Tang Feiliu paused, then burst out laughing. He quickly said, "Mr. Douton, there's no need for that. My name is Lance. I came to ask you—the place you sailed to in search of potatoes, was it on a whole new continent?"
Indeed, Tang Feiliu's urgency stemmed not from mere potatoes. Anyone familiar with historical records knew how enchanting the potato's homeland was.
Especially for Tang Feiliu, who had lived in the modern world.
Potatoes were first discovered on the American continent, which at that time was still inhabited solely by indigenous peoples. Compared to ancient Asia and Europe, this place seemed like a land blessed by God himself—America not only had potatoes, but also corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, peanuts, sunflower seeds...
These staples, taken for granted in modern society, were all still slumbering in their American homeland during that era.
Moreover, anyone with basic nutrition knowledge understands these are mostly high-starch foods. This means they fill you up easily, provide ample essential calories, and crucially, store well—becoming lifesaving staples in critical times.
Beyond these staples, there were also chili peppers. The thought of tomato scrambled eggs, tomato sauce noodles, chili stir-fried pork, or spicy hotpot made Tang Feiliu's mouth water!
Not to mention that even cocoa originated in the Americas! The famous chocolate was still growing on trees there!
Just thinking about it made Tang Feiliu so excited he wanted to pound his chest in frustration. He stared longingly at Douton, itching to empty the man's entire stockpile right then and there. Edward couldn't bear to watch any longer. Clearing his throat, he gave Dave a subtle nod.
Dave understood. He walked over, smiling warmly as he whispered to Tang Feiliu, "Don't worry, Lance. Go change your clothes first."
"What? But—" Tang Feiliu tried to protest, but Dave's words silenced him. "Mr. Doton was only found after leaving York City," Dave explained. "He traveled all night by carriage. Let him rest first."
Tang Feiliu could only go upstairs to shower and change. By the time he descended in fresh clothes, Edward had already thoroughly examined Douton's belongings.
Dawton was a fallen minor noble—or more accurately, a fallen noble descendant clinging to faded glory. Their lineage traced back to a baron, but by Doughton's generation, only a dilapidated small estate remained—a mere orchard and a few wheat fields. The annual yield barely sustained two maids and two lower servants, barely scraping by.
Dalton had a daughter. It was common knowledge in this era that a girl without wealth, unless blessed with a face so striking it made her dowry irrelevant, faced a wretched fate.
Watching his daughter grow older without blossoming into a beauty—no matter how she was dressed up, she could only be called pretty—Mr. Doton grew anxious.
His daughter was soon to enter society, and without sufficient wealth, it would be difficult for her to marry a man of comparable status, an heir to an estate.
Marry her off to a merchant or a freeman? Or perhaps a knight who didn't even own his own estate?
Mr. Douton could not accept it. Seeing his daughter sullen and withdrawn day after day, she clearly understood her own bleak future. Overhearing her whisper to her mother about debutante balls, murmuring, "I don't want to leave the estate," Mr. Douton's heart broke.
And it wasn't just that. Mr. Douton also had a son, only five years old. Without money, young Douton would inevitably face a future where marriage was a transaction for a generous dowry, not a union with someone he loved.
Mr. Douton resolved he couldn't let things continue this way. He had to secure a future for his daughter and son. So, with the support of his wife and mother, he took the jewelry from their dowries and set out on his first business voyage—only to be lured out to sea.
But Mr. Douton wasn't a fool. When Tang Feiliu arrived, he was frantically explaining: "Sir, I truly saw the locals eating potatoes! I spent nearly half a month there sourcing goods, and everyone was eating that stuff. I even asked the children there—they said it grows everywhere. I've eaten it myself..."
Clearly, Douton wasn't so foolish as to blindly trust others' claims. After all, he was a man of means who dealt in trade regularly—not some ordinary farmer. He genuinely believed this product was promising, which is why he brought it back. He simply couldn't understand why everyone burst into laughter upon his return, declaring he'd been duped.
"This is edible. You're not mistaken." Tang Feiliu heard Edward say only that, then proceeded to confirm a larger order with Douton. This filled Douton with immense delight, and he readily accepted Edward's suggestion that he set out with the Duke's men.
In truth, Doton couldn't have asked for more. This meant his personal safety was guaranteed, and his profits were secured. Only a fool would refuse such an order.
Tang Feiliu paid no mind to Edward's schemes. He merely interjected after their discussion concluded: "Sir, allow me to describe some foods I've seen. If you encounter them, please bring some back for me."
Edward glanced at Tang Feiliu, who blinked, signaling to elaborate later. Then Tang Feiliu began detailing the appearance of tomatoes, corn, and similar items. When he mentioned chili peppers, Mr. Douton's face scrunched up in disgust. "Good heavens! I remember that stuff—utterly dreadful!"
"What?!" Tang Feiliu's eyes widened. "You've seen that thing?"
"Yes. In fact, I still have some in my cargo—they were bundled as freebies. I never wanted them, but someone told me I could sell them to pranksters..." Doughton clearly recalled some deeply unpleasant memories, and evidently, he had been one of the victims of those pranks himself.
Tang Feiliu's voice trembled as she asked, "Did you bring it with you this time?"
"I always carry it with me," Mr. Doton replied. Unable to sell his cargo this trip, he dared not return home, dreading his family's disappointed looks. Yet witnessing locals eating potatoes had filled him with conviction. Now, with his luck finally turning, he was overjoyed. Hearing Tang Feiliu wanted to retrieve that half-bag of chili peppers together, he generously offered to give them away.
Tang Feiliu was thrilled to see the half-bag of dried chili peppers. The seeds inside could be used directly for planting, while the outer... Overcome with excitement, he turned abruptly and threw his arms around the slightly plump Mr. Douton, who looked like a penguin in his black suit. "Thank you, Mr. Douton!" he exclaimed joyfully.
Caught off guard by the sudden embrace, Mr. Douton froze. The next moment, the authoritative voice of Duke Edward rang out: "Lance, you've startled Mr. Douton."
"It's fine, it's fine." Douton exhaled in relief once released, smiling as he replied, "My pleasure."
Only now did Douton grasp who this blond youth truly was—none other than Administrator Lance. Rumor had it this administrator was remarkably young. Douton had heard tales in the city that during his time in York City, Lance had been an exceptionally skilled physician. After being hired by His Grace the Duke, all his belongings had been transported by the Duke’s servants, and he had settled permanently at Black Swan Castle.
Yet he never imagined this celebrated young man would appear so childlike—both his stature and features seemed far too delicate.
Fortunately, he was clearly well-cared for. Neither his complexion nor his disposition bore any trace of gloom. Human nature inherently yearns for light and beauty, and this child possessed such an innate quality. Even when his eyes sparkled at a pile of mischievous pranks, Doton felt as though he were looking at his own child. Evidently, this little angel, even when naughty, would be too endearing to scold.
It was fortunate that Tang Feiliu was an adult; otherwise, this child might well have grown into a super-naughty little monster.
But adult Tang Feiliu couldn't listen to any more of this. His explanation was nearly complete anyway. "This thing is for cooking," he declared. "Today, I'll let you all experience its magic!"
With that, Tang Feiliu cheerfully headed into the kitchen. He could finally prepare some spicy dishes today—how delightful!
Meanwhile, His Grace the Duke was carefully discussing the journey's details with Mr. Doton. While Tang Feiliu bustled about in the kitchen, Mr. Doton had already hurriedly gathered Edwardian forces and quietly departed the castle, leaving York with a substantial sum of gold coins.
Among them was Tang Feiliu's good friend, Jess.
This news left Tang Feiliu feeling a bit downcast, yet deeply happy for Jess—this era was profoundly contradictory. It resembled the wealth distribution of the Middle Ages, yet simultaneously ushered in the dawn of industrialization. This signaled the nation's transformation. In the future, knighthood might no longer be the best path for an individual. Once society achieved prosperity, commerce would cease to be the privilege of a select few and instead become one of many avenues for advancement.
After all, in any era, anywhere, holding substantial wealth was the foundation for securing one's livelihood. Jace clearly enjoyed Edward's deep trust to earn this invitation. Though not the leader, it was undoubtedly cause for Jace's personal joy.
As he departed, Jace entrusted a maid he knew to relay a message: "Little Lance, just wait! I'll bring back that strange thing you asked for from the New Continent!"
Though Lance felt a bit down, he was genuinely happy for his friend. Moreover, after Doton departed and the potatoes were all planted, seeing Edward's domain bursting with new vitality filled Tang Feiliu with immense accomplishment, which dispelled his sadness at the farewell.
It was precisely at this moment that Prince Light finally arrived, though Tang Feiliu hadn't seen him when his carriage rolled into the castle. Edward had received the prince instead.
But soon enough, Tang Feiliu realized Prince Light truly lived up to his reputation—he was indeed a rather unpleasant individual.
In truth, Edward had no intention of bringing the two together. It was said Prince Wright's visit was merely a passing stop—he planned to rest at the castle for half a month before continuing westward. Rumor had it a close friend of Prince Wright's resided there, though whether that friend was male or female, or what kind of relationship they shared, was of no concern to anyone. In any case, Prince Wright was merely a transient guest.
Edward had therefore allowed Tang Feiliu to leave before dawn each day to inspect the wheat seedlings and compost piles. He had even sponsored Tang Feiliu with a sum of money, instructing him to use it to continue recruiting militiamen to clear the road between York and Swan Castle—a task of immense strategic importance, but fundamentally, what Tang Feiliu was doing now was rather unsavory. He was clearing this road to make it easier for the farmers near Swan Castle... to haul manure.
Everyone had witnessed the effects of composting across the duke's lands, yet despite the castle's large population, compost supplies remained limited. After hearing Tang Feiliu's theories on composting and spring fertilization, and seeing the stark difference in wheat sprout size compared to neighboring fields after fertilization, people grew restless.
Yet in lean times, even if every household began using manure from their own chickens and ducks and collecting all their waste, it still wasn't enough. Everyone felt at a loss, especially when they saw the wheat sprouts growing ever more vigorously after spring fertilization. It was like watching the harvest slip through their fingers.
At this critical juncture, a particularly resourceful individual devised a solution—that person was Stewart.
As a hired patrolman, his duties differed from those of the watchmen at the duke's castle. His beat covered the area around Swan Castle, so aside from fixed patrol shifts, he tended his own fields during off-hours.
As a freeman, he naturally had to find his own means of fertilizing his fields. Yet he carried little burden in his heart, for he now held a very good job. He could provide well for his family and enjoyed considerable respect within the village.
It could be said that, aside from the duke's actual knights and law enforcement officers, he was among the most respected and beloved figures in the village.
Stuart was genuinely pleased with this arrangement. Though the patrol duties forced him to work overtime and even spend money—enlisting the help of a brother who had sold his own daughters into the duke's castle—it prevented that brother from selling him, his wife, and his son. In that sense, it was a good deed.
Moreover, he now possessed wealth beyond his former imagination.
Stuart was a man who loved to accumulate wealth, but he was also generous with his family. At least, once the harsh winter had passed, seeing the money he had saved up and then looking at the worn-out cotton quilts at home and his wife's tattered cotton skirt that she had worn for four or five years, Stuart announced an important decision. That evening, when the whole family was exhausted, he said, "In a few days, we'll go to York to buy some new things." "
The entire family looked stunned. Adam, the eldest son, let out a cheer, then asked incredulously, "Father! Are you serious? We... the whole family is going into town?!"
Seeing Stuart nod, Adam cheered with relief, joining his sister in shrieks of excitement as both children imagined what the city might be like—they had never been so far away.
Stuart gazed tenderly at his wife and whispered softly, "You've worked so hard these past years. When we go to York in a few days, pick out a couple of pretty dresses for yourself too... I remember when you wore that white dress in your youth—you looked like a daffodil, so beautiful. Every young man in town wanted to take you home. In that moment, I knew I had to marry you, or my life would be wasted..."
Stuart's wife's eyes glistened slightly as she chuckled softly, "The children are here. What are you saying?"
"You two, go to bed now. If anyone makes a fuss, they won't be allowed into town for days!" Stewart laughed heartily, shooing the children out. He gazed at his wife, her face weathered by time beneath the lamp, kissed her gently, and said, "Lily, I love you."
...The woman, long since worn down by life until she seemed almost numb, felt hot tears well up in her eyes. Her voice thick with emotion, she said, "I love you too, Stewart. Marrying you is the happiest thing that ever happened to me."
These were her true feelings. In her youth, countless suitors had courted her, yet she’d chosen this steadfast man. Though friends mocked her for picking a tightwad, none understood how he’d explain every expense to her, share his plans, and treat her as his most trusted family. Though sometimes stingy, whenever he had extra money, she was always his first thought.
He bought her cotton dresses while wearing hemp himself, insisting a working man shouldn't wear fine clothes. He clutched every penny yet carefully instructed her to hide it under their bed. For years he'd mend her dresses with heartache—though how many women were like that? His own clothes were older and more tattered than hers.
The neighbors who once mocked her now drifted through life numbly. Some had long since been sold by their husbands. Others, after more than a decade, suddenly envied her for marrying a good man.
As for why Lily married him, it wasn't complicated at all. She simply married a man who cherished her, a man willing to cherish her forever.
Who could have imagined this man would give her far more than she ever expected? He provided her with a stable home, refusing to sell her or their children even during famine years. He would rather go half-starved himself than withhold food from his family, sharing every morsel among them... Perhaps heaven itself was moved by their mutual support. When Stewart brought his family into the city this time, it offered everyone another glimmer of hope.
Author's Note:
I think I'm catching a cold... Could it really be that curse of Edward the old bachelor!?!?!? Get me better and I'll send you some goodies right away, bro!!!