OFTLHFRO C155

Chapter 155: It’s Just… Absurd!

The caravan came to inspect the fields of Bingcheng, led by an underling of the Third Prince, accompanied by other merchant groups as a disguise.

A vast expanse of lush green vegetable fields was a pleasant sight. It was still early, so two more batches of cabbage could be planted.

Wu Qing, jealous that Luo Mingchen and the others had planted so much cabbage and yet merchants specially arrived to buy it, couldn’t sleep at night, pacing around until he wrote a letter overnight to be sent to the capital.

After Huo Yan subdued Ruan Feng and others, he organized an intelligence network, with informants also in Bingcheng.

Thus, when Wu Qing sent his letter, Huo Yan received the news but chose not to intercept it.

After finishing a large bowl of cold noodles, Luo Mingchen said, “Could it be he’s reporting us to the emperor?”

Huo Yan took some cold noodles, “Now Hancheng and Bingcheng are self-sufficient. The emperor won’t pay attention, at most wonder where our seeds come from and send a letter to dismiss it.”

Seeing his confidence, Luo Mingchen did not bother further.

This was the advantage of distance. Messages to and fro would lag, by the time officials noticed, the matter would be done, and an excuse found to brush it off. As long as the result was good, the process mattered little.

Hua Yaoyue peeked in the window, seeing them eating cold noodles, raised her eyebrow, jumped in through the window, and smiled, “Why didn’t you call me when there’s food?”

Luo Mingchen told her, “I’m just trying the recipe. You want some, take a bowl and taste.”

“Okay.”

Without hesitation, Hua Yaoyue took a bowl, tasting a few bites. “The sauce is good, but the noodles are too soft.”

Huo Yan shot her a glance, “If you don’t like it, put it down.”

Hua Yaoyue felt wronged, “I was just giving tips, not saying it’s bad. It’s good to try, isn’t it?”

Luo Mingchen nodded, “It lacks some chewiness.”

Hua Yaoyue loudly exclaimed, “See? I told you!”

Luo Mingchen said, “I knew just by tasting it, so this big bowl is to be finished with Huo Yan.”

Huo Yan mocked, “You think others haven’t eaten cold noodles?”

Hua Yaoyue smiled, “You’re right, I’ll shut up.”

Trying to ask for fairness before these two was impossible; both fiercely protected their egos.

Luo Mingchen blinked and continued eating.

After nearly finishing, Hua Yaoyue looked at Luo Mingchen, hesitated, then asked, “Do those fruits and vegetables we usually eat have something added to them?”

Seeing them close, Huo Yan quietly picked up a jug of juice, deliberately poured a glass for Luo Mingchen, and sat between them.

Hua Yaoyue stepped back, looking at Luo Mingchen expectantly, hoping he’d answer.

Though a poisoner, Luo Mingchen was still a doctor interested in strange plants.

Especially when ordinary things suddenly seemed special, it made people want to know why.

Luo Mingchen answered with a question, “What do you think’s added to those fruits?”

Hua Yaoyue sighed, “If I knew, would I be asking?”

“As long as they’re edible and tasty?”

Seeing Luo Mingchen’s reluctance, she continued, “Still, those veggies seem to improve health the more you eat. How can I not be curious?”

Luo Mingchen confessed ignorance, “Who says that?”

Hua Yaoyue perked up, “You don’t know?”

“I… well, I’ve eaten plenty without feeling anything.”

Fortunately, Hua Yaoyue didn’t keep him in suspense, explaining, “Flower Lady’s health was ruined by strong medicines. When I prescribed for her, I felt her pulse improve a lot. I saw her normal health tonics; even ten years of those wouldn’t have such effect.”

“…Really?”

Hua Yaoyue smiled, “So I raised three little white mice to test. They all showed the same result.”

Luo Mingchen understood, “So what do you want? Surely the reason can’t be told to you.”

“I…”

Hua Yaoyue just started to speak but saw Huo Yan’s gaze, cleared her throat, “Nothing, just asking.”

“Oh, I thought you wanted me to plant herbs for you.”

Even if Hua Yaoyue were sold to the Nether Palace by Huo Yan, she couldn’t help but say, “That’s what I think. Can we grow them?”

Seeing those bright eyes, Luo Mingchen hesitated, thought since he was planting herbs for sale anyway, planting some for Hua Yaoyue was effortless. “Give me the seeds.”

Huo Yan added, “Only three kinds of herbs.”

Hua Yaoyue knew this was their greatest concession, yet was happy, “Three is fine. I’ll get the seeds. Thanks.”

Luo Mingchen saw her so cheerful, replied, “…No problem.”

After Huo Yan’s men gathered news, they dressed in clothes brought from Wolf King’s Fort and mingled in the caravan, disguising watermelons in odd shapes when heading to Northern Yue.

Luo Mingchen stood on the city wall watching the caravan’s retreat and said to Huo Yan, “Our people wear clothes from Wolf King’s Fort. Won’t this be blamed on them?”

Huo Yan said, “But they’re not Wolf King’s Fort’s styles—they’re from Xiaguang State.”

Luo Mingchen pondered. “From… Wolf King’s Fort to Xiaguang State clothes, then to Northern Yue selling watermelons?”

Huo Yan asked, “What’s wrong with that?”

“…Whatever makes you happy.”

After months of growth, Hancheng and Bingcheng had restored markets. Few outsiders came; locals mostly came on market days to buy.

Among refugees settling in Hancheng, Huo Yan found craftsmen to make more looms and spinning wheels from refugee labor.

Some smelt iron ore—Hancheng had abundant iron resources, not wanting waste.

Because they planned a garment factory, a row of inconspicuous buildings arose in town.

Hua Niang thought she was just teaching spinning, weaving, and tailoring, but upon hearing Luo Mingchen’s plans, she realized those low buildings were all for making clothes.

“Luo Mingchen, so many people—I’m afraid I can’t manage…”

Holding a notebook, Luo Mingchen said, “Sister-in-law, if they don’t listen, just tell me. I’ll dock their pay.”

Hua Niang hesitated, seeing Luo Mingchen wasn’t joking.

Staying inside all day was dull. Though she knew Xiao Lin was busy, she couldn’t help wondering what he was up to.

If she had work too, she wouldn’t brood all day, and Xiao Lin wouldn’t return from work needing to soothe her moods with elaborate coaxing.

As for whether she could do it… might as well try.