Chapter 83 - 2#

World 4: You Are the Snow on the Branch#

996: “…Is this what disgust looks like? Qin Qing, let me down, I want to take a piss so Li Suye can take a good look at his sycophantic appearance in the reflection!”

Qin Qing was amused, and his beautiful peach blossom eyes couldn’t help but curve.

Ye Li’s eyes lit up, and the brows that had been furrowed the whole way relaxed at this moment. He was completely unaware that his emotions had been unknowingly manipulated by Qin Qing.

Qin Qing held Ye Li’s large hand, stepped on the other’s hard knee, and landed lightly on the ground.

Seeing a jade-like person covered in flower petals, peerlessly beautiful, walking slowly towards them, the villagers quickly made way, calling out “Young Marquis” with fear and gratitude.

Qin Qing waved his hand, walked straight to Jiang Feishi, pointed to the distant mountains and forests scorched by the scorching sun, and said: “Organize a group of people to cut down the trees near the village. Clear a width of at least ten zhang. I will pay the wages, one tael of silver per person.”

Jiang Feishi reacted immediately and said with a smile: “Is the Young Marquis afraid that the mountain forest will catch fire and spread to the village? Okay, I’ll find people to cut down the trees right away.”

Ye Li was slightly stunned, realizing only then that what Qin Qing had asked him to look at just now was actually the scorched yellow trees on the mountain, not some wild beasts or bandits.

He had been raised in the palace since childhood, so how would he know about cutting down trees in summer to prevent forest fires? He had never lived in the wilderness.

His face tightened and burned hot. Ye Li looked up at Jiang Feishi, a trace of hostility flashing in his eyes. This person seemed to always understand Qin Qing’s meaning in an instant. And the look Qin Qing gave him also revealed appreciation and joy.

The hostility unknowingly intensified, causing Jiang Feishi to look over as well. Ye Li quickly withdrew his gaze and lowered his head.

“Don’t throw away the cut trees randomly. Transport them to the Marquis Manor, and I will buy them at market price. I plan to expand the house and need a lot of timber. If there are still idle people in the nearby villages, they can come to the Marquis Manor to help me lay foundations, fire bricks and tiles, and build courtyard walls. I won’t delay your wages.”

Qin Qing said slowly.

Jiang Feishi rolled his eyes and smiled immediately: “Then can the Young Marquis entrust the task of recruiting workers to me? Some people are lazy and gluttonous. Even if they go to help, they just want to muddle through for a meal and will never put in any effort. I am very familiar with the people nearby. I guarantee to help the Young Marquis recruit diligent and honest workers.”

Qin Qing looked at him deeply, curled his lips and whispered: “Then I’ll trouble Mr. Jiang.”

He knew what Jiang Feishi wanted to do. By taking this job, Jiang Feishi would cut off the path for those who had previously sold their wives and daughters.

Even if those people kowtowed until their heads bled, he would not register them to work at the Marquis Manor.

Jiang Feishi’s heart was that ruthless. Heaven’s sins can be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins cannot be lived with. Some people just deserve to die.

For an extra mouthful of food, they strangled their weak daughters to death. To taste meat, they exchanged young children to cook as “two-legged sheep”. When their parents fell seriously ill, they threw them directly into the mountains to feed the wolves…

The cruelty of troubled times is unimaginable to ordinary people.

But Jiang Feishi saw these beastly acts clearly and plainly. He would not give these beasts any way to survive.

Jiang Feishi bowed and cupped his hands, thanking the Young Marquis for his appreciation.

Qin Qing suddenly leaned forward and whispered in this person’s ear: “Mr. Jiang, you are a wonderful person.” After speaking, he curved his beautiful and affectionate peach blossom eyes, hooked his pink and beautiful thin lips, and smiled playfully.

Jiang Feishi’s ears burned, and his heart began to beat faster. The Young Marquis indeed knew what he was thinking.

But he didn’t show it on his face at all, smiling equally gently and affectionately: “The Young Marquis is also a wonderful person. Under the care of the Young Marquis, these people in the nearby villages are probably the only disaster victims this year who can survive until the beginning of spring next year.”

“Jiangbei City will also be fine.” Qin Qing patted Jiang Feishi on the shoulder and then slowly left.

Ye Li watched helplessly as the two suddenly got very close, whispering head-to-head. They also looked at each other and smiled intimately, as if they had reached some kind of tacit understanding. Whatever Qin Qing said, Jiang Feishi could understand immediately. Whatever Jiang Feishi was thinking, Qin Qing seemed to know too.

Qin Qing likes men. This Jiang Feishi is handsome and smart. Will Qin Qing turn to like him instead?

Ye Li subconsciously pressed the dagger at his waist, enduring waves of sourness that grew stronger and stronger.

Even he himself didn’t know what there was to be sour about. Was it because he was unwilling to be outdone by a commoner?

Ye Li widened his eyes and stared fixedly at Jiang Feishi.

Jiang Feishi just glanced over lightly, the corners of his slightly curved lips carrying a bit of mockery.

This arrogant expression was exactly like Qin Qing’s. Was he deliberately imitating Qin Qing? Is he even worthy?

Damn it! Ye Li gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly, but this time he had a clear target for his abuse.

Qin Qing walked slowly to the carriage and looked at the high wheels with difficulty.

Ye Li quickly came back to his senses, walked a few steps quickly, and half-knelt down.

Ah Niu pulled him and knelt down instead. This time, Ah Niu wouldn’t let the Fourth Prince suffer this humiliation no matter what!

Unexpectedly, Ye Li didn’t appreciate Ah Niu’s kindness. His shoulder slammed straight into him, knocking Ah Niu to the ground. He himself knelt by the wheel, obediently offering his hard and steady knee, his arm automatically extending, waiting to support Qin Qing.

996: “You’re amazing, Qin Qing! This person just said you were disgusting, and now he knows how to compete for favor!”

Qin Qing turned his head away, curled the corners of his lips slightly, then grabbed Ye Li’s large hand and stepped on his knee to get on the carriage.

Ye Li flew onto the carriage with a swallow flip and entered the compartment dashingly. He had figured it out; his greatest advantage was his high martial arts skills, so he might as well show them off often.

Ah Niu watched his master’s overly flashy way of getting on the carriage, feeling indescribable inside.

Vaguely, he saw his own shadow in his master. Back then, to win his master’s trust, he had shown off just like this.

Pah! It’s impossible for the master to curry favor with Qin Qing! Don’t think nonsense! Ah Niu slapped himself lightly, then climbed onto the carriage and drove back.

Jiang Feishi and Liu San walked to the roadside to see Qin Qing off.

Those women and girls who were scrambling to sign up didn’t dare to approach, so they stood far away, kneeling in patches to kowtow to the gradually receding carriage. From now on, they also had a way to live. They no longer had to worry about being sold, abandoned, or even secretly killed and cooked into meat by their families.

Tears full of bitterness sprinkled into the dry land like rain, watering the seeds of hope. Someone cried out, and then there was a patch of wailing. This was not a cry of sadness, but the ecstasy of rebirth from death.

Jiang Feishi looked back at these women and children, his eyes stinging. Finally, he looked at the Young Marquis’s receding carriage again, an indescribable palpitation lingering in his heart.

Inside the swaying carriage, Qin Qing shouted to the outside: “Ah Niu, later take the Marquis Manor’s token to find that short, fat man and buy back all the girls and women in his hands. Don’t send them back to the Marquis Manor. Ask the housekeeper to lead the way and send them to the furthest estate.”

“Why send them so far?” Ah Niu asked in confusion.

Before Qin Qing could answer, Ye Li had already started to answer: “Stupid! If they are sent back to the Marquis Manor, they will inevitably be seen by the villagers when they go in and out. If the people who sold them know they are working in the Marquis Manor and have monthly wages, won’t they come to the door happily to ask for money?”

Ah Niu suddenly realized and said cheerfully: “Okay, I guarantee to send them far away.”

Ye Li nodded with satisfaction, then blinked his shining eyes at Qin Qing.

996: “Does he look like a big dog waiting for his owner’s praise?”

Qin Qing stroked his uncontrollably rising thin lips with his slender index finger, then curved his eyes to look out the window. He didn’t give any praise, but the smile that couldn’t be suppressed at the corners of his eyes and brows was as brilliant as spring light.

For Ye Li, this was the best praise.

So Ye Li also looked out the window, curling his lips and smiling secretly.

Disgusting?

His words were completely contrary to his actions.

When Qin Qing led Ye Li back to the Marquis Manor, Tao Ran was directing the servants to move sacks onto the ox cart.

Qin Qing raised his chin at Ye Li. Ye Li immediately took out his dagger, cut open a sack, revealing the white rice inside.

Now, Qin Qing didn’t need to say much. With just a subtle movement or look, Ye Li could immediately understand the other’s intention. Tacit understanding was cultivated slowly like this.

Ye Li held the rice in his hands and presented it to Qin Qing, a comfortable smile on his lips. He was very satisfied with his performance.

Qin Qing picked up a grain of rice and tasted it.

“Nancheng Jade Fat Rice?” he mused.

Tao Ran nodded: “Yes, this is the best rice in the Great Yan Dynasty.”

“Where are you transporting this rice to?” Qin Qing asked again.

“Naturally, to the county town to distribute porridge.”

Qin Qing’s face sank, and he immediately ordered: “Move this rice back to the warehouse and exchange it for the most inferior rice.”

Tao Ran got angry and quickly ran to the door to stop the servants carrying the rice bags: “You are not allowed to move it back! Are disaster victims not human? Do they not deserve porridge made from the best rice? Young Marquis, you are too stingy! Do you know that the Qi family uses top-quality white rice for porridge distribution? How good is their reputation? How many people praise them when they go out? Why is the reputation of the Marquis Manor so bad? It’s because you don’t do good deeds and don’t accumulate virtue! I’m helping you accumulate virtue, yet you stop me. You really don’t know a good heart!”

Ye Li looked Tao Ran up and down, his heart full of disbelief.

Perhaps the way Qin Qing looked at him before was exactly how he was looking at Tao Ran now. Where on earth did they find such a stupid person?

Qin Qing just waved his slender index finger, and the servants bypassed Tao Ran and moved all the rice bags back.

Tao Ran was so angry that tears welled up, her eyes full of resentment and injustice.

Qin Qing walked towards the warehouse while saying slowly: “Let me ask you, what is the quantity of this Jade Fat Rice, and how much silver did you spend to buy it?”

Tao Ran gave a weight and a price.

Qin Qing said without looking back: “The porridge cooked from this rice can only save a few hundred lives, but it costs the Marquis Manor thousands of taels of silver. Jade Fat Rice has a low yield. I think you only have this much in total. After distributing porridge this time, I’m afraid there will be no porridge to distribute next time. Then let me tell you, the inferior rice I buy with the same amount of silver can be distributed continuously for dozens of days and save tens of thousands of lives.”

Speaking of this, Qin Qing stopped abruptly, turned around, looked at Tao Ran with stern eyes, and said slowly: “Disaster relief is to let more victims survive, isn’t it?”

Tao Ran was asked to step back two steps and could only nod in panic: “Yes.”

“Then let me ask you again, is what you are doing now disaster relief or fishing for fame? Do you want to save lives, or do you want to hear others praise you as a living Bodhisattva? You would rather save a few hundred people than tens of thousands. What exactly are you thinking?”

Tao Ran was stunned on the spot by the question. Her originally indignant expression slowly turned into shame.

Her truest thoughts were suddenly pointed out by Qin Qing. Yes, she did enjoy the “living Bodhisattva” that others shouted with gratitude when distributing porridge. That was what she really wanted. She hadn’t considered how many people this rice could actually save.

Ye Li, standing aside, lowered his head. Somehow, he thought of that Qi Siyu again.

Perhaps his image in Qin Qing’s heart was as stupid as this Tao Ran and that Qi Siyu, right?

Damn it! Ye Li cursed inwardly, his face burning red.

Before Tao Ran could answer, Qin Qing had turned around and continued to walk forward, leaving only a cold sentence: “You don’t need to distribute porridge anymore. I will handle this matter. Your hypocrisy is useless in these troubled times.”

The voice faded away until it disappeared.

Tao Ran was stunned for a long time before slowly covering her face and letting out a low sob of extreme shame. She seemed to have been seen through by the Young Marquis. She spent thousands or even tens of thousands of taels, but it was not as many people as the Young Marquis saved with a light wave of his hand.

In fact, the people in the Tai’an Marquis Manor were not bad at all. She had always known.

The bad person was herself.