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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 Rong Xi had cooked the rice porridge himself, he nodded in response.

Chen Chuangu and Chen Erlang both looked at Chen Dalang.

Young Master Rong had worked hard to cook the porridge, yet someone had not touched a single mouthful. If the young master saw it with his own eyes, he would surely feel 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.

Silence filled the room, broken only by 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 it clearly."

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

"Tell us." Chen Erlang sat kneeling on the mat, noble bearing seeming innate to him.

The servant replied, "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' puzzled expressions, he continued, "Young Master Rong angered his father and was therefore sent to Linxi."

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

From what he had seen, Young Master Rong was gentle in temperament, sincere, and approachable. He did not seem like the sort to stir up trouble easily.

A rare expression appeared on the servant's face. He glanced at Chen Dalang, then lowered his head again. "It is said that Young Master Rong is fond of beauty and tried to force himself on 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 always been known as the 'King of Hell.' Minister Rong feared he would settle accounts afterward, which is understandable enough."

After saying this, he saw Chen Dalang deep in thought and Chen Erlang holding back laughter, then asked again, "Did Young Master Rong truly try to force himself on 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 soup with his servant. When he saw Chen Dalang, his gaze had been clear, without the slightest hint of greed. It did not seem to match the rumors.

Chen Erlang also looked at the servant, his eyes full of doubt.

The servant paused in surprise. "This servant returned in haste and did not verify it."

At that moment, the other sturdy servant returned from the kitchen and said, "Eldest Brother, Young Master Rong refused the additional money. He said it was his responsibility. He did not know your preferences and acted on his own, causing you inconvenience."

Chen Chuangu sighed. "Even if he is putting on an act, with such a mind, he would certainly not force himself on Young Master Liang. What does Second Young Master think?"

He was asking Chen Erlang, yet he looked at Chen Dalang.

"What Chuangu said is true."

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

The two sturdy servants looked at one another and said nothing.

"After only two meetings, last night and this morning, you are already so certain?" Chen Dalang finally spoke. "No matter what, our relationship with him is merely one of tenancy. Do not meddle in such trivial matters."

Whether the rumor was true or not was unimportant.

Liang Siwen was the prince's adopted son and skilled in martial arts. Even if Rong Xi had truly tried to force himself on him, Liang Siwen would surely have remained unharmed. As for Rong Xi, being sent afterward to a remote town and made to live in poverty was punishment enough.

"What Elder Brother says is right. Yet though we have met only twice, Young Master Rong does not seem lewd or crude to me. His bearing is leisurely, calm, steadfast, and courteous. He does not seem like a treacherous villain."

Chen Erlang clearly did not believe the rumor.

They spoke no more of the matter. Just as the three were about to resume discussing their affairs, 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 very strange in the kitchen. It is a stove, yet unlike ordinary stoves, and the fire inside it does not come from charcoal. This servant's knowledge may be shallow, but having traveled far and wide with the young masters, I have been fortunate enough to see many things. Still, I have never seen such an object."

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

Outside the kitchen, the fuel was piled up. The servant had looked it over, memorized its appearance, and described it.

The three were left dumbfounded.

Chen Chuangu was especially impatient and immediately rose to go. Chen Erlang still had a youth's curiosity and went as well. Only Chen Dalang, whose legs were impaired, could remain silent against the couch.

Fortunately, White Frost was loyal to its master. It flew into the room and pecked at his quilt.

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

Rong Clan's Eldest Brother was certainly no treacherous scoundrel.

Inside the kitchen, Liu He was placing firewood behind the stove. Seeing the four people outside the kitchen, he was somewhat startled and hurriedly rose to step outside.

"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 another question, Liu He launched into an unceasing stream of praise, extolling the honeycomb coal briquettes to the skies.

Chen Chuangu and Chen Erlang were both stunned by what they heard.

Could there truly be such a good thing?

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

While they stood there in a daze, the young Liu boy came running over. "Grandpa, we have run out of paper and ink at home. I'm going to buy some."

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

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

"Who would have thought Mengshan County had such capable people? Merchants may rank among the lowly professions, but the taxes and profits they bring are far from insignificant." Chen Erlang lowered his eyes and sighed.

Merchants paid substantial taxes every year. If they received the court's support, wealth and profits would continue rolling in, 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 seriously, "From what Old Liu said just now, this coal has not yet been widely promoted, so its prospects are unknown. Its production method is likely difficult as well. Perhaps it is too expensive for ordinary people to buy and use."

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

Chen Dalang tapped the edge of the couch, his tone slow and steady. "Young Master Rong came to Linxi alone without a penny to his name. The Liu grandfather and grandson live only on their monthly allowance. If the coal is expensive and difficult to obtain, where did they get it?"

Chen Erlang frowned as he considered it. "Perhaps Hu Clan Coal Merchant has made it cheap and easy to obtain for now, in order to promote it."

There was some logic to that, but it was not rigorous.

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