The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 620: Chapter 620: Not Greatly Harmful, But Insulting

Boundless merit!

Song Ci felt her old face grow a bit warm.

Wearing this high hat made her feel a bit scorched.

”All of you, get up now. It’s the middle of winter; what’s the point of kneeling? Aren’t you worried about letting the cold into your legs? Get up,” Song Ci said, calling the crowd to rise.

Chen Da, not the least bit embarrassed, stood up and said excitedly, ”Madam, it’s only right we kneel for you. Without you, we wouldn’t even know what this is, let alone its high yield or how to plant it without your guidance. You are the auspicious sign of all the people in the land.”

Now with an additional grain, we need not fear hunger, and these potatoes can even be used in dishes.

Song Ci laughed and said, ”I merely moved my lips and came up with the idea; the real work was done by you old hands. The hard work was yours.”

Chen Da and the others repeatedly said they didn’t dare accept such credit.

”You don’t need to be modest. Those who achieve should be rewarded. I’m making the decision here: each person will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver, two pounds of pork, a pot of wine, and two bolts of cotton. Since it’s winter and the year is ending, consider it a reward for your hard work over the past year.”

The crowd was very excited.

Chen Da said, ”Madam, how could we be worthy?”

”You are indeed worthy. Once the potatoes from this garden are presented to His Majesty, they will likely be propagated across the entire Great Qing. At that time, you will be credited, and perhaps even the Emperor will reward you,” Song Ci said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Chen Da and the others grew even more excited. If it truly came to that, it would be even more delightful than receiving fifty taels of silver. It would be a tremendous honor.

”Hong You, jot this down. This reward will come from my private treasury,” Song Ci instructed the maid beside her.

Niu Pan’er immediately said, ”Mother, how can such a small reward come from your private funds? Since the potatoes were grown by the Prince Mansion, it should be the Prince Mansion that rewards them. Steward!”

The old steward promptly stepped forward, ”This old servant is present.”

”Take note of this matter. My mother has rewarded them, and it’s not enough. In my opinion, add an additional two pounds of pork and a box of four-colored pastries. Let them take it home to share with their families.”

The few serving this potato garden only amount to a handful, and the combined reward is less than the cost of a single piece of jewelry. Fifty taels, even five hundred taels, could be rewarded.

Moreover, since the first batch of potato seeds was grown by Prince Dingbei’s Mansion, some credit can be claimed, and rewards should be given.

The old steward agreed respectfully.

Chen Da and the others couldn’t help but kneel again in thanks for the reward.

The assembled servants who overheard were envious.

They heard that this Chen Da had already achieved merit by planting some greenhouse vegetables with the Madam before, and now he’s gaining merit again. It’s all too easy.

They suddenly had a realization: following Madam Song means having meat to eat.

For a moment, everyone looked at Song Ci with a hint of fervor in their eyes.

Madam, please lead us to fly!

Song Ci: ”...”

What is it with these gazes, as if they’ve seen braised pork?

”Alright, everyone get up and start digging up all the potatoes in this garden. Chen Da, record the yield; it needs to be presented to the Emperor later,” Song Ci instructed.

Chen Da quickly replied, ”This servant obeys.”

The crowd dispersed to their tasks, and Song Ci added, ”Be careful when digging, try not to damage the potatoes, or they won’t store well. Some must be left for seeds, use the shovel...”

Before she could finish, a farmer quickly grabbed a hoe and with a swift movement, expertly unearthed a cluster of potatoes, letting them tumble free from the soil.

The movements were deft and quick.

The crowd looked at Song Ci as if to say, wasn’t this quite easy?

Song Ci coughed, ”...”

The damage wasn’t great, but she felt somewhat insulted.