Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 713 Grand Finale (17)

"Whoa, easy..." The guard driving the carriage, seeing they had already reached the entrance of the ’Normal Mulberry Garden’, immediately pulled on the reins and steadily brought the carriage to a stop at the garden’s entrance.

"Young Master Xiu, where should your men move these mulberry tree sprouts?" The leading guard got down from the carriage, took a few quick steps up to Xiu Bingxi, and sat down to ask for instructions.

Xiu Bingxi slightly furrowed his brow, glanced inside, then dismounted: "Wait outside for now, and I’ll call someone to help. After that, we’ll unload the mulberry tree sprouts cart by cart."

To the ears of the guards, these words sounded like heavenly music, their hearts brimming with joy. Although it was early summer and the temperature was gradually rising, it was noon now and getting hotter. Since Young Master Xiu had other arrangements, there was no need to go out of their way to please him, especially since there was no silver to be had. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Yes, we will follow Young Master Xiu’s arrangements."

Xiu Bingxi watched the guard’s changing expressions closely, then snorted coldly, lifted his long robe, and entered the Mulberry Garden. Soon after, a group of people came out and carefully moved the mulberry tree sprouts from the carriage into the garden. With efficient teamwork, they quickly emptied the numerous carriages. In a little over an hour’s time, the sprouts from dozens of carriages had all been moved. The leading guard was amazed, remembering how loading those carriages had taken their group a lot of effort. He didn’t expect the people in the Mulberry Garden to complete the task so swiftly. It seemed the saying "specialization breeds expertise" was indeed true. Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do, he turned to Xiu Bingxi and said, "The sprouts have been safely delivered. Since there’s nothing else, I’ll return to report my duties."

"That would be fine, then. Well, I won’t see you off. Please don’t turn your nose up at this little tip for wine." Xiu Bingxi cupped his hands in farewell and, while his wide sleeves provided cover, he pulled out a purse from within his sleeve and placed it in the guard’s hand.

The leading guard felt the weight of the purse and knew it was substantial, with no lack of silver inside. His face instantly bloomed with joy as he gleefully tucked it away in his chest: "Turn my nose up? Why would I? If you have any more good jobs in the future, don’t forget about this little brother here, hehehe, no need for farewells, until we meet again." He bowed with his fists clasped, turned around smiling, and left.

Xiu Bingxi watched him leave, then turned and entered the ’Normal Mulberry Garden’. The gate creaked shut tightly behind him.

"Go call the butler to meet me in the study."

"Yes, Master." Xiu Wu took the order and turned to leave.

Xiu Bingxi and the butler of the Mulberry Garden stayed in the study for over two hours. When the butler finally emerged, news spread from the Mulberry Garden that the planting of the mulberry tree sprouts would begin early the next morning.

In the dead of night, when everyone was fast asleep, the place where the mulberry tree sprouts were stored suddenly erupted in a massive fire, the flames leaping more than a yard high. The pitch-black sky was also lit up by the roaring blaze, illuminating half the horizon.

"Fire, fire, come quick to put out the fire!"

Upon hearing of the fire, Xiu Bingxi leapt up, slipped on his shoes, and rushed out of the bedroom. He had not yet reached where the sprouts were stored when he saw the flames already reaching high. Upon closer inspection, his heart sank as he realized the sprouts were entirely enveloped by the fire, popping and crackling fiercely. It was early summer, and even a slight breeze could cause the wildfire to spread.

Xiu Wu led a group of people in a frantic effort to extinguish the blaze. Over an hour later, the fire was put out, but the mulberry tree sprouts were completely destroyed, and a large part of the garden was burned as well.

Xiu Bingxi, with a dark expression and glowing, crimson eyes, stared at the charred remains of the mulberry tree sprouts. His fury suddenly surged as he turned his head to scrutinize the expressions of those behind him. Even a fool could tell this was the work of saboteurs. Spurting blood in a coughing fit, due to the sudden rage, he sprayed it onto the ground, where it splattered like blooming flowers.