Chapter 709: Work and Live in Peace

Translator: Endlessæantasy Translation   Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Shen Qiuhui remembered his son telling him about Lan Ruozhu’s physical condition. Those in the capital knew about the prince’s condition and said he would not live past eighteen.

However, the prince would be nineteen this year and looked healthier than ever. He also had an indescribable majestic demeanor. Furthermore, the price’s intelligence and talent were outstanding.

Lan Ruozhu loved his people and treated them as his own. It was something the crown prince and princes could not compare to. There were also wars outside, and the commoners had strict curfews.

However, Dingzhou was prosperous. Dingzhou was the most barren place in the past, but Shen Qiuhui always knew it would become the most prosperous.

Jianzhou was prosperous in the past but became desolate under King Jian’s rule. He kept increasing taxes and engaged in militarism, leading his army into frequent battles.

Moreover, he did not care about his soldiers’ lives. He would even expand his army by hook or by crook. He would get people to capture strong men from the commoners to serve his army.

He had forced many teenage boys to fight in wars, but the commoners dared not voice their anger.

That was what Shen Qiuhui had witnessed when he passed Jingzhou. Moreover, he had information channels and learned more about Jingzhou’s downfall.

King Jian ruled Jianzhou and Pingzhou poorly, and the people were furious. Some even escaped that hell and went to live in Dingzhou. If King Jian found out, he would kill those people.

He was one of the cruelest kings and the crown prince’s brother. The two had a close relationship. If King Jian was cruel, one could only imagine what the crown prince was like.

Shen Qiuhui knew the crown prince had much to do with the Wei army’s downfall. With that thought in mind, Shen Qiuhui’s expression turned cold.

After seeing that Lan Ruozzhu had recovered, Shen Qiuhua felt relieved and ecstatic. He knew his family was loyal to Prince Lan Ruozhu and hoped the prince would unify the world as a future emperor.

That way, the commoners could live and work in peace and contentment.

When Lan Ruozhu entered the house, he saw many large pots with well-mixed fillings. He could also smell the delicious fragrance. He looked into the pots and said, “They smell so good.”

Su Binglan explained smilingly, “We just fried the peanuts and black sesame seeds. Those are what you’re smelling.”

Lan Ruozhu remembered eating glutinous rice balls with black sesame seed filling. He became excited when Shen Qiuhua said they could make glutinous rice balls with various fillings.

He pointed at the pot of peanut filling and asked, “Sister, is that also for the glutinous rice balls?”

“Yes, I can make glutinous rice balls with many fillings,” Su Binglan pointed as she spoke, “Look, this is sweet potato filling, that’s hawthorn filling, and those are the red beans I’m soaking. We can make the red bean filling soon.”

Lan Ruozhu said, “I’ve never eaten glutinous rice balls with other fillings. I know your cooking will be delicious.”

“Making glutinous rice balls is straightforward. They’re delicious as long as you make a good filling.” Su Binglan was confident in her glutinous rice balls because she used spiritual spring water.

Furthermore, the sweet potatoes, red beans, and hawthorns had grown in her pocket dimension. They differed from the ones that grew outside and tasted different, too.

Lan Ruozhu looked at the fillings curiously and said, “l want to help, Sister.”

Su Binglan noticed his expectant expression and nodded. “All right, we’ll prepare the glutinous rice balls after soaking the rice. Then, we’ll form their shapes together.

“We must wait for the rice to soak thoroughly, so you and Blue Eagle should rest first. I’ll call you when we’re ready to make them.”

Shen Qiuhua looked at Lan Ruozhu and said, “I’ve heated the bed so you and

Blue Eagle can sleep for a while.”

Lan Ruozhu shook his head, saying, “That’s okay, Godmother. I’m not tired or sleepy. After all, I’m perfectly healthy and not as sickly as before. I even feel more energized.”

Shen Qiuhua smiled. “That’s good. Still, you should take a break after traveling so far. Come, I’ll pour you two some tea.”

The Su family never had tea at home in the past. However, Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao had gone to town to buy some good tea after the family’s conditions improved. They wanted good tea to serve their guests.

In the past, the Su family could only serve water to their guests. Those who visited would say the water was refreshing after drinking it. However, Shen Qiuhua knew it was just flattery.

Later, she realized the water in her house tasted better. She thought it was just her imagination. The family did not know Su Binglan had put spiritual spring water into the tank at home.

Therefore, the Su family’s water was more refreshing and would make their food taste better.

After brewing the tea, Shen Qiuhua poured some and handed it to Lan Ruozhu and Blue Eagle. “l know it’s been a long journey for you two, so drink up.” “Thank you, Godmother.” Lan Ruozhu smiled.

“There’s no need to be so polite, Ruozhu. This is your home too, you know.”

Her words were touching to Lan Ruozhu. He nodded, saying, “All right, Godmother. You should rest, too. Don’t tire yourself out, okay?”

He was kind-hearted, and Shen Qiuhua treated him as a family member. Therefore, Lan Ruozhu wanted to treat his Godmother equally.

Shen Qiuhua felt a warmth in her heart. “I’m not tired. I’ve been resting since the tofu factory closed for the holidays. I don’t do much at home besides cooking, which isn’t tiring since the family helps.

“The tofu factory, embroidery shop, and winery will be busy again after the Lantern Festival. Still, I’ll only manage the tofu factory and not work there.

Wait here while I get snacks for you and Blue Eagle.”

After bringing snacks to the two, she rambled about the noodles she had prepared for the New Year’s greetings. She even told Lan Ruozhu and Blue Eagle about her time at her Godmother’s house and how Su Binglan had introduced them to mung beans.

Although these were daily trivialities, Lan Ruozhu enjoyed listening to them. He knew simple things could bring joy to one’s heart. It was the reality of the mortal world.

Shen Qiuhua noticed Lan Ruozhu was interested in her stories and spoke a little more. After a while, Su Binglan checked the soaking rice and said, “All right, we can make the glutinous rice balls now.”

Su Wenzhe also looked at the rice in the pot. “The rice looks perfect. So, how will we make the glutinous rice balls?”

“Don’t worry. They’re easy to make,” Su Binglan replied.

Lan Ruozhu heard the commotion in the kitchen and smiled. “I’ll go and help them..