Chapter 708: Future Plans

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Big Brother All You, what is this? It looks a little like a hairy crab, but it’s too big.”

Seeing Qin Huai place the crab on the stone table, Ah Yu leaned over to take a look.

[I searched for information. It’s called the King Crab in some similar worlds.]

“It doesn’t have a name. It’s just called a big sea crab,” Qin Huai said. “Previously, I helped a colleague with a small matter and he felt bad about it. Coincidentally, his family lives along the coast and his family bought some seafood, so he gave me a portion. Didn’t you always say that crab meat is too troublesome to eat? This one is big enough. The crab legs alone are enough to fill your stomach.”

Ah Yu found it funny. “But this is too big! I’ve never seen such a big one before. By the way, Sister-in-law Hua Rou has also given me some seafood before, but there’s nothing this big. She said that seafood is very difficult to transport as they’re living things. Most of them die as soon as they leave the sea, and the others die halfway, so I rarely see them.”

“That’s right.” Qin Huai said, “That colleague’s family is in charge of the transportation along the canal routes. They say that goods from rivers and lakes bring good fortune, but goods from the sea are hard to transport. One reason is that there are creatures that are easy to cultivate but difficult to catch, and secondly, sea pirates are rampant and frequently plunder the sea routes. Since the tenth year of the Minghua period, the royal family has abolished the practice of receiving tribute from sea goods. They only allow the transportation officials to sell them along the route if there’s a demand. The funds collected are then added to the national treasury, and there’s no need to specifically store these goods.”

Ah Yu exclaimed in disbelief. “But in that case, wouldn’t the transportation official in charge of sea goods have a great opportunity for personal gain? No one knows how much he transported, how much was lost, and how much he sold. As long as he reports a quantity acceptable to the Ministry of Revenue, he could just take as much as he wants in between, right?”

Qin Huai looked deeply at Ah Yu. He did not expect her to think so much.

If Ah Yu was a man, her achievements in the Imperial Court might not be inferior to his.

He did not consider the consequences much and only prioritized himself. However, Ah Yu cared about the world and prioritized integrity.

Speaking of which, upright people often did not have a good ending. However, Ah Yu was different. She was good at reconciling people’s hearts and doesn’t harbor harmful intentions, making it easy for her to gather people around her.

In Qin Huai’s opinion, All Yu was actually more suitable to be the person at the top. She was emotional, but she could be rational when dealing with things. She cared about the overall situation and saw the pros and cons—

Should he…

Thinking of that possibility, Qin Huai shook his head secretly. All Yu definitely would not like such a life.

No matter how much a beautiful bird wants people to appreciate its grace, it would be unwilling to step into a cage, even the grandest one.

“Am I wrong?” Seeing Qin Huai shake his head, Ah Yu said, “I only said it casually based on the information I’ve seen in the past. You’re an official of the Imperial Court, so you must be able to see more clearly than me. Just treat it as a joke.”

“Aren’t you also an official of the Imperial Court? To be honest, you’re a few ranks higher than me. You have the qualifications to attend the Imperial Court, but I don’t.” Qin Huai couldn’t help but laugh. He tapped Ah Yu’s forehead and said, “You’re right. It’s just that the things involved are too complicated and not something we can interfere with now. Just treat it as listening.”

Ah Yu picked up the large crab pincers and examined them, deep in thought. “We don’t need to worry about how the transportation officials manipulate things behind the scenes, but we can figure out ways to ensure the survival of sea goods. This way, in the future, we’ll be able to enjoy more fresh seafood.” Seafood is quite scarce, and they can only purchase some dried meat at best. However, the difference between dried meat and fresh meat is significant; dried meat tends to have a stronger fishy smell. In Great Chang, the tradition is to consume fresh goods. Once something is made into dried meat or even pickled vegetables, it’s hard to be regarded as elegant cuisine.

For example, the nobles wouldn’t eat preserved things. It would make their status look cheap. If word got out, they would be afraid of being mocked by the other nobles.

“Ah Yu, you reminded me.” Qin Huai looked at Ah Yu and said, “In three years, I want to go to the Transportation Division and work in the coastal area. What do you think?”

Ah Yu said, “Big Brother Ah You, don’t tell me you want to reorganize the Transportation Division?”

“Why don’t you say that I want to take a bite of the fat meat?”

“I know that you won’t,” Ah Yu said firmly. The little girl raised her head, looking very trusting.

Qin Huai: “Why? Am 1 so pure and innocent in your heart?”

“No, but isn’t your family richer than our family? 1 don’t lack money, so you definitely don’t,” Ah Yu said logically. “What people pursue are things that they don’t have yet. Since you already have it, you won’t think about it.”

It would only cause trouble.

Qin Huai:”…” 1 was too narrow-minded.

The two of them analyzed what would happen three years later. When Qin Huai said that he wanted to go, Ah Yu wondered if she should go. She was currently focused on the Women’s Academy and had yet to change her wish for the time being.

Qin Huai did not force her. The two of them were still young, so they were naturally not in a relationship. They were not in a hurry to make contributions, so they followed their own ideas first.

Not to mention mutual achievements, at the very least, they could not drag their partner down.

After discussing these matters, the conversation turned to Princess Ruyi. Qin Huai said, “The incident with Princess Ruyi visiting the Astrology Divination Bureau was a misunderstanding. She somehow heard that the Emperor intended to arrange a marriage for her with a talented young man from Duke Yong Manor. I don’t know how she got wind of this news, but she assumed that the person in question was me. She also heard that 1 was already engaged, so she came to the Astrology Divination Bureau to cause trouble for you. I’ve already discussed this with Grandfather and the others, and from now on, Princess Ruyi won’t come here anymore.”

“In that case, Princess Ruyi doesn’t know who you are at all and hasn’t seen you before. She only heard that you were betrothed to her and came to look for trouble?” Seeing Qin Huai nod, Ah Yu’s expression was indescribable.

How should she put it? Not only was this Princess Ruyi silly, but she was also brainless.

Since it was the Emperor who bestowed the marriage, even if she was a fake princess, he would definitely not be so perfunctory and harsh. How could he match her with a man who already has a fiancee? Wouldn’t that embarrass the three families? The Emperor was not muddle-headed, so why would he do such a thing?

Not only did she not think about it, but she was also impulsive and easily angered. This matter must have been instigated by someone with ulterior motives. It was just that she had yet to react.

As Ah Yu grew older, she realized that some people might be a bit slow-witted, but they had good hearts and didn’t hinder others. Such individuals were worth liking. On the other hand, some people were not only dim-witted but also mean-spirited. While being mean was one thing, if they were also incapable of planning and ended up making themselves a laughingstock for no reason, that was really displeasing!

“Forget it. Don’t waste time on unrelated people.” All Yu saw that Tang Yuan had also walked to the Little Imperial Garden and asked, “Big Brother Ah You, are you returning to Duke Yong Manor today or staying at the Imperial City Post?”

After Qin Huai finished handling his affairs in the Hanlin Academy, he often went to the academy to borrow ancient books. Sometimes, when he was delayed, he would stay at the post.

“Let’s go to Three Thoughts Street.” Qin Huai glanced at the sea crab. “Your chef’s culinary skills are not bad. I want to see if his sea crab recipes are authentic.”

Ah Yu: “Alright, is Brother Lu coming too?”

Because Lu Yu was now a page boy, Ah Yu did not know how to call him. Calling him by his full name seemed rude, and calling him by his first name was too intimate, so she simply called him Brother Lu.

Usually, she would bring him a portion of the things she gave Qin Huai and the others.

Qin Huai glanced at Chi Jia, who said, “Lu Yu has a family banquet today and has already returned to the residence in advance. I’m afraid he won’t be able to make it in time.”

“That’s a pity.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

After the few of them left, Lu Yu ran to the Little Imperial Garden while panting with a stack of books, but he only saw Liu Fang trimming the flowers. He hurriedly asked, “Big Sister, has the Commander and Compiler Qin left?” Liu Fang looked up. “Ah, they left some time ago. You’re Compiler Qin’s attendant, right? I almost forgot. Compiler Qin left something for you to eat.” As she spoke, Liu Fang took out a small bamboo basket from the grass at the side. It was covered with a cloth.

Lu Yu was at a loss. He put down the book and took it. It was a pile of golden feet!

They were all the legs of sea crabs and were much larger than ordinary crab pincers.

“He said that your family can steam, stir-fry, dry rub, or deep-fry it if you like.”

Lu Yu:”…”

He understood now. He had been abandoned. No wonder he had asked him to collect some books before he left.

Boohoo.

He wouldn’t eat much either.. Was there a need to trick him just to deny him that mouthful of food!