189, Chapter 189

The pool manager washed the watermelon and cut it into pieces. The watermelons that Uncle Hong chose were already good, but when they were brought here, even if they were a little underripe, they were already overripe. And Mr. Chi was lucky, everything was red. When the knife went down, he only heard a crisp sound, and then smelled the fragrance of watermelon.

Manager Chi watched the red juice flow out of it and licked his dry lips. Then, he cut it off piece by piece. Manager Chi followed the emperor and saw many good things. This was the first time he saw this kind of fruit. This red is just beautiful.

Naturally, something that is given to the emperor needs to be tasted by someone. On weekdays, he might ask others to taste it. Today, Mr. Chi cut it himself, so of course he tasted it himself. It's not that he's not afraid of death, but how could the things General Qin sent be poisonous? If it was really poisonous, wouldn't General Qin not want his head? So Manager Chi dared to try it himself.

The sweet taste is so wonderful when you take one bite.

Manager Chi resisted the urge to take a second bite and said to the little eunuch: "Ice the remaining half." It has not been iced, because the weather is hot, so the fruit will be a bit hot after being exposed to the sun. If it is iced, The taste is even worse.

Manager Chi thinks Qin Fang is really amazing. He can discover anything, even this kind of fruit. No wonder the emperor said that Qin Fang was lucky. Thinking of this, Manager Chi had an idea in his mind. The day when Qin Fang would be transferred back to the capital was probably not far away. The emperor will definitely bring those who are lucky to the capital. Therefore, after Qin Fang comes, he will make friends with him.

However, the imperial concubine has been asking him about some things recently, but he has always tried to pass them off. He is not a fool. The emperor is in his prime. With his status, there is no need to mix things that should not be mixed. He is older than the emperor, and perhaps when he is gone, the emperor will be secure on the throne. Therefore, he can just be his general manager. He already has the power of Conglong, why would he want to support another prince to rise to power?

Manager Chi carried a plate into the royal study: "The Emperor's watermelon is here."

The emperor put down his pen and saw the red fruit on the plate: "This watermelon is green on the outside, but it's red on the inside."

Mr. Chi said: "Isn't this a fulfillment of a saying? It's called red flowers with green leaves."

The emperor couldn't help but smile after hearing this: "You are quite talented. How does this watermelon taste?"

Mr. Chi said: "I couldn't hide it from the Emperor. I was greedy and tasted a piece. It tasted really good. It was much more delicious than the apples, pears I had eaten before."

After hearing this, the emperor took a piece to him and said, "Eat it, your saliva will flow out."

Manager Chi smiled, took the watermelon, and took a bite. The emperor moved his nose, picked up a piece and ate it. After one bite, he opened his eyes wide and said, "It's delicious."

Manager Chi took the opportunity to say: "I have seen this watermelon and there are several ways to eat it. Half of it is iced. On a hot day, it tastes better if it is iced."

The emperor nodded and said nothing because his mouth was used for food. After eating two pieces in one go, his mouth was not satisfied, but his stomach was a little full. He said: "This watermelon is very filling." However, the emperor is not a greedy person.

Mr. Chi said: "No. However, it is recorded in the book sent by General Qin that this watermelon can only be eaten on the same day, and it will go bad if left overnight. If it is not cut, it can be kept for several days, but it is quite durable. put."

The emperor thought for a moment: "Send some to the ladies in the harem who have given birth to princes and princesses. Two watermelons will be given to each palace."

Manager Chi asked: "What if it's sent to the hospital?"

The emperor was puzzled: "Is this melon alive?"

Manager Chi: "There is a reminder in the book that this melon will not be spoiled on the road, so it is not fully ripe when picked. Moreover, there is skin on the outside of the melon, so you can't see whether it is raw or ripe inside, so it is possible. It’s raw. However, it can be eaten whether it’s raw or cooked. The difference is that it’s not very sweet inside.”

The emperor smiled and said: "Then it depends on their luck. Believe it or not, I just gave it to the past, and they can realize other meanings."

When Manager Chi heard this, he thought it was true. This raw melon... isn't it just raw? "Your Majesty is wise."

The emperor laughed: "You should be more strict about delivering melons. Just pretend you don't know anything about Qin Fang."

Manager Chi: "Yes."

Outside the palace gate, Lieutenant Du was waiting. Finally, when Tao Shan came out, he waved and said: "Tao Shan... Tao Shan..."

Tao Shan did not expect that the dignified Second Young Master Du would be waiting for him. He hurried up and said, "Second Young Master, I have kept you waiting for a long time."

Du Xiaowei said nonchalantly: "It's okay, let's go and follow me back home. By the way, are you okay in there?"

Tao Shan said: "It's okay. I met the emperor. The emperor is really a good person."

Captain Du smiled and said nothing. Things about the emperor cannot be discussed outside.

As soon as Tao Shan arrived at the Du Mansion, he was invited by the housekeeper to Mrs. Du's yard. This was the first time Tao Shan met the hostess of the Du Mansion. He had been received by the housekeeper before.

When Tao Shan entered, Mrs. Du was eating watermelon.

The housekeeper said: "Madam, Tao Shan is here."

Tao Shan just raised his head slightly to avoid recognizing the wrong person, and then saluted Mrs. Du: "Tao Shan has met Mrs. Du."

Generally, in important situations, women will be addressed with a royal title. For example, if Du Ke is a third-grade official, then Mrs. Du will have a third-grade imperial title and be a lady. However, in one's own house, when the servants call the master, or when guests call the mistress, they all address her as wife.

Mrs. Du is about the same age as Qin's mother, but she looks much younger than Qin's mother. She is a clan wife, so she is naturally not comparable to country women like Mother Qin.

Mrs. Du said: "No need to be polite, Tao Shan, just watch and sit."

Tao Shan hurriedly said: "No, no, just stand still." If it were in the past, he would definitely be nervous. But he had just met the emperor. Now he would not be nervous when meeting anyone, because of the impact of meeting the emperor. ‌has not faded.

Mrs. Du smiled and said: "Sit down, I have something to ask you."

Tao Shan bent down and said, "That villain is so respectful that it is better to obey my orders."

Mrs. Du heard that he talked well and was much more knowledgeable than the average servants in the house. She nodded and said, "Tao Shan, when you left Yunxiang County, Master Du was still in the General's Mansion?" Because she had received a letter from Du Ke, she knew that Du Ke lived in the General's Mansion in Yunxiang County.

Tao Shan said: "When the villain left the General's Mansion, Lord Du was at the General's Mansion."

Mrs. Du: "How is Mr. Du's health? Have you been sick during this time? Mr. Du, you have a strict mouth, but you are sick. If I tell you, if he doesn't tell, neither will the people around him. He said, I know he doesn’t want me to worry, but I’m worried when he’s away from home. Tao Shan, don’t hide it from me.”

Tao Shan's heart tightened, why did he feel that Mrs. Du was threatening him, but he said truthfully: "Your Excellency is in good health. On the day he arrived in Yunxiang County, the township gentleman asked the doctor in the mansion to look at him. Your Excellency was not sick before you left.”

Mrs. Du observed that Tao Shan didn't look like he was lying. She was very satisfied: "The country gentleman you mentioned is my adopted daughter Yanyan, right? I received a letter from your lord before. During his stay in the General's Mansion, thanks to I asked Yan Yan and his wife to take care of him."

Tao Shan didn't know how to answer, so he thought for a moment and said: "Master Du is an elder and the general's teacher. The township monarch and the general should take care of him. But Master Du is very busy. He goes to visit the people with the general every day. He is the one who ...Investigating public opinion. By the way, Mr. Shen is the same."

Mrs. Du nodded: "So it's like this. It's his idea to visit the people every day in this hot weather."

Tao Shan said: "The common people like Mr. Du very much."

Mrs. Du was stunned for a moment, then became interested: "His face is so calm every day. Do any people like him?" Even the children at home were afraid of him.

This... Tao Shan smiled sheepishly, just to clarify for Lord Du: "Master Du is very good to the people, very kind, and the people like him very much. Moreover, when he listens to the people's nagging, he is very... Be patient, the people will welcome him to come again next time.”

Pfft... Mrs. Du couldn't help laughing, but yes, that was really the old man's style.

Tao Shan didn't know what he said and made Mrs. Du laugh. He was a little embarrassed.

Mrs. Du said: "By the way, Tao Shan, these vegetables, melons and fruits you sent are really good. These are things I have never seen in the capital, and your country gentleman is very careful, ‌ I prepared a notebook to record the cooking and eating of these things, especially this watermelon, which is so delicious. "

Tao Shan: "Master Du likes to eat watermelon. When the watermelon is ripe, Master Du can eat half of it every day."

Mrs. Du snorted: "He is really lucky. We will probably be gone in a few days." She wanted to take some of such delicious watermelons to her parents' house, so when she thought that the old man could eat them every day, she took it seriously. envious.

Tao Shan said: "You won't be able to eat it for long, because the fruit period of watermelon is only more than a month, and the next time you eat it will be next year. If you like it, I will bring it to you at this time next year."

Mrs. Du said: "The fruiting period is only more than a month? That is really short. Then I will wait for you to send it again next year. If your countrymen don't give it to you then, I will look for you."

Tao Shan held his face and was too embarrassed to speak.

Mrs. Du stopped teasing him: "You go down and rest. Rest here for a few days before going back. I have something I want you to take back to your countrymen."

Tao Shan: "Yes."

Tao Shan stayed at Du's house for two days. Two days later, he went back with several boxes full of things. These things were given not only by Mrs. Du, but also by Mrs. Du's family, and also by the Emperor. So they came in big and small boxes, and when they left, they came in big and small packages.