The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

Chen Mengyao felt relieved after seeing that everything was arranged. She then asked Ouyang Han if the high-yield grain seeds had been planted, as she wanted to check on the progress. Ouyang Han explained in detail that his father, the Emperor, had arranged for the Grand Minister of Agriculture to conduct trial plantings at farms in the suburbs. Chen Mengyao also wanted to take the opportunity to visit the farms, so she said to Ouyang Han, "Yichen, may I go to the farms? I want to see if their methods are correct." Ouyang Han nodded in agreement.

So he arranged for Uncle An to prepare the carriage, and then asked her, "I also have a villa near the farm. Would you like to stay there for the night? The scenery there is quite nice." Chen Mengyao was delighted to hear this, "Of course I'll go! I rarely come here, so I definitely want to go out and have some fun." Ouyang Han found her reaction particularly amusing. Chen Mengyao quickly packed her bags and then, along with a few maids, followed Ouyang Han out.

It would take about half an hour to get from the Prince's mansion to the outskirts. They set off in two carriages: one driven by Ling Yu, with Chen Mengyao and Ouyang Han together, and the other driven by Ling Feng, carrying Chen Mengyao's maids. In the carriage, Chen Mengyao, not being very familiar with Ouyang Han, didn't know how to talk to him, having never interacted with a man before. Ouyang Han was even less familiar with women, having never been interested in them in the past. So they each closed their eyes to rest.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound rang out; Chen Mengyao was hungry. She then realized she had forgotten to eat lunch while out playing. Embarrassed, she wished she could disappear into the ground. Just as she was about to take out some cakes or something from her spatial storage to fill her stomach, a hand handed her a food box, saying, "I was afraid you'd get hungry on the journey, so I specially prepared some pastries in the carriage. Have some to tide you over. We'll cook something delicious for you when we get to the farm," Ouyang Han said. Chen Mengyao was even more touched. She hadn't expected Ouyang Han to be so thoughtful and considerate, even preparing snacks. The war god prince, who was usually aloof from women, was actually so attentive to her. It was the first time she had experienced being cared for by a man, and her heart warmed.

She accepted the food box and said softly, "Thank you. Actually, I have a lot more delicious food in my space. Would you like to try some of my pastries?" She then took out some cakes, bread, and milk from her space. After sharing some cakes with Ouyang Han, she gently picked up a pastry from the food box and put it in her mouth. The pastry had a crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy filling, with a delicate texture and a sweet but not cloying flavor. She savored it, feeling the deliciousness spread in her mouth. This was the first time she had tasted pastries from the royal palace, and compared to the pastries she had eaten before, they were much more refined and delicious. She couldn't help but think of her previous life, simple yet happy. Now, she was in the royal palace, enjoying wealth and luxury, but also feeling lonely and helpless. She didn't know what her future held, or whether she could adapt to life here. She only hoped to find her happiness and belonging as soon as possible. And perhaps Ouyang Han was her belonging.

As an ancient prince, Ouyang Han's first experience with modern cake and milk was both novel and complex. He carefully picked up the cake, examining its exquisite appearance. The aroma wafted up, compelling him to take a small bite. Instantly, his taste buds were captivated by its sweetness; the delicate texture and rich flavor intoxicated him. He exclaimed, "What is this? It's so delicious!" Chen Mengyao replied, "This is a pastry we call 'cake' where we're from. It's made with eggs and flour. The other one is called 'milk,' which is made from milk powder, which is processed from cow's milk. I'll show you how it's made sometime."

Then, he picked up the milk and inhaled its delicate aroma. He carefully took a sip, and the richness and smoothness of the milk delighted him. He had never tasted such a unique beverage before, and for a moment, he was captivated by it. Ouyang Han savored the cake and milk, his heart filled with curiosity and admiration for modern cuisine. He exclaimed, "Such wondrous foods exist in this world! This has truly broadened my horizons!" However, he also realized that his era was vastly different from modern times, and these delicacies might only be a fleeting pleasure for him. Nevertheless, this unique experience remained unforgettable.

Their relationship subtly deepened as they enjoyed pastries in the carriage. Chen Mengyao kept praising the pastries he brought, while Ouyang Han also found the other breads delicious. They ate and chatted along the way, their conversation gradually opening up and becoming much more lively than before. They talked about everything from food to daily necessities, then to modern communication and transportation tools, comparing them to what Ouyang Han experienced. Hearing Chen Mengyao describe the conveniences of modern life, he began to yearn for it.

Time flew by as they chatted, and soon they arrived at the farm. As Chen Mengyao alighted from the carriage and entered the farm, the summer heat vanished instantly. A picturesque scene unfolded before her eyes. The farm was surrounded by lush rice paddies, the golden waves of wheat swaying gently in the breeze, rustling softly. A crystal-clear stream flowed beside the fields, its surface reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and distant mountains. Weeping willows lined the stream, their branches swaying in the wind, as if beckoning to her.

Walking along the ridges of the fields, Chen Mengyao came across an orchard. The fruit trees were laden with heavy fruit: bright red apples, golden pears, and glistening purple grapes, making one's mouth water. The orchard was filled with a rich, fragrant aroma, attracting swarms of bees and butterflies that danced among the blossoms. Further on was a vegetable garden. It was filled with all sorts of vegetables: lush green cabbages, bright red peppers, and glistening purple eggplants—a vibrant and beautiful sight. The farmers were busy in the garden, their faces beaming with the joy of a bountiful harvest.

At the heart of the farm was a large courtyard with several thatched cottages, their roofs thickly covered with thatch, giving them a rustic yet elegant feel. There was also a well in the courtyard; the water was cool and clear. Chen Mengyao couldn't resist drawing a bucket of water, washing her face, and immediately feeling refreshed. The courtyard was surrounded by blooming flowers, their vibrant colors vying for attention and releasing a fragrant aroma. Butterflies and bees busily flitted among the flowers, their silhouettes appearing and disappearing among the blossoms, adding a touch of life and vitality to this beautiful scene.

Chen Mengyao took a deep breath, savoring the freshness and tranquility of summer. She closed her eyes, as if hearing the breath of nature and feeling its warmth and power. In this farm, she seemed to have found inner peace and belonging, and a bright smile gradually bloomed on her face. The air here was so fresh, much more comfortable than in modern times. Living in an unpolluted environment like in ancient times wouldn't be bad. Ouyang Han, who had been following behind her, felt that bringing her here was the right decision, seeing her happy expression.

After Chen Mengyao finished looking around the farm, she asked Ouyang Han, "Where are those high-yield grains planted? Can you take me to see them?" Ouyang Han called over the person in charge of managing the farm and asked him to take Chen Mengyao and him to the fields where the high-yield grains were planted.

They quickly arrived at the fields under the jurisdiction of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. Upon seeing Prince Jing, they immediately knelt down to pay their respects. Ouyang Han told them to rise and then asked, "Have you planted the seeds? Did you plant them according to the methods I wrote down? Are there any problems with the planting? If you have any questions, please ask Miss Chen Mengyao beside me. She bought these from a traveling merchant." The Grand Minister of Agriculture's men quickly went to pay their respects to Chen Mengyao. They explained the situation regarding the seeds in detail and described the planting process.

Chen Mengyao nodded and said, "That's right, you've all done very well. That's exactly it. Just plant according to the planting method. You only need to fertilize, weed, and water regularly, but don't water too much. Especially fast-growing potatoes don't need to be watered so frequently, once every two or three times is enough, as they are quite drought-tolerant." The officials from the Ministry of Agriculture nodded quickly, and someone else took notes.

Seeing that they had all taken note of the instructions, Chen Mengyao told them to take good care of the seeds before leaving with Ouyang Han. Ouyang Han didn't forget to instruct the farm manager to prepare lunch for Chen Mengyao. Hearing that Ouyang Han still remembered this touched her heart.

A sumptuous lunch was quickly prepared, made entirely with vegetables, chickens, and fish raised on the farm. The table was laden with various delicious dishes, including roast chicken, braised pork, sweet and sour carp, steamed fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, cucumber salad, and more. These dishes were all made with vegetables grown on the farm and livestock raised there, resulting in a delicious and nutritious meal.

Chen Mengyao sat down and began to savor the delicious dishes. She first picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth, immediately feeling a rich, meaty aroma fill her mouth. The braised pork was tender and juicy, melting in her mouth, rich but not greasy, leaving a lingering aftertaste. Then she picked up a piece of roast chicken. The skin was golden and crispy, with an irresistible aroma. The chicken meat was tender and juicy, roasted to perfection, making it mouthwatering.

Next, Chen Mengyao picked up a piece of sweet and sour carp and put it in her mouth. The skin of the sweet and sour carp was crispy, the fish meat was tender, and the sweet and sour taste was very appetizing. Then, Chen Mengyao tasted some stir-fried vegetables and cucumber salad. These vegetables were all made from fresh vegetables grown on the farm, and they were delicious and nutritious. The stir-fried vegetables were refreshing, and the cucumber salad was sweet and sour, making her feel very comfortable.

In addition, there was a steamed fish, with tender and delicious flesh. It was sprinkled with scallions, ginger, garlic, and cilantro, adding a refreshing aroma. Finally, there was a soup made from bones and vegetables. The soup was rich in flavor and highly nutritious.

As Chen Mengyao savored the dishes, she experienced the unique flavors of the ancient farmhouse. Although these dishes lacked modern seasonings and cooking techniques, they preserved the original taste of the ingredients, allowing her to appreciate the bounty of nature. She praised the dishes highly and gained a deeper understanding of ancient culinary culture.

Seeing that she was eating with relish, Ouyang Han sat down to eat with her. Ouyang Han, this noble prince, was accustomed to fine dining and hadn't had high expectations for the farm's lunch. However, when he tasted it for the first time, he was amazed by its unique flavor.

The lunch at the farm, though lacking the refinement and luxury of his own palace, was filled with the essence of nature. Several kinds of fresh vegetables, freshly caught fish from the river, and a roast chicken were laid out on the table. These ingredients, though simple, exuded a rich aroma that made one's mouth water. Ouyang Han picked up his chopsticks, gently took a piece of green vegetable, and put it in his mouth. The fresh fragrance and tenderness of the vegetable spread in his mouth, giving him an unprecedented feeling of freshness and comfort. He couldn't help but exclaim, "This is real food!"

Then, Ouyang Han tasted another bite of the fresh fish. The freshness and delicacy of the fish filled him with immense satisfaction. He said, "This fish tastes even better than the ones in the Prince's mansion."

Besides vegetables and fresh fish, the farm's lunch also features a specialty dish—braised pork belly. Although it looks ordinary, it has a unique flavor. The braised pork belly is a bright reddish-brown, tender and juicy, and rich yet not greasy. Ouyang Han took a bite and was immediately captivated by its deliciousness. He said, "The taste of this dish is truly unforgettable." Finally, he picked up a piece of roast chicken and savored it. His taste buds were instantly conquered by the deliciousness of the roast chicken. The chicken was tender and juicy, with a crispy skin, roasted to perfection. The spices had permeated the chicken, making it even more delicious.

The prince closed his eyes, savoring the wonderful flavor. He felt the tranquility and nature of the farm, as if he were in a secluded world. This taste reminded him of the delicacies he ate in the palace as a child, but it was different. The roast chicken here was more rustic and natural, without excessive embellishment or seasoning, yet it allowed him to truly appreciate the flavor of the food itself.

After enjoying lunch at the farm, Ouyang Han felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and happiness. He said, "This is real life!" Chen Mengyao also exclaimed, "Indeed, farm life is truly delightful. Our environment is severely polluted; we rarely get to breathe such fresh air, see such beautiful scenery, or eat such completely unpolluted vegetables and meat. I want to stay here and never go back to Beijing." Ouyang Han said, "If you like, I can come here with you often." After lunch, Ouyang Han took Chen Mengyao to the villa.