"If Duke Xu wishes to plant sweet potatoes, he may do so without any reservations. Ultimately, I am still a citizen of Da Yu. Even if I move to Lan Yong, it does not change my identity as a Da Yu citizen."
"If planting sweet potatoes can make Da Yu better, and feed its people, I wholeheartedly approve. This is a deed that benefits the present and will last for generations."
"If Duke Xu wants to buy as many sweet potatoes as possible, I will have to inquire, as I do not know how much they have planted."
Xie Jiang agreed readily, without hesitation or demurral.
She even offered her assistance, "It is also almost time to plant sweet potatoes. I will find out and select a few people who know how to plant them, and hand them over to Duke Xu then."
This surprised Xu Hengyan, but her statement that she was a citizen of Da Yu made him feel it was only right.
Many people, though far from their homeland, bled Da Yu blood and their hearts always turned towards their country.
Xu Hengyan rose again and bowed deeply to Xie Jiang, "On behalf of the people of Da Yu, I thank you for your great righteousness."
"Duke Xu need not be so formal. It is merely a small effort."
Xie Jiang grasped his wrist, "Duke Xu, as the heir of a ducal mansion, you still focus on the people's livelihood. I am merely bringing a few sweet potatoes, which is nothing compared to you."
As she helped him up and withdrew her hand, her fingers brushed his as if by accident.
Xu Hengyan felt a light, soft tickle in his palm, as if brushed by a feather, and an inexplicable strangeness arose in his heart.
But he quickly dismissed it, "Even if Young Master Xie brought the sweet potatoes to Da Yu unintentionally, it can be considered a blessing to the world."
From what Xie Jiang said about the farmers in Lan Yong planting sweet potatoes for fun, it was evident that Lan Yong did not lack grain. Xu Hengyan could even imagine the peaceful prosperity of Lan Yong's people, living in contentment without hunger.
But Da Yu was short of grain.
Severely short.
Every year, countless people still starved to death.
She and Heng Yi did not understand how difficult life was for the common people of Da Yu, and thus did not realize how many people the sweet potatoes, which could yield three thousand catties per mu, would save from watching their loved ones starve to death.
Xie Jiang smiled and said, "You praise me so much that I'm almost embarrassed. Hearing you say that, I feel like going to the countryside with you to plant sweet potatoes."
Xu Hengyi, unwilling to be left behind by the two, chimed in, "I'll go too, I'll go too! I want to see if these sweet potatoes are really that amazing, to produce so much."
Xu Hengyan's gaze towards Xie Jiang had changed. She was no longer just someone insignificant besides being able to cure his grandmother.
But this change had nothing to do with Xu Hengyi. "Grandmother's health has improved. When do you plan to return to the Imperial Academy for classes?"
Xu Hengyi choked for a moment, but quickly thought of a retort, "Grandmother lies in bed all day, unable to even go out and enjoy the flowers. It must be stifling for her after a while. Of course, I must stay in the mansion to accompany Grandmother. Grandmother is happy whenever she sees me, and can even eat half a bowl more. With me accompanying Grandmother every day, her health will also improve faster. Young Master Xie, am I right?"
Xie Jiang nodded, "There is some truth to that."
Xu Hengyan said mercilessly, "Then you stay in the mansion and accompany Grandmother well."
Xu Hengyi: "..." If you don't want me to go, I won't! Do you think I like working in the fields!
He just wanted to follow Xie Jiang. "Where did your servants plant the sweet potatoes? Are they on Mount Hexian? Can sweet potatoes be grown on the mountain?"
Xie Jiang gave him a sideways glance, "I don't know. Do you inspect your own vegetable garden?"
Xu Hengyi was momentarily speechless, but it was true. If she wanted anything, she just had to say the word; she wouldn't personally do the work.