The daughter of the first wife grew up in the countryside and was extremely powerful

Xue Yang stood there silently, without saying a word. Although he had some guesses deep in his heart, the situation before him still made him feel unbelievable.

Is it true that there are people in this world who are so gifted that no one can reach them?

However, he did not dwell on or think about this matter too much, and even his expression did not change much, as if everything was within his expectations.

I only heard him slowly say:

"The young lady previously instructed me to purchase a large amount of grain from the prosperous land of Jiangnan. So, I borrowed Master Gu's ships and arranged for personnel to travel back and forth several times. Now, the amount of grain we have stored is quite considerable."

Having said this, he paused for a moment and glanced around, as if to confirm whether anyone was eavesdropping.

Then he lowered his voice and continued:

"Because I was worried about attracting other people's attention and suspicion, I secretly sent the grain to Uncle Fang. The five huge warehouses were completely packed, with almost no space left."

After a pause, he added:

"I didn't transport this grain directly into the city. Instead, I had Uncle Fang transport it to designated locations in a very secretive manner. Even our warehouse within the city is now overflowing with grain. Of course, to avoid attracting too much attention, I also strewn a small amount around inside the restaurant. This way, even if someone notices something, they won't be able to uncover our true intentions or the scale of our shipment."

"Have food prices in the city started to rise?"

Gu Fanchu asked, but he already had the answer in his heart.

"Yes, there has been a subtle trend of price increases in the past few days, but it's not obvious. The grain merchants in the city don't dare to hoard grain too obviously. However, there are many people who have stored less grain, so they are still waiting and watching."

"The one that collected the most was a newly opened Wangsheng rice and flour shop. I heard that in addition to the shops in the capital, they also went to the surrounding small towns to collect. But everyone knew there would be problems, so they were reluctant to sell too much. I don't think they collected much."

Xue Yang was talking about the recent subtle fluctuations in the city. Merchants have sharp eyes and can naturally discover mysteries that ordinary people cannot.

Gu Fanchu sneered. Wangsheng Rice and Flour Shop, isn’t that Meng Hewan’s shop!

In her previous life, she used this shop to purchase a lot of grain. If she couldn't get it in the city, she would go to the towns and villages to collect it.

At least she was able to buy a lot, which enabled her to donate food and make money later.

In this life, she asked people to buy up all the extra food around her in advance, leaving her with no food to buy.

"Looking at the weather, I think there will be problems with the harvest this year. Since the grain harvest is almost done, let's slow down for now and stockpile some cotton later."

Gu Fanchu's brows relaxed. With these foods, whether it was to suppress Meng Hewan or for other reasons, at least it could really help the people affected by the disaster.

"Cotton? Miss, are you worried about this winter?"

Xue Yang guessed.

"Yes and no. I want to harvest some cotton and then have some embroiderers make winter clothes for my uncle. It's cold at the border, and I'm worried the soldiers will get frostbite."

Gu Fanchu lowered his eyes and said sadly.

Everyone knows that life at the frontier is cold and miserable.

They thought that the imperial court would at least provide these soldiers who were defending their country with warm clothes and sufficient food.

Unfortunately, I later learned that during that year, my uncle led the soldiers at the border, who not only had to resist the attacks and invasions of foreign enemies, but also had to endure hunger, and ultimately suffered countless casualties.

Because of this incident, my uncle was criticized.

Xue Yang hadn't expected Gu Fanchu to have such a plan. However, the frontier soldiers' supplies were usually escorted by the imperial court. Could it be that Gu Fanchu had learned something? Was someone trying to tamper with the situation?

"Don't worry about anything else, just do it. Start making cotton clothes as soon as you receive them. Don't wait until the second half of the year, because it will be too late then."

Gu Fanchu saw Xue Yang's confusion, but did not explain too much.

Xue Yang did not ask any further questions.

After getting a definite answer, Gu Fanchu went to see Mrs. Zhang again.

Mrs. Zhang's complexion has become much rosier recently, the blue color under her eyes has disappeared, and she looks a lot younger.

Because she wanted to have a child of her own, Mrs. Zhang gritted her teeth and drank the medicine no matter how bitter it was.

When she saw Gu Fanchu again, Mrs. Zhang immediately pulled her close and expressed her gratitude.

"Princess, after drinking your medicine, I feel much better. Is my body almost recovered?"

Mrs. Zhang was very happy because she could clearly feel the changes in her body.

Gu Fanchu was also happy for her. He took her pulse as soon as he entered the room. Her pulse was strong and powerful, and her health was indeed very good.

She also left some other warming and nourishing medicines and gave some detailed instructions. Gu Fanchu could not refuse Mrs. Zhang's enthusiasm, so he left with the prepared gifts.

After returning to the general's residence, the old lady happily told Gu Fanchu to follow Wang to the palace the next day to pay her respects to Concubine Xi.

I think he wanted her to help look at the baby in his belly.

Gu Fanchu also agreed obediently.

The next morning, the sun had just risen and the sunlight shone through the window onto the ground, forming patches of mottled light and shadow.

Wang got up early, dressed up carefully, and took Gu Fanchu to the palace.

Along the way, both of them seemed a little silent, but each of them had his own thoughts in his mind.

When they arrived at the palace, they found that Concubine Xi had been waiting for a long time.

I saw Concubine Xi sitting upright on the soft couch in the hall, her gorgeous palace dress making her look even more noble and elegant.

Now she is nearly four months pregnant, her belly is slightly bulging, and her whole body exudes a strong maternal glow.

Her face is still beautiful, her skin is as white as snow, her eyes are as gentle as water, and her temperament has become more gentle and kind than before, as if her whole body is shrouded in a layer of soft light, which makes people feel good about her.

However, unlike in the past, this time Concubine Xi did not ask Gu Fanchu to feel her pulse and diagnose the fetus's condition. Instead, she smiled and said to Gu Fanchu:

"I asked you to come here today not to ask you to take my pulse, but to help me check if there is anything wrong in this palace."

After saying that, she waved her hand gently, indicating that Gu Fanchu could start looking around.

Gu Fanchu nodded when he heard this and began to think secretly in his heart.

She paced slowly in the hall, carefully observing every corner and furnishing.

Wang stood quietly beside Concubine Xi, with a faint smile on her face.

After Gu Fanchu confirmed that the things that Concubine Xi often used were indeed useless, she took Gu Fanchu's hand, sighed softly, and said with a slightly worried tone: