Chapter 217: Chu Lan’s Test_1

Translator: 549690339

Given the circumstances at the time, Chu Lan couldn’t easily trust anyone, even Yuan Zhengqin, the magistrate, Chu Lan couldn’t entrust himself to him.

Compared to that, Fan Chengxu was somewhat more trustworthy.

Because Fan Chengxu was more of an outsider, Chu Lan didn’t know what Fan Chengxu’s family, the Fan Family, was planning, but Fan himself was an anomaly. From their school days, he was someone who spent all day thinking about how to make money.

Although Fan Chengxu studied with many princes, he never got close to any of them, preferred not to get involved in any conflicts, and was not close to Chu Lan either.

There was a time when Chu Lan, Fan Chengxu, and the other princes who went to school together played a game of riddles, each using a pseudonym. Cuiping was the pseudonym Fan Chengxu used at the time, and Zongyu was Chu Lan’s.

Therefore, Fan Chengxu not only recognizes Chu Lan’s handwriting but also confirms that the letter was written by Chu Lan once he saw the signature as Zongyu.

Because the letter only mentioned borrowing money, Fan Chengxu, after thinking it over, didn’t make a big deal about it. He simply sent the silver note over and offered as much help as he could.

As Chu Lan expected, Fan Chengxu did not tell anyone, including his influential uncle.

After thinking for a while, Fan Chengxu accepted the box of jewels.

“I humbly thank Your Highness for your grace.”

Having received the gift, Fan Chengxu quietly waited for Chu Lan’s next question.

He knew that if it were only to “repay the debt,” Chu Lan would not have come in person. Since he had come, he must have other matters to discuss.

But Chu Lan didn’t mention it, neither did Fan Chengxu actively ask.

After a long silence, Chu Lan asked, “Do you have any information about the attack on me this time?”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, I only know about your injury. Before I received your letter, I only knew that you were missing after the attack, I knew nothing else.” Fan Chengxu immediately denied any involvement.

“As a prominent figure in Taizhou prefecture, you should have many informants here.” Chu Lan said.

“Although I’ve been in Taizhou prefecture for several years, I’ve mostly been focusing on running my business, I don’t know much about other matters.” Fan Chengxu answered, leaving no room for suspicion.

“Who do you think might have wanted to kill me?” Chu Lan asked again.

His sharp eyes were studying Fan Chengxu as if trying to discover a flaw.

“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare to make wild guesses about such a serious matter.” Fan Chengxu replied with a smile, still not revealing any information.

“Do you know that recently someone presented a handwritten testament of the late Duke of Xu to the Emperor, and it might overturn the verdict for him.” Chu Lan suddenly brought up a name that hadn’t been mentioned publicly for a long time.

“The handwritten testament of the Duke of Xu? How is that possible? It’s been eighteen years, the Duke of Xu’s mansion was thoroughly searched, if there were a testament, why would it appear only now…”

Fan Chengxu looked surprised.

Fan Chengxu added, “Besides, it’s been eighteen years, everyone related to the Duke of Xu is dead, who would want to overturn the verdict for his family?” “Don’t forget, the Empress Xu gave birth to a child at the Jing’an Temple.” Chu Lan replied.

“Your Highness, don’t joke. The ninth prince was buried on Longhuan Mountain west of the Capital City, and the Emperor even had a royal tomb built for him.”

The treatment was only for the ninth prince. There were also princes who died prematurely before, but none of them had this treatment.

“But the recent rumors say he is still alive.” Chu Lan said.

“That seems unlikely…”

“Whether it’s likely or not, some things have already happened.” Chu Lan said.

“I, a mere commoner, am not aware of these things.” Fan Chengxu could only laugh.

Seeing Fan Chengxu’s response, Chu Lan knew that he would not get any information from him.

Then he turned and left.

It was only when Chu Lan had left that Fan Chengxu couldn’t help but shake his fan and sigh, “What a nuisance, I’ve moved so far away, how did the trouble find me here?”

He only cared about making money. Chu Lan was trying to drag him into the situation, but he was not foolish enough to jump in with him.

He had no choice but to help when he received Chu Lan’s letter. Thus, he had to spend money and effort to help him.

###

February 25th, the beginning of spring.

The weather started to warm up, and the new year’s farm work was about to begin.

When Wei Ruo arrived at the farm, the people there had already been busy for a morning.

The manager, Yu, explained with a smile, “Everyone almost starved and froze last year, so this year they are determined to work diligently. As soon as the temperature warmed up a bit, they have already started work. Now the ground has been turned once and is waiting for your instructions.”

“Every field that was improved and fertilized last year should be turned into rice fields with some extra effort this year. Start preparing the seedbeds for the rice in a couple of months. The weather might still turn chilly earlier than previous years, so it would be better to plant earlier.” Wei Ruo instructed.

Wei Ruo had two main parts to her farm outside Government City: the original fertile farmland of a thousand mu, and the newly purchased land, which was not very fertile and also amounted to about a thousand mu.

Of the original thousand mu of fertile land, nine hundred mu were planted with her new variety of wheat. Now, the growth was good. Last year’s heavy snow did not have a big impact on them. They just need to wait for the harvest in April or May.

Another hundred mu of fertile farmland was planted with winter vegetables such as rapeseed, radishes, cabbage, etc. Apart from the heavy snow days, a small amount could be harvested every day.

The extra thousand mu of land purchased was improved and fertilized last year. Now it was almost ready. After plowing, leveling, and flooding, it would be used to plant rice.

“I’m a bit worried that sowing too early might not result in good seedlings as the temperature is not that high now.” Manager Yu said.

“Don’t worry, I will transport some good seed over. Plant according to my instructions, there won’t be any problem.” Wei Ruo reassured confidently.

“Alright.” The manager had no doubts since Wei Ruo was so confident.

After spending the morning on the farm, she returned home in the afternoon. Before she could sit down, Cuiping came to her.

“Miss, madam is asking for you.”

Wei Ruo wondered if Madame Yun was annoyed at her for going out again.

For the past few days, as Mr. Wang Caiwei has not returned to Taizhou prefecture, she hasn’t gone to Tianqin Garden for lessons. Taking advantage of the beginning of spring, Wei Ruo spent her free time arranging matters on the farm.

Wei Ruo didn’t ask further and followed Cuiping to Cangyun Garden.

Upon entering, Madame Yun greeted Wei Ruo with a smiling face and asked her to sit by her side.

“Mother, what is your purpose for calling me over?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Here’s the thing, last year your father was promoted and got some rewards, plus my dowry, we can gather seven to eight hundred taels of silver. I am thinking about using this money to buy some more property in the city.” Madame Yun was a sensible woman. If she had money, she would invest it in property.

Their family only had the farm in Xingshan County which surely wasn’t enough..