Chapter 154 Sacrificial Offering to Heaven

The increase in foot traffic led to a rapid depletion of the tea leaves.

Hua Yuezhan glanced at the remaining stock and said to Miao Yunyou, “At this rate of selling, those three catties of tea will be gone by tomorrow.”

They wouldn’t even have any left for themselves to drink!

Miao Yunyou: “Ah… then maybe we should talk to Lord Lu. Let him help us procure more—we can use goods in exchange.”

This tea is now the resort’s signature product. So many people come specifically for it—we absolutely cannot run out!

Hua Yuezhan had some knowledge about tea. After doing the math, she said, “For tea of this quality, under normal market conditions, one catty can be exchanged for ten catties of pork.”

Miao Yunyou also calculated: “Then three catties of tea would correspond to thirty catties of pork. Based on today’s pork purchase price, thirty catties of pork would be… 450?”

She paused, then asked, “So how much can we sell three catties of tea for?”

Hua Yuezhan replied calmly, without even blinking: “249,000.”

Miao Yunyou: “………………”

That outrageous profit margin was so high it made her feel afraid…

After a long pause, Miao Yunyou suddenly snapped back to her senses, her eyes turning resolutely determined:

“Send someone to relay a message to Lord Lu—tell him to help us procure tea. One catty of tea in exchange for 100 catties of pork.”

Hua Yuezhan couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh: “You’re offering too much. He wouldn’t dare accept it.”

Miao Yunyou scratched her cheek, feeling that it made sense, and smacked her lips: “That’s true. Then let him decide himself.”

Lu Cheng’an was naturally cautious, and what he feared most was exposing the situation here. Even if he were offered more, he wouldn’t dare take it.

This message quickly reached Lu Cheng’an.

Lu Cheng’an smiled slightly. “Since Master Miao has spoken, I will certainly do my best. As for the exchange… let’s set it at one catty of tea for 20 catties of pork.”

This was still within a reasonable range and would not arouse too much suspicion.

At the same time, he was also considering that when spring arrived, he could designate a piece of mountainous land and find nearby, law-abiding villagers to cultivate tea as well, ensuring a more stable supply for Master Miao’s side.

It would also provide the local villagers with additional means of livelihood.

Just as he was thinking this and about to issue instructions, the door to his study was suddenly slammed open.

One of Lu Cheng’an’s most trusted subordinates rushed in, his face deathly pale, stumbling as he entered. His entire body was trembling, and he couldn’t even speak properly:

“L-Lord—som-something terrible has happened!!”

The smile on Lu Cheng’an’s face instantly faded. His expression darkened, and his tone turned cold:

“Why panic? The sky isn’t falling. Speak slowly.”

The subordinate swallowed hard, his voice shaking as he forced out two words:

“…Smallpox.”

Lu Cheng’an froze. “Smallpox? Wasn’t it already under control in the capital? How could it—”

At first, he assumed it was a resurgence of the old epidemic, and his mind immediately began calculating countermeasures for containment.

But the subordinate’s next sentence caused his entire body’s blood to freeze.

“No… this time it’s different…” The subordinate’s voice trembled like leaves in the autumn wind. “It’s… His Majesty the Emperor himself… who has been infected with smallpox!”

Lu Cheng’an abruptly stood up. The jade pendant at his waist struck the edge of the table, letting out a crisp sound. His usually calm and composed face showed, for the first time, unmistakable shock. His pupils constricted slightly:

“What did you say?! His Majesty… has contracted smallpox?”

When the emperor falls ill, it is a matter that shakes the very foundation of the nation!

The realm would be thrown into turmoil, the court destabilized, and the people in panic—the consequences would be unimaginable.

The subordinate looked as though he might cry:

“It’s absolutely true! The palace has already sealed off the news, but it still leaked out! And—and what’s even more terrifying is—”

Lu Cheng’an’s voice tightened: “What else?!”

The subordinate took a deep breath and uttered words that sent chills down everyone’s spine:

“The newly appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory submitted a memorial stating—His Majesty’s illness is a sign of heavenly wrath. He proposes selecting one hundred boys and girls from across the empire, to be sacrificed to Heaven in prayer for blessings, in order to prolong His Majesty’s life!”

“What?!!!”

Early the next morning, Miao Yunyou received word that Lu Cheng’an had come in person.

She had just finished washing up and was eating a bun that Luo Xinglan had brought her. Upon hearing the news, she paused, chewing twice before speaking somewhat unclearly:

“Lord Lu? Why has he come personally? Did the tea shipment arrive?”

“Master… something seems wrong…” someone said.

“What do you mean?” Miao Yunyou didn’t understand at all. She simply had someone bring Lu Cheng’an directly to the staff dormitory area.

Only after meeting him did she understand what the earlier words “something seems wrong” meant.

This time, Lu Cheng’an not only brought ten catties of tea himself, but also brought along two children—Lu Yunxiao and Li Mancang.

Both children had eyes red and swollen like peaches, their faces still streaked with dried tears. Their small shoulders trembled slightly, clearly indicating they had been crying for a long time. Li Mancang, in particular, kept glancing worriedly at Lu Yunxiao beside him from time to time, tightly gripping his sleeve with a small hand, his face full of unease.

Miao Yunyou’s heart sank—

Given this scene, it was definitely not as simple as delivering tea. Something major must have happened.

She didn’t dare delay and immediately made a call, summoning Xie Dingnian, Luo Xinglan, and Chu Ningshuang.

A short while later, the group gathered on the resort’s rooftop. The well-insulated glass doors were closed, and a warm electric heater was set in the center. The warmth spread throughout the rooftop. Xie Dingnian brought a pot of hot tea and poured for everyone. The rising aroma of tea dispelled some of the winter chill, but none of the people present looked relaxed.

“What happened?” Miao Yunyou asked.

Lu Cheng’an lifted his teacup but did not drink. His fingers trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, he slowly began to speak, recounting the news he had learned the previous day word for word. His tone was filled with exhaustion and despair, each word seeming to weigh a thousand pounds:

“His Majesty has contracted smallpox. The Director of the Imperial Observatory submitted a memorial proposing to select one hundred boys and girls with suitable birth charts to be sacrificed to Heaven, in order to prolong His Majesty’s life.”

“What?!” Miao Yunyou suddenly stood up. Her teacup slammed onto the table with a “clunk,” splashing a bit of tea, but she didn’t even notice. Her face was filled with shock and disbelief, her voice rising sharply:

“What is wrong with that old bastard?! If someone is sick, they should seek proper treatment! What’s the point of capturing a hundred innocent children for a sacrificial ritual?! This is completely insane!”

On the side, Xie Dingnian, Luo Xinglan, and Chu Ningshuang also showed expressions of shock. Xie Dingnian’s brows immediately furrowed tightly, Chu Ningshuang’s fingers curled slightly, and a cold trace of killing intent flashed in Luo Xinglan’s eyes.

Clearly, everyone was stunned by this utterly absurd decision.

Lu Cheng’an’s eyes were red. He slowly lowered his head, his voice slightly choked, yet filled with determination:

“According to the birth dates provided by the Director of the Imperial Observatory, among those one hundred children… Yunxiao is included. His mother passed away early, and in my entire life, he is likely my only child. Even if it costs me my life, I will never hand him over. Never!”