Goldfield
Chapter 176: Princess Consort

"They're here, they're here!" When the mob saw horse carts and donkey carts stacked high with watermelon, they immediately broke into a frenzy and automatically retreated to make room for the carts.

Li Li, whose head was covered in sweat, finally managed to break through the people. He squeezed himself in front of the donkey wagon and wiped away the sweat that had pooled on his forehead. He exclaimed in a rather exaggerated manner, “My little girl ah, you are finally here! If the watermelon does not arrive soon, then everyone here will tear me apart!”

Another familiar figure also managed to push forward. It was the Yao Family's servant. Yesterday, she had a meal with Li Li and commented in a familiar tone, “Who dares to make trouble for Mr Li ?! Everyone knows that the imperial envoy appreciates Mr Li very much!”

“Valued highly? I have been delegated here to sell watermelon. I am definitely not someone who is highly valued ah! Li Li made fun of himself in a way that he thought was funny.

However, Yu Xiaocao simply raised an eyebrow in response, “Oh? I'm just asking you to help us for two days and you've been complaining and whining? I understand, I understand ah! In the future, I will only prepare smaller portions of food for godfathers to bring the dock.”.

"NO! Please no! In addition to your family's boiled food, the rest of the food available at the pier is not worth it. However, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to buy one serving when I am in line. Without the food you send, how can I eat in the future ah?! Xiaocao, my little lady, just assume I didn't say anything before, okay? Being able to help my little miss, it was truly a blessing of three lives.” Compared to Wu Yun, Li Li's personality was a little more lively. Thus, he can say some things more amusing and do a more amusing expression without looking strange.

“Don't just stand there and chat ah! Quick, we are all waiting to buy watermelon!” They were not sure who was complaining loudly, but it was clear that the person did not know the strength behind the melon holder. A customer next to the man graciously whispered into his ear and explained. Immediately, the man deflated and crouched down to avoid being seen by Li Li's sharp eyes.

There were quite a number of people who came by the wagon and Li Li was also there to help. Thus, two carts full of watermelon were quickly lowered into the store. The previously empty and empty shelves are now full of round and plump watermelons.

People who have been waiting for a long time in front of the store can finally buy watermelon. The store, which was not large at first, was soon filled with customers.

After Steward Yao finished helping them down the watermelon, she smiled at Xiaocao, “Do you remember the two watermelons you gave us yesterday? That afternoon, two of our master's old friends came to visit, so he inevitably showed off a little and invited them out. Unexpectedly, both of his friends bothered him to give watermelon! Out of annoyance, our old master ordered me to line up at dawn today and told me to buy a lot. He plans to hold a 'watermelon tasting event' during the day.”.

When Yu Xiaocao heard this, he could not help but laugh. There is a common saying among people: Old boy, old boy!! Sure enough, as people get older, they tend to act like children. Two old friends of old Yao could even forcefully take their host's watermelon. On the other hand, Old Yao, to show off, had to hold a 'watermelon tasting event'. This is really too funny!

Xiaocao personally selected over a dozen first-rate watermelons for Steward Yao. Perhaps it was because he spent every day near the little god stone, but he was starting to be able to sense spiritual energy. For example, he could vaguely sense the spiritual energy found in that little divine stone's 'water bath. As for this watermelon, its maturity and sweetness depended on the amount of spiritual energy they had absorbed from the mystical stone water. Therefore, he could vaguely tell which one had a higher concentration of energy and would likely taste better.

After Steward Yao paid for her things, it was as if the floodgates had opened. After that, Yu Xiaocao could only sit next to the money box and had no chance to leave. It's really an experience of receiving so much money until his hands hurt ah!

The watermelon on display on the shelf quickly sold out. Mother's Eldest Aunt, Madame Han, continuously moved the watermelon from the backyard to the shelves. After one shelf became empty, he quickly filled it with more watermelon. There was more work than she could handle on her own, so Granny Yao helped out as well.

The two men, Yu Hai and Li Li, quickly brought the two carts back to Dongshan Village. They plan to transport two more carts full of watermelon to the store that afternoon so they can sell more the next day.

The rich people in the city usually interact closely with each other. Many families who bought watermelon yesterday also invited friends and family to taste it. Everyone who tasted the Yu Family watermelon immediately became a fan of the fruit. Since they could not eat enough at the home of their relatives or friends to satisfy their desires, they all sent servants or came alone to queue. Thus, the frenzy of people scrambling to buy watermelons once again occurred at the Yu Family watermelon stall.

“Eh? What kind of store is there; it's very much alive!” The quiet yet luxurious horse carriage stopped not far from 'Tanggu Watermelon Shop'. A pair of pale and soft hands lightly opened the window curtain of the carriage and the person peeked.

Next to the carriage was a handsome young man riding a large horse. She glanced at the melon shop and leaned over to speak softly to the person on the carriage, "Mother, that must be the place of the watermelon ..."

The person called 'mother' by that handsome young man was a housewife who used to be beautiful. His face was pale and looked very thin. Every move he made seemed weak and lacking, but he still had a hint of innate elegance. The warden coughed lightly twice and took the cup proffered from a servant. He soaked his throat and replied in a soft and smooth voice, “Welcome up? Is watermelon only available in summer? Did you tell me that the watermelon in Tanggu City matures earlier than the one in the capital?

The handsome young man also looked a bit confused, “I'm not sure! We have just reached the end of spring, so how can there be watermelons for sale? Little Zhuozi, our farm also grows watermelon, right?”

The warden became interested in the watermelon stall and gently but firmly stated, “Xiaoer, buy a watermelon and bring it here. Let's try and see how it feels.”

“Bu, watermelon is a kind of cold food. Recently you have not felt well, so do not buy watermelon now, okay?” The handsome young man frowned deeply and replied with a worried tone.

The long and big eyes of the beautiful woman faintly glanced at him. His willow-shaped brows furrowed for a while as he anxiously said, “Ah. It's not like you don't know this! You even said that you accompanied me here to help me relax. It's with great difficulty even I have an appetite to eat fruit, yet you have all kinds of reasons not to buy.aiyo, my chest hurts..”.

Oh, it happened again! A helpless expression appeared on the handsome young man's face. Although her mother was almost forty years old, she still had the personality and disposition of a young girl. He always needed someone to praise and protect him. However, she was not grateful at all and always complained that this or that was always painful! This was all caused by his father spoiling him!! Who in the capital did not know that His Highness, Prince Jing, was a hundred percent maniac who indulged his wife?

"Mother! Before you left, what did you promise me? You have personally promised that you will always listen to my ideas about food and lodging! We only traveled out of the capital for a few days, so how can you forget this?” The handsome young man, Zhu Junxi, was Prince Jing's second son, and was currently sadly trying to persuade his mother.

Empress Jing's big eyes flickered. He decided to continue his shameless behavior and covered his chest with his hands. Shouts of pain and resentment escaped from him as he continued to complain, “Didn't you promise your father that you will follow what I say when it's true and it makes sense to avoid making me angry ah? Right now I have no appetite and want to eat fruit. That doesn't make sense!”

In front of Empress Jing's shameless act, her two personal servants, Meixiang and Lanxiang, both lowered their heads and continued to perform their routine duties. They had seen scenes like this happen many times before. The empress was always pampered by the prince and also had three sons to protect her. Whenever he wanted his way, he would always act painlessly. The old and young masters loved him very much, so he always won in the end.

Zhu Junxi quietly sighed and tried to fight one last time. She gently tried to persuade him, “Mother, do you still remember why you went to Tanggu? If you eat watermelon, which is cold food, and eventually become sicker, then when Third Sister comes home, she will blame herself!

Why would Empress Jing appear in a small town like Tanggu? He had many reasons—— his third son, Zhu Junyang, had been at sea for over half a year. Since he left, no messages have been sent home. He was constantly thinking about and worrying about her until she got sick. Therefore, he really should come here to inquire about any news.

The ocean is full of danger. Strong winds and water often appeared at that very moment. In fact, if the luck of his third son was not good enough, then he might have drowned in the ocean during the test of his previous voyage. How could he not be worried after he had been gone for over half a year? Tanggu is a city that has the closest port to the high seas. Coming here was like being a little closer to his youngest son. By doing so, his agitated heart could finally calm down a little.

Prince Jing also saw his beloved wife slowly slumping down day after day for missing her son. That was the reason why he allowed his second son to take him out and dispel his worries. Had he not been busy recently, he would have personally accompanied her as well.

When the topic of her youngest son came out, Empress Jing's eyes instantly dimmed. Previously, he had mostly faked his distress, but now he was completely upset. All his worries and anxiety over his youngest son flowed into his heart and almost made it difficult to breathe.

His youngest son had long been interested in traveling by boat. Ever since she was young, she had always been near her older cousin——the current emperor——and saw diligently the model of the ship that was slowly made by the hands of her cousin. The little guy, who was only about three to four years old at the time, had set an ambitious goal that day——that when he got older, was, he would become an adventurer in the distant seas and bring back rare and strange objects.from far away the land returns home to dispel his mother's boredom!

He had previously rejected it as a child's dream and had never expected that, ten years later, his youngest son had actually made a long journey across the ocean to find a distant and unknown land. However, he had been gone for over half a year. How could she, as his mother, not constantly worry about him?

“Enjoy, do you feel pain again? Lanxiang, where is His Majesty's pill? Quickly grab one and help Your Majesty pick it up!” Meixiang could feel that her employer was not feeling well and hurriedly poured her a glass of warm water. He then took out a lengxiang pill and helped his master take it.

Zhu Junxi knew that she had said the wrong thing and caused her mother to become anxious again. She quickly got down, lifted the curtain of the carriage, and asked with concern, “Mother, please don't worry. The crew were all experienced sailors who had previously sailed with the emperor. I'm sure Third Sister will be home soon safely and healthily.”

After taking her medicine, Empress Jing felt a little better. He smiled weakly at his son, “This is an old disease again. I'm fine, don't worry.”

When Zhu Junxi saw her mother's skin slightly improving, she relaxed a little. He commented with a slight tone of blame, “With parents here, one must not travel far! Third Sister is really too brash. She knows Mom has a problem with her heart but she still insists on leaving.”.

"Don't talk anymore!" Not the slightest smile was seen on Empress Jing's pretty face. His weak and delicate eyes immediately became even more excited, “Xiaoer, stop thinking those thoughts! Prince Jing's family absolutely must not experience the tragedy of a brother fighting and making plans in the dark!”