Chapter 868: After the New Year

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Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Ah Yu, how are those estates?” Chu Zhiwen was more curious about the situation. He had lived for so long, but he did not even have the chance to enter an estate, let alone own one. Naturally, he was curious.

“Father, the situation in the estates isn’t too good, but it’ll be fine as long as it gets on the right track next year.”

“Not good?” Chu Zhiwen was a little anxious when he heard that. “What’s not good?”

“For example, the Lu estate planted some impractical and expensive tea leaves. The potato plantation only planted sweet potatoes. They didn’t grow much food. Those sweet potatoes are not bad, but they need to be ground into sweet potato powder for easy preservation.”

“The orchards planted in the Lin estate also don’t produce much food. The fruits can’t be preserved, so a lot of them are wasted. I think we can make canned fruits. Not only can they be preserved, but they can also be sold elsewhere. Next year, we can buy more people and plant the fruit forest and food.”

“I see.” Chu Zhiwen nodded. “This waste is normal. Ah Yu, you’re the only one with so many ways to save it.”

Madam Liu nodded as well. “There are almost no fruits in our village. That’s because people don’t pay attention to them. They are eaten by the birds.”

“There are people in charge of the estate. Once they’re ripe, they often fall or rub against each other. Naturally, they won’t be preserved for long. For example, once the apricot is ripe, it has to be eaten in two or three days. Otherwise, it’ll all rot in the ground half a month later.”

“With the canned fruit you mentioned, I won’t be worried about wasting it.” Madam Liu was very happy.

“Master…” A servant saluted at the door.

Immediately after, Chu Heng walked in with a cold aura. He waited at the door for a while before entering.

“Ah Heng.” When Madam Liu saw her son come in, she quickly called for someone to bring him a chair.

“Mother, you should rest.” Chu Heng sat down.

“I have something to ask you. When are you going to Jing City to take the exam?” Madam Liu rubbed her hands and smiled.

It was already December, and the new year was coming in less than a month. The general exams would be held in March of the following year.

It would take two months for a carriage to travel from Nanchang County to Jing City. The journey was long, and if it were a snowy land, it would probably take even longer. From the looks of it, there was not enough time.

“Mother, we will set off after the new year.”

“Is it too late?” Chu Zhiwen frowned and asked.

Ye Muyu looked at him worriedly.

“We’ll take a boat to the north first. When we reach Jinzhou, we’ll take a carriage,” Chu Heng said.

“Will Young Master Xie go with you?” Madam Liu asked.

“Yes.”

“Will it be unsafe?” She was still a little worried. After all, the further north they went, the more frozen the waterway would be. Not to mention other accidents, just the weather, the further north they went, the more difficult it would be.

“It’s our merchant ship.” Chu Heng reassured them.

“I see. Mother received a letter from your grandaunt who married far away. Your grandaunt took good care of Mother back then. Now, her grandson is going to Jing City to take the examination. She hopes to go with you, Ah Heng.” Only then did Madam Liu tell him what she wanted to say at the beginning.

Now, they had many relatives in the family, and many of their relatives were on good terms with them.

Madam Liu was also a kind-hearted person. Naturally, she wanted to repay those relatives who had helped her in the past. That was why she mentioned this matter to her son.

“I’m leaving on the 10th of January. Mother, send a letter to Grandaunt.” Chu Heng did not refuse. They just wanted some company along the way, which was normal when rushing for the exam.

“Alright, let’s eat.” Chu Zhiwen waited for his wife to finish speaking before starting dinner.

Soon, the servants brought the dishes over.