Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Nanny Fan smiled as she recounted the events, and Meng Die nodded in approval. "Manager Rong has handled this matter well. I'll double his year-end bonus. Also, for the people in the two manors, grant them an extra set of cotton clothes. As for the matrons who have been assisting with the fur blankets, increase their wages by a factor of two and provide them with a cotton garment as well."

"Thank you, Second Lady Meng," they replied.

Meng Die continued, "Furthermore, with such heavy snowfall, there are fewer poor and more wealthy people in the capital. The surrounding counties might not be the same; there could be an increase in abandoned infants and orphans. Assign more people to patrol those areas. If they come across any, they should immediately register them at the local authorities and then send them to the orphanage.

"Additionally, hire a scholar to teach the children in the manors and these orphans how to read and write. It will better equip them for survival when they grow up."

Nanny Fan replied, "Yes."

Lu Wei lifted the curtain. "Second Lady, Li'er just came back and reported that Head Steward Xia has returned!"

"Really?" Meng Die sprang to her feet in excitement.

"Ding Steward and Fan Steward are already waiting outside," Ding Ming mentioned. He was one of the household stewards in the Meng Estate and usually attended to Meng Changsheng's needs.

"Mighty well," Meng Die said, taking her seat once more.

Xue Qing hastily drew aside the curtains of the study as Meng Die's family steward, Ding Ming, arrived with Fan Hong. They knelt outside the study door, "Greetings to Second Madam/Miss."

Meng Die responded promptly, "Please rise."

Only then did they stand up.

Meng Die continued, "Steward Fan, you must have had a tiring journey. Please take a rest first."

"Thank you, Second Madam," Fan Hong replied.

Meng Die fixed her gaze on Ding Ming. "You may sit as well."

Xue Qing brought over a stool, and Ding Ming thanked her before taking a seat.

"Might I ask about Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, and Mother? Are they all doing well?" Meng Die held back her tears. "No hiding the truth with good news but not the bad. Be honest with me."

Ding Ming replied, "Replying to Miss, when we first arrived in Ganzhou, Madam Elder, Second Master, Third Lady, and Young Master Third from Third Master's family, Eldest Master from Fourth Master's family, and Cheng-ge, Eldest Master's son, all fell ill due to the unfamiliar climate. Fortunately, Admiral had made preparations in advance, hiring renowned doctors and arranging the residence beforehand. Upon arrival, our large family was able to rest well, and one by one, the masters have gradually recovered."

Meng Die couldn't hold back any longer. Tears tumbled down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

Homesickness could be a deadly affair, and it had befallen several in our household. Grandmother, in her advanced age, along with the young masters and Little Cheng, all merely two or three years of age, were struck amidst a time when the mortality rate for children was staggeringly high. Their recovery was indeed a rare blessing, testament to the meticulous care of Admiral Tang's household.

The Tang and Meng clans had no prior associations; naturally, the Tang family's actions were a demonstration of the Marquis's regard for the Meng family. In this matter, the Meng family is indebted to the Marquis's estate.

"Second Aunt..." Lu Wei attempted to console, but found her voice choked with emotion as soon as she opened her mouth.

Meng Die: "So, Granduncle has stationed people at the city gates? He'll be informed as soon as we arrive."

Ding Ming shook his head gently. "Miss, Admiral Ding himself dispatched a party to greet us nearly a hundred miles back, and he personally awaits us at the city gates."

Meng Die paused in her act of wiping away tears with her handkerchief, and they fell even more rapidly, a testament to the immense gratitude her family owed the Marquis House and the Tangs.

Nanny Fan, Lu Wei, Xing Huang, and Xue Qing, all servants of the Meng household, couldn't help but weep along with her.

After a long while, it was Ding Ming who tried to console her, "Miss, please set your worries aside. Our Lord has now firmly established himself in Ganzhou Prefecture's administration, and he even has the time to consider a marriage for Second Miss."

Meng Die slowly dried her tears, "Alright, alright."

Ding Ming continued, "I also have a personal letter from our Lord here."

Nanny Fan hastily wiped away her tears and took the letter from Ding Ming's hands, passing it to Meng Die, who eagerly unfolded it. The beginning was a message of reassurance, followed by words of concern. But it was in the final part that Meng Tingyi wrote:

Originally, I intended for your brother to sit for next year's imperial examinations. However, I've stumbled upon some vague leads here. We're currently in need of capable hands. If we can uncover solid evidence, a family reunion in the capital is within reach.

Meng Die's heart leaped. She reread the passage carefully. What kind of evidence could bring the Meng family back to the capital? Ganzhou was a frontier region! Her heartbeat quickened. "Are our family members still living in the residence Granduncle found?"

Ding Ming chuckled. "Yes, it's right next to the Tang estate. The Governor often plays chess with Old Master, and they both visit the training grounds to watch military drills. Whenever they have free time, the uncles and young masters go to the Tang estate to learn martial arts from their men. Even the ladies have been learning techniques from the Tang family's ladies."

Meng Die was astounded. "Learning martial arts? My father? My mother? And my uncles and aunts?"

Ding Ming: "Indeed, Admiral has mentioned that one's health benefits from physical activity. Nowadays, everyone in the family, except for the youngest young masters and misses who are still too young, has started learning at the age of seven."

A blur of vibrant commotion.

Ding Ming fanned the flame further: "Even Lord Elder can now slaughter pigs."

Meng Die...

Her father was a top scholar! A true, gentle scholar who wouldn't dare to even kill a chicken, and now he's capable of slaughtering pigs? This... this... this is truly hard to comprehend.

Meng Die was at a loss for words, but she was certain about one thing: if Grandfather dared to be so close to the Tang family, they must be clean and untainted by any shady dealings. Their visit to the martial arts training ground might imply that Grandfather had already formed an alliance with Admiral Tang. "Was there another purpose behind sending you back this time?"

Ding Ming replied, "The Old Master instructed me not to rush back after reaching the capital. We should spend the New Year in our residence there. If there are former servants who wish to return, hire a few of them to keep a good watch over the house. They can also lend a helping hand if Miss Eldest needs anything."

Meng Die's heart felt as if two doors had opened up, flooding her with clarity. With Grandfather's plan in place, it seemed inevitable that they would find the evidence they needed. Now, it was just a matter of time. "Very well, I understand. You may go and rest now."

"Yes, ma'am."

Nanny Fan accompanied Ding Ming downstairs, while Xue Qing drew the curtains again. Lu Wei's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Madam Second can finally put her worries to rest. Everyone is doing well."

Meng Die's eyes shimmered with delight. "Let's keep a low profile lately and try not to leave this courtyard."

"Second Aunt?"

Meng Die: "The news about the fur and blanket trade can't be kept secret for long. I suppose it won't take more than two days before others in the manor catch wind of it." Sometimes, one must know when to keep a low profile.

In the Marquis household, Manager Xia and Steward Zheng were bustling about with tasks. Steward Zheng represented the first branch of the family, and the gifts he delivered were sent to the Meng family, signifying the exchange of goodwill between in-laws.

Steward Xia is a trusted aide to the Marquis, and his mission to Gansu as a gift-bearer signifies the representation of the entire Marquisate. The gift, destined for Admiral Tang's residence, embodies not just the connection between two esteemed households but also the fraternal bond between the Marquis and Admiral Tang, who are cousins by blood.

The Marquis household sent a generous pile of New Year's gifts to Inspector Tang's family, and naturally, the Tangs reciprocated with their own presents. They also dispatched a steward to update the Marquis on the family's affairs and maintain their relationship, as well as to exchange goods.

Interactions between relatives were never mere formalities. The gifts from the Marquis residence to the Tang family mainly consisted of local specialties from the capital city and rare items from Ganzhou, such as silk and satin, and various types of tea.

In return, the Tang family offered practical items, like cheese and powdered milk, which were scarce in the capital despite having some value. Dried beef was another such delicacy; in the Yi dynasty, private slaughtering of oxen was forbidden, making beef consumption difficult, let alone beef jerky. As Ganzhou bordered Mongolia, where livestock rearing was prevalent, beef and mutton were abundant there.

With all these food items, Lady Ning immediately referred to the gift list and distributed them accordingly among the different households.