Granting

Chapter 29: Granting

Zhao Hai happily stood up and said, "Lead me to see this person quickly, quickly." He grabbed Meg's hand and walked towards the room. Meg was surprised at first, but then a hint of joy flashed in her eyes, which was quickly replaced by shyness.

However, Zhao Hai was not in the mood to pay attention to this now. Merine and the others didn't notice and followed behind as they walked towards the outwork.

When they reached the outwork, they saw a slave standing there. Zhao Hai was a little surprised because the slave turned out to be a woman. He had expected it to be a man. Zhao Hai stood there blankly, looking at the female slave standing between the small town gate and the outwork.

Meg immediately said to Zhao Hai, "Young Master, it's her. She is called Bean. She's 20 years old this year. She just came to me and said she knows how to weave straw."

Zhao Hai nodded. He knew that slaves in this world did not have surnames, and their names were usually single characters. Giving them two-character names was considered extravagant and could lead to execution.

Zhao Hai looked at the girl named Bean and said solemnly, "Raise your head."

Bean trembled as she lifted her head but didn't dare to look at Zhao Hai. She remained kneeling on the ground. Zhao Hai nodded and said, "Are you called Bean?"

Bean kowtowed and said, "Yes, Master."

Zhao Hai nodded and asked, "Do you know how to weave straw? Did you learn it there?"

Bean replied, "Master, I became a slave the year before last. Before that, I was a commoner. I used to frequently weave things with straw at home and gradually learned how to do it."

Zhao Hai nodded. He noticed that although this girl named Bean appeared timid, she spoke in an organized manner. It seemed that her previous life as a commoner had a significant impact on her.

Zhao Hai said, "Bring some straw and show me your weaving skills."

Bean immediately complied and withdrew. Before long, she returned with a large bundle of wet straw. It seemed like she had prepared it in advance. The wet straw was flexible but not easily breakable.

Bean respectfully saluted Zhao Hai and sat on the ground to start weaving. She was fast and skillful. Soon, a small mat was completed. The surface of the mat was smooth, and it had an artistic appearance.

Zhao Hai nodded as he watched Bean weaving on the ground. He said solemnly, "Alright, Bean, you have made a significant contribution to the Buda Family. From today onwards, you are no longer a slave. You are a commoner led by the Black Soil of my Buda Family. You don't need to kneel when you see me. A simple salute will suffice. Moreover, you will have your own room and receive a monthly wage in silver coins for your work. In addition, I bestow upon you the surname Buda. From today onwards, your name will be Chrysanthemum Buda. The name Bean doesn't suit a girl like you."

Everyone in the courtyard heard Zhao Hai's words and was astonished. They never expected that someone with the simple skill of weaving straw would become a commoner and even receive a surname from Zhao Hai. This was extraordinary because many commoners on the continent didn't have surnames.

Chrysanthemum Buda, or rather Bean Buda, knelt there excitedly, her whole body trembling. She couldn't believe that she had become a commoner and was no longer a slave. It all felt like a dream.

Chrysanthemum Buda had the courage to stand up first because her younger brother was sick. Although it wasn't a serious illness, if left untreated, it could be dangerous. She was worried because her younger brother was the hope of their family. She had to save him at all costs, so she stood up.

After observing for a few days, Chrysanthemum had noticed that Zhao Hai and the other Nobles were different from the Nobles she had seen before. They were kind and made sure they were well-fed. They even provided firewood for warmth.

Today, Chrysanthemum couldn't help but stand up because her younger brother was sick. Although it wasn't a serious problem, continuous illness would be dangerous. Chrysanthemum was afraid because her younger brother was the hope of their family. She had to save him no matter what, so she stood up.

After a brief hesitation, Chrysanthemum kowtowed and said, "Master, I dare not ask for your generosity. I only hope that you can save my younger brother. He's sick now."

Zhao Hai said, "Oh? So you have a younger brother here too. Don't worry, I won't take back what I've given you. Since your younger brother is here, I will also grant him commoner status and the surname Buda. By the way, what's his name? Where is he, and what's his illness?"

Chrysanthemum was shocked. She hadn't expected Zhao Hai to do this. Restoring her younger brother's commoner status meant fulfilling her mother's dying wish. Overwhelmed with emotion, Chrysanthemum's tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "Young Master, my younger brother's name is Secure. He's in the room now."

Zhao Hai nodded and said, "You can get up. You are now a commoner and don't need to kneel anymore. Take me to see your younger brother."

Chrysanthemum obediently stood up. She had only been a slave for a few years and hadn't fully experienced the hardships of slavery. Moreover, she was intelligent, so she quickly regained her composure.

Under the gaze of the other slaves, Chrysanthemum led Zhao Hai and the others to a stone building. The building was not very big, only about 20 square meters. It could accommodate four people, and they slept on the ground with a simple layer of hay. Currently, there was a person lying on the hay.

The person appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old, and his body was relatively strong. He had an ordinary appearance and wore coarse cotton clothes with the Buda Family Badge on his forehead. However, he didn't look well at the moment, with a cyan complexion and tightly shut eyes.

Zhao Hai observed him for a moment and then turned to Merine and asked, "Merine Grandma, have you seen him before? Why is his face cyan?"

Merine examined him and said, "Young Master, he has been poisoned. It's likely the poison from the poisonous grass we saw yesterday. Perhaps when he went out to work today, he encountered that poisonous grass. Since it was strong, he didn't feel the effects immediately. But after not returning, the poison slowly spread and caused his current condition."

Zhao Hai hadn't expected the toxicity of the poisonous grass to be so strong. He quickly asked, "Can it be cured?"

Merine smiled and said, "Young Master, don't worry. It can be cured." She then muttered a few incantations and a group of water blue radiance appeared in her hand. Merine gently placed the blue light on the person's body, and it gradually submerged into him.

The person's body emitted a blue light, and the cyan gas was expelled from his body. When the blue light completely occupied his body, his complexion slowly returned to normal, and the blue light disappeared.

Zhao Hai hadn't realized that magic could be used for detoxification. He had underestimated the magic abilities of this world. Magic civilization was highly developed here, and they could achieve many remarkable things. It was not as ordinary as he had thought.

Merine examined the person's complexion and said, "Young Master, he's fine now. Let him rest. Tomorrow morning, he will wake up and recover."

Zhao Hai nodded and turned to Merine, saying, "Merine Grandma, find a room in the fort for Chrysanthemum. Tomorrow, prepare some furniture for them. They are now commoners of our Buda Family and should not receive the same treatment as the slaves. Blockhead, please carry Secure to the fort."