Chapter 56: Luo Jin’an Plans for the Xu Family

The Northern Prince’s Consort was pleased to see her youngest son so lively. It had been a long time since she had seen him this way. Comforted, she said, “If An’er likes it, just tell Mother where to buy it. Tomorrow, I’ll have a few more jars sent to you.”

Luo Jin’an replied gently, “It was made by a friend, so I’m afraid Mother may not be able to buy it anywhere.”

He recalled that in her letter, Xu Nian had also inquired about his mother’s injury. With that in mind, he gestured toward the cherry tea behind him, signaling Mo Yu. Understanding his intent, Mo Yu picked up the half-filled teapot and handed it to one of the consort’s maids.

The consort was curious about the taste of this tea and, even more so, about the identity of this friend. When she took a sip, she didn’t find anything particularly extraordinary about the tea itself. Could it be that the friend was special in some way?

“It is indeed quite delicious. I wonder, where is this friend of yours? I am quite curious,” she asked.

All eyes in the hall turned toward Luo Jin’an. Was this truly some kind of rare and exceptional drink? However, the heir’s wife sensed that there was another layer of meaning behind the consort’s words.

Luo Jin’an, however, refused to take the bait. “Mother is always busy with many affairs. Where would you find the time for such things? If you truly think my friend has great skill, rather than being curious, why not simply reward her with some gold and silver instead?”

At this, even the Northern Prince and the heir became intrigued. Who was this person, that even this stubborn boy was willing to speak on their behalf?

The consort’s smile grew warmer as she asked, “Is your friend a young gentleman or a young lady? That way, I’ll know what kind of reward would be suitable.”

Luo Jin’an coughed lightly and forced himself to stay calm. “She is a young lady. Mother, do as you see fit. I suddenly feel unwell—I’ll take my leave now.”

The consort watched her youngest son flee in embarrassment and exchanged a knowing smile with the prince. She whispered, “There’s no need to assign anyone to attend to An’er anymore. If you insist, be careful—he might turn against you.”

The Northern Prince felt aggrieved. Even when I don’t interfere, my son never gives me a good attitude. And besides, wasn’t it the consort herself who first suggested assigning someone to him?

Realizing this, the consort gently patted his hand in reassurance. As expected, the next moment, the Northern Prince grinned like a flower in bloom. Seeing this, a concubine nearby shivered involuntarily. So many years have passed, and yet the prince is still completely under the consort’s control. She sighed inwardly, thinking she had made the right choice in siding with the consort back then.

Luo Jin’an did not return to his own Shicao Courtyard. Instead, he walked along the corridor toward the back garden. Sitting beneath a vine-covered archway, he gazed up at the bright moon, wondering what that little girl was doing at this moment.

He had deliberately mentioned Xu Nian at the banquet today because he knew that his mother intended to place two concubines in his residence. In the past, he wouldn’t have minded; they would have simply been decorations. But now, for some reason, he found himself strongly resisting the idea.

Given his mother’s curiosity, she would undoubtedly investigate. That’s fine, he thought. At least the girl will gain another protector. She will surely be happy about that.

But Luo Jin’an had done more than just that.

Mo Bai had returned from Lingshan County, bringing not only a few food containers but also several bags of sweet potatoes. In her letter, Xu Nian had written that this crop, called sweet potatoes, could be used for cooking and, more importantly, could serve as a staple food. Allegedly, its yield could exceed ten shi per mu.

Had this claim come from anyone else, Luo Jin’an would never have believed it. After all, even the most fertile fields in the Sheng Dynasty produced only a little over two shi per mu, and most did not even reach that.

Once this crop was cultivated, the Northern Frontier Army would no longer fear the imperial court withholding military rations. The trade market between the Northern Frontier and Mobei would also experience fewer conflicts. Such a significant contribution—Luo Jin’an had to ensure that girl received her due recognition.

Thus, the next day, Luo Jin’an sought out the Northern Prince. When Luo Chu Yan saw Luo Jin’an enter his study, he first stepped outside to check the sky, then rubbed his eyes as he walked back in, muttering to himself, “Did I drink too much last night and start seeing things?”

Luo Jin’an, unbothered, sat down and casually poured himself a cup of tea, savoring it at leisure. Watching the uninvited guest make himself comfortable, Luo Chu Yan finally confirmed that he was not hallucinating.

“Are you accustomed to this tea? I remember your favorite is Mengding Yellow Bud, but unfortunately, we don’t have any here. You’ll have to make do.”

Luo Jin’an, of course, knew that it wasn’t available—after all, the finest goods in the entire estate were kept in his Shicao Courtyard.

Without any intention of engaging in small talk, Luo Jin’an got straight to the point. “I recently acquired a crop that reportedly yields more than ten shi per mu.”

At that moment, Mo Wen, standing behind him, placed a tray on the study desk. The Northern Prince looked at the dirt-covered, rough-skinned tubers and felt a mix of shock and suspicion.

“Does this crop truly have such a high yield? Do you have verified documentation?”

Luo Jin’an shook his head before continuing, “That’s precisely why we need to test whether these numbers are accurate. To do that, the person who discovered this crop must be brought to the capital.”

“You mean to have this person manage the royal estate farms?”

Luo Jin’an shook his head again. While the highest-ranking officials overseeing the royal estates could reach the third rank, at the end of the day, they were still servants of the royal household. What he intended to do was elevate the Xu family to new heights.

“I heard that the county magistrate of Wansheng County committed an offense, and you personally executed him. I believe that magistrate’s position is just right.”

Luo Chu Yan’s eyelid twitched. This brat really knows how to pick a spot—that position is highly sought after.

“You are well aware of that post’s importance. The entire Northern Frontier Army relies on it for sustenance. How can you guarantee that this person is qualified?”

Luo Jin’an responded solemnly, “I am willing to vouch for them with my title as a Commandery Prince.”

The Northern Prince shot to his feet, exclaiming, “Nonsense!” Then, suddenly realizing something, he asked in an excited tone, “What did you just call yourself?”

Luo Jin’an did not answer and instead strolled out of the study at a leisurely pace.

Luo Chu Yan turned to his steward for confirmation. “Did you just hear Changsheng refer to himself as ‘this son’?”

The steward’s voice trembled as he replied, “Yes, Your Highness. The Commandery Prince did indeed say that. Congratulations, Your Highness—you have finally seen the clouds part and the moon shine through.”

“Haha… I’m in such a great mood today! Rewards for everyone! And send an official appointment decree to Lingshan County immediately!”

Before Luo Jin’an even returned to Shicao Courtyard, news of the prince’s grand rewards had already spread throughout the estate. Since the Northern Prince’s actions dictated the mood of the entire household, the masters of various courtyards were all eager to uncover the reason. However, all they could gather was that it was related to the Commandery Prince—nothing more.

At the heir’s consort Guo Yi’s residence, her maid, Qin Momo, smirked slightly upon hearing the news but quickly resumed her composed expression as she remarked, “Pardon my boldness, but His Highness and Her Highness seem a little too biased.”

“If you know it’s bold, then keep your mouth shut,” Guo Yi replied coldly.

Qin Momo shuddered in shock and immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness upon meeting Guo Yi’s ice-cold gaze.

“You’ve served me for years—you should know the rules by now. I am well aware of why my mother placed you by my side. Don’t give me a reason to deal with you.”

Terrified, Qin Momo repeatedly assured that she would not dare to overstep again. Guo Yi watched her retreat with a sneer. Trying to provoke me into making mistakes to clear the way for my half-sister? Hah. That scheme just backfired spectacularly.