Chapter 213: Protecting the Food

 Chapter 213: Protecting the Food

Daohua’s Estate. 

This estate was specifically used for growing grain. It was the largest of the three estates given to her by the Li family, covering nearly 5,000 acres.

Within the estate, Daohua had also had a granary specially built.

As soon as Yan Wenxiu and Defu entered the granary, their eyes widened. 

So much wheat!

It was neatly stored in separate storage rooms. 

The wheat was freshly harvested this year—each grain large and plump, with a shiny, translucent appearance. Even those unfamiliar with farming could tell this was high-quality seed.

"These seeds must be nearly 20,000 shi, right?" Defu asked, excited.

If they could recover the 20,000 shi his lord had lost, and return it, they wouldn’t have to face any punishment.

Qin Xiao Liu nodded with a smile. "Not too much, not too little—exactly 20,000 shi. This year’s harvest was good. Each acre produced about 6 shi of grain. After accounting for the seeds already planted and the grain sold to nearby villages, this is what's left."

Yan Wenxiu’s expression shifted. "Six shi per acre?"

Qin Xiao Liu nodded again. "Yes, but that's because the land here is fertile. The villagers’ land yields only a little over five shi per acre."

Defu immediately said, "This is excellent. From what I know, only places with abundant rainfall in the south can achieve this kind of yield. To have such high output in the north is really impressive."

Qin Xiao Liu smiled. He clearly remembered that when Daohua first discussed the yield per acre, she was dissatisfied and said she would develop even higher-yielding grain seeds in the future.

Of course, that was something for them to keep to themselves.

Defu looked at Yan Wenxiu. "Young Master, should we start transporting the grain now? The sooner we get it to Fenxi, the sooner His Lordship will be at ease."

Yan Wenxiu nodded.  

As he watched the bags of wheat being loaded onto the carts, Defu’s tense heart began to relax.

In contrast to Defu’s growing smile, Qin Xiao Liu looked at the grain warehouse, now slowly being emptied of the carefully stacked grain, with a pained expression.

"By the way, my lord, Defu, have you arranged for enough people to transport the grain? We can't afford to lose it again." 

Defu smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, I’ve already notified Commander Shen. He’ll personally oversee the convoy, and His Lordship’s Jinling Guards will accompany them. Once the grain arrives in Fenxi, the soldiers under the Prefect Magistrate’s command will be there to assist, ensuring the grain reaches the hands of the people in Fenxi."

Hearing this, Qin Xiao Liu didn’t say anything more.

Soon, after all the grain was loaded onto the carts, a group of soldiers in armor, wielding long knives, arrived outside the estate.

Qin Xiao Liu surveyed the scene and, seeing that there were many soldiers, each appearing quite capable, he finally felt at ease.

By the time Yan Wenxiu and the others returned to the Yan residence, it was already afternoon. Commander Shen and the soldiers tasked with transporting the grain were waiting at the port and hadn’t entered the city.

Upon learning that 20,000 shi of grain had been collected, Xiao Yeyang was extremely excited and happy. He looked toward Daohua, wanting to say something, but as the words reached his lips, he felt it would sound too sentimental, so he swallowed it back down.

"I need to go with the convoy to the provincial capital. I’ll be leaving now."

Daohua thought for a moment and then said, "I noticed you didn’t eat much at lunch. Wait a minute, I’ll get you some food for the road." She then turned to Yan Wenxiu. "Big brother, will you be going as well?"

"I—"

Yan Wenxiu glanced at Xiao Yeyang. Honestly, he had come back this time just to help gather the grain, and now that the grain issue was resolved, there was no need for him anymore.

Xiao Yeyang looked at Yan Wenxiu, then thought for a moment. "He should go. When we reach Wuhua Mountain, we’ll pick up Wenkai and the others. My uncle has several subordinates at the Commander’s Office, all skilled in archery and martial arts. It’ll be a good chance for them to meet."

Yan Wenxiu’s expression brightened. What Yan Family lacked was depth and connections. Now that the Young Prince was willing to introduce them, it was truly an excellent opportunity.

Daohua nodded. "Alright, then wait for me. I’ll get a bit more food."

Yan Wenxiu, worried that Xiao Yeyang would have to wait too long, said, "You don’t have to trouble yourself."

Daohua reassured him. "Don’t worry, it won’t take long." She turned and ran off.

Xiao Yeyang smiled. "It’s Daohua’s kind intention, we can wait a little longer. It’s not urgent."

Soon, Daohua returned, holding a porcelain jar. "You’re really getting the better deal here. This is a special yam and black rice porridge I made for my grandmother. It’s got a lot of good ingredients in it. Once you get on the ship, divide it up and share."

She held out the jar.

Daohua’s hand was reaching for Yan Wenxiu, but before he could take it, Xiao Yeyang swiftly grabbed it first.

Seeing how he was "protecting" the food, Daohua laughed. "I must tell you, you can’t eat it all by yourself. You have to share half with my brother. He’s so thin and really needs to replenish his strength. Now hurry up, don’t delay the grain delivery."

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua before turning to leave with Yan Wenxiu and Defu, holding the porcelain jar.

Once aboard the ship, Yan Wenxiu sat in the cabin, waiting for Xiao Yeyang to share the black rice porridge with him. However, after a long wait, Xiao Yeyang made no move.

Could it be that the Young Prince really wanted to eat it all by himself?

As this thought crossed his mind, Yan Wenxiu couldn’t help but twitch his lips and ask, "Your Highness, aren’t you hungry?"

Xiao Yeyang glanced at him disdainfully. "What’s the big deal about a bit of porridge? Why are you so obsessed with it?"

Yan Wenxiu fell silent.

This was no ordinary porridge; it was the special porridge Daohua made for her grandmother, and it must taste amazing.

Yan Wenxiu remembered an occasion when he had gone to pay his respects to his grandmother and happened to catch her eating a special yam and red date porridge that Daohua had made for her. His grandmother had offered him a bowl, and the taste had been so delightful that he could still remember it clearly.

"I didn’t eat lunch," Yan Wenxiu said.

Seeing that Xiao Yeyang still had no intention of sharing the porridge, Yan Wenxiu decided to play his trump card. "My fourth brother loves the food Daohua makes. When he arrives, I’m sure he’ll be pestering you for some."

At this, Xiao Yeyang finally frowned. The thought of Yan Wenkai, the big eater, made him realize it was better to hurry up and eat the porridge himself.

"Defu, go get the bowls and chopsticks," he said, casting a dissatisfied look at Yan Wenxiu. "You just said you didn’t want any, and now you’re asking for it. Really…" He shook his head in disapproval.

Yan Wenxiu didn’t respond, knowing that he simply wanted to eat the porridge now. After spending so much time with the Young Prince, he was no longer as restrained, though he wasn’t as carefree as his fourth brother.

Defu quickly brought over the bowls and chopsticks.

Only then did Xiao Yeyang open the porcelain jar.

As soon as the lid was removed, a rich fragrance wafted out.

"Gululu~"

Defu couldn’t help but swallow his saliva.

He really wanted to eat!

But he knew it was impossible. The Young Prince wouldn’t even share with Yan Wenxiu, let alone with him.

"Uh—"

As he looked at the half-bowl of black rice porridge being pushed toward him, Yan Wenxiu couldn’t help but feel speechless. He hadn’t expected the Young Prince to be so protective of his food.

(End of this chapter)