Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 406: Cui Family (Part 2)

Song Yuan thought to himself, as expected, this is a clever person, and he laughed, "As an uncle, it is only right to take care of my nephew. Moreover, he is wise and capable. The new-style plow presented to the court was designed by him, and then crafted by the artisans. In Nanyang County, two new crops, corn and sweet potatoes, were cultivated due to his unique contributions."

Cui Ping’s face showed pride and comfort: "My father knows about this and is very pleased. Although the Cui Family has many outstanding younger generations, none are as accomplished as Cui Du."

In fact, Cui Du merely happened to have the surname Cui, and Song Yuan happened to have an aunt married into the Boling Cui Family, thus making Cui Du a member of the Boling Cui Family. Cui Ping seemed to completely forget this point.

Song Yuan glanced at Cui Ping and spoke with a double meaning: "Cui Du has long since taken root in Nanyang County as a subordinate official of the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Now, the Commandery Princess is seeking rewards for him, and because of him, a large batch of military grain is to be presented to the court."

Cui Ping thought to himself, why look at me? Cui Du has a promising future in Nanyang County, which the entire Cui Family deeply desires! The Cui Family is not foolish enough to compete with the Commandery Princess for Cui Du.

On the contrary, the Cui Family only hopes that Cui Du can advance further and become an indispensable person at the side of the Commandery Princess. In this way, the relationship between the Cui Family and the Commandery Princess would naturally become closer.

Cui Ping smiled warmly and said, "The Commandery Princess’ grace, the entire Cui Family remembers deeply. When the time is right or if the Cui Family is needed, the Cui Family will surely oblige without hesitation."

Cui Ping, as the future Family Head of the Cui Family, naturally carried significant weight in his words.

Song Yuan’s expression softened, and he smiled, "A horse’s stamina is known over distance, and a person’s heart over time. With the Cui Family’s intention, our Nanyang Prince Mansion will gladly accept it."

After a short rest, the group set off again. When the sky turned pitch black, they finally arrived at the field manor.

Cui Du was dining with Lu Cong and others. Upon hearing that Song Yuan’s group had arrived, he quickly put down his chopsticks and came out to greet them.

Two servants walked ahead, each holding a lantern. The soft light dispelled the darkness and illuminated Cui Du’s handsome face.

Cui Ping quickly assessed him with satisfaction growing in his heart.

This Cui Du had very handsome features and clear, bright eyes. The only regret was that his complexion wasn’t fair enough... But of course, for someone with such capabilities, whether their face is fair or dark hardly matters.

Cui Du had already received a message from the Prince Mansion, knowing that these people were from the Cui Family—his kin. He didn’t like the back-and-forth of insincere courtesies, though he could put on an act now and then.

Song Yuan smiled and said, "Cui Du, come meet your elder uncle."

The elder uncle, Cui Ping, a few rooms away, looked over with a gentle and loving gaze. Cui Du immediately clasped his hands in a junior’s salute: "Cui Du greets elder uncle."

Cui Ping smiled as he reached out to help Cui Du up, his tone full of affection: "Good child, rise quickly. When you were just a baby, I held you. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much and accomplished so much. Truly worthy of being a son of the Cui Family."

"It’s embarrassing to say, back then when you left Boling County alone, this elder uncle of yours was completely unaware. It wasn’t until Commander Song wrote to me that I knew."

"Elder uncle truly feels ashamed toward you."

Moved, Cui Ping’s eyes reddened.

Cui Du thought to himself, this acting is truly first-rate. We are total strangers, I am merely bearing the name of a branch member of the Cui Family, why such emotion? Could it be you want to calculate something against me?

Cui Du blinked hard, unable to muster the effect of reddening eyes, so he had no choice but to give up, although his tone was exceptionally sincere: "I am doing well in Nanyang County, and plan to stay here and not go anywhere else."

Cui Ping: "..."

This Cui Du, his nature is truly straightforward and frank.

Cui Ping barely twitched his mouth subtly, showing a gratified smile: "The Commandery Princess has treated you with great kindness, you should indeed serve well to repay her deep affection."

Then he personally introduced the accompanying family members to Cui Du. Cui Du cooperated fully, greeting each one in turn. Finally, Cui Ping solemnly introduced the sixteen or seventeen-year-old young man beside him: "This is Cui Wang, my eldest son. You may call him ’cousin.’"

Cui Du smiled and clasped his hands: "Greetings, cousin."

Cui Wang, tall and handsome, with the demeanor of a noble family scion in his every move, replied, "Cousin, you need not be so formal. I am a few years older than you, yet accomplished nothing, falling far behind you. In the future, I need to seek much guidance from you, and hope you will not hold back your advice."

Cui Wang spoke earnestly, and Cui Du responded sincerely: "I am neither skilled in literature nor martial arts. I only know how to cultivate crops and farm. If you want to learn, I can teach you."

Cui Wang: "..."

This cousin acts and speaks unpredictably.

Cui Wang murmured inwardly, then responded with a smile: "Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, a matter of utmost importance. Your cultivation of new crops has saved countless lives, a great merit worthy of being recorded in history. As for reading and practicing martial arts, it’s never too late to learn. If you wish to learn, I can teach you when I have the time."

After exchanging courtesies, everyone entered the field manor together.

Having traveled for half a day without having dinner, Song Yuan, Cui Ping, and their group had a meal quickly prepared by the kitchen.

It was already winter, so naturally, radishes and cabbages were available, but the table full of fresh vegetables was truly remarkable. Curious, Cui Ping inquired, and Song Yuan casually laughed, "There are many white greenhouses in the field manor, allowing the cultivation of vegetables and fruits even in winter. Besides, Cui Du has been improving the varieties, so the vegetables from our field manor not only have high yield but also taste exceptionally good."

Cui Ping looked at Cui Du as if viewing a world treasure, full of praises: "Good! Excellent! The people of Nanyang County are truly blessed."

Enlightened, Cui Du chuckled and said, "Since elder uncle has come to the field manor, tomorrow I will show you the greenhouses. If you want to learn, I can teach you. Once you master it, you can bring the technique of greenhouse vegetable cultivation to Boling County and share it with the common people."

Cautious by nature, Cui Ping did not rush to agree but first glanced at Song Yuan.

Song Yuan understood and smiled lightly: "After the new grains were introduced in Nanyang County, the Commandery Princess wrote a memorial to present the new grains to the court. Unfortunately, there are villains at court, and the memorial was rejected. Subsequently, the Commandery Princess sent the Tang Family’s grain stores to the North, taking corn and sweet potato seeds there."

"With the Commandery Princess’ vision and courage, how could she be concerned about the greenhouse vegetable technique being shared? In fact, we are gradually promoting the cultivation within Nanyang County as well. You just feel free to learn it."

Cui Ping’s spirit lifted, and he quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

After dinner, Cui Ping and the others went to settle and rest.

Song Yuan went to Cui Du’s room and quietly advised, "The Cui Family came with so many people to formally acknowledge you as a member of the Cui Family. In the future, even when facing Young Master Zheng and Fourth Young Master Wang, you can stand tall."

Cui Du replied as a matter of course, "I have never been afraid of them."