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Rong Xi and Qin Ke exchanged a glance, then walked together outside the prison.

Outside the jail, Shen Yi's brows were slightly furrowed. He first paid his respects to Qin Ke, then asked Rong Xi, "Young Master Rong, I have come today to ask about something."

"Please speak, Magistrate Shen," Rong Xi said politely.

Shen Yi sighed. "Some Linxi residents have said that the Phosphate Fertilizer used by Zhang Zhi differs from the Phosphate Fertilizer produced by the government. They insist on getting to the bottom of it."

"Why would they say that?" Rong Xi raised a brow slightly. That was rather unusual.

"You may not know this, Young Master Rong," Shen Yi replied, wiping the sweat from his brow, "but the crops in your fields are growing exceptionally well. Even when others use the same Phosphate Fertilizer, their crops still cannot compare."

If the difference had been small, no one would have mentioned it. After all, some land was poor while some was fertile, and Zhang Zhi had fertilized before the others. It was only natural for his crops to be a little stronger.

Yet in truth, the crops Zhang Zhi tended were far more vigorous than those in other people's fields. That was what had invited criticism.

Between the lines, they were saying that the Phosphate Fertilizer formula Rong Xi had given the government was flawed—that he had surely done it on purpose.

At those words, Qin Ke's expression suddenly turned icy. "Even in the same school, taught by the same teacher, students still differ in ability. How much more so crops? Eldest Brother selflessly offered up the method for making Phosphate Fertilizer, yet now that his crops surpass others', they accuse him of withholding something? Such unreasonable, obstinate people actually exist!"

"Please calm your anger, Your Highness!"