Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Meng Die's string of good fortune continued. Barely two days later, she received an imperial decree conveyed by Lin Chu. The Minister of Revenue had petitioned the emperor to learn the new accounting methods from Meng Die, and the emperor had granted permission.

This news took Meng Die by surprise, but not entirely. It was unsurprising because, since the Vice-Minister of Revenue had adopted this accounting method, they would naturally take action. What did catch her off guard was how swiftly the Ministry of Revenue moved; she had expected Minister Ran to deliberate more on the matter.

Meng Die said, "It must have been quite a task for Eunuch Lin."

Lin Chu replied with a smile, "It's all part of my duties, as it should be."

Meng Die ultimately decided to serve them tea and presented each with a substantial red envelope. Upon learning the contents of the imperial decree, the Marquise was radiant with joy; to be entrusted with such a mission was an honor that brought luster to her own name and added weight to the prestige of the Marquisate.

Having accepted the assignment, Meng Die didn't act pretentious. She immediately sent someone to inquire with the Ministry of Finance about their availability. She made it clear that she was ready to begin whenever they were. The Ministry of Finance replied promptly, stating that everything was in order and lessons could commence the following day.

Thus, the next morning, Meng Die donned her summer imperial concubine attire, adorning herself with just two or three pieces of jewelry before she was chauffeured to the Ministry of Finance. She became the first woman in the dynasty to set foot in that hallowed ground.

Ran Pengfei, accompanied by key officials from the Ministry of Revenue, arrived to receive Meng Die. As she stepped down from her carriage, Meng Die was once again taken aback. "Lord Ran, your gesture is overly gracious and humbles me deeply."

Ran Pengfei chuckled. "That's not quite right. The wise lead the way. If you're teaching us your skills, then you are our mentor, and it's only proper to show respect to our teacher."

Courtesy begets courtesy, and a good start ensures a smoother journey. The entire Ministry of Finance has already learned from the Vice Minister, and they come to Meng Die now. She understands that her original innovation is at stake; bypassing her would be an insult not only to the Marquis House but also to her personally. Ahem, of course, it would also be an affront to her. Whether they fear the pressure from the Marquis House or her scolding, that is something beyond her knowledge. In any case, they haven't dared to circumvent her.

On the first day, Meng Die swiftly instructed them in the use of Arabic numerals and bookkeeping techniques. By the second day, they were able to manage the accounts on their own, while Meng Die searched for any potential errors or omissions.

In the evening, as Meng Die took her leave from the Ministry of Revenue, she said to Ran Pengfei, "Lord Ran, the ministry is indeed brimming with talented individuals who learn swiftly. I can see that I've become proficient. Therefore, I won't be coming tomorrow. I'll report back to His Majesty."

Ran Pengfei smiled. "Concubine Meng, there's no need to rush your report. Why not wait a little longer? We need to recalculate all the accounts from the past month using the new accounting method. It would be better if we present our findings together then, allowing His Majesty to witness the results firsthand."

The fruits of her labor would be evident when she reported back, making for a far more compelling display than merely stating, "I have completed my teaching," as Meng Die would have. Ran Pengfei was granting her an additional chance to shine in the Emperor's eyes. "Lord Ran truly considers every detail," she acknowledged. "In that case, I shall await your esteemed news at the Marquis's residence."

"Very well, very well."

As Meng Die's carriage gradually vanished from sight, many of the lesser officials from the Ministry of Revenue couldn't help but remark, "I never would have guessed that Lady Meng was such an amiable person."

"Indeed, who would have thought? I secretly imagined her to be a terrifying demon with a green face and protruding fangs."

Bai Ye gave them a sharp glance. "She's not someone you can talk about like that!" He then muttered under his breath, "Amiable! You'll know just how amiable she is when she points at your noses and scolds you for being fat-headed and gluttonous!"

Shentu Qingyun twitched the corner of his mouth but remained silent. He had managed to lose weight on his trip, but Bai Ye had not. It was best for him not to provoke any trouble.

Upon Meng Die's return home, Lu Wei reported, "Second Madam, today someone from the Hui Mansion, Lady Hui's maternal family, has sent a messenger to inquire about when Second Miss is expected to give birth."

Meng Die was already aware of this matter. Her elder brother had been entrusted with an imperial secret edict and had returned to Ganzhou shortly after the palace examinations. "Before he left, Brother asked his sister-in-law, Aunt Hui, Second Lady Hui, to look after her. It seems that the Hui Mansion, seeing the time drawing near, has come to ask for an update. Send word back to them that the midwife has predicted it will happen within these two days. As soon as there are any developments, we will immediately inform Second Lady Hui at the Hui Mansion."

"Ai."

"Second Madam, Second Madam..." Ying'er rushed in from outside. "Someone from the estate says Second Miss is in labor."

Meng Die sprang to her feet. "Quickly, go next door and ask our First Madam to prepare the carriage."

Servants immediately set about preparing carriages and going to fetch people. Li Mao, who had already finished work and was having dinner with his wife Wen, received the news. The couple hastily put aside their chopsticks and attended to themselves before Li Mao personally instructed servants to ready a carriage and then escorted both Wen and Meng Die to her estate.

Meanwhile, Madam Ning also received word. After a brief preparation, she ordered her own carriage to follow. With no elder family members from the Meng household present, Wen still felt uneasy despite having given birth twice before.

Upon arriving at the estate, Madam Ning happened to bump into the second wife of the Hui household. Upon seeing each other, both parties understood the reason for the visit. Exchanging a few polite words, they both headed to Meng Xiao's birthing chamber.

Meng Die sighed in relief upon seeing her mother-in-law and her elder brother's wife's aunt. The presence of elders indeed made her feel more secure.

Madam Ning took the lead to inquire, "What did the midwife say?"

Meng Die: "They said the baby's position is ideal, and Eldest Sister-in-law is assisting inside."

Madam Hui II chuckled. "As long as the baby's position is right, the birth will be smoother. Lady Hei and I can manage things outside. Your presence, as her sister, will make her feel more at ease."

"Ai." Meng Die changed into a clean outfit before entering the birthing chamber.

Seeing Meng Xiao, her anxiety dissipated significantly. "Why did you come in too, Sister?"

Meng Die supported her alongside Wen Shi as they walked. "My mother-in-law and my brother's wife's aunt have arrived. With them overseeing things outside, I felt reassured to come in."

Meng Xiao felt increasingly reassured. "I've even put both of you elderly folks to work with my labor."

Wen Shi chuckled. "Don't think about it being a burden or not. You're the most important thing right now. Just take your time and keep moving—it's good as long as you're up and about."

"Alright."

Yang Huai'an was eavesdropping by the window, greatly relieved to hear the sounds from inside the room. With the elders present, he felt much more at ease. This was his first child, and he had always cherished his wife; thus, he was naturally more anxious about her delivery.

Meng Xiao was strong and healthy, and her pregnancy had gone smoothly. The midwife had taken good care of her, so despite it being her first childbirth, she did not endure excessive hardship. As the sun rose, a baby girl cried out, entering the world.

The several individuals who had kept watch throughout the night instantly heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Meng Die arranged for someone to escort Madam Ning, Lady Hui, and the Wen lady back home. She also reminded Yang Huai'an to promptly send a letter to his family in Ganzhou, while she dispatched a messenger to inform her own family of the developments.

Occupied until well past midday, everything was finally in order. Meng Die insisted on watching Meng Xiao finish her lunch and, upon hearing the midwife and physician pronounce that all was well, she fully relaxed for the first time, retiring to the Marquis's residence where she slept soundly, oblivious to the world around her.

Next came the ritual of the Third Bath. The Yangs had no relatives in the capital, and the few friends Yang Huai'an had made before his exams had all returned home to visit their families after their success or failure. Apart from Yue Jingzhi, there was no one else present.

Meng Xiao was different. She had several close female friends, or "handkerchief companions," in the capital. Although some had married into other families, she still retained two or three intimate friends, and when these were added to her relatives from the Meng clan, the number of visitors, while not excessive, was by no means insignificant.

Meng Die had naturally made all the necessary arrangements. She personally greeted the female guests, leaving many who had only heard her name but never seen her in awe. This woman, they realized, was surprisingly refined and elegant, quite unlike her rumored reputation.

Meng Die couldn't be bothered with what others thought of her. Her sole concern was to ensure that the Three-Washing Ceremony was lively and respectful, not allowing her niece the slightest discomfort.

With the bustling ceremony finally over, Meng Die heaved a sigh of relief. Meng Xiao, undisturbed, had full control during her month of confinement. Xing Huang visited every few days to prepare nourishing dishes, making this postpartum period exceptionally comfortable for Meng Xiao. In less than a month, she regained her former rosy complexion.

It was then that Meng Die received word from the Ministry of Revenue. They had completed the accounts for the past month and requested her presence at the Diligent Governance Hall the following day to report their findings. Meng Die agreed readily.

Going to meet the emperor, Meng Die, now holding an imperial title, dressed accordingly in her official robes. She adorned herself with all the appropriate jewelry, leaving nothing out. Unlike previous visits, she confidently entered the main hall of the Diligent Governance Hall to fulfill her royal duty.

Unbeknownst to all, Meng Die once again became the first outer court lady of this dynasty to step into the Diligent Governance Hall.

The emperor perused the new ledger presented by the Ministry of Finance, attentively listening to Ran Pengfei's explanation. His eyes sparkled more with each passing moment. The ledger was excellent – truly outstanding. It was clear and concise, making auditing an effortless task.

"Excellent, very well done," the emperor rejoiced beyond expectations. "Which nation uses these numbers?"

Meng Die replied, "Your Majesty, their language differs from ours. This subject employed a phonetic transcription method and, without authorization, named them 'Arabia.'"

The emperor nodded in approval. "Phonetic transcription is acceptable too. It makes distinguishing them easier. Though their numerals lack aesthetic appeal, they excel in simplicity and practicality, particularly for record-keeping. You shall take the lead in recognition for this achievement."

Meng Die replied gracefully, "It is an honor for this humble concubine to alleviate His Majesty's concerns."

The emperor, pleased, issued a resplendent edict commending Meng Die for her keen intellect and love of learning, her refined and graceful nature. He further bestowed upon her a generous array of treasures, including gold, silver, imperial jewels, and fine silk brocades, greatly adding to Meng Die's prestige. Even the Marquis's mansion basked in this reflected glory, enjoying its own share of elevation.

The capital was abuzz with two main topics of conversation. One was the admiration for Meng Die's talents, and the other, albeit whispered among a smaller yet influential circle, concerned the sudden change in accounting methods within the Ministry of Finance. It seemed that major reforms were on the horizon.

Yet before the crowd could engage in further speculation and discussion, another major event in the capital captured everyone's attention. Zhao Hanzhang, the Three Provinces Censor, submitted his resignation. Although he had survived a recent stroke, his recovery had been painstakingly slow. Up until now, he could barely manage half of his daily tasks on his own. It was evident that continuing to serve in his position as the Three Provinces Censor was no longer suitable for him.

The Emperor, as was customary, tried to persuade Zhao Hanzhang to stay, but Zhao Hanzhang submitted another memorial. The Emperor, considering his lifelong dedication to the court and his efficient handling of assignments, granted him numerous honors and rewards. Thus, Zhao Hanzhang retired with great prestige and glory.

To everyone's surprise, he didn't stay in the capital to recuperate but, instead, dismissed all his offspring except for two sons who held official positions in the capital and two others serving elsewhere. With a grand gesture, he took the rest back to their hometown.

His glorious retirement, with some of his children still serving in the imperial court, naturally drew a large crowd to see him off. He bid farewell to everyone cheerfully. However, rumors had it that one of his sons, after returning home, couldn't adapt to the local conditions and passed away within just a couple of years. But with many sons, this tragedy was mentioned only in passing.

The current focus in the capital was Zhao Hanzhang's departure, leaving a vacant spot as a counselor. Who would fill that position? The emperor didn't leave much room for speculation, quickly issuing an edict promoting the original Fourth Counselor, Tan Zhengze, to Third Counselor. The Fourth Counselor role was then bestowed upon Pei Ji Huan, the Minister of Justice.

This selection wasn't entirely unexpected. Pei Ji Huan possessed both experience and a record of political accomplishments. Zhao Hanzhang had originated from the Inspectorate, which oversaw law and order. Thus, it was logical to appoint another counselor with a background in law enforcement.

What truly piqued the public's interest was who would succeed Pei Ji Huan as Minister of Justice. This was a powerful position, overseeing an entire department and wielding genuine authority. Would it be one of the two vice ministers stepping up?

Without allowing any room for discussion, the Emperor launched into another series of actions, dismissing numerous officials in Ganzhou and even a few in the capital. These included both civil servants and military officers. The capital was now abuzz with gossip, as people openly commented on how daring these individuals had been. Even within the inner chambers, the topic was widely discussed.

Wu lady waved her handkerchief, "These people have such audacity! Why can't they just engage in honest business? Why risk their lives through smuggling?"

Lady Zhou glanced at her, "Officials aren't supposed to be involved in business ventures."

Wu lady replied, "I'm not talking about running shops. They live near the border; setting up a trading convoy or investing in one, who would catch them? Wouldn't they still make a fortune?"

Lady Zhou: "They were also involved in trading caravans, weren't they?"

Lady Wu was speechless: "I meant selling legitimate goods, like cosmetics and silk porcelain. Wouldn't that be better?"

Lady Fang: "Fourth Sister is right. They were too imprudent. Now their entire family has been seized, and they've lost everything."

Lady Wu sighed: "But the government's crackdown on smuggling is indeed severe."

Meng Die reminded with a smile: "Auntie Four, the government doesn't enforce such strict punishment for ordinary smuggling. They touched something they shouldn't have – they dealt in semi-prohibited items of the court."

Lady Wu asked, "What does 'semi-prohibited goods' mean?"

The others also turned their gazes to Meng Die.

Meng Die elaborated, "Normally, semi-prohibited goods refer to strategic resources. The court has a fixed quota for exporting them each year, and in return, they also receive strategic resources. For instance, the tea and kitchen knives they smuggle are both strategic items. Usually, the court trades these with Mongolia for better horses from Javan, beef and mutton, as well as furs. Their smuggling activities are no different from selling out the country. If they were to smuggle cosmetics instead, do you think the government would react so strongly?"

Lady Wu's mouth gaped open. "I see. Is the beef and mutton sent to Second Lang and the others at the front lines exchanged with tea from our side to Mongolia?"

Meng Die nodded.

Madam Wu's expression darkened. "These despicable and ungrateful creatures, taking their government salaries without any thought of loyalty or serving the country, and yet they engage in such deeds. They deserve it!"

Meng Die barely managed to stifle her laughter. Madam Wu's change of attitude was too swift. Lady Hou openly chuckled. "You, oh you, your stance shifts immediately when it concerns your own interests."

Madam Wu's face flushed. "But that doesn't mean other people's matters have anything to do with me."

The others chuckled quietly.

While the ladies enjoyed themselves, the more astute officials in the court had already guessed who would be appointed as the Minister of Justice. With the smuggling route originating in Ganzhou, it was clear who would be tasked with investigating it.

Indeed! Within two days, the Emperor issued an edict, appointing Meng Tingyi, the Governor of Ganzhou, as the Minister of Justice. Back then, Meng Tingyi was demoted from a second-class rank to a fifth-class one. Now, he has returned to his original second-class rank.

On the day the imperial decree arrived, Meng Die was so elated that she once again played the role of a generous benefactor at the marquis's mansion. The crown prince and Lady Ning were also bestowed with rewards. The in-laws regained their central power and managed a significant division, which in turn added weight to the marquis's mansion in an intangible manner.

The Emperor then issued another edict, appointing Meng Changsheng, the current Prefect of Linze County, as the new Governor of Ganzhou, and assigning Meng Changkang to succeed his brother as the Prefect of Linze County.

A series of events placed the Meng family squarely at the epicenter of the capital's gossip and scrutiny. It was evident to all with eyes that the once-glittering Meng clan had returned to their former glory with renewed vigor.

It was widely spoken that the emperor's grace was boundless; when Meng Family's own younger brother had betrayed them, not only did the family emerge unscathed, but they even returned in glory after a few years—such a tale was unheard of and unseen. If not for the absence of a Meng daughter in the imperial harem, the title of a nation-corrupting seductress would have been irrevocably attached to their name.

Of course, these were merely the opinions of the common folk and some uninformed younglings. The high-ranking officials of the court had long anticipated Meng Tingyi's return since the day he left the capital. They knew that the emperor would never truly punish Meng Tingyi; the emperor was too sympathetic towards him to do so.

Indeed, Meng Tingyi's experiences were eerily similar to the Emperor's—both had fathers who favored their concubine-born younger brothers and both faced rebellions stirred up by their troublesome siblings. In Meng Tingyi's case, it was his own brother who was the mastermind. Could it be said that the Emperor hated Meng Tingyi to the core under these circumstances? No, he wouldn't. He wasn't mentally deranged, after all.

The Emperor was a rational man. When he saw Meng Tingyi in similar circumstances, he saw a reflection of himself, and thus privately empathized with him. As a competent emperor, he was well aware of Meng Tingyi's talents, thus it was merely a matter of time before he reappointed Meng Tingyi and restored the Meng family to their former status – there was no element of surprise in this decision.

As Meng Die eagerly awaited the return of her grandparents, the tide of public opinion in the capital took an unfavorable turn. It was not directed at Meng Tingyi, but rather, it began to swirl around Meng Die herself.

Rumors of Meng Die's extravagant and unrestrained lifestyle began to circulate from an unknown source. Initially, many people dismissed these tales with disdain, but as time went by, the stories became increasingly vivid and detailed. It reached a peak when someone claimed that the oyster mushrooms were cultivated with white sugar, a claim that fueled the rumors even further. These slanderous whispers cast a shadow over the once joyous and boundless Marquis's mansion.

One morning, Lady Hou couldn't help but inquire, "Die, my girl, what's your take on those rumors?"

Meng Die smiled with composure. "Their tongues belong to them; they can say whatever they wish. In any case, I'm not losing an ounce of flesh over it."

Lady Hou immediately laughed. "As long as you don't take it to heart, I can rest easy."

Madam Fang huffed in annoyance. "In my opinion, these people have nothing better to do."

Madam Wu also wore a face full of indignation. "Exactly! And how do they even know about the use of white sugar? That's stealing recipes! These lowlifes, not only do they steal recipes, they have the audacity to boast about it. Their faces are thicker than city walls."

Upon returning from Wucheng, Madam Yue remained silent. Madams Wu and Fang were clueless about the situation, but she understood. This matter was not aimed at Meng Die but at Meng Tingyi. It was an attempt to hinder his progress and tarnish his return to the capital. However... Madam Yue stole a glance at Lady Ning, wondering why her eldest sister-in-law seemed off.

Speaking of the recipe, Meng Die also secretly looked at Lady Ning. "What recipe? When I purchased land for growing mushrooms on a large scale, I never intended to keep it a secret. If they want to learn, let them. The fundamentals of cultivating mushrooms aren't easily acquired. To be honest, giving them the recipe would be pointless; they're probably gossiping out of frustration."

Madam Wu immediately laughed. "I see now. They stole the recipe, yet they can't grow mushrooms quietly. All their talking amounts to nothing – they've been busy for nothing."

Meng Die replied, "Exactly! The more they spread rumors, the happier I am. It shows that they're still bitter inside."

Madams Wu and Fang burst into laughter, while Madam Yue chuckled along. "You cunning little one, you truly don't lose out in any way."

Meng Die: "Of course, one must never suffer a loss, especially when it comes to food!"

Madam Ning's expression visibly improved. "Are you really not affected by the missing ingredient in the recipe?"

Meng Die: "Not at all. They won't be able to find a substitute for white sugar. If they did use it, how much would Enoki mushrooms sell for per pound? Their losses would outweigh any gains."

A hint of a smile finally graced Madam Ning's face. "They deserve it! A bunch of ill-behaved troublemakers. But these rumors aren't good for your reputation, I'm afraid."

Meng Die chuckled. "Mother, I've weathered my fair share of gossip. Do I need to worry about their words? If they exaggerate, the honorables and nobles with their extravagant lifestyles will catch the attention of the Censorate's court officials. Then, I'll simply debate with them in the Hall of Diligent Government. I can always clarify right from wrong."

Madam Yue nodded in agreement. "Indeed, those who stole the recipe but didn't benefit might not be the most worried. Perhaps it's the Censorate officials who rely on their tongues for a living. After all, our Miss Butterfly doesn't hold back with her words."

"Haha…" The room erupted in laughter.

Madam Yue had guessed correctly. The entire Censorate was indeed shrouded in gloom. When the Left and Right Censors heard the rumors spreading in the capital, they exchanged uneasy glances. It was reasonable to impeach the aristocrats for their extravagance, but the main figure this time was that shrew, Lady Meng. That was a tricky situation.

Her tongue was no pushover. They couldn't risk impeaching her only to provoke her wrath, ending up being scolded by her. That would be too great a loss. Just look at the Ministry of Finance – a lesson from the past. Everyone there was still striving to shed pounds.

Should they not impeach? The Left and Right Censors looked at each other and sighed in unison. This was part of their duty as censors. If they didn't impeach Lady Meng now, how could they impeach other noble lords in the future? Others would surely mock them for being bullies who feared the strong.

To suggest that the Left and Right Censors feared Meng Die would be a fabrication, but to claim they were entirely unbothered by her was equally absurd. The main issue was that they lacked concrete evidence. Without proof, impeaching someone would merely result in their defense and the matter would be settled. However, with no evidence against Meng Die, given her sharp tongue, the two middle-aged Censors, with a combined age of eighty, exchanged glances once more and sighed in unison.

Unbeknownst to them, the other Censors in the Supervisory Office were already contemplating how to find an excuse to take leave in the coming days. They couldn't risk being ordered to impeach Lady Meng, as they didn't wish to end up like Inspector Zhang, confined to his home for half a month.

The phrase "the wisdom of the sages has been wasted" had become a common jest in the capital. Recalling this, the Censors felt a sense of unease and began drafting their excuses for leave in their minds – it was imperative that they took time off.