Eunuch Chi washed the watermelons and then cut them open.

The watermelons chosen by Uncle Hong were already good, and even those that weren’t fully ripe had ripened during the journey.

Moreover, Eunuch Chi had good luck; one watermelon was particularly red.

When the knife went in, a crisp sound was heard, followed by the sweet fragrance of the watermelon.

Eunuch Chi watched the red juice flow out and licked his dry lips.

Then he cut the watermelon into pieces.

Having followed the emperor, he had seen many good things, but this was the first time he had seen such a fruit.

The red color was truly beautiful.

Naturally, anything that would pass the emperor’s lips had to be tasted first.

On normal days, he might call someone else to taste it, but today, since he had cut the watermelon himself, he decided to taste it himself.

It wasn’t that he was afraid of poisoning; after all, how could there be poison in the items sent by General Qin?

If there were poison, wouldn’t General Qin be asking for his own head?

So Eunuch Chi dared to try it himself.

The first bite was wonderfully sweet.

Eunuch Chi suppressed the urge to take a second bite and said to the young eunuch, “Put the other half in the ice.” Since it hadn’t been chilled before, the fruit was a bit warm from the sun during the journey; if it had been chilled, the flavor would have been even better.

Eunuch Chi found General Qin truly remarkable; he could discover anything, even fruits like this one.

No wonder the emperor said that Qin Fang had good fortune.

Thinking about this, Eunuch Chi had an idea: the day Qin Fang returned to the capital probably wasn’t far off.

Someone with good fortune would definitely catch the emperor’s eye, so when Qin Fang arrived, he would need to befriend him.

However, the Empress Dowager had been constantly asking him about various matters lately, and he had managed to brush her off.

He wasn’t foolish; the emperor was still in his prime.

Given his status, there was no need for him to get involved in things he shouldn’t.

He was older than the emperor, and perhaps after he was gone, the emperor would still be firmly on the throne.

So, he was content to be the Grand Eunuch.

He had already gained enough from the dragon’s favor; why would he need to support another prince’s rise to power?

Eunuch Chi entered the study with a plate: “Your Majesty, the watermelon has arrived.”

The emperor put down his brush and saw the red fruit on the plate. “This watermelon is green on the outside, but inside it’s red.”

Eunuch Chi replied, “Isn’t this the fulfillment of a saying? What is it called? Red flowers match green leaves.”

Hearing this, the emperor couldn’t help but smile. “You do have a way with words. How does the watermelon taste?”

Eunuch Chi said, “I can’t hide it from Your Majesty; I couldn’t resist tasting a piece, and it’s truly delicious, far better than the apples and pears I’ve had before.”

The emperor, upon hearing this, took a piece and handed it to him. “Here, eat it. It looks like your mouth is watering.”

Eunuch Chi chuckled and took the watermelon, biting into it.

The emperor also picked up a piece and took a bite.

His eyes widened. “Delicious.”

Eunuch Chi seized the opportunity to say, “I’ve seen that there are several ways to eat this watermelon; I still have half kept in ice. On such a hot day, it would taste even better chilled.”

The emperor nodded without speaking, as his mouth was busy eating.

After finishing two pieces, he still felt unsatisfied, though his stomach was somewhat full.

He said, “This watermelon is quite filling.”

However, the emperor wasn’t someone who overindulged.

Eunuch Chi added, “That’s right. However, the record from General Qin states that this watermelon should only be eaten on the same day; otherwise, it will spoil overnight. If it isn’t cut open, it can last for several days, so it’s relatively durable.”

The emperor thought for a moment. “Send some to the empresses who have given birth to princes and princesses, two watermelons for each palace.”

Eunuch Chi asked, “What if they are still unripe?”

The emperor didn’t understand. “Is there unripe watermelon?”

Eunuch Chi explained, “The record warns that to avoid spoilage during transit, they weren’t all fully ripe when picked. Moreover, the skin of the watermelon hides whether it is ripe or unripe inside, so it’s possible some could be unripe. However, regardless of whether they are ripe or unripe, they are all edible; the difference is that unripe ones aren’t very sweet.”

The Emperor laughed and said, “Then it depends on their luck. Do you believe that if I send them raw melons, they can figure out some other meaning?”

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Chi was indeed impressed.

Raw melons… weren’t they just raw? “Your Majesty is wise.”

The Emperor chuckled and said, “Keep the matter of the melons to yourself, and act as if you don’t know anything about Qin Fang.”

Chief Steward Chi replied, “Yes.”

Outside the palace gate, Captain Du was still waiting.

Finally, he saw Tao Shan come out and waved, “Tao Shan… Tao Shan…”

Tao Shan did not expect the prominent Second Young Master Du to wait for him; he hurried over and said, “Second Young Master, sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Captain Du casually replied, “It’s nothing. Let’s go, follow me back to the residence. By the way, were you okay inside?”

Tao Shan replied, “I was fine. I saw the Emperor; he is truly a good person.”

Captain Du smiled but said nothing.

Matters regarding the Emperor were not to be discussed outside.

Once Tao Shan arrived at the Du residence, he was invited by the steward to the courtyard of Madam Du.

This was the first time Tao Shan met the mistress of the Du residence; previously, he had only been received by the steward.

As Tao Shan entered, Madam Du was eating watermelon.

The steward said, “Madam, Tao Shan has arrived.”

Tao Shan slightly raised his head to avoid mistaking her identity and then greeted Madam Du: “Tao Shan pays his respects to Madam Du.”

Usually, when addressing women on formal occasions, one would use their title, for instance, since Du Ke held the third rank, Madam Du would be addressed as a third-rank lady.

However, in their own household, servants addressing the mistress or visitors would simply refer to her as “Madam.”

Madam Du was about the same age as Qin Fang’s mother but looked much younger.

She was a lady of the gentry, naturally not comparable to a rural woman like Qin Fang’s mother.

Madam Du said, “No need for so much courtesy. Tao Shan, is it? Please take a seat.”

Tao Shan hurriedly replied, “No need, I can stand.”

If it were in the past, he would certainly have felt nervous, but having just met the Emperor, he was no longer nervous about seeing anyone, as the impact of meeting the Emperor had not yet worn off.

Madam Du smiled and said, “Sit down; I have some questions for you.”

Tao Shan bent his body: “Then I will humbly obey.”

Madam Du listened to him speak and felt that his demeanor was quite good, much more knowledgeable than typical household servants.

She nodded and asked, “Tao Shan, when you left Yunxiang County, was Lord Du still at the General’s residence?”

She knew from Lord Du’s letter that he had been living in the General’s residence while in Yunxiang County.

Tao Shan replied, “When I left the General’s residence, Lord Du was still there.”

Madam Du asked, “How is Lord Du’s health? Has he been ill during this time? Lord Du is always so secretive; even when he is unwell, he doesn’t tell me. If he doesn’t say, his people won’t say either. I know he doesn’t want me to worry, but he is out in the world, and I can’t help but worry. You must not hide anything from me, Tao Shan.”

Tao Shan’s heart tightened; he felt as if Madam Du was threatening him.

Nevertheless, he answered honestly: “Lord Du is in good health. On the day he arrived in Yunxiang County, the local gentleman invited a doctor from the residence to check on him. Before I left, he had not been unwell.”

Madam Du observed Tao Shan’s expression and found him not to be lying; she was satisfied: “The gentleman you mentioned is my adopted daughter, Yan Yan, right? I received a letter from Lord Du before; during his time at the General’s residence, he was well taken care of by Yan Yan and her husband.”

Tao Shan didn’t know how to respond, thought for a moment, and said, “Lord Du is an elder and also the General’s teacher. It is only right that the gentleman and the General take care of him. However, Lord Du is very busy, visiting the common people every day for… investigating their conditions. By the way, Lord Shen is also accompanying him.”

Madam Du nodded: “I see. In this sweltering heat, visiting the common people every day is something he would come up with.”

Tao Shan said, “The common people like Lord Du very much.”

Madam Du was taken aback and then became somewhat interested: “That solemn face of his, and the common people still like him?”

Even her children were afraid of him.

Tao Shan couldn’t help but smile awkwardly but still clarified for Lord Du: “Lord Du is very kind to the common people, very gentle, and they like him a lot. Moreover, he is very patient when listening to their grievances; the common people even welcome him to visit again.”

Madam Du couldn’t help but laugh, “That truly is his style.”

Tao Shan was unsure of what he had said to make Madam Du laugh; he felt a little embarrassed.

Madam Du continued, “By the way, Tao Shan, the vegetables and fruits you brought are truly wonderful; these are things I haven’t seen in the capital. Moreover, your gentleman is very thoughtful, preparing a notebook to record the cooking methods for these items, especially this watermelon; it is really delicious.”

Tao Shan replied, “Lord Du also enjoys eating it; after the watermelon ripened, he eats half of one every day.”

Madam Du huffed, “He is truly fortunate; we will probably finish ours in a few days.”

The watermelons were so delicious that she wanted to take a few to her family, so thinking about how her husband could eat them every day made her genuinely envious.

Tao Shan said, “But they won’t last long since the watermelon’s season is only a little over a month; if you want to eat them again, you will have to wait until next year. If you like them, I will bring them to you again next year at this time.”

Madam Du replied, “The season is only a little over a month? That is indeed short. Then I will wait for you to bring them again next year. If your gentleman does not give them to me, I will have to look for you.”

Tao Shan couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.

Madam Du no longer teased him: “You go rest; stay here for a few days before heading back. I have some things I need you to take back to your gentleman.”

Tao Shan replied, “Yes.”

Tao Shan stayed at the Du residence for two days.

After two days, he returned with several boxes full of items.

These included things given to him by Madam Du, gifts from her family, and gifts from the Emperor, so while he had come with large boxes and small boxes, he left with big and small bundles.