Chapter 322: Chapter 269: The Mysterious Stranger

Cheng’an Hou Mansion has been very quiet lately.

Zhou Wangshu leaves early and returns late, busy with his official duties at court, unaware of the anomaly in Cheng’an Hou Mansion.

However, Su Yaoguang noticed it.

Although Su Yaoguang is often busy at Taoyao Square, she spends more time at Cheng’an Hou Mansion than Zhou Wangshu, and even the slightest stir is enough for her to detect.

"Do any of you have a way to sneak into the main courtyard and gather some news from there?"

"Don’t worry, young lady, leave it to us."

Su Yaoguang waited in the room for news from those sent out.

Soon, they returned.

"There isn’t much different with the Marchioness Cheng’an; it’s the second young master that’s a bit odd."

"What’s odd about him?"

"It’s too quiet over there."

Su Yaoguang seemed thoughtful.

That wicked Xia Zhen causes trouble every day, and many have died at his hands. For him to suddenly become so quiet, it is indeed suspicious.

It’s not easy to probe for more information. The main courtyard and Xia Zhen’s estate are filled with their own trusted aides.

In the evening, when Zhou Wangshu returned, Su Yaoguang mentioned today’s unusual events.

As he wiped her hair, Zhou Wangshu replied, "This indeed sounds suspicious. I’ll send someone to investigate."

The person Zhou Wangshu sent out quickly returned with a response. Zhou Wangshu conversed with him for a while under the eaves outside, then swiftly came back.

"How did it go?"

"Recently, Mrs. Tang has found a mysterious doctor from somewhere, claiming he can heal Xia Zhen’s injuries. The place has been quiet because he is undergoing treatment. This mysterious person stays with Xia Zhen in a secret room daily, naturally making things quiet over there."

"Should we hinder them?"

"No, we’ll let it be," Zhou Wangshu said. "That person might heal Xia Zhen’s external wounds, but can he heal his mind?"

Su Yaoguang had to admit Zhou Wangshu’s words were very pointed.

Xia Zhen’s wounds aren’t easy to fix, and Zhou Wangshu indeed doesn’t need to focus on him. His priority now is Xiao Yanci.

Recently, Xiao Yanci has been promoted several ranks thanks to Prime Minister Wang’s favor. Even though the Emperor initially had a poor impression of him, he has become increasingly satisfied with his recent performance, improving his overall perception of him.

Su Yaoguang heard about these events, knowing Xiao Yanci is using memories from his past life.

"Husband..." Su Yaoguang sat in Zhou Wangshu’s embrace, holding his neck and said, "There will be a pest infestation outside the city soon."

Zhou Wangshu said in surprise, "How do you know this?"

At court today, ’Xiao Ci’ also raised this issue. The Emperor approved his plan and has tasked him with handling it.

"However, to my knowledge, it’s not a genuine pest infestation," Su Yaoguang said. "Those pests are edible. If we encourage the people to catch and fry them up, that’s a dish, and the crops can also be spared."

"Xiao Ci’s recommendation is to exterminate them with chemicals," Zhou Wangshu said. "He mentioned that a famous doctor in his service has developed chemicals that can effectively kill the pests."

"Chemicals can indeed kill them, but the crops will also be rendered useless, which is a disaster for the common people. We need to not only resolve the pest issue but also minimize the losses for the common people. Xiao Ci only knows how to solve the problem but hasn’t considered the root of it."

The most crucial point in this matter is that the common people have lost their crops, and next, they won’t be able to pay taxes and will be left hungry.

In a past life, Xiao Yanci also used chemicals to eliminate the crops, then ignored the common people’s plight. Seated high above, he wouldn’t listen to their needs. However, when she had purchased several farms, she went to the village and witnessed their despair after losing their crops, many unable to withstand it and resorting to family suicide by poison.

It’s because she saw these misfortunes that she became invested in the pest issue. Then she discovered that those pests weren’t truly pests but rather an edible food source.

"The Emperor has already trusted his words. If I rashly offer a diverging opinion, it might make the Emperor think I’m envious of him. I must visit the countryside, find these ’pests,’ and persuade the Emperor by showing him firsthand. Can you, my lady, prepare a delicacy using these pests then?"

"Absolutely. You just send someone to catch more," Su Yaoguang said. "I’ll set up a stall at the entrance of Taoyao Square, make them into delicious dishes before the whole city’s people. When they taste it, they’ll know these pests aren’t terrifying at all."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.