Song Ci and Niu Pan’er were about to leave Xiazhi Foreign Trading Company when they happened to see a clerk passing by with a small dustpan. She glanced at it casually, and her heart skipped a beat.
The clerk was startled by the command, nearly losing his grip on the dustpan, and looked at Song Ci with a bewildered and fearful expression. Did he just run into a noble?
"What is this? Is it for sale?" Song Ci walked over and pointed at the dustpan.
The clerk stammered in reply, "In... in response to Old Madam’s question, this is a yam, it’s edible."
"How much silver is this? I’ll take it," Song Ci asked, holding back her excitement.
What yam, these are potatoes, one of the four most important food crops globally in later generations, unexpectedly appearing in this store.
This is a major discovery!
The clerk was at a loss, looking towards the maid inside the trading company; he didn’t know how much silver it was worth.
One of the alert maids had already gone to the inner yard to call Meiniang.
Meiniang quickly came out, asked about the situation, and looked at the dustpan of yams with a smile, "I was wondering what was going on. Turns out it’s just some yams. Old Madam can recognize it?"
Song Ci looked at her and instead of answering, asked, "Did this also come from the Western Countries?"
Meiniang nodded, "It’s said that in the Western Countries, they originally grew this as ornamental potted plants, and later someone discovered the fruit was edible, so it spread. Could it be Old Madam knows this?"
"An old woman like me, how could I know? I just think these fruits are very tempting. How much silver for them?" Song Ci laughed to cover her curiosity.
Meiniang smiled charmingly, "They’re just a few pieces of fruit, if Old Madam likes them, just take them; they’re a gift for you."
"Saying it’s a first meeting gift would seem too shabby, so let’s say it’s for you to try something new."
Song Ci beamed, "In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. Thank you very much. Clerks, please help me move this to the carriage."
The clerk glanced at Meiniang upon hearing this, and seeing her nod, he delivered the dustpan to Song Ci’s carriage, handing it over to the Song Family’s servant.
Song Ci thanked Meiniang again before leaving with Niu Pan’er, walking so quickly as if afraid they would change their mind.
Meiniang escorted them to the door, watched their carriage leave, stood there thinking for a while, then went back to the rear courtyard to report the incident to Shang Pu.
Shang Pu was puzzled, "She took the yams?"
Meiniang nodded, "The way Song Old Madam looked, she seemed to know what they were and was quite excited."
Shang Pu raised an eyebrow, "Western yams, Song Old Madam recognized them?"
"Could it be the Song Family’s library has geographical records of the Western Countries, and she read about it?"
"Rather than saying Song Old Madam learned from the library, it’s more plausible she heard it from Prime Minister Song. Prime Minister Song Yunzhi has been well-read from a young age, and is the last disciple of the great scholar, Master Lin Yuan. His knowledge is exceptional," Shang Pu praised.
Meiniang thought for a moment, "Is that Prime Minister Song really that impressive?"
"To hold a top official position at just over forty, do you really think he relies solely on his hardship ties with Emperor Chu?" Shang Pu lowered his eyes, his voice deep, "Without concrete political achievements and true capabilities, even with someone’s support, one would easily fall from high positions. He stands firm, clearly not blindly loyal or mediocre."
"Sir’s insight is sharp."
Shang Pu’s lips curled slightly as his gaze returned to his book. Follow current novᴇls on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
Seeing this, Meiniang did not disturb him, curtsied, and stepped out.
Walking along the corridor, she thought again, Song Ci didn’t ask how to consume those yams, does she know?