Chapter Sixteen: Surprise? Shock!

Jing Sheng had accomplished his purpose for visiting the Nangong estate today. He picked up the half-eaten tomato he had set aside, took another bite, and said, "Are there any more of these tomatoes from Yang Yaozhong? Send me some more. I want to bring them back for the Emperor and my aunt to try. Consider it a token of your filial piety."

Yang Yaozhong thought to himself, "My filial piety? If anyone is to show respect to your grandfather and aunt, it shouldn't be me. I bet, at most, the Emperor and your aunt will each get one, and the rest will end up in your stomach." But how could he dare say no? He had just mentioned earlier that today's harvest had yielded a small basketful. With a pang in his heart, he forced a smile and replied, "Since Your Highness enjoys them, it is... my humble honor. I shall prepare them for you immediately. However, this is the first batch, and most of it must be kept for seeds, so that Your Highness may have tomatoes to enjoy every year. I hope you won't mind if the portion I prepare is rather modest."

From the moment Yang Yaozhong had learned Jing Sheng was the Imperial Grandson, he had already explained that this first harvest was mostly for seeds, and that he alone in the Great Zhou possessed the seeds and the knowledge to cultivate tomatoes. Jing Sheng didn't mind and, seeing Yang Yaozhong's respectful demeanor, nodded and smiled, "Very well, go ahead. I won't mind."

Yang Yaozhong hurriedly stood up—he truly could not sit any longer. To sit almost as an equal with the Imperial Grandson, even if it was on the lower seat, was unthinkable, especially with the burly man present. If word got out, the consequences would be dire! He quickly got up, bent his waist in a bow, and saluted Jing Sheng. He did the same to the big man, then backed out several steps and turned to leave the main hall in haste.

He ran to the vegetable cellar, where he found Xiaohua and Bruno. Xiaohua was clutching her stomach, bent over, frowning as she directed the work, while Bruno gestured and explained as best he could.

Upon seeing Yang Yaozhong approach, Bruno greeted him. Xiaohua was about to do the same when Yang Yaozhong waved his hand and said, "Xiaohua, if you're not feeling well, why haven't you gone to rest? What are you doing here? Go back to your room and rest. Have one of the other girls prepare hot water for you and drink it while it's hot."

"Master, you were receiving guests in the main hall. I was worried that these rough-handed servants wouldn't understand what Bruno was saying and might ruin the treasures you've worked so hard to cultivate and harvest. I've been helping Bruno care for the plants, and with his gestures and rough explanations, I can generally understand him. So I was just lending a hand." Seeing Yang Yaozhong's concern, her cheeks flushed as she thought, "Master seems to know everything—he even understands... women's matters." She was too shy even to think the words "monthly cycle."

"You're thoughtful as always. Finish up here quickly and go rest. Have you put away the tomatoes I gave you?" Yang Yaozhong had prepared small baskets for storing and distributing tomatoes and peppers before the harvest. He chose one that was just the right size and looked nice, then turned to ask.

Xiaohua nodded and asked, "Do you need my help, Master?"

Yang Yaozhong, a bit annoyed, replied, "No, no. Finish up and go rest. You young girls really should take better care of yourselves. Don't forget to eat those tomatoes when your stomach feels better." He picked out a few more beautiful, even tomatoes and arranged them neatly in the basket. After walking a few steps, he turned back and said, "Oh, right, Xiaohua, have someone bring the basket I prepared earlier with tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and sweet potatoes to my room. I’ll need it soon."

Blushing, Xiaohua nodded. As Yang Yaozhong walked a few more steps, he turned again, saying, "Just have someone else carry it; the basket is heavy. Don’t carry it yourself. Finish up and rest, all right?" With that, he finally turned and left in a hurry.

Her heart warmed, Xiaohua murmured softly, "What’s gotten into Master? Why is he in such a rush?" Then she went back to helping Bruno.

Before re-entering the main hall, Yang Yaozhong got a square piece of red cloth from another maid to cover the basket. He paused outside to collect himself, then grasped the handle of the small basket and strode into the hall. As he was about to salute, Jing Sheng waved him off, "No need for that."

Yang Yaozhong set the basket on a low table, lifted the red cloth, and revealed six tomatoes, all similar in size and shape, arranged neatly. "I hope Your Highness will forgive me for the small amount," he said.

Jing Sheng was delighted at the sight and pleased by Yang Yaozhong’s care in preparing them so quickly. He smiled, "You’ve put a lot of thought into this. Next time, prepare a bit more when you harvest again."

Yang Yaozhong nodded, "Of course. It’s my honor that Your Highness enjoys these tomatoes." Then, seeing the two remaining tomatoes on the table, he looked up at the burly man and said, "Brother, you’ve worked hard looking after His Highness. Please, accept these two tomatoes."

The man hurriedly replied, "I couldn’t possibly. Being able to taste one today alongside His Highness is already a great fortune. How could I accept such a generous gift?"

Yang Yaozhong thought, "This man, with his rough appearance, dark skin, and height nearing six feet three, is no brute—he knows how to flatter, too. So his surname is Qin."

He quickly tried to persuade him, "Brother Qin, please accept them. Though you’re here with His Highness, this is our first meeting. I’ve already been quite rude, keeping you waiting all morning with His Highness. If you don’t accept, how can I face you again?"

This robust man, surname Qin, was no ordinary person. He was Qin Haizhou, eldest son of Qin Zheng, the current Minister of Revenue. He was also quite familiar with Nangong Qingyi, though he hadn’t attended the recent wedding at the Nangong estate due to obligations. He’d heard the groom was a frail scholar of little ability, a type he utterly despised. On the way over, he’d wondered why His Highness would personally visit such a man, and was displeased that His Highness had waited all morning for someone who wasn’t even present. The calling card, while not the Imperial Grandson’s, was still the card of the Minister of Revenue! For a mere son-in-law of the Nangong family to make such a show of importance was an embarrassment to them—or so he thought. In truth, only Xiaohua knew of Yang Yaozhong’s whereabouts, but she had been too busy chatting with Jing Sheng to inform him.

Qin Haizhou had considered advising His Highness not to wait further, but with foreign enemies harassing the borders and both Nangong Zhan and Nangong Qingyi stationed there, perhaps the Emperor wished to show his care for his vassals. So he’d kept silent and waited alongside His Highness. Though not talkative, Qin Haizhou was frank and capable, appearing rough but deeply versed in officialdom. Among young generals, he was one of the best.

He had little respect for civil officials, favoring military men—even his own scholarly younger brother he looked down upon. But when he finally met Yang Yaozhong, the impression he received—sunny, forthright, unconcerned with trivialities—upended all his previous assumptions. Hearing His Highness praise Yang Yaozhong’s poetry and that the Emperor himself wished to meet him, he was even more impressed by the scholar’s calm demeanor; he didn’t gush with gratitude as others might, but remained composed. Qin Haizhou admitted even he wouldn’t have managed that. Now, seeing Yang Yaozhong praise him so generously before His Highness, he recognized this was a man who handled matters with skill, unlike the haughty scholars he’d known. He thought, "This young man must have true talent to be so favored by the Emperor. All the rumors must be false." At this point, he genuinely wanted to befriend Yang Yaozhong.

Seeing His Highness nod, consenting for him to accept the precious tomatoes, Qin Haizhou saluted Yang Yaozhong sincerely, "I am Qin Haizhou. Thank you, Brother Yang, for your generous gift." In truth, he’d greatly enjoyed the taste and wanted to bring some home for his sister and son.

Yang Yaozhong immediately returned the courtesy, "Brother Qin, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. If you call me brother, then please, let’s not be so formal."

By now, Yang Yaozhong had become, in Qin Haizhou’s mind, a man of remarkable talent—otherwise, why would the Emperor favor him so? He had never before received such treatment from anyone so gifted. He was about to return the courtesy when the Imperial Grandson, amused, said, "Enough of these formalities between you two. Qin Haizhou, you can invite him to your side another time."

Qin Haizhou bowed to Jing Sheng, saying with a hearty smile, "Thank you, Your Highness. Brother Yang, when I invite you in the future, you mustn’t refuse."

Yang Yaozhong was already weary of this endless exchange of courtesies. "If Brother Qin invites me, I will certainly come!" he replied promptly.

Qin Haizhou was delighted by his straightforwardness and felt all the more pleased, thinking that accompanying His Highness to the Nangong estate had been truly worthwhile. He thought of his brother, who still harbored affection for Nangong Qingyi, yet compared to Yang Yaozhong, in terms of family influence, learning, character, and even looks, he fell short—a thought that filled him with sorrow for his brother.

Jing Sheng, despite his precocious air, was still a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy. Having sat in the Nangong estate for most of the day, he was bored and weary. "Yang Yaozhong, why don’t you accompany me to the market for a stroll?" he suggested.

Hearing this, Yang Yaozhong broke out in a cold sweat. "This ancestor still wants me to take him to the market? That crowded, chaotic place—no matter how many guards, I wouldn’t dare. If anything happened to him, even a scratch, I couldn’t bear the consequences. Only a fool would go!" He thought all this but maintained a respectful exterior, "Forgive me, Your Highness, but I must tend to the freshly harvested tomatoes. If I don’t process them in time, I won’t have seeds for the future, so..."

Before he could finish, Jing Sheng waved his hand, understanding, "Never mind, never mind. Another time, then. Take care of your matters today. Tomorrow, prepare yourself properly and wait for your escort." In his heart, the tomatoes were clearly more important, but he also reminded Yang Yaozhong to pay attention to his attire; after all, he was to meet the Emperor soon and couldn’t be so casual as today.

Yang Yaozhong quickly saluted, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance," and then respectfully saw Jing Sheng and Qin Haizhou out of the estate.