Chapter 1608: 1605: Explanation

Chapter 1608: Chapter 1605: Explanation

Lu Sangqi took another look and noticed something different inside: “These dates are bigger than any I’ve seen before. They seem like the quality found in tribute items. Can you really grow them yourself? Is it very costly?”

He knew that Ye Muyu had set up a very nice greenhouse at the Manor, where they could enjoy fresh vegetables even in winter. There were even some for sale in the shops, and he usually asked the servants at home to order them.

Ye Muyu thought for a moment: “Not very high. I specifically grow these red dates in the summer, but it involves grafting techniques. The first batch has just borne fruit, and the effect isn’t very obvious. Let’s wait until this summer to see. It should stabilize by then. If you’re interested, you can come to the Manor with me to see.”

“You’ve created something new and fresh to eat again. You’re bound to attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.”

Ye Muyu laughed and said, “I’m not afraid. Isn’t the Emperor keeping an eye on things up high? I’ve reported everything I developed to him. Now even Duke Zheng has been captured in the Northern Region. Others in the court wouldn’t dare make reckless moves. Currently, it’s a time of centralized royal authority, and what I’m doing are things that aren’t too big or too small. Whether we can maximize benefits depends on how the Emperor arranges for people to announce them.”

“Given the current Emperor’s character, the thing he most wants to see is peace and prosperity. Our interests don’t conflict.”

Chu Heng stood by without saying anything, but he kept her words in mind.

Seeing that persuasion was ineffective, Lu Sangqi also realized he was being too timid. He thought again, why make Ye Muyu live in fear? She should be living freely. Otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain if he couldn’t even protect his benefactor.

After setting the pastries to steam, Ye Muyu returned to the room to get gloves.

Lu Sangqi took a small stool, sat next to Chu Heng, and tapped his fingers on the table: “Has Duke Zheng already been captured?”

“Mm.” Chu Heng broke a piece of kindling, put it in the stove, and sparks flew up. The water in the pot bubbled noisily as white steam poured out.

Lu Sangqi wasn’t as calm as he was, “Did you really capture Duke Zheng? Why didn’t he leave? Logically, he should have been able to flee to Beirong.”

Back when Duke Zheng let the people of Beirong in, not only did he have ways to contact them, but he also knew some secret paths to cross from the Northern Region to Beirong.

He thought Duke Zheng heading to the Northern Region would make it impossible to catch him. He was worried that if Chu Heng failed to capture Duke Zheng, he would be scolded by the Emperor. Even if the Emperor didn’t scold him, other officials wouldn’t pretend not to know.

“He wanted to go to Beirong, but he lost the gold, which made him lose confidence. If he had leverage to go to Beirong, his status wouldn’t be low. But if he escaped there as a refugee, do you think the members of the Beirong Royal Family would cooperate with him or arrest him directly to interrogate him about the Chu Dynasty Court’s affairs?”

Lu Sangqi suddenly realized, looked at Chu Heng with a bit of admiration, but was unwilling to admit it: “So, you wanted to find the gold first and didn’t chase Duke Zheng right away?”

“Not only that, I also have Madam Tang at my disposal.” Chu Heng stopped after saying this and didn’t continue.

Lu Sangqi looked at him puzzled: “Why don’t you continue?”

“The existence of Madam Tang will make people in the court want to stir up trouble, even with Duke Zheng as an example.” Chu Heng turned to look at him, his expression serious: “Madam Tang has already been executed.”