Chapter 188 - Her request was too ordinary

Under the emperor’s control, the news of these heavenly-gifted corn seeds soon spread throughout the entire capital and to other places.

The emperor being the chosen one by heaven had destroyed those rumors.

If he wasn’t the chosen one, why would the heaven gods give him those seeds.

The commoners couldn’t help but get excited when they heard that the seeds could produce a thousand catties per mu.

Some even ran to their house door and knelt down to thank heaven and the emperor.

They only hoped that after the imperial court planted the corn next year, everyone could also plant it in their backyards.

The emperor did not deliberately let people cover up the existence of the old priest.

After all, there was nothing to be afraid of someone who wasn’t human.

It could also deepen the credibility of these heavenly-gifted seeds.

Because of this, the news of an old immortal in Xiaxi village also spread within Daliang.

Gradually, many people came from other places to offer incense.

Four days later, a few carriages arrived at the capital.

Mo Qingling received the news and personally went to the capital gate to pick them up.

He looked at Xiao Hanzheng and smiled. “You’re here.”

He continued to welcome them. “I have a house in the capital. While you’re here, stay at my place.”

Xiao Hanzheng was about to speak when Mr Hou, who had gotten down from the carriage behind, spoke first. “I have a house in the capital too. They’ll stay with me.”

He was Xiao Hanzheng’s teacher. Naturally, his students would live with him when they came to the capital.

He added, “I also want to introduce some old friends and his three seniors to Jinyu.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Qingling knew that Mr Hou wanted to expand Xiao Hanzheng’s network.

He smiled and said, “It is naturally best for him to go to your house.”

Fei Congjun, who had wanted to invite Xiao Hanzheng and his wife to the Fei family, did not say anything after hearing this.

Mo Qingling thought for a moment and said, “Go to the Hou family and freshen up first. Then, follow me to the palace to pay your respects to the emperor.”

Xiao Hanzheng cupped his hands to Mo Qingling and said, “Alright, sorry to trouble you, Brother Qing!”

Fei Congjun returned to the Fei family while Xiao Hanzheng and his wife went to Mr Hou’s residence in the capital.

Mr Hou’s wife had already passed away.

He had a son and two daughters.

His son was deployed elsewhere as a governor, and had brought his family members over too.

Both of his daughters had married long time ago.

Thus, only a few servants guarded his residence in the capital.

Mr Hou asked the housekeeper to arrange for Xiao Hanzheng and his wife to live in the guest courtyard next to the main courtyard, suggesting their importance in his eyes.

Xiao Hanzheng and his wife washed up before following Mo Qingling into the palace.

Because they had already been informed beforehand, they managed to meet the emperor with ease.

The emperor was in the administrative hall, equivalent to his office and study room.

After entering, the three of them immediately bowed.

“Greetings, your Majesty!”

The emperor put down the memorial in his hand and raised his head to look at Xiao Hanzheng and Shi Qingluo.

The two of them were very good-looking, and had very outstanding temperaments.

Those who did not know would have thought that they were one of the young masters and young ladies from aristocratic families.

However, the emperor wasn’t that surprised.

Firstly, he had informants in Nanxi county.

Secondly, he also believed that Xiao Hanzheng and his wife, who had caused a lot of news recently, weren’t too ordinary.

Otherwise, he would be disappointed.

He raised his hand. “At ease!”

He first smiled and asked Shi Qingluo, “I appreciate your master’s intentions. I will send someone to offer incense to your master on behalf of me.”

Shi Qingluo had a modern soul, so she did not tremble in fear when she saw the emperor.

She smiled and bowed. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

The emperor thought to himself, as expected of the disciple groomed by the old Taoist.

She was indeed extraordinary.

He said in a gentle tone. “After planting these heavenly-gifted seeds, most people in Daliang would be able to fill their stomach. This is a significant service to our nation.”

He changed the topic and asked, “What kind of reward do you want?”

He had been thinking about what he wanted to give the two of them for the past few days, but he could not make up his mind.

The emperor had a good impression of Xiao Hanzheng and his wife.

The things they created, such as cement and corn, benefited everyone.

Most importantly, this heavenly-gifted seeds came in time and helped him resolve the trouble caused by the rumors.

If the reward was too high, it would be too eye-catching.

The emperor knew very well that there was a hidden danger behind such glory.

He had seen Xiao Hanzheng’s biography sent by his informants and planned to nurture this talent for his personal use.

Right now, the aristocratic families and the imperial court had some irreconcilable conflicts.

The emperor wanted to promote a group of officials from the humble class to break through the monopoly of the aristocratic families, and suppress the aristocratic class.

If the reward was too high, Xiao Hanzheng would definitely be suppressed by the aristocratic families.

Xiao Hanzheng was obviously too fragile now.

There was a limit to how much he could resist.

He didn’t wish this to happen.

However, if the reward was too ordinary, it would seem like he did not value these heavenly-bestowed high yield seeds.

Therefore, he was in a very difficult position on what to reward them.

In the end, his niece came up with an idea to let him ask Xiao Hanzheng and his wife what they wanted.

He felt that this idea was not bad. As long as their request was acceptable, why not just satisfy their wishes.

It was a good opportunity to see what the two of them would choose with this great opportunity, and whether there was a need for him to put Xiao Hanzheng in a more important position in the future.

Shi Qingluo was a little surprised by the emperor’s question, but she didn’t stand on ceremony.

She smiled very calmly and replied, “These are the heaven-bestowed seeds my master prepared for the emperor.

“I’m just a commoner planting it to fulfill my master’s wish, so I am not the main contributor for this great service.”

The emperor said firmly, “Although your master’s contributed the most, you have also contributed greatly. I allow both you and your husband to ask for a reward.”

When Shi Qingluo heard him say this, she continued without restricting her thoughts.

“Then, may I, a commoner, request for a manor with a mountain beside it at the outskirts of the capital, your Majesty?”

In the future, when her young husband took the imperial examinations to become a high scholar or an official, they would definitely have to live in the capital.

Not only was a manor on a mountain at the capital’s outskirts expensive, it was impossible to buy one without sufficient status and power.

Therefore, it was better to ask for it as a reward.

They would benefit from it, and the emperor would not think that she was too greedy.

The emperor was stunned. “Just a manor with a mountain beside it?”

This request was too ordinary.

This disciple of the old immortal wasn’t greedy, very good!

Shi Qingluo thought for a while and said tentatively, “It would be even better if there’s a hot spring too.”

Having a hot spring at the manor allowed them to enjoy themselves during autumn and winter.

They could also plant some vegetables and fruits beside it.

In winter, they could also eat fresh vegetables.

The emperor could not help but laugh. “Alright, then I’ll reward you with a manor with a hot spring and a mountain beside it.”

He heard that Xiao Hanzheng’s wife liked mountains, but he did not expect it to be true.

This request was below his expectations.

He was prepared to send someone to choose a large mountain villa with a hot spring at the capital’s outskirts and reward it to Shi Qingluo.

Then, he looked at Xiao Hanzheng and asked, “What about you? What reward do you want?”

Xiao Hanzheng could tell that the emperor was determined to reward them, but of course, he also wanted to test him.

So, he did not argue.

After thinking for a while, he said, “Your Majesty, can I look through the examination papers for the imperial examinations in recent years?”

The emperor was stunned again. “You want to look at the examination papers of the past few years so that you can prepare for the imperial examinations?”

Xiao Hanzheng said truthfully, “That’s one reason. In addition, I want to compile an examination preparatory book containing past examination questions.”

The emperor asked in puzzlement, “Examination preparatory book?”

Xiao Hanzheng explained, “According to the question types and content of each year’s imperial examination, I will imitate and come up with some similar questions.”

Then, he voiced out what he and his little wife had discussed previously in a phrasing that would be appropriate to the emperor.

Shi Qingluo’s eyes lit up when he heard this.

Was the ancient version of the “five-year mock papers three-year college examination papers” about to be born?