CH 43.2

Liao Qing Qing hurriedly turned around and walked towards the water basin.

She cupped both hands and covered her face, and only then was her face not so warm anymore.

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It took a while to calm down before she regained composure.

Then she went to the front courtyard to have breakfast with the Liao family.

Second Master Liao talked about how Fu Sheng had come to deliver the brocade blanket and was on an all-night duty last night. He was completely unaware of Emperor Jing Li’s arrival.

But that didn’t stop Second Master Liao and Ji Shi from being touched.

Fortunately, they did not know that Emperor Jing Li came in disguise last night.

Otherwise, they would have been scared out of their wits.

Second Master Liao appeared to be blessed by the Emperor’s grace. He hoped that Liao Qing Qing would serve the Emperor with all his heart and preferably give birth to an imperial prince.

Liao Qing Qing agreed to every single one of them. After dinner, she had a chat with Ji Shi.

The people in the Liao Manor were simple-minded, and there was a bit of a rift with Eldest Master Liao’s side. Hence, Liao Qing Qing didn’t go there either. After another quiet and warm night in Liao manor, preparations were made to return to the palace in the morning.

Second Master Liao’s face was filled with reluctance to part.

Ji Shi’s eyes were already red.

Liao Qing En asked, “Elder Sister, when are you returning home again?”

Second Master Liao rebuked softly, “The palace is your sister’s home. Qing En, watch your words.”

Liao Qing En lowered his head and remained silent.

Liao Qing Qing smiled and stroked Liao Qing En’s head. She said, “Elder Sister will come back to see you again when she has time. If you miss Elder Sister, you can also enter the palace to meet me.”

“Can I really enter the palace?” Liao Qing En was happy again. He raised his shimmering eyes and gazed at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s good.” Liao Qing En beamed.

“Study well.”

“I will.”

Liao Qing Qing turned around to bid farewell to Second Master Liao and Ji Shi with a grin.

She sat on the carriage and saw a row of people kneeling at the entrance of the modest Liao manor.

She felt a little sad.

As the carriage started to move, the people of Liao manor were further and further away from her.

Yet she knew she would be increasingly closer to them in the future.

When she first transmigrated, she was defiant of this world. Gradually, she discovered the beauty of this world; a world with Emperor Jing Li, Empress Dowager, Ji Shi, He Xiang, Liao Qing En and Second Old Master Liao. Each of them gave her different feelings. These feelings were something she had never experienced before.

She was becoming increasingly fond of this world.

Her gaze averted from the entrance of Liao manor.

She felt a little sad and a little joyful.

She couldn’t help but lift the corner of the carriage curtain to see the bustling crowd.

As the noise was further away from her, she entered the palace.

After the carriage stopped at the entrance of Qingyang courtyard, another carriage awaited her.

Two-quarters of an hour later, she arrived at Lisheng Pavilion.

As soon as she entered Lisheng Pavilion, she saw Emperor Jing Li leisurely drinking tea in the hall.

Emperor Jing Li, dressed in luxurious clothes, was handsome and upright.

He slowly put down his teacup and gazed at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing smiled at once.

“Come here,” Emperor Jing Li beckoned.

Liao Qing Qing slightly lifted the hem of her skirt, crossed the door threshold and approached Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li raised his hand and pulled her into his lap.

She said, “Your Majesty, others are watching.”

“Who’s watching?” Emperor Jing Li asked.

Liao Qing Qing turned her head to see that everyone, including He Xiang, had their heads lowered.

Liao Qing Qing, “….”

“Are you tired?” Emperor Jing Li asked gently.

Liao Qing Qing shook her head. “I’m not tired.”

“Are you thirsty?”

“A little.”

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“Shall I pour water for you?”

“Yes.” Liao Qing Qing nodded and got up.

This was the first time Emperor Jing Li poured water for an imperial concubine.

Liao Qing Qing did not act pretentiously. Instead, she extended her arms to receive it. She took a sip and asked, “Your Majesty, you’re waiting here specially for this imperial concubine?”

Emperor Jing Li nodded. “Mm.”

Liao Qing Qing was happy.

Emperor Jing Li held her hand and said, “It’s good that you’re back. I’m relieved that you have returned. Stay here first. I’m going to attend to some matters.”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded.

When Emperor Jing Li was about to leave, the junior eunuch of Lisheng Pavilion informed that the junior eunuch from the Department of Agricultural Products was asking for an audience.

“Let him in,” Emperor Jing Li ordered.

“Yes.”

Not long after, the junior eunuch ran in excitedly and kowtowed to Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing. He said, “Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance. This servant[1] is a junior eunuch from the Department of Agricultural Products. This servant was ordered by the Bureau Chief of the Department of Agricultural Products to invite Your Highness Lady Xi of Bright Countenance to go and have a look at the potatoes.”

Emperor Jing Li questioned, “Have a look at what potatoes?”

“The Department of Agricultural Products has planted several mu[2] of potatoes that have already been raked out.”

“They have been raked out?” Emperor Jing Li asked in astonishment.

“Yes,” Xiao Liang Zi replied.

“How are they growing?”

“They are growing very well. The Lord Minister of Revenue and the Bureau Chief of the Department of Agricultural Products are so thrilled that they have sent this servant to invite Your Highness Lady Xi of Bright Countenance to take a look at them.”

“Let’s go. I will also go and have a look.” Emperor Jing Li turned to Liao Qing Qing and suggested, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, why don’t you take a rest first and have a look at it another day?”

“Your Majesty, this imperial concubine isn’t tired. This is such a big matter. Of course, this imperial concubine has to go and take a look at it.” Only then did Liao Qing Qing remember that today was the day she had agreed with the Minister of Revenue and the Bureau Chief of the Department of Agricultural Products to grill potatoes. It was just that she had returned from her home, so it had been delayed until today.

She didn’t expect that the Minister of Revenue and the Bureau Chief of the Department of Agricultural Products dared to come and invite her as soon as she returned. This clearly showed how excited they were.

Emperor Jing Li nodded and said, “Let’s go and take a look together.”

“Mm.”

Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing departed from Lisheng Pavilion and sat on the imperial chariot. When they arrived at the Agricultural Products Department, they saw Empress Dowager.

Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing hastily paid their respects.

“Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, you are back.” The Empress Dowager said.

“Yes, Empress Dowager. What brings you here?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“This grieving one[3] is here to have a look at the potatoes.”

“Empress Dowager, this imperial concubine will support you as you enter.”

“All right.” The Empress Dowager nodded.

Liao Qing Qing stepped forward to hold Empress Dowager’s arm and entered the Department of Agricultural Products together with her.

When Emperor Jing Li saw this scene, the corners of his lips unconsciously raised.

The group entered the Department of Agricultural Products and were guided by Xiao Liang Zi towards the potato test field. Once they reached the entrance of the test field, all three of them were stunned.

The author has something to say: —

Emperor Jing Li: My wife is so amazing!

[1] 奴才 (núcái) – self appellation of bondservant when addressing the royalty or one’s master/your humble servant.

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[2] 亩(mǔ)- Classifier for fields. Unit of area equal to one fifteenth of a hectare. 1 mu= 0.0667 hectare/666.67 sqm

[3] 哀家(āijiā)- This grieving one/ I (self-referring by a widowed empress etc, used in historical novels and operas)