Chapter 998: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 998: It's Better to End the Pain Quickly (3)
As soon as Mo Yan heard her speak, she could tell this County Princess really didn’t care for pretense. Her goodwill toward her grew even more. “Though the high-yield rice was cultivated by me, it was His Majesty’s wise and decisive rule that allowed it to be promoted among the people. For me to be granted the title of County Princess is already more than I deserve.”
Seeing how earnestly she spoke, the County Princess of Chang’an paused, then laughed. “You really are easily content.”
Mo Yan smiled lightly and replied sincerely, “Contentment brings happiness.” When she first offered the high-yield rice, she had never expected any reward. Yet she had received not only a noble title but estates and treasures—what more could she ask for?
Yan Junyu, who had dismounted at some point, looked on at the two young women, already chatting like old friends. He seemed helpless, but deep down, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
This fierce tigress had somehow found out he’d been hiding at the Mo residence. And when she heard he’d be coming again, she insisted on tagging along, giving him no room to refuse. He had worried she’d cause trouble if she learned anything, and feared she might get into a fight with that girl at the drop of a hat. But now that they were chatting so amicably, it was clear he’d been overthinking it.
The two young women were oblivious to Yan Junyu’s inner turmoil, and their conversation only grew more animated. The County Princess clapped Mo Yan on the shoulder like an old friend and said bluntly, “Hurry and show me the fruits your family grows. I love grapes the most. You have some, right?”
“We do! Picked a bunch just today—they’re all fresh. Please, County Princess, come this way.” Seeing the sparkle in the girl’s eyes, Mo Yan’s smile deepened as she led the way.
The County Princess of Chang’an really did love grapes and followed without hesitation. When she saw the yard filled with a dazzling array of fruits, her eyes widened in amazement. She rushed over to the pile of grapes, grabbed a dark purple one, peeled it in a few quick motions, and popped it into her mouth.
“Wow, this grape is delicious!”
Juicy and sweet, the grape melted in her mouth almost instantly. She cried out in delight and peeled a few more in quick succession. Compared to the grapes she’d eaten last year, these were far more flavorful.
Seeing how much she was enjoying them, Mo Yan picked up a bunch and handed them to Yan Junyu with a smile. “You can see it for yourself—this year’s fruits look even better than last year’s, and the taste is superior too. The price shouldn’t be any lower than last year’s.”
Yan Junyu accepted the heavy bunch, plucked one grape and popped it into his mouth. He had to admit—they did taste better than last year. “Don’t worry. Once these reach the capital, people will be fighting over them. We’ll send the best batch to the palace, and whatever’s left in the orchard can be harvested and sold to the noble households tomorrow. The price won’t be lower than what we offer His Majesty.”
Mo Yan trusted that Yan Junyu would make good on his word. Thinking of the incoming profits, her smile deepened again. Seeing that smile, Yan Junyu’s expression dimmed a little, and even the sweetness of the grape in his mouth seemed to fade.
While Mo Yan was instructing the men he brought to start loading the fruit, the County Princess sidled up beside Yan Junyu, grape bunch in hand. She elbowed him and said, “You’ve got good taste. I can’t complain about losing.”
Yan Junyu’s heart skipped, and he gave her a sideways glance, replying lazily, “When have I ever had poor taste? Just that girl’s title alone—she earned it herself. You lost fair and square.”
“Heh.” The County Princess gave a soft snort, her large round eyes filled with mockery. “Didn’t think you were a coward too. You like her but won’t even admit it.”
Yan Junyu’s eye twitched. Annoyed, he snapped, “Even if I liked a sow, it’s none of your business, you tigress.”
Any other woman being called a tigress would’ve exploded in anger, but the County Princess didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. Her expression didn’t change—clearly used to it—and she didn’t take the insult to heart at all. “Then go ahead and fall for a sow. But if that devil Xiao Ruiyuan finds out you’re lusting after his fiancée, I’m afraid even a sow would be too good for you.”
(End of Chapter)
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