Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 981: Chapter 982: My Lord, how astonishing!

Su Chengyu was indeed scheduled to conduct an inspection on behalf of the Son of Heaven in the South Shen area, and Su Chengyu had actually mentioned it to An Jing and Xiao Changyi several days ago. Yet, such a significant matter, how could An Jing and Xiao Changyi forget?

The inspection was indeed very necessary. First, it could deter local officials, urging them to be diligent and love the people, and to benefit the populace; second, it was to examine the local governance and the situation of people’s livelihoods.

The Emperor of Xiyun was getting older and not suitable for travel, and he did not want anyone else to go either, so he let his son, Su Chengyu the Crown Prince, go in his place.

However, Su Chengyu specifically took the time to bid them farewell in person, which both An Jing and Xiao Changyi found very gratifying.

Xiao Changyi, with his reserved emotions, said nothing.

It was An Jing who couldn’t help but exhort, ”When you go to Nan Shen, you must be careful with your safety.”

Su Chengyu immediately responded with a smile.

An Jing said with a smile, ”On the day you leave the Capital for the inspection, Brother Yi and I will see you off.”

”Good,” Su Chengyu still responded with a smile, but this time he seemed much happier.

...

On this day, Su Chengyu went to inspect the South Shen area on behalf of the Son of Heaven, with An Jing and Xiao Changyi seeing him off.

There were many people seeing him off, including the Emperor of Xiyun, princes, and high officials; the procession was indeed grand. Fortunately, Xiao Changyi’s status was high enough that he could send Su Chengyu off from close by when he left the Imperial Capital.

The Emperor of Xiyun only saw Su Chengyu off at the gates of the Imperial Palace, whereas An Jing and Xiao Changyi took him all the way to the gates of Imperial Capital.

Once Su Chengyu had departed, An Jing and Xiao Changyi returned to Prince Yi’s Mansion.

They had originally planned to take their four little ones to play behind the artificial hill in the mansion, but before they could leave the main courtyard, Meng Zhuqing came looking for them with a sack.

The sack contained half a bag of something, and being quite thick, it was impossible to see what was inside.

Upon seeing them, Meng Zhuqing said, ”My Lord, Madam, the people we sent to Emin have returned. This is what they have brought back. Madam, please take a look and see if it’s the item you were talking about.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing immediately suspected that it could be coal and hurriedly asked Meng Zhuqing to open the sack for her to examine.

Upon seeing that it really was coal inside the sack, An Jing, delighted, immediately embraced Xiao Changyi, ”Husband, it really is!”

Meng Zhuqing, ever so conscious, tactfully looked away, not staring at his master and mistress embracing.

Seeing An Jing so happy and hugging Xiao Changyi, the four little ones ran over to An Jing’s feet, looking up with small faces and stretching out their little arms, clamoring for An Jing to hug them too.

An Jing first gave each of the four little ones a cuddle, then dealt with the coal.

Half a sackful, there was enough to make many honeycomb briquettes.

When An Jing and Xiao Changyi were making the honeycomb briquettes, the four little ones were beside them, finding it fun to play with the coal, and in the end, they were covered in dirt.

The first thing after making the honeycomb briquettes, An Jing and Xiao Changyi took the four little ones for a bath.

Of course, it was just Xiao Changyi who bathed the four children. An Jing had wanted to wash them as well, but Xiao Changyi wouldn’t let her, so An Jing simply sat there comfortably drinking tea.

After some time for the honeycomb briquettes to dry, once dried, An Jing took four blocks to the palace.

”What is this?” When the Emperor of Xiyun saw the honeycomb briquettes, he didn’t know what they were at all. He just thought they looked very black with many holes in the middle.

An Jing replied, ”This is something that can burn like charcoal, but it burns for a longer time than charcoal.”

”Can this really burn?” the Emperor of Xiyun was somewhat incredulous.