I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 59:

Chapter 59:

By the time Chu Shaoyuan changed his clothes and came out, Su Qingyao had already reached the pondside and was strolling leisurely.

Chu Shaoyuan didn’t order anyone to call her back, merely telling Lou Duzhou, Have the Junior Eunuchs keep a close watch.

When giving instructions to Lou Duzhou, he often spoke only half a sentence, yet Lou Duzhou always understood. Upon hearing this, he replied, I’ve already given the order. The lads are sharp and won’t let Her Majesty come to any harm.

Chu Shaoyuan nodded and went straight down to the fields.

If they were to return early today, they needed to finish their tasks ahead of schedule. Chu Shaoyuan was not one to dawdle; he avoided delays whenever possible and carried out his work with efficiency.

Meanwhile, Su Qingyao had completed a lap around the pond. A light sweat had broken out, leaving her feeling much more comfortable. The scenery here was limited to mountains and water, with nothing else of note, so she called Liuqin to accompany her back to the octagonal pavilion, where she sat down to drink tea and read.

Even if she was doing the same things as usual, being out in the open air made her mood entirely different.

After reading for a while, Su Qingyao found her gaze drifting involuntarily toward Chu Shaoyuan. Under the blazing sun, beads of sweat dotted his handsome face. His lips were pressed lightly together, and his dark eyes were fixed intently on the seedlings in the field, radiating focus.

Perhaps because the weather was exceptionally hot, Chu Shaoyuan had casually donned a short tunic, with his sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, revealing his slender yet sturdy arms. Having seldom been exposed to sunlight, his fair arms retained a smooth, pale glow that suited him perfectly.

Su Qingyao watched him quietly for a while. Whether it was due to the heat or something else, she eventually found herself blushing and buried her face back in her book.

As a young emperor, Chu Shaoyuan had a remarkably unpretentious demeanor. Su Qingyao hadn’t realized how much he enjoyed farming until now. Seeing how skilled and natural his movements were, unlike those of a novice, she inwardly admitted she had underestimated him.

One busy, the other at leisure—time flew by unnoticed, and before they knew it, it was time for the midday meal. Chu Shaoyuan went to change his clothes, while Su Qingyao went to the main hall to freshen up.

The same young palace maid from last time was bustling about attending to her. Su Qingyao recognized her at once and promptly instructed Liuqin to give her a heavy sachet. Last time, I was unwell and didn’t think to handle these matters. You’ve worked hard—take this and get yourself a new set of undergarments.

The young maid blushed, accepted the sachet hesitantly, and curtsied to Su Qingyao. This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for the reward.

Su Qingyao smiled. You work diligently here and deserve to be rewarded.

Once she had tidied up, Su Qingyao stepped out of the room and saw Chu Shaoyuan, now changed into a light, flowing long gown, standing by the pond with his hands behind his back, lost in thought.

Su Qingyao approached him quietly and said softly from behind, Your Majesty, the midday meal is ready.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced back at her but didn’t move. Instead, he pointed at the pond and said, Now the lotus leaves stretch lush and wide, the flowers sway gracefully. When autumn comes and the harvest is in, we’ll have fresh lotus roots to eat.

At this moment, the lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, a truly beautiful sight.

The lotus roots from the imperial estates are particularly sweet and crisp, different from the glutinous ones from Qing Lake. They’re delicious even when lightly stir-fried, Su Qingyao replied with a smile.

You certainly pay close attention to matters of food and daily life, Chu Shaoyuan remarked. When the lotus roots from Qing Lake are presented as tribute, I’ll reward you with a basket to enjoy.

Su Qingyao smiled again, her dimples faintly visible. Then this subject thanks Your Majesty in advance for the reward.

Hearing her laughter, Chu Shaoyuan couldn’t help but curve the corners of his lips upward.

He brought her along even when visiting the imperial manor not because of any national fortune or imperial fate, but simply because he enjoyed her company. With her, he never felt bored or burdened; instead, he was always cheerful and couldn’t help but smile.

The bond between people is truly wondrous.

Initially, he had approached her because of her unique destiny, but as they grew familiar and continuously discovered how well they complemented each other, that initial reason faded into the background. What remained in the end was simply that the two of them were well-suited.

In his previous life, he had never interacted with her like this. They had missed the chance from the very beginning, eventually becoming like strangers living in the same palace yet never crossing paths.

But Chu Shaoyuan felt no regret.

He was never one to dwell on the past. Some things were meant to be left behind; living well in the present and seeing the future clearly were what truly mattered.

The two of them stood by the pond for a while, and Chu Shaoyuan recited a poem. Su Qingyao thought for a moment and followed with one of her own, creating an air of a talented scholar and a beautiful lady.

Lou Duzhou watched from the side, growing increasingly anxious. The conditions here were simple, and the imperial meal had been prepared rather plainly. If it were to go cold before being eaten, it would be the attendants like him who would bear the blame.

Yet here were their masters, composing poetry on empty stomachs, as if this shabby pond held some inexplicable elegance.

No matter how much he grumbled inwardly, his expression remained perfectly composed. Fortunately, Su Qingyao was aware of her hunger. After standing for a short while, she advised, Your Majesty, the lunch will grow cold. If we eat it later, it might upset your stomach.

Only then did Chu Shaoyuan nod and turn to walk with her toward the octagonal pavilion.

By then, the lunch had been laid out in the pavilion. For convenience, the Imperial Kitchen had prepared a hot pot with a rich broth simmered since the previous night, already filled with an assortment of stewed ingredients. The charcoal fire had been extinguished, making it the perfect temperature to eat.

The remaining four hot dishes had lost their warmth, but Chu Shaoyuan didn’t seem to mind. He simply said to Su Qingyao, Eat less of these and have the hot pot instead.

Su Qingyao was slightly taken aback and glanced discreetly at him, only to find him already picking up his chopsticks to eat, as if he hadn’t said anything particularly significant.

Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.

Strangely enough, sometimes Chu Shaoyuan seemed as dense as a block of wood, making odd decisions, while at other times, he was as considerate as a warm coat. After seeing her fall ill from the summer heat last time, he had stubbornly decided she was frail, and today, he wouldn’t even let her eat cold dishes.

But the Emperor’s concern was exceptionally precious, and Su Qingyao was not one to take it for granted. Upon hearing his words, she obediently ate only from the hot pot.

To suit the occasion, the Imperial Kitchen’s chef had also prepared a small basket of corn iron cakes, each no larger than a child’s palm, golden and glistening. With one bite, the soft and crispy textures melded together, the aroma of corn flooding the senses and revealing the true essence of the grain.

Though small, these cakes were surprisingly satisfying. Chu Shaoyuan ate eight in one go before feeling content. Su Qingyao, after having just two, could eat no more and sat watching him eat with curiosity.

During meals in the palace, Chu Shaoyuan always wore a stern expression, never seeming to enjoy anything he ate. The exquisite delicacies appeared to hold no appeal for him, failing to stir his interest.

Though Su Qingyao often accompanied him for meals, she had never been able to discern what he truly liked to eat.

Seeing him eat so greedily today, she couldn’t help but feel surprised and quickly whispered a reminder: Your Majesty, please don’t eat too much, or you might suffer from indigestion later.

Chu Shaoyuan paused the hand holding his chopsticks, tilted his head to glance at her. Su Qingyao slightly shrunk her neck and looked up, only to find he wasn’t angry—instead, there was a touch of warmth in his gaze.

It’s fine, Chu Shaoyuan actually whispered close to her ear, I can actually eat quite a lot; this amount is nothing.

It was the first time Su Qingyao had heard Chu Shaoyuan say something so down-to-earth, and she nearly couldn’t hold back a laugh.

But you still shouldn’t eat so many corn cakes, Su Qingyao hesitated but felt she should advise him, The imperial chefs can make these cakes; you can always order a meal when we return to the palace.

Chu Shaoyuan looked at her again but seriously shook his head: It’s not the same.

As for why it wasn’t the same, he didn’t explain, and Su Qingyao didn’t feel it appropriate to ask further.

However, Chu Shaoyuan still showed some restraint. After finishing the tenth cake, he stopped eating and drank a large bowl of hot soup, finally looking satisfactorily full.

Su Qingyao thought about it and actually wanted to ask if he didn’t get enough to eat in the palace. It seemed like he hadn’t eaten for days, given how startlingly he was devouring his food.

After the midday meal, Chu Shaoyuan stood up and said to her, After eating, one should walk more. Don’t common folks say, ‘A hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine’? Let’s try it too.

Su Qingyao didn’t know what to say, feeling that Chu Shaoyuan seemed different outside the palace, but she also thought it was quite nice. He talked more, was more amiable, and very approachable.

I’ve heard that saying, Su Qingyao said with a smile, I often walk around in the palace too.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced at her, clearly quite skeptical.

Really, last time was just an accident, Su Qingyao said, her voice growing softer, I’ve never worked in the fields before, and with the hot weather, naturally…

She didn’t finish, but Chu Shaoyuan understood. He uncomfortably touched his nose, feeling that Consort Zhaoyi was somewhat complaining about him.

What I say, you must listen, Chu Shaoyuan finally concluded.

Su Qingyao looked up at him, saw his earlobes turning red again, and tried hard to suppress her secret delight, saying seriously, Yes, thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I will certainly keep it in mind.

The topic was thus dropped. The two walked slowly around the small pond, and once they had digested their food, Chu Shaoyuan led Su Qingyao back to the imperial fields.

The seedlings of this season had grown much taller, looking green and sturdy. Even if they didn’t yield a bumper harvest, they certainly wouldn’t be far from it.

Chu Shaoyuan looked at the lush green rice fields with considerable pride.

In his previous life, it had taken six years to achieve results, but in this life, in just over half a year, he had successfully established these double-cropping rice seedlings. If they could truly harvest abundantly next year, the common people would be able to eat this rice earlier, and more people would have enough to eat.

When he first heard the two masters say that the nation’s fortune was short-lived, Chu Shaoyuan had been distressed, even losing sleep night after day, tossing and turning. He wanted to change the nation’s fate, to alter his own Imperial fate, but he didn’t know how to do it. That period had been the most difficult to endure.

Later, he came to terms with it himself.

If he worked hard to do better, even better than in his previous life, at least during the Jianyuan era, the people could live and work in peace and contentment, safe and happy.

One cannot be greedy.

Achieve one, then strive for two; reach two, then look forward to three. If one leaps directly from one to ten, that is not hope, but blind fantasy.

After coming to this realization, Chu Shaoyuan felt the burden on his shoulders lighten somewhat, yet also grow heavier.

These lush double-cropping rice fields were the two he needed to strive for. Now laid out before his eyes, they were clearly more than halfway accomplished.

How could he not be overjoyed?

Seeing the smile on his face, Su Qingyao couldn’t help but smile as well. This rice will surely spread across the fertile fields of Great Liang one day, ensuring our people are well-fed and well-clothed.

Chu Shaoyuan turned to look at her, revealing the brightest smile he had shown in a long time.

It certainly will.

This was a future he knew would undoubtedly come to pass—thus his full confidence, thus his fearlessness toward failure.

When we harvest next year, I shall invite you to taste the first basket of imperial rice with me, Chu Shaoyuan said, his eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight.

Once again, Su Qingyao’s heart wavered.

Very well, Your Majesty. This humble consort already looks forward to it.

Author’s note:

Your Majesty: Next year, I’ll treat you to steaming white rice! Fragrant and delicious!

Consort Zhaoyi: …How wonderful, how touching!