The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 19 The Emperor's Wrath

In the twenty-first year of the Jing Kingdom, Chu Xun was twenty-five years old.

When I went to attend the banquet for local worthies hosted by the county magistrate, I learned that there had been too much rain in the past two years, and many rivers were already overflowing.

The imperial court allocated funds, with the Ministry of Works taking the lead, to build many dams to prevent floods.

There are no major rivers or lakes near Songguo Village, which is quite fortunate.

That summer, the rainfall was outrageous.

After the rain finally stopped and the sun finally came out, the villagers rushed to the fields to clear the drainage to prevent flooding.

Chu Xun didn't go; instead, he squatted by the door, looking at the spirit pearl grass by the wall.

A tiny flower bud emerged from the center of twenty leaves.

It was a delicate pink with a hint of bright red, and looked so fragile.

Dozens of crows perched on the eaves, curiously looking down at the scene.

Chu Xun's clothes were tugged, and when he turned around, he saw a little boy, about two years old, with pigtails, reaching out to him.

"Uncle Xun, hug me!"

Chu Xun smiled and picked him up, like an elder, pinching the baby's nose.

It is said that if you pinch it like this for a long time, your nose will become more prominent and you will look better.

The little girl giggled and grabbed his hand: "Uncle Xun, I want some candy."

Zhang Anxiu ran over and lightly tapped him on the forehead: "Your aunt won't let you eat, so you come to your Uncle Xun? It's no use, you're not allowed to eat no matter who comes!"

The little girl covered her forehead, pouted with a wronged look, and hugged Chu Xun's neck, whispering, "Auntie is so fierce, Uncle Xun, don't marry her, can you give me a different auntie?"

Zhang Anxiu was both ashamed and angry. How dare this brat talk like that!

Chu Xun didn't take it to heart and laughed, "Auntie is just worried that you'll ruin your newly grown teeth. Don't talk nonsense."

The child blinked and asked innocently, "So, are you going to marry Auntie?"

This question made Zhang Anxiu's ears burn.

Chu Xun also looked at the child, unable to tell whether he was speaking innocently or had ulterior motives.

Lin Qiaoxi, with her hair styled in a woman's bun and dressed in ordinary linen clothes, walked over and said, "Huan'er, don't be rude to Uncle Xun, come to your mother."

The child hugged Chu Xun's neck even tighter, protesting, "I want to hear Uncle Xun tell me more stories."

Just then, several teenagers stood on tiptoe outside the yard, calling out, "Big Head, come out and play!"

Zhang Sanchun and Lin Qiaoxi's baby was born with a head larger than that of an average person.

In fortune-telling terms, this is called a full forehead, indicating that the person will be extremely intelligent in the future.

But the children in the village say he has a big head and no worries about rain.

Zhang Anxiu, hands on her hips, snapped, "Don't call him 'Big Head' anymore, do you hear me?!"

The children, however, were not afraid of him at all. Qi Ermao, who was already eight and a half years old, grinned at Zhang Anxiu and said, "Aunt Anxiu, when are you going to give Uncle Xun a big, fat son? Then we'll take him to raid bird nests!"

Nine-year-old Shi Tou, who was stronger than him, reached out and slapped him.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Aunt Anxiu is going to have at least three children! One isn't enough!"

Zhang Anxiu was filled with shame and anger. She grabbed a broom and ran out, chasing after a group of children who were screaming and running around in a chaotic manner.

The baby, nicknamed Huan'er, finally slid off Chu Xun and ran out, crying, "Auntie, Auntie, stop hitting her! Let me do it!"

Lin Qiaoxi couldn't help but chuckle; this child was completely different from his father, Zhang Sanchun.

The father was as taciturn as a stone, while the son was incredibly lively.

With Zhang Anxiu watching outside, there was no fear of anything happening.

Lin Qiaoxi looked at Chu Xun and said, "I was just about to ask Uncle for advice. The hand cream you mentioned last time is ready, but for some reason it has a strange smell and doesn't have much fragrance."

Zhang Sanchun wouldn't let her work in the fields, so she stayed home and did some housework.

However, her delicate skin soon developed calluses.

Chu Xun then taught her to use lard or beeswax as a base, heat it until melted, and then add crushed osmanthus flowers, jasmine petals, and a small amount of honey to make hand cream.

Lin Qiaoxi had used similar hand medicine before, but it was very troublesome.

Not only are there many materials, but they can only be used topically and are very expensive.

The hand cream that Chu Xun invented was much more convenient.

The materials are easy to find and the cost is low.

If we can make it, we can not only use it ourselves, but also sell it.

As she spoke, Lin Qiaoxi handed over a block-shaped object wrapped in a cloth.

Chu Xun took it and opened it, and sure enough, a pungent smell wafted out.

After carefully examining a small piece with his fingernail, Chu Xun said, "It's either the lard got damp, or the flower petals weren't completely dried and spoiled when they came into contact with water, which is why it has a strange smell."

Lin Qiaoxi exclaimed, then looked on with realization: "Perhaps it's because that pot was placed in the corner of the room, making it too damp. Didn't Uncle say that invisible moisture rises with temperature?"

According to imperial decrees, private teaching was prohibited.

But science is not within this scope.

Therefore, Chu Xun would occasionally use scientific explanations to spread some basic knowledge.

"Would it be better if we put it on the shelf outside?" Lin Qiaoxi asked.

"As long as it's not stolen by people or eaten by rats, it's naturally better," Chu Xun said.

Lin Qiaoxi nodded and said, "I once heard that truly wealthy families would use a bushel of white bean dregs every day, along with bran incense, agarwood, nardostachys jatamansi, sandalwood, musk, clove, and dozens of other spices, pounded and sifted together, and use it to wash their hands and face. It was called 'bath beans,' and it could make the skin white, clean, and radiant."

"It's too much trouble. This hand cream, though not as precious, is more suitable for ordinary people. If it could be sold everywhere, it would surely be a hit."

Chu Xun smiled and said, "Next year, let's open a shop together, selling roasted nuts and seeds, cotton candy and the like. With this hand cream, we should be able to earn some money."

Lin Qiaoxi lowered her head slightly as she listened; she was naturally tempted.

However, a certain Mr. Lin from Pingshui Town forbade her to go.

Besides, shops are so expensive, how could anyone afford one?

Despite severing ties for several years, Lin Qiaoxi has no regrets.

Zhang Sanchun treated her very well, so well that other women in the village often compared her to him and berated their own husbands.

"Look at Sanchun, he doesn't let his wife do anything, but you! You serve him tea and water, do the laundry and cook, work in the fields and breastfeed, and you still complain that your mother's back is too thick!"

Lin Qiaoxi heard from others that her mother missed her so much that she often cried, and she felt a little sorry for her.

As the saying goes, of all virtues, filial piety is the most important, yet I myself am unable to serve those who have served me.

Every time I think about it, I feel really sad.

She didn't understand why her father insisted on wanting more when the family was already doing well.

For the sake of fame and fortune, he was even willing to let her marry a real fool.

Everyone says Zhang Sanchun is foolish, but those who know him well understand that he's just too honest.

Chu Xun noticed her low spirits and comforted her, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Perhaps things will get better in a few years when your uncle comes to his senses."

Lin Qiaoxi smiled wryly. Elders care about their reputation, and even if they are open-minded, they may not be able to bring themselves to speak up.

"Let's not talk about that anymore." Lin Qiaoxi shook her head and asked, "Everyone in the village is going to the fields to drain the water, doesn't Uncle need to go?"

Chu Xun smiled and said, "No need."

Lin Qiaoxi was a little puzzled, but after spending the last few years with him, she knew that Chu Xun was very smart and not an ordinary person.

Since he said he doesn't need it, then he probably doesn't.

--------

Kyoto, a thousand miles away.

A dozen or so fast horses charged into the city in succession.

The knights' shouts rose and fell: "Make way! It's an emergency, make way!"

Even if they knocked over the stalls and startled the important person, the sound of hooves did not slow down.

Half an hour later, the urgent report was sent to the palace.

Half an incense stick later, a stern and angry shout came from the imperial study.

"Thirteen river dams breached overnight! Has all my money been thrown into the water?!"

"Investigate! Whoever it is, if it is found that they embezzled silver, causing the floods and the suffering of millions of people, I will execute their entire family!"