Traveling through the busy farmland of a peasant girl

In the capital city, a bustling and bustling place with turbulent undercurrents, the news that the eight-year-old Shen Li was granted the title of Fuxi Xiangjun by the emperor for presenting high-yield grain seeds spread like a gust of wind, quickly sweeping through the streets and alleys, especially the residences of major officials.

The atmosphere in the Prime Minister's Mansion was solemn.

Prime Minister He Changting sat upright on the armchair in the study, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, his eyes deep and calculating.

After hearing about Shen Li, Prime Minister's wife Xie Rulian hurried into the study, her skirt swaying gracefully.

"Master, I heard that the little girl Shen Li in the Golden Palace was named Xiangjun. Is this true? Although this little girl is young, she has such ability.

I also heard that she came to the capital with Bai Jin, the magistrate of Qingshan County."

He Changting raised his head slightly, his eyes instantly becoming sharp: "Bai Jin? But he is the son of Bai Xuanzhou from the Bai Mansion, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? I didn't go to court that day, but it turned out that Bai Jin and Shen Li came!"

Humph, this boy from the Bai family escaped the marriage and went to Qingshan County to serve as the county magistrate. Now he is involved with Shen Li, so there may be changes.

Xie Rulian hurriedly asked, "Master, what should we do?"

He Changting pondered for a moment and said slowly, "You should prepare to send a letter to win over Shen Li first. I will go meet Bai Xuanzhou and feel out his intentions."

After saying that, He Changting got up and went to Bai Mansion.

In the Bai Mansion, Bai Xuanzhou heard that the Prime Minister was coming and hurried out to greet him.

"My Lord Prime Minister, I hope you will forgive me for not welcoming you here today."

He Changting said with a forced smile, "Master Bai, you're too polite. I came here today to ask you something. I heard that your son Bai Jin went to the capital with Shen Li, who presented the high-yield grain seeds. Is there any hidden reason behind this?"

Bai Xuanzhou's heart tightened, but he remained calm and replied, "Prime Minister, I have been appointed the magistrate of Qingshan County with the permission of His Majesty. Shen Li is from Qingshan County, and I brought her to the capital because she has a high-yield grain variety. All this is done to show my loyalty to the Emperor, nothing else."

He Changting sneered, "Master Bai, please don't hide it from me. This high-yield grain issue has caused a huge uproar in the capital. Your Bai family had better not try to seek personal gain from it."

Bai Xuanzhou quickly bowed and said, "Prime Minister, I have absolutely no such intention."

In the General Guardian's Mansion, the crape myrtles in the courtyard are in full bloom.

The old general Xiao Zhenting stood under the crape myrtle tree, with several weapons placed on the stone table beside him.

Hearing about Shen Li, he laughed a few times, his voice like a bell: "Haha, this girl has such knowledge and achievements at such a young age, it is really rare. If she were a man, she would definitely be a pillar of the court."

The women in the mansion gathered in the flower hall. Mrs. Tang, the wife of the general, sat in the main seat, surrounded by several young concubines and young ladies.

A concubine spoke first: "Madam, this young lady Shen Li is now a well-known figure in the capital. It would be great if our general's mansion could make friends with her."

Tang nodded gently. "That's what I was thinking. I heard this little girl is very intelligent. I've already asked someone to select that precious set of four treasures of the study. Once the invitation is finished, we'll send it along. We must let the Shen family feel our sincerity."

Miss Xiao Yuyao asked curiously, "Mother, what does Shen Li look like? Is she really as smart as the rumors say?"

Tang smiled and scolded, "You'll know once we meet. Don't be so impatient, little girl."

In the Imperial Censor's residence, the study was so quiet that only the sound of flipping papers could be heard.

Imperial Censor Zhao Qiming frowned and paced back and forth in the study.

His wife, Mrs. Lin, came in with a cup of tea and said softly, "Master, please have some tea and rest for a while. Don't worry about this and make yourself sick."

Zhao Qiming stopped and took the teacup, but did not drink. "Madam, you know that Shen Li's gift of high-yield grain may seem simple, but it could actually have a ripple effect. I'm worried that some officials will use this to stir up trouble."

Lin consoled him, "Master, you always overthink things. Perhaps this is just a kind act by that little girl. However, it would be a good thing to make friends with the Shen family."

Zhao Qiming pondered for a moment and said, "Well, go prepare the invitation. Be careful with your words and don't give people anything to talk about."

However, when the invitations from the families of all parties were prepared and the servants went to Shen Li's residence in the capital, they were shocked to hear that Shen Li had already left the capital.

After the servant from the Prime Minister's Mansion returned with the report, Xie Rulian's face was filled with disappointment and annoyance. He stamped his feet and said, "What should I do? I finally managed to win him over, but I missed the opportunity just like that."

He Changting's expression darkened slightly: "Humph, Shen Li left quite neatly. It seems I need to pay more attention to her in the future."

At the General Guardian's Mansion, General Xiao Yifeng shrugged helplessly after hearing the news: "Forget it. I wanted to get to know this extraordinary woman, but now I can only wait for the next opportunity."

The general's wife, Mrs. Tang, sighed, "Feng'er, we are not destined to be with her. I just hope we can meet again in the future."

When Imperial Censor Zhao Qiming heard Shen Li leave, he murmured to himself, "She left in such a hurry, there must be something hidden behind it. We must not take it lightly."

As for those families of minor officials who were not yet high-ranking, such as the sixth-rank official Qian Wenyuan, they sighed at home: "I had hoped to use Shen Li to get close to the powerful, but now, it's all gone."

Sun Dewang, a minor official of the seventh rank, secretly said to his wife, "I thought those wealthy families were busying themselves for nothing. It's not easy to win over this immortal disciple. Now, it's all in vain."

Ordinary people in the capital also had new topics to talk about after dinner, and they spread Shen Li's story with exaggeration. In their eyes, this eight-year-old country boy seemed like a character from a legendary storybook, both distant and curious.