From cute to empress

Chapter 258 The Secret of the Jade Seal

"This is what I gained when I recovered lost territory on the frontier. It is of extraordinary significance. Today I present it to Your Majesty to congratulate Your Majesty on your achievements. May our dynasty remain forever strong!" Zhen Youcai said, respectfully raising the jade seal with both hands.

I stared at the imperial seal, my mind blank. This... isn't this the lost imperial seal from the previous dynasty? How did it appear here?

"Your Majesty, this is a wonderful item!" The Minister of Personnel beside him said excitedly, "With this jade seal, our dynasty will be legitimate and last for thousands of years!"

Other ministers also echoed, their words full of excitement and excitement.

But I couldn't feel happy at all. Instead, I felt even more uneasy. The seal had come in such a strange way that I couldn't believe it.

"You're talented," I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the uneasiness in my heart, "Where did you get this jade seal?"

Zhen Youcai seemed to notice something was wrong with me. He raised his head, looked at me firmly, and said, "Mengmeng, don't worry. This jade seal is from a legitimate source and is definitely not something of unknown origin. I..."

He was about to explain when a thunderous cheer suddenly came from outside the hall.

"It's General Zhen! General Zhen is back!"

"Welcome General Zhen's triumphant return!"

I was shocked and hurried outside the palace. I saw that the square in front of the palace was crowded with people. The people were waving flowers in their hands, cheering, and their faces were filled with joy and excitement.

Zhen Youcai was dressed in military uniform, riding a tall horse, and walking slowly. Every step he took brought even more enthusiastic cheers from the people.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live General Zhen!"

The deafening sound resounded through the sky. I looked at the scene in front of me with mixed feelings.

That night, I held a grand celebration banquet for Zhen Youcai in the palace.

"Come here, Youcai, I'll toast you with this glass of wine to thank you for your great contributions to our dynasty!" I raised the glass and said with a smile.

"I don't deserve it. This is what I should do." Zhen Youcai took the wine glass and drank it all.

"Brother Youcai is the best!" On the side, my royal brother, now the crown prince, also raised his glass with a smile.

The banquet was filled with singing and dancing, and the atmosphere was very lively.

I looked at everything before me, but I couldn't really relax. The jade seal was like a huge rock, pressing down on my heart, making it hard to breathe.

After the banquet, I left Zhen Youcai alone.

"Mengmeng, what's wrong? Are you still worried about the jade seal?" Zhen Youcai looked at me and asked softly.

I nodded and told him my concerns.

"Silly girl," Zhen Youcai smiled and touched my head. "Why would I do something that would make you worry? Don't worry, I'll go find Mr. Tian and the agronomy doctor tomorrow and ask them to come..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the shrill voice of the eunuch outside the door: "Your Majesty, Mr. Tian and the Doctor of Agronomy request an audience!"

"Xuan!" I calmed myself down and suppressed the uneasiness in my heart.

Laonong Tian and the doctor of agronomy walked into the hall, both with unconcealable joy on their faces.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor!" The two men saluted respectfully.

"My dear ministers, please stand," I gestured for them to stand. "I have entered the palace late at night, but have you made any new progress in agricultural innovation?"

Farmer Tian and the agronomy doctor exchanged a glance, both smiling with satisfaction. Farmer Tian spoke first, "Your Majesty, after all this hard work, we've successfully developed a brand new rice variety. Not only does it yield 30% more than before, it's also more resistant to drought and flooding!"

"Really?" Zhen Youcai and I asked in unison, our tone full of surprise.

"Absolutely true!" The doctor of agronomy pulled a cloth bag from his bosom and carefully opened it. Inside was golden rice. "Your Majesty, please look! This is the new variety of rice we've cultivated. We've named it 'Harvest No. 1.'"

I picked up a grain of rice, held it in my hand and looked at it carefully. I saw that the rice grains were full, golden in color, and exuded a faint fragrance.

"Good! Good! Good!" I said "good" three times in a row, my heart filled with excitement. "Thank you for your hard work, my two beloved ministers. You have made great contributions to our dynasty!"

"It is our honor to share your majesty's worries!" said Laonong Tian and the doctor of agronomy in unison.

"Youcai, what do you think..." I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, wanting to hear his opinion.

Zhen Youcai took the rice from my hand, examined it carefully, and a look of admiration crossed his face. "You two have worked so hard! You've done a great job for the country!" He turned to Mr. Tian and the agronomy doctor and said, "Her Majesty has always cared deeply about the people and the development of agriculture. Seeing your achievements, she will surely be very pleased."

"Yes," I continued, "Agriculture is the foundation of a country. Only when agriculture develops can the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the country enjoy long-term stability." I paused, then continued, "Rest assured, my two ministers, I will fully support your work and ensure that 'Harvest No. 1' is quickly promoted throughout the country, benefiting the people of the world!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Mr. Tian and the agronomy doctor knelt down excitedly to express their gratitude.

At this moment, the previously silent Merchant A suddenly stood up. He walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply to me, and said in a loud voice, "I have witnessed the achievements of our dynasty's agricultural innovation with my own eyes today, and I am deeply delighted! I am willing to contribute my humble efforts to the promotion of 'Harvest No. 1' and make additional investments..." He paused, as if considering something, and then said word by word, "Fifty thousand taels of silver!"

"What?" Zhen Youcai and I both stood up in surprise.

"Fifty thousand taels?" I repeated in surprise, hardly believing my ears. Fifty thousand taels of silver is no small sum, and the fact that Rich Merchant A was so generous must have shown that he was very optimistic about the prospects of Harvest No. 1.

Zhen Youcai couldn't hide his excitement. He stepped forward, patted Rich Businessman A on the shoulder, and said loudly, "Great! Your words put my mind at ease! I believe that with everyone's joint efforts, 'Harvest No. 1' will surely flourish and bear fruit across the country, benefiting millions of people!"

Merchant A's generosity seemed to have touched everyone present. Even County Magistrate B, who had been somewhat hesitant, stepped forward. He walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply, and said firmly, "Your Majesty, I used to have some doubts about agricultural innovation, but after witnessing the achievements of Harvest No. 1 with my own eyes today, I am deeply impressed! When I return, I will vigorously promote this new technology in my jurisdiction to benefit the farmers. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

"Great! Great!" I uttered the word "Great" twice excitedly, my heart filled with hope. Looking at these people working so hard for their country and their people, I felt incredibly gratified and even more determined to lead them in creating a better life.

Just then, a peasant woman in simple clothes walked out of the crowd, holding a cloth bag in her hand. She walked up to Zhen Youcai and me and knelt down tremblingly.

"Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty and the General!" Peasant Woman C's voice choked with emotion. She raised her head and looked at us with tears in her eyes. "This is the food I grew with my own hands. It's a small token of my respect, but please accept it, Your Majesty and the General!"

I quickly stepped forward to help Farmer C up, took the cloth bag from her hand, opened it and saw that it was filled with a bag of golden rice, which was "Harvest No. 1".

"This is..." My nose felt sore and a warm feeling surged in my heart.

"Your Majesty, General, you are the best emperor and general in the world!" Peasant Woman C said, choking with tears. "Ever since you promoted agricultural innovation, our lives as farmers have become much better. This year's harvest has doubled compared to previous years. It's all thanks to you!"

Looking at Farmer C's sincere eyes and listening to her heartfelt words of gratitude, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I held her hand tightly and said firmly, "Don't worry, Auntie. Youcai and I will continue to work hard to ensure that all our people can live a good life!"

It was late at night. After seeing everyone off, Zhen Youcai and I walked side by side in the imperial garden. The bright moonlight sprinkled on us, as if covering the earth with a layer of silver gauze.

"Youcai, look, the moon is so round tonight..." I raised my head, looked at the bright moon in the night sky, and said softly.

Zhen Youcai followed my gaze, his lips curled up slightly, his deep eyes reflecting the moonlight and my figure. "Yes..." He gently held my hand, his tone gentle, "The full moon brings people together..." "Yes..." Zhen Youcai gently held my hand, his tone gentle, "The full moon brings people together... We can be together again."

I rested my head gently on his shoulder, taking in this moment of peace and warmth. For a while now, the border wars have been intense, and he's been leading his troops abroad, while I've been busy at the palace, working on agricultural reforms. We've been apart for so long, missing each other, but only able to express our thoughts through letters. Now, he's finally returned triumphantly, and we can finally share our hearts like a normal married couple, under the moonlight.

"Youcai, you know, although this period has been arduous, I feel very fulfilled." I looked up at his resolute profile and said softly, "Seeing Harvest No. 1 thriving in the fields and seeing the happy smiles on the faces of the people, I feel that all the hard work has been worth it."

"You did a great job, Mengmeng." Zhen Youcai turned his head and looked at me affectionately. "You are not only a good wife, but also a good empress."

"All of this is inseparable from your support and dedication." I squeezed his hand. "If it weren't for you guarding the country's borders, how could I implement the new policies in the rear with peace of mind?"

"You and I are one, husband and wife. Why should we separate ourselves?" Zhen Youcai scratched my nose lovingly and said with a smile, "Seeing you work so hard for the people and the country, my heart aches and I am proud at the same time."

"Oh, Youcai, I have another idea..." I suddenly thought of something, my eyes sparkling with excitement, "I want to promote the 'Harvest No. 1' planting technology throughout the country, so that all people can enjoy the fruits of agricultural innovation!"

"This is a great thing that benefits both the country and the people. I fully support it!" Zhen Youcai said without hesitation, "I will do my best to help you realize this wish!"

I smiled happily, my heart filled with hope for the future. I believe that as long as my husband and I work together, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and create a better tomorrow.

"Let's go and take a look at the fields!" I grabbed Zhen Youcai's hand and ran towards the fields. There, old farmer Tian should still be testing the new farm tools I bought from overseas.

"Hey, wait for me..." Zhen Youcai quickly caught up with me, a doting smile on his face.