Chapter 401: Chapter 394: I’m Just a Face-Lover 36
Wang Chunhua’s eyes glistened with moisture.
She turned her head and fiercely wiped her face.
Anning looked up at the sky and interrupted the touching warmth between Wu Family’s father and daughter with a few words: "Remember, from now on you’ll be working for me, so hurry back and get ready. Your whole family should come to the Xiao Family to find me tomorrow."
Having said that, Anning whisked Wang Chunhua away.
Wang Chunhua’s heart had not yet settled.
After she got on the carriage, she couldn’t help but lament: "That child is a good kid, it’s just a pity that they have such a mother, who has doomed her own flesh and blood."
"It’s a pity, indeed."
Anning breathed a sigh: "The Wu child’s destiny is extremely favorable. As long as they don’t encounter kin who would doom them, they are meant for a life of wealth and honor."
Wang Chunhua thought of those who had exchanged fates with the Wu child: "These people should face retribution. To exchange someone’s destiny like that, it’s sinful."
Wang Chunhua imagined, if she had such a good child in the future, she would definitely cherish them to the core. Should anyone dare to target her child, she would surely flay those people.
"They have already faced retribution."
Anning stared into the void: "Those who do evil must eventually be punished. When divine punishment descends, no one can withstand it."
She patted Wang Chunhua’s hand: "Just watch, within Qingyuan County, whichever family suffers a disaster overnight, that will likely be them."
Wang Chunhua narrowed her eyes slightly: "I’ll have someone inquire about it."
By the time Anning returned to the Xiao Family, Mr. Xiao had shortly arrived.
Upon his return, he called Anning and Mrs. Xiao to speak in the drawing room.
Entering the drawing room and seeing Mr. Xiao looking rather content, Anning congratulated him with a smile: "Father must have brought back many fine goods. This time, our family is surely going to profit handsomely."
Mr. Xiao smiled: "Most of the goods I bought aren’t easy to sell."
"Oh?"
Anning sat down and raised an eyebrow: "What did father bring back?"
Mr. Xiao shook his head: "Mostly Western books, along with some seeds and strange spices, and, some stones as well."
He handed a stone to Anning: "Yuanyuan’s wife, look at this. Is this stone a Jade rough?"
Anning took it, felt it, and looked at it, her lips curving into a slight smile: "Yes, and most of these raw stones probably contain Jade. The father just randomly picked one, and it already has high-quality Jade inside."
Eh?
Mr. Xiao immediately took the raw stone back and felt it: "How can you tell?"
Anning simply smiled, saying nothing.
Mr. Xiao did not press further.
Anning suggested: "Father should bring the raw stones back home. It’s not very safe to leave them outside."
Mr. Xiao promptly ordered the raw stones to be transported.
"When the Jade is extracted, I’ll make a set of jewelry for you and your mother."
A smile on his face, he said: "Yuanyuan’s wife, what about those seeds..."
Anning extended her hand: "Father, did you bring some back?"
Mr. Xiao really had brought some.
He intended to ask Anning what should be done with them, naturally bringing a sample of each thing.
He took out several small bags, Anning took them and placed them on the tall stand beside her, and then opened them one by one.
When she opened the first bag, Anning smiled: "Father, this kind of seed has not been seen in Dajing yet. If our Xiao Family grows it, we will definitely earn a lot. I remember we also have a tavern, from now on, our family’s tavern may rely on this to attract business."
Mr. Xiao listened with great curiosity.
Mrs. Xiao was also quite curious and couldn’t help but ask, "What kind of seed is this?"
Anning blinked, "Chili peppers."
She opened the second bag, "This is actually corn seeds, father, with these you will be accumulating great merit for our family."
Anning continued opening the bags one by one, "Heavens, this is peanuts, and this is... actually sweet potatoes."
Anning quickly tied the bags back up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Mr. Xiao: "Father, these seeds you brought are invaluable, for not all the riches in the world could compare. If our Xiao Family can grow all these seeds, that would bring us profit and honor for generations. Our Xiao Family might become famous in history through these."
Her words made Mr. Xiao’s and Mrs. Xiao’s hearts pound excitedly, yet they were still somewhat baffled.
Anning said softly, "That corn and sweet potato are high-yield crops, which can be planted even in sandy soil. They are very easy to take care of, especially sweet potatoes. If cultivated well, they can yield several thousand pounds per acre."
"Zzz..."
Mr. Xiao couldn’t help but bare his teeth in excitement.
Mrs. Xiao was shocked, "Sev... several thousand pounds?"
"Um," Anning nodded firmly, "Father, I have just integrated one of our family’s farms a few days ago, and it is being cultivated. I will take these seeds and live in the countryside for a while to plant them. After a few years of optimization, when my husband becomes an Advanced Scholar, we can present these crops to the court. As long as these high-yield crops are presented, the court will surely bestow great rewards on my husband, and both mother and I may even receive a first-rank imperial decree."
Mrs. Xiao was truly startled.
But she was also feverishly anticipating it.
She was just a merchant’s wife, and although her family was quite wealthy, and she lacked nothing in terms of food and clothing, the status of a merchant’s wife was not high. Every time she went out and met those noblewomen, she had to lower her stance. Over time, she became reluctant to go out.
But if she could be awarded a first-rank imperial decree...
Mrs. Xiao dared not even think about it.
However, Mr. Xiao was extremely happy.
He was thoroughly captivated by the grand vision Anning painted for him.
If it really happened... If it really happened...
Xiao Yuan could be granted an official title and nobility through this. No wonder Anning said these seeds were more valuable than all the wealth in the world. These seeds would ensure the Xiao Family’s prosperity for centuries.
"Good, good, good."
Mr. Xiao was overcome with excitement, "We’ll follow your lead, all of it, I’ll assign some more people to you. We must keep a tight watch for the next two years and keep the matter secret. We must be careful."
Anning smiled and said, "Yes, a few days ago I bestowed a favor and recruited a few good hands. They should be coming tomorrow. I’ll have them guard the manor first."
Mr. Xiao instantly understood.
Perhaps Anning had known beforehand what he would bring back from Quan City.
Therefore, she had made preparations in advance, securing the manor and farmland, and fearing there wouldn’t be reliable staff, she had granted favors to win over someone trustworthy and capable.
He looked at Anning, deeply feeling that this daughter-in-law was something special.
But no matter how extraordinary Anning was, what could it amount to?
Anning was now the Xiao Family’s daughter-in-law, wholeheartedly committed to the Xiao Family’s interests. This was immensely beneficial for the Xiao Family. Having such a daughter-in-law ensured the steady, peaceful prosperity of the Xiao Family.
Mr. Xiao smiled, "Everything is in your hands."
Anning stood up and bowed: "This daughter-in-law shall keep this firmly in mind."
While they were filled with joy, they heard the voice of Xiao Yuan’s servant Si Mo from outside: "Master, Madam, young madam... The young master has passed, he topped the list in the Prefecture Exam, the young master is now a child student..."