Ch 96: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

The earth was wrapped in silver, as if covered by a pale silver veil. The whole world had quieted down.

Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou went out for a walk hand in hand. On the small road, one figure in red and one in blue looked especially harmonious.

Passing by the textile workshop, Jiang Ji realized he had not brought the key. He turned to Lu Huaizhou and asked, “Do you want to go in and look? Or should we come back later? I didn’t bring the key.”

Lu Huaizhou glanced at the courtyard wall, wrapped an arm around Jiang Ji’s waist, and leapt up. His toes tapped lightly against the wall, and they flew inside.

Jiang Ji: “…” Alright. The man had martial arts. He did not need a key at all.

Woof, woof woof, woof woof woof!

As soon as they landed, two small black dogs with glossy fur dashed out from the courtyard. Hearing unfamiliar footsteps, they barked fiercely.

“Dahei, Xiaohei, it’s me!” Jiang Ji quickly called out.

The two little black dogs looked at Jiang Ji, recognized their owner, and ran over quickly. They circled him excitedly, their tails wagging so fast only afterimages could be seen.

These two puppies had been bought when the textile factory was preparing to open. They ate well, so their coats had grown glossy and sleek.

Jiang Ji crouched down and rubbed their heads. “Good boys. The guard uncles will bring you something tasty later.”

The two little dogs stuck out their tongues and licked Jiang Ji’s hands, very affectionate with him.

Since the factory was on holiday, there were still guards stationed here. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Earlier, during the reunion dinner, Jiang Ji had called them back, so for now only the two little dogs were here.

Lu Huaizhou also crouched down and reached out to pet their heads.

At first, the little dogs looked at him warily. After a while, they half-closed their eyes and began enjoying the human’s petting.

Before long, the courtyard gate opened. Several guards rushed in carrying sticks.

“Who’s there!”

Jiang Ji turned back. “It’s fine. It’s us.”

Seeing that it was Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou, the guards breathed a sigh of relief. Old Wang said, “Young Master, it’s you. We heard the dogs barking and thought someone had broken in.”

“Mm, we did technically break in,” Jiang Ji said with a smile, glancing at Lu Huaizhou.

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

The guards: “…”

Jiang Ji waved his hand. “Go back and keep eating. Everything’s fine.”

“We’re done eating.” The two men on duty came in. “Young Master, Your Highness, do you want to look around?”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Yes. Give me the key.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Ji took the key and brought Lu Huaizhou around for a tour.

Lu Huaizhou had not returned for nearly half a year. This was his first time seeing the textile factory completed and running. Everything was orderly and well arranged.

The cotton-padded coats he and Jiang Ji wore were made from their own family’s fabric, sewn by Zhao Ru. They felt soft and very comfortable.

“Is production unable to keep up with demand?”

Jiang Ji had written to Lu Huaizhou about the textile workshop, so he knew the cotton cloth was popular and now had to be reserved in advance.

“Yes. So after the New Year, I want to build more factory buildings on that empty land over there.”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “That land won’t be needed for anything else now.”

“I originally wanted to plant fruit trees there. Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei were looking forward to eating them.” Jiang Ji smiled. “When spring comes, those saplings should be ready to transplant too.”

Lu Huaizhou thought for a moment. “If there are fruit trees suitable for growing in the capital, plant them there. We can plant some in the Regent’s Residence and the Duke Chang Residence. For the rest, we can buy more land and plant them there.”

Jiang Ji’s eyes lit up. “That’s right. Then we can move the pear and apple trees to the capital. For the ones we can’t move, we’ll buy some land here to plant them.”

Those saplings had taken a lot of time to cultivate. Jiang Ji could not bear to waste them.

“Mm.”

After touring the textile workshop, they headed out. The two little dogs were on the corridor happily gnawing bones for their New Year’s Eve dinner. Jiang Ji spoke briefly to the guards, then left.

Jiang Ji had built a road that ran from his home past the textile workshop and out to the main roadside.

The two followed the road past a small grove. Jiang Ji pointed to the grove to the north and said, “That’s the grove where I found you.”

Lu Huaizhou looked over. Jiang Ji had told him about it before. He tightened his grip on Jiang Ji’s hand and said, “Good thing I collapsed over here.”

“Yes.” Jiang Ji also sighed. “If you had walked even one zhang farther, I probably wouldn’t have run into you.”

Jiang Ji remembered why he had gone into the grove back then and suddenly laughed. “Back then, if I hadn’t needed to pee, I wouldn’t have met you either.”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

“Speaking of which, since it’s New Year’s, I should thank the immortals and send them some gifts.” Jiang Ji opened the livestream. On the viewers’ side, it seemed to be a holiday as well. There were many people, around seventy to eighty million.

【Wow, snow. It hasn’t snowed where we are.】

【The snow scene is so pretty.】

【I remember now. Jiang Ji used to think the toilet was too smelly, so he always went to the grove to relieve himself.】

【Hahaha, first time seeing a host who relieves himself outdoors. He really doesn’t treat the viewers like outsiders.】

【Their New Year has such a good atmosphere. Those lanterns are so pretty.】

【I’m craving their New Year’s Eve dinner. It looks so good.】

【Me too. Last time I got to eat the braised pork. My god, best meal I’ve ever eaten in my life!】

【Sister, you’re the one who won the braised pork last time? So lucky!】

【Yeah, you do need to thank us. Hurry up and do a giveaway!】

【Giveaway, giveaway!】

【That musical instrument from the giveaway before last, my god, so many master musicians wanted to buy it.】

【Didn’t that guqin and guzheng go to auction?】

【Yes, the guzheng was bought by the famous instrumentalist Linda Fei’er for a sky-high price.】

【It sold for eighty million.】

【That guqin seems to have been bought by the son of an electronics tycoon too. It sold for over seventy million! So rich!】

【I saw someone selling that flute online last time. No idea if it was real or fake.】

【Definitely a fake! Don’t buy it!】

Hearing Jiang Ji say he wanted to send gifts to the immortals, Lu Huaizhou asked, “Do you need me to write something?”

Lu Huaizhou had written large characters for Jiang Ji before, and Jiang Ji had said they were gifts for the immortals.

Jiang Ji thought for a moment. “Sure, but just write one piece. I’ll set up a giveaway for them.”

He directly changed the livestream room’s name to: Tonight at midnight, New Year’s Eve giveaway!

Then he changed the announcement in the livestream room: Tonight, ten winners. I’ll decide on the prizes first. Also, one grand prize. The grand prize is a piece of calligraphy by our Regent! Go help me spread the word!

【Aaaaaah, a giveaway! There’s really a giveaway!】

【Holy crap, the grand prize is the Regent’s calligraphy!】

【I won’t spread the word. I absolutely won’t spread the word!】

【Aaaaaah, I’m traveling outside right now. I need to set an alarm for the giveaway.】

【It’s useless even if we don’t advertise it. There are already seventy to eighty million people here.】

【He already changed the livestream room name. Hundreds of millions of people follow him. He even hit share after changing the name just now. I got the notification.】

【I got it too. Damn you, Jiang Ji, why did you share it? Just let us enter the giveaway!】

【I’m calling my whole family to camp out and increase the odds of winning.】

【Brothers and sisters, don’t forget to change your names to something 2977 likes.】

【I changed mine before and never changed it back.】

Jiang Ji changed the livestream room name and notified the viewers about the midnight giveaway.

Lu Huaizhou tilted his head and looked at him, watching his fingers swipe through the air again. He asked, “What is a giveaway?”

“It’s…” Jiang Ji finished changing the name, turned to Lu Huaizhou, and explained with a smile, “There are too many immortals. Everyone wants some gifts, but I can’t satisfy everyone. So I do a giveaway. Whoever is drawn gets a prize.”

“I understand.” Lu Huaizhou looked thoughtful, then asked, “They can hear you speak. Does that mean they can also hear what you and I say to each other?”

Jiang Ji blinked. “If they can hear it, would you mind?”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

Lu Huaizhou thought about the affectionate things he had said to Jiang Ji. Heat crept up his face. After a moment of silence, he still said, “I don’t mind, as long as they keep giving you seeds.”

All of Jiang Ji’s seeds came from the immortals, and the impact they had brought to Da Sheng was immeasurable. If they could continue helping Jiang Ji, then it didn’t matter if they overheard his words.

At most, it would just be a little embarrassing.

Jiang Ji watched the tips of his ears gradually turn red, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Don’t worry. They can’t hear what you say. They can only hear what I say.”

He lied.

But he understood Lu Huaizhou’s mindset. This ancient man would even wait until marriage before sharing a bed. His thinking was that conservative. If he knew the immortals could not only hear but also see, he would probably feel awkward from then on.

There was no need for that.

Hearing this, Lu Huaizhou let out a breath of relief, then frowned again. “Then they can still hear what you say to me.”

“Of course.” Jiang Ji looked straight into his eyes and teased, “Then should I stop saying those sweet things?”

The grip on his hand tightened. Lu Huaizhou held Jiang Ji’s hand firmly. “No.”

Jiang Ji shrugged. “Exactly.”

Lu Huaizhou paused, then asked, “Can they hear all the time?”

Seeing the conflict on Lu Huaizhou’s face, Jiang Ji patted his shoulder and reassured him, “It’s fine. I’ve got thick skin. Anyway, they can only hear, they can’t see.”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

“Hahaha…” Jiang Ji laughed so hard he trembled, leaning against Lu Huaizhou’s shoulder as he said between breaths, “Don’t worry. When things get intimate, it automatically disconnects. They can’t hear anything.”

Though the teasing beforehand could still be heard, Jiang Ji did not say that.

Lu Huaizhou let out a long breath of relief. If even their kisses could be heard…

The tips of his ears turned even redder, his emotions stirred.

Jiang Ji found it amusing and reached out to pinch his earlobe.

Lu Huaizhou’s body stiffened, and his other hand immediately grabbed Jiang Ji’s hand.

Jiang Ji’s eyes lit up. So his ears were this sensitive?

They had only kissed lips before. They hadn’t tried his ears yet. Jiang Ji blinked and made a mental note.

Jiang Ji withdrew his hand and smiled. “Your skin is so thin.”

Lu Huaizhou glanced at him without answering and simply led him forward.

When they reached the village road, Lu Huaizhou had already noticed on the way back earlier that the rice fields were lush and green. Some plots had radishes, but many were filled with a type of dense, thriving plant dotted with small purplish-red flowers.

“Why are there so many weeds in these fields?” Lu Huaizhou frowned.

Jiang Ji looked at the thriving plants and explained, “They’re not weeds. This is called milk vetch. It was sown on purpose.”

“Sown on purpose?” Lu Huaizhou looked at him, puzzled, then suddenly recalled something from when he had copied the rice cultivation methods Jiang Ji had written. After double-cropping rice, grass seeds could be sown to serve as green fertilizer. “Is it for green manure?”

“Exactly.” Jiang Ji looked at him in surprise. “You still remember?”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “My memory is decent.”

Jiang Ji smiled. “Before I went to the capital, I left enough seeds at home for our village to use.”

The two walked around the fields, checking the conditions.

“The cabbage, lettuce, and broccoli here are growing better than in the capital,” Lu Huaizhou said after looking at the crops.

Jiang Ji replied, “It’s too cold over there. They can easily freeze to death. The climate here is just right.”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “Some of the broccoli froze, but the lettuce and cabbage are fine. The lettuce could already be harvested not long after you returned.”

“Mm, lettuce has a shorter growth cycle.” Jiang Ji asked, “Do our parents like eating them?”

“They do. Mother likes them. Father eats fewer greens. Grandfather likes lettuce. We also sent a lot to Aunt, Second Uncle’s family, and the palace. The Empress Dowager and the others all like them. We’ve sold quite a lot as well.”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Being able to eat different vegetables helps improve the diet.”

Otherwise, winter in the north meant only radishes and cabbage.

After walking around the village, they returned home. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Lu Huaizhou went to the study to prepare to write the calligraphy Jiang Ji wanted.

“What should I write?” Lu Huaizhou rolled up his sleeves.

Jiang Ji poured water and ground the ink, thinking for a moment. “Since it’s New Year, write ‘Fu’ (fortune). Let’s send blessings. Write five of them, five blessings arriving at the door.”

Lu Huaizhou’s brow twitched. “…Five?”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Yes, line up five ‘Fu’ characters in a row.”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

Still, he said nothing, took the leftover red paper from writing couplets, cut it to a suitable size, spread it out, and weighed it down.

Once the ink was ready, Lu Huaizhou picked up the brush and wrote five “Fu” characters in different styles, then signed them.

Jiang Ji looked very satisfied. “Where’s your seal?”

Lu Huaizhou went to the room and brought it over.

Jiang Ji picked out two of his personal seals and thought for a moment. “Stamp both.”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

“Quick,” Jiang Ji urged.

Lu Huaizhou helplessly took them and stamped both personal seals beside the signature, and also stamped two more in appropriate spots.

Jiang Ji nodded with a smile. “Looks great.”

He glanced at the livestream.

【Judging by the Regent’s expression, something’s up】

【Who cares, two seals look great. Stamp the Regent’s official seal too】

【Yeah, stamp the Regent’s seal too】

Jiang Ji moved the calligraphy to another desk to dry and said quietly to the viewers, “How can the Regent’s official seal be used casually? That’s an official seal. Personal seals are fine.”

Lu Huaizhou heard this and curved his lips slightly.

Having nothing else to do, he took the remaining red paper and casually began writing another piece.

Jiang Ji chatted quietly with the viewers for a while. When he turned back, he saw Lu Huaizhou writing another scroll.

It was a vertical piece. At the top was a large “Fu,” and below in smaller characters: “Fortune shines upon the nine provinces, prosperity flourishes; auspicious energy arrives from the east, bringing vitality to all lands.”

Lu Huaizhou was adding his signature.

Jiang Ji blinked. This one looked even better than the previous one.

And the meaning—Jiang Ji glanced at Lu Huaizhou. As expected, he was someone who carried the nation and its people in his heart.

After the final stroke, Jiang Ji eagerly handed over the seals. “This one…”

Lu Huaizhou looked at him. “It’s for you.”

Jiang Ji smiled brightly. “Then can I give it to the immortals?”

“Of course.”

“Yes!” Jiang Ji clenched his fist in celebration, looped his arms around Lu Huaizhou’s neck, and kissed his lips. “That’s your reward!”

“Ah, brother, that’s embarrassing!” Jiang Nan cried out.

Jiang Ji turned back and saw Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei had just come in. Both covered their eyes while secretly peeking through fingers spread that wide, revealing four bright little eyes.

Jiang Ji knocked each of them on the head. “You’re the ones who should be embarrassed, interrupting my good moment.”

Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei: “…”

Jiang Ji looked at them. “You came into the study to write, right? Have you finished the big characters the teacher assigned?”

“Aiya, Jiang Bei, I forgot to tell Dazhu something. Let’s go.”

The moment Jiang Nan heard about writing, he turned and ran, not forgetting to drag Jiang Bei along.

Jiang Ji: “…”

When he turned back, Lu Huaizhou had already stamped the personal seals.

Jiang Ji thought for a moment, then asked, “Can this one have the Regent’s seal?”

“Hmm?” Lu Huaizhou looked puzzled. “Didn’t you just say the Regent’s seal can’t be used casually?”

“You heard that?” Jiang Ji grinned. “How about stamping it on this one? I have a use for it.”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “Alright.”

Lu Huaizhou then stamped the Regent’s seal below. The square, upright seal gave the piece a dignified and imposing look.

Jiang Ji was delighted. He set the calligraphy aside to dry, then the two went to the main hall to chat with Zhao Ru.

In the evening, the whole household made dumplings together. After a lively dinner, the table was filled with snacks, pastries, and fruit. Everyone gathered, eating and chatting as they stayed up to welcome the new year.

Several guards also took plenty of food over to the textile factory to keep the brothers on duty company as they stayed up.

Close to midnight, Jiang Ji spoke briefly with Lu Huaizhou and returned to the east wing.

It was time for the giveaway.

When he opened the livestream, Jiang Ji was startled. The real-time viewer count had reached over three hundred million.

“Wow, why are there so many people today?” Jiang Ji was amazed. “That’s even more than the day I met the Emperor.”

【Because of the giveaway!】
【Hurry up, I’ve been waiting forever】
【Our whole family is here, just waiting for you】
【Whether I get rich overnight depends on today】
【Host, pick me】
【System, pick me】

Jiang Ji laughed. “Alright, everyone, don’t rush. Before the draw, I’ll say one thing.”

He pointed to the calligraphy Lu Huaizhou had written earlier and addressed the viewers.

“Everyone, this piece here. The large character at the top is ‘Fu’, which you already recognize. The smaller ones below you may not understand, so I’ll read them. The system will translate automatically.”

“Fortune shines upon the nine provinces, prosperity flourishes; auspicious energy arrives from the east, bringing vitality to all lands. This is a blessing for the nation.”

After reading it, Jiang Ji continued, “This piece bears the seal of the Regent of Da Sheng. Lu Huaizhou and I, on behalf of Da Sheng, are gifting it to you, to your national museum for collection. Thank you for your support all this time. Da Sheng and its people also thank you. We wish your nation prosperity!”

【Ahhh, such a beautiful blessing, thank you host and Regent】
【Thank you host, thank you Regent. We also wish your country prosperity】
【So generous! The Regent is amazing! Wishing your nation prosperity】

— Xiao Xuehai tipped spring wheat seeds *10
— Xiao Xuehai tipped spring wheat seeds *10
…
— Mu Zhengxiong tipped spring wheat seeds *10
— Mu Zhengxiong tipped spring wheat seeds *10
…
— Linda Fei’er tipped spring wheat seeds *10
— Linda Fei’er tipped spring wheat seeds *10
— Bai Di tipped spring wheat seeds *10
— Bai Di tipped spring wheat seeds *10
…

Rows of tip notifications streamed past, golden wheat seeds falling like a shower of blossoms, dazzling and brilliant.

Mixed in were many other tips as well.

Jiang Ji blinked. “Thank you to all the big supporters for your tips. Much appreciated!”

【Ahhh, it’s President Xiao and Elder Mu!】
【That’s the musician Linda Fei’er!】
【Who’s Bai Di?!】
【Bai Di is the son of that electronics tycoon who bought the guqin at auction!】
【The big shots are amazing!】
【Respect!】
【Serving tea to all the big shots!】

【But whoever wins this, will they really donate it to the museum?】
【Good point, this is worth over a hundred million】
【Hope the winner is generous enough to donate it】

“That’s indeed a question,” Jiang Ji said. “Whether they donate it depends on personal character. As for how it’s given out, I’ve thought about it. This piece won’t be drawn separately. It will be awarded together with the grand prize calligraphy. I hope the grand prize winner can donate this piece to your national museum. Thank you.”

【Ohhh, that works. The winner already has one piece, so they won’t feel cheated】
【Good idea】
【Nice arrangement】

Outside, households were already setting off firecrackers. Jiang Ji glanced outside. “Alright everyone, time for the draw! The prizes are ready.”

On the table were two pieces of calligraphy, ten wooden boxes, and twenty plates filled with snacks like melon seeds, peanuts, red dates, and milk candy.

“I originally said ten prizes plus one grand prize, but since it’s New Year, let’s add twenty more.”

“The grand prize is the calligraphy. First prize is these ten wooden boxes, each containing silver jewelry.”

Jiang Ji opened them all. “Each piece is different, randomly assigned. Second prize is these twenty snack sets. You can eat them, and you can treat the plates as antiques to sell.”

“Alright, let’s draw!”

Jiang Ji first drew the twenty second prizes, then the ten first prizes.

Amid waves of excitement, disappointment, and envy from the viewers, Jiang Ji said, “Alright, now for the grand prize!”

【Pick me pick me pick me!】

Jiang Ji pressed the button in the center of the screen. After a moment, a name appeared.

“Congratulations to ‘2977SystemHostJiangJiRegentPickMeYouAreTheMostHandsomePickMeAh’ for winning the grand prize!”

Jiang Ji’s eye twitched at the name. “Friend, your name really covers everything.”

【Hahaha, oh my god, this guy is hilarious】
【No idea if it’s a guy or girl, but they really went all out】
【Clearly someone who leaves no stone unturned】
【So this is where I lost! Changing my name now!】

— 2977SystemHostJiangJiRegentPickMeYouAreTheMostHandsomePickMeAh tipped spring wheat seeds *10

After tipping, the viewer unlocked a colored username and golden font.

【Ahhhh it’s me!!! System, 2977, host, I love you all!!!】

【She’s gone crazy!】
【I would too!】
【Remember to donate it to the museum! I want to see it in person】
【Me too! Please!】
【I’m a guy, brothers! 1.9 meters tall! Not a girl! Don’t worry, I’ll donate it! Just wait!】
【Oh, a tall guy. Congrats! You sounded like a girl】
【With that kind of money, he probably won’t keep it】

Jiang Ji smiled at the lively banter. “I’ll send out the prizes now. The calligraphy will be mounted before delivery.”

【Thank you host!】

Jiang Ji sent out all thirty prizes. “Alright, it’s the first day of the New Year. The mounting shops should be closed, so I’ll get it done on the second day. I’m logging off now. I’m going to spend time with my family.”

Jiang Ji opened the door and saw someone standing in the corridor outside the study. The person turned and extended a hand. Jiang Ji placed his hand in it.

“Finished sending the gifts?” Lu Huaizhou stood beside him, holding his hand.

“Mm.” Jiang Ji smiled. “I gave that second piece of your calligraphy to the immortals in the name of Da Sheng, to thank them for the seeds.”

No wonder he had wanted the Regent’s seal. Lu Huaizhou paused, then his expression softened. He tightened his hold on Jiang Ji’s hand and said hoarsely, “Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?” Jiang Ji lifted his chin. “I’m the Duke Chang of Da Sheng. It’s my duty.”

“Mm.” Lu Huaizhou pulled him into his arms and kissed his lips. “Da Sheng is fortunate to have you.”

“And I’m fortunate to have you.” Jiang Ji held Lu Huaizhou’s waist firmly.

Lu Huaizhou said softly, “My greatest fortune is meeting you.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Amid the drifting snow, a new year had arrived.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾