Chapter 803: Pest Infestation

Editor: Henyee Translations

Yu Wanwan approached Chu Qingzhi, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Qingzhi, I’ve come to bid you farewell. I’m returning to Wan City.”

“When are you leaving?” Chu Qingzhi inquired.

“Early tomorrow morning. I’m already packing,” Yu Wanwan replied, her face showing a hint of shyness and anticipation. “I will be getting married not long after I return. I’ll send you an invitation. Would you come to my wedding?” With a soft smile, Chu Qingzhi responded, “If I’m free, I’ll definitely attend.” Yu Wanwan stepped forward for a hug. “Qingzhi, you are the benefactor of my life. I will always be grateful to you.”

She then took a box from her maid and handed it to Chu Qingzhi. “This is specifically for you. You must accept it.”

Chu Qingzhi tried to decline, “You’ve already paid the consultation fee. There’s no need for anything else.”

Yu Wanwan insisted, “Please accept it. It’s the only way to express my gratitude.”

Seeing Yu Wanwan’s sincerity, Chu Qingzhi took the box and opened it to find a set of purple pearls. “This gift is too valuable.”

Such pearls were considered luxury items, with each worth at least a thousand taels. This box contained ten, totaling ten thousand taels. Chu Qingzhi attempted to return them.

Yu Wanwan stopped Chu Qingzhi’s hand. “I sincerely offer this to you. Please, accept it.”

Zhuang Ziqian mentioned, “Wanwan’s mother breeds a lot of river clams.

These pearls are all from their farm.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Then, thankyou.”

“You’re welcome,” Yu Wanwan said. “If you ever visit Wan City, you must come to see me.”

At this, Yu Wanwan remembered she hadn’t told Chu Qingzhi about her background. “Qingzhi, I’m the daughter of the Prefect of Wan City. I forgot to tell you earlier, but it’s not too late now. Remember, if you come to Wan City, you must visit me.”

Chu Qingzhi was somewhat surprised by Yu Wanwan’s prestigious origin. “I will.”

Relieved by Chu Qingzhi’s promise, Yu Wanwan decided it was time to leave.

“You’re busy, so we won’t disturb you any further.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Safe travels.”

Yu Wanwan bowed to Chu Qingzhi and then departed with Zhuang Ziqian.

Chu Qingzhi stood still, watching them leave.

Yu Wanwan and Zhuang Ziqian make a good match. Best wishes to you both!

In Xu Village.

The village head, along with the villagers of Xu Village, stood before their lands outside the village, their brows furrowed in deep concern.

The fields were planted with wheat, which had grown to about finger height and was initially thriving. But now, the wheat began to turn yellow.

Not just one family’s crops, but everyone’s wheat was affected.

The village had always grown wheat, but they had never encountered this situation before.

Xu Jinfu speculated, “Dad, in previous years, we bought seeds from the county town, but this year we got them from Miss Qingzhi. Could that be the reason?” Village head Xu glared at Xu Jinfu. Was this something he could say carelessly? Another villager said, “I agree with Xu Jinfu. Otherwise, there’s no explanation for this phenomenon.”

After much thought, village head Xu decided, “Let’s go talk to Miss Qingzhi about this. She should have a solution.”

The villagers urged him, “Hurry, we may be too late to save the crops otherwise.”

Village head Xu left for Chu Village with a heavy heart.

It wasn’t just Xu Village facing this issue; Chu Village, Sun Village, and Zhou Village were all experiencing the same problem. The wheat planted throughout Chu Qingzhi’s domain was turning yellow.

Standing in front of her own wheat field, Chu Qingzhi was at a loss.

The yellowing of the wheat wasn’t due to any other reason but pest infestation. The wheat seeds, nourished by her spiritual energy, contained a trace of it, attracting wheat pests en masse.

These pests burrowed into the soil, sucking the sap from the wheat roots, causing the plants to turn yellow.

Using a small hoe, Chu Qingzhi dug up a cluster of wheat, revealing small insects resembling aphids scattering in panic.

Chu Qingzhi assured the gathered villagers, “Don’t worry, I’ll go prepare a remedy right away. Once you apply it to your fields, the problem will be solved.”

Her words immediately calmed everyone, “We’ll do as you say, Miss.”

Village head Xu, who had just arrived, hurried back to spread the good news.

Chu Qingzhi returned to her room to write down a prescription and then headed to the county’s herb shop.

At the herb shop.

The apprentice said, “Miss, I don’t know what Great Maple is, and we don’t have it here.”

Chu Qingzhi frowned slightly. “Do you have Aconite?”

The apprentice shook his head in confusion, “No.”

Chu Qingzhi listed several herbs with similar medicinal properties to Great Maple, but all were unavailable, which she found odd. “Is it that our county doesn’t have them, or are they not found anywhere in Great Ling?”

The apprentice replied, “I don’t know. I’ve never heard of them in all my time working here.”

It seemed unlikely that the entire Dalin lacked these herbs; perhaps just this shop or Shuiyun County didn’t have them. Chu Qingzhi had the apprentice pack up what they did have, intending to search elsewhere for the missing ingredients.

After visiting every herb shop in Shuiyun County without success, she decided to try her luck in Tongzi County.

Wheat could only be saved within three days; beyond that, the efforts of the people in her domain would be in vain, and she would face significant losses.

She rushed to Tongzi County as fast as she could. Upon arriving, she went straight to the herb shops.

Despite checking all ten shops in the county, she found none of the needed herbs.

Chu Qingzhi then sent her two disciples with letters to search for the herbs, and she drew pictures of the plants for the parrots to see before setting out with them to search in the mountains. Big White also followed them into the hills.

Upon reaching the mountains, Big White stayed close to Chu Qingzhi, while the parrots dispersed to search.

Atop a cliff, Wen Shaoyuan was surrounded by a group of masked men in black.

The leader of the men in black said sternly, “Hand over the item, or we’ll make sure you’re left with nothing but bones!”

Wen Shaoyuan sneered, “Do you think I’d carry it on me?”

Changing tactics, the man in black taunted, “I didn’t expect Tang Jinghong’s dog to be so loyal. But today, you have no choice. I heard you’re about to marry Hong Yujun. How about we exchange her for the item?”

Wen Shaoyuan’s expression remained calm and resolute, “If you dare touch her, your own families won’t live to see another day. Try me!”

“Really?” The leader of the men in black signaled his subordinates with a wave and sneered darkly, “Go capture Hong Yujun. I want to see if Tang Jinghong would seek revenge for you!”

At that moment, Wen Shaoyuan glanced back at the cliff and, with a sudden leap, jumped down from the edge.

At this time, in the mountains searching for herbs, Chu Qingzhi looked up just in time to see someone falling from the cliff.

The person seemed familiar! n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After a moment of recognition, she realized it was Wen Shaoyuan!

Activating her spiritual power in her legs, she dashed towards the cliff base, her figure as swift as a ghost, disappearing in the blink of an eye.