Chapter 176: Farming: Saving the Substitute Husband 19

Eh, what else could it be.

Feng Dazhuang gulped down the jerky, feeling its aroma linger on his lips and teeth; he wiped his mouth and went on.

Your uncle and aunt went up the mountain this evening; I'm coming to ask if you'd like to see them off partway.

It turns out it's because of this matter.

Jin Chen and Yelin exchanged a glance; their thoughts were in sync.

We won't go, then. That earlier incident blew up so much; if I go see them off, I'm afraid it might disturb their souls.

Jin Chen sighed, "Let the last stretch of the road be safe and steady for them."

That's true… eh, don't be too sad.

Feng Dazhuang thought the same, patted Jin Chen's shoulder, and said, "Then I'll head down; there's still plenty to do!"

Wait a moment, Dazhuang brother, could you trouble yourself to come up once and bring some homemade biscuits down to eat?

Jin Chen said, having Yelin go inside to pack some jerky and sesame biscuits, then handed them to Feng Dazhuang.

This… this is too embarrassing to accept.

Feng Dazhuang's eyes widened.

A whole half-basket of jerky and sesame biscuits! Those sesame biscuits are rich and flaky, just looking at them makes your mouth water—more fragrant than any he'd seen in town.

But one doesn't receive rewards without merit; he dared not take them.

Yelin also said, "We still have plenty at home; with the recent hot weather, we're worried they'll spoil."

He knew Feng Dazhuang had helped Jin Chen before, so his attitude was friendly.

Upon hearing they might spoil, Feng Dazhuang felt a pang of regret—these are fine goods!

He wiped his hands on his clothes before accepting them.

Then thank you; if you need any help, just come find me!

Jin Chen nodded in agreement, "In a few days I plan to go to town to look at a house; I recall you work there, Dazhuang brother, so could you ask around for me?"

Sure! The coffin was taken up the mountain today; I'll ask tomorrow.

Feng Dazhuang glanced at the sun, judged that time was running short, fearing his father's anger, he hastily bade farewell to the two and went down the mountain.

After the person left, Yelin went into the room and took out a cloth soaked in mountain spring water, gently placed it under his feet, and wiped Jin Chen's sweat with concern.

My lord, don't let yourself get sunburned to the point of peeling; it would be awful.

Jin Chen closed his eyes, enjoying his husband's service, and upon hearing that said, "In the mountains there's no sun, just a bit stuffy and hot; I even went to the spring to rinse off."

He lifted the covered basket and poured out the lingzhi.

Look, today our luck is good—we found two twin lingzhi; they seem aged, so they should fetch a high price.

Yelin thought it rare, came over to look, and asked, "When will my lord go to town to sell them?"

I'll go shortly, and return before sunset.

Jin Chen gently pinched his husband's cheek, coaxing, "The sun is fierce today; Yelin, could you wait for me at home?"

... Then my lord, please return quickly.

Yelin very much wanted to go with Jin Chen, but he was right—the sun is blazing today; his constitution is weak, and if he fainted halfway it would be a hindrance.

He leaned into Jin Chen's embrace, "I want to eat the glutinous rice cake with red bean from that stall on East Street; my lord, please buy it for me."

Alright, I'll buy it for you.

Jin Chen held and coaxed him, rested a moment, then led out the horse and prepared to set off.

0731 naturally stayed in the bamboo lodge to protect Yelin, guarding against any beasts that might frighten him, and his consciousness returned to Jin Chen's mind.

Giddyap—

——

In town.

Jin Chen came to that medical clinic again.

【Host, won't Doctor Li drive you out?】

0731 still remembered the incident with the wolf's gallbladder.

【A hundred-year twin lingzhi is extremely rare; he won't.】

Jin Chen showed no hesitation, stepping through the door.

"What ailment? What prescription?"

Doctor Li leaned back in the master's chair behind the medicine cabinet, dozing off, swaying slightly, occasionally shaking his feather fan; even hearing someone enter, he didn't lift his head.

"I'm selling lingzhi."

"What are you selling?"

Doctor Li opened his eyes, awake.

He sat up and immediately recognized Jin Chen.

"Well well! It's you again, youngster! Last time with the wolf's gallbladder you fooled me good!"

"I won't buy! Old man Li doesn't buy your stuff anymore!"

Doctor Li beckoned with his feather fan at Jin Chen, snorted, and his white beard bristled with anger.

Jin Chen took a stalk of lingzhi from the cloth bag and placed it on the medicine cabinet.

"This is… a… twin lingzhi!"

Doctor Li swallowed his remaining words, tossed the feather fan onto the master's chair, eager to grab it, but Jin Chen snatched it back.

"You said you wouldn't buy my goods?" Jin Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no! Don't take it back! Quick, let old man Li have a look!"

Doctor Li had forgotten what he'd just said; his eyes lit up before he could even see clearly, and he hurriedly replied, "Buy! Of course I'll buy!"

Here, two stalks of century-old twin lingzhi.

Jin Chen then took out both stalks at once.

Century-old lingzhi are extremely large; placing the two stalks together takes up quite a bit of space. Doctor Li completely didn't mind the dirt, messed up the medicine cabinet, tremblingly raised his hand to gesture, then leaned in to smell.

Oh! It really is a century-old!

He excitedly slapped his thigh, 'Young man! I'll buy both stalks! Name your price!'

He also called the apprentice over to pour tea for Jin Chen to drink, and his attitude became much more enthusiastic.

'In the future I'll probably still need to sell a lot here, so I'll give you a friend's price—how about eight hundred taels for both stalks?'

Jin Chen actually didn't know much about prices, but seeing Doctor Li so excited, he also quoted a high price, thinking he could still haggle.

Who would have thought Doctor Li exclaimed, 'Young man! You're not trying to play me, are you? Even eight hundred taels makes me uneasy!'

He hurriedly moved the lingzhi to his small room where he stored medicinal materials, then after coming out tightly locked the door, 'Eight hundred taels per stalk—I count that as my profit! This way, I'll give you two thousand one hundred taels! From now on, any scarce medicinal materials you have must be sold to me.'

【Damn! Twin lingzhi is worth so much!】

0731 was instantly shocked.

When following the host on a hunt, I even ate a few stalks!

Jin Chen also seemed somewhat surprised, blinked his peach-blossom eyes, 'Alright, then it's settled.'

Doctor Li gave all the silver notes to Jin Chen, just thinking of getting rid of him.

'Go, I still need to study this properly!'

Jin Chen helplessly shook his head, stuffed the silver notes into his pocket, turned and left.

Having just walked not far, he slightly frowned and glanced back.

After leaving the medical clinic, someone was following him, and not just one.

After a moment's thought, he headed toward a not-so-busy alley.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered, two people blocked the alley entrance.

The two men looked fierce, muscles bulging all over, their beard almost merging with their hair, appearing to be twins; one had a scar on his face, the other had more prominent muscles.

Jin Chen glanced over, puzzled, raising an eyebrow.

'Brother, did you just strike it big at the medical clinic?'

The scar-faced man clenched his fists, also sizing up Jin Chen, his tone unyielding.

This guy looks like a somewhat handsome hunter, nothing to fear.

'So... you guys came to rob?'

Jin Chen suddenly curled his lips.