Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Unaware of the subsequent events in Ganzhou, Meng Die was preoccupied. Fan Youliang had returned with his two apprentices, coincidentally at the same time as the Tang family's envoy delivering New Year's gifts.

Meng Die received gifts from her natal family and was also allotted a generous share of items from the Marquis's residence, including dried milk, beef jerky, and even fragrant melons that were not available the previous year. With these in hand, she looked forward to the coming New Year with great comfort and anticipation.

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, this marked Li Jin's last birthday celebrated at the Marquis's Manor, hence despite it being the year's end, the entire manor was bustling with festivities. Opera troupes were invited to perform several exquisite plays, and a generous display of fireworks illuminated the sky.

Meng Die gazed at the fireworks, lost in thought. Who exactly had taken over the power of the Qi King? Was it the Duke of Duan? Or perhaps one of the princes?

The reigning emperor has four sons in total. The eldest legitimate son is the Crown Prince. The second son is born to the Noble Consort, who is related to the late emperor's Imperial Noble Consort, and therefore she is not favored, and naturally her son is also not favored. The third son is born to the Virtuous Consort, a premature baby, and his health is not the best. The emperor, the empress, and the Crown Prince all cherish him dearly, as if he were the apple of their eyes, and he is extremely favored. The fourth son is the second legitimate son...

"What are you thinking about? You've been lost in thought for quite some time."

Meng Die regained her composure and replied, "I wasn't lost in thought, merely always astonished by the beauty of fireworks each time I witness them."

Lady Wen did not expose Meng Die's ruse; her eyes were clearly unfocused, indicating that she hadn't been watching the fireworks at all. "If you like them, it just so happens that my family has a firework shop. How about I arrange a private display just for you, lasting the entire night, when I have the chance?"

Meng Die: "I'll hold you to it. You have to fulfill your promise of setting off fireworks for me all night, Elder Sister. You can't renege on that."

Wen: "Would I really shirk my responsibilities over such a trivial matter?"

The two exchanged playful remarks before entering the house together. Neither Wen nor Meng Die had any involvement with activities like setting off firecrackers—Wen was afraid of them, while Meng Die found the noise too loud.

The revelry lasted until late into the night before everyone dispersed, returning to their respective courtyards.

As soon as Meng Die came back, Xue Qing approached her. "Second Lady."

Meng Die: "What is it?"

Xue Qing glanced at Tao'er standing in the outer room before supporting Meng Die into the innermost bedroom. Lowering her voice, she continued, "I've heard that Eldest Madam has lost a considerable amount of money from her business ventures."

Meng Die paused in unfastening her cloak. "What exactly happened?"

Assisting Meng Die in removing her cloak, Xue Qing handed it to Xing Huang. "More than a month ago, I was working on embroidery with Pearl from Eldest Madam's chamber. I overheard Amber saying, 'Why did you buy so much? What should we do now?' At that moment, Pearl suddenly coughed, and Amber fell silent."

"After that incident, I started paying more attention. These past few days, I've been discreetly gathering information. Apparently, during autumn, a sea trader came, and Eldest Madam made quite a few purchases."

"Today is Young Miss's auspicious day, and as servants, we were fortunate enough to have a seat at the feast. I was seated with Pearl and the others. During a break to use the facilities, when I returned, I overheard Amber talking to Pearl, saying that..."

"Speaking of Second Aunt only caring for her own wealth and disregarding others' well-being, she's the reason First Aunt lost over three thousand taels," Lu Wei swiftly covered Xing Huang's opening mouth. "You shouldn't speak."

Xing Huang pouted and harrumphed but ultimately remained silent.

Lu Wei asked, "How could Amber be so bold? So blatant about it?"

Xue Qing sighed. "Sister Lu Wei, you don't know. Amber has a weak tolerance for alcohol yet has a fondness for it. She wasn't on duty today, and there was wine at the banquet. By the time I left, she had already consumed seven or eight cups."

Lu Wei glanced at Meng Die.

Meng Die lowered her eyes, recalling Wen Shi's unchanged demeanor from before: "Just pretend you didn't hear about this. Things should remain as they were in the past."

Xue Qing inquired, "Second Lady?"

Meng Die replied, "Follow my instructions. Eldest Lady is not one to disregard right and wrong. But from now on, be cautious around Hupo. Don't share everything with her. People who drink excessively and have loose tongues are most likely to cause misunderstandings."

"Yes," they acknowledged.

Meng Die inquired further, "Xue Qing, do you have any idea what the First Lady has been purchasing?"

Xue Qing replied, "Not really. Apart from Hupo, who tends to speak more when she's drunk, everyone else in the First Lady's quarters remains quiet and doesn't divulge much." She pondered for a moment before adding, "Moreover, Sister Ruixue and Pearl, along with the others, are just as they were before. If not for overhearing them by chance twice, I wouldn't have caught any hints at all."

Meng Die commented, "They remain unchanged over there, and so do you. Just pretend you don't know anything."

"Indeed."

After the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the thirtieth was fast approaching. Government officials also had their holiday break, and Second Master, serving as the governor of Wucheng, a city very close to the capital, submitted a request to the Ministry of Personnel to take his family back home for the New Year. Thus, this year's celebrations were particularly lively, and the smile on Lady Hou's face couldn't be contained.

Sometimes days drag on like years, and at other times they pass in the blink of an eye. This year, everyone was joyful, making time seem to fly by. Before they knew it, it was already the 15th day of the first lunar month, and the emperor had resumed his official duties. Lord Second also returned to Wucheng Prefecture, while Lady Ning's invitations continued to pour in like snowflakes.

But barely two days after the end of the month, Meng Die fell ill.

"Madam," Lu Wei bowed before Lady Ning in the eastern courtyard, "Second Lady is unwell today and has instructed me to ask for leave on her behalf."

Lady Ning asked, "Unwell? What seems to be the matter? Has a physician been consulted?"

Lu Wei replied, "A physician has indeed been summoned, and he has prescribed the Women's Golden Pill."

Madam Ning paused; this was a prescription for gynecological issues. "I understand. Let your grandmother have a good rest. There's no need to pay respects these days."

"Aye."

Lu Wei returned to Qixia Courtyard from the eastern annex.

Meng Die was lying on the bed in her bedroom, her face rosy and her spirits high. There was not a hint of illness about her.

Lu Wei said, "Second Madam, pretending to be sick is one thing, but pretending to have a gynecological issue? How inauspicious. When I reported to Madam just now, her expression changed instantly. She didn't ask further and immediately sent me back to ensure you have a good rest."

Meng Die smiled at Xue Qing and said, "See, I told you so."

Xue Qing replied, "Alright, Second Grandma, you were right."

Lu Wei appeared utterly perplexed. "What kind of riddle is this?"

As she held the face powder, Xue Qing carefully brushed it onto Meng Die's lips while explaining, "Second Grandma mentioned that if she talked about any other illness, Madam would surely ask for all the details—how she got sick, and perhaps some might even suspect her of feigning illness."

"But when it comes to gynecological issues, it's a taboo subject for women. Nobody would willingly lie about having such a disease. If Second Grandma says she has this condition, no one will doubt her, and Madam won't inquire too deeply into it."

Meng Die shot Lu Wei a sly glance. "This is what we call 'darkness under the lamp.'"

"Oh no, your powder's coming off. Stop talking," Xue Qing said, lifting Meng Die's chin to examine her. "Second Lady, your complexion is truly too radiant. Shouldn't you apply some powder as well?"

Meng Die replied, "Wouldn't applying powder make it look a bit artificial?"

Xue Qing suggested, "I'll add just a touch of water to the powder and lightly dust it on your face, only enough to cover the blush on your cheeks. It shouldn't appear fake."

Meng Die nodded. "Alright then, go ahead and try."

Xue Qing promptly mixed the cosmetic powder and gently applied a thin layer to Meng Die's face. Indeed, the touch of rouge on her cheeks was slightly concealed, giving her complexion an almost pallid appearance, as if she were unwell.

Lu Wei swiftly drew down the sheer veil, leaving the heavier curtain undisturbed. Through the gossamer fabric, it was difficult to discern Meng Die's expression; one could only see her sleeping peacefully in bed.

Madam Ning and Madam Wen arrived at the main chamber. Noticing Meng Die's absence, everyone naturally inquired about her.

Being close relatives, Madam Ning saw no reason to hide the truth: "Our Die girl isn't feeling quite well. She asked for leave and I've allowed her to rest."

Madam Wu commented, "I saw her perfectly fine yesterday. How did she fall ill all of a sudden?"

Lady Zhou: "Has a physician been consulted? What did they say?"

Lady Fang: "Has she taken any medicine?"

Madam Ning: "Lu Wei mentioned that a doctor has been seen, and a prescription for Women's Golden Pills has been given."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Madam Ning broke the quiet: "I'll go and check on her later."

Lady Hou replied, "Very well. Thousand Layers, you should accompany us later to have a look."

"Certainly."

With Meng Die's illness weighing on their minds, everyone lost their mood for laughter and merriment. After exchanging a few brief words, they all dispersed to return to their respective courtyards.

Madam Ning led Wen Shi and Thousand Layers straight to Qixia Courtyard.

Just as Lu Wei emerged from her bedroom and stepped into the outer chamber, Madam Ning and the others arrived. "Madam, Lady Senior."

Madam Ning: "How is your grandmother doing?"

Lu Wei: "She just took her medicine and has gone to rest."

Madam Ning paused in her step as she entered the bedroom, then turned to head for the flower hall. Lu Wei hurried to follow.

Seated in the flower hall, Madam Ning asked again, "What exactly is going on?"

Lu Wei replied, "In response to Madam, Second Madam's menstrual cycle hasn't been regular these past few months, and she's also experienced some weakness in her lower back and knees. The physician diagnosed it as a deficiency in kidney energy, nothing serious. He advised that she pay attention to her diet in daily life. So, Second Madam has been consuming foods that strengthen the kidneys."

"Until last month, her monthly cycle typically lasted only three days, but extended to five with a slightly heavier flow. Since there was no pain, Second Madam didn't give it much thought. Little did she expect that this month, it's already been seven days, and the bleeding still persists."

"A physician was consulted, and he diagnosed that Second Madam has been overthinking, causing harm to her spleen. This resulted in indigestion, and the intake of kidney-nourishing foods has overly invigorated her blood, leading to the persistent bleeding."

Madam Ning: "Overthinking?"

"Yes," Lu Wei replied, lowering her head. "Our grandmother now realizes the severity of the situation. She even mentioned last night that she would focus solely on recuperating and not dwell on anything else."

Madam Ning chuckled through her frustration: "She's quite perceptive, knowing to turn back when she hits a wall."

Lu Wei lowered her head even further.

Madam Ning asked, "What did the physician say exactly?"

Lu Wei replied, "The physician said that as long as she thinks less and rests well, she'll be fine."

Madam Ning sighed in relief. "That's good. Take good care of her. If there's anything she lacks or needs, come to the Eastern Courtyard to inform me. If I'm not around, report it to your Senior Eldest Lady; it's the same."

"Okay."

Only then did Lady Ning and the others depart together. Qian Cheng returned to the main residence to report, while Wen Shi accompanied Lady Ning to the Jing Cui Pavilion to handle family affairs.

News of Meng Die's illness quickly spread throughout the capital.

Many people's initial reactions were strikingly similar upon hearing this.

"Sick? Now that the first month is over, the Hu merchants are about to arrive, and the maritime traders won't be far behind. Her timing for falling ill couldn't be more convenient. Could it be that she's pretending?"

"It doesn't seem so. It's said to be a gynecological issue, and the physician prescribed her Women's Golden Pill."

Those who suspected Meng Die of feigning illness fell silent. A woman could claim to have a heartache, a headache, or simply say she felt unwell – but no one would dare use gynecological issues as an excuse, for it was considered extremely inauspicious!

Of course, not everyone was convinced. There were a few who believed that Meng Die was cunning and ruthless enough to stoop to such a trick. But they were in the minority.

Meng Die paid no attention to them; whether they believed her or not was irrelevant. On the surface, she appeared to be genuinely ill, and quite severely so. The scent of medicine permeated the entire Qixia Courtyard as the concoction was prepared early in the day.

Xing Huang made sure the aroma reached every corner of the yard before removing the cauldron from the stove and carrying it into the bedroom.

Meng Die was sitting on the bed, nibbling on beef jerky. "Put it in the outer room, put it in the outer room. This smell is overwhelming, it's stifling."

Xing Huang curled her lips in disdain. "You find it stifling too, do you? Why insist on feigning illness when it's neither good for your health nor auspicious! If you wish to maintain a low profile, staying indoors would suffice. We have no pressing need to visit any relatives; we can simply stay within the Marquis's residence. Can they possibly drag us out?"

"Bondage is out of the question," Meng Die said, taking another bite of beef jerky. "I don't mind not going out at all. But Xue Qing informed me that Mother has been receiving more and more invitations since last winter. With the cold weather in winter, people were more restrained, but now that spring has arrived and we haven't even reached the end of the first lunar month, Mother has already received six invitations. We reap the benefits, but it's Mother who has to handle the delicate task of declining these invitations, offending others. How can we let her bear such burdens alone?"

Xing Huang: "How irritating those people are, they can't think of their own ways to earn silver."

Xue Qing entered gracefully. "Second Aunt, First Lady is here."

"I'm going to sleep." Meng Die hastily filled a bowl with beef jerky and pulled up the covers, tucking both herself and the bowl snugly underneath.

Xing Huang hastened to draw the bed curtains closed.

Wen Shi entered the room softly, and at the sight of the lowered curtains, she promptly retreated. Xing Huang followed her into the outer chamber.

Wen Shi asked, "Has your grandmother fallen asleep?"

Xing Huang replied, "Yes, ever since she fell ill, her spirits haven't been the same. She's often drowsy and just dozed off after taking her medicine."

Wen Shi inquired, "What did the physician say?"

Xing Huang: "The physician said that squinting often is beneficial. It lessens overthinking and aids in nourishing the blood. Otherwise, the constant bleeding won't stop, no matter how strong one's constitution is."

Lady Wen nods. "What medicine is she taking now?"

Xing Huang: "She's still on the Female Gold Pill, but we've slightly adjusted her diet, encouraging her to eat lighter, non-greasy foods. Sister Lu Wei instructed the manor yesterday to catch some fish if possible."

Lady Wen nods. "Can she consume seafood?"

Xing Huang: "Yes, Madam. Second Lady has lost her taste due to her illness. I've been making her abalone porridge these past two nights, and it seems to agree with her."

Wen: "Very well, take good care of your grandmother. If there's anything she lacks or needs, and it's not available in the household, come to me."

"Ah."

As Wen left, Xing Huang let out a long sigh and turned to enter the bedroom. "Second Lady, you're quite the actress with this illness."

Meng Die: "What do you mean?"

Xing Huang: "The First Lady's brows and eyes are filled with worry. It's quite something how you can pull off such an act."

Meng Die chuckled. "Are you trying to defend Lady Grandmother?"

Xing Huang replied, "Lady Grandmother truly has your best interests at heart."

Meng Die said, "I know that, which is why I pretended to be ill. Wasn't it to avoid future troubles? You think that staying indoors this time will solve everything, but have you considered what will happen when the Hu and sea merchants come to the capital in autumn? Will we continue hiding then, leaving Mother to bear all the pressure?"

Xing Huang: "Autumn? That's such a long time from now..."

Meng Die: "Even so, people will still remember."

Xing Huang: "Sister Lu Wei, you're back."

"Indeed." Lu Wei approached the bed. "Second Grandmother, your prediction was correct. Now many Hu merchants and sea traders have proactively reached out to Manager Rong, wishing to conduct business with us."

Meng Die: "How did Manager Rong respond?"

Lu Wei smiled. "Manager Rong initially went to inspect some goods. But when he learned that Grandmother was ill and didn't give him any instructions, he stopped going out. When pressed, he simply said that you were unwell and hadn't given him any word."

"Among those people, there were some who suggested buying items on his behalf. Manager Rong even mentioned to me today that he's never heard so much flattery and such pleasant words in his life."

Xing Huang laughed heartily. "So Manager Rong didn't get too carried away then."

"You little imp," Lu Wei chuckled, finally amused.

Meng Die was quite pleased with herself. She had deliberately not given Manager Rong any instructions, just to see how he would handle the situation. It wasn't that she doubted his loyalty, but sometimes people could become arrogant when praised excessively. Flattery could be more potent than actual weapons in some cases.

Lu Wei continued, "And it's not just that. Manager Rong mentioned today that both Lord Wang and even Lord Jiang have had visitors looking for them. They were so anxious they sent several messages to Manager Rong."

Xing Huang grumbled, "These people are like flies, incessant and annoying."

Meng Die: "So you still believe that we can just stay hidden?"

Xing Huang: "But we can't keep pretending to be ill forever! Are you suggesting we fall ill again in the autumn?"

Meng Die shakes her head. "Don't you realize the narrative I've crafted for outsiders? In their eyes, a woman suffering from a gynecological issue is almost as good as having a life-threatening illness."

"Think about how I fell ill in the first place – from overthinking! To recover and heal, one must eliminate worry. To truly treat my condition and avoid further stress, wouldn't it make sense to cease all business dealings and contemplation? Would that be believable to others?"

Xing Huang: "Grandma Two, you're saying we won't engage in trade anymore?"

Meng Die placed a hand on her forehead, bemused that Xing Huang had completely missed the point. Wasn't she emphasizing the fact that she didn't want to engage in business anymore?

Xing Huang asked, "Second Lady, you're really not going to do any more trading? What about... those silver coins?"

Meng Die replied, "Do I still need to earn more? If I continue with my trading and making silver, do you think those people outside won't devour me alive? Besides, two million taels of silver aren't enough for spending?"

Xing Huang was astonished. "Is there anyone in this world who would complain about having too much silver?"

"Well, indeed, no one ever has enough silver," Meng Die's thoughts were drawn away by Xing Huang's comment. Leaning against the headboard, she fell into deep contemplation. Such quick-profit ventures might be acceptable once or twice, but they couldn't be sustained. She needed to devise a long-term strategy to earn silver steadily.

What? You mentioned that the soap business brings in forty thousand silver taels annually? Pardon me, the wind is too strong for me to hear clearly.

Meng Die: "Lu Wei, tomorrow you should convey a message to Head Wang. Those foreign merchants, both Hu and sea traders, might have exotic seeds from distant lands. If possible, purchase some and allocate a plot on our estate to experiment with cultivation."

"Also, apart from the fish ponds and plum forest on my newly acquired estate, most of the mountainous areas are unused. Ask Nurse Fan and Youxin to find a few people and purchase a few lambs. Let them graze on those empty mountains; otherwise, it's just wasted space."

"Explore carefully. If needed, hire two Mongolians, they're experts in this. Once we figure out the best practices, we can expand our livestock farming. With such vast mountainous land, if we could rear hundreds or even thousands of sheep annually, it would generate substantial income."

"Sounds good," Xue Qing chimed in. "Grandma De, consider raising cashmere goats. There's ample mountainous terrain on the estate. Other breeds might struggle to climb, making it difficult for free-range grazing, but cashmere goats are well suited. Their meat is also of high quality, and they produce valuable wool. The wool can be used to make blankets and clothes – lightweight yet warm."

"You've mentioned something that aligns with my thoughts," Meng Die replied, her interest piqued by a particular breed of goat she had learned about from another world – the Liaoning Cashmere Goat. This breed was so prized that the country it originated from prohibited its export. She knew where Liaoning was located, but unfortunately, she lacked the resources to venture there in search of these goats.

Suppressing her disappointment, Meng Die asked curiously, "Xue Qing, how did you come to know about cashmere goats?"

Xing Huang turned her head, echoing the question, "Yes, I only know about regular goats. How can there be cashmere goats?"

Xue Qing explained, "My ancestors used to tend to sheep for landlords. My grandfather would tell us stories about them when he was alive, and I managed to retain some of that knowledge."

The next day, Lu Wei conveyed this conversation to Headman Wang.

Kingdom Chief Wang did not hesitate and promptly contacted a minor merchant. The merchant was rather taken aback by the invitation from Chief Wang.

"Lord Wang, I hope all is well with you." The petty merchant, Qiu Ji, came out personally to greet.

Wang Zhuangtou: "Blessings, blessings, everything is well."

"Master Wang, please, do come inside," the small merchant said with delight. He was a newly-established maritime trader who had traveled along the Great Yi Dynasty's trade route with limited capital and goods. He had relied on a major merchant to reach the Great Yi Dynasty. In his heart, he harbored doubts as to whether the Second Lady of the Marquis household would truly be interested in his modest stock. After all, she was known for dealing exclusively in large-scale transactions.

Wang Zhuangtou said, "Mr. Qiu Ji, I've heard that you possess a collection of seeds. I am interested in purchasing some of them."

Qiu Ji: "Seeds? Huh?"

"Yes," Wang Zhuangtou replied with a genial smile. "I'm merely a village head, managing two estates for Second Lady. Anything I purchase is certainly for the use of the estates."

Visible disappointment flickered in Qiu Ji's eyes. "I have other items here, would Village Head Wang like to take a look at them as well?"

Wang Zhuangtou waved his hands repeatedly. "Second Lady hasn't given any instructions, and I don't know much about anything else. There's no point in dealing with those."

Upon mentioning Meng Die, Qiu Ji hurriedly inquired, "I've heard that Second Lady was unwell. Has she improved?"

Wang Zhuangtou immediately wore a worried frown and sighed, "Let's not even mention it. She's taken plenty of medicine, but her condition hasn't improved at all; she's still in a daze all day."

Qiu Ji struggled to find the right words, "Then...?"

Wang Zhuangtou replied, "Fortunately, it's not life-threatening. Now, Second Grandma can only afford to think less and take good care of herself."

Qiu Ji nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, she should prioritize her health. Nothing is more important than one's body. Second Grandma is still young; if she were to develop a chronic illness, that would be a great loss."

"Exactly," Wang Zhuangtou changed the subject, "Let me have a look at those seeds. Perhaps I might also be able to cultivate something. In the future, it could earn me some favor with Second Grandma."

"Master Wang is being too modest; you're the one managing Lady Second's two manors," Qiu Ji gestured to the servant. "Take a look."

The servant promptly brought out various seeds.

Master Wang wasn't overly picky; he bought most of them as long as the prices were reasonable, eventually leaving Qiu Ji's place fully loaded. In the following days, he hurriedly visited other maritime merchants and Hu Shang, purchasing a substantial number of seeds.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire capital, Meng Die's illness showed no signs of improvement. Xing Huang continued to brew medicine daily, and the scent of herbs permeated Qiuxia Courtyard every day.

Xing Huang said, "Lady First, the young misses."

Lady Wen: "Stay still and watch the medicine carefully."

Hearing the commotion outside, Lu Wei hurried to greet them. "Madam, Misses."

Lady Wen asked, "Where is your grandmother? How has she been today?"

"Is Second Aunt feeling any better?"

Lu Wei led the group inside. "Thank you, Madam, and all the misses for your concern. Second Aunt has shown noticeable improvement in the past couple of days. She just woke up, and Xue Qing is currently attending to her, helping her with some porridge."

Lady Wen let out a sigh of relief. "It seems she's indeed much better. Every time I came before, she was asleep. Now that she's more alert, her illness must be truly improving."

Meng Die: "Big Sister?"

Lady Wen stepped into the inner chamber. "It's me, and a few younger sisters are here as well."

"Second Sister-in-law," the group of young ladies greeted her in unison.

"It's you all," Meng Die said with delight on her face. "I haven't seen you in so long, I've really missed you."

Ying'er and the others hastily brought over embroidered stools for Madam Wen and the young ladies to sit on.

"Did you have a good day today? Has your appetite improved?"

Meng Die replied, "Xing Huang made me a porridge with beef jerky, and it tasted quite delightful. I found myself wanting more, almost craving meat."

"Ahahaha..." The group laughed, their laughter as vibrant as swaying blossoms.

"When you have an appetite like that, the recovery of your health will be much smoother."

"I can tell that Second Sister-in-law looks quite well," I observed.

Meng Die replied, "I feel exceptionally energetic today as well."

Concerned about disturbing Meng Die, the group conversed for only a short while before bidding their farewells and departing.

The next morning, the lively Meng Die paid her respects to Lady Hou in the main residence. Just when everyone believed Meng Die was on the mend, Lu Wei hastily summoned a physician.

Upon waking from her afternoon nap, Madam Wen listened to the servants' report and promptly brought her entourage to Qixia Courtyard.

Xing Huang was brewing medicine in the outer room, while Xue Qing and Lu Wei were engaged in sewing, both with deeply furrowed brows.

"Grandma is here," Mei'er announced to the others.

Only then did the three women seem to come back to their senses.

Wen Shi decided to sit outside the room. "Has your grandma fallen asleep?"

Lu Wei replied, "Yes, she dozed off at noon and hasn't woken up since."

Lady Wen: "What did the physician say? Yesterday she seemed to be in good spirits, so how did her condition worsen so drastically today?"

Lu Wei: "The physician mentioned that as the weather gets warmer, even healthy individuals may experience a rise in their vital energy, leaving them internally weak. Second Lady has always had a condition of vitality floating on the surface. The heat is not conducive to her recovery, and yesterday's walk agitated her blood, causing irregular menstruation and continuous bleeding, further depleting her inner strength."

"For now, the main focus should still be on quiet rest and consuming foods that nourish the qi and blood while being easily digestible, such as ginseng and bird's nest. He also prescribed several medicinal dishes, all of which are not uncommon ingredients."

Lady Wen's heart sank: "Won't the increasing heat be even more detrimental to her recovery?"

Lu Wei: "However, the physician also said that although the recovery might be challenging, if she recovers well, it will be less likely for her to develop chronic health issues. This is because the treatment is genuinely replenishing her body."

"Well, that's true." Wen Shi finally let out a sigh of relief. "Take good care of your grandmother. I'll be on my way back."

Lu Wei: "I'll escort Grandmother back."

Lu Wei accompanied Wen Shi to the entrance of the courtyard before returning to the bedroom. "Grandmother Two, Grandmother One has left."

Meng Die was propped up against the headboard, her face filled with emotions. "She truly embodies the virtues of an elder sister-in-law."

Lu Wei: "During Grandmother Two's illness these past two weeks, Grandmother One has visited five times. Each time, she inquired earnestly about Grandmother Two's condition and sent over many health tonics, all tailored to the illness. It's evident that she has put genuine effort into it."

Xue Qing tilted her head. "Now I'm wondering if I misunderstood back then. Perhaps Amber was talking about something else entirely."

Xing Huang nodded. "I think you misheard too. If Eldest Lady really lost over three thousand taels, how could she still be so kind to Second Lady?"

Meng Die interjected, "That's not necessarily the case."

Lu Wei and the other two looked at Meng Die in astonishment.

Meng Die continued, "Assuming Xue Qing did hear correctly, it implies that Eldest Sister must have suddenly started doing business privately because she saw me making money and wanted to profit as well. Eventually, she lost over three thousand taels."

Xue Qing nodded in unison with the other two.

Meng Die: "Did I ask her to engage in trade? Did I specify what goods she should buy? The answer is no to both. Her financial loss has nothing to do with me."

Lu Wei: "But, I don't..."

Meng Die: "I know what you want to say, Lu Wei. I didn't kill Bo Ren, but his death was indirectly caused by me. If I hadn't made profits from trading, it's unlikely that Eldest Sister-in-Law would have had such thoughts."

"Definitely not," Xing Huang affirmed with a nod. "I never entertained the idea of trading in the first place. But after Second Grandma made two million silver taels, I wished she would continue trading. When Second Grandma said she wouldn't, I felt a deep sense of regret. It was as if a significant part of my heart was torn away."

Meng Die: "But you can't deny that this matter has nothing to do with me; it's not my fault. Some people, when they can't accept their own failures, tend to blame others and vent their anger. But there are those who don't – they remain clear-headed and face their failures directly, without casually blaming others."

Xing Huang: "Second Aunt means that First Aunt is one of the few who doesn't vent her anger on others."

Meng Die: "From what I've observed, she conducts herself with prudence and meticulousness, and treats her subordinates with a proper balance of leniency and strictness. She wouldn't easily take out her anger on someone. However, it's because of her good nature that she doesn't hold a grudge, and I can't ignore the kindness she's shown me. I must contribute..."

"Sister Ruixue."

Hearing Tao'er's voice from outside, Lu Wei and the other two hurried to the outer room. Lu Wei went straight out to greet her. "Sister Ruixue?"

Ruixue said, "Lu Wei, Grandmother has instructed me to bring this ginseng to Second Grandmother."

Lu Wei opened the box to find an exquisite ginseng root with its full network of roots, clearly aged over a century. She politely declined, "Second Grandmother still has two in reserve. I'll ask for more from Grandmother when they run out."

Ruixue countered, "Who would complain about having too much of this? Second Grandmother's health is frail, and this would be perfect for replenishment. Our Grandmother often remarks that no matter how valuable an item is, it's just a piece of decaying wood if not put to good use. It can only fulfill its true purpose when used by those who truly need it."

Lu Wei replied, "Thank you on behalf of our Grandmother. When she recovers, we will visit to express our gratitude personally."

Ruixue dismissed the notion of thanks, "There's no need for that. Our Grandmother only wishes for Second Grandmother's swift recovery."

Lu Wei bid Ruixue farewell and brought the box containing the ginseng into her bedroom to show Meng Die. "Such a fine ginseng root – Lady Grand must have only one like this in her possession."

Meng Die took a glance at it before lying down. She truly was incredibly fortunate.

Upon hearing that Meng Die's condition had worsened, Madam Ning found time to visit. Meng Die pretended to be asleep and did not meet with her.

Calculating the days, when the visiting Hu merchants and maritime traders had almost sold their major goods, she finally regained consciousness just as Madam Ning came to see her again.

"Mother," Meng Die struggled to sit up.

Madam Ning pressed her hand upon her: "Don't get up, just rest well."

Meng Die replied, "I've caused Mother to worry and think of me."

Madam Ning responded, "Knowing that I care, you should focus on recuperating and strive for a swift recovery."

Lu Wei added, "Madam, our Second Lady's menstrual issues since last night have subsided. The physician said that with proper rest, nourishment, and ample sleep, she'll be fine."

Madam Ning looked at Lu Wei, "Really?" Then she turned her gaze back to Meng Die, "That's good, that's very good."

Meng Die cast a glance at Lu Wei, who promptly turned her head away.

Madame Ning paused, understanding the unspoken message, and waved her hand. Chun Tang and Lian Peng immediately withdrew from the room, leaving only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law behind.

"Mother, there's something I'd like to ask you to discuss with Eldest Sister-in-law," Meng Die said with a bitter smile. "She has visited me several times, but unfortunately, I was always asleep during her visits."

Madame Ning asked, "What is it?"

Meng Die continued, "Our Yi Dynasty has enjoyed a long period of prosperity, which has led to an increase in both Hu merchants and maritime traders. Many previously scarce commodities are no longer rare, thus their value has significantly decreased."

"Working with my elder sister's family, I've heard that their maritime merchants have imported quite a bit of dragon's breath incense this year. In my opinion, the spice market might not fare too well this time around."

Madam Ning replied, "You're already so unwell, why are you still thinking about these matters? Have you forgotten how you got sick?"

Meng Die said, "Mother, these were all thoughts from before I fell ill. Afterward, I didn't give them any more thought. At that time, I only wanted to remind my elder sister, but now it's too late. I'm sure her family has already acquired all the dragon's breath incense. Although the spices may not be ideal, the gemstones seem promising. Even the irregularly shaped and smaller ones have potential."

Madam Ning was surprised. "What can one do with irregularly shaped and small gemstones?"

Meng Die explained, "Since coconut carvings became tribute items for the southern heavens, many people have been secretly honing their craft. Last year, during the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival, a skilled artisan from the south presented the palace with a gemstone bonsai, meticulously crafted from various precious stones, jade, sandalwood, and more. The palace was quite fond of it."

When the top takes a fancy to something, the bottom will inevitably follow suit. Gemstone bonsai will undoubtedly become the trend in no time. Consequently, the prices of peculiarly shaped gems and smaller stones will soar.

Madam Ning shook her head. "Is it popular in the palace?"

Meng Die replied, "No news is the biggest news."

"How so?" Madam Ning asked.

"Majesty has always practiced frugality and sets an example by never indulging in waste. For such an extravagant item as gemstone bonsai, there's not a single whisper from the palace."

Madam Ning was dumbfounded. This, this was reading the emperor's mind? No wonder the servants were sent away. "I understand. Rest well and don't think about these matters anymore."

"Mm."

Madam Ning returned to the eastern courtyard, weighed down with concerns. She sat in her room, lost in thought.

Granny Zheng retreated quietly to the outer chamber, followed silently by Chun Tang.

Granny Zheng asked, "What happened?"

Chun Tang: "Second Lady had a private conversation with Madam for a while and then left without saying a word."

Nanny Zheng: "How is Second Lady's condition now?"

Chun Tang: "Lu Wei mentioned that the bleeding has stopped. From now on, it's just a matter of proper care and recuperation."

Nanny Zheng and Chun Tang exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion reflected in each other's eyes. If she was recovering, why did she seem so preoccupied and troubled?

In the evening, all the female relatives gathered in Madam Hou's main chamber to pay their respects.

Madam Zhou: "Eldest Sister-in-law, how is Butterfly girl doing?"

Madam Ning: "Her illness has improved. The physician said that with proper care and nourishment from some tonics, she'll make a full recovery soon."

Madam Zhou: "Oh, thank goodness she's recovering. It's been almost a month since she fell ill. The doctor mentioned tonics? Coincidentally, my family sent me a few sea cucumbers the other day. I'll have someone deliver some to her right away."

Lady Hou's face split into a wide grin: "I recall we just received a new shipment of bird's nest a few days ago, didn't we? Send the finest ones to Butterfly girl."

Madam Fang chimed in: "I still have a few abalones at my place. I'll send them over to Butterfly girl as well."

Lady Wu tugged at the corners of her lips in a faint smile. "All of you are presenting seafood; I'll offer mountain delicacies instead. I still have some monkey head mushrooms that are good for the stomach."

Meng Die's condition had finally shown signs of improvement, lifting everyone's spirits, filling the main room with laughter and merriment.

Exiting the main room, Lady Ning, Lady Zhou, and Lady Fang chatted and giggled as they returned to the eastern courtyard. Lady Zhou and Lady Fang then headed back to their own quarters. Lady Ning called out to Wen Shi, "Yun girl, come with me for a moment."

"Alright."

Leading Wen Shi to the bedroom, Lady Ning glanced at the following maidservants and matrons. "You all may leave now." Seating herself, she looked at Wen Shi. "Sit down, please."

Madam Ning: "Yesterday, I visited Miss Die. She happened to be awake and we had a chat. She mentioned that the spice market might not do well this year."

Wen Shi was taken aback. "This... Spices have been selling exceptionally well these past few years, especially in the last one or two. As people's lives improve, the demand for spices has increased, particularly for rare and expensive ones. Often, they're in short supply."

Madam Ning sighed. "I thought the same, but if she says so, there must be a reason behind it. That's one matter. There's another – she said that oddly shaped and smaller gemstones might see a significant increase in price."

Madam Ning turned to Wen Yi. "Miss Die has been wanting to discuss this with you for some time. Unfortunately, she fell ill, and every time you visited, she was asleep."

Wen Yunxi looked utterly confused. "Those kinds of gems have never been highly valued. How could their prices rise drastically?"

Prying into the sovereign's thoughts is a grave taboo, Madam Ning shook her head and tactfully evaded the question: "I noticed she seemed unwell again, so I didn't inquire further."

Wen Yunxi nodded in understanding.

Madam Ning continued, "Well then, you may go back now."

Wen bowed and took her leave.