0p0 Chapter 264: Report to the Palace
Chapter 264: Report to the Palace
After more than two hours of bumpy ride, the group finally returned to the capital. The four little sisters had gathered in a carriage to play racing. After entering the city, they returned to their respective carriages and agreed to meet at the county lord's mansion the day after tomorrow.
When Zheng Sisi returned to the mansion, the servants ran around to tell each other and came to the door to welcome the county lady.
Zheng Sisi was also very happy to see the happy and familiar faces of the servants in the mansion. Everyone felt more and more belonging to this County Lord’s Mansion.
Zheng Sisi herself also felt that it was really comfortable to return to the county lord's mansion. Yes, she was the only master in the mansion, she was free and unfettered, no one controlled her, so she was naturally comfortable.
Several maids came to pay their respects. Seeing that the county princess was tired from running around, they did not disturb her too much. They let Zheng Sisi take a rest and then went back to work.
Madam Li said to Madam Gui, "The county lady has been working so hard every day, but she still hasn't gained any weight after all this time. You should stew a bowl of bird's nest for her every day to nourish her."
Aunt Gui said, "Okay, I'll go find Miss Chuntao and get some bird's nests from the storehouse."
Several people dispersed and went about their own business.
As soon as the Third Prince returned to the palace, Qingmu came to report: "Master, I have brought back the raw materials for cement. The thresher and windmill that Magistrate Cao sent back to the capital have also arrived and are placed in the side hall of the front yard."
The third prince nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work. I will go to the palace to report after I change my clothes."
In the imperial study, Emperor Yongshun was reviewing memorials, and Eunuch Mu reported: "Your Majesty, the third prince is waiting outside the palace and said he has something to report."
Emperor Yongshun looked up and said happily, "Oh! Zhen'er is back, hurry up and announce him."
Seeing the emperor's happy expression, Eunuch Mu knew that the Third Prince's coming must be related to the matter of Princess Anping. He did not announce it directly, but went outside the hall to greet him himself.
Eunuch Mu extended his hand as a gesture of invitation: "Third Prince, please come in, the Emperor is waiting for you."
The Third Prince: "Thank you, Eunuch Mu."
The Third Prince walked into the palace, followed Eunuch Mu to the imperial desk, lifted his robe and knelt down: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father."
Emperor Yongshun looked at his favorite son and said, "Zhen'er, get up quickly. You must have had a hard time on this trip. How is Qingshui County? Sisi didn't complain that the fiefdom I gave her was too poor, did she?"
The Third Prince stood up and said, "The Princess of Anping County has no complaints. I believe that before long, Qingshui County will undergo earth-shaking changes."
Emperor Yongshun became interested. Zheng Sisi had only been in her fiefdom for a few days, but his son, who had always been aloof, gave her such a high evaluation. It seemed that Zheng Sisi had done a lot of things in Qingshui County to bring about such a big change.
Emperor Yongshun said to Eunuch Mu: "Little Mu! Bring us some tea."
Then he stood up from the imperial desk, sat down on the side chair, and pointed at the chair: "Zhen'er, please sit down and tell me what good things Sisi has done in Qingshui County."
The Third Prince: "Thank you, Father."
After sitting down, the third prince told the emperor everything Zheng Sisi had done in Qingfeng.
The more Emperor Yongshun listened, the more surprised and happy he was. He didn't expect Zheng Sisi to give him such a big surprise.
"You said that she boosted the economy of an entire county with just one restaurant."
The Third Prince nodded affirmatively, "Yes, when we went there on the first day, there were few people on the street. But on the third day after she bought the restaurant and launched new dishes, carriages from other counties came to Qingshui County. Because some wealthy businessmen went to the restaurant to eat, they brought more servants and drivers with them. They also needed to eat, so it boosted the business of other shops on the street."
Emperor Yongshun thought about it and asked again: "Red lobster, why have I never heard of this kind of food?"
The Third Prince explained carefully: "I have never heard of it before. The red crayfish was named by the Princess of Anping. The people in the Weishui River area call them beetles. They only appeared eight years ago due to floods..."
Emperor Yongshun was very angry after hearing this: "This is outrageous! These bastards disregarded the lives of the people for the sake of their own official careers, allowing them to suffer from insect infestation for eight years, and I didn't even know about this. So many people concealed the truth, I will chop off their heads." As he said this, he slammed the tea table heavily.