TFS – Chapter 74 A Distinguished Guest

The list that the village head brought over detailed the households planning to grow vegetables and the amount of seedlings they needed. Tang Chunming had already started cultivating seedlings in the courtyard, but seeing the list now, it was clear some adjustments would be necessary. Regarding the selection of candidates to leave the village and sell the produce outside, the village head and his team had chosen a few people. They even proposed a trial period for the candidates, which left Tang Chunming amazed at the ingenuity of collective wisdom.

In truth, there were too many villagers eager to take part, so the village head came up with a method to let suitable candidates try it out first. Whoever performed best would ultimately be given the responsibility. This was a solution born of necessity, but it reminded Tang Chunming of the probation period he went through when starting his first job. Only after passing the probationary assessment could one officially take on the role. Look at that—Ping Shan Village was already this advanced!

Although Tang Chunming and Li Feng said they wouldn’t interfere, they still needed to maintain the connection with Teng Yu. After all, they had agreed from the beginning to prioritize supplying his household. When discussing this with the village head earlier, Tang Chunming had clearly stated this condition. The village head naturally had no objections, as it was a significant benefit to them.

So, when Xiao Shunzi came by again to collect vegetables, Tang Chunming asked him to pass on a message to Teng Yu, requesting that he visit Ping Shan Village to finalize these arrangements.

The two sat on the heated brick bed, discussing the items brought by the village chief and planning the grafting of wild fruit trees they had tidied up on the back hill last year. They also talked about planting new saplings. Of course, the new saplings couldn’t just appear out of thin air; they needed a plausible explanation. This was one of the advantages of being honest with Li Feng about the mystical space—having someone to discuss with and someone to help cover for them. Li Feng suggested that he would take a trip out of town in a while, claiming it was to purchase fruit tree saplings. When the saplings were transported to the back hill, it would appear credible to the villagers and avoid arousing suspicion.

Just then, Ah Lin, who had been playing in the front yard with Elder He, came running to the back courtyard, shouting as he ran, “Father! Mother! Grandpa said there are guests—guests from the capital!”

The couple was startled. They exchanged glances and immediately understood who the visitor was. It must be the person Elder He had sent the New Year gifts to. Since sending the gifts last year, they hadn’t received any response, but neither they nor Elder He were anxious about it. Elder He had full confidence in the wine brewed by Tang Chunming, and Li Feng was even more convinced. After all, the items from the mystical space were far from ordinary. Regular consumption even had health benefits—Li Feng’s improving health since returning to Ping Mountain Village was proof enough.

The two quickly set aside their books and accounts, climbed off the bed, and prepared to meet their guests. Ah Lin, now inside the room, looked excited. The presence of unfamiliar visitors clearly thrilled him. Li Feng helped straighten both his and Tang Chunming’s clothes before picking up Ah Lin in one swift motion. “Let’s go, take Father to meet our guest.”

“Alright! Alright! Father, this way! Hurry! Mother, come quickly too!” Ah Lin clapped his hands, his voice full of joy.

As they left their room, they could already hear sounds from the front yard. When they reached the hall, they saw two tall horses and a luxurious carriage parked in the courtyard. Two sharp-eyed guards stood nearby, their postures upright and their gazes keen. The moment Li Feng and Tang Chunming appeared, the guards’ eyes quickly shifted to them. However, when they saw Li Feng, they hesitated for a moment. From Li Feng, they felt an aura no less commanding than their own. Thinking about the identity of the elder their master had come to visit, the guards couldn’t help but speculate about Li Feng’s background.

“Ah Feng, Ming Ge’er, come in quickly. The guests we’ve been waiting for have finally arrived,” Elder He’s cheerful voice called from inside.

Li Feng set Ah Lin down, held his hand, and walked into the room with Tang Chunming. Their eyes first fell on a thin young man sitting on a chair. It was hard to describe the feeling this man gave at first glance. Though frail, he exuded an inexplicable noble aura. His gaze swept over them lightly with a kind of innate arrogance, though not so much as to feel offensive, as if this demeanor was entirely natural. Remembering the hints Elder He had given about the guest’s identity, both Li Feng and Tang Chunming approached with caution and bowed respectfully to this noble visitor.

“Greetings, my lord,” Tang Chunming said, adapting to the local customs. He didn’t think that being a transmigrator granted him any special privileges. In both lifetimes, he was destined to be an ordinary person, a commoner with no grand aspirations. High-ranking figures, no matter the era, held the power to decide the fate of people like him. Especially in this era of imperial authority, this was one of the reasons Tang Chunming was content to stay in the quiet Ping Mountain Village.

Although cautious, the two did not place themselves in a position of excessive humility.

The young man glanced briefly at them before turning his gaze back to Elder He. His eyes carried a hint of warmth, different from the distant and scrutinizing look he had given Li Feng and Tang Chunming. Instead, his gaze toward Elder He reflected closeness and trust.

“Ah Feng, Ming Ge’er, this is His Highness Prince Zhao. I hadn’t expected His Highness to come in person. With his status, how could he bring only two attendants and come running here?” Elder He’s words revealed the identity of the distinguished guest while subtly chiding Prince Zhao for his recklessness. This tone indicated that Elder He and the prince shared a close relationship—such remarks were only used by elders toward juniors.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Prince Zhao said with a gentle smile. “Out of respect for Elder He, I wouldn’t dare impose too much. Besides, you are the true hosts here, and it is I who have intruded.” His words were courteous and without arrogance, and his demeanor was graceful, though his pale complexion suggested frail health. “I had originally hoped to bring Elder He back with me, but it seems he has chosen to stay here instead.” He glanced with a smile at the child nearby, clearly noticing the joy in Elder He’s current life—a life he hadn’t imagined for him before. Seeing this, Prince Zhao’s impression of Li Feng and Tang Chunming deepened positively.

Li Feng and Tang Chunming took seats beneath Elder He, with Tang Chunming replying politely, “Your Highness is too kind. Ah Feng and I are fortunate to have Elder He here; without him, we’d be in chaos.”

Elder He chuckled, saying, “I’ve spent so many years in the north that I’ve grown unaccustomed to life in the capital. It’s more comfortable and peaceful here. On the other hand, I see Your Highness’s health has improved compared to before. It seems you’ve followed my advice and taken good care of yourself this past year.”

Prince Zhao smiled faintly. His delicate features were more refined than most men’s, and his smile was so radiant it almost seemed to blossom on his face, easily misleading others about his gender. “It seems Elder He is thoroughly enjoying life here. As for me, the reason I’ve come in person this time is to have Elder He examine my health again. After this past winter, I do feel much lighter and healthier.”

“Well then, Your Highness, let me see your hand,” Elder He said, stroking his beard.

Prince Zhao extended his hand, revealing a slender, pale, and fragile wrist. Tang Chunming couldn’t help but glance at it, thinking that even his own wrists appeared sturdier and stronger. Elder He had only briefly mentioned the prince’s identity before. As a former imperial physician, Elder He naturally had the opportunity to associate with nobility. Judging from the respect Prince Zhao now showed, it was clear that when Elder He fell from grace, Prince Zhao hadn’t been in a position to help him, indirectly hinting at the prince’s unfavorable circumstances within the palace at that time.

Elder He had only vaguely hinted at these matters, but Li Feng had explained them more concretely. Of course, Li Feng’s understanding was also limited. He only knew that Prince Zhao was the biological younger brother of the current emperor, and before the emperor ascended the throne, neither he nor Prince Zhao had been favored by the late emperor. After the emperor’s ascension, the vast imperial harem left by the late emperor was largely disbanded or met grim fates, and even the younger imperial princes were rumored to have come to unfortunate ends. Only Prince Zhao was granted a princely title and held a lofty position. However, Prince Zhao’s health had always been frail, and he lived a quiet life, resting at his princely estate and only occasionally being summoned to the palace by the emperor for companionship.

Li Feng briefly explained some of the situation, but it left Tang Chunming filling in many details with his imagination. Among the common people, the current emperor’s rule was met with widespread approval. However, the process of the first emperor ascending the throne must have been fraught with difficulties, with countless lives lost due to political entanglements. From the descriptions, it was clear that the emperor was a decisive and ruthless leader. Yet, for the common folk, a ruler who could bring prosperity was a wise and capable one. As for Prince Zhao, being a frail prince might very well have been the result of the brutal palace intrigues. Perhaps Elder He had extended a helping hand to the powerless and vulnerable Prince Zhao during such a struggle, earning the prince’s deep respect and gratitude today.

After all, adding flowers to brocade is easy, but providing coal during a snowstorm is truly precious.

Elder He closed his eyes and focused on checking Prince Zhao’s pulse. Ah Lin sat obediently by his mother’s side. Prince Zhao, despite the occasion, had the mood to nod and greet little Ah Lin. He extended his free hand and beckoned the child over. Ah Lin looked at his father and mother, and with their encouragement, he walked over. Prince Zhao removed a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to him.

“Be good. Say thank you to His Highness,” Tang Chunming said, patting the somewhat overwhelmed Ah Lin on the head.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ah Lin said softly, carefully accepting the jade pendant with both hands. Then, shyly, he retreated back to his mother’s side, a stark contrast to the excitement he had shown earlier when calling for Li Feng and Tang Chunming. His timid behavior amused Prince Zhao, who laughed for a moment before covering his lips with a fist as he began to cough.

Elder He released Prince Zhao’s wrist and poured him a cup of tea, which the prince accepted and drank. The tea soothed his throat and lessened the coughing. His pale face now carried a faint flush from the coughing fit, giving him a healthier and more lively appearance.

“How is it, Elder He?” Prince Zhao asked, toying casually with the teacup in his hand, seemingly indifferent to his health.

Elder He spoke in a flurry of technical terms that left Tang Chunming completely confused. Fortunately, he managed to grasp the gist of it: Prince Zhao’s condition had indeed improved significantly since Elder He’s last diagnosis. With continued care, his health would steadily strengthen.

Hearing this, Prince Zhao smiled. “To be honest, my health regimen hasn’t changed much, but I suspect the gifts Elder He sent me at the end of last year have made a significant difference. Over the past few months, I’ve been using them regularly and feel they’ve helped my condition.”

Due to his trust in Elder He, Prince Zhao had the wine delivered to him tasted, and food made from the rice and flour included in the gifts prepared and served. From the first taste, he noticed an improvement in his appetite. As someone who had long suffered from poor appetite due to prolonged medication, these gifts were invaluable. He consumed all the grains Elder He sent, and even the emperor himself only had the chance to sample them once during a visit to his younger brother.

“Haha, then Your Highness has been thanking the wrong person,” Elder He said with a laugh, stroking his beard. “I merely passed along these gifts on behalf of someone else. The grains and wine actually come from this couple. Now Your Highness understands why I’m unwilling to leave, doesn’t he? Haha!”

Elder He had already suspected that the gifts were the reason for Prince Zhao’s improved health. It seemed his hunch was correct. While the changes weren’t dramatic, Elder He was deeply familiar with Prince Zhao’s condition and could diagnose even the subtlest improvements.