Page 13

The porridge was sweet, fragrant, soft, and glutinous. He liked it very much.

The sturdy servant went to the kitchen for water that morning. Learning that the rice porridge had been personally cooked by Rong Xi, he nodded in reply.

Chen Chuangu and Chen Erlang both looked toward Chen Dalang.

Young Master Rong had gone to the trouble of simmering porridge, yet someone had not touched a single mouthful. Having Young Master Rong see it with his own eyes would surely leave him feeling hurt.

Chen Dalang remained composed and said plainly, "Bone broth will do. Also, raise the rent by fifty percent, as thanks for Young Master Rong's kindness."

The sturdy servant accepted the order and withdrew.

The room fell silent, with only the sound of dripping water outside the corridor.

Just then, another sturdy servant returned from somewhere unknown. Seeing Chen Erlang, he respectfully said, "Second Young Master, this servant has investigated everything clearly."

White Frost sprang into the air and flew beneath the corridor outside the door, as though standing watch.

"Let's hear it." Chen Erlang sat kneeling on the mat, nobility seeming inborn in him.

The sturdy servant answered, "This is the ancestral residence of Minister Rong of the Ministry of Personnel. Young Master Rong is his legitimate eldest son." Seeing the three young masters' bewildered expressions, he continued, "Young Master Rong offended his father and was therefore sent to Linxi."

"What did he do to offend him?" Chen Chuangu was exceedingly curious.

In his view, Young Master Rong had a gentle temperament and was sincere and approachable. He did not seem like someone prone to stirring up trouble.

A rare expression appeared on the sturdy servant's face. He glanced at Chen Dalang, then lowered his head again. "Rumor has it that Young Master Rong was fond of fishing for beauty and wished to force himself upon Young Master Liang. Minister Rong feared he would anger the prince, so..."

Chen Chuangu let out another snort of laughter.

"Young Master Liang is Prince Qin's adopted son. Prince Qin has long been called 'Yama.' Minister Rong feared he would settle accounts after the autumn harvest, which is only reasonable."

After saying this, he saw Chen Dalang deep in thought and Chen Erlang holding back laughter, so he asked again, "Did Young Master Rong truly intend to force Young Master Liang?"

When it came to beauty, Liang Siwen was far inferior to the man before them.

Last night, Young Master Rong had brought a servant to deliver soup. When he saw Chen Dalang, his gaze had been clear, without the slightest trace of greed. It did not seem to match the rumors.

Chen Erlang also looked at the sturdy servant, doubt in his eyes.

The sturdy servant paused. "This servant hurried back and did not verify it."

At that moment, the other sturdy servant returned from the kitchen and said, "Eldest Young Master, Young Master Rong refuses the additional payment. He said it was his responsibility. Not knowing Eldest Young Master's preferences, he acted on his own and caused Eldest Young Master inconvenience."

Chen Chuangu sighed. "Even if he is putting on an act, with such intelligence, he surely would not do something like forcing Young Master Liang. What does Second Young Master think?"

He was asking Chen Erlang, yet his eyes went to Chen Dalang.

"What Chuangu says is true."

Chen Erlang answered Chen Chuangu, but he too looked at Chen Dalang.

The two sturdy servants exchanged glances and remained silent.

"After only two meetings, last night and this morning, you are already so certain?" Chen Dalang finally spoke. "No matter what, our connection to him is only one of tenancy. Do not concern yourselves with such idle affairs."

Whether the rumors were true was unimportant.

Liang Siwen was the prince's adopted son and possessed considerable martial skill. Even if Rong Xi had truly tried to force himself upon him, Liang Siwen would certainly have emerged unscathed. Rong Xi, meanwhile, had been sent afterward to a remote town, where he lived in poverty. That counted as punishment enough.

"Elder Brother is right. But though we have met only twice, I find Young Master Rong free of lewdness and vulgarity. His bearing is unhurried, calm, steadfast, and courteous. He does not seem like a treacherous villain."

Chen Erlang plainly did not believe the rumors.

The matter was not discussed further. Just as the three were about to resume their deliberations, one sturdy servant said, "This servant has something to report to the young masters."

The three were curious, and Chen Chuangu was the most impatient. "Speak quickly!"

"This servant saw something most unusual in the kitchen. It is a stove, yet unlike ordinary stoves, and the fire within it is not produced by charcoal. This servant's knowledge may be shallow, but having traveled north and south with the young masters, I have been fortunate enough to see many things. Yet I have never seen such an object."

"Not charcoal?" Chen Chuangu asked curiously. "Then what is it? Can you describe it?"

The fuel was piled outside the kitchen. The sturdy servant had looked it over and remembered its shape, then described it.

The three men were left dumbfounded.

Chen Chuangu was especially impatient and immediately rose to go. Chen Erlang still possessed a youth's curiosity and went as well. Only Chen Dalang, whose legs did not function well, could remain leaning against the couch in silence.

Fortunately, White Frost was devoted to his master and flew back into the room, pecking at his quilt.

The man stroked the bird's head. Thinking of Rong Xi's clear gaze when he had seen him last night, untouched by stray thoughts, he strongly agreed with what Chen Erlang had said earlier.

The Rong Clan's eldest son was absolutely no treacherous scoundrel.

In the kitchen, Liu He was feeding firewood behind the stove. Seeing the four people appear outside, he was somewhat startled and hurriedly rose to go out.

"Second Young Master Chen, Physician Chen."

Chen Chuangu pointed at the honeycomb coal briquettes and asked, "What is this?"

Remembering Rong Xi's instructions, Liu He answered sincerely, "Two young masters, this is a new product from Hu Clan Coal Merchant. It is very useful."

Before they could ask more, Liu He began talking without pause, praising the honeycomb coal briquettes until they seemed to touch the sky.

Chen Chuangu and Chen Erlang were both left staring blankly.

Could such a fine thing truly exist?

Yet the benefits Elder Liu described were indeed not possessed by ordinary charcoal. Did Hu Clan Coal Merchant truly have such skill?

While they stood stunned, young Liu came running over. "Grandpa, we've run out of paper and ink at home. I'm going to buy some."

Liu He nodded lovingly. "Go quickly and return quickly."

After the youth departed, Chen Chuangu and the other three returned to the guest room. They recounted what they had seen to Chen Dalang and sighed repeatedly.

"Who would have thought Mengshan County possessed such a capable person? Though merchants are among the nine lowly professions, their tax revenue is not insignificant." Chen Erlang lowered his eyes and sighed.

Merchants paid vast taxes every year. If they received support from the court, money would roll in and profits would multiply, filling the national treasury.

When the court had funds to spend on the people, the people would have no worries.

"Second Young Master, please do not worry." Chen Chuangu said solemnly, "From what Elder Liu said just now, this coal has not yet been widely promoted, and its prospects remain unknown. Moreover, its method of production is likely difficult. It may be too expensive to buy, beyond the reach of ordinary people."

White Frost flew to a roof beam and looked down at them.

Chen Dalang tapped the edge of the couch, his tone slow and measured. "Young Master Rong came alone to Linxi without a single coin. The Liu Clan grandfather and grandson live solely on their monthly allowance. If the coal were expensive and difficult to buy, where would they have obtained it?"

Chen Erlang furrowed his brow in thought. "Perhaps Hu Clan is keeping the price low and making it easy to obtain for now, in order to promote it."

It made some sense, but it was not rigorous.

"This matter still requires careful consideration. If the honeycomb coal briquettes truly have benefits and are good for the people, promoting them would also be a good deed."