Chapter 599: 599 Test_1

In the days that followed, Zhe Ta really did bring her followers to stay at the King Rui Residence’s farmstead.

Wei Ruo had Zhang Yi keep an eye on her, and she was quite surprised by the results.

This woman named Zhe Ta was hands-on all the way, not even shying away from dirty tasks such as spreading manure.

This greatly exceeded Wei Ruo’s expectations.

She thought that even if Zhe Ta was truly here for the wellbeing of her people as she claimed, it would be unlikely for her to stay on her farm and join the farmhands in growing potatoes as Wei Ruo requested.

Unexpectedly, she persisted.

“Miss, this princess is much tougher and more resilient than I imagined. If it wasn’t for the many skilled warriors by her side and her fair complexion, I would have doubted if she is a real princess,” said Xiumei, whose opinion of Zhe Ta had also improved. Regardless of whether Zhe Ta was a good person, her perseverance was admirable.

“We’ll keep an eye on her,” Wei Ruo decided to observe for a couple more days.

Three days later, when Wei Ruo returned to the farm, she saw Zhe Ta, dressed like everyone else in coarse knee-length clothing, carrying a load of well-stored fertilizer into the field.

It was summer, and the weather was sweltering with the sun at high noon. Zhe Ta was sweating profusely, but she showed no signs of stopping.

The guards she brought with her were right behind her, carrying fertilizers just like her, but she didn’t let them help.

Wei Ruo smiled and walked towards Zhe Ta.

Seeing Wei Ruo approach, Zhe Ta looked up at her.

“You seem very determined and resilient,” Wei Ruo commented.

“Did you think I traveled all the way from Jiliao to play games? If you want to see me back down, I can tell you now that you’ll be disappointed. I was going to ask you about how to grow potatoes. Now that I’ve learned, I don’t need your guidance anymore. As soon as I get your seeds, I can go back and start planting,” Zhe Ta replied.

“Well said,” Wei Ruo approved, then said, “Follow me.”

Wei Ruo led Zhe Ta to a warehouse. A cart parked at the entrance was loaded with items and covered with oil cloth.

“What do you mean by this?” Zhe Ta asked Wei Ruo.

“This cart is filled with potatoes, which are also the seeds you desire. During your days here, you would have learned this if you inquired about it,” replied Wei Ruo.

“I know, but what do you mean now?” Zhe Ta asked again.

“I am giving these to you to take back. Provided you grow them well, it won’t be long before the descendants of these potatoes will feed your people,” Wei Ruo explained.

“You’re just giving them to me, just like that?” Zhe Ta looked at Wei Ruo skeptically.

“What? Are you unhappy with how easily you got them?” Wei Ruo inquired.

“It does seem a bit too quick,” Zhe Ta admitted. “I figured you’d at least give me some trouble.”

“If all you want are potato seeds, then this is enough. But if you’re interested in my other high-yield crops, you’ll need to meet some other requirements,” Wei Ruo said.

“Other high-yield crops? What else do you have?” Zhe Ta asked.

“I also have high-yield, disease-resistant, and pest-resistant cotton seeds as well as similarly high-yield sweet potato seeds. In addition, I have rice and wheat seeds, not to mention yucca which can be grown in Jurchen Territory for high yields…”

“Really? Do you truly have those high-yielding crops you mentioned? Disease-resistant and pest-resistant cotton? Can it produce a lot?” Zhe Ta asked eagerly, her eyes wide and shining.

The Jurchen region is located in the north and winters there are cold. Not everyone can afford cotton-padded clothes.

Their area is not suitable for cotton farming and obtaining cotton requires a high price paid to Daye. Only the tribal aristocracy can afford this, while the commoners simply cannot afford it.

“Of course.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Will you also give those seeds to me?” Zhe Ta continued to press.

“If your intentions are truly as you claim, for the people of the Jurchen, and you can meet additional conditions I set, I will give them to you,” Wei Ruo affirmed.

“State your terms,” Zhe Ta said resolutely.

“I have too many children in my orphanage and lack people to help me take care of them. You can continue farming during the day, and in the evenings, when you are free, go to the orphanage and help take care of the children,” Wei Ruo offered.

Upon hearing this, Zhe Ta’s guard could not hold back.

“This is outrageous! Having our princess do farm labor and plant potatoes is one thing, but having her also care for children in the evenings is too much. Your farmhands can rest after a day’s work, but you want our princess to work round the clock?”

“Silence!” Zhe Ta reprimanded her guard. “I’m the one making requests. They’re setting the terms. If I don’t like it, I can refuse. We should not blame them for being too demanding.”

Then she turned to Wei Ruo and said, “I agree to your terms. As soon as the sun sets, I will go to the orphanage and help.”

“Good.” Wei Ruo lightly smiled. “I look forward to it.”

Zhe Ta didn’t know that this was another test from Wei Ruo.

The cart wasn’t actually filled with potatoes. If she wanted to take it now and leave, she wouldn’t get what she really wanted.

Wei Ruo proposed these terms to ascertain whether Zhe Ta truly wanted to ensure the well-being of her people as she claimed.

If her intentions were truly for the people, she wouldn’t pass up Wei Ruo’s high-yield cotton seeds.

###

When Wei Ruo returned from the farm and entered her room, she smelled a sweet floral fragrance. Upon a closer look, she saw several lotus flowers arranged on the table.

There was no doubt that her second brother had found them.

In the Jiliao region, where lotus flowers are infrequently planted, she had recently lamented that she wouldn’t see any lotuses that summer.

Yet, here they were today, brought to her room.

Wei Ruo smiled, then went next door to find Wei Jinyi. She told him the detail of her encounter and dealings with Zhe Ta.

After listening, Wei Jinyin asked, “Are you testing whether Zhe Ta’s words are true, Ruoruo?”

“Yes,” Wei Ruo answered, “What does second brother think?”

“Do you believe the Jurchen tribe is not necessarily our enemy, Ruoruo?”

“Yes, in my past life, they weren’t enemies, so I do not hold hostility towards them.”

“In that case, let’s give it a try. If there can truly be a breakthrough allowing Daye and the Jurchen Tribe to peacefully coexist and avoid warfare, it would be a blessing for all,” he responded.

“Yes,” Wei Ruo smiled nodding, “I’m glad second brother supports my idea.”

Wei Jinyi looked at Wei Ruo earnestly, saying, “Whatever you choose to do, I will support you. We are husband and wife, it is as it should be.”

Husband and wife…

That’s right, they were husband and wife, no longer brother and sister.