e-booksonline Chapter 202 Go ahead and enjoy your gossip.
Chapter 202 Go ahead and enjoy your gossip.
On the continent of Huanxing, what attracts all the nobles is neither gold coins nor various magical equipment, but the Iridium Star crops before them.
Not long ago, the royal family rewarded Grand Duke Frostfowl with a total of one million gold coins, one thousand sets of standard magical equipment, and one hundred portions of Iridium Star crops. It is not hard to see from this which is the most precious reward.
The three people present were either local lords or the first in line to inherit their families, so they were naturally very familiar with the preciousness of Iridium crops.
Even if you are very familiar with them, it doesn't mean you can enjoy them at will. Yes, even for them, the number of times they have eaten Iridium crops in their entire lives can be counted on one hand!
Wolf Territory boasts some of the largest farmlands in the North, making it a major agricultural producer. Yet, it can only produce a handful of Iridium plants throughout the year.
For animals like the snow fox and snow deer, which have small farmlands, harvesting even one plant a year is considered a stroke of luck. Therefore, there are specific ways to prepare and consume these plants.
Either a grand military competition is held, and only the top-ranked warriors are qualified to enjoy it, which is both an improvement in strength and an unparalleled honor to win over the hearts of the troops.
Alternatively, it could be a reward for exceptionally talented individuals like Celia, used as a token of their commitment to a lifelong contract.
Another use is as a grand finale gift when asking someone for a favor; it's a "sincere gesture" that's hard to refuse.
The value of Iridium crops is far more than their ability to instantly elevate ordinary people to the extraordinary; they are a symbol of near-sacred nobility brought about by their extreme scarcity!
But what about Richard?
They simply put a perfectly shaped Iridium watermelon in an ordinary wooden box, lined it with a few pieces of cashmere, and casually served it up.
Its casual appearance made it seem like nothing special, just a rat's melon picked up casually by the roadside, making the three of them exclaim in their hearts that it was such a waste!
...
Lucy stared blankly at the Iridium watermelon on the stone table. She finally understood that her sweetheart had never really cared about living plants.
The idea of selling Silver Star crops in bulk, ostensibly to pave the way for Chiffon Trading Company, is understandable.
Sending Venus honey as a gift is a good way to make friends with the Snow Deer and Snow Fox families, which makes sense.
But this is an Iridium watermelon!!
And it's so big!!
Eating the melon rind along with the fruit can help three reserve soldiers advance to the extraordinary level!
How could he share it so easily? Does he really think this thing is just roadside weeds?
She desperately wanted Richard to take the watermelon back and keep it safe, but with Paul and Melanie right in front of her, she couldn't bring herself to speak.
Returning a gift brought by a guest in public is considered an insult to both the host and the guest, and is extremely impolite among nobles.
She could only clutch her skirt tightly, looking at Richard with a pained expression. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions: pride, helplessness, and, most of all, regret that this treasure had been squandered so carelessly.
Richard took it all in, but simply responded with a gentle smile, offering no further explanation.
The farmland that has been systematically transformed can produce several Iridium-based crops per acre. Now, nearly 200 acres have been transformed, and a batch can be harvested every three to five days.
In addition to their large size, such as a watermelon which can weigh several kilograms, there are also iridium-enriched eggs and milk, honey, mushrooms, fruits, and so on.
Not only can it meet the daily needs of the lord's manor and the Chiffon Legion, but any surplus can be used to craft artisan items for storage.
Once the total population increases, the system's fields will continue to expand, and the yield of Iridium crops will further increase. Richard has already figured out their uses; he's just using one to test the waters now.
...
Paul and Melanie were completely stunned by the Iridium watermelon, their attention drawn to the shimmering purple watermelon, and they didn't notice the silent exchange of glances between the boy and girl behind them.
Melanie took several deep breaths to barely suppress the overwhelming joy in her heart, then turned and quickly walked to Richard's side.
Without a word, she pulled his arm into her broad chest again, the soft touch against her arm, her voice filled with excitement.
"Richard, I'm still savoring the Venus honey you gave me. I never imagined I'd have the chance to taste Iridium fruit today! Your generosity puts all nobles to shame; it's truly captivating. I like you so much!"
Before she finished speaking, she tiptoed and quickly placed a soft kiss on Richard's cheek with her soft red lips.
She then released her grip, turned to look at the bewildered Lucy, smiled charmingly, and then stepped back two paces with satisfaction, beckoning to the old butler who was waiting nearby.
"Butler, could you please bring out the crystal tableware from Frost's treasured collection? Such exquisite pieces shouldn't be ruined with such crude utensils!"
...
Lucy glared at Richard, seemingly complaining that he was attracting unwanted attention and letting others take advantage of him for no reason.
"I'll go."
With a soft, coquettish hum, she turned and strode quickly toward the kitchen before the old butler could even move.
Richard watched her sullen back, bowed slightly to Paul, and spoke with a hint of apology.
"Excuse me, I'll go and do something for you, I'll be right back."
Before Paul could respond, he quickly caught up with him.
The two walked quickly through the winding corridor in the back garden, one after the other. It was a quiet and deserted place, with only the rustling sound of the summer breeze sweeping across the grass.
Richard quickly caught up with Lucy, gently embracing her slender waist from behind, his chin softly resting on the top of her head, a delicate scent of cedar and rose wafting over.
Are you jealous?
Lucy was held in his arms. Although she didn't struggle, she still pouted and turned her head to the side.
snort!
Richard smiled slightly, coaxing her softly, saying sweet nothings that could make even the summer heat feel hot, his hands never leaving her slender waist.
Lucy's body gradually softened, and all her anger melted away.
She turned around, raised her arm to hug Richard's neck, sighed softly, and said in a gentle yet firm tone:
"My wolf, you are the most outstanding man I have ever met. I know that with your talent and charm, you are destined to be surrounded by countless flowers, but I hope you will not pick every flower, otherwise I will be very sad."
As the heir to the Frostfire, Lucy knew better than anyone the decadence and filth within the aristocratic circles.
In particular, in order to ensure the purity of the bloodline, heirs must strictly abide by etiquette before marriage and not overstep the bounds of propriety. However, the more they suppress their behavior, the more unrestrained they become after marriage.
Melanie is the best example.
Before she inherited the title, she was a well-known gentle and obedient lady. After she came to power, her personality changed drastically. Although she never had promiscuous relationships, she still left her mark everywhere.
Given Richard's excellence, she didn't expect him to be all alone, but she absolutely didn't want him to have too much involvement with a glamorous woman like Melanie.
As for whether she would be replaced, Lucy's innate pride and confidence made her absolutely certain that she would eventually become his wife, loving him faithfully and unwaveringly, a position that no one could shake.
Richard never expected her to say such heartfelt words at this time, and he never expected her to be so open-minded and insightful!
He gazed at her with doting eyes, gently stroking her cute nose with his finger.
"Don't worry, with such a delicious and sweet feast as yours, who would want to eat the leftover coarse grains that others eat outside, which are hard to swallow? I don't have the kind of fetish to make myself suffer."
Lucy chuckled at his teasing and nestled against his chest, giggling softly.
The two embraced and snuggled together in the corridor, so sweetly intertwined, until the old butler's cough was heard around the corner. Only then did they straighten their clothes and return to the back garden side by side.
...
As soon as she sat down, Melanie's face lit up with a mocking smile, and she deliberately teased, drawing out her words:
"Yo~! You're finally back. But why do your lips look so red? Did you secretly eat something delicious behind our backs?"
Upon hearing this, Lucy's pretty face instantly flushed red, and even her fair neck turned a faint pink. She glared at Melanie but said nothing.
Richard coughed lightly, reached for the crystal knife the old butler had prepared, and quickly changed the subject:
"Alright, alright, let's eat watermelon. It's so big, it's enough for the four of us to have a good meal."
Paul couldn't help but burst into laughter, his hearty laughter echoing throughout the back garden.