Chapter 215: A Reason to Eat Back

She sighed, but the ancient era has its own merits; everything is natural, unlike Earth, where after a makeover things look good, yet after having a child, when they grow up everyone thinks they were adopted.

With her current ability, trying to change the people here a little isn't impossible.

She just loves the ancient times; if she changes them, can it still be the ancient times?

Qiao Mai stared at the Princess's face for a while, then turned and leapt down from the window, walking alone on the Guan Dao for a long time.

The next day, Yuan Jiaqi woke up, opened his eyes, sweat beading on his forehead, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

He didn't dare to move, listening for any sound inside; only then did he slowly turn his head left and right, seeing the kang neatly tidied, and no sign of Qiao Mai.

Yuan Jiaqi let out a long sigh, slowly sat up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and looked down at his clothes.

He felt a bit disappointed; his inner garments were neatly dressed, with no mess.

Why didn't my wife eat me? What a pity; if she had, I'd be hers, and tonight I'd have a reason to eat back.

Pine Nuts?

Eat them, Yuan Jiaqi.

If we plant them, how many years until they mature?

Eh?

That's your matter, I won't interfere; remember, a single person's strength is limited, you must learn to command people.

The soil over there is barren; I'd like to ask my wife to help me think of a method, see what's suitable to plant, maybe develop a side business; we can't have the common folk only grow one season of grain a year and rely on the heavens for food, can we?

Back in the backyard, Qiao Mai had him sit in the Yuanzi, she returned to the house, changed clothes, took a whole pine cone from a space, and then grabbed a bag of roasted Pine Nuts.

It's not that; the seams were pre‑pressed for easy peeling.

It doesn't resemble anything; its flavor is unique, no other nut can compare.

Right, the bag beside it contains Pine Nuts; try them, the taste of roasted Pine Nuts.

He's back at the County Magistrate's Office.

Are you two about to become a real married couple?

So, first focus on planting trees, take it slow; you must know that planting trees requires labor, material, and financial resources—just the saplings cost a lot, and you still have to plant them.

As soon as she entered the Yuanzi, she saw them eating, and the old lady waved at her.

Yuan Jiaqi tucked away the silver notes, gave her a deep look, then stepped forward and embraced her.

Wife, you're so kind!

At that moment, Yuan Jiaqi completely forgot about sharing a room or feeling shy, and immediately stood up.

I support you in doing proper work!

Yuan Jiaqi's face flushed, and Qiao Mai drank the water in her cup in one gulp.

Wife, won't you come back with me to Shexian for a short stay?

After saying that, Yuan Jiaqi released her and ran toward the Yuanzi entrance, too shy.

He slapped his own face hard, "What are you thinking?" he muttered, quickly got down from the kang, put on his outerwear, and went out.

Seeing him arrive, no one reacted; he could only sit awkwardly to the side.

Not yet, I'm waiting for my wife to act first; I'm too nervous, can't, can't make a move on Wang Jiaru's Rival.

Um, it tastes good, a bit, a bit like, like…?

Wife, I have to go back.

I'm just afraid that after planting trees, the common folk will steal them for firewood; there's a saying: to become rich, first plant trees; tree roots can reduce soil erosion and curb desertification.

Qiao Mai looked at the Yuanzi entrance, both laughing and crying, when an old woman walked in.

Take a look.

At that moment Qiao Mai was training children in Martial Arts, supervising and correcting their moves, and the children learned each technique earnestly.

Is this fully mature?

No.

Pine trees, like cedar and larch, are extremely cold‑tolerant; they can grow at minus fifty degrees Celsius, and once mature can be made into furniture or used for fire. The trees bear pine nuts that can be roasted and sold; pine nuts have a wonderful flavor, can be used in dishes or as snacks, naturally becoming an additional source of income for the common folk.

I'll give you the saplings and silver; the rest is up to you, okay?

Your husband drank too much last night; he didn't snore in the evening, did it affect you?

Then, can I try it now?

This issue isn't only in Shexian; now Quanwei City is the same.

She cleaned her hands, sat beside the old lady, the servants brought her a bowl of porridge, and the old lady rolled a thin pancake for her.

Oh,

Qiao Mai pulled out several silver notes from her sleeve and gave them to him, "Use these for now; if they're not enough I'll give you more. Don't use the public treasury's silver; it'll be hard to explain later, but also keep proper accounts."

Indeed, he told me he can't live without me this life, and I'm not a shy person, so I agreed.

Don't pay attention to it; just be a good County Magistrate.

The back courtyard was empty; he habitually looked up at the sky, then went straight to the Martial Arts training ground.

There's nothing he can do; he's not cut out for Martial Arts, so he can only mimic a few moves; he truly lacks skill in this area.

He carried a tray to the table and set the items down.

Has anyone at our house tried it?

Mm, bring your guards along.

Why? The home is so close; you think you can come back in a moment?

Plant trees, turn all idle wasteland into forest,

Not yet, but I can let you try it early.

Don't go; you go back yourself.

"Once I have a modest achievement, shall we—shall we—shall we have our own child?"

"Sure. From now on, besides adjudicating cases and handling disputes, I will take people to plant trees, and post a notice to the populace: anyone who dares to cut trees on reclaimed land will be imprisoned for a month and fined Ten Taels of Silver."

Yuan Jiaqi suddenly thought of something; he said shyly, "I'll come back in a few days."

"Then what kind of trees should we plant?"

"But opening such a workshop carries risk."

"Right, I see that the Ming Emperor hasn't recognized this yet. No one eats Pine Nuts."

Qiao Mai was startled, "Uh, are you ready?"

"Master, the old lady requests you!"

"Pine Nuts will bear a small amount of fruit after four to five years; as the pine trees age, their yield will increase. The main purpose of planting them is to prevent the land from further desertification, to retain moisture in the soil, so your side won't be so dry later. Moreover, once the trees are there, you can set up a small paper‑making workshop; not only pine trees, but waste wood and branches can be used for paper, even grass."

"Then you go about your business; every ten days bring the seedlings to my house, and each time I'll give you a thousand saplings."

He cracked open a seed, placed the kernel inside his mouth, and chewed it.

"Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, come, have breakfast together; I have something to ask you."

"There is no difficulty in the world, only those lacking resolve; I have studied the seeds, this won't defeat me."

"What do you want me to do?"

"What am I to do? I'm still whole."

Yuan Jiaqi opened the paper packet and saw golden‑yellow fruits, each with a seam in the middle.

"I've already hired an accountant, a Steward, the people in the County Magistrate's Office are all newly recruited, they've all signed documents, and even measuring them they lack the courage to test the law on themselves."

Yuan Jiaqi listened, eyes wide, "Paper‑making, the art of papermaking—these are all controlled by the great families; how could the lady know?"

After a while, Qiao Mai, sweating profusely, walked over, and Yuan Jiaqi hurriedly poured her a glass of water.

"Hmm, then I'm leaving."

"Aren't we holding any ceremony or something?"

"Lady, do you have a good method?"

"Lady, can you help me?"

"I don't know whether the Princess is going to Wang Laoyezi Wang to lodge a complaint, or returning to the capital to complain."

"Alright, let's go back and let them train here."

"So this is a pine cone?"

"Yes, lady."

"No need, we're all already married and have children; moving in together like this is fine."

The old man, seeing her speak with such composure, asked, "Is the Princess's matter settled?"

"Yes, when I act, there's nothing I can't solve."

The old man dismissed the servants and whispered, "Killed?"

(End of chapter)