Seeing her son's cute determination, Consort Zheng couldn't help but laugh, "Who did you learn this 'throwing a fit' from?"

"From elder brother!" Xiaoyuanping declared.

"I see your elder brother as quite well-behaved and sensible, not someone who throws fits like you."

"Mother, I want to go, I want to go, I want to pick tomatoes," Xiaoyuanping insisted, tugging at Consort Zheng's hand, cajoling and pleading, "I'm going, I have to go, please, mother."

As a prince, gaining more knowledge about agriculture was beneficial. Naturally, Consort Zheng agreed, "Alright, alright, go then."

Xiaoyuanping was delighted.

The next day, he woke up before dawn, urging the palace attendants to dress him, and after eating just a few bites of breakfast, he was eager to head to the Prince's residence.

Consort Zheng stopped him, "Finish your meal first, or you'll trouble Lord Xiaoyu, and your elder brother won't let you go."

Hearing this, Xiaoyuanping promptly sat back down and finished his meal, then asked, "Mother, can I go now?"

Consort Zheng nodded, "Yes, but don't throw tantrums there."

"Goodbye, mother," Xiaoyuanping said, and ran off.

Xiaoxiangzi and Xiaoliangzi quickly followed after him.

Arriving at Courtyard Nine of the Prince's residence, he called out, "Elder brother, Minghe."

Xiaoyu, airing clothes in the courtyard, said, "The Crown Prince and Minghe are still in class."

"Not picking tomatoes?" Xiaoyuanping asked.

"We'll go a little later."

Xiaoyuanping obediently sat next to the stone table, waiting.

Seeing the weather was nice, Xiaoyu decided to take out his and Danzi's quilts to air them.

"Why hasn't elder brother come back yet?" Xiaoyuanping anxiously looked towards the courtyard entrance.

"He's in class," Xiaoyu replied.

Xiaoyuanping asked, "Can I go and see?"

Xiaoyu responded, "You can't disturb them."

"Okay." Xiaoyuanping ran out of Courtyard Nine, clattering over to Courtyard One. Hearing an older voice, he knew where his elder brother was. Adhering to his principle of not disturbing, he asked Xiaoxiangzi and Xiaoliangzi to wait nearby.

He quietly approached the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of his elder brother and Minghe, but he was too short to see in, even on tiptoes. He then started to climb up using his chubby hands, surprisingly managing to pull himself halfway onto the windowsill.

Just then, Grand Scholar Xun looked in his direction.

Startled, Xiaoyuanping fell to the ground with a "thump."

"What was that sound?" Minghe asked.

Danzi replied, "It sounded like a piece of pork 'thump' hitting the ground."

Grand Scholar Xun stepped outside to check.

Xiaoyuanping had already picked himself up, explaining, "I didn't disturb you."

Grand Scholar Xun looked at the height of the windowsill and then at Xiaoyuanping's plumpness, making sure he wasn’t hurt from the fall, before bowing to Xiaoyuanping.

Xiaoyuanping returned the bow.

Grand Scholar Xun said, "Second Prince, no disturbance at all, our class is over."

Xiaoyuanping joyfully ran to the door and shouted, "Elder brother, Minghe, the teacher said class is over!"

Minghe and Danzi happily ran out, took Xiaoyuanping's hand, and skipped out of Courtyard One.

Grand Scholar Xun commented with a smile, "The Second Prince is quite a resilient child."

Finally, Second Prince Xiaoyuanping joined Xiaoyu and his nephews at the Ministry of Agriculture's tomato field, exclaiming loudly, "Aren't tomatoes supposed to grow on trees?"

Clearly, he was a child raised in the palace!

Xiaoyu laughed and explained, "There are no tomato trees, these are tomato vines."

"Wow!" Xiaoyuanping was amazed.

"Grab a basket," Danzi instructed.

Xiaoyuanping immediately picked up a small basket and followed Danzi and Minghe to pick tomatoes.

Xiaoyu had just picked one when he heard a familiar voice behind him: "You seem quite leisurely."

Turning around with a smile, he saw Pei Yanli and Lu Ming, asking, "Finished your work?"

"Taking a little break amidst the busyness," Lu Ming said.

Xiaoyu handed a tomato to Pei Yanli, "Here, quench your thirst."

"Why don't I get one?" Lu Ming playfully glared at Xiaoyu, "You always favor him."

"You can pick your own," Pei Yanli said with a smile.

Lu Ming casually picked a tomato, rubbed it against his clothes, and took a bite, "Really good."

Xiaoyu, looking at Pei Yanli, said, "It's not too sour; try it."

Pei Yanli then ate it.

Knowing the special relationship between the two men, Lu Ming didn't intrude, instead turning to playfully engage the three children, eliciting delighted laughter from them.

Xiaoyu asked Pei Yanli, "Tasty, isn't it?"

Pei Yanli nodded, "Indeed."

"Are the envoys from Wu Erqu leaving?" Xiaoyu asked while picking tomatoes.

"Yes, they're leaving tomorrow, and I need to head to the northwestern border," Pei Yanli said.

Xiaoyu was slightly startled, "Is there going to be a battle?"

"After the autumn harvest, when the common people have surplus grain, the nomadic tribes from the north, facing scarcity, often raid either Northern Progress or Dajing. So, my trip this time is to coordinate a joint military campaign with Northern Progress."

Xiaoyu asked, "How long will you be gone?"

"If it's quick, I'll be back by New Year's Eve. If not, it's hard to say," Pei Yanli's tone grew heavier.

After a moment, Xiaoyu further inquired, "When are you leaving?"

"In five days. Lu Ming and I will go together."

Xiaoyu's hand, resting on a ripe tomato, accentuated his slender, pale fingers. After a while, he picked the tomato and looked deeply at Pei Yanli, "I'll prepare some food for you to take along."

Pei Yanli was momentarily at a loss for words.

"What's wrong?" Xiaoyu asked.

"I thought you would say something sweet to me."

Xiaoyu laughed, "I'll save it for when you return."

Pei Yanli, seeing something he hoped for in Xiaoyu's eyes, felt delighted and nodded with a smile, "Okay."

Xiaoyu, still smiling, asked, "Help us pick tomatoes?"

"Do we need to pick a lot?"

"Yes, to make tomato sauce."

"Good."

They chatted while picking tomatoes, having lunch provided by the Imperial Kitchen and then continuing to play and pick tomatoes at the Ministry of Agriculture.

By the time they returned to the royal residence's small kitchen, it was already afternoon.

Xiao Yu gave Pei Yanli and Lu Ming two jars of tomato sauce.

Pei Yanli and Lu Ming had other matters to attend to and left with the jars.

Seeing so many fresh tomatoes, Xiao Yu thought of giving some to the Empress Dowager. He selected the best-looking tomatoes and tomato sauce and took the three children to the Cihe Palace to present them to her.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. She initially wanted to invite them to stay for dinner, but considering it would be dark and inconvenient for the children to walk back, she let them return home quickly.

Xiao Yu and the three children left the Cihe Palace.

The children, excited from picking tomatoes, chatted nonstop. They began a running race, sprinting ahead.

"Be careful!" Xiao Yu cautioned.

The children continued running.

Just then, a palace maid suddenly bumped into them.

Xiao Yu instinctively dodged but, seeing the maid about to fall, quickly reached out to grab her arm.

The maid steadied herself, blushed upon seeing Xiao Yu's face, and said, "Thank you, Xiao Ziqing, for your help," before shyly running away.

Who was that?

Xiao Yu didn’t dwell on it.

Not far away, Consort Zheng curiously observed the retreating figure of the palace maid, feeling a sense of familiarity.