When they arrived at the Plant Association, Lu Zhengjun waited outside while, under Chen Xin’s guidance, Lu Qianqian carried a small basket containing one mango and one guava.
The first certification process for becoming a Florist was actually very simple.
As long as you presented a plant not yet registered with the Plant Association, you could directly become a Florist and receive twenty taels of silver each month as a research subsidy.
Of course, there was more than just that one condition.
After becoming a Florist, you had to provide at least one previously unregistered plant every year. Otherwise, your Florist status would be revoked.
Likewise, if you discovered several new plants within a single year, each one would count toward a year’s requirement. If someone eventually registered one hundred undiscovered plants with the Plant Association, they would never need to undergo reviews again.
There were also ranks among Florists.
A beginner-level Florist received twenty taels monthly, an intermediate Florist one hundred taels, an advanced Florist one thousand taels, and a Spirit Florist ten thousand taels.
“Miss Chen, you’ve come! It’s been quite a while since we last saw you.”
The Plant Association clerk was naturally familiar with the wives and daughters of wealthy families. Seeing Chen Xin, he quickly stepped forward to greet her.
Chen Xin smiled.
“I brought my husband’s younger sister here today to certify as a Florist.”
The moment the clerk heard the words “Florist certification,” his expression changed instantly, becoming much more respectful.
Florists were no ordinary people. Working at the Plant Association, he clearly understood how important they were.
“This way, please.”
The clerk politely led the three of them to a room and knocked several times before opening the door.
“Elder Ge, someone has come for Florist certification.”
“Let them in,” an elderly voice answered from inside.
Turning back, the clerk said, “The one taking the certification may enter. The others, please wait outside.”
Holding the small basket, Lu Qianqian nodded to her third brother and third sister-in-law before entering.
The room was square-shaped. Aside from a desk, every other area was lined with bookshelves packed with books.
While Lu Qianqian observed the room, Elder Ge was also observing her.
He hadn’t expected the person seeking certification to be such a young girl. Most likely, she had accidentally obtained some undiscovered plant somewhere and wanted to certify as a Florist. After all, the monthly twenty taels given to beginner Florists was a tremendous income for poor families.
“Little girl, sit.”
“Thank you.”
Lu Qianqian didn’t stand on ceremony and directly sat in the chair opposite him.
“Take out the plant you discovered.”
Elder Ge clearly did not believe the plant had actually been developed by Lu Qianqian herself.
Lu Qianqian placed the mango and guava onto the desk.
“These are called mango and guava. They’re fruits.”
Elder Ge hadn’t expected her to bring out two different plants at once — and edible ones at that.
“How are they eaten?”
Lu Qianqian explained the methods.
Following her instructions, Elder Ge sampled them, and his eyes immediately lit up.
These mangoes and guavas were unbelievably delicious — better than any fruit variety currently recorded in the Plant Association.
He had only cut them open to test the flavor, so after eating one piece of each, he stopped.
Then he opened a drawer and took out a shield-shaped brooch made entirely of silver with a flower engraved on its surface.
At first glance, Lu Qianqian recognized the flower as a peony.
“This is the beginner Florist badge. And here are this month’s twenty taels of silver. From now on, you may collect your monthly stipend on the tenth day of every month at any Plant Association branch in any city.”
“Since you submitted two new plants today, you won’t need to provide additional plants for the next two years. However, by the third year, you must submit another new plant or your Florist title will be revoked.”
“Of course, if you submit fifty new plants, you may advance to intermediate Florist. One hundred plants qualifies you for advanced Florist.”
Elder Ge handed the badge and silver to Lu Qianqian while explaining the rules.
“Understood.”
Elder Ge continued:
“Now provide your name, age, and basic information. Once registered, your information will be sent to the government. If there are any official events, the authorities will notify you in time.”
Lu Qianqian nodded and gave him her information.
After writing everything down, Elder Ge was startled by her age.
Lu Qianqian was currently the youngest Florist in existence.
Before her, the youngest had likely been Liu Ruyue, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue in the capital, who became a Florist at eighteen years old. However, everyone knew Liu Ruyue had only become a Florist because of her family’s support — she wasn’t truly capable herself.
Still, the Plant Association never interfered in such matters.
As long as you could provide a new plant every year, then if you claimed to be a Florist, you were one.
“May I ask something presumptuous? Did you personally cultivate these two plants, or did you accidentally discover them somewhere?”
Since Lu Qianqian said she came from Xinghua Village, Elder Ge considered the possibility that she had found them deep in the mountains.
Lu Qianqian thought for a moment.
She would be bringing out many more things in the future, so revealing a little information now wasn’t a bad idea.
“These two fruits were developed by extracting certain traits from other plants and experimenting with them. I didn’t expect the resulting fruit to turn out so well.”
Elder Ge’s eyes brightened further.
Although he couldn’t yet determine whether she was telling the truth, she lived in Xinghua Village, meaning there would be many opportunities to interact with the Plant Association in the future. Eventually, the truth would become clear.
And if Lu Qianqian truly was a genuine Florist, then she would definitely be worth cultivating a relationship with.
“I’ll also need information on these two fruits — their growth habits and ripening conditions — so I can report them properly.”
After explaining the growth characteristics of mangoes and guavas, Lu Qianqian bid Elder Ge farewell.
Outside, Lu Zhenghui and Chen Xin had been waiting in the rest area. The moment they saw her emerge, they quickly walked over.
“Little Sister, how did it go? Is it done?”
Lu Zhenghui looked at her excitedly.
If his little sister truly became a Florist, it would benefit him as well. Family members of Florists received additional advantages during the imperial examinations. Although he already believed he could pass the scholar examinations, more advantages were always welcome.
Besides, their family would now receive tax exemption on twenty mu of farmland.
Lu Qianqian lifted the basket slightly.
“Mm. It’s done.”
Seeing everything settled, Chen Xin smiled as well.
“Good. Second Brother has been waiting outside for quite a while. Let’s go.”
The clerk respectfully escorted them out of the Plant Association.
“Miss Lu, if you ever have goods to sell in the future, you may bring them directly to the Association. Our prices are no worse than the outside market.”
“Alright,” Lu Qianqian replied.
Many Florists sold directly to the Plant Association simply to avoid trouble. Of course, Florists with their own business channels would compare prices and choose whichever option benefited them most.