The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

Stir-fry over high heat and simmer in a casserole over low heat.

The aroma made eight out of ten people present salivate. Not feeling it was enough, Lu Yun added a few slices of ham and soaked mushrooms. The casserole bubbled with activity. Lu Yun took a deep breath and gave the cooks a thumbs-up. The aroma was incredible!

Finally it was time for dinner, and Caihe took Biyu to set the table.

Lu Yun pulled Dashou to sit next to her. Afraid that Caihe and the others would feel uncomfortable, she set up a separate table for them and even went to the cellar to fill a pot of wine.

Dashou looked at the dishes on the table curiously.

Lu Yun picked up the chopsticks and was about to speak.

"Princess, a man who calls himself Mr. Tan is here to stay."

Lu Yun just stood up and said before leaving, "You guys eat first, I'll be back soon."

Lu Yun stepped forward and saluted, politely but respectfully. "Hello, Mr. Tan. You've arrived at an opportune time. The family is having dinner now. You may enjoy some simple food."

The Fifth Prince hesitated for a moment, his eyes first glancing behind him before looking at Lu Yun. He smiled gently, "Thank you very much. The small courtyard we stayed in last time was very good. We can stay there tonight. Princess, please go and get busy first."

Lu Yun glanced at the carriage behind him and said with a smile, "Since you can find it, I will go and get busy. I will send someone to bring you food and supplies later."

"Father." The fifth prince stepped forward and helped Emperor Longqing get out of the car.

Emperor Longqing took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze, and the group headed towards Dicui Pavilion.

Perhaps because someone cleaned it regularly, the room was relatively clean. Eunuch Wang led his men to wipe the room thoroughly once more, and just then, bedding, utensils, and food were delivered.

The dishes were taken out of the food boxes and placed on the table. The rich aroma of meat instantly filled the air. Everyone in the room unconsciously cast their eyes towards the table.

Eunuch Wang put down his bedding and strode to the table. "Your Highness, wait a moment." He pulled a silver needle from his pouch and tested each one, finding nothing unusual. He then used chopsticks to pick a little of each into a bowl and passed it to the eunuch beside him.

The young eunuch ate it all without leaving a single bite, and everything was normal.

Eunuch Wang: "Your Majesty, that's enough."

Emperor Longqing picked up a yellow lump with chopsticks and put it in his mouth. It was soft, fragrant and delicious. "What is this? I have never eaten it before." He then picked up a golden strip and examined it carefully.

Eunuch Wang stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, I have inquired about this. This is a food called potatoes, a new and unique thing grown on the princess's farm. This is what we will eat tonight."

Long Qing finished one and showed a satisfied look, "Not bad, just right for enjoying in the mountains."

The father and son finished most of the food before letting the people leave.

The bright moon was hanging high outside the house, and Emperor Longqing took the fifth prince for a walk in the yard to digest his food.

"Ning'an loves to tinker with these foods." Emperor Longqing said with a smile, "Wang Quan, go and invite the princess over."

Lu Yun was still wearing her daytime clothes. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Emperor Longqing motioned for her to stand up and answer, then said with a smile, "Ning'an, did you guess it was me a long time ago?"

Lu Yun: "Haha, haha."

Emperor Longqing shook his head and turned to the main topic, "What is this potato in your farm?"

Lu Yun pulled out a small booklet from her bosom. "Your Majesty, it's a long story, but it's all in this booklet."

Emperor Longqing said meaningfully, "It seems you came prepared."

Wang Quan took it, shook it first, and then presented it to His Majesty.

Emperor Longqing looked through it carefully, his expression growing increasingly serious. "As you said, these potatoes only require 50 kilograms of seeds to yield 400 kilograms? Where did you get such a rare thing?"

Lu Yun: "Your Majesty, these potatoes were accidentally found by Master Qingxu during his travels. They are said to be the staple food of foreigners overseas and are extremely productive. I decided to try growing them, and within six months, I've grown from one potato to thirty kilograms and then to over three hundred kilograms. However, one drawback is that they are difficult to store. Sprouted potatoes are slightly toxic and can cause diarrhea. The best way to store them is to slice them, cook them, and air-dry them."

"Okay, okay, okay!" Emperor Longqing walked a few steps in the room with his hands behind his back and looked at Lu Yun. "How many potatoes do you have here?"

Lu Yun: "Excluding what we ate tonight, there are still 300 kilograms."

"Very good, very good. I will take away 200 kilograms and arrange for people to try planting. What reward do you want?" Emperor Longqing was very satisfied.

Lu Yun knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask for a favor from Lu Tongzheng for Lu Ling."

Emperor Longqing laughed heartily. "You are quite clever, but I will not take advantage of you. How about I give him another reward?"

Lu Yun thanked His Majesty for his grace.

The next day, when Lu Yun woke up, she found the Dicui Pavilion deserted. She packed the potatoes in a sack and handed them to the soldiers who arrived. Lu Yun yawned, thankful that the night had gone peacefully, and went back to take a nap.

When Emperor Longqing returned to the palace, he was already sitting high up in the hall. "My dear ministers, please stand up. I have something to report to you."

Prime Minister Lu coughed lightly, and an official stepped out from the crowd. "I would like to impeach the Marquis of Ping'an for his poor parenting. His son indulges in drinking, gambling, theft, and disregards human life."

Li Ming, the Minister of Justice, stepped out of the ranks and said, "Your Majesty, it is true. His son Lu Cheng owed a huge gambling debt and colluded with outsiders to steal the family's property and cause casualties. There is witness and evidence."

Emperor Longqing frowned. "Pass on my order. Revoke the title of Marquis of Ping'an and take back the house and land he was given. His son will be severely punished according to the law. No leniency will be shown!"

"I have a memorial!" Lü Jijiu shouted, "I want to impeach Princess Ning'an for offering an ominous gift. She deserves death. Lu Tongzheng, for shielding and condoning her, also deserves death!"

"Oh," Emperor Longqing turned to look at him, "Lord Lu, what are you talking about?"

"Your Majesty, it is a plant called potato, which was presented to the two queens by Princess Roujia a month ago." Lu Jijiu bowed.

Emperor Longqing smiled and said, "Lord Lu, please be patient. I also have something to announce, and it is related to the potatoes you mentioned." After that, he looked at Wang Zhi.

Wang Zhi led a few young eunuchs and handed the memorial in his hand to the adults for circulation. For a moment, everyone in the hall had different expressions.

The third prince looked grim. Ning An was such a fool that he actually tricked him!

Lu Jijiu was sweating profusely and could hardly stand.

Two young eunuchs placed two pots of plants in front of the stage. With a gentle lift, the plants were pulled up by the roots and placed on a white cloth spread out beside them. More than a dozen yellow fruits the size of eggs or children's fists were revealed in the dark soil.

Emperor Longqing walked down slowly and said, "My dear ministers, do you think this item can be of great use to our Qin Dynasty?"

Dingyuan Bo knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, this auspicious gift from Heaven will ensure the longevity of our Qin Dynasty and the continuation of our national prosperity!"

All the ministers knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor".

"Lord Lu, I see that you are old and your energy may be insufficient, which is why you said this."

"I have indeed been feeling dizzy and confused recently. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Lu Jijiu's inner clothes were soaked with sweat, and he knelt on the ground without daring to raise his head.

Emperor Longqing spoke slowly. "The Imperial College is full of talented people. Lord Lu, there's no need to work so hard. You should rest now."

Jijiu Lu felt that everyone in the hall was looking at him, sweat dripping down his forehead, and he murmured in response.

"Send Master Lu Tongzheng into the palace!"

The ministers turned around and saw Lu Tongzheng, dressed in a red official robe, walking towards them slowly with a jade tablet in his hand.