Chapter 225 - 92: Spirit Ginseng (Part 3)

Chapter 225: Chapter 92: Spirit Ginseng (Part 3)

Since arriving in Huaiyin Prefecture, the Fang Family’s life had improved considerably. She had eaten many fine things, but even the most expensive of them, like the Snow Sturgeon, was nothing compared to this.

A single one costs over a hundred silver! Just hearing the price made her heart ache.

"It’s a Jade Plum. Ling’Er, Nannan, go ahead and eat. I have more. Here, Mother, Third Sister, one for each of you."

Fang Rui tipped out two more Jade Plums, giving one to Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and one to the Third Lady. Of the five Jade Plums, only one remained. He then looked over at the maids, both senior and junior.

These maids had all been carefully selected by the Third Lady. They were not only beautiful but also knew their place. Hearing how precious and rare the Jade Plum was, they only stared in wonder, not daring to hope for one themselves.

However, Fang Rui didn’t plan on eating this last one himself.

The Jade Plum’s constitution-enhancing effect was strongest with the first one eaten; after that, it was mostly for the taste.

"Qing Yun, go fetch a clean wooden bucket and fill it with some hot water. Remember, it must be boiling hot."

"Yes, Master!" Qing Yun replied charmingly and went off with a sway of her hips. Under Fang Rui’s "development," this head maid had grown ever more lovely and alluring.

PLOP!

When Qing Yun returned with the bucket of hot water, Fang Rui gently dropped the last Jade Plum in his hand into it.

Immediately, they saw the ice-crystal-like Jade Plum begin to melt in the boiling water. It gurgled, releasing a pale golden mist that rose and eventually formed a faint, golden character for "Fortune" about a foot above the water’s surface.

A chorus of gasps immediately filled the room.

"Wow, look! The fruit is melting!"

"That light... it looks like the character for ’Fortune’!"

"It’s so magical, just like the Magic from the storybooks."

"No wonder it’s so expensive." Even Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, after a moment of shock, muttered this under her breath.

...

’The Exotic Fruit, the Jade Plum, melts in boiling water and creates a phenomenon. I read about it in a collection of miscellaneous records. So it’s true.’

Fang Rui thought to himself.

As for why this fantastical property of the Jade Plum wasn’t demonstrated at the Jade Plum Association meeting?

The reason was simple.

Imagine this: at the Jade Plum Association meeting, they brew a basin of Jade Plum Water and give everyone a bowl. Then the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa, gets up to give a speech: ’Everyone has worked hard this year. Please, drink this cup of Jade Plum Water...’

It would seem far too petty. The classy, imposing image would be shattered, completely at odds with the Divine Capture Bureau’s reputation for being fabulously wealthy and powerful!

Besides, for some unknown reason, though the Jade Plum itself is sky-blue, the resulting Jade Plum Water is pale yellow. Steaming hot, it looks a bit like...

In any case, it wasn’t a pretty sight.

After seven or eight breaths, the Jade Plum was mostly melted, and the golden, smoke-formed character for "Fortune" above the wooden bucket finally dissipated.

"Alright. Bai Shao, Qing Yun, share this with the others! It wasn’t easy for you all, having to wait for me for so long."

Fang Rui waved his hand.

"Yes, Master." The two head maids, Bai Shao and Qing Yun, curtsied. Their voices were joyful and their faces beamed with happiness.

It wasn’t just because they had a sweet tooth; they were happy because of the importance Fang Rui placed on them, and for the chance to be touched by some good fortune.

"Thank you, Master!"

The junior maids cheered as well.

The chirping, bird-like voices of the women filled the house, making the somewhat cold and quiet night suddenly feel lively.

Seeing this, the slight ache Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family had felt in her heart vanished, and she said nothing more about it.

"Wow, this water is delicious! It’s sweet and sour."

"After drinking it, my whole body feels warm. It’s amazing!"

"What else would you expect from a fruit that costs over a hundred silver?"

"Isn’t that the truth? We’re only blessed with such incredible luck to have something so precious because we serve the Master, the Lady, and the Old Mistress!"

...

Fang Rui watched Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, the Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan nibbling on their Jade Plums, their faces filled with delight. He listened to the joyful, chirping voices of the maids, and his heart grew calm. The darkness and worries of ’Spirit Medicine’ and ’man-eaters’ seemed to be shut out.

「At that moment.」

The light in the room flickered. Outside the window, patches of snow that had lingered unmelted in the shade for half a month reflected the soft, orange glow from within, creating a hazy scene.

The perspective shifted upward. In the boundless night sky, a vast and profound darkness pressed down like a great beast. The light shining from the Fang Mansion was like a protective Barrier—thin, yet as steady as a mountain.

...