OFTLHFRO C92

Chapter 92 A Double Blessing

Luo Mingchen had thought that only Wang Chen would come over to repay the money, but unexpectedly, just after he had taken out the flower seedlings he had bought and stored away in his space, many people from Xishui Village also arrived that afternoon, all carrying gifts like pork, eggs, and grass carp.

Village chief Yu Hu, beaming with joy, said:

“The vegetables planted in the village had a great harvest, and we earned a lot from selling them.”

The bumper harvest was within Luo Mingchen’s expectations. Seeing how happy they were, he smiled and said:

“Congratulations, congratulations.”

“Mingchen, this is all thanks to your vegetable seeds. You didn’t even charge much for them before, so you must accept these things.”

As he spoke, the village chief signaled the others to bring the gifts forward.

“We’ll have these sent to your kitchen.”

Seeing their enthusiasm, Luo Mingchen couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, replying:

“Alright then, thank you everyone.”

“It’s us who should be thanking you.”

The vegetables weren’t only tastier than before, but they sold at higher prices and produced higher yields as well.

Seeing how delighted they were, Luo Mingchen curiously asked how much yield per mu of land they had gotten.

After listening to the number Yu Hu gave him, Luo Mingchen fell into deep thought.

So, was it that he simply didn’t know how to farm?

Because that yield was much higher than what he managed to grow outside.

Sure enough, when it came to farming, he still had to rely on the fields inside his space…

The crowd came happily, and upon hearing that Luo Mingchen would continue to sell them vegetable seeds, they left just as happily, without even having a cup of tea.

Luo Mingchen, who had been about to brew some:

“……”

Previously, he had planned to wait a few more days before buying fresh pork to make sausages, but now that a bunch of people had gifted some to him, he thought he might as well make them ahead of time.

Huo Xinyue saw Luo Mingchen directing two water tendrils that wrapped around knives to chop meat, while he himself washed pig intestines. Roughly rolling up her sleeves, she also wanted to help, but Luo Mingchen stopped her with a tendril.

“Yueyue, be good. You’re still too young. In the future, Daddy will teach you.”

So, Huo Xinyue moved over a little stool, sat down, rested her two small hands against her round cheeks, and watched seriously.

When Huo Yan came back from the shop, he saw Luo Mingchen making sausages.

“Didn’t you say you’d do this in a couple of days?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the two kitchen knives chopping away at the meat, knowing Luo Mingchen was controlling them with his ability, and asked:

“Why don’t I take over?”

In the past, Luo Mingchen would indeed find it a bit tiring, since it required splitting his focus. But now, he was not strained in the slightest, so he refused:

“No need, I can handle this. You go plant the flowers in the yard.”

“Mm.”

A few days ago, Huo Yan had already heard Luo Mingchen mention planting flowers, so that they wouldn’t have to go harvest vegetables outside in the snow.

The yard had too much empty space, which didn’t look good. Besides, Luo Mingchen still had plenty of vegetables in his space that hadn’t been eaten yet, so he thought it better to leave just one mu of land for vegetables and use the rest to plant flowers.

In the flowerbeds, he planted various chrysanthemums. Outside them, he planted plum blossoms, peonies, tree peonies, and roses, not far from peach trees, pear trees, plum trees, and pomegranate trees.

Neither of them knew much about design; they simply planted wherever there was space, not bothering for now about aesthetics.

Luo Mingchen hadn’t experienced normal cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in a long time. In his place, winter only lasted a few days, which was why he had thought of planting vegetables everywhere.

It wasn’t until Huo Yan mentioned buying charcoal that Luo Mingchen remembered that here, winter lasted at least three months, stretching until February of the following year, sometimes even into March.

Although ability-users could withstand the cold better, they weren’t immune to it. After all, who liked going out to work in the freezing cold? Unless they had some kind of masochistic tendency.

By the time Luo Mingchen finished making the sausages, Huo Yan had already finished planting the flowers.

But the sausages still needed to be smoked. After hanging them all up, Luo Mingchen suddenly remembered something:

“Didn’t we say we were going to raise a little kitten? I heard from an auntie that her black cat got pregnant a couple of months ago, and it’ll give birth soon. When the time comes, we should go reserve a little kitten.”

Once they made the reservation, they could bring the kitten home once it was a month old.

Huo Yan hadn’t expected Luo Mingchen to still remember that matter, and smiled faintly as he said:

“Alright.”

In truth, Luo Mingchen had never forgotten, it was just that little black cats were hard to find. Most of them were tabby cats.

Honestly speaking, tabby cats were very pretty too. If not for that tofu-selling aunt mentioning her black cat, Luo Mingchen had been ready to get a tabby cat first to cuddle with.

Here, black cats were also called Xuan Cats and considered guardian beasts of the household.

But most people preferred raising dogs to guard their homes, while cats were relatively rare, and most of those were tabby cats.

Luo Mingchen had searched the entire town, even checked the pet market in the county city, but still hadn’t found a pure black kitten.

By late October, the morning frost had grown much heavier, and it was only a matter of time before snow would fall.

With half a month left before the academy closed for the long holiday, Luo Mingchen had been planning to go with Huo Yan to Yue Lan County to retrieve the custom-made collars and necklaces when they happened to run into a yamen runner bringing good news.

The head constable, who knew Huo Yan, smiled broadly and said:

“Brother Huo, congratulations! Your family has produced a newly minted juren official, and even a tongsheng.”

At first, upon hearing “juren,” Luo Mingchen didn’t react. After a moment, he realized they were talking about Wen Liuyun.

Huo Yan glanced at Luo Mingchen and told him:

“Wen Liuyun wrote down our family as his own.”

“Oh… I’ll take you to him, he’s at the shop.”

As he said this, Luo Mingchen suddenly remembered something:

“Sir, are you saying that my Xiao Hui also passed?”

“Yes.”

Amused, the constable handed him the official documents and tray:

“From now on, your family’s taxes will be cut in half. Once your child passes the xiucai exam, you won’t have to pay taxes at all.”

Luo Mingchen’s eyes lit up. Taking the documents, he looked them over happily and said:

“Thank you for coming to deliver the good news.”

Huo Yan accepted the tray and took out a string of copper coins—about fifty wen—and handed it over:

“You’ve worked hard, have some tea.”

“Then we’ll gladly share in the joy. Thank you, Brother Huo.”

The constable happily pocketed the money.

According to custom, no matter how much was given, it had to be accepted. If nothing was given, that was fine too—but if something was offered, it had to be taken.

The couple, carrying Huo Xinyue, went to the shop to find Wen Liuyun.

At the time, Wen Liuyun was still wrapping tofu for a customer.

The constable struck the gong adorned with a big red flower and laughed:

“Congratulations, Sir, on passing the juren examination!”

The customers buying tofu and milk tea were all stunned.

A man capable of passing the juren exam, yet working in a small shop?

With such talent, if he had attended gatherings of wealthy families to showcase his poetry, he wouldn’t have had to toil in this place.

Having nearly forgotten all about the exam, Wen Liuyun froze for a moment. But he still wrapped up the tofu for the aunt first, before stepping forward and bowing respectfully:

“Thank you, Sir.”

One constable even specially set off a string of firecrackers—an honor reserved for only the top three achievers in the entire Yuanzhou Prefecture.

In the back courtyard, Chen Xiuyue had been sweeping. Hearing the commotion outside, she thought trouble had broken out again. Stepping out, she saw the constables delivering the good news and froze in surprise.

“This is the official document and the reward silver. Sir, you are sure to succeed in next spring’s metropolitan exam.”

Luo Mingchen watched from the side, glanced at the document in his hand, and thought to himself that their Xiao Hui was really impressive too.

He had actually passed the tongsheng exam…

Originally, he had nearly forgotten about the whole thing, having only intended for Huo Yuhui to gain some exam experience by participating. He hadn’t expected him to really pass.

Though not yet overwhelmed by joy, Wen Liuyun still took some broken silver from the reward and handed it to the constables, expressing his gratitude sincerely, before listening to a few more auspicious words.

“Why don’t you all come in and have some tea?”

The constable laughed:

“No, we still need to deliver the good news elsewhere.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen suddenly asked:

“Sir, did Lin Qingfeng pass?”

The constable shook his head:

“No such name.”

Relieved, Luo Mingchen said:

“Good.”

Now he wouldn’t have to worry about Lin Qingfeng and his people coming to cause a ruckus again. Peace at last.

After the messengers of joy departed, Luo Mingchen turned to the customers and announced:

“Today we are blessed with a double joy—my son has passed the tongsheng exam, and Liuyun has passed the juren exam. So the remaining milk tea and tofu are free for everyone! Quantities are limited, one portion per person, first come first served!”

The crowd, who had originally been planning to buy more to share in the celebration, were overjoyed at this announcement. They happily lined up to receive their share, each offering words of congratulations.

The flood of auspicious words into their ears was… extremely satisfying!