【Then remind your grandfather to mine coal. If we only burn firewood, the mountains will be stripped bare.】
"Little Pearl, how would an eight-year-old girl like me—who barely recognizes all the characters here, has only been to Luoxian Temple and the capital, and hasn’t traveled anywhere else—know where coal mines are or how to use them better?
These mortals are superstitious about ghosts and gods. Won’t they burn me as a monster?"
【Don’t worry, Master. If anyone dares suggest burning you, I’ll strike them with lightning first!】
"Is that the point? Would my grandfather even listen to a naive, inexperienced child like me?"
Yu Chongshan nodded fervently in his heart—My dear granddaughter, as long as you’re willing to speak, I’ll listen to whatever you say!
Really, your grandfather is very easy to talk to!
His colleagues around him also looked at him expectantly, hoping he’d say something. A mineral vein!
Who wouldn’t want to know?
No matter what kind of vein it was, any mine was far more valuable than an ordinary mountain.
Besides, coal was what they called "black stone" here.
From what the little immortal and the divine artifact implied, this thing wasn’t just useful for winter heating.
They could also refine it into coke, which could improve iron smelting and increase its hardness.
Last time, their hints were vague, and the Ministry of Works had already begun experiments based on their fragmented clues—though without success so far.
Everyone couldn’t help but pray silently for the two to say more.
But Yu Chongshan, the one they pinned their hopes on, naturally wouldn’t bring it up now.
That would be too obvious. His granddaughter was too clever—she’d suspect something was off!
【Master, just tell him. Whether he listens or not is his business. If he asks, say you heard it from pilgrims at the temple.】
Yue Fuguang nodded. If there were questions, let the Dayan court officials come up with their own excuses. Her intelligence could only stretch this far.
So she agreed wholeheartedly, "You’re so smart, Little Pearl. I feel like ever since I became a child, my brain hasn’t been as sharp as before."
System: Are you sure you were ever smart? Well, she’s the host I chose—better save her some face.
Unaware of the system’s silent mockery, Yue Fuguang was lost in thought. Over time, she didn’t feel like she was growing up but instead regressing further into the mind of an eight-year-old.
For example, the osmanthus cake in her hand—twenty-year-old Yue Fuguang would never have liked sweets. Spicy food was her true love.
Now, sweets were her obsession, with spicy flavors relegated to second place. And snacks? She never used to care for them, but now Lvzhu filled her pouch with some every day.
Seeing her mood dip, the system comforted her, 【Master, this is just the influence of your physical body—a return to innocence. It’ll get better as you grow older.】
Yue Fuguang wasn’t consoled, so she changed the subject to stir up some fun. "Little Pearl, look—it’s snowing outside! The first snow this year, right?
What should we eat when we get back? The first cup of hot milk tea in winter is a must—I want mine with 70% sugar!"
As she rambled about food, her mind was already placing an order with the system. "Snowy days are perfect for hotpot and barbecue.
We had hotpot yesterday, so today it’s barbecue! Prepare extra secret spice mix for me, and those little flatbreads—perfect for wrapping sizzling lamb skewers, beef skewers..."
Yue Fuguang listed over a dozen dishes, making everyone—including Emperor Mingxi and the Crown Prince—salivate uncontrollably.
They wanted a taste!
And that pearl milk tea? It sounded absolutely delicious.
Emperor Mingxi shot Qian Gui a look.
The eunuch immediately announced loudly, "If there are no further matters, this court is adjourned!"
Yue Fuguang ignored the "further matters" part.
The moment she heard "court is adjourned," before the emperor could even rise, she had already packed her things and was ready to leave.
Emperor Mingxi smirked at her haste and deliberately asked, "Grand Tutor, do you have something to say?"
Yue Fuguang froze. Was her foot halfway out the door not obvious enough?
But in broad daylight, she had to save face for the old emperor.
So she answered bluntly, "Your Majesty, I have nothing to say. I’m just hungry and in a hurry to go home for lunch."
Seizing the opportunity, Emperor Mingxi feigned curiosity. "Yue Fuguang, what delicious food have you prepared this time?"
The officials who had been about to leave paused. They knew exactly what their emperor was scheming.
Several ministers, who considered themselves close to either the Grand Tutor or Old Master Yu, lingered, hoping to wrangle an invitation.
"Nothing special. Just planning to have barbecue today."
Emperor Mingxi pretended to be delighted. "Barbecue? That sounds wonderful! The imperial hunting grounds sent over a few deer and roe deer yesterday. I’ll have some delivered to you—consider it an extra dish."
Yue Fuguang was speechless. Who in their right mind gifted several whole game animals as "an extra dish"?
The hint couldn’t be more obvious. She had no choice but to play along. "Then I thank Your Majesty for your generosity."
The vegetables in the greenhouse are just ready to eat. Would Your Majesty care to visit my residence for a taste of the fresh harvest?"
Both of them deliberately ignored the informal "you" and "I" in their conversation.
They also conveniently forgot that Emperor Mingxi had already enjoyed these vegetables many times whenever they ripened—far past the "fresh" stage.
Emperor Mingxi had been waiting for this very invitation. The moment Yue Fuguang extended it, he feigned hesitation for barely two seconds before eagerly replying, "Excellent, excellent! It’s been so long since I last tasted your vegetables, Yue Fuguang. I must admit, I’ve been craving them."
Turning to the eunuch behind him, he instructed, "Qian Gui, have the imperial kitchen prepare the ingredients. Once we arrive at Yu Chongshan’s residence, they can be cooked immediately."
Yue Fuguang was quite pleased with the emperor’s enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Qian Gui went to relay the orders while silently mocking his master. Your Majesty, "so long" was barely two days ago!
Still, the young immortal’s vegetables truly were delicious. In the past, the leftovers from the emperor’s meals would end up with the palace attendants who served him closely.
But ever since Yue Fuguang’s vegetables came into the picture, His Majesty cleaned his plate every time—not a single leaf remained. And if not for the constraints of royal dignity, the emperor might have even licked the plate clean!
Now, the servants were lucky to get even a sip of the broth.
And that privilege was reserved for high-ranking eunuchs like Qian Gui—anyone lower wouldn’t even get that much!
If Emperor Mingxi knew his chief eunuch was mocking him like this, he would surely retort: Yue Fuguang’s vegetables are a rare luxury! Even the imperial household isn’t swimming in them.
Each delivery was limited in quantity. After distributing portions to the various palaces, the imperial kitchen was left with barely over ten pounds—barely enough to stretch across three meals a day.
Each serving amounted to just a few bites—hardly satisfying!
What kind of emperor has to budget his meals like this? he’d grumble. Do you know how hard it is to be me?
Hearing the emperor’s plan succeed, the Crown Prince didn’t wait for anyone else to speak before stepping in. "Master Yue, the cement and glass projects are nearly complete. Since I have time today, perhaps I could brief you on the progress—"
Yue Fuguang had no patience for tedious administrative matters. If someone else was willing to handle the work while she collected her share of the profits, why bother with the details?
Waving a dismissive hand, she said, "No need to explain. Just make sure my dividends aren’t shortchanged."
Noticing that the Crown Prince had indeed been working hard on these projects—enough to age him slightly—she added, "Join us for lunch today. You could use some nourishment."
Otherwise, he’d wither before even getting married—what a tragedy that would be!
