Chapter 22

"Sizhi, do you also think the white sugar and tofu came from Rong Dalang?" Chen Chuangu asked with a grin.

Liang Siwen, who had just been won over by the sweetness of the sugar, looked up in surprise and confusion. "Uncle Chen, are you saying Rong Xi made all of these?"

"We'll know when we return," Qin Ke answered.

He had already sent people to investigate in secret. Among the people around Hu, Jiang, Duan, and Zheng, someone was bound to know the secret.

Besides, Rong Dalang did not seem to have made much effort to conceal it.

"And if they did?" Chen Chuangu asked again, his eyes curving.

Qin Ke rarely concerned himself with such matters, yet when it came to Rong Xi, he was unlike his usual self.

"If so, he may know more methods of smelting iron. If not, these new things must have their own source."

What he needed most was a method for smelting iron.

Author's note:

I won't go into detail about the court struggles, okay~ Just use your imaginations, my darlings (^▽^) Anyway, the county magistrate was arrested (〃'▽'〃)

Also, this novel is set in a fictional world. Historically, potatoes and corn were introduced to China from the Americas during the Ming Dynasty. I may write about more crops later; some were introduced during the Ming Dynasty, while others came during the Qing Dynasty, so don't mind it too much, my darlings~

Chapter 22

When they arrived at the county yamen, the sturdy servant sent to investigate Rong Xi had just returned.

Upon seeing Qin Ke and the other two, the servant reported everything he had learned.

"Your Highness, this servant has confirmed that the honeycomb coal briquettes, coal stoves, Thin Cauldron, white sugar, and tofu were all made by Young Master Rong."

Liang Siwen, who was holding the sugar box, instantly widened his eyes.

How could that be?

On this journey out of the capital with his father, he had indeed seen many things, yet this trip to Mengshan County had truly broadened his horizons.

Especially Rong Xi, whose appearance had changed so drastically.

Unlike him, Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu both wore expressions that said, "Just as expected."

"What else?" Qin Ke asked.

What he wanted to know was every novel thing concerning Rong Xi.

Sweat beaded on the sturdy servant's forehead. After thinking hard for a moment, he replied, "A few days ago, Young Master Rong bought several mu of farmland and hired people to bury straw beneath the soil."

"Why?" Liang Siwen asked curiously.

He had been born at the border in his childhood and had worked the fields before, but he had never heard of burying straw.

"This servant does not know either."

Chen Chuangu could not help asking further, "Other than that, what other interesting things has he done?"

"This servant heard that Young Master Rong seems to be quite close to a young lady of the Jiang Clan." Unable to think of anything else, he brought up the gossip from the streets. "Previously, Miss Jiang often came and went from the Rong Residence. Some time ago, Young Master Rong also often came and went from the Jiang Residence."

The room immediately fell silent.

After a long while, Liang Siwen finally mumbled softly, "Doesn't he like men?"

Qin Ke cast him a faint glance, then said coolly to the sturdy servant, "You may leave first. We depart for the capital tomorrow."

After the servant left, Chen Chuangu smiled handsomely. "The iron-smelting method will reach the Ministry of Works before long. The Ministry of Works will be lively again then."

"Better than having nothing to do," Qin Ke said calmly.

Liang Siwen carefully asked, "Father, if all these novel things were made by Rong Xi, why had we never heard his name before coming to Mengshan County?"

No matter what was mentioned, only the Hu Clan, Jiang Clan, Zheng Clan, and Gourmet Pavilion gained fame. Even the iron-smelting method had been submitted under the Jiang Clan's name, with no trace of Rong Xi at all.

It was truly puzzling.

A smile touched Qin Ke's eyes. "When we said goodbye today, he said he enjoyed the scenery of the countryside. He probably does not wish to be disturbed."

Liang Siwen only half understood. Just as he was about to ask more, he heard the man say, "Return to your room and rest early."

He seemed unwilling to say more.

Thus, Liang Siwen could only leave with Chen Chuangu, the sugar box held in his arms.

The next day, County Magistrate Cao of Mengshan County was escorted to the capital, and the common people all cheered in celebration.

The office of county magistrate was charged with upholding the law, yet County Magistrate Cao frequently abused private punishments. Countless wrongful cases had been created by his hand.

He had powerful backing and held great authority, forcing even the county magistrate to yield to him.

Now that the corrupt official had been punished, both upright officials and common people were immensely satisfied.

The autumn rain had just stopped, and the cold wind carried a faint chill.

Ever since Hu Yulin had found potatoes and corn, he had begun buying both crops in large quantities according to Rong Xi's instructions.

Though Mengshan County was remote, many merchants passed through it. Some truly had these things in their possession and sold all of them to Hu Yulin.

The Hu Clan's coal and coal stoves had now spread throughout Qingzhou. Even the slightest move from Hu Yulin stirred speculation throughout the city.

The wealthy households and merchants did not recognize potatoes or corn, but seeing him purchase them, they too bought some. Yet they could only toss them into their homes, having no idea what use they served.

With Hu Yulin's help, Rong Xi acquired many potatoes and ears of corn, all of which he stored in the cellar.

Maples blazed red, chrysanthemums shone bright, and white frost blanketed the ground.

Rong Lian arrived by carriage from Shengjing and stopped before the Rong Residence.

The bookboy Wash Ink carried the luggage on his back and helped Rong Lian out of the carriage. Seeing the residence gates tightly shut, the two exchanged glances.

Wash Ink stepped forward and knocked on the door.

After a moment, the dilapidated gates creaked open, revealing an old man's face from within.

"Who are you?"

"May I ask, sir, is this the ancestral residence of the Rong Clan?" Rong Lian asked politely.

Liu He studied him carefully. Seeing that he was handsome and refined, with the bearing of pine and bamboo, he knew Rong Lian was no villain. He nodded. "It is. What business does this young gentleman have?"

Wash Ink answered for Rong Lian, "My young master is the second son of the Rong Estate in Shengjing. Is the eldest young master here?"

Upon hearing this, Liu He saw that Rong Lian did indeed resemble the master he remembered. He led the two inside and replied, "The eldest young master has gone to town and has not returned."

No sooner had he spoken than voices came from outside the residence.

Rong Lian turned and looked back, only to see someone stepping through the gates. He wore a faint smile and looked completely at ease. As he walked, he cut an elegant figure, framed by the brilliant evening clouds, his radiance fully on display.

"Elder Brother?" he cried in surprise.

They had not seen each other for only a few months, yet the sheer extent of his elder brother's change left him at a loss.

The Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson spent every day with Rong Xi, so naturally they could not sense his transformation. The Jiang Clan, Hu Clan, and the others were the same.

Yet Rong Lian's memories of Rong Xi's former appearance were deeply etched in his mind. Now, upon suddenly seeing him again, all he felt was utter disbelief.