LGSLAW : Chapter 23 – The Deal

At this point, Master Liang had no choice but to briefly explain the messy situation at his estate to Miao He and Yang Dalang.

 

Shaking his head, he said, “It’s my fault for poor household management. My son, Hu Tou, hasn’t had the fortune to enjoy Yang Ge’er’s kind gesture, and this opportunity was missed. Yang Ge’er, no matter what, please continue to send some vegetables to our house in the future. Our price will definitely match that of the tea house!”

 

By saying this, he was also reminding Manager Jin not to undercut the price. If the tea house gave a lower price, the Liang household would follow suit, which was unacceptable to him.

 

Manager Jin understood perfectly and felt no pressure. All he wanted was to secure these vegetables! He didn’t even need to inspect the vegetable plot; the quality of the vegetables they had eaten at home spoke for itself.

 

Manager Jin then said, “Today’s cabbage and tomatoes are excellent! We’ll buy as many as you can supply, regardless of the variety! What do you think, Brother Yang and Yang Ge’er?”

 

Today’s cabbage was particularly delicious because it was grown using the magical soil. Miao He hesitated, “As for the cabbage, today’s was frozen, which makes it tastier. The frozen stock is all gone. The new ones from the garden might taste slightly different. Is that acceptable?”

 

The fact that he mentioned this indicated his willingness. Manager Jin caught the key point immediately and nodded with joy, “You are truly honest! Of course, I understand! Even the small cabbages and rapeseed you previously sent were excellent. They’ll do just fine!”

 

Miao He finally felt at ease and became happy. He looked at Yang Dalang with a face full of pride and joy. Yang Dalang remained quiet, but the soft look in his eyes was a silent encouragement and support.

 

Later, everyone moved to the backyard garden. The second batch of vegetables was about to be harvested, and the lush greenery was quite pleasing to the eye. Since the beginning, Miao He had planned for the vegetables to be sold, planting them in staggered batches to ensure a steady supply. The effort was worthwhile, but Manager Jin still regretted that the garden wasn’t larger.

 

“Yang Ge’er is so skilled at growing vegetables. Why are there only a few?” Manager Jin couldn’t help but ask.

 

Miao He smiled, “Previously, we didn’t have enough land. To open up more vegetable plots, we need to buy land from the village chief.”

 

Master Liang seized the opportunity to show his merit, “Luckily, the land we pointed out to Brother Yang includes a patch of wasteland at the foot of the hill. If Yang Ge’er wants more land, that place is quite suitable.”

 

Manager Jin, who had heard about the incident between the Liang and Yang families on the way, laughed heartily, “Wonderful! If there are more vegetables, rest assured that the tea house will buy everything!”

 

Miao He’s eyes lit up, “Once Brother Yang recovers, we will definitely plant more.”

 

Before leaving that day, Manager Jin and Miao He signed a contract.

 

Manager Jin indeed showed sincerity by paying a deposit of five taels, equivalent to the price of ten batches of vegetables. Each batch of vegetables, slightly larger than the amount Wu Mian had sold, fetched an excellent price of five jiao silver.

 

However, the Yangzhou Teahouse needed to ensure quality. Each delivery would be inspected, and any rejected vegetables would result in a deduction. Business was business, and these terms were clearly stated in the contract. Miao He had no issues with this. The contract was signed by both parties and filed with the town’s document office to avoid disputes.

 

There was no need for Miao He to go to town again, as Master Liang enthusiastically promised to deliver the contract. As a result, both Manager Jin and Master Liang left with small boxes of tomatoes, smiling widely. Miao He was also delighted.

 

His vegetables were finally sold!

 

With a beaming smile, he turned to Yang Dalang, “See? I knew someone would want our vegetables! And it’s the tea house! With this income, we won’t have to worry about money anymore!”

 

“It’s all thanks to you,” Yang Dalang nodded.

 

This sounded a bit melancholic to Miao He, so he coughed, “It’s also thanks to you. You tilled the soil and dug the pits for compost. When we open up new vegetable plots, you’ll need to do these tasks again.”

 

Yang Dalang gently pulled him close, hugging him, “Yes. I’ll do it all.”

 

Such a good Ge’er, how long would heaven allow him to have this?

 

Miao He, with a slightly warm face, stiffly allowed himself to be hugged. He had mentally prepared himself for this, hadn’t he?

 

But when Yang Dalang lowered his gaze and met his eyes, Miao He still blushed and looked away.

 

It was useless. A moment later, a kiss that turned Miao He’s neck red was pressed onto him.

 

Looking up, clutching at his clothes, Miao He muddledly thought, why, why did this happen again…

 

***

 

The trip to Miao He’s house was very successful. Manager Jin, walking on air, went back to the tea house to report and, incidentally, went to present the tomatoes he brought back to Master Qu. As for Master Liang, he had more to handle. Besides delivering the contract for Miao He, he had two troublemakers at home to deal with.

 

“Xu Biao, the master wants to see you!”

 

Xu Biao, the second chef of the Liang household, wiped his hands with his waist towel and quickly went out. On his way to the main hall, he wondered if it was about raising the price for his uncle’s vegetables.

 

With this thought in mind, he reached the hall and saw Wu Mian there too. Xu Biao’s heart sank, and he respectfully asked, “Master, did you call for me?”

 

Master Liang, known for his benevolent reputation, could also be strict. He opened his eyes slightly. While he had a good reputation, he maintained clear rewards and punishments to keep his house in order.

 

Thinking about the scene earlier when he served the tomatoes from Miao He’s house to his wife and son, and how much they enjoyed it, he felt a pang of regret! Such good vegetables were now mostly going to Manager Jin. Of course, he could deny the deal and keep the vegetables for himself, but without Manager Jin, he might never have had the chance to taste them. He wasn’t the type to burn bridges.

 

However, he had to let his wife know the full story. As a member of the “secretly afraid of wives” club, Master Liang shivered and decided to take a severe stance.

 

“From today on, you and Wu Mian no longer work here. Settle your accounts with the steward and leave.”

 

At these words, Xu Biao and Wu Mian were stunned!

 

They both fell to their knees. “Master! Why!?” “Master! I’ve been loyal to the Liang family, I haven’t done anything wrong!”

 

Master Liang coldly replied, “One stole vegetables, the other sold them. The Liang household doesn’t keep dishonest people. As for your uncle’s family, Xu Biao, inform them that we no longer need their vegetables starting tomorrow. Now, leave.”

 

At his final words, the tall guards on either side stepped forward to drag them out. To Master Liang, this was a simple matter. But to Xu Biao and Wu Mian, it was a bolt from the blue. Still in a daze, they were dragged out of the estate.

 

Xu Biao, snapping out of it, grabbed Wu Mian and began cursing, “You said you handled those vegetables! How were we discovered!?”

 

Wu Mian, usually cunning but fearing the worst, stammered, “I-I don’t know. I just sold them to the tea house. What could go wrong?”

 

“The tea house!?” Xu Biao’s eyes widened, remembering the neatly arranged vegetables. “You idiot!! Selling to the tea house, you think they wouldn’t investigate!?”

 

Wu Mian finally broke free. “Selling to the tea house gets a good price. How was I supposed to know they could trace it back? You said to use the box! Don’t blame me!”

 

“The box!?” Xu Biao’s mind flashed, his face turning pale as he realized his mistake!!

 

The box had been odd from the start! And he recognized it because it was used for gifts by the Liang family!!

 

He hadn’t thought of this and foolishly let the vegetables be taken out in it!

 

Wu Mian retorted, “And you told me to do it. I didn’t know the vegetables were stolen! If I had, I wouldn’t have helped! Now I’m out of a job, what about my family? You owe me!”

 

“You took all the money from selling the vegetables!”

 

“That money’s not enough! If you don’t make it right, I’ll cause trouble at your house every day!”

 

“Trouble!? You ungrateful wretch! Without me, you wouldn’t have gotten the job! Now it’s gone, deal with it! You want to fight? Come on! I have my uncle’s family to deal with. Get lost!!”

 

“Your wife took bribes from me! Pay it back!”

 

They argued loudly in front of the Liang estate until the guards drove them further away.

 

***

 

More than a month later, Miao He had made four deliveries of vegetables to the town.

 

Each trip, he also sold a few ginseng roots, mixed with other herbs from his yard, to the pharmacy. He didn’t sell too much at once, just one or two roots per trip, gradually accumulating over an ounce of silver! It was a nice supplement.

 

During this month, Doctor Ji visited again for a follow-up. After this visit, Yang Dalang was finally given the all-clear and had the bandages removed. He was allowed to do light work.

 

As the weather grew hotter, more vegetables in the garden matured. In addition to the small cabbages and rapeseed, radishes and lettuce were also being harvested. Tomatoes continued to be produced, with Miao He using the magic soil to hasten the growth of several more plants, ensuring a steady supply for the tea house. Of course, the Liang household also received their share.

 

Even Da Bai had grown, now two palms big. Eating vegetables grown from the magic soil, Da Bai was now lively and mischievous, scratching everything in sight. Fortunately, it only favored the magic soil produce and didn’t ruin Miao He’s garden. Otherwise, the cat meant to catch mice would have become a nuisance.

 

As for the relationship between Miao He and Yang Dalang… Miao He wasn’t sure about their stage, but Yang Dalang’s increasingly frequent touches made Miao He feel like a volcano was about to erupt.

 

One morning, Miao He was in the backyard handling the magic soil, planting slices of ginseng for Yang Dalang’s tea.

 

But today was different!

 

When he unearthed the ginseng, a flash of white light suddenly appeared before his eyes!!

 

Miao He was stunned, then realized the magic soil had returned to his hand!!

 

And upon closer inspection, what was once a single clump of magic soil had split into two!?

 

Both clumps were the same size as the original!?

 

Could it be that the magic soil had upgraded!?

 

Miao He, uncertain but excited, tested the two clumps with the plants he had on hand.

 

The answer confirmed it!! He now had two clumps of magic soil!!

 

Without a second thought, Miao He ran to find Yang Dalang, who was sorting his hunting gear in the front yard.

 

Excitedly, Miao He explained the situation, but Yang Dalang showed no sign of joy. Instead, his expression was serious, with a hint of restraint. Finally, he stood up, scooped up Miao He, and carried him into the house.

 

Miao He, full of questions, protested, “What’s wrong? Also, put me down, I’m heavy!”

 

Yang Dalang walked straight to the bedroom, laid Miao He on the bed, and then pressed down on him.

 

Miao He didn’t even have time to ask.

 

With urgency and heat, Yang Dalang kissed him deeply, making Miao He’s mind go blank.

 

He couldn’t wait any longer.

 

His Ge’er was his. 

 

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Rain : Tooo cutee !!!

 

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