Chapter 783: Gathering Talents
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lin Yishi understood his wife’s feelings. He said, “It’s all true, dear. Look, the meat puffs are still on the plate. We haven’t finished them yet. Her Highness gave us plenty of food.
“When my mother recovers, we’ll clean this place up and set off for Su Teng Village. We have a new skill now, dear. I can set up a store and sell meat puffs to earn enough and support you. You no longer have to work so hard.”
Madam Cai wiped her tears and sobbed, saying, “l don’t want you to work too hard, either. I’ll work at the paper mill, okay? It’s more stable with the salary and bonus.
“Since we can stay in the staff dormitory, we should only spend money on food and save the rest. Also, Xiaoxi can attend Blue Mountain Academy for free. We just need to buy him some brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.
“If it’s like Her Highness says, we can save up and continue supporting Xiaoxi’s education. Let’s have a few more children and teach them to be loyal to Prince Ruozhu.’
Lin Yishi nodded. “l agree, dear. We can teach them to be of significance to our country.”
The couple was grateful to Su Binglan and Lan Ruozhu. Although the former had little capabilities, they hoped their son and future children would surpass them.
As Lin Yishi and his wife packed their things, they realized how much Su Binglan had given them. She even brought them a basket of desserts. It was apparent it was for their son. The two were emotional beyond words.
Soon, the villagers learned of what had happened. In the past, they thought Old Madam Lin was foolish to let her eldest son join the army. Lin Yishi could have died if he had been reckless.
However, the villagers no longer thought so. Instead, they felt envious of Lin Yishi and his wife.
“The prince and princess take such good care of Yishi because he and his brother joined the army.”
“l also heard that those who are currently in the army will receive five acres of land and grain seeds. Supposedly, those seeds will produce higher yields.”
“What? Really?”
“It’s true. My son works in the government office and knows these things. He’s already starting to tally the wastelands.”
“But the wastelands aren’t ideal for farming, right?”
“l wonder where His Highness got those seeds from. I heard they can grow in the wastelands, which is unbelievable.’
The villagers hurried home after hearing these things.
“l want to go home and discuss this with my grandsons. I wonder if they’d want to join the army.”
“I’ll head home and ask my sons, too.”
“l wonder if Prince Ruozhu is still recruiting soldiers and if there are any restrictions. I want to register if I can.”
Later that afternoon, Su Binglan went to Hillock Village to visit a particular family. Meanwhile, Old Master Cao and Old Madam Cao had gone to plow the fields.
Since it was spring, the grass had started to grow. Hence, the two went to remove the grass. After a period of rain, the older couple could plant crops. Old Master Cao and his wife’s hair had turned gray, and the latter had a hunched back. Even so, she continued to work hard for her family. Their granddaughter was twelve, while their grandson was only eight.
Although the boy could help with certain things, he could do nothing more.
No one was home when Su Binglan and Ji Xingye arrived. The two asked around and discovered that they had gone to work in the fields.
Su Binglan looked ahead and almost burst into tears when she saw the elderly couple and their grandchildren working hard. She felt uneasy and wanted to do whatever possible to help.
When the village chief heard of the princess and general’s arrival, he quickly ran to the fields and told Old Master Cao, “Hurry, the princess and general are here. They’re looking for you.”
The village chief was so scared when he heard the news that his legs trembled. At that moment, he grew pale and flustered, even though he had done nothing wrong.
On the contrary, the older couple was calm. They were just surprised. They feared nothing because they had a clear conscience. When they looked into the distance, they saw four people on the path.
One was a woman who resembled a guardian angel under the sunlight. The older couple was stunned. Old Master Cao said, “Thank you. If there’s nothing else, you can go back first.”
“All right. You mustn’t offend the princess and the general, okay?” Although the village chief wanted to curry favor with the princess and general, he did not know what to say.
Besides, Su Binglan and Ji Xingye did not ask him to stay, so he went home.
Old Master Cao and Old Madam Cao collected their hoes and approached the group with their grandchildren.
Su Binglan glanced at Su Yi and Su Chun, and they hurried over to help the older couple with their things. One of the two said, “Sir, let us help.”
“Oh, there’s no need. I can carry these. Greetings, General and Her Highness.”
Su Binglan hurriedly held the older couple up, saying, “There’s no need to bow. We have no ill intentions. We’re here on Prince Ruozhu’s behalf to check on you.
“Cao Yi sacrificed his life to protect the people, and Prince Ruozhu will always remember his achievements.’
Su Binglan could instantly tell that the older couple’s bodies were in terrible condition. She knew it was hard for them to continue working in the fields. It looked like years of hard labor had caused it.
The older couple became teary-eyed when they heard Su Binglan’s words.
They did not expect the prince, princess, and general to remember them. Old Madam Cao did not know what to say and could only cup her hands to express her gratitude.
Su Binglan held the older woman, saying, “Come, let’s go inside so you can sit down.”
When they arrived at the older couple’s home, Su Binglan said, “I’ll perform acupuncture treatment for you two first. 1 can see how in pain you are.”
The older couple was stunned. Old Master Cao and Old Madam Cao had worked all year round, and their backs were indeed sore. However, they had grown accustomed to enduring the pain.
Furthermore, they would have given up living if it were not for their grandchildren.
“Your Highness, you—n
Su Binglan politely interjected, ‘Don’t worry, Old Master Cao. I’m a disciple of the Legendary Medicine Valley. I have excellent medical skills and can cure your back and waist.”
Although the two were in disbelief, they knew the princess would never lie. Besides, the older couple had heard of the Legendary Niedicine Valley. When their daughter-in-law fell ill, they looked everywhere for doctors but to no avail.
Even though they had heard about the Legendary Medicine Valley, they did not know where it was. The two were excited when Su Binglan told them she was once a disciple there.
The older couple was cooperative with Su Binglan, so she quickly performed acupuncture on them. Soon after, Old Master Cao and his wife no longer felt pain in their backs. It was magical.
The older couple was amazed that the princess knew medicine and was even willing to treat commoners such as themselves.
Later, Su Binglan discussed Su Teng Village’s paper mill with them. She also told them that they could do some easy work there and that their grandchildren could attend Blue Mountain Academy for free..