Chapter 821: As Expected

Wang Jinhe gave Su Yu an exasperated look. Was that really speaking like a human?

“What are your plans regarding Gu Yanqi? He seems eager to play the role of a good older brother,” Su Yu lazily inquired, leaning back in her chair.

Regarding Gu Yanqi, aside from his initial dissatisfaction during their first meeting and subsequent reluctance when visiting the Wang residence, Wang Jinhe didn’t have much to say.

Even though Gu Yanqi now wishes to make amends with Xiao He, it still depends on Xiao He’s willingness to accept.

Wang Jinhe chuckled softly, “That won’t be necessary.”

“I have many kind people around me; I am already content,” she stated. She had reached a point where she could approach Gu Yanqi with equanimity.

His actions afterward were no longer crucial to her.

Things could stay as they were; there was no need for any further changes.

While Gu Yanqi’s statement about her being her mother’s daughter and her connection to the Gu family was accurate, she was still Gu Jiuning’s daughter, the granddaughter of the Gu family matriarch. Cutting ties with Gu Sheng didn’t sever her relationship with the Gu family.

This was what troubled Wang Jinhe the most.

“Gu Yanqi said that I’m Mother’s daughter, so my connection to the Gu family can’t be severed,” Wang Jinhe said with a frown, expressing her dissatisfaction.

With a smile in her eyes, Su Yu replied, “Gu Yanqi’s words are indeed true. However, since Mother has no intention of returning to the Gu family, you naturally don’t need to go back either. His calculations were off.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Jinhe suddenly brightened up. “You’re right! How did I forget about that?”

“Are you happy now?”

“Of course, the decay within the Gu family over the years has been too severe. I don’t like their family,” Wang Jinhe remarked.

Among the families she had interacted with, she believed that the Su family and the Ming family were the best. As for other families, it was a mixed bag.

“I prefer families like the Su family and the Ming family, where everyone fulfills their roles and gradually develops the family,” Wang Jinhe said softly.

Su Yu responded with an acknowledgment, “You’re right, that’s how it should be.”

“This year, some noblewomen from families in the capital invited me for Lunar New Year. After discussing with Ningning, I visited a few of them.”

“How was the experience?” Su Yu inquired.

Wang Jinhe shook her head, “Driven by self-interest. Although I understand it’s a common trait among aristocratic families, it still left me somewhat disappointed.”

“Don’t engage too deeply. You don’t need to dwell on this matter too much. Just focus on doing our best, without overly catering to others,” Su Yu advised.

Wang Jinhe nodded knowingly, “You’re right.”

“So, don’t overthink things too much. Overthinking doesn’t make you feel better, does it?” Wang Jinhe glared at Su Yu and said irritably, “Don’t think I don’t know you’re subtly mocking me.”

“No, you’re overthinking it.”

Wang Jinhe snorted and didn’t say much more.

Watching Wang Jinhe’s reaction, Su Yu shook his head with a smile. This girl.

“It’s late, time to rest.”

“Okay.”

The next day, as soon as Su Yu entered the palace, Xuan Feiran sent someone to summon him to the study. Su Yu instructed Yuan Bao to watch over the children practicing martial arts before he left.

Seeing the people in the study, Su Yu raised his eyebrows lightly, “This is…”

“Xiao Yu, come here for a moment,” Xuan Feiran beckoned Su Yu over with a wave of his hand.

Su Yu walked over and took the letter handed to him by Xuan Feiran, his eyes reflecting a hint of contemplation.

“How do you see this, Xiao Yu?” Xuan Feiran asked, looking at Su Yu.

After placing the letter on the table, Su Yu pursed her lips and said, “It’s something I expected.”

“Oh? How so?” Xuan Feiran inquired.

“The situation here should already be known to the Lu Empire,” Su Yu casually remarked. It was within his expectations for Lu to send a letter at this juncture.

However, he tought it would take a bit more time.

“Envoy from the Lu empire sent to purchase food was apprehended by the princess, they’ll surely find other ways to acquire these supplies,” the Prime Minister frowned, expressing his concerns.

“I believe the purpose of their letter is to inform us that they are determined to obtain the grains today,” the Prime Minister said with a furrowed brow, his expression turning somewhat grim.

“For us, this isn’t crucial. As long as Xiao He and I stay firm, no one can take a single grain of high-yield seeds from the Xuan Empire. Xiao He dislikes the Lu Empire, which was involved in dealing with Xiao He’s family initially. Although they have little connection to the royal family of Lu, the relationship between that family and the royal family needs to be investigated.” At present, it seemed inconsequential, but the truth would be revealed once the information arrived.

Xuan Feiran looked at Su Yu solemnly and asked, “Xiao Yu, will you be returning this year?”

With the planting season approaching, they might not make it back in time.

“We will,” Su Yu replied.

The Prime Minister and others looked at Su Yu helplessly. “Your actions may make us think that the capital is a treacherous place.”

“Xiao He has acquired several additional estates/Farmstead that also need management; it’s not just about Fu’an County,” Su Yu shrugged.

The Prime Minister and the others fell silent upon Su Yu’s words, acknowledging the importance of managing Wang Jinhe’s estates as well.

“Xiao He has already started planning how to utilize those estates. We will also be growing crops in those areas, which means I may need more people here in the future,” Su Yu said helplessly, rubbing her forehead.

“Only by doing this can we ensure that the Xuan Empire never faces a food shortage. While our high-yield grains allow the people to stockpile food, Xiao He has mentioned that we never know when natural disasters might strike. Therefore, each year, the national treasury and local granaries must stockpile enough food to feed the entire population for at least a year,” Su Yu addressed everyone.

The group exchanged glances, realizing the truth in Su Yu’s words.

By storing ample food in the national treasury and local granaries, along with the food reserves held by the people, regardless of any future natural disasters, the population would be able to endure safely.

“You are right, Your Highness,” they agreed.

“Starting next year, all the paddy fields at the Royal Farm will be planted with high-yield grains. This way, we won’t solely rely on tax revenue to increase the food reserves in the treasury.” The drought from a few years back had deeply impacted the Xuan Empire; they had to learn from this and secure their food supplies.

You never know when a natural disaster might strike.

“Agreed. Previously, our focus was on the people, and now that the high-yield grains are becoming more widespread among the population, we must also start planting them,” Xuan Feiran proposed.

“In that case, Your Majesty, should you inform the people to store enough food each year to feed their families for a year, and then sell the surplus?” the suggestion was made.

“That sounds reasonable,” Su Yu nodded in agreement.

“After we return this time, we will visit several other estates with Xiao He to ensure that the cultivation of high-yield grains this year reaches ten thousand mu of land.”

Currently, they only had a little over two thousand mu of land, which was insufficient.

“Understood.”

“As for the people of the former Qi Empire, Your Highness can have grain seeds sent to them, along with a few individuals to teach them how to nurture seedlings and transplant rice seedlings.”