Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Protection
What makes Zhou Anran so willing to reveal all the information truthfully to Magistrate Xu?
It was because of Xiao Qingya and the System’s conversation. They had unlocked Magistrate Xu’s profile.
[Host, this Magistrate Xu isn’t a bad person. He truly cares about Qingshan County. The Emperor appointed him here because of his integrity. His paternal family had come from this place...]
With a determined heart, Zhou Anran decided to reveal it all. From the sound of it, Magistrate Xu was also close with the Emperor.
Since the System had vouch for his good personality, it might help gain her and her family an extra layer of protection. They didn’t need to hide and be cautious when they did their farming activity like usual.
"Tingxun, what brings you here?" Magistrate Xu greeted the person standing at the door with a familiar address.
Han Tingxun’s eyes swept over everyone’s presence. His gaze momentarily landed on familiar faces like Zhou Anran and Shun Zi, even Xiao Qingya before he withdrew it.
"I heard you invited someone who managed to produce a high harvest yield, so I came to take a look." Han Tingxun answered. His lips curled up almost imperceptibly. "I didn’t expect to meet familiar people here. Mrs. Zhou, Mr. Shun, we met again."
Both of them nodded in acknowledgement at him.
"I thought you were looking for His Excellency." Magistrate Xu let out a breath. Han Tingxun’s presence actually helped him calm down a little from the news that Zhou Anran and Shun Zi had brought.
Zhou Anran couldn’t help but fall into a slight trance. The person Magistrate Xu calls ’His Excellency’ must have been the nobleman from the Capital, right?
Han Tingxun actually worked for him...
"I just came back from my Master’s place." Han Tingxun muttered and didn’t elaborate further.
Zhou Anran’s heart sank slightly when she heard that. The nobleman had left Magistrate Xu’s place? She was a little disappointed she couldn’t get another glimpse at him.
She just wanted to make sure whether she was hallucinating.
However, judging from Han Tingxun’s words, it seemed that the person had some property here. Otherwise, Han Tingxun wouldn’t have arrived at Magistrate Xu so fast.
Her hope was slightly rekindled.
At the same time, her worry increased. If the nobleman was really her husband, why hadn’t he returned to their home at the Hejia Village?
The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
"Mrs. Zhou, can you tell us about this high yield rice?" Magistrate Xu shifted the topic to the paddy rice again. Han Tingxun had taken a seat beside him.
Zhou Anran’s mind snapped back to the present time, and she began to recount the first improved harvest to her latest one. The people around listened attentively while Shun Zi added some details from time to time.
"I really believe that Mrs. Zhou’s family is blessed." Shun Zi muttered after Zhou Anran had finished telling them everything they needed to know. "Only her family could do this."
Shun Zi had stayed beside Merchant Yang for so long, and hence, he had become more clever over time.
He had said these words weren’t without reason. In order to gain some protection for the Xiao family, he had to convince the Magistrate as well as Han Tingxun about Xiao family’s specialness.
Anyway, his words weren’t too far from the truth. Although he didn’t know the real reason the Xiao family could grow such high-quality paddy rice, he had benefited a lot from the cooperation with them.
He was also extremely grateful that the Xiao family had chosen to trust him.
On the side, Han Tingxun was silent, listening quietly. They had explained again the reason and where Zhou Anran had found the ’magical rice seeds’.
"The rice seeds from Mrs. Zhou can evolve into better quality. However, for other farmers, the effect was reduced a little." He pondered out loud.
"Mr. Han, did you try to plant the rice seeds you bought from our shop too?" Shun Zi asked politely, a curious light flashed in his eyes.
He wondered in what kind of environment he had planted it and how was the result compared to the situation in their county.
Han Tingxun nodded. "We planted it in an area with more severe weather compared to Qingshan County. The result is a little better compared to other rice seeds."
Magistrate Xu stroked his beard again. "So, we can confirm that the higher yield is actually because of Mrs. Zhou’s paddy rice."
He turned to Zhou Anran.
"Mrs. Zhou, if you don’t mind, can we visit your fields during the harvest?" Magistrate Xu asked with a hopeful tone.
Originally, Zhou Wenzhi was supposed to come to accompany Zhou Anran to Magistrate Xu’s house, but she repeatedly assured him it was fine for her to go alone with Xiao Qingya.
She wasn’t sure about the nobleman’s identity, and if he was really her husband, it would have been really awkward for them to meet.
Hence, she didn’t plan to tell anyone before she was sure and finally figured everything out.
"Of course, Your Excellency, you can visit our fields," she easily agreed. "In a week or two, our fields in the county will be ready for harvest."
Magistrate Xu nodded, already planning to send a servant to inquire the exact time to the Zhou family’s household later when it was nearing the harvest time.
After they confirmed some details further to Zhou Anran, Magistrate Xu finally made a promise. "Mrs. Zhou, please rest assured. You are an important contributor for our country’s agriculture. We will do our best to protect you."
Sensing his friend glancing at him, Han Tingxun also cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Please, don’t worry, Mrs. Zhou. You can focus on improving our agriculture without worrying about other things. If someone finds trouble with you, you can tell Magistrate Xu or me. We will do our best to deal with it."
"Thank you, Your Excellency, Mr. Han." Zhou Anran nodded solemnly, letting out a breath of relief.
It was the promise she had been waiting for from both of them.
Upon arriving home, Zhou Anran told everything to her father.
Zhou Wenzhi had a conflicted look on his face.
"Father, did I do something wrong?" Zhou Anran wondered.
