The little gray ball darted toward the food box, but Ning Shu quickly brushed it aside. She picked up a sweet potato, breaking it in half before eating one portion herself and offering the other half to Li Wen.
This gesture was meant to assure him that the sweet potato was edible and not poisonous. Li Wen accepted the sweet potato, its skin still marked with soot. Mimicking Ning Shu, he peeled the skin off before taking a bite.
The flavor burst with sweetness, prompting a nod of approval from Li Wen. Curiosity danced in his eyes as he asked, "What is this?"
Ning Shu noted his interest and replied, "Imperial Older Brother, this sister-subject calls it sweet potato. It's what I discovered during my last visit to the Manor Garden."
She continued, "I had them planted, and the output has reached a thousand catties. This can really help alleviate hunger."
"Is that true?" Astonishment and excitement lit up Li Wen's face as he grasped the significance of the discovery. "Are there more of these in the Manor Garden?"
"I ordered them to be stored carefully in the cellar," Ning Shu confirmed.
Li Wen nodded decisively. "We will go to Manor Garden to take a look."
"Alright." Ning Shu expected him to want to inspect something beneficial for the public.
They set off for the Manor Garden on horseback, a contingent of soldiers following as was customary for the Emperor's outings.
Upon their arrival, Li Wen first examined the sweet potatoes, then moved to inspect the fields where they had been planted. He ordered the area to be remeasured, confirming the original findings.
A rare smile broke through Li Wen's usual cold demeanor. His eyes sparkled with warmth as he turned to Ning Shu, saying, "Jiahui, you've done very well."
Ning Shu returned his smile, replying, "Jiahui is happy to help Imperial Older Brother. I understand that your heart is with the citizens of the country. As a member of the imperial family, it's only natural to work for the well-being of the people."
While the aristocracy thrived on the support of the commoners, they often looked down on them. Li Wen seemed pleasantly surprised by her perspective, expressing his appreciation, "Jiahui has grown and become sensible. You're no longer caught up in trivial matters."
A bead of sweat formed at Ning Shu's temple.
"I'll need to rely on you more in the future regarding these plants." A gentle smile graced Li Wen's face, revealing a softer side of him.
"The manager and tenant farmers in Manor Garden are knowledgeable about cultivation. This was just an incidental discovery—it doesn't amount to much. But it's wonderful that it can assist Your Majesty," she replied humbly.
"By the way, how did you come to know these were edible?" Li Wen's narrowed eyes made Ning Shu's heart race. She couldn't just say she knew instinctively, could she?
"Well, it was all because of the little gray ball. When I saw it in the forest, it was hugging this thing, so I decided to try it. The raw taste isn't as good as when it's cooked." Ning Shu quickly shifted the focus onto the little gray ball, knowing how much Li Wen cherished it.