CH 34.2

Chapter 34 Part 2- Who Is Good-Looking?

???

So exaggerated?

Although Liao Qing Qing was Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, she lived in the imperial harem for a long time and received salutations like bowing with hands held in front.[1]

For the first time, two grown men kneeled in front of her so grandly.

They spoke with vigour.

It’s scary.

She was a little overwhelmed and subconsciously looked at Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li slightly moved his body forward, approached her and said, “You are a favoured concubine. Don’t be scared.”

???

As if I am favoured!

She pursed the corners of her mouth, braced herself and said, “Two lordships, no need to make this grand salutation. Everything… has room for discussion. Everything has room for discussion.”

Room for discussion? Room for discussion?

Emperor Jing Li pursed his lips to stifle his laughter.

Liao Qing Qing sensed that Emperor Jing Li was laughing at her and rolled her eyes at Emperor Jing Li.

She looked towards the two of them.

The Minister of Revenue asked with surprise, “Did Lady Xi of Bright Countenance agree to teach us?”

Liao Qing Qing said, “Your Majesty and I came here to tell you how to grow potatoes? Originally, it will benefit the people of our Great Wei when this kind of thing is done well.”

The two were overjoyed and hurriedly kowtowed, “This subject admires Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s noble character and unquestionable integrity.”

“… All of you may rise.”

“Thank you, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.”

Watching the two of them get up, Liao Qing Qing let out a sigh of relief.

Who knew that the two of them had just stood up and said in unison, “Let’s begin.”

“??? Begin what?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“Planting potatoes.”

""

“….” So anxious. Liao Qing Qing felt a little troubled. When she saw that Emperor Jing Li also had a “let’s begin now” look, she could only ask, “Where do we start now? Where should I start talking from?”

The Minister of Revenue said, “From the moment the seeds fall into the ground.”

Liao Qing Qing said, “It’s not planted with seeds.”

“It’s not grown from a seed?” The two of them marvelled. “Then what was it planted with?”

“The stolons.” Liao Qing Qing pointed to the potatoes.

There were many root crops, such as sweet potatoes and lotus roots, so this wasn’t surprising.

The two of them very quickly accepted it.

When Liao Qing Qing found the starting point, she knew how to describe it. She started by talking about choosing the stolons and cutting them, watering, breaking the soil and sprouting, picking flowers and buds until the potato plant withered and the potatoes started growing.

She spoke neither too fast nor too slow. Everyone in the hall listened in mesmerisation.

Including Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li had always thought that the vegetable planting Liao Qing Qing mentioned was to grow small green vegetables and flowers or such, and then she would let He Xiang and others take care of it. However, he never thought that Liao Qing Qing really did it with her own hands.

And did it so exceptionally well.

She spoke clearly and logically about what happened when the crops sprouted and how it was watered. Her eyes were gentle yet confident—an appearance he had never seen before.

It was as if her body was glowing.

He couldn’t turn his eyes away. His heart was filled with Liao Qing Qing.

It couldn’t accommodate anyone or anything else.

How many surprises does this Liao Qing Qing have for him?

He had never felt so happy before.

He didn’t even know that his eyes were filled with infatuation.

After Liao Qing Qing methodically finished the growth of potatoes, the mouths of the Minister of Revenue and the Bureau Chief of the Department of Agriculture gaped in shock.

They really couldn’t imagine Lady Xi of Bright Countenance having such a wide range of knowledge.

So amazing!

They almost kneeled again!

Liao Qing Qing emphasised, “The potato is an unintentionally discovered agricultural product. We know it can be eaten when cooked and has benefits. However, we don’t know if it has any harmful effects. This is something we have to experiment more.”

The two of them quickly responded, “Naturally.”

“In addition, we have to figure out its growth cycle, so that we can plant it at the most suitable time and harvest the most potatoes. This is so not to take up land resources, right?”

The two of them repeatedly agreed, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Liao Qing Qing asked, “Then, for the rest of the matters, Bengong [2] will go back to Lisheng Pavilion to sort it out properly and send it to the Department of Agricultural Products. If you have any questions and progress on your side, send it to Lisheng Pavilion as well, how about that?”

“We would sincerely obey Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s instructions.”

“Then that’s it.”

“Yes.”

Liao Qing Qing turned around and faced Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li had been sitting next to them, listening and watching. When he noticed Liao Qing Qing’s gaze, he immediately returned to his senses and asked, “Is it over?”

Liao Qing Qing nodded and said, “It’s over.”

“Good, then let’s go.”

“Mm.”

“Respectfully sending off Your Majesty and Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.” The Minister of Revenue and Bureau Chief of the Department of Agricultural Products hastily saluted.

They watched Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing walk away.

They still have the admiration for Liao Qing echoing in their chests.

Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li stayed at the Department of Agricultural Products for an afternoon and were a bit tired. They sat on the imperial carriage and returned to Lisheng Pavilion. At this time, dinner was prepared. After they had their dinner, Fu Sheng brought the memorials over.

Emperor Jing Li went through the memorials.

Liao Qing Qing was writing about the growth of potatoes on the table next to him. She genuinely wanted to do something for the Great Wei.

Only when Emperor Jing Li had finished going through the memorials did she put down her brush.

After they lay down on the bed, Emperor Jing Li asked Liao Qing Qing about the potatoes.

He was willing to let Liao Qing Qing and the Department of Agricultural Products communicate.

However, the Department of Agricultural Products was a little far from Lisheng Pavilion. He did not want to tire Liao Qing Qing.

Lisheng Pavilion also couldn’t let another man enter.

Hence, Emperor Jing Li said, “ I will give you a fast-legged eunuch. Usually, you can let him pass the message if you want to communicate with the Department of Agricultural Products. If you need to be there in person, then go again, how about it?”

Liao Qing Qing turned her eyes to look at Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li asked, “What are you looking at me for?”

Liao Qing Qing placed her forehead towards Emperor Jing Li’s shoulder and nuzzled like a small cat. She said softly, “Oh my. Your Majesty, you are really too good. So good. How come you are so good? You are the best and most handsome Emperor since time immemorial.”

Emperor Jing Li felt happy from the nuzzling. He said with a smile, “You have improved in patting the horse’s butt.”[3]

“Nonsense. This imperial concubine[4] is patting the dragon’s butt!”

Emperor Jing Li made a sound and burst out laughing.

Liao Qing Qing hugged Emperor Jing Li’s arm and asked, “Your Majesty, is what this imperial concubine said wrong?”

“It’s right. It’s right. It’s right.”

“That’s definitely right.”

Emperor Jing Li smiled at Liao Qing Qing. Sometimes, this little woman is dumb, timid, strong, cunning, and gentle. She is not like the imperial harem women who flattered him and were submissive to him.

But why does he cherish her so much?

His eyes were suddenly a little disorganised again. He sensed the changes in his body. He hurriedly collected his thoughts and didn’t dare to think about it. Then, he pinched Liao Qing Qing’s delicate, smooth face for a moment.

“Ah, Your Majesty, you pinched this imperial concubine’s face again. It hurts.” Liao Qing Qing cried out.

“It’s for you to feel pain.”

“Why are you so bad? This imperial concubine will pinch you too.”

“Come on. Sss. It really hurts.”

“You let this imperial concubine pinch you.”

“Fine, I’ll let you pinch. Come and pinch me.”

“This imperial concubine will obey what Your Majesty said.”

“Are you still going to pinch?”

“Mm.”

“Pinch again.”

“Mm!”

“….”

With the hissing sound of Emperor Jing Li, the night gradually fell quiet. Liao Qing Qing also quickly fell asleep. Emperor Jing Li looked at the small red marks on his waist. He suddenly smiled, turned and kissed Liao Qing Qing’s forehead. Then, he fell asleep.

The next morning, Chang Momo came to find Liao Qing Qing again after Liao Qing Qing paid respect to Noble Consort Liang. This time, Liao Qing Qing didn’t stay in Shouxi Palace for a long time and directly went to plant vegetables with Empress Dowager.

She didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to agree immediately.

Liao Qing Qing then began the vegetable planting mode. She sincerely planted the potatoes. Not only did she write about potato planting, but she also studied the soil, climate, and the Great Wei region history.

While the other imperial concubines were thinking about winning Emperor Jing Li’s heart, Liao Qing Qing was either in the test field or the study. When Emperor Jing Li came to Lisheng Pavilion a few times, Liao Qing Qing actually ran to the Department of Agricultural Products and stayed there.

Emperor Jing Li, “….”

On this day, Emperor Jing Li finished going through the memorials and happily went to Lisheng Pavilion. He didn’t let Fu Sheng inform of his arrival and directly entered the study. In the study, Liao Qing Qing was writing something.

He said, “Beloved Concubine is busy.”

Liao Qing Qing looked up in surprise and said, “Your Majesty, you are here.”

“Mm.”

“This imperial concubine will let He Xiang pour water for you.”

“Mm.” Emperor Jing Li picked up a book to read.

Liao Qing Qing began to draw potatoes, sprouting potatoes, sprouting potato pieces. When she looked up, Emperor Jing Li disappeared. She put down her brush and returned to the hall and saw Emperor Jing Li sitting in the chaise lounge reading a book by a wise and holy man.

She walked forward and said, “Your—” Before she could utter the word “Majesty”, Emperor Jing Li suddenly got up and walked towards the bedroom.

???

What’s going on?

Liao Qing Qing turned her head to look at Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li walked up to the folding screen[5] and suddenly said, “Are the potatoes even better looking than me?”

???

How is this related?

The author has something to say: ——

Emperor Jing Li: Are potatoes even better looking than me ?

Liao Qing Qing: Mm.

Emperor Jing Li: Hm???

[1] 作揖(zuòyī)- bowing with their hands held in front. Credit: Google

[2] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘the palace’.

[3] 拍马屁(pāimǎpì)- The literal translation is to pat a horse’s butt. It means to flatter or bootlck someone.

[4] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[5]

Translator’s Note: Once again, sorry for the late update and thank you for your patience. Please note that I’ll be updating on Friday instead of Sunday from this week onwards. I will do my best to update the chapters on time. Or if I’m unable to update on time I will add a translator’s note on the latest updated chapter even though, of course, I hope that will not happen. Sigh. See you again.