Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Xing Huang, accompanied by Tao'er and Li'er, returned from collecting their provisions with a beaming smile. "Second Madam, they've given us quite a bit of powdered milk. I've heard that drinking it daily will make one's skin exceptionally smooth. From now on, I'll prepare a bowl for you every morning."

"I learned today that the estate had this powdered milk last year, but Aunty was married in after the New Year, so the allocation was already finished by then. That's why we didn't receive any."

"Also, there's beef jerky made from yak meat. They say it has an exquisite taste and can be enjoyed not only as a snack but also cooked in soups or stir-fried – the possibilities are endless."

"Milk curd is another fine item," Xing Huang said, placing two pieces of cheese on a plate for Meng Die. "Second Madam, please try these. This cheese has no off-putting flavors; its quality far surpasses the expensive ones we bought back at our estate."

Meng Die lifted a morsel with her chopsticks and placed it in her mouth. Indeed, it was rich in milk aroma without any hint of gaminess.

"Also, there are various fruits." Xing Huang's eyes sparkled as she opened a small jar, revealing bright red dates inside. "These are Linze Jujubes, they're said to be tribute items; the imperial consorts in the palace adore these."

"And this, this is an Apple Pear. It's tangy and sweet, with a crisp texture. Eating one on a cold winter day while holding a hot water bottle is the most comforting thing, and it's also a tribute fruit."

"Oh, and this, this is called Kungtung Tea. I've never heard of it before. They say the previous emperor favored this tea above all others, even more so than Dongting Biluochun, Lushan Yunwu, or Taiping Houkui teas."

"In this jar, we have dried Persimmon Fruits. They're most effective in quenching thirst and refreshing the throat. Eating just a little during the winter when your throat is uncomfortable will ensure a soothing sensation."

Xue Qing giggled. "Oh my, wouldn't that be more effective than medicine?"

"Indeed, they say it's even better than medicine," Xing Huang replied, then continued, "I've heard there were furs and exquisite rugs too, but since those can be stored for a long time, Madam had them all put away in the storage room. Each of our chambers received food items. I also heard that last year, there were over a hundred melons, so fragrant and crisp. Too bad there were a few rainstorms in Ganzhou this year, resulting in poor melon yields."

"Hmm, isn't rain a good thing? It didn't flood, so why would the melons not produce well?" Xing Huang murmured in confusion.

Meng Die finished the last bit of cheese in her mouth and sipped her tea. "Melons prefer dryness to moisture; too much water makes them less sweet."

Xing Huang exclaimed, "Ah? How can a fruit be like that? So peculiar."

Meng Die: "What's so strange about that? Most fruits ripened in autumn have this trait. If they receive too much rain during their maturation period, they won't be as sweet."

Xing Huang nods, her understanding only partial.

"Mei'er, go next door and see if Grandmother is available. If she is, I'll go ask her something." With the end of the year drawing near, the workload was heavier, and the weather colder. Lady Hou had exempted everyone from their morning and evening visits, so Meng Die hadn't seen Wen Shi for several days.

Mei'er turns to the neighboring house and quickly returns. "Second Lady, Grandmother has just taken her afternoon nap and is currently free."

"Good." Meng Die washes her hands and rinses her mouth before heading next door with Lu Wei. Before leaving, she adds, "Li'er, go to Mother Fan's place and ask her to come to the manor to wait for me."

In the Orchid Xuan Courtyard, as Meng Die stepped into the reception hall, Wen Shi emerged from inside. "I was just saying yesterday that I missed you after not seeing you for a few days, and planned to find time to visit you. And here you are today!"

Meng Die teased, "Wouldn't you say that's a bit of a telepathic connection between us?"

Wen Shi chuckled. "Of course, why wouldn't it be? It absolutely counts."

The two of them settled in the outer chamber, with Meng Die sipping her warm tea. Wen Shi then asked, "The young maid you sent over said you had something to ask me. What is it?"

"It has snowed heavily several times recently. I've heard that many areas in and around the capital have been affected by the disasters."

Wen Shi suppressed her smile. "Yes, that's true. Many humble dwellings have indeed collapsed. Fortunately, the government has dispatched people to provide relief across the regions, so there haven't been any major casualties."

Meng Die said, "The maids and servants were saying that our estate set up a soup kitchen yesterday to distribute porridge, and it was Eldest Sister-in-law who took charge. Is that true?"

"It is," Wen Shi replied with a smile. "Do you want to participate in distributing porridge?"

Meng Die chuckled. "I do. I just don't know how things work within the estate, so I thought I'd ask you."

Wen Shi explained, "Our estate has established soup kitchens at all four city gates, operating under the name of the Marquis Yongyi's residence. If anyone else in the household wishes to engage in this charitable act, they can send people to distribute porridge in the surrounding counties near the capital. They can use the marquis's name or not, as they choose."

Meng Die: "Excellent, that means I can send people to the nearby towns and act as I see fit, right?"

Wen Shi: "Indeed, Grandfather and Grandmother are usually kind-hearted. When everyone aims to do good, there won't be so many strict rules to confine us."

Meng Die: "I have a plan in mind now."

Meng Die continued her conversation with Wen Shi for a while and played with her little nephew before returning to her Qixia Courtyard.

Upon her arrival, Feng Ma hurriedly asked, "Second Lady, was there something urgent?"

Meng Die: "Indeed, there is an urgent matter. Due to the recent heavy snowfalls, I've managed to earn some silver, but others have suffered from the snow disaster and struggle to survive. Although the government is providing relief efforts, it's likely that many still slip through the cracks. Our manor has set up a soup kitchen to distribute food, and I plan to do the same."

"You should tell Youliang as soon as you return, asking him to select a few reliable men and a couple of skilled women from Wang Headman's village to set up soup kitchens in nearby towns."

Nanny Fan promptly agreed: "Very well."

Meng Die: "Didn't I recently purchase a manor with quite a bit of mountainous land? Ask Wang Headman to hire some people to cut down firewood where possible."

Xing Huang: "Second Lady, how can anyone cut firewood in this snowy weather?"

Lu Wei gently touched her forehead with a hint of Xing Huang's yellow hue and said, "You silly girl, Second Auntie wasn't really asking for firewood. She just wanted to provide an extra means of income for the impoverished folk nearby."

Meng Die smiled and replied, "With such biting cold, let's offer those who chop wood three meals a day and an extra bowl of bone broth each."

Nanny Fan responded, "Yes, I've noted that down."

Meng Die continued, "Wait, also add a shelter for bone broth at the places where we distribute porridge in different counties. Add a little salt to it; it'll be better for the health of those disaster-stricken people."

Nanny Fan asked, "Second Auntie, traditionally, porridge is given during charity, not bone broth with salt. Wouldn't this be too much?"

Meng Die: "What do you mean by 'get through it'? It won't cost much."

Fanny, the nanny, was about to continue her persuasion when she suddenly caught Lu Wei giving her a subtle look. The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back, and she changed her tone: "Should we add some pork intestines to the big bone soup? Traditionally, coarsely ground rice husks are added to the porridge given away, just in case those who aren't desperately poor try to take advantage. This big bone soup is genuinely meaty and salty, so I'm afraid some might come for freebies. Even if the intestines are thoroughly cleaned and not seasoned heavily, they still have a distinct flavor that many may find unpalatable."

Meng Die: "Nanny, you're thoughtful. You're right. Let's do as you suggest."

Fanny: "Then I'll head to the estate immediately to make the arrangements."

Lu Wei accompanied Fanny out. As they walked, Fanny whispered to her, "What's going on?"

Lu Wei: "Second Aunt is empathetic towards those famine-stricken people. Yesterday, I heard her murmuring about how farmers' hearts are seething like boiling water, while noble sons and princes leisurely fan themselves."

"What's this?" Fan Nanny was illiterate, utterly clueless about poetry and verses.

Lu Wei: "This is a poem. The full verse goes like this: 'The scorching sun blazes like fire, half-drying the rice fields in the wilderness. Farmers' hearts boil with anxiety, while noble sons and princes leisurely sway their fans.' It describes the sweltering heat that withers the crops, the distress of common folk, and the indifference of the privileged class, thereby conveying strong satirical undertones."

Nanny Fan: "Is that so?"

Lu Wei: "Our Second Aunt has indeed profited greatly from this heavy snowfall, but how many common households have suffered because of it? Second Aunt is unwilling to be that idle noble who merely fans themselves with wealth. Let us scatter more silver to aid as many impoverished folks as possible; do what we can while we can."

Nanny Fan let out a long sigh. "Our Second Lady has always had a compassionate heart since she was young."

Lu Wei escorted Nanny Fan to the door and turned back into the house, just in time to hear Xing Huang mutter, "Second Lady, it's almost dark, and before long, the city gates will be closed. With the roads slippery at night, how can Nanny Fan possibly manage?"

Lu Wei spoke directly, "Aiding the victims is as urgent as putting out a fire. The sooner Nanny Fan makes the necessary arrangements, the less suffering those affected will endure tonight."

With everything settled, Meng Die's anxious heart finally relaxed, allowing her to rest comfortably. However, she was startled awake in the middle of the night by the sound of galloping horses.