Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Once Li'er, Tao'er, and Xue Qing had all left, Lu Wei lowered her voice. "I interrogated that maid, and she indeed comes from Duke Cheng'en's residence. Today, she accompanied Fourth Aunt to the event. It was Fourth Great-Uncle who instructed her to deceive Second Lady into going to the Linglong Courtyard."

Meng Die harrumphed. "I already knew." On the day Li Hui was married off, Gao Ling came to fetch her, and Meng Die had caught a glimpse of him from afar. Since he was a relative, she had made a point to remember his appearance. When the young man with scratches on his face appeared today, she recognized him at once.

Lu Wei continued, "When I asked her why they lured Second Lady there, she refused to speak at first. So, I told her that since she's in our hands now, she can try to see if her master would dare to confront the Marquis House for her sake. Only then did she confess."

Lu Wei's face was so grim it seemed as if water could drip from it. "She said that Fourth Great-Uncle is waiting for Second Lady in the room. Once Second Lady goes there, she'll...

Meng Die: "You want to ruin my reputation and control me, right?"

"Indeed." Lu Wei gritted her teeth. "Fortunately, Grandmother reacted quickly and prevented him from succeeding."

Meng Die shook her head repeatedly. "Do I look that easy to manipulate?"

Lu Wei: "After all, if such a thing were to become public, he could accuse Second Grandmother of seducing him. He'd just apologize, receive a few lashings, and that would be the end of it. But Second Grandmother might not even be able to preserve her life. So, he must have assumed that with Second Grandmother suffering a loss and her innocence compromised, she wouldn't dare to make a fuss. Then, he'd have free rein over her."

Meng Die: "He clearly doesn't understand the phrase 'die together in a desperate struggle.' If it ever came to that, I'd make sure to take someone down with me in my final moments."

"Given that Second Lady escaped unscathed this time, we mustn't make a fuss about it," Lu Wei said indignantly. "In the end, he still got off easy."

Meng Die chuckled. "Easy? Whenever I have a grudge, I always settle it on the spot."

"Hmm?"

Meng Die continued, "I poured a pot of boiling water right where it hurts most. Even if he isn't incapacitated, he'll certainly lose some skin."

Lu Wei was speechless. The frustration in her chest vanished with a sigh, just as Xue Qing returned with a food tray. "Sister Lu Wei, let's eat first."

As the sky neared the hour of Shen, the guests gradually departed. After bidding farewell to the last of them, Lady Ning and the others assembled in the main chamber.

Li Zhi scanned the surroundings and asked, "Where's Fourth Sister?"

Madam Zhou replied, "She said there was some matter at the Marquis household, so she and her husband left ahead of time."

Li Zhi sighed, "I thought we could all have a sisterly gathering, but she had to leave. Elder Sister wasn't able to make it back again either."

Lady Ning added, "It's said that Great-Aunt, First Sister's grandmother, isn't in the best of health."

Lady Yue: "I recall that Second Sister-in-law's great-grandmother is over seventy, isn't she?"

Lady Fang: "Living to be seventy has always been considered rare in ancient times. She is indeed a long-lived star. At her age, it's good for her descendants to be around her frequently."

Lady Wu: "Ah? Where's Butterfly girl?"

Madam Ning smiled. "She wasn't with me today. She's been inspecting every corner of the estate. Now that she's finished with her duties, she's most likely taking a rest."

Lady Zhou: "She should indeed take a break. She's just recovered from a major illness."

Wu Shi smiled, "Speaking of Miss Die, I must say I've witnessed her ingenuity today. Her strategy of allowing entry through one gate and exit through another has truly been effective in taming those who sought to take advantage of the chaos."

Madam Zhou: "Indeed, not only do those with unclean intentions fear being caught when they step out, but even the young servants who aspire to enter the inner courtyard must behave properly, don't they? In the past, whenever there were celebratory events, there would always be incidents of these young servants behaving improperly towards the maids. Whenever we tried to catch them, they would easily slip away. But now, with only one exit, it's not so simple for them to sneak out. They've all become more well-behaved."

Amidst laughter and chatter, the group eventually dispersed, each returning to their respective chambers for rest.

Madam Ning had just arrived at the entrance of her courtyard when the matron on duty promptly said, "Madam, Second Lady is awaiting your presence in the chamber."

Madame Ning's heart skipped a beat, then rose to her throat. She had assumed Meng Die retired to her chambers due to exhaustion, but to her surprise, she was waiting for her. What could have transpired for her to be made to wait here?

Nervously entering the courtyard, Meng Die emerged from the house, greeting her mother, "Mother."

Madam Ning observed Meng Die, noticing her rosy complexion and the smile on her lips, which were no different from her usual appearance. She breathed a slight sigh of relief, "Why haven't you gone to rest?"

Meng Die replied, "There's something rather urgent, so I was waiting for Mother."

As the two women entered the room, the astute senior maidservants by Madam Ning's side tactfully withdrew, granting the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law their privacy.

Madam Ning inquired, "What is it?"

Meng Die: "Today, a young maid from Duke Cheng'en's residence deceived me, claiming that Fourth Aunt and her husband had a fierce argument. She urged me to hurry to the Linglong Pavilion."

Ning Fu paused in the act of removing her bracelet, her brows furrowing.

Meng Die: "I sensed something amiss, so I had an elderly servant dress in my clothes, and together with Xing Huang and Xue Qing, we entered the Linglong Pavilion. Xing Huang knocked on the door, and an arm reached out from inside, pulling the servant into the room."

Lady Ning swayed, collapsing onto her chair in shock.

Meng Die promptly poured a cup of warm tea for Lady Ning, but she shook her head, feeling stars dance before her eyes and her mind going blank. Even breathing became a struggle for her.

Meng Die: "Mother, I didn't suffer any loss. That maid is also bound by me. You can rest assured that no one else knows about this incident."

"Mother, take a deep breath and exhale slowly, then breathe in deeply again..." Meng Die said, gently patting Madam Ning's chest area.

After a while, Madam Ning managed to regain her composure, sipped some tea, and finally regained some energy. She sharply asked, "Was Li Hui involved in this matter?" Not even addressing her as 'younger sister,' she referred to her by name directly.

Meng Die: "When the incident happened, Xing Huang and Xue Qing were with me. Along the way, Xue Qing mentioned that she saw Fourth Aunt at Mingxin Pavilion. It was then that I confirmed something was amiss."

"Mingxin Pavilion?" Madam Ning sneered. "That place is quite secluded, and no one lives there now. Why would she go there for no reason? It seems she sought solitude to avoid the chaos."

Li Hui had not been involved in this matter, but she was well aware of it. She had secluded herself in a slightly secluded spot with the intention that if anything were to happen, she could quickly distance herself from it.

As a junior, Meng Die did not feel at ease commenting. Her silence was an implied agreement. Ever since Li Hui brought that maid to the Marquis Yongyi's residence, Meng Die had ceased to be innocent.

Madam Ning turned to Meng Die, "About this matter."

Meng Die replied, "Mother, rest assured. Apart from impersonating my servant, only Lu Wei, Xue Qing, and Xing Huang know about it. Even Ying'er and the others are unaware."

Madam Ning lowered her gaze and pondered, "This servant cannot remain in the mansion. You should transfer her to your estate tomorrow."

Meng Die: "Ah, I'll assign her a favorable task then. She won't dare to speak out of turn."

Madam Ning nodded in approval.

Meng Die continued, "Also, I requested two jars of oil from the kitchen. It's an expense, but I've informed the head cook that they've had a tough day. They should prepare a delicious meal, and I'll cover all the costs."

Madam Ning replied, "That's a good idea. With your offer, they might even secretly take some items home. A missing jar or two of oil won't go unnoticed."

Meng Die agreed, "I thought the same."

Madam Ning: "What about that maid?"

Meng Die: "She's locked in the storeroom. The gatekeeper caught her, and Lu Wei claimed she had offended me."

Madam Ning pondered for a moment. "If she was able to spread false news, she must be someone important to that beast. We should keep this maid; she might come in handy someday."

Meng Die: "I agree. I'll leave it to Mother to make the arrangements."

Madam Ning: "There's a manor of mine in Fu County, three days' journey from the outskirts of the capital. I'll have her sent there tonight and placed under strict supervision." Having made her decision, Madam Ning couldn't help but add, "Such loyalty—truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, following her husband like a hen follows a rooster."

Meng Die spent a long time consoling her, only leaving when a maid reported that Li Mao and Madam Wen had returned. She then rose from her seat and retreated to her own courtyard.

Xue Qing promptly informed her, "Second Lady, Nurse Wang was not on duty tonight, but I took the liberty of keeping her here."

Meng Die instructed, "Bring her to me."

Xue Qing swiftly escorted Nurse Wang into the room.

For Nurse Wang, it had been a day filled with turmoil. Now, alone in her chamber after returning, she mulled over the events and began to grasp the underlying implications.

"Second Lady," Wang Po stood respectfully.

A smile graced Meng Die's lips. "You did very well today, and I am truly satisfied. Scratching his face has indeed relieved my anger."

Praised! Wang Po's face lit up. "Not as effective as Second Lady's boiling water trick though."

Xue Qing and Xing Huang burst into laughter.

Meng Die continued, "Do you have any other family members at home?"

Wang Po: "I have a son, daughter-in-law, and a young grandson. Plus, there's still an unmarried daughter." She is a widow.

Meng Die: "Do they all serve in the mansion as well? What do they do?"

Wang Po: "My son and daughter-in-law work within the estate. The son tends to the stables, cleaning up horse manure, while the daughter-in-law is part of the laundry crew. Our daughter stays at home, looking after the little grandson and doing household chores like cooking and washing clothes."

"I see," Meng Die nodded. "Not a single word about today's events should be mentioned to anyone, including your family members."

Wang Po: "Second Lady, rest assured, I will keep my silence."

Meng Die: "When you and Xue Qing left, who were you on duty with?"

"Er," Wang Po glanced stealthily at Meng Die.

Meng Die: "It's fine, just go ahead and speak."

Wang Po: "She was supposed to be with Madam Zhao, but her grandson suddenly fell ill with a high fever. So, she took a brief leave of absence, Second Lady, just for a short while."

Meng Die couldn't help but chuckle. Now, she truly believed that Mother Wang wouldn't easily disclose today's events; this person had a conscience.

"At the time, I left Mei'er in charge. It's only natural that Nurse Zhao would have sought her approval before leaving home. What's the issue here? How old is your grandson?"

Wang Po smiled. "He's five years old."

Meng Die replied, "In that case, you've truly done well with today's matter. Come work at my manor tomorrow, bring your whole family. There's also a tutor there; your grandson can learn to read and write a few characters. Even if he doesn't become a manager one day, at least he won't be bound to doing menial labor."

Thud! Wang Po fell to her knees. "Thank you, Second Madam, thank you, thank you..."

Meng Die said, "Quickly get up and return home. Tomorrow morning, I'll send someone to escort your family over."

"Yes."

After dismissing Madam Wang, Meng Die turned to Lu Wei and the other two. "Is there anything else I might have overlooked?"

Lu Wei replied, "Nothing more. Xiao Yun and her group are no different from the other servants in the manor; they were sent out early to guard the entrances of the garden. They have no idea what's happening. Only Mei'er might be suspicious."

Meng Die nodded. "Mei'er is astute and won't speak nonsense. Li'er."

"Here." Li'er hurried in from the outer room.

Meng Die said, "I've heard that Old Lady Zhao's grandson is ill with a high fever. Take these five taels of silver and have them summon a renowned physician."

"Well,"

With all matters settled, Meng Die finally yawned, freshened up, and retired to bed for a peaceful slumber.

Meng Die slept soundly, while others found it impossible to doze off.

As the heir of the Marquis's Manor, Li Tuo was marrying off his first daughter. He felt a mix of reluctance and the contentment of a proud father. After bidding farewell to all the guests, he was escorted back to the East Wing by Chief Steward Zheng, who attentively supported him.

Upon returning, he sensed something amiss, and his intoxication dissipated significantly. Whenever he came back, his wife would always come out of her chambers to greet him; yet today, she hadn't budged. "Where is your lady?"

Matriarch Zheng was unaware of the situation and replied, "Second Lady paid a visit earlier today, and Lady has been sitting in her room ever since."

Very well, now the rest of the wine had also worn off.

Li Tuo waved his hand, and both Manager Zheng and Matriarch Zheng retreated. Only then did Li Tuo enter the inner chambers. His initial five or six points of worry escalated to ten. His wife's hair ornaments were still in place.

After two decades of marriage, he knew all too well how much his wife disliked wearing such "neck-breaking" accessories. Undoubtedly, the first thing she would do after receiving guests was to remove them.

Li Tuo entered the room to find Lady Ning still motionless in her chair, prompting him to softly call out, "My lady, my lady."

As if awoken from a dream, Lady Ning regained her composure and saw that her husband had finally returned. Tears began to uncontrollably roll down her cheeks.

Almost frightened, Li Tuo rushed to her side and embraced her. "What happened? Don't worry, I'm here with you."

Lady Ning shook her head and took a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

"Did Butterfly visit today?" Li Tuo took out his own handkerchief from his sleeve to dry Lady Ning's tears. "Is there something wrong with her?"

Madam Ning shook her head. "Sit down first, and I'll explain it to you slowly."

"Shouldn't I sit down first?" Li Tuo teased, then sat down as instructed and personally poured a cup of tea for Madam Ning. "Have some tea to soothe your throat before we continue."

Madam Ning shook her head. Her inner anger had risen to the point of suffocation; she had no appetite for food or drink.

Li Tuo took a sip himself, holding the teacup as he listened to Madam Ning's tale.

Madam Ning: "Today, Duke Cheng'en's seventh master sent a little maid to deceive Butterfly into entering his chambers..."

With a crash and a shatter, the sound of a chair falling and teacups breaking intertwined, perfectly illustrating the fury of the source of this commotion.

The maid waiting outside was terrified, her hands and feet turning cold as she was at a loss about what to do.

"Everything's fine," Mrs. Ning called out, promptly supporting Li Tuo. "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Dai-er didn't suffer any losses."

All Li Tuo could see was Mrs. Ning's moving lips; he didn't catch a single word she spoke. His mind was consumed by a buzzing noise, causing the world before his eyes to turn into shades of black and white.

After a long while, Li Tuo took a deep breath, and color returned to his eyes.

"Does Li Hui know about this?" But in the next moment, Li Tuo refuted his own question. "No, she couldn't possibly be unaware."

Madam Ning: "Butterfly hasn't suffered any loss, and the aftermath has been taken care of. That maid was caught and bound by Butterfly. Tomorrow morning, I'll instruct someone to send her to my manor for strict supervision."

Li Tuo nodded in agreement.

Madam Ning: "What worries me now is how to approach Father and Mother with this matter."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Tuo replied, "You must speak to Father about it. There's no need to tell Mother for now. Father will surely inform Mother, and from then on, there's no need to concern ourselves with Li Hui anymore."

"I initially agreed with that, but then I reconsidered. Do you think we should inform Third Branch about this?" Madam Ning helped Li Tuo sit on the bed. "Mother has always been fair and treats her stepchildren as if they were her own. If she suddenly stops caring for Li Hui, we understand the reason, but outsiders won't. What if Mother's reputation is tarnished by malicious gossip? If the Third Branch knows the truth, they can handle the situation and prevent it from worsening."

Li Tuo hesitated before saying, "That seems to be the only option. Mother usually takes charge of the inner courtyard matters. If she suddenly withdraws, it will indeed invite unnecessary speculation. I'll inform Third Brother tomorrow."

Madam Ning replied, "That's all we can do for now."

Frustrated, Li Tuo couldn't help but curse, "How did our family produce such an ungrateful creature? Third Brother and his wife, too, should have taught our sister better."

Madam Ning cautioned, "Don't blame others. Second Sister is good at heart. It's just that even siblings from the same womb can be worlds apart."

Li Tuo: "Indeed, that's true."

The couple conversed for quite some time before retiring for the night, but their rest was far from peaceful. At one moment, Li Tuo dreamed of Li Ai covered in blood, weeping and accusing them of failing to protect his wife. In another, he saw Meng Die lying lifeless amidst a pool of blood...

Come the next morning, both spouses bore striking dark circles and bags under their eyes.

Madam Ning was now simply grateful that, due to Lady Hou exempting everyone from paying respects for three days following Lady Li Jin's wedding yesterday, they all had the chance to get some proper rest. Otherwise, with bags as prominent as hers, it would be odd if no one asked about her condition.

Nanny Zheng said, "Madam, you seem rather fatigued. Would you like to take a nap?"

Lady Ning shook her head. After a night of terrifying dreams, how could she possibly sleep now? "Doesn't Miss Meng Die still need two second-class maids? Choose two good ones and send them over."

"Wait, ask first if there's anyone already assigned to her. If not, then send two. Also, she's in need of a servant woman for menial tasks. Send her one as well."

"Ai."

Nanny Zheng hurriedly set about selecting the servants and dispatched someone to inquire about Meng Die's preferences.

Upon receiving the news, Lu Wei asked Meng Die, "Second Lady, Nanny Zheng just sent word that Lady is preparing to send over two second-class maids."

Meng Die: "It seems Mother was genuinely frightened this time."

"Madam has always doted on you. With such a major incident, she must be scared," Lu Wei massaged her forehead. "I didn't sleep well last night either, plagued by bizarre nightmares all through the night."

Meng Die: "Let's take a nap today."

Lu Wei: "What about the servant girls? In my opinion, we should keep them. Originally, I thought with fewer tasks here, it wouldn't matter if we had fewer servant girls; it might even be quieter. Who could have predicted such an incident? Keeping the servant girls might reassure Madam."

Meng Die didn't object. "Then let's keep them."

Lu Wei: "Nanny Zheng asked if there's anyone arranged from Second Lady's side."

Meng Die: "I don't have anyone here."

Xue Qing interjected, "Isn't Nanny Fan's daughter just right? She's thirteen this year and familiar with us. I know she's efficient in her work."

"Mm, no," Meng Die rejected promptly. "I've seen that girl. Though she's good at working, she's more careless than Xing Huang when it comes to being mindful. There are too many eyes on me now. If she were to come to my side at this moment and be deceived by someone with ill intentions, that would truly ruin her life."

Xing Huang immediately retorted, "Who says I'm not cautious?"

"Very well, very well, you do have your points," Meng Die replied with a perfunctory tone.

Xing Huang stamped her foot in frustration.

Lu Wei pondered carefully, "Second Grandma is indeed right. A while ago, I overheard Nurse Fan mentioning that their family's door has almost been knocked down by matchmakers lately, all vying to marry off her daughter. Calculating the dates, it started not long after Second Grandma amassed her two million silver."

"She's already being sought after just for being my wet nurse's daughter. How could she avoid attention if she were to stay by my side?" Meng Die shifted the topic, "Not just her, but it's actually the three of you who are the main targets of their interest."

Lu Wei and Xue Qing blushed, clearly having experienced inquiries from others. Xing Huang stood frozen, seemingly unaware that the gossip had suddenly turned towards herself.

Meng Die: "Fanny's daughter is still young. Let Fanny wait another three or four years before seeking a suitable match for her. By then, my influence should have waned, making it easier to find a good family for her. As for you girls, if you do find someone with whom you share a genuine connection, I won't stand in your way. Just be sure to exercise wisdom in choosing."

"Second Aunt!" the three of them chorused.

Meng Die: "Alright, alright, I'll stop. Later, give Mei'er twenty taels of silver and tell her that this reward cannot be publicized; it must be given discreetly."

"I'll take it to her," Xing Huang offered herself for the task.

Xue Qing also rose from her seat. "I'll inform Nurse Zheng that we have no one here to help with the selection. Please ask her to assist in choosing two maidservants for us."

Once Xue Qing and Xing Huang had left, Meng Die lowered her voice further, "Be cautious in your daily life. You and Xue Qing, Xing Huang don't have your parents or elders around. Even if outsiders have malicious intentions, they'll have to go through me first. Mei'er and the other three are different; they're born into the household, with their parents here. They might become targets."

"If you sense anything amiss, come tell me immediately. After all, you've been with me for some time, and I can't let them suffer because of me."

Lu Wei nodded in agreement, "I will keep an eye out."

"Second Lady," Xue Qing announced, "Nanny Zheng is here with her people."

"Second Lady," Nanny Zheng entered with a group of young maidservants.

"Nanny Zheng, please have a seat."

"Greetings, Second Lady," the two maids, both around fourteen, bowed in unison.

Meng Die expressed her admiration. "Very nice, they seem bright and quick-witted."

Nanny Zheng acknowledged the compliment as she sat down. "Second Lady, the one in green is Xiao Yun, and the one in red is Xiao Hong. They're both fourteen years old. Xiao Hong is quite skilled; she can style various hairdos and comes from a family of artisans. She's even capable of doing minor repairs on jewelry."

Meng Die chuckled. "That's indeed a genuine skill."

Nanny Zheng: "It's a pity that many of their skills were lost due to the wars. Now, their family only knows some simple crafts. Since she's a servant girl, she probably only knows basic mending."

Lu Wei interjected, "That's still commendable. And didn't I hear she's skilled in hairstyling? It just so happened that Xue Qing mentioned yesterday that she's not good at it and wanted to find a maid to style Second Madam's hair. Looks like she's found one now."

Nanny Zheng beamed with joy, "How truly coincidental. Little Yun doesn't have any particular skills, but she's meticulous. Second Madam can definitely entrust her with complicated tasks."

Meng Die: "Both of them seem excellent. I'll keep them both. Thank you very much."

Nanny Zheng's face lit up with delight, "I'll return to Lady first and report the news."

Meng Die appraised the two junior maids from head to toe. "There must be at least eight others in the estate with the same names as you. I'll rename you. Your older sisters are Xue Qing and Xing Huang, so Little Yun, you shall be Hulu, and Little Hong, you will be Meihong."

"Thank you, Second Lady."

Xue Qing and Xing Huang led the new maids away before Lu Wei continued, "The position left by Mother Wang has also been filled. Coincidentally, the newcomer's husband's family also bears the surname Wang."

"Mm."

It had to be said that talent played a significant role in many things. As Xue Qing was Meng Die's personal maid, her hairdressing skills were undoubtedly proficient. However, no matter how one looked at it, the hairstyles Meihong created seemed more pleasing and attractive than those done by Xue Qing.

As night fell, Meng Die retired to bed, while Lu Wei summoned Xue Qing and the others to the outer chamber where she rested. It was time for a meeting.

Lu Wei began, "With Hulu and Meihong now part of our household, we have a full complement of attendants. We should redistribute everyone's responsibilities."

Meihong replied, "Hulu and I will follow the lead of our senior sisters."

Nodding, Lu Wei continued, "Initially, Xue Qing oversaw Second Lady's clothing fabrics and accessories, but now that Meihong is in charge of hairdressing, we'll divide these tasks. Xue Qing will continue managing Second Lady's attire and fabrics, while Meihong will take care of the jewelry, including bracelets and rings."

Xue Qing drew out a small set of keys from her bosom. "Second Lady's jewels were always kept in separate small boxes, and the largest key unlocks the dowry chest. The cosmetics, like rouge and powder, are frequently used and are not usually locked away."

"I've noted that down," Meihong said, her brows and eyes lit up with joy as she received the small key.

Lu Wei continued, "Xing Huang is in charge of medicinal herbs and tea leaves—items that are consumed."

"Hulu, from now on, you'll oversee the petty items that Second Lady uses, such as hand warmers, hot water bottles, fans, and tassels," Lu Wei said, taking out a string of small keys from her bosom. "These items are stored on the shelves in the west wing. Some are kept in boxes, while others aren't."

Hulu replied, "Understood, I'll remember that."

Lu Wei concluded, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you may all return and rest."

"Dear Sister Lu Wei, I hope you have an early rest as well."

The days grew increasingly hotter, and Meng Die's disposition turned more lethargic. Even with ample ice supply this year, it couldn't rouse her spirits.

"Second Grandmama," Xing Huang entered the inner chamber with delight, "The manor sent over some hedgehog mushrooms today. They look absolutely marvelous. How would you like to have them prepared?"

Meng Die perked up a little. "Hedgehog mushrooms? Is there a chestnut grove nearby?"

Xing Huang replied, "Yes, the shepherds found a wild chestnut forest. They say it's quite extensive, and we might be able to harvest some chestnuts in the autumn for consumption."

"Oh." Meng Die nodded. "Matsutake mushrooms are delicious in any preparation. You can decide how to cook them based on the quantity we receive. A portion must be sent to Grandmother and Mother. If there's a lot, we should also send some to the aunts and elder sisters-in-law."

Xing Huang replied, "Understood. I'll head to the kitchen then."

Meng Die gazed outside through the gauzy window.

Lu Wei approached her side. "Second Grandma, what are you thinking about?"

With those words, the three people in the room set down their tasks and turned their attention to Meng Die.

Meng Die pondered, "I'm wondering if, just like mushrooms, the Phellinus igniarius could be cultivated artificially?"

Lu Wei's focus shifted instantly: "Can mushrooms be cultivated artificially?"

Meng Die: "Of course, there's a rather grand Mushroom Goddess Temple in Zhijiang County, Qingyuan. The Mushroom Goddess is venerated by those who cultivate mushrooms. They're not commonly grown in the capital due to the unsuitable climate, but dried mushrooms are also delicious and easier to transport."

Lu Wei: "Second Aunt, you yourself mentioned that the climate isn't suitable. Why do you want to cultivate mushrooms now?"

Meng Die: "What I meant by unsuitable climate doesn't apply to the mushroom in question. The Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as the oyster mushroom, thrives in the capital city. Its climate is perfectly suitable."

Lu Wei opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for a compelling counterargument against Meng Die.

Meng Die: "Speaking of mushrooms, you should instruct the steward to purchase more saws. While tending to the sheep, they can trim off some branches from trees, allowing the flock to graze on fresher leaves. Those cut branches can be used as firewood. If they're too far from the mountainside to collect, let them decompose – it might even encourage the growth of more mushrooms."

"Also, don't prune a tree or shrub all at once. Trim a bit each year, so there will always be dead branches and, in turn, mushrooms annually."

Xue Qing: "That's a great idea. Mushrooms are indeed delicious."

Meng Die: "Send someone to trim the chestnut grove as well. Have them send me some of the chopped branches, ground into sawdust."

Xue Qing: "Are you really going to cultivate mushrooms?"

Meng Die, lying listlessly on a chaise lounge, replied, "Idle time truly feels empty."

Lu Wei...

Lu Wei: "Alright then, just this sawdust?"

Seeing that Lu Wei wasn't objecting, Meng Die immediately regained her energy and sat up from the lounge chair. "Let me research first. I'll tell you what else we need."

With a spring in her step, Meng Die made her way to the study, leaving the maidservants staring at each other, eventually bursting into laughter.

Meng Die didn't come to the study in search of any particular book; she merely used it as an excuse. She was here to try and recall the information she had researched in that world about aquaculture and agriculture.

Back then, because of the people's freedom to catch freshwater fish, Meng Die had taken a keen interest in all farming and breeding techniques there. She had thoroughly investigated the scientific achievements in this field after the establishment of New China.

Aside from fish farming, the cultivation of oyster mushrooms had left a deep impression on her – to be honest, nothing had escaped her attention.

Writing down the ingredients needed for growing oyster mushrooms, Meng Die swallowed, considering that perhaps when Tamu visited the capital again, she could ask him to bring some watermelon seeds next time.

The current watermelons aren't particularly delicious, but Meng Die had done her research. If Academician Wu Mingzhu could improve the breed of watermelons, why couldn't she attempt some research as well? She was standing on the shoulders of giants.

Thinking about the crisp and sweet fruit, Meng Die couldn't help but swallow, eager to taste it!

The people from the manor were swift in their actions. The sawdust from the chestnut trees arrived promptly, even thoughtfully packaged into smaller portions, each not too heavy, making it convenient for the maidservants and matrons to carry.

Lu Wei led the way to receive the packages and delivered them to the west wing. Qixia Courtyard was a two-compartment compound, but currently, Meng Die was its only occupant, so she only used the front section. The rear compartment was sealed off. Now, however, it was perfect – the west wing would be opened up to serve as Meng Die's mushroom house.

Looking at the ground covered with bags of sawdust, Meng Die felt a sense of satisfaction. "Have the corn cobs, corn flour, bran, and gypsum arrived?"

Lu Wei: "The corn cobs, cornmeal, and bran will arrive soon, but the plaster won't be available until tomorrow."

Meng Die: "Alright. Once everything is ready, ask the people from the manor to search for the oak moss mushrooms in the mountains. Don't pluck them; bring the whole branch with the mushrooms on it."

Meng Die didn't hide her activities, so the others inevitably heard about it. During the evening greetings, they all asked about it.

Wu's curiosity was the most piqued: "Die, my girl, I heard you've ordered some sawdust to be brought in. Are you planning to cultivate mushrooms?"

Meng Die: "Yes, it's the summer when mushrooms tend to grow abundantly. I thought I'd give it a try."

Madame Zhou: "Can this really work? It sounds rather unreliable to me."

Meng Die chuckled. "I'm not sure either, but it's worth a try. We're not losing anything."

Madame Ning also laughed. "That's true. We have nothing better to do anyway, so it'll pass the time."

Madame Zhou smiled. "I hope it does work. This spring, the asparagus sent from Miss Meng's manor was incredibly fresh. I didn't understand why Fifth Sister-in-law loved fresh bamboo shoots so much before, but now I truly get it."

Madame Fang nodded repeatedly. "Fresh mushrooms and dried ones are worlds apart. Especially this gray tree mushroom, it's quite difficult to find. Even when it's in season, it's not easy to pick."

Lady Hou laughed heartily. "The butterfly girl hasn't even started, and all of you are already eyeing her."

Lady Wu said, "Mother, we are merely indulging in some hopeful thoughts."

Upon returning from the main house, Lu Wei asked, "I was originally worried that Second Aunt's mushroom cultivation might draw criticism from Lady Elder or Mother. It's not something a well-bred young lady should do, but to my surprise, they not only didn't object but also encouraged it."

Meng Die replied, "During this year's Spring Festival, the Emperor issued an edict for the Empress and concubines to plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms. He also commanded the princesses to till the land and pull weeds, so they would understand the importance of agriculture." Otherwise, she wouldn't have attempted growing mushrooms. If successful, it could even boost her presence before the Emperor.

Perhaps it was due to the large chestnut grove, or perhaps Meng Die was just lucky. After preparing everything, a thick, dead chestnut branch with several gray tree mushrooms sprouting from it was found on the estate. They were at the perfect young stage for harvesting.

Wang Zhuangtou dared not delay. Upon retrieving the withered branch bearing mushrooms, he immediately rode to the back gate of the Marquis residence.

Meng Die received the branch with a beaming smile. She treated it with great care and placed it on a shelf in the western annex.

The western annex had undergone a remarkable transformation. Three rows of shelves stood tall within the room, each divided into four tiers. The corners were stacked with bags containing sawdust, corn cobs, cornmeal, bran, and plaster.

Beneath the shelves, pots of water were placed, serving as a makeshift humidification system in the absence of a misting system. A significant portion of the ceiling was replaced with translucent tiles, allowing sunlight to pour in, illuminating the room even with all other windows closed.

Given the current heat, Meng Die didn't dare to shut all the windows completely. They remained open, but the window screens had been replaced with deep blue ones.

Surveying the mushroom cottage with satisfaction, Meng Die nods approvingly. "Lu Wei, have you prepared the sugar as I asked?"

"Mother Fan has already purchased it," Lu Wei replies hesitantly. "Second Lady, does cultivating mushrooms really require sugar?"

Meng Die responds, "Sugar is a valuable ingredient. Adding something good might just boost the success rate."

Lu Wei senses something amiss but fails to find a counterargument, so she remains silent.

Meng Die adds, "Be cautious when bringing in the sugar, and try not to let anyone see."

"Hmm."

Meng Die glanced at the withered branch and sprinkled more water around the mushrooms. It was hot now, so the water evaporated quickly. She realized she would need to water them early in the morning, before bedtime, and at noon in the future, adjusting the frequency based on the weather conditions.

With the mushroom house, Meng Die was no longer bored. Every day, she would visit early in the morning to water the area around the mushrooms, then join Wen Shi to pay respects in the main residence.

After breakfast and lunch, she would check on them again before heading to the Nourishing Essence Pavilion for her duties. Upon returning from the pavilion, she would eagerly rush to see her mushrooms once more.

Lu Wei couldn't help but tease, "To those who know, they'd say you're nurturing mushrooms. To those who don't, they might wonder what kind of strange obsession you have."

Meng Die shot her a playful yet reproachful glance on the spot.

As she witnessed the tiny mushrooms gradually grow, blossoming from small "buds" into large flowers, Meng Die not only tended to them with even greater care but also began to prepare the substrate, concealing the addition of sugar. Aside from herself, only Lu Wei assisted in this endeavor.

After evenly scattering the mixed substrate across each layer, Meng Die let out a sigh of relief.

Lu Wei asked, "Second Grandma, is one layer of substrate too thin? Should we make it thicker?"

Meng Die glanced at it, recalling the images of mushroom bags she had researched earlier, and hesitated, "Let's make it a bit thicker then."

The two continued their labor until they could barely stand from the ache in their waists and legs.

Lu Wei massaged her own back, suggesting, "Second Aunt, why don't we let Ying'er and Xing Huang take over the watering?"

"Alright, but tell them not to pour too much water, just enough to keep it moist," Meng Die replied, rising to her feet unsteadily. "I'm truly exhausted."

Upon returning to her chambers, Meng Die sprawled on the soft couch, completely drained.

Hulu approached, "Second Aunt, I've prepared some hot water. Would you like to soak in it? It might help alleviate your fatigue."

Meng Die lounged lazily, unwilling to move.

Meihong followed suit, persuading, "Second Lady, you should still soak for a bit. Otherwise, you'll surely be aching all over tomorrow."

Meng Die shuddered, suddenly recalling the soreness in her legs the day after doing frog jumps in her physical education class in another world. She promptly struggled to her feet, recognizing the necessity – indeed, the great necessity – of soothing her aching muscles.

As she immersed herself in the hot water, Meng Die couldn't help but sigh in relief. Ah, she was glad she got up. Taking a bath was the right choice.

After emerging from the warm bath and indulging in some sweet pastries and a cup of milk tea, Meng Die finally regained her vitality. "Have the paper supplies I requested arrived?"

Hulu: "She's arrived. Second Grandma was at the mushroom shed when it happened, on a particularly large piece."

Meng Die nodded in satisfaction. When the mushrooms were almost ripe, she would cover them with this yellow paper. The spores, as they dispersed, would adhere to the paper. Then, at the right moment, these papers would be buried in the prepared substrate mixture, and perhaps mushrooms could be cultivated this way too.