Chapter 28 The Truth
"Wife, the rice harvest is almost complete, we can start now." Xiao Yu carried the harvested rice to the side yard.
Song Luoning followed behind, her brows furrowed slightly, feeling somewhat uneasy, wondering if what this lecherous man was doing was feasible.
Xiao Yu poured the husk-covered rice into the feed inlet of the earthen huller, and pushed the huller to rotate. The husks and grains of rice were poured from the discharge outlet into the wooden bucket below. In a short while, the wooden bucket was full.
Xiao Yu then poured the hulled rice into the fan, turned the handle, and the fan blades inside the fan rotated, blowing the husks away from the grains.
The final step is to remove the bran layer.
The most important step is that the hulled grains are transformed into glistening rice grains in no time by the friction of the stone mortar and wooden pestle.
She actually managed to do it!
Looking at the glistening white rice grains, a fleeting look of surprise crossed Song Luoning's eyes, before she fell into deep thought. Was this person really the spendthrift Xiao Yu?
Can a person really change so much in such a short time? Or is it just a way of hiding their true abilities?
Why do we have to do this?
That's not right either; that would be even more unreasonable.
What if she wasn't Xiao Yu?
Song Luoning didn't believe in ghosts and gods, but Xiao Yu's changes during this period, whether it was the miraculous medicine or the rice hulling tool in front of her, had exceeded her understanding.
It seems that only this most illogical explanation makes sense.
Song Luoning felt like she was going crazy.
"Wife, what are you thinking about? I'll take this rice to the grain store tomorrow." Xiao Yu packed the processed rice into a bag and turned to Song Luoning.
In a short while, 100 jin of rice was milled, and after removing the husk, it weighed 62 jin. At this rate, 1,000 jin could yield 600-700 jin of rice.
Xiao Yu is full of energy.
"Is my husband going to sell it?" Song Luo asked, her brows furrowed.
“Of course we have to sell them. We can’t eat all of this ourselves. Tomorrow I’ll take 100 jin to try it out. It’s the grain store we went to last time. Although the price at the grain store is definitely cheaper than selling it at the market, the quantity is definitely larger. If we sell in large quantities, we will make a lot of money. Besides, only we have this hulling tool. Others can’t compete with us.” Xiao Yu replied.
That lecher is right. This tool is indeed much more convenient than manual labor. In just a short time, it has already ground a hundred pounds of rice, which is far superior to manual labor.
If widely adopted, everyone will be able to eat soft, well-cooked white rice, and people will no longer have to worry about developing gastrointestinal diseases from long-term consumption of brown rice.
Song Luoning hesitated for a moment: "Have you ever thought about offering this to the imperial court so that more people can eat white rice?"
To be offered to the imperial court?
Xiao Yu stopped and turned to look at Song Luoning with a puzzled expression. Why did she offer it to the court? Would the court give her money?
She's not stupid.
"If I grind it up and sell it, others can also enjoy it," Xiao Yu said earnestly.
Song Luoning choked and ignored her.
This lecher really only cares about money!
Song Luoning pursed her lips, picked up a book, and sat down on a chair. She glanced at the book every now and then, her mind completely focused on the lecherous man.
Before long, Xiao Yu's 100 jin of rice was ground and loaded onto the oxcart.
They could have used a horse-drawn carriage, but since it was currently serving as their temporary sleeping quarters, they had to make do with an oxcart.
Song Luoning put down the storybook in her hand: "Husband, are you going tomorrow?"
As Xiao Yu tidied up, he replied, "Yes, is there anything you'd like to buy, my wife?"
Song Luoning pursed her lips and stared at her for a long time: "No need, Luoning wants to go with her husband tomorrow."
Should I stay with her?
Xiao Yu's face lit up with joy, but then she thought of the young lady's health and her head drooped. The young lady's health was so poor. Although she really wanted the young lady to go with her, she couldn't ignore the young lady's health.
I really want to, but I can't.
He pursed his lips and said listlessly, "My lady, please wait for me at home tomorrow. I'll be back soon after I finish selling everything."
The young lady's health is of utmost importance.
"It's alright. Luo Ning is really bored staying at home all day. Going with her husband might be helpful."
"But your body..."
Xiao Yu was about to speak when Song Luo Ning interrupted him. She put down her storybook, stood up, walked to Xiao Yu, placed one hand on his wrist, and said gently, "Luo Ning knows your concerns, husband. I know my own health, and I also want to help you share your burdens."
Slender, white fingers lightly rested on her wrist, and Xiao Yu's heart suddenly tightened, his heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously grabbed the other's hand, but Song Luoning pulled it back and couldn't.
You scoundrel!
He took advantage of her again.
"Husband, Luo Ning is thirsty. Could you pour me a glass of water?" Song Luo Ning turned her face away, hoping that the lecherous man would understand what she meant.
"I'll go get some water right away, please wait a moment, my wife." Xiao Yugai held her wrist and helped Song Luoning sit on the chair. He squatted down and looked up at Song Luoning, his peach blossom eyes almost overflowing with joy.
Normally, the young lady is reserved and doesn't show her feelings, but she just took my hand, which shows that I'm becoming more and more important to her.
Xiao Yu held Song Luo Ning's hand, her fingertips caressing it repeatedly. It was delicate and soft, even smoother than mutton fat jade. She had once had one of those, and she would play with it every day, cherishing it dearly.
"Husband." Song Luoning's voice turned cold.
"Hmm?" Xiao Yu snapped back to reality: "Wife..."
"Aren't you going to pour water for Luo Ning?" Song Luo Ning pulled her hand away.
This lecherous man is driving her crazy!
If it weren't for...
Forget it, let her tell Father what's going on here, then we'll deal with her properly. For now, she's still useful.
"Then I'm off, my wife..." Xiao Yu said reluctantly, her face full of reluctance. She squeezed him a little harder before letting go.
"......"
asshole!
What did she just do?
Things happened so fast that she didn't even have time to react. When she came to her senses, Song Luoning gritted her teeth.
It seems like there's no point in keeping her around!
Xiao Yu went to the kitchen and poured Song Luoning a glass of water: "My wife, have some water." His peach blossom eyes were bright.
Song Luo felt a sudden tightness in her chest.
Not again?
“My wife, it would be nice if we went together tomorrow, just to relax. But I need to make it clear beforehand that you must tell me if you feel unwell,” Xiao Yu said seriously.
"Alright, Luo Ning will definitely not hide it from you, husband."
Song Luo Ning closed her eyes, deciding to just bear with it a little longer.
I'll go see the person my father left behind to protect me tomorrow before making a decision.
Xiao Yu smiled and leaned closer, rubbing his hands together. His gaze then fell on Song Luoning's hands, still savoring the feeling from the touch.
Song Luoning subconsciously sensed danger, put the teacup in her hand into Xiao Yu's hand, and stood up: "It's getting late, let's have dinner and get some rest, so as not to delay our trip to the county town tomorrow."
Xiao Yu bit her lip, feeling a little disappointed that she hadn't found it. She wondered when this shyness of the young lady could be cured.
This can't go on forever.
But there was no other way at the moment, so she would touch it more often in the future. Thinking of this, Xiao Yu's mood inexplicably became lighter.
"Then wait for me, my wife, I'll go cook right away." His tone was light and cheerful.
Song Luoning didn't speak, but nodded.
After Xiao Yu left in a cheerful mood, her gaze fell on the bag of husked white rice, her eyes filled with an unfathomable darkness.
After having dinner, the two went back to the carriage early. Because they were worried that the young lady wouldn't get enough rest and that she wouldn't be able to handle the journey the next day, Xiao Yu didn't make a fuss.
The next day, after breakfast, Xiao Yu moved the rice from the oxcart to the horse-drawn carriage. Taking the young lady to the county town by oxcart was not an option.
The car should be soft, the road shouldn't be bumpy, and ideally, you should be able to lie down and sleep for a while when you're tired.
The carriage was furnished with soft cushions and bedding, making it perfect for a young lady.
We'll buy a more spacious carriage after we've earned some money. For now, this one is barely enough for the young lady. If they want to go out for a trip in the future, they'll need a suitable vehicle.
Xiao Yu put down the stool and helped Song Luoning into the carriage.
Xiao Yu had already tidied up the carriage. Inside, there was a carved small table with a plate of snacks and tea. The blankets used for the night had also been neatly folded so that one could lean against them if tired.
Song Luoning pursed her lips.
This lecherous fellow actually put in some effort.
"My lady, you can have some snacks if you're hungry, and there's also tea. There are storybooks under the table, but it's best not to read them while traveling, as it will strain your eyes," Xiao Yu said.
“Okay.” Song Luoning sat down.
Xiao Yu put away the horse stool, led the carriage out of the courtyard gate, jumped onto the carriage, and headed towards the county town.
Xiao Yu chose the official road, which was flat and the carriage was moving slowly. Song Luoning did not feel any bumps along the way. Instead, she felt drowsy and wanted to sleep.
Xiao Yu drove the carriage to the grain store where he had bought rice and flour last time, and helped Song Luoning out of the carriage.
The two entered the shop, and the shopkeeper was taken aback when he saw them. It wasn't that he didn't want to forget them, but this young master who loved to eat brown rice was truly impressive.
Did they buy more after they finished eating?
The shopkeeper smiled and asked, "Young master, you've come again. What would you like to buy this time? Still brown rice? You've come at the right time, young master. We just received some brown rice a few days ago. Would you like to come and take a look?"
Xiao Yu smiled and glanced at the brown rice, but this time she wasn't there to buy brown rice, but to sell regular rice.
Xiao Yu nodded: "The shopkeeper's brown rice is indeed good, but I didn't come here to buy brown rice this time."
It's not about buying brown rice.
The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "What kind of rice does the young master want? I have it all here."
Xiao Yu smiled and shook his head, unloaded the rice from the carriage, and opened the bag.
"This is..." the shopkeeper exclaimed in surprise, "White rice."
"This is rice."
The shopkeeper snapped out of his daze: "Young master, what's going on...?"
"To be honest, I came here this time to cooperate with the shopkeeper. I'm sure you've seen my rice; the quality is impeccable," Xiao Yu said.
The shopkeeper reached out and grabbed a handful. The rice grains slipped through his fingers, each one glistening and plump, truly fine rice.
"How would you like to cooperate, young master?" the shopkeeper asked.
Xiao Yu saw the glint in the shopkeeper's eyes and smiled.
"How much do you think this rice is worth, shopkeeper?" Xiao Yu didn't say it directly, but asked the shopkeeper because he didn't know the price of rice, and he could ask for a higher price based on what the shopkeeper said.
If she were to set the price, the shopkeeper would have a different experience when he tried to negotiate.
After considering it for a moment, the shopkeeper offered a price: "How about fifteen coins per pound?"
It cost one coin more than flour, which was a reasonable price. After adding the cost of the shelled flour I collected myself, the total cost was only three coins.
Xiao Yu said to the shopkeeper, "To be honest, I have as much rice of this quality as you need."
"Really?" The shopkeeper was secretly surprised, and his mind began to race.
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "How about I charge you twelve copper coins per pound, shopkeeper?"
Although she had given a discount of three coins, Xiao Yu knew that the shopkeeper's price was probably the lowest she could offer, and if she were to actually sell it, it would definitely be more than fifteen coins.
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