Chapter 73: Those Two Shameless Lovebirds

Bai Yan covered her mouth, shrinking among the pile of mushrooms. She felt that just now, Jiang Chengyan had treated her like a radish and taken a bite.

Bai Yan wanted to take the mushrooms to the big market to sell, because it was always lively there, and she enjoyed the bustle.

Since Jiang Chengyan had indeed taken a bite of her, he thought he ought to go along with her wishes. So he pushed both her and the mushrooms toward the big marketplace.

However, due to the earthquake, the market had become much more desolate than before. As for locally grown agricultural products, they were even scarcer.

With less to sell, there were fewer buyers as well.

Bai Yan jumped down from the cart and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Fresh mushrooms for sale! Big and delicious mushrooms!”

She called out several times in a row but not a single person paid her any mind.

Everyone was buying grain. Mushrooms were something they could pick in the mountains themselves—why spend money on them? That was the way most people thought.

Jiang Chengyan saw the little girl sulking on the cart, swinging her legs in frustration. He handed her the prepared sheep’s milk powder from the basket, and then gave her a soft, sticky corn bun.

Bai Yan puffed out her cheeks, gnawing away, but her eyes kept darting toward the crowd, afraid she’d miss even a sliver of business.

“There’s another bun, this one with sugar. Do you want it?” Bai Yan mumbled toward Jiang Chengyan.

Jiang Chengyan shook his head.

The moment she saw him refuse, Bai Yan immediately took a big bite of the sweet bun herself, sneaking a glance at Jiang Chengyan as she did.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Chengyan lowered his head, his voice teasing, “Do you think I wouldn’t want it just because you’ve already taken a bite?”

Bai Yan’s gaze suddenly turned wary.

“It’s alright, I don’t mind,” he said, and, taking her hand, bent down and bit into the bun she held.

“Those two shameless lovebirds!” At that moment, a rough voice came rolling over, and Bai Yan’s ears flushed a crimson so deep it seemed they might drip blood.

Jiang Chengyan stepped in front of Bai Yan, his gaze sharp as he looked toward the newcomer.

The county magistrate, Chen, looked just like a round, plump turnip. He shuffled over quickly and reached into the basket for a mushroom.

“These mushrooms are really nice. Picked from the mountains?” Magistrate Chen glanced at the young couple, a bit surprised—they were both so good-looking.

“No, we grew them ourselves.” Bai Yan poked her head out from behind Jiang Chengyan.

“Grew them yourselves?” Magistrate Chen mused, looking over the cart.

So they grew them—that explained why there were so many.

“The court is supporting our Yuzhou County. However many mushrooms you have, the county office can help you sell them elsewhere, but you’ll have to use our Yuzhou brand. These mushrooms look excellent—how about calling them Yuzhou Mushrooms?” Magistrate Chen’s thoughts moved swiftly. The court was currently aiding post-disaster Yuzhou, and by helping the locals sell their farm produce outside, they could also make Yuzhou’s name known.

Yuzhou Mushrooms—how fine! Just like Roast Duck from the Capital!

“Not fine at all,” Jiang Chengyan shook his head, giving Magistrate Chen no face whatsoever.

“You young man, then tell me—what’s not fine about it, hmm? Which village are you from?” Magistrate Chen demanded.

Jiang Chengyan stayed silent, and so did Bai Yan, only tilting her head back to drink her milk.

“Do you know who I am? I’m the county magistrate! Speak up, quickly!” Magistrate Chen raised his short little legs, preparing to march over to Jiang Chengyan.

“Sir, it’s not called Yuxian Mushrooms, nor is it called Xitang Mushrooms.”

“Then what is it called?”

“It’s called Rabbit Mushrooms.”