Chapter 18: Unwarranted Solicitude

Chapter 18: Unwarranted Solicitude

Wen Ruan returned to the estate.

He had no time to waste on the Duke's residence; the recent weather had been favorable, and the first batch of seedlings had already sprouted!

The newly emerged seedlings were particularly tender, row after row reaching towards the sunlight, stretching their newly grown buds with all their might. They gently trembled in the warm breeze. The vast land beneath their feet belonged to them, the brilliant sunshine above was theirs, and even the gentle rain and dew would be theirs. They were lively and adorable, full of vitality, with an infinitely promising future ahead.

But someone whispered in worry, "Why are these seedlings so yellow..."

The farmers on the estate had never seen maize and didn't know its characteristics, thinking it was sick.

Nanxing, however, was very familiar: "This kind of seedling is yellow when it first grows out, but it turns green once exposed to the sun."

"I hope it rains soon..."

Wen Ruan looked up at the sky, his earnestness evident.

Maize seeds need watering when planted; the embryo swells and germinates on the same day, growing very quickly. It is a drought-resistant crop, but water is needed during the early growth stage. In about twenty days, they would start to grow taller, and a month after that, they would produce silk and pollen...

Regardless of where it was grown, its growth period was between one hundred to one hundred and twenty days. Three crops a year in the south was not a problem, and four crops could also be attempted. However, the most pressing issue currently was hybridization of varieties. To accelerate the domestication process and obtain high-yielding quality strains as soon as possible, his search and experimentation couldn't stop. Pollination was a critical period, and he had to act quickly.

And he needed money...to buy more land.

Experiments not only consumed manpower and resources but also required a large enough space. With enough samples, the best results could be selected and promoted.

"Everything is over...it's all over..." Suddenly, an old man sat down on the field ridge and cried.

Wen Ruan approached him. "Uncle, what happened?"

The old man had white hair at his temples, wiped away his tears, and his lips quivered. "The crops in the field...something happened."

Wen Ruan had already seen the fields near the mountain. "Is this your land?"

The old man became even sadder. "No, it's not mine. It belongs to the Sixth Highness's estate. How can something happen to the prince's fields? My family's lives..."

Wen Ruan realized he had asked a silly question. The surrounding area was covered in large estates, considered a good location in the capital. The Duke's estate was here, with the Pan family and the Sixth Prince as neighbors. How could there be ordinary farmers?

Working for the nobility was never easy. Even if the king was easy to see, the minor officials were difficult to deal with.

"Don't worry, let me take a look."

Wen Ruan walked forward and soon discovered the problem.

The field was planted with soybeans, which should have been sown in spring. Now past their most vigorous growth period, they were approaching maturity. This was a critical time when accidents could easily occur. If the fruits didn't develop well, the harvest wouldn't be good. Indeed, this crop had encountered an accident. The tips of the old leaves turned yellow, the edges turned brown, and there were spots of withering. The stems looked weak, seemingly ready to fall over without any wind. When the wind blew, they fell even more severely. Wouldn't this entire crop be ruined if they all fell over?

But Wen Ruan understood clearly; it was a potassium deficiency.

"We need to strengthen the stalks," he said to the old man. "Try using some wood ash."

Fertilizer development needed time, and he hadn't had the chance to try making it yet. These past few years, he had been struggling to survive, finding suitable seeds to plant the fields and domesticating new varieties. He had been busy to the point of spinning around in circles...

However, now it seemed it was time to think about making chemical fertilizers. He had studied some materials before, wondering if he could make it work.

"Wood ash?" This was easy to find. The old man thanked him and immediately ran off. As long as there was a chance to save the crops, he was willing to try anything.

"Master..." Seeing the old man being helped, someone else tried to talk to Wen Ruan. "Can you take a look at mine too?"

Wen Ruan noticed the other person's caution and smiled kindly. "Of course."

This field was planted with millet, the branches and leaves were thin, and the flowers were green. This was a nitrogen deficiency, which was also easy to solve.

"Oil residue, wine residue..."

Before he could finish, he saw the man's worried expression. Remembering that tenant farmers often struggled economically, things like oil and wine were not easily obtained. He then said, "Soybean residue will also work."

The man's eyes lit up. "I'll go get it! My wife's family has a relative who makes tofu. There's plenty of soybean residue!"

"Master, help me too! There are pests in my field!" Seeing that the young master truly knew what he was talking about, someone else became anxious and pushed through the crowd to ask.

"To kill pests," Wen Ruan looked at his field. "Arsenic, wood ash, and smoke can be used. But next time when you till the soil for planting, pay attention to deep plowing, crop rotation, and intercropping. Pest infestations will be less."

The man scratched his head. "Crop...rotation? What does intercropping mean?"

Wen Ruan smiled. "Crop rotation means not always planting the same crop in the same field. You should rotate different varieties according to the seasons. Intercropping means planting different types of crops in rows or ridges within the same field, with varying heights and characteristics."

This wasn't hard to understand. Different plants liked different things and attracted different things. Without a suitable environment, wouldn't there be fewer pests?

Planting this way could also adjust soil fertility, improving utilization and yield per acre.

He didn't just look at these three fields; he helped everyone with problems, explaining things clearly and simply so that everyone understood.

Initially, the onlookers were mostly there for the spectacle. After all, seasoned farmers didn't understand these things, so what could a half-grown boy know? But as they listened, their expressions gradually became serious, and they paid closer attention. More people gathered, wishing they had extra brains to remember everything the young master said.

This young man truly had knowledge! My goodness, who knows if there will be another opportunity to learn from him so closely!

Some even begged Liu Dahai, the steward of the young master's estate, to find a chance for them to bow to the young master.

Liu Dahai knew exactly what they wanted. What bowing? They just wanted to catch the young master's eye, hoping he would recognize them for future opportunities. Ha, you toads, scram! I haven't even stabilized my position yet!

At first, he hadn't welcomed this young master. The estate didn't have a true master, allowing him to live a carefree life. Now, it belonged to a young man who had just been found, knew nothing, and wasn't favored by the household. He could imagine that life wouldn't be pleasant. How could he be comfortable?

In the past few days, he had been intimidated by Nanxing's methods. He didn't know where this young master had found her, but she appeared harmless and sunny in front of the young master, collapsing at the slightest push. But behind his back, she showed no smiles, using ruthless and cunning tactics, aiming straight for people's weaknesses. Where was the sunshine?

Liu Dahai secretly thought that the feeling was akin to dealing with the head eunuch in the palace. The master would never have anything bad to say and would always like him. But to outsiders, ha, regardless of who you were, dare to provoke him and see what happens.

After these days of contact, he was truly convinced. Our young master was endowed with extraordinary talents and knew everything! It seemed that any problem had an answer with him. How to plant crops, how to handle matters, why things happened, and how to resolve them...he was almost like a walking encyclopedia!

You say someone is so smart, yet he treats those below him warmly and considerately, able to empathize with their thoughts. He truly knew what they were thinking, worrying about, and desiring, genuinely solving their problems instead of making empty promises. This young master's sunshine was real sunshine, making people unable to resist liking him and wanting to stand by his side.

Here is my young master, I can serve him well myself, why would I need you lazy good-for-nothings!

Go wash those dirty hands first!

Seeing Nanxing being dismissed by the young master to do something else, Liu Dahai immediately grabbed a bamboo water pot and slipped in, his eyes lowered respectfully. "Young Master, have some water."

From that moment on, he never left Wen Ruan's side, skillfully shooing away anyone who tried to intervene.

This is my young master, of course I'll be the one to serve him! All of you scram!

Wen Ruan was surprised. Was there someone useful at the manor again?

After walking through the fields for half a day, they returned to the courtyard. He didn't rest, instead taking out the prepared tools and began trying to make perfumes. If soaps could make money, perfumes could certainly rake in the cash from the rich too. If the blending was good and the alcohol concentration was right, high-quality perfumes were worth considering...

It was long after nightfall when he finally emerged from the workshop, holding a small bottle.

"Back?" He saw Nanxing, who had just returned. "Was it smooth?"

Nanxing: "With the young master's guidance, how could it not be smooth?"

The encounter with the Sixth Prince at the Duke's mansion was uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse, but since they had such a 'backer', they should certainly use it. He was instructed by the young master to act arrogantly under false pretenses as long as he was careful not to be discovered by the Sixth Prince.

He quickly made tea and placed it beside the young master. "That cousin, Miss Li Yue'e, is sixteen this year. She came to the mansion three years ago. Her family suffered a disaster, leaving her without any relatives, so she could only rely on her aunt. It's said that she has a gentle disposition and excellent culinary skills. She often cooks dishes and snacks to show filial piety to her aunt and cares for her cousin sister, avoiding trouble and not causing any. She doesn't like going out..."

Wen Ruan understood: "Not that she doesn't like going out, but rather she isn't allowed to, right?"

This cousin was about the same age as Wen Ru, and her appearance was even more outstanding. When it came to marriage proposals... things would always be a bit awkward. Zhou wasn't an easy person to please.

"Has my eldest aunt-in-law arranged any marriage for her?"

"There were originally plans to look into it, but for some reason, it suddenly stopped. They said her horoscope was bad and her marriage prospects weren't favorable, so they sent her to the Old Temple to draw a fortune-telling stick," Nanxing paused. "She went, but then suddenly disappeared. She was nowhere to be found."

Wen Ruan: "Didn't the eldest aunt-in-law search for her?"

Nanxing: "They just said she returned to her hometown. Since she had no relatives left, there were still clan members. The Li family's affairs were their own business, and as an outsider, she couldn't meddle."

Wen Ruan: "Didn't the second branch handle this?"

The elder and younger Lady Lu controlled the household finances; they couldn't possibly not know.

"Perhaps they thought it was troublesome or not worth dealing with?" Just a trivial little person, or perhaps they simply wanted to see the first branch's embarrassment.

"But she didn't return to her hometown."

"Yes, Li Yue'e once knelt before the eldest madam when she was out. But the eldest madam, just like yesterday, didn't allow her to return, saying that she spent the night outside, ruining her reputation, and it was unclear..."

Wen Ruan fell silent for a moment. "...So clear, it looks like she was deliberately sent away?"

This Old Temple, he was very concerned about it. In the case of Chen Yongan, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Revenue, it had a strong presence, and now it was related to the Duke's mansion's cousin girl...

Nanxing knew what the young master was thinking. "There's a nun named Feng Guzi in the Old Temple, said to be very powerful. Young Marquis Fang sent word today, saying he'll be free in four days. Shall the young master go take a look?"

"Very well."

Wen Ruan handed the small perfume bottle to Nanxing. "You can take care of this."

As soon as Nanxing smelled it, he understood, pleasantly surprised. "The young master succeeded?"

Wen Ruan nodded. "Deliver it to the Huo family's shop. Huo Er knows what to do."

Even though he wasn't in the capital, the arrangements had been made long ago.

Nanxing: "And the alcohol..."

"That won't work," Wen Ruan refused. "We have to wait for the new grain harvest."

Speaking of new grain, he was worried. Time was tight. Would he have the opportunity to obtain more hybrid new grain seeds during this growth period of the corn?

He looked out the window, his eyes slightly raised, his gaze hidden in the night. "If I do more good deeds, will heaven bestow blessings upon me?"

"Our power is limited, we really can't help much with the Ministry of Justice's prison," Nanxing knew what the young master was thinking. "Most of the people we know are merchants and minor officials stationed elsewhere. We don't have connections in the capital..."

Wen Ruan lowered his brows and turned to look at Nanxing. "Is my problem causing you trouble?"

"Although it might seem overly benevolent at times, it's mostly not considered a problem," Nanxing smiled. "I've finished solving my math problems, can the young master check them for me?"

Just casually gathering more information was far from being a bother to him. As long as the young master was comfortable, he was happy.

...

Four days later, Wen Ruan went to the West City, heading for the Old Temple.

He didn't know that as soon as he left, someone arrived at his manor.

Lu Linchang, the Minister of Agriculture, obtained a small jar of wine from his nephew. It was the wine he had been longing for day and night. Following inquiries, he found out about the Duke of Wen's mansion and went through great efforts to find this manor. He wanted to put aside his pride and ask if Young Master Wen Ruan had more of this wine. Who would have thought he'd see a vast field of corn!

This kind of crop, others might not recognize, but how could he not? He had tried planting it before, but it didn't work. The seedlings were no good, the yield was no good, and the taste of the grain wasn't good either. Yet someone managed to grow it, and these seedlings... These seedlings, anyone who knew would see at a glance that they were good ones!

"Our Da Li dynasty is saved..."

Lu Linchang sat on the field ridge, tears streaming down his face from excitement. After crying, he laughed. "Brother Chen—Brother Chen! Come and see, our Da Li is saved!"

You have to come out, you know!

...

Wen Ruan didn't meet Fang Rui, but only a messenger who immediately bowed, apologizing on behalf of his master. He said that his young marquis was held up by something and would arrive a bit later, asking him to wait a while. He even found the best teahouse, the best seat by the window, and served the best tea.

Wen Ruan didn't mind. Thinking back to the last time Fang Rui was late... Cats were indeed terrifying, especially small, soft, cute ones that could act coquettishly. Could it be that he encountered one again?

Since he had time today and the tea was delightful.

Wen Yu also went out today, coincidentally arriving at the Matchmaker Temple. He remembered that Jing Yuqing, the future third-place laureate, seemed to be in the vicinity today. Something had happened... In his previous life, it seemed Wen Ruan met him here?

He couldn't possibly miss this opportunity.

With purpose, he looked around and indeed spotted Wen Ruan sitting by the window of the teahouse.

No way! He must prevent their meeting!

Unaware someone had come for him, Wen Ruan merely sat quietly by the window, fully engrossed in savoring his tea. Unfortunately, his striking appearance drew attention too easily.

Yu Zhen, the newly recruited advisor at the Second Prince's residence, noticed him and asked the scribe accompanying him, "Isn't that the young master from the Duke's household, Wen Ruan?"

The scribe, who recognized Wen Ruan from a distance, confirmed, "Yes, it is him."

Yu Zhen's thoughts began to race. The Second Prince favored and trusted Chen Gen the most, that old man. If he didn't strive for recognition, when would he gain favor? Today presented a golden opportunity, one he must seize.

Chen Gen, that old tight-lipped man, thought only he and the Second Prince discussed matters, assuming others wouldn't know. He probably never imagined Yu Zhen was clever enough to uncover some information... if he wanted to know, he could always find out.

Given the Second Prince's interest in this Wen Ruan, he naturally had to make an impression.

Yu Zhen straightened his clothes and approached, greeting, "Is the gentleman seated here the young master Wen from the Duke's main branch?"

Wen Ruan looked up. The man was very thin, with eyes gleaming with intelligence, not seeming ill-intentioned but exuding arrogance: "Do you have something to discuss?"

Yu Zhen felt the young master wasn't particularly warm, but it didn't matter. He continued smiling, "Are you also here at the Matchmaker Temple to inquire about your marriage prospects? Feng Guzi's divination isn't easy to obtain. I happen to have a token; would you like me to give it to you, young master?"

Unsolicited kindness often hides ulterior motives.

Moreover, although the man smiled, seemingly friendly and eager to make friends, he held his chin high, his eyes filled with even more arrogance, as if looking down on him—giving him face, expecting him to recognize his superiority.

Wen Ruan sighed inwardly.

Some people just couldn't help but display their schemes so plainly.

"Thank you, but no need."