Chapter 78
On the following day at high noon, the sun shone brightly.
With the weather warming up, people always crave some light meals. Qi Huan steamed a pot of white rice, fried some tomatoes and eggs, and also mixed a plate of cold cucumbers.
For the sake of a million points, she had picked up the task of cooking once again.
Sure enough, as soon as Li Shuchen finished the last spoonful of rice in his bowl, the system also sent a notification: "Good Deed +1, Points +100."
Just as the system finished speaking, the courtyard door creaked as it was opened.
Glancing over, Yan Jiu walked in carrying a small cloth bag.
"Your Highness, I have completed the tasks you assigned. The deeds are all here.
After Rong Hongsheng, the owner of the Rong Family's gambling house, died, his two cousins from the Rong Family in Lingzhou came to handle his affairs. They spent some time investigating the cause of Rong Hongsheng's death but found nothing.
In a rush to return to Lingzhou for business, they entrusted Constable Yan to continue the investigation and turned their attention to handling the Rong Family's properties. They were in a hurry to sell, so the price was negotiable. I bought all the properties under the Rong Family's name.
There are five estates in total, accounting for six hundred acres of good farmland, thirty tenant households, and it cost a total of one thousand six hundred and sixty-six silver taels."
On the side, Qi Huan was cleaning up the dishes, listening to the whole story, and thought to herself: indeed, it's an auspicious number.
At this moment, Li Shuchen held her wrist and naturally took over the dishes.
Witnessing this, Yan Jiu was dumbfounded. His Highness was noble and precious, how could he wash the dishes himself?
As he was full of doubt, he saw His Highness casually hand him the dishes and say,
"Better late and lucky than early, make sure they're clean."
Yan Jiu:......
His timing was indeed lucky. He missed the meal but caught the dishwashing. Yan Jiu curled his lips and resignedly took the dishes, turning to go to the kitchen to work hard.
Inside the main hall.
Li Shuchen unwrapped the package after Yan Jiu left, took out the deeds inside, and handed them to Qi Huan.
"Ah Huan, you were right last night. The land in the extreme north is also part of Li Country. No matter where they are, every citizen deserves a life of fullness and warmth. We will start from scratch, starting with these lands."
The counties and states of Li Country had different grain taxes. Originally, Mo County only had to pay 20% tax, but two years ago, the Longshun Emperor had a sudden whim to build a Star Plucking Pavilion. Due to a shortage of funds, he raised the taxes by 10% everywhere.
Now, the people of Mo County need to pay 30% tax annually. Tenant farmers also have to pay 50% to the landowners, leaving themselves with only 20%.
Thinking of this, Li Shuchen went back to his room to get a sheet of paper, picked up a brush, slightly turned to the side, and spoke softly, "Help me grind the ink."
As he finished speaking, Yan Jiu had just finished washing the dishes and was walking towards the hall. Hearing the command, he immediately rushed over, one hand holding the ink stone and the other grinding the ink stick.
As an excellent subordinate, he should be responsible for relieving his master's worries. Even though he was just a warrior and had never done this kind of delicate work before, he had seen others do it. So, he just ground it, heh heh.
Li Shuchen picked up his pen, casting a cool glance at Yan Jiu. But when he saw Qi Huan playing with her fingers on the table, his gaze softened.
Well, grinding ink was tiring for the hand; he might as well let Yan Jiu do it.
Just as he dipped his brush into the ink and was about to write, he heard a snap - the ink stick had broken in two.
Yan Jiu released his grip in surprise. The falling half of the ink stick splashed into the inkstone, splattering ink across Qi Huan's cheek.
Feeling apologetic, he took out his handkerchief from his pocket, intending to hand it over. But then, he heard his master's deep voice, "Go clean the latrine."
As though struck by lightning, Yan Jiu froze. Could such a cold command really have come from his warm-hearted master's mouth?
But as a good subordinate, his duty was to alleviate his master's worries.
Bowing his head in acknowledgment, he walked solemnly towards the latrine.
Silence once again descended upon the room.
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Li Shuchen glanced at the mess on the table, put down his pen, took out his handkerchief, looked at Qi Huan, and extended his hand.
Seeing the well-defined hand before her, Qi Huan quickly reached out and lightly squeezed it.
Then, feeling his grip, she was pulled into Li Shuchen's arms and seated on his lap.
"Li Shuchen..."
"You have ink on your face."
With that, Li Shuchen picked up the handkerchief and carefully wiped her cheek clean. But, considering he had her in his arms, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the situation.
Holding the back of her head, Li Shuchen leaned in for a kiss.
With the thought that their unsuspecting subordinate could return from cleaning the latrine at any moment, he unusually restrained himself. After the kiss, he lifted her from his lap and placed her on the wooden stool next to him.
Qi Huan, who was accustomed to his lingering kisses, felt a bit awkward when he suddenly pulled away. Was that it?
"The time was shorter this time, it seemed like it didn't quite... work..." she blurted out, unintentionally revealing her thoughts.
Immediately, Li Shuchen's face darkened. He turned to close the door, thinking to himself, 'I'll show her what 'not working' really means...'
However, reaching for the door, he quickly noticed Yan Jiu squatting by the wall.
Sneaking a glance at his master's gloomy face, Yan Jiu scratched his head, "Don't misunderstand, my lord. I saw that the latrine wasn't dirty, so I thought I'd clean the cobwebs under the eaves instead. I didn't hear anything."
Seeing that his master's eyes remained dark, he braved it, "My lord, in my eyes, you are wise and heroic. There's nothing you can't do... if you really can't, I can prepare some deer meat, bull penis, sheep penis..."
"Out!"
"Right away!"
With the interruption gone, Li Shuchen turned and walked towards Qi Huan, who was blushing and had her arms crossed. He picked her up, seated her on the wooden table, and leaned in for another kiss.
After a long while, the midday sun began to fade, casting a faint glow on his dark hair and creating a halo around him.
When he finally released her lips, Qi Huan immediately buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, "No more kisses, my lips are numb."
"Um." Li Shuchen's voice was a bit hoarse as he stroked her hair, and muttered, "Am I okay?"
"Yes!"
This time, Li Shuchen released her contentedly, "I'm going to take a shower."
"Go ahead."
After he left, Qi Huan covered her flushed face, making a firm resolution to be cautious in her words and actions.
At this moment, the system teased her:
"Host, how about I hibernate until you two are married? Otherwise, I can't get through the day. After self-blocking for a while and rebooting, you two are still not done kissing, and I have to self-block again."
"Just bear with it."
Finished speaking, Qi Huan picked up the deed on the table, changing the subject, "Dear 'Do Good Deeds Every Day' system, also known as Little Handsome and Little Smart, check my point balance."
"Okay, host, your current balance is exactly ten thousand."
"How come there's so much?" These days, she had earned some points with the help of Li Shuchen, but not this much, right?
"Host, the diagram of the heated bed structure you previously publicized has been copied by interested people and spread throughout Mo County, even to the nearby towns. Although many people still doubt, rural households are mostly willing to give it a try.
When the heated bed was built, the system added points for you, but you were busy with Lu Yueming's matter and blocked me, so you didn't hear it."