Zhao Yuanxi was also smiling, the earlier displeasure brought by the grass horse now completely gone.
After all, Ziying was just a three-year-old child. Many of his thoughts didn’t originate from himself but were influenced by his surroundings.
Bringing him here this time was unexpected, but Zhao Yuanxi now thought such experiences were quite beneficial.
Seeing Da Mu come out, Ziying bounced over excitedly, pointing proudly at the stone mill. “Da Mu, I can push it!”
“Mhm, but there are three of you, while Sui and Kui’s father can do it alone.” Zhao Yuanxi teased with a sly smile.
Ziying drooped his eyebrows and pouted in protest. “Their father is an adult! We’re children! How can children compare to adults?”
“You feel adults bullying children is unfair because adults are stronger than children, right?”
Ziying nodded.
“Then weren’t you just bullying Shu? Even if unintentional, you did use your status to bully him!”
Ziying fell into confusion, lowering his head as his eyes gradually reddened. “I’m sorry, Ziying knows he was wrong.”
“Da Mu—”
“Hmm?”
“Can I still drink this?” Ziying gazed longingly at the bowls of soybean milk in Zhao Yuanxi’s hands.
Zhao Yuanxi patted the back of his head, unsure whether he truly recognized his mistake or was just apologizing to taste the soybean milk.
Regardless of the reason, the soybean milk was still shared among the three children.
Zhao Yuanxi then asked Gao Sheng and Changjin, “Would you like to try some? If you want to drink, help yourselves to a bowl from the kitchen.”
Changjin maintained a serious expression—truth be told, she had worn that stern look since following Zhao Yuanxi. In contrast, Gao Sheng smiled obsequiously, thanking Zhao Yuanxi before dutifully heading to the kitchen.
In just two days, Gao Sheng had recognized the Empress Dowager’s extraordinary nature, his desire to align himself with her growing stronger. Now, he would do whatever she asked.
Moreover, this was something personally made by the Empress Dowager—even the King hadn’t had the chance to taste it. How could he miss this opportunity?
Seeing Gao Sheng enter the house, Changjin hesitated momentarily before following him inside.
Gao Sheng held the bowl, sniffed the aroma, and cautiously took a sip. Even with mental preparation, he still showed surprise.
The freshly ground soybean milk had a beany smell initially, but after boiling, only a light soybean fragrance remained. It tasted quite refreshing, though somewhat plain. It would likely be better with some seasoning.
The three children drinking Zhao Yuanxi’s special soybean milk didn’t find it bland at all.
Ziying was too young to hold the large earthenware bowl steadily. Zhao Yuanxi had to sit him on her lap, using one hand to support his body and the other to hold the bottom of the bowl.
After taking a small sip, Ziying’s eyes lit up. He buried his head in the bowl, gulping it down eagerly.
After finishing one bowl, he rubbed his stomach wistfully and snuggled back into Zhao Yuanxi’s arms. “Da Mu, this is sweet! So delicious!”
“It’s sweet because I added sugar, you little glutton. Do you want more?” Zhao Yuanxi saw right through his thoughts.
She deliberately made it difficult for him. “But there will be other delicious food later. What if you get too full now and can’t eat anything else?”
Ziying’s mouth drooped, his face full of dilemma. “Alright then…”
Da Mu said there were other delicious foods, so there must indeed be other delicacies.
Gao Sheng stared at the bowl in his hand, somewhat regretting not bringing any sugar when he came out. Otherwise, he could taste the same flavor as Young Master Ziying had in his drink.
However, soybeans weren’t anything valuable, and making this beverage wasn’t complicated. If he wanted to drink it again, it wouldn’t be difficult.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gao Sheng noticed Changjin dropping a few things into her bowl. He craned his neck curiously and asked, “Female Historian Changjin, what did you put in your bowl?”
Changjin remained expressionless as she downed the soybean milk in her bowl. “Maltose.”
Gao Sheng felt he detected a hint of satisfaction on that aloof face. Was it really that much better with sugar?
His curiosity grew—
“Female Historian, do you have any more maltose on you?”
“All gone!”
Gao Sheng’s mouth twitched. He had clearly seen several pieces of sugar still in Changjin’s pouch.
Considering that maltose was quite a rarity, he could understand why someone might be reluctant to share.
It’s just that this Female Historian had always appeared stern and unyielding in his eyes, as if nothing could move her. He never expected her to be protective of her food.
The several guards who had been waiting outside were also given bowls of steaming soybean milk, though it was Chu and He who brought the drinks out to them.
Chu’s courtyard wasn’t large, and with eight burly men standing around, Zhao Yuanxi found them obstructive. She bluntly told them either to follow Chu and Shu to help her farm or to stand outside the gate.
Without exception, all eight guards chose to stand guard at the entrance.
Dressed in the uniform black attire of the Imperial Guards, they stood ominously at the door, looking quite intimidating.
Other villagers, seeing so many black fiends stationed at the village chief’s doorstep, assumed the chief’s family had offended some powerful figure and now faced retribution.
It wasn’t until Chu emerged with He, carrying a wooden bucket and serving each guard a bowl of soybean milk, that the villagers’ fears subsided. They drew closer, pulling Chu aside to ask, “Village Chief Chu, what kind of people have come to your house?”
“It’s our master’s family,” Chu replied with pride. Having the master’s family visit their place was probably an honor only he could claim.
Most of the farmland in Lüge Dock belonged to Zhao Yuanxi, so it was fitting to call her the master of the villagers here.
The villagers’ impression of the master’s family was limited to the arrogant Cui Jia. Hearing that it was the master’s family now piqued their curiosity about what these newcomers were like.
One bolder villager attempted to enter for a look.
The guards immediately stopped him.
A gleaming broadsword barred the entrance, startling the onlookers.
“Alright, don’t crowd here. Everyone, go back!” Chu, also startled, hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
When Chu and He didn’t return for a while, Zhao Yuanxi grew puzzled. Hearing the commotion outside, she stepped out to see what was happening.
Noticing the crowd gathered outside the courtyard gate, her expression remained calm as she smiled and asked the villagers, “Is there something you need?”
The villager who had tried to enter earlier scratched his head sheepishly, mustering his courage to ask, “Noble one, what brings you here?”
“I came here regarding agricultural matters. You can ask Chu for specifics.”
With only a hundred acres currently planted with corn, the remaining land would surely be used for higher-yield crops in the future. These tasks would require collective effort—Zhao Yuanxi had no intention of going it alone.
Chu briefly explained the matter to them. Most people were skeptical, and someone quietly voiced opposition, believing Zhao Yuanxi was making fun of them.
Zhao Yuanxi couldn’t identify who had spoken, but she smiled faintly and said, “Those who don’t believe can choose not to plant.”
After all, the corn seeds were only enough for a hundred acres of land. She didn’t need everyone to believe her—when harvest time came, the results would speak for themselves.