The villagers were aghast, their gazes sweeping towards the sky…
Countless locusts flew overhead, some disoriented by the thick smoke, falling in a cascade.
The village chickens, ducks, and geese flapped their wings, rushing into the crops to feast.
Even the greedy dogs pounced, snapping at the locusts…
“Oh my, these things are like a sky-darkening plague, it’s terrifying!~”
“Of course, haven’t you heard? Goubang Village suffered a locust plague three years ago. Those locusts destroyed all the corn and wheat the villagers planted. By autumn, there wasn’t a single grain harvested…”
“Fortunately, our village is blessed by the Little County Princess. Even if locusts come, she can drive them away!~”
“Everyone, make sure you remember. The Little County Princess has done a great service by driving away these locusts. When you go back, bring out your best household items and send them to Old Yun’s family. Don’t be stingy…”
The sky was filled with locusts like dark clouds, emitting a ‘shala shala’ sound. Even if they escaped Dashui Village, they would perish along the way and wouldn’t cause trouble in other villages.
Because Xiao Xitian considered the harm of locusts, she added a little ‘seasoning’ to the leaves, which not only killed the insects but also preserved the tenderness of the meat…
As the saying goes, everything can be cooked, and locusts are no exception.
“Little Aunt!~” Yun Jinhe ran over with Murong Qing, followed closely by Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu.
Xiao Xitian looked back, surprised, “Big nephew, Sister Murong, when did you two return?”
The Imperial Academy hadn’t let out for holidays, so their return at this time was very strange…
Yun Jinhe scratched his face, glancing secretly at his grandfather and grandmother, and lowered his voice, “Little Aunt, I’ll tell you later!~”
Alas, he really didn’t know how to tell his Little Aunt.
It was just too embarrassing.
Xiao Xitian hummed, removed a locust from her head, and put it into her small satchel, “Big nephew, did something happen?”
She hadn’t eaten fried locusts in a long time, and there were no such things in her space, so she had to indulge today…
Seeing Yun Jinhe stammering without speaking, Murong Qing smiled and said, “Little County Princess, something did happen at the Imperial Academy. We’ll explain when we get home, okay?”
Actually, Murong Qing didn’t want to return to Dashui Village this time. Firstly, Jinhe’s mother was too unreasonable, and secondly, her trip to Yan Country was still uncertain, so it was better to stay in the capital…
But she couldn’t resist Yun Jinhe’s persistent pleas for her to return to the village with him.
“Understood, Sister Murong!~” Xiao Xitian nodded with a smile, then looked at Gao Jingde and Yun Xiaobao not far away, “Jingde, Xiaobao, quickly go home and get the insect nets. Let’s catch more locusts to take back…”
The old and young of the Yun family had tasted locusts before and knew how delicious they were, so the two little buns didn’t dare to delay and soon brought the insect nets…
Sun Tianxiu and Yao Jinsheng, with nothing else to do, also followed behind Xiao Xitian, catching insects.
The thick white smoke gradually dispersed, and the crops of Dashui Village seemed to have been washed by a spring rain, instantly exuding unprecedented vitality…
Countless locusts lay dead in the fields. Many villagers had already come with baskets, picking up the locusts to take home. Even if they didn’t eat them themselves, they could feed their chickens, ducks, and geese.
These things were highly nutritious. It was said that a skinny old goose could gain a pound and a half after eating locusts twice…
Seeing the villagers’ joyful expressions, Xiao Jinsheng’s mood also improved.
But when he saw the little monk Jie Kong following the little village girl like a shadow, never leaving her side, Xiao Jinsheng’s face darkened again…
The Yun family had already recognized Little Jie Kong. Although they harbored doubts about this fair-skinned little monk, he was brought back by Sweet Baby, so everyone accepted him.
“Xitian, a basket is enough. Hurry back and rest…” Old Man Sun helped Xiao Xitian carry the basket and advised her in a low voice.
Xiao Xitian smiled sweetly, “Uncle Sun, there are many people in the family. If we don’t pick enough, it won’t be enough to eat!~”
Recalling the scene of Magistrate Chen and Prefect Qin fighting over locusts, Xiao Xitian couldn’t help but laugh.
Old Man Yun shook off the locusts that had fallen on the corn leaves and said casually, “In the past, during locust plagues, the common people didn’t know these things were edible. They piled them up and burned them. But after tasting them, they realized how good they tasted…”
“Then let’s get more. Tonight, I’ll accompany you for a couple of drinks!~” Old Man Sun said with a smile.
“Alright!”
That afternoon, Zhao Guihua and Yun Daman returned from the county town…
Hearing that her son Jinhe had a holiday, Zhao Guihua found it strange and wanted to come back to ask for an explanation.
The locust plague that had enveloped Dashui Village lasted only half a day and one night before it was completely eliminated by Xiao Xitian.
Xiao Jinsheng quietly took out his little notebook again, recording her accomplishments, which he intended to present to his father, the Emperor…
In the study of the West Wing, Granny Jin entered with a teapot. Seeing the young prince engrossed in writing something, she stepped forward to pour him a cup of tea.
“Your Highness, what are you writing?” Granny Jin asked softly.
Xiao Jinsheng was writing diligently without looking up, “The matter of the locust plague is of great importance. If Dashui Village’s crops were completely ruined, the locusts would surely fly to other villages and ravage their grain. Xitian has performed meritorious service in driving away the locusts, and I must have my father reward her with something!~”
Granny Jin: “……”
Sweet Baby was already the County Princess of Dongping. Any further rewards would be nothing more than various gold, silver, or fine silks and satins. They couldn’t possibly bestow upon her the title of princess.
“Your Highness, this servant feels that the reward itself is not important, but rather your attitude towards the Little County Princess…” Granny Jin sighed.
Xiao Jinsheng: “???”
Her attitude towards the little village girl?
“What does Granny Jin mean by that?” Xiao Jinsheng put down his brush.
Granny Jin lowered her eyes, “Why doesn’t Your Highness consider whether the Little County Princess is the kind of person who is greedy and seeks quick success?”
Xiao Jinsheng shook his head…
“Since she is not, then no matter what Your Highness rewards her with, she will passively accept it and not be happy!~”
Xiao Jinsheng frowned upon hearing this, “Granny Jin, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There’s no need to beat around the bush…”
“Your Highness!”
Granny Jin curtsied, lowering her voice, “This servant dares to speak boldly. Your Highness and the Little County Princess are childhood sweethearts, inseparable from each other, a match made in heaven. Why doesn’t Your Highness clearly state your intentions to the Emperor and have him arrange a betrothal for you and the Little County Princess? When Your Highness comes of age and the County Princess reaches her maidenhood, you can then get married. At that time, regardless of whether Your Highness becomes the Crown Prince or ascends the throne, she will be your consort…”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinsheng abruptly stood up, “What did you say? A betrothal?”