Chapter 70 [VIP]

After delivering the gifts, it was almost noon, and everyone sat down around the table to wait for the feast to begin.

The full moon feast was very lavish, with ten dishes on each table. In addition to chicken, fish, and meat, there were also many fresh fruits and vegetables, all of which Chen Qingyan picked from the experimental field yesterday.

Although the grass is growing and birds are singing, the vegetables in the fields haven't been harvested yet, and the prices in the shops are still quite high, so ordinary people can't afford to buy them. Even wealthy families can't eat such fresh vegetables every day.

Especially the sugar-coated tomatoes, which many people had never eaten before. Several ladies from wealthy families couldn't help but praise, "This feast is really exquisite. The other day, my son wanted to eat tomatoes, so I bought five and spent fifty coins. It must have cost a lot of money for so many tables."

Someone nearby said sarcastically, "The vegetable stall is just something they own; it didn't cost them much money."

Another woman said, "That's not right. The vegetables you grow aren't even grown by yourself. You have to transport them all the way here; isn't that all capital?"

What they didn't know was that Wang Ying had actually grown the vegetables herself, but she would never tell anyone else in her life.

After the meal, the guests left one after another. When Madam Lu saw that Madam Li had some free time, she went up to her and called her over.

"Madam Chen..."

"Oh, Sister-in-law Lu, have you finished eating?" Madam Li walked over with a smile.

"Eat, eat well, the food is good."

"We specially invited a chef from Yingkelou Restaurant to help with the cooking. It was not easy to invite him, but thanks to my son-in-law's connections with the restaurant owner, we were able to get him to come."

Mrs. Lu nodded in agreement.

"By the way, you said you wanted to tell me something. What is it?"

Madam Lu stammered, "Let's go inside and talk."

Li followed her into the house, but Madam Lu suddenly said, "Shumei, I'm so sorry..."

"What do you mean by that?"

Madam Lu stammered as she recounted the foolish things her son had done, leaving Madam Li speechless with astonishment. "You're saying that your son hired those people who were spreading rumors about Qingyan?"

“I know Chang’an was wrong, so I’ve come here specifically to apologize on his behalf. Please forgive him for the sake of our long-standing friendship.”

For a moment, Li was at a loss for words. She clutched her chest for a long while before finally saying, "You know we have a good relationship, so how could you not know that Qingyan was falsely accused of cheating in the county examination and fell seriously ill, almost dying?"

“Back then, I prayed to Buddha and chanted scriptures every day, seeking divine help and medical advice everywhere. I wished I could give my life for his. After going through so much hardship to finally raise him, those people your son hired almost killed him again!”

"Chang'an is dull-witted..."

"Alright, that's enough! From this day forward, our two families should no longer have any contact." Madam Li had the congratulatory gift she had just sent returned.

Madam Lu sighed as she held the silver bracelet, knowing that Madam Li was unwilling to forgive her son.

After everyone left, Li cried again in anger. However, since there were still guests at home, she quickly wiped away her tears and went out to entertain the others.

*

On the other side, Li Cheng and his two sons happened to sit at the same table as Liang Boqing.

The three men were somewhat reserved, because Old Liang's reputation was so great; he was a leading figure among scholars, and it was hard to imagine that he would appear in such an inconspicuous small town.

He barely ate anything during the meal, his gaze constantly fixed on Liang Boqing and Chen Qinghuai beside him.

Is he really Liang Liufang?

What is the relationship between the nephew and Mr. Liang?

After finally finishing their meal, Li Cheng found Chen Qingyan and pulled him aside for a few words.

"Qingyan, I've come to ask you if you'd be willing to go to Tianyang County to study with me?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle, but I have already taken a master, and my young child at home still needs care, so I will not be going."

Li Cheng wasn't angry. "Is your master the old man who just wrote the poem for the child, Liang Liufang, the talented scholar from Yangzhou?"

Chen Qingyan nodded, "It is him."

"It really is him!" Li Cheng's face lit up with joy, and he grabbed Chen Qingyan's arm, asking, "How did you meet him?"

"It's a long story. He was an old friend of my fourth uncle and also my cousin's teacher. Before the new year, my fourth uncle was transferred to Shanzhou, so he accompanied my cousin back to take the county examination. He stayed at my house and took me and Qingsong in as tutors."

"Good! You must learn from him! I've heard that Elder Liang is exceptionally talented and is the foremost scholar in Jiangnan. With his guidance, you're sure to win first place in the future!"

Chen Qingyan smiled but did not reply, after all, he was not qualified to participate in the imperial examination at present, and he did not know whether he would be able to participate in the imperial examination in the future.

After the full moon celebration, Li Cheng and his two sons only stayed for two days before returning home.

Chen Qingyan originally wanted to take them to see the spring near the county town, but his cousin Bingwen laughed and said, "Let's wait for another opportunity. There are many trivial matters at home, and we should go back after being away for so long."

Li did not keep them any longer, and took her children with her to escort them all the way to the edge of town before returning.

Inside the carriage, Li Bingchen whispered, "Father, is my cousin's teacher really the great scholar Liang?"

"Um."

Li Bingwen couldn't help but sigh, "I never expected Qingyan to have such good fortune. Maybe he can pass the imperial examination and become a Juren in the future." Knowing that he was not talented enough to pass the imperial examination, he gave up on the examination early on. After passing the Xiucai examination, he took a position in the government office.

Currently, only Li Bingchen in the Li family is still studying, but his academic performance is only half-baked. Li Cheng is embarrassed to leave his son behind to study with the talented Liang.

The two brothers were still discussing Liang Liufang's matter. Li Cheng didn't say anything, but just looked at the mountains and rivers outside and sighed in his heart, wondering when they would meet again.

*

After the full moon celebration, Old Liang moved back to the manor, and Qingyan, Qingsong, and Qinghuai also went back together.

Despite his deep reluctance to part with his young son, Chen Qingyan still had to study diligently, even if it meant striving to succeed for his child's sake.

We can't let people point at Yuanbao's nose and say, "You have a father who cheated on the imperial examinations and accomplished nothing."

Chen Rong and her family stayed behind, and Cao Kun would come to visit her husband every few days.

Wang Ying couldn't help but tease, "Boss Cao, you're coming so often, are you worried that your husband will be sold off?"

Cao Kun scratched his head and chuckled, "Sister-in-law, you're joking. I feel like I've missed you terribly if we don't see each other for a day."

Lin Qiu spat at him, "Go away, go away, don't keep coming here. Are you even going to keep the porter's business?"

“Yes, we came here to let you know that we are planning to make a trip to Hangzhou, which will take about two months.”

"It's been that long?" Lin Qiu's heart clenched again upon hearing this.

“I feel at ease with you staying here. When you come back, it will be May or June, and then I can pick you up and take you back to the county town together.”

Lin Qiu hummed in agreement, her eyes slightly red.

Wang Ying, being quite perceptive, carried Yuanbao back to the backyard, giving the young couple some private space to talk.

Time passed slowly, and Xiao Yuanbao gradually grew from a kitten to a chubby little boy. I weighed him a few days ago, and he already weighed seventeen pounds.

These days, Xiao Yuanbao has learned to make people laugh. Whenever Wang Ying clicks her tongue, he grins and giggles nonstop. His adorable appearance is simply irresistible.

My appetite has also increased. Before, I would drink half a bowl of milk per meal, but now I need to drink a whole bowl to feel full.

During the day, Li and Chen Rong were rarely in their own rooms, constantly running to Wang Ying's room to vie for the chance to hold their grandson. Wang Ying, on the other hand, found some peace and quiet, as her shoulders ached from holding the little guy for so long.

In the evening, after leaving the child in the care of her mother-in-law, Wang Ying arrived early at the experimental field to wait for Chen Qingyan.

After the experimental field was upgraded to level 5 last time, in addition to a stage reward, there were also many basic rewards.

For example, the usage time has been increased by one hour, and you can stay inside for a maximum of 3 hours per day.

The plant's growth rate can be adjusted up to five times, but this also increases the amount of experience required.

The upgraded version also includes a one-click harvesting feature... It's becoming more and more like a mini-game.

Not only that, the harvested vegetables can be stored directly in an unknown place according to their original shelf life. If they are not taken out by the expiration date, they will automatically disappear.

Of course, besides taking them out for use, there is another option: to exchange mature crops for experience and continue upgrading the experimental field.

Wang Ying exchanged all the several thousand catties of wheat she had stored for experience points, but only gained two percent. She immediately regretted it after exchanging them. Damn it, this grain could have been sold for a lot of silver, but it only gave her so little experience!

Apart from that, the experimental field was no different from before; you still reap what you sow.

Around 5 PM, Chen Qingyan came in. The first thing he did was ask Yuanbao, "Was he being difficult today? Did he eat on time? Is he feeling unwell?"

"You're eating and pooping well, that's great. But how's your studying going lately?"

Chen Qingyan hugged him and kissed the top of his head, saying, "Today during our discussion of the scriptures, the teacher praised me. This is the first time he has ever praised me!"

Liang Boqing and other elderly people of this age have this problem: they are extremely strict with their nephews and nieces, but dote on their grandchildren.

A few days ago, Chen Qingsong was lazy and did a half-hearted copying of calligraphy for three consecutive days. The old man beat his palm until it was swollen.

"Are Mother and Third Aunt alright?"

“Alright, come over every day to hold Yuanbao. When the child is a little older, I will give Yuanbao to them and go to the estate.”

Chen Qingyan hesitated and said, "You should stay with Yuanbao. He's so young, it's pitiful for him to be separated from his father and father."

Wang Ying couldn't help but smile when she saw his loving fatherly demeanor. Since having a child, he seemed to have suddenly shed his naivety and become a mature and responsible man.

This young man is even more charming than before, and I couldn't resist wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a kiss.

Chen Qingyan held the back of his head and kissed him back. The two of them stumbled backward and fell onto a field of wheat seedlings, their clothes scattered all over the ground.

Perhaps due to giving birth, Wang Ying was able to accept her gender both mentally and physically, so she was no longer hesitant about sex and did whatever felt comfortable.

She took the initiative to ride on top, swaying her waist and exuding an irresistible charm. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead to her chin, then down her chin and finally disappeared into the bodies pressed together, gradually evaporating with the vigorous slapping.

After their lovemaking, the two lay panting on their clothes. Wang Ying, resting her head on his arm, asked, "How is the wheat growing on the estate?"

“It’s great. I ran into Chen Zhuangtou yesterday. He said that the wheat in our village is better than that in other nearby villages.”

Because of the warm winter, the wheat sprouted early. Only a few families in Chenjiazhuang and nearby villages took action to deal with it; the other villages didn't care at all.

As a result, the temperature suddenly dropped after the New Year, and heavy snow fell one after another, freezing all the wheat seedlings to death. By the time spring came, the fields were bare, with only a few scattered wheat plants.

Everyone hurriedly replanted other crops, but this year they could only harvest this one crop because millet and sorghum wouldn't mature in June. If they waited until July or August to plant other crops, they definitely wouldn't be able to harvest them.

Wang Ying was worried about the wheat seeds she had sent to Kyoto, wondering how they were growing...

A note from the author:

The injustice is about to be redressed, and a new chapter will begin!