Chapter 478

After finishing the matter with Li Tai, Chen Yan finally could go home.

But just as he reached his doorstep, he suddenly encountered two unexpected people.

"Lai Heng, Lai Ji?"

The brothers Lai Heng and Lai Ji cast mournful looks; they had indeed endured countless hardships during this period.

But as they say, the more suffering one endures, the greater the reward.

At the Mediation Office they were indeed tormented daily, yet now they can almost recite some books backward fluently.

A knife pressed to your throat—are you scared to study?

"The Lai brothers have seen the Duke of Wei, sir."

Mournful as they are, the Lai brothers are not unreasonable; they respectfully bowed to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan glanced at the two brothers and asked with a smile, "Are you preparing to return home to take the county exam?"

"Yes," Lai Heng sighed, "During this time, thanks to the Duke of Wei's assistance, my brother and I originally lacked confidence to pass, but now it's different, so we plan to return home, start with the county exam, and climb up until we become the Emperor's students!"

"What ambition!" Chen Yan praised, "I've already done what I can; now it's up to your own destiny. Whether you pass depends on the final outcome."

"After you leave, I suggest you continue studying according to my method; the biggest gap between poor‑family youths and aristocratic youths, besides connections, is that the former lack a systematic study plan, leading to wasted effort."

"Now, don't slack off; news that the Imperial Examination is about to begin has spread across the land, and you have far too many competitors."

The Lai brothers solemnly clasped their hands, "We have noted it, thank you, Duke of Wei!"

"Alright!" Chen Yan waved his hand, "Let's go. I won't say more than necessary; if any difficulty arises, send me a message at any time."

The Lai brothers understood; this counted as a promise from Chen Yan to them.

The two brothers fell silent for a moment, burying their gratitude deep in their hearts, and, just as when Chen Yan first met them, they left carrying large and small bundles.

"The Imperial Examination..."

Watching their departing backs, Chen Yan shook his head, sighing.

Last time, he had deliberately studied the entire Imperial Examination process, even obtaining the first‑place exam paper from the first year of the Zhenguan era from Li Shimin.

After reading it, Chen Yan could only say that this thing is simply not meant for humans to take.

It truly demands everything—beyond knowledge, even height, appearance, and eloquence are required.

The Zhenguan first‑year top‑scorer paper was even more neatly printed than any modern printing.

It was really too difficult.

"Young master, you don't need to take the Imperial Examination; what are you lamenting about?"

Suddenly, Qing'er emerged from the side, startling Chen Yan.

He said irritably, "I don't need the Imperial Examination, so can't I have a moment to lament?"

"Did you take good care of the child? You appear and disappear like a spirit."

"All taken care of~" Qing'er, hands on hips, said, "Young master, are you uneasy about me? Little Princess is looked after alternately by me and Xiang Lan, guaranteed no problems will arise."

"Alright, alright, you work the hardest; later let the child call you sister."

Qing'er's eyes lit up; just as they were about to speak, they realized something was off and asked, "Then I'm not a generation younger than you?"

"So what?" Chen Yan said cheerfully, "You still want to be a generation older than me?"

"I have no problem; just ask Gao Yang and see if they agree."

"I..." Qing'er stammered, "Ah, I didn't mean that!"

"You've put me in circles."

"Are you still not listening to the important matter?"

As Chen Yan walked inside, he said offhand, "What important matter could make Miss Qing'er come all the way to find me?"

"Young master!" Qing'er stomped foot in displeasure, muttering, "The batch of potatoes you planted in the backyard is ripe; didn't you tell me to keep an eye on them? Once they're ripe, I should tell you immediately."

"Hmm?" Chen Yan blinked, then, realizing, felt pleased and quickened his steps.

Potatoes!

At first I only had half a potato, and it was half‑withered!

He didn't know how long he had tended it carefully, even moving it into his own room to watch over it, until it finally sprouted again.

After harvesting, he couldn't bear to eat any, so he planted again.

After two or three cycles, the quantity gradually increased; only then did he plant it in the backyard, occupying less than a mu, about eight fen of land.

Chen Yan estimated that after this harvest, there would be a few hundred to a thousand jin, enough as grain seed—truly not easy.

Before digging out a plot in the backyard, Chen Yan looked at the ripe potatoes, and an involuntary smile spread across his face.

"Alright, alright, not in vain for my hard care all this time!"

"Finally it grew!"

"Qing'er, quick! Bring me a hoe right away, and dig it up!"

Upon hearing, Qing'er instinctively wanted to follow Chen Yan's order, but seemed to recall something and tentatively asked, "Young master, these potatoes are so important; given your usual temperament, shouldn't His Majesty be the one to dig them up?"

"Why must you toil yourself?"

Chen Yan:???

He made a strange expression, stroked his chin, and said, "That does seem reasonable!"

"Xiao Shunzi, Xiao Shunzi!"

"Hey, young master, I'm here!"

Xiao Shunzi responded loudly, and within a moment ran to his side.

"You go to the palace immediately and invite His Majesty!" Chen Yan arranged at once, thought for a moment, and said, "Just tell him there's a heavenly omen here for him to see!"

Xiao Shunzi glanced at the potato plot behind him, understood Chen Yan's meaning, promptly agreed, and hurried off, trotting away.

"Qing'er, bring my chair over; today I'm in a good mood, have Zhang Yi prepare a few hearty dishes!" Chen Yan waved his hand grandly.

He was obviously happy.

Qing'er had the servants bring his chair over, Chen Yan then lay down, his mind already thinking about how to plant this Potato.

After all, the Potato yielded from eight-tenths of a field; plus it wasn't a modern variety, and even if he irrigated it with homemade soil fertilizer, the yield at most was a thousand catties.

Over a thousand catties as seed grain is enough; eating it is absolutely out of the question.

Fortunately, it's still June now; this year we can find some fertile land and more people to tend it, so we should still be able to harvest a batch.

Next year's yield will definitely be considerable; by then, whether we plant it ourselves or promote it for the commoners to plant, it will work!

Just as Chen Yan was happily thinking, a voice suddenly sounded from beside him.

"I say, why do you have so many things going on all day? You just had Xiao Shunzi go to the palace to summon my Father Emperor again?"

Who else could it be besides Gao Yang?

Chen Yan glanced at her, "What do you know?"

"Believe it or not, my Father Emperor would love for me to go see him every day."

"Hehe..." Gao Yang gave a noncommittal response, lying down beside him on his own, and lightly tapped the nearby ground with his chin.

"You just want my Father Emperor to come help you dig the ground, right? Why all the righteous pretense?"

"I know, what else do you have to say?"

Gao Yang: "......"

"......"