Chapter 74: Beneficial to the Nation and Its People

The four maids stepped forward to bow, each skilled in hairstyling, makeup, dressing, and needlework.

Their names were Xia Mei, Xia Lan, Xia Zhu, and Xia Ju—names bestowed by the palace. Clearly, these names were far more elegant than anything Tian Mi could come up with.

Tian Mi nodded and instructed Chun Yi to arrange accommodations for them.

Nanny Xiao stepped forward and curtsied. “Junzhu, in three days, there will be a palace banquet—a grand celebration marking Prince Ding’s triumphant return to the capital. It’s also your first appearance at such an event since arriving in the capital. You will need to familiarize yourself with some basic court etiquette, and your ceremonial dress must be tried on. Any necessary alterations should be made promptly.”

Nanny Xiao had heard about the new Junzhu—a widow raising two children. She assumed there would be little intrigue here, making it an ideal place to find peace.

Having spent most of her life in the palace, she had witnessed the departure of countless old acquaintances. She considered herself fortunate to have survived and dreamed of retiring in a place free of palace strife.

She resolved to fulfill her duties conscientiously.

Tian Mi nodded in agreement. “Once you’ve settled in, take care of these matters.”

Affairs of the household, including business and production, were still entrusted to Chun Yi, while Chun Er and Chun San focused solely on caring for the two children.

After freshening up, Bai Mucheng headed straight to the palace. His recent campaign to subdue Prince Yu had been a resounding success, achieved with minimal losses. The Emperor and Empress were both elated and eager for his return, so he had to report in without delay.

As he made his way, he wrestled with whether to inform the Emperor and Empress about his “fated encounter” and the fact that he already had two children. They would undoubtedly be overjoyed, but Tian Mi’s attitude gave him pause.

Perhaps it was better to wait—at least until she was willing to accept him. He still couldn’t quite understand why she was so reluctant. Had he frightened her in the past?

But could anyone really blame him? Being taken advantage of by a 200-pound black bear would upset anyone!

Upon entering the palace, he first went to the Empress’s quarters, where the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were chatting happily with her. Their topic of conversation? Him, of course.

They were speculating that now that the rebellion was quelled, his fated encounter might finally emerge.

The Empress reminisced about consulting Master Kongming when she was still a consort to Prince Jin, asking about the nature of this “fated encounter.”

Master Kongming had said: “Beneficial to the nation and its people.”

As the consort to Prince Jin, she had heard rumors that Master Kongming had once foretold that Prince Jin had the destiny of an emperor. Now, hearing that her second son’s fated encounter would benefit the nation and its people, she couldn’t help but worry—what about her eldest son? Would it lead to conflict between brothers? She dreaded such a possibility.

Master Kongming had reassured her with a smile: “This fated encounter will neither covet power nor be swayed by it. Treat them with kindness, and all will be well.”

Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. As long as it didn’t cause conflict between her sons, it was good news.

The Empress had long since shared these words with her sons, hoping to prevent any misunderstandings.

The three of them were eagerly anticipating meeting this legendary “fated encounter” of Prince Ding.

Bai Mucheng, seeing their enthusiasm, felt his heart sink but maintained a faint smile. “There’s no rush. You’ll meet them sooner or later.”

His nonchalant tone left the trio puzzled. The last time they’d brought up this topic, his reaction had been vehement, adamantly denying it.

Now, his response was casual, even hinting at acknowledgment. The abrupt shift in his attitude baffled them.

What did he mean by this? Was he hiding something?

Soon, the Emperor arrived, and the family enjoyed a lively meal together.

---

Meanwhile, Eunuch Wang returned to the palace, delivering the items Tian Mi had gifted. He dared to keep only a single orange and lemon for himself, knowing that the Emperor and Empress greatly valued the Junzhu’s gifts.

With his ever-bright smile, Eunuch Wang announced, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Junzhu of Changfeng sent some delicacies and novelties, and I’ve brought them here.”

Upon hearing that the gifts were from Tian Mi, Bai Mucheng’s expression softened instantly.

The Empress, delighted, said, “Oh! What did she send? Let’s have a look. The items from the Changfeng estate are always remarkable—they’ve truly won our hearts.”

Eunuch Wang directed the young eunuchs to present the carefully selected oranges and a glass of honey-lemon water. Then they served the cookies and candies.

Oranges did exist in this era, but they were usually small and sour. Such large, golden, and juicy fruits were rare, and their quality was evident at a glance.

The Crown Princess summoned a maid to bring the little heir, thinking of her precious child whenever there were good things to share.

Bai Mucheng chuckled, “She also grows something tasty in her gardens—mandarins. Unfortunately, their thin skins mean they don’t keep long. They were all eaten on the ship.”

The Emperor sighed, “What a pity!”

The Crown Princess, however, cast a curious glance at Bai Mucheng.

Soon, the maid arrived carrying the young imperial grandson.

The Emperor picked up a piece of fruit and encouraged everyone to try it. Only then did the group begin to eat. To their surprise, the fruit wasn’t sour but sweet and refreshing. Paired with a sip of honey-lemon water, it was utterly delightful.

The harmonious blend of sweet and tangy flavors left everyone craving more.

The young imperial grandson grabbed a piece of cookie, took a bite, and exclaimed with delight at the crisp texture and rich flavor. He couldn’t get enough of it.

The Crown Princess quickly gave him a sip of lemon water, and the little boy loved that too.

Eunuch Wang smiled and said, “Junzhu mentioned that this honey-lemon water isn’t just tasty—it’s also good for beauty and skin care. Her radiant complexion is truly one of a kind.”

Bai Mucheng, recalling the day he’d accidentally seen her in minimal attire, her skin fairer than snow and smoother than jade, felt his face flush. Her beauty was indeed unparalleled.

The Empress, intrigued by the mention of beauty benefits, asked, “How much of this honey-lemon do we have?”

Eunuch Wang replied, “There’s a small basket of it.”

The Empress looked toward the Emperor, ever mindful of propriety and the need for his approval.

The Emperor said, “You handle it.”

The Empress smiled and instructed, “Store it in the ice cellar. From now on, prepare a cup for me and the Crown Princess each day.”

Eunuch Wang bowed and agreed, then presented the other beauty products sent by the Junzhu.

The Empress examined the items and laughed, “These are all practical things. What’s this black paste?”

Eunuch Wang explained, “The Junzhu called it eyebrow pomade. This small stick is an eyebrow pencil—it draws brows that look just like natural ones.”

The Empress inspected several sets of the items and glanced at the Emperor.

The Emperor said, “Keep them.”

Delighted, the Empress expressed her gratitude, knowing how rare and precious such items were, requiring the Emperor’s approval even for her to keep them.

It wasn’t long before Tian Mi’s shop opened, and anyone could buy these items with silver.

---

The Emperor turned to Bai Mucheng and said, “About that winter wheat you mentioned—I’ve instructed the Minister of Agriculture to plant it on the imperial estates. If it proves successful, it will be a major achievement.”

Bai Mucheng replied, “Father, the Junzhu has already planted it throughout her valley. Everything she grows seems to thrive. I believe this winter wheat will be no exception. If harvested in April, it could even allow for a second crop within the year.”

The Emperor remarked, “She truly is a remarkable woman!”

He added, “At the upcoming palace banquet, I’ll finally get to meet this extraordinary woman.”

---

Afterward, the Emperor, Crown Prince, and Bai Mucheng discussed court matters.

The court’s current state was complicated. While military power rested firmly with the Emperor, the civil bureaucracy was still dominated by the old ministers from previous reigns. Among them, Grand Tutor Jia wielded the greatest influence, with his descendants and protégés spread throughout the court.

Since returning from the borderlands, the Emperor had found himself without trusted officials to execute his reforms. Even when replacements were considered, suitable candidates were scarce.

The Crown Prince had proposed holding special imperial examinations to recruit talented individuals from humble backgrounds, hoping to infuse the court with fresh blood. However, this was a long-term solution that offered no immediate relief.

Worse still, many of these scholars, once appointed, ended up aligning themselves with the entrenched old ministers.

If this trend continued, the Emperor’s authority over state affairs would be increasingly undermined.

Now that his youngest son had returned, the Emperor saw an opportunity to shake up the stagnant waters of the court.