This Is Not a Courtesy Name to Take!

"Yes." The middle-aged man nodded and immediately handed over the information he had gathered.

"An orphan who was adopted, only to be harshly treated by a jealous woman? His daily food, clothing, and expenses must have been poor. Our faith should save people like him from suffering. If he joins us for training, he could perform even better!"

"Add him to the list!"

"Yes."

After the man finished speaking, the woman beside him took out another list. "Protector, the Weaving Workshop and Heavenly Craft Workshop also have two newly promoted Grade A candidates: Lin Baiwei and Han Bi."

Falcon Protector looked it over but did not agree this time. "Observe them for now. The East Lake Army and the county Military Office are both investigating closely."

"Still, we can wait at ease while they wear themselves out. There is no need to rush. They cannot keep up such strict investigations forever. There will come a day when they relax, and that will be our time to reap the harvest!"

"I gained something from the Start of Autumn assessment. Next month, I can become a tribute student and receive five taels of stipend each month."

"Lord Chen, the chief official of the Ministry of Agriculture, thinks highly of me and has decided to sponsor my cultivation resources every month."

"So, Foster Father, you do not need to give me any more silver."

When Zhao Xing returned home, Zhao Ruide called him over, intending to secretly slip him some money for cultivation.

At this point, Zhao Ruide still did not know that Zhao Xing had earned another Grade A rating. He only understood after Zhao Xing explained.

"You became a tribute student? And Chen Shijie is sponsoring you?" Zhao Ruide was first stunned, then revealed a delighted expression.

But when he heard Zhao Xing refuse his money, he suddenly felt a little empty inside.

"The court's and Lord Chen's sponsorships are earmarked for your cultivation."

"When you socialize with colleagues, build relationships, treat people to meals and drinks, can they sponsor those things too?"

"I do not have that many drinking and dining friends to spend money on," Zhao Xing said.

"You may not now, but once your reputation grows, it will no longer be up to you. Spending your own money freely leaves others with nothing to say. Otherwise, what will Lord Chen and the others think?" Zhao Ruide stuffed the banknote in his hand into Zhao Xing's. "I already exchanged it. Take it... What, is your foster father's money too hot to hold?"

With things said to that extent, Zhao Xing could only accept it. But the amount was rather large—one hundred taels!

"Foster Father, this is so much. If Madam Cai finds out..."

Zhao Ruide snorted. "Do you really think she is the one in charge of this household?"

Zhao Xing hurriedly shook his head, indicating that his foster father was the head of the household.

But Zhao Ruide immediately lowered his voice. "As long as you do not tell her, it will be fine. I have always had a secret share of profits from the main family's escort agency. They are settled every few years. She does not know about it..."

Well then, he still had not dared to tell Madam Cai. This was private stash money.

But this private stash was rather substantial. Zhao Xing had not known Zhao Ruide hid it so tightly.

No wonder whenever Madam Cai complained, Zhao Ruide never took it to heart. Even with another mouth to feed, they could not possibly eat the household poor on meat every day!

Thinking about it, that was only human nature.

Madam Cai had been a songstress, and she was not yet thirty. Even after giving birth to Zhao Zheng, she remained quite beautiful, while Zhao Ruide was already nearing sixty.

With an old husband and young wife, if he laid all his cards on the table, Zhao Ruide feared Madam Cai might run off with the money.

If not for the hope that his adopted son could make something of himself, Zhao Ruide had planned to mention this only before his death.

"Keep it safe yourself. Do not let Madam Cai find out. If she discovers it, I will deny it. And do not expect to get any more money from me in the future," Zhao Ruide instructed.

"Thank you, Foster Father."

"An overly indulgent mother ruins her children. You can manage Zheng'er. As his elder brother, put more care into it in the future. After I am gone..."

"Foster Father, you are still in your prime. It is far too early to say such things. Zheng'er is my younger brother. Why would you need to remind me separately?"

Zhao Ruide also felt it was too early to say such things. He did not know why he had become so sentimental today. Was he truly getting old?

"Go do your work. Madam Cai will be back from the market soon. Remember, hide that banknote well."

"Understood."

Zhao Xing turned to take his leave.

"Wait!" Zhao Ruide unexpectedly called him back.

Zhao Xing turned around, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Ruide said, "You will have your capping ceremony next year. It is time to choose a courtesy name for you."

After men underwent the capping ceremony at twenty and women underwent the hairpin ceremony at fifteen, it became improper to call them by their given names directly. Thus, another name related in meaning to their original name was chosen, called a courtesy name, to signify their virtue.

This was a rather important part of the coming-of-age ceremony. Without one, a person would be laughed at.

Zhao Xing would turn twenty after spring began. It was not too early for Zhao Ruide to start thinking about it now.

"I asked around and thought Start of Spring suited you quite well. You also want to become an Agriculture Official, and it is the first of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. What do you think?" Zhao Ruide asked.

"Start of Spring? That does sound... Wait, Zhao Start of Spring?" Zhao Xing's expression immediately turned strange.

"What? You do not like it?" Zhao Ruide was rather confused. Why was he reacting so strongly?

"Uh... Foster Father, Start of Spring is indeed a fine name, but it is far too common. Throughout our Ministry of Agriculture, there are at least eighty, if not a hundred, people with Start of Spring or Beginning of Winter as their courtesy names. I think you should give it some more thought," Zhao Xing refused.

"Fine. There are still more than six months left, so I will ask around some more." Zhao Ruide was a rough old martial man. He knew he was not particularly learned, so he would have to ask more people and gather more opinions.

"What would be good? I think Start of Spring is quite nice..." Zhao Ruide muttered as he walked away.

Zhao Xing could not help but laugh and cry. Foster Father, this is not a courtesy name to take.

The day after the Start of Autumn assessment, Chen Shijie sent someone to deliver a box.

Inside were two dawn-colored fruits. The moment the box was opened, a rich fragrance filled the air.

The vital energy in the room seemed to grow threefold denser.

Heaven Yuan Pear (Third Order, High Grade)

Category: Edible treasure

Effect: Contains abundant vital energy. Protects the heart, strengthens the muscles, calms the mind, clears heat, and reduces bodily wear caused by the circulation of qi and blood.

"Heaven Yuan Pear, Third Order, High Grade. Its effects will be quite helpful to me right now."

Zhao Xing took a bite, and a rich fragrance immediately filled his mouth.

The Heaven Yuan Pear had thin skin and tender flesh. It was crisp and refreshing, juicy with little pulp, and after eating it, the weather no longer felt so hot.

Many ranked martial artists liked eating Heaven Yuan Pears. When cultivating martial arts, their qi and blood surged, and over time, it was easy to accumulate hidden injuries. Eating Heaven Yuan Pears regularly could greatly reduce damage to the internal organs.

However, Agriculture Officials had little need for that effect. What they valued was its ability to increase vital energy.

"Chen Shijie sends me fifteen each month. My vital energy gathering speed will at least double compared to when I do not eat them." At his current second order of Vital Energy Gathering, the improvement was still considerable.

Zhao Xing had only just taken a bite when the panel immediately reacted.

A record appeared.

You consumed a Third Order, High Grade Heaven Yuan Pear. Vital energy increased by 25 points.

Second order of Vital Energy Gathering: 785/1000

Twenty-five points in one go!

The effect was immediate!

Ordinarily, the increase could not possibly be this great. It was because Zhao Xing's body had never consumed any treasures that increased vital energy, and after being transformed by the Dao Embryo Pill, his body's absorption efficiency for such treasures had also greatly improved.

"There is a risk of vital energy dissipating. I cannot waste it. I need to finish it quickly!" Zhao Xing immediately began taking large bites.