Huang Rang had beaten up the Jianzheng.

After beating him up, she twisted Di Yiqiu’s ear and dragged him all the way to that shoveled school field, ordering him to restore it to its original state!

This matter shocked everyone.

Di Yiqiu wasn’t just the Jianzheng of Si Tianjian—he was also the legitimate son of Emperor Shi Wenyu.

Though he’d been stripped of the imperial surname, that didn’t mean he could be beaten up for fun.

That afternoon, three eunuchs from the palace—Fu, Lu, and Shou—hurried over, intending to punish Huang Rang.

But upon arriving, the three eunuchs discovered their own Jianzheng sporting a pair of panda eyes, currently tending to that wasteland—precisely Huang Rang’s former school field.

He was using a hoe to dig and loosen the soil, but how would he know how to loosen soil?

For a moment, his posture was extremely clumsy.

That wasteland was larger than ordinary school fields, but the soil was full of gravel and some waste materials the Ministry of Works had once discarded and buried.

So his digging was particularly laborious.

“Jianzheng…” The three eunuchs’ eyes filled with tears. “You’ve truly suffered at Si Tianjian! These bastards must be bullying you for being young, not only beating you like this but even daring to make you personally dig the ground…”

The three were both grief-stricken and indignant, wishing they could take his place.

Di Yiqiu looked back at them inexplicably and said, “You all grab hoes.”

“Ah?” The three were stunned.

A moment later, the three eunuchs and the Jianzheng together dug the ground in unison.

…

Regarding this matter, some people at Si Tianjian had initially spoken up for the Jianzheng’s injustice.

Later, Huang Rang replanted the previous “weeds,” and three days later, the mosquitoes gradually disappeared.

The people of Si Tianjian finally got a peaceful night’s sleep, and from then on, no one ever cried injustice for the Jianzheng again.

After this incident, Huang Rang acted as if nothing had happened, still bringing exquisite food to Di Yiqiu every morning and evening.

Di Yiqiu also bore no grudge and accepted everything. The two were like children who’d had a fight and made up as soon as they said they would. When everyone looked at their relationship again, they sensed many differences.

Outside, the cursing about beam rice still covered heaven and earth. However, since Di Sanmeng had never appeared, these attacks and insults naturally had no effect.

As for Huang Rang, she cared even less—everyone was cursing Di Sanmeng. What did it have to do with her?

Every day at Si Tianjian, she remained a happy, carefree salted fish.

And on this day, an unexpected guest came to Si Tianjian.

—Yuhu Xuanzong’s Sect Master Xie Hongchen arrived for a visit.

Everyone found it strange.

Yuhu Xuanzong had always cultivated immortality and sought the Way, not involving themselves in worldly affairs.

Xie Hongchen almost never set foot in the Capital.

For him to take the initiative to come now—how could it not cause suspicion and bewilderment?

Di Yiqiu invited him in. Xie Hongchen’s robes shone with radiance, as elegant and gentle as always.

He sat down in the flower hall for receiving guests and said, “I’ve heard that this past year, the Jianzheng has been busy with the matter of drought-resistant improved seeds. At such a young age, the Jianzheng’s heart is with the common people—truly a blessing for all citizens.”

His words were polite. Di Yiqiu’s face bore a smile, but his eyes were cool. He asked, “Sect Master Xie is too kind. However, Sect Master Xie has always avoided worldly affairs. I presume that your visit this time isn’t just to praise this humble one a few sentences?”

Xie Hongchen made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “The Jianzheng is truly straightforward.” Yuhu Xuanzong and the court had never gotten along, so he didn’t mind Di Yiqiu’s coldness. “This Sect Master has come this time also wanting to contribute a modest effort for all the people.”

Having said this, he performed a slight technique, and several wooden boxes from his storage magical treasure appeared out of thin air in the flower hall.

Xie Hongchen said indifferently, “Money and wealth are vulgar things, yet they can ultimately save lives and relieve suffering. Please don’t refuse, Jianzheng.”

The Jianzheng casually opened a box and saw inside, neatly arranged, were indeed gold bricks.

Wealth moves the human heart! Currently Si Tianjian’s expenses were enormous, the court’s allocated funds were meager, and everywhere needed money.

While the Jianzheng was hesitating, Sect Master Xie continued, “I’ve heard Miss Arang is currently studying at Si Tianjian. This Sect Master would like to visit her. I wonder if the Jianzheng could invite her for a meeting?”

Huang Rang… These two words seemed to poke at the Jianzheng’s sore spot.

The Jianzheng slammed the wooden box shut with a bang, also shutting out the dazzling golden light.

“What, Sect Master Xie and Arang are old acquaintances?” The Jianzheng’s expression was half-smile, half-not.

Xie Hongchen sensed his emotional shift but still patiently said, “To be frank, fourteen years ago, I had a chance meeting with Miss Arang in Immortal Tea Town. After learning she went to Ruyi Sword Sect, I also went to visit. Speaking this way, we can indeed be called old acquaintances.”

The Jianzheng cursed inwardly—fourteen years ago… that is to say, when this master was still in his mother’s womb, you two already knew each other?

He sat back in the host’s seat, his smile not reaching his eyes. “What kind of person does Sect Master Xie take this master for? Do you think bringing a few boxes of gold and silver will let you see my Xuanwu Si’s student?”

Having said this, he waved his sleeve. “This gift, please forgive this master for being unable to accept. And naturally the Sect Master won’t be able to see the person either.”

Xie Hongchen’s brow furrowed slightly. He never imagined Di Yiqiu would misinterpret his words so completely. He could only say, “The Jianzheng misunderstands. This Sect Master only…”

The Jianzheng sneered coldly, “Regardless of what the Sect Master means by these words, this master cannot comply. She’s studying at Si Tianjian, and Si Tianjian must naturally protect her thoroughly to prevent her from being coveted by villains.”

He spoke the two words “villains” with resolute determination.

Sect Master Xie was after all a prominent figure—how could he bear such a tainted reputation?

He stood up and said, “In this matter, the Jianzheng has purely misunderstood. This Sect Master shouldn’t have made such a request. Please forgive me.”

Having said this, he turned to leave.

The Jianzheng took several steps to see him to the hall entrance, watched him leave, then turned back and ordered, “Li Lu, send this money and wealth back to Yuhu Xuanzong.”

Li Lu sent people over, but seeing the contents of the boxes, they inevitably felt tempted. He said, “Jianzheng… Yuhu Xuanzong has always been extremely wealthy. If Xie Hongchen insists on gifting it, why not accept it? After all, it’s also for the common people.”

However, the Jianzheng’s resolve was clearly firm. He said, “Send it back!”

Which nerve was wrong today… not even loving gold anymore. Jianfu Li muttered in his heart.

However, the Jianzheng had clearly underestimated Sect Master Xie.

Though Sect Master Xie hit a wall with him, he didn’t take it to heart—after all, Di Yiqiu was only fourteen years old. Who would argue with him?

Xie Hongchen openly visited Ruyi Sword Sect.

The He Xijin couple was much more enthusiastic toward him.

Qu Manying said, “For Sect Master Xie to grace us with your presence, yet we didn’t go far to welcome you—truly impolite.”

Xie Hongchen was untainted by dust. Over these years, his bearing had become increasingly rounded and harmonious, gentle and elegant as the moon. “Madam He is too polite. I’ve come this time firstly to visit Sect Master He and Madam He, and also, I’ve prepared some small trinkets I’d like to gift to the Huang sisters.”

He specifically mentioned Huang Rang and Huang Jun.

He Xijin and Qu Manying were mature and steady people, so naturally they were suspicious.

Xie Hongchen indeed took out gifts from his storage magical treasure. Being a careful person, though he said he was gifting them to the Huang sisters, he also prepared some spirit pills for He Cui and He Dan.

Qu Manying accepted these gifts with repeated thanks.

Sect Master Xie said gently, “Last time at the sect, I met Miss Arang and felt an immediate kinship. It’s just a pity that she’s currently studying in the Capital and I can’t see her in person.”

With these words, his intentions were revealed quite obviously.

Qu Manying understood in her heart but didn’t show it on her face. She only smiled and said, “Isn’t it so? These past ten-plus years, time has grown legs—the children have grown up in the blink of an eye. On behalf of the children, I thank the Sect Master for his generous affection.”

Sect Master Xie made his point and said no more.

When they discussed the current matter of beam rice, Xie Hongchen said, “Master Di Sanmeng is truly an extraordinary person. In just a few months, he’s already bred such improved seeds.”

He Xijin couldn’t help but also praise, “Pre, pre, precisely so.”

Being a man of much wisdom, he now understood Xie Hongchen’s thoughts about seventy or eighty percent and just said various idle chat.

Qu Manying said, “It’s just a pity that beam rice is rough and coarse to eat. These past few months, the criticism outside has been severe.”

Xie Hongchen smiled. “In this Sect Master’s view, this is precisely Master Di Sanmeng’s brilliance.”

“Oh?” Qu Manying looked over.

Xie Hongchen remained gentle and patient, speaking slowly, “The matter of beam rice has shaken court and countryside. This Sect Master has also gone to the fields to investigate. This thing has very high yield and doesn’t depend on water sources. Even earlier, wealthy households were already eyeing this commodity. If it were palatable, someone would definitely hoard it in large quantities. Once hoarded, no matter how high the yield, it would become a scarce commodity.”

He analyzed point by point. “At that time, even if beam rice weren’t affected by drought, the price would definitely skyrocket. Poor households would still have to endure hunger, only able to look and sigh.”

Qu Manying’s expression changed slightly. Xie Hongchen said, “Only because it’s rough and hard to swallow will no one hoard and speculate with it. Thus grain prices won’t climb, and people’s livelihood won’t be difficult. In a year of great disaster, it can instead save lives.”

These words, sentence by sentence, exposed human hearts and human nature! In this matter, whether saving or killing people, it was all about the human heart.

Qu Manying listened as if awakening from a dream and could only sigh in admiration, “Master Di Sanmeng is truly a great sage. I’ve also come to admire this person. I truly hope that in my lifetime, I can see him with my own eyes.”

He Xijin said, “In in in this world world, those those with with benevolent benevolent hearts hearts are are many many. But but those those who who are are rounded rounded, harmonious harmonious, penetrating penetrating, and and thorough thorough are are few few.”

Xie Hongchen nodded slightly. “Sect Master He speaks truly. This person not only has a heart of benevolence and righteousness but also possesses a heart that penetrates the world. Overflowing with talent yet knowing to serve country and people—truly a worthy sage.”

At this time, the “benevolent-hearted, rounded and thorough” Huang Rang was at Di Yiqiu’s fief.

This stretch of land was truly fertile—truly an earth spirit’s beloved!

Thinking of outside the dream, if she’d known earlier that Di Yiqiu had such a large stretch of good fertile land, why would she have minded his youth?

What a strategic error!

These beam rice seeds, now growing in such soil, naturally had very good growth.

The second batch of beam rice improved seeds would soon be harvestable as well.

She walked back and forth through the fields with her hands behind her back, like a general inspecting her soldiers, appearing very satisfied.

A tenant farmer nearby was weeding. Seeing her gentle nature, he couldn’t help but work up his courage and carefully ask, “Miss Arang, outside everyone’s saying that beam rice is hard to eat. Why won’t Master Di Sanmeng improve the taste?”

Hearing this, Huang Rang immediately glared angrily. “Improve the taste? They just don’t know how expensive firewood and rice are when they’re not managing the household! Do you know how much silver the beam rice parent seeds cost? The master is empty-handed and dirt poor—where would he get the silver to improve the taste?! Truly ignorant and foolish, idiots talking in their dreams!”