After two days, Xiao Yunzhou personally praised Concubine Liu's skill in sewing winter clothes and went to the small courtyard where the female workers did their sewing to reward the outstanding ones.
Everyone was thrilled and knelt down to express their gratitude for the Emperor's benevolence.
"Rise," said Xiao Yunzhou, helping Concubine Liu up as she was about to kneel, and patting her hand.
"You've worked hard these days. Sending these winter clothes will allow the suffering people afflicted by the plague to use them first."
He looked at the needle-pricked fingers of Concubine Liu and felt even more indebted to her.
If not for the Little Princess's thoughts that only he as the Emperor could hear, Concubine Liu would not have injured her hands.
Even for minor incidents like Liu the Elder falling or hot tea spilling, the Little Princess would gasp in warning through her thoughts.
Alas, ordinary people were not blessed enough to experience such celestial alerts.
Alas.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yunzhou sympathetically pointed at Concubine Liu's hands, "Have the imperial physicians send some medicinal ointment later so it heals faster."
Concubine Liu rose, unaware of the Emperor's thoughts, otherwise she might have laughed out loud.
She was about to turn and ask Qiuli to prepare well water so the Emperor could boil tea himself later, but Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand to stop her.
"My presence here is impeding the workers' progress."
"Concubine Liu, accompany me to your family's courtyard to see your father."
Concubine Liu was taken aback.
A glint flashed in Xiao Yunzhou's eyes as he ordered the wet nurse to bring the infant Xiao Chuchu along in the carriage.
"I happen to have some matters concerning the common people to discuss with your father and elder brother."
[Huh?]
Even the infant Xiao Chuchu in the wet nurse's arms was surprised, but soon became delighted. [Yay, I get to go to my grandparents' place again? How wonderful, I do miss my grandfather a little. Last time I stayed too briefly and didn't get a good look at my uncle.]
[My uncle must have finished making those little firework toys he was developing. I want to play with them~]
Xiao Yunzhou's gaze flickered.
After boarding the carriage, he closed his eyes to rest, silently recalling another 'treasure' skill book the Little Princess had mentioned that day.
— 'Artificial Incubation of Duck Eggs and Rapid Duck Rearing Techniques'
"Your Majesty, we have arrived," said Wei Zheng, interrupting the Emperor's thoughts.
Xiao Yunzhou opened his eyes and before disembarking, he saw a row of people from the Liu Family standing at the entrance of their small courtyard.
Leading them was Liu the Elder, whose ancestors were village farmers, and who himself had ample experience in rural survival.
By his side was the beaming Old Madam of the Liu Family, vigorous in her movements. She was educated but also grew up feeding chickens in the village.
Half a step behind them was their eldest son, Liu Runnian, dressed in a scholar's robe, yet disliking study and fond of tinkering with small inventions.
When not at home, he would help his father farm and his mother raise the courtyard chickens.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty—"
"This student, Liu Runnian, pays respects to Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yunzhou's gaze flickered, and as the Liu Family members were about to kneel, he swiftly helped them up.
"No need for such formalities."
Liu the Elder's face flushed red. The Emperor increasingly valued their Liu Family these days!
Apart from their treasured granddaughter's celestial advice, it was also due to his own efforts!
He served diligently in the Ministry of Personnel, putting his heart and soul into his work!
His efforts had indeed not gone unnoticed, as the Emperor clearly saw them!
"Your Majesty, this subject is unworthy of Your noble presence gracing our humble abode!"
Liu the Elder was touched.
Then he saw Xiao Yunzhou walk past him after helping him up, going to his eldest son Liu Runnian behind him and helping him up as well.
He heard the Emperor address this unaccomplished, playful, unfilial son in a warm tone.
"Liu Runnian, in fact, I have come specifically to see you today."
"???"
Liu the Elder's mouth gaped open.
What?
What was this about?
Liu Runnian, dressed in a scholar's robe with a fair complexion and tall stature, also looked utterly bewildered at the Emperor holding his hand in an overly friendly manner!
"Runnian," Xiao Yunzhou patted his shoulder.
Liu Runnian: "!" What was going on?
Why was the Emperor addressing him like a brother?
He hadn't even taken the imperial examinations, let alone become a ranked scholar!
But Xiao Yunzhou glanced at the also wide-eyed infant Xiao Chuchu in the wet nurse's arms and chuckled.
Turning to the grown man before him, "The commander of My imperial guards mentioned seeing some new novelties on the streets a few days ago and wanted to share them with Me."
Liu Runnian's hands trembled.
Liu the Elder coughed lightly.
Xiao Yunzhou patted Liu Runnian's shoulder. "I didn't expect Old Master Liu to have raised such a talented and innovative son with remarkable hands-on abilities."
Liu the Elder: "???"
Those useless fireworks that could barely form words?
Those fireworks served no purpose!
That day when he heard the Little Princess's thoughts saying his eldest son neglected his studies and spent all day in the study room fiddling with things, he had disciplined the boy, making him kneel before the ancestral tablets to repent!
Yet Xiao Yunzhou actually took an interest in those worthless playthings?
Liu the Elder's mouth twitched.
Concubine Liu and the Old Madam of the Liu Family also lowered their heads, coughing lightly to suppress their laughter.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunzhou patted Liu Runnian's shoulder, feeling the man's muscular and sturdy build, unlike ordinary scholars.
He was the perfect candidate for developing artificial duck egg incubation and duck rearing techniques!
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes lit up.
"Come, let's go inside. I have something to ask you."
Xiao Yunzhou was remarkably amiable towards Liu Runnian.
For he had pondered for two nights, and apart from capturing that scapegoat Hongxing to increase pork production, he had no other candidates for developing duck eggs.
How could he discreetly guide the research without exposing the Little Princess's thoughts? Xiao Yunzhou was deeply troubled.
But yesterday, when he saw Concubine Liu, he had an idea!
Liu Runnian was a talented researcher of techniques, even more intelligent than Concubine Liu who had invented the silk spinning machine!
If he, the Emperor, subtly hinted at the secrets revealed by the Little Princess, Liu Runnian would most likely be able to develop the artificial incubation method!
Thinking of this, Xiao Yunzhou grew excited, instructing Wei Zheng to fetch stools.
"Come, be seated."
"The matter is this. Yesterday when I was strolling by the Imperial Kitchen, I overheard the cooks complaining that the consecutive floods this year had devastated many village chickens and ducks, resulting in an exceptionally high price for duck meat in the capital's markets. Even the kitchen staff could not afford duck for their New Year celebrations!"
Huh?
Liu Runnian had just sat down but was bewildered.
What?
What did the Emperor mean?
It was true that the palace cooks could not afford duck meat, and his Liu Family hadn't eaten duck for a long time either due to the floods.
The calamities indeed harmed the people!
But... then what?
Liu Runnian fidgeted, about to stand up. His knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics was merely superficial, like embroidery on a pillow or a bundle of straw - likely to be forgotten once he passed the provincial examination.
This year's imperial examinations were clearly beyond his abilities.
The Emperor hoped that Liu Runnian would excel in the Imperial Examination, and then send him to handle flood relief efforts, but that was clearly impossible!
Liu Runnian felt distressed at once.
Alas, he regretted not studying hard enough when he had the chance.
"Your Majesty, you care so much for the people, I... I... oh!"
He truly regretted it.
He wished he had studied diligently.
"Hmph!" Old Liu the Elder became angry seeing his behavior, especially after recalling what his granddaughter Xiao Chuchu had said about Liu Runnian's lack of ambition.
"Your Majesty, my unfilial son Runnian cannot be counted on for serious matters!"
"He is just playful at heart!"
"If the Imperial Kitchen needs a cook, you might as well summon him!"
Liu Runnian sighed and lowered his head.
Concubine Liu and the Old Madam of the Liu Family could not help but worry, but before they could speak to dissuade him, an adorable cooing sound was heard.
[What, lacking ducks?]
[How fortuitous! I happen to have artificial incubation and duck rearing techniques that can increase duck meat yield and production~]
The entire Liu Family was astonished.
Xiao Chuchu babbled on, [I know, incubating eggs in earthen jars or heated brick beds, using coal to regulate the temperature...]
Emperor Xiao Yunzhou's eyes lit up then, and he turned to Liu Runnian with a solemn expression.
"Runnian, I've observed that your fireworks are quite well-made."
"You are very clever. Look, regarding the incubation of these ducks, do you have any ideas for improvement?"
"...!"
The members of the Liu Family all lowered their heads in astonishment.
Liu Runnian opened his mouth, then closed it, mustering all his strength to avoid looking at the wet nurse holding his niece!
