The man rested his elbow on the table, his fingers propping against his temple. His posture looked relaxed and languid, almost lazy. Yet Qin Ke felt that he resembled a tiger dozing with narrowed eyes—calm and harmless on the surface, but the moment he opened his eyes, he would surely exude a chilling, heart-pounding presence.
And moreover… as Qin Ke looked at the person before him, he felt that something was subtly off.
In the next moment, Lu Youqing, who stood beside Qin Ke, suddenly bent her knees and bowed in salute. Her posture was respectful, her tone humble as she said,
"This commoner, Cheng Youzhi, pays her respects to Her Highness the Eldest Princess."
The instant her words fell, Gu Lanxi's aura turned sharply dangerous—killing intent flashing past in an instant.
Qin Ke, standing below, was utterly stunned. He froze in place, dumbly glancing at his wife, then lifting his gaze toward the person seated in the main position—no, not a man anymore, but Her Highness the Eldest Princess.
No wonder she had seemed overly delicate and feminine at first glance—so she had been disguised as a man.
No—wait, that wasn't the point right now!!
The real point was that this person was actually the Eldest Princess! The legendary Eldest Princess who was said to possess both literary brilliance and martial prowess, beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, and talents unrivaled in the world!
While Qin Ke stood there stunned, Lu Youqing—still kneeling—quietly tugged at the hem of his robe and shot him a meaningful look.
Snapping back to his senses, Qin Ke hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed as well.
The Eldest Princess merely raised an eyebrow slightly. Her expression never changed as she silently observed Lu Youqing for a long moment. Her gaze appeared gentle, yet within it lay an awe-inspiring authority that made one feel inexplicably exposed, as though there were nowhere to hide under her scrutiny.
"Years ago, when Your Highness defeated the Tujue and returned victorious to the capital, this commoner was fortunate enough to glimpse Your Highness's countenance on the street."
The Eldest Princess's left hand tapped lightly on the tabletop. After seeming to ponder for a moment, she said,
"You are Cheng Youzhi—daughter of Cheng Li, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy?"
"Yes. He is my father," Lu Youqing replied, keeping her head lowered. She was not surprised that the Eldest Princess could deduce her background.
"You may rise."
Only then did Lu Youqing straighten up. Qin Ke blinked and followed suit. Having grown up in an era that emphasized equality, he had never fully grasped the strict hierarchies of the ancient world.
Well—this was also the first time Qin Ke learned that his wife had another name, and he had the Eldest Princess to thank for that revelation.
He had long suspected that his wife had an unusual background, but fearing he might touch upon painful memories, he had never dared to ask.
The Eldest Princess glanced at Gu Lanxi. With just a look, Gu Lanxi understood her meaning.
"Come with me first. There are some matters I need to ask you."
Qin Ke looked at Gu Lanxi uncertainly and pointed to himself.
Gu Lanxi didn't spare him a glance and walked straight out.
"Go ahead," Lu Youqing said softly, giving Qin Ke a reassuring look. "There's no need to worry."
Alright. Qin Ke pursed his lips and obediently followed Gu Lanxi out, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Gu Lanxi was already seated in the pavilion, holding the blueprints Qin Ke had drawn over the past few days and examining them.
"So this is the detailed design plan for that harvester?"
Qin Ke sat opposite her and nodded lightly.
"Yes. This is just the blueprint for one of the components. I haven't finished drawing everything yet."
Gu Lanxi studied him with mild surprise. Most people were stiff and overly cautious in her presence, weighing every word and movement carefully.
She knew it was because they revered her and feared her. But the man before her was unusually relaxed. She could tell—there was no fear in the way he looked at her.
It was the gaze one used for an ordinary friend. He regarded her as an equal.
Interesting.
Gu Lanxi lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, finding the pair increasingly intriguing.
"Then when will you be able to build it?"
Qin Ke thought for a moment. Now that he had found a powerful patron, why not hold on tight—especially when it was such a formidable one?
After all, this was the Eldest Princess. Though he didn't know the extent of her influence at court, from what little he understood, aside from the imperial family itself, few could rival her authority.
With such backing, what was there left to fear? Moreover, judging from his wife's tone and attitude, she held the Eldest Princess in deep respect.
"The main issue," Qin Ke said frankly, "is that I don't have suitable craftsmen. I don't have trustworthy carpenters or artisans, so I haven't dared to begin construction."
"So," Gu Lanxi said, somewhat surprised by his candor, "you want me to provide craftsmen?"
"Yes. You command so many people—it's much easier for you to find suitable ones than for me."
Anyone involved in creating such an object would have to be absolutely trustworthy, and the entire process would need to remain confidential. And once it was completed, how it would be used and deployed were matters she would need to consider.
Qin Ke only wished to focus on making it. The rest could be handled by capable people.
Gu Lanxi appreciated his clear-headedness and said at once,
"In that case, I will send craftsmen over. If you have any requirements, tell them directly."
The two discussed the location of the workshop for a while. Qin Ke couldn't help but marvel at the Gu family's wealth—she spoke of building a factory without batting an eye.
Noticing his gaze drifting toward the main hall, Gu Lanxi smiled faintly and looked at him with teasing eyes.
"What—is it that you're afraid your wife might be eaten alive?"
No matter how he listened, Qin Ke felt there was a hint of mockery in her tone.
"How could that be?" Qin Ke turned his head and laughed. "I'm just curious—having everyone dismissed like this, aren't you worried about danger?"
Gu Lanxi glanced at him as though he were an idiot and replied coolly,
"Just because you can't see them doesn't mean there's no one here. And what danger are you referring to—yourself? Believe it or not, you'd be dead long before you could come near me."
Qin Ke fell silent.
Alright—his ignorance was showing. Clearly, people like her were never without protection. These must be the so-called shadow guards.
Time seemed to drag on endlessly for Qin Ke. He had no idea how long the Eldest Princess and his wife spoke inside before the door finally opened.
"Wife," Qin Ke hurried forward.
"Please forgive him, Your Highness," Lu Youqing said apologetically. "My husband was raised in the countryside and is unfamiliar with proper etiquette."
"That is indeed as you say," the Eldest Princess replied with a half-smile, casting a glance at Qin Ke. She had already noticed his awkward salute earlier. Still, she wasn't someone who cared much about such formalities.
"Take me to see your melon fields."
"This way, Your Highness."
Qin Ke, having just been apologized for, could only follow obediently behind them, not daring to act rashly anymore.
The attendants they brought remained quietly outside the courtyard, their expressions calm and unreadable, while Li Nanqiao and the others stood awkwardly to the side, clearly intimidated by the scene.
"So this is your melon field?" The Eldest Princess looked out over the expanse of lush green before her, her mood unconsciously easing.
"Yes, Your Highness," Qin Ke replied, having learned his lesson. He pointed toward the rice paddies in the distance. "That area is my rice field. It will be ready for harvest in about a month."
"Oh?" The Eldest Princess caught his implication at once, a slight smile curling at her lips. "And what is special about the rice you grow?"
"Ordinary rice yields at most two shi per mu. The rice I grow can yield six to seven shi per mu." (1 Shi = 71.68 kg. 1 Mu = 666.7 sqm) (Two shi per mu = 143.36 kg) (Six shi = 430.08 kg/mu or Seven shi = 501.76 kg/mu)
One shi is roughly equivalent to about 71kg. According to the system's seed description, one mu could yield around 480kg. Qin Ke wasn't exaggerating.
It was a staggering figure. Even someone as well-traveled as the Eldest Princess was taken aback, her gaze toward Qin Ke turning sharper and more appraising.
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Currently at chapter 204 for advance chapters
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