In the Capital
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed. "You mean that because Empress Shengyao had people find high-yield crops and the people were no longer starving, the court is not imposing any restrictions on planting and brewing wine, is that right?"
Wu Zong said, "It's not that there shouldn't be any restrictions, as long as they're not excessive. If you buy a few estates and grow glutinous rice, and use that rice to brew wine, the court won't say anything. But if you encourage all the people of Nanyang to grow glutinous rice to brew wine, then there will be a big problem. This isn't a matter of food shortage, but rather a matter of the officials' encouragement. The officials of the court should encourage the people to grow more grains, not other things."
"I see." Zhao Ruxi thought for a moment and then said, "If all my estates grow glutinous rice, won't officials impeach me for not setting a good example for the people?"
Wu Zong nodded. "That's very possible. It's not a big deal if you're not an official; but if you are, you have to pay attention to this kind of issue."
At this point, he looked at Zhao Ruxi with puzzlement. "If you want to brew wine, why not just buy glutinous rice from all over the place? Why do you have to grow it yourself?"
Zhao Ruxi sighed, "I wish I could. But only the glutinous rice from Nanyang is good; rice from other places won't do."
"Oh?" Wu Zong frowned and thought for a moment, "If your wine is good enough to become tribute wine, then the imperial court won't say anything."
Zhao Ruxi's eyes lit up.
Since she can't mass-produce sealed-jar wine, she can definitely pursue a high-end, boutique approach. If the wine is good and becomes tribute wine, then selling it for two or three times the price of other wines would be quite normal.
Of course, her intention in brewing wine was to benefit the people of Nanyang, not to make money for herself. However, the high price of her wine would inevitably lead to a significant increase in the price of glutinous rice produced in Nanyang. If the imperial court relaxed restrictions to allow more people to grow glutinous rice in order to supply tribute wine, the people of Nanyang would benefit more from this. With higher incomes for the people, Nanyang's tax revenue would also increase accordingly.
With money, the Nanyang government was able to repair roads and bridges, build schools, and do many things that would benefit the people.
This is a good thing from every perspective.
Seeing that Zhao Ruxi had no further questions, Wu Zong stood up to take his leave. "Alright, I can't stay any longer, I'll head back to the post station now. You don't need to see me off tomorrow, I'll leave first thing in the morning."
Zhao Ruxi followed behind him to see him off, saying, "When you receive news from Sister Ruotong, you must write to me so I won't worry. Also, please let me know in advance when the engagement and wedding are scheduled."
Wu Zong glanced at her and said, "You should worry more about your own marriage."
Zhao Ruxi had the kitchen pack a large bag of pastries for Wu Zong. After seeing Wu Zong off, she returned and instructed the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous breakfast for the next day, and asked Zhou Chun to take some local gifts to the post station.
Back in her courtyard, she sat on a recliner, holding the plush toy Qingfeng had made, and stared blankly for a while before sitting down at the table to write a letter to Xiao Lingyan.
After finishing the letter, she immediately summoned her bodyguard and handed it to him.
The next day, as soon as the gates of Nanyang opened, the disguised guard rode away from Nanyang. By Wushi, he had appeared in the capital, and the letter, after being transferred twice, was quickly delivered to Xiao Lingyan.
At that moment, he was sitting in the Ministry of Ministry of Works ' office, looking at Xiao Linghan who was sitting opposite him, who was talking incessantly, his eyes full of impatience.
"... Fourth Brother is only telling you this because he cares about you. You have to go and see for yourself to know if he's a good person, right? You're still not engaged, and many talented young men in the capital are resentful because the best noble ladies in the capital are unwilling to get engaged and are all looking at you with longing."
Xiao Lingyan looked at him with a half-smile, "Fourth Brother, why are you suddenly concerned about your younger brother's marriage? Father and Mother aren't worried at all, what are you getting so worked up about?"
"Hey, it's all because of your fourth sister-in-law. She's been following me around every day, wanting me to introduce you to her best friend. I've been pestered by her relentlessly, haven't I?"
As Xiao Linghan spoke, she stood up and bowed to Xiao Lingyan: "Fifth Brother, could you help your Fourth Brother? Just one meeting. If you feel it's not appropriate, just refuse directly, so she can give up."
"I'm sorry, I can't do that. If I were to ask, believe it or not, I wouldn't have to do anything else but go out and see people every day."
As he spoke, Xiao Lingyan's face darkened. "What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I have to put on a smiling face to see other people?"
"Uh, you can't say that." Xiao Linghan looked embarrassed. "You still have to get married, don't you? How do you know which of those noble ladies in the capital would be suitable to be your Consort of the Prince of Qi?"
"No need for you to trouble yourself, Fourth Brother." Xiao Lingyan took the teacup and took a sip. "I still have official business at the yamen, so I'll keep you here for a chat, Fourth Brother."
Xiao Linghan stood up awkwardly, said a few more kind words, and then left.
Xiao Lingyan stared at his retreating figure, his eyes icy cold.
Within their faction, Xiao Lingpu and Fu Yunlang married daughters of the Cen Family, Fu Yunkai married a daughter of the Mu Family. Only he remained unmarried.
Seeing that even though he had built the Prince of Qi's Residence outside, he still returned to the palace for a night or two from time to time because he was not yet married, the various factions in the capital were worried that he had won over the Emperor or was doing something, and they were also worried that his marriage alliance with other factions would be detrimental to them. So they couldn't sit still and began to guide his marriage.
Many families who wanted to marry into wealth also coveted the position of Consort of the Prince of Qi. They would go to the Cen Family to speak on his behalf, or pass messages to Xiao Ge, or send girls to intercept him on the way. They used all sorts of methods to try and obtain the position of Consort of the Prince of Qi.
Xiao Ge's attitude towards him has changed drastically. He originally didn't want to interfere in his marriage after Xiao Ge explained. However, various people came to him to propose marriage, which became a nuisance. Xiao Ge also tried to bestow a marriage upon him several times.
Even Xiao Lingheng carefully selected several marriage proposals for him.
Xiao Linghan came today simply because he felt weak and wanted to join forces with them to deal with the Crown Prince and the Third Prince Xiao Lingheng, so he wanted to give him a woman from who-knows-where.
Seeing that there were no outsiders in the room, the guard came over and handed Xiao Lingyan a letter. "Your Highness, this is your letter."
It was a blank envelope with nothing written on it, but Xiao Lingyan treasured it like a priceless gem.
He took the letter and went into the inner room. "Do not let anyone disturb me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Tearing open the blank outer envelope revealed another envelope inside, with only one line of German text written in the recipient's section, which translates to "Dearest" in Chinese.
Xiao Lingyan quickly opened the letter and read it once. After reading it again, he took out a tinderbox, burned the letter, and sat there thinking for a while before calling Xiao Liuzi in and instructing him, "Go and buy some novelties, and send word to the palace that I will return to the palace to have dinner with my mother after I finish my official duties."