Chapter 79

Chapter 79

When Lord Wang and Manager Rong left, Xing Huang burst into laughter. "I could laugh all day just remembering the expression on Lord Wang's face. Meihong, close your mouth, I can see your little tongue."

Meihong asked, "Second Madam, will this silkworm breeding really work? I've... I've never heard of it before."

Meng Die sipped her tea leisurely. "Well, now you have."

... The maidservants were speechless. Was that what they were trying to say?

Meng Die: "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. The practice of releasing silkworms might sound unreliable, but it was actually done before, as recorded in books. However, it's not an ideal method since there are too many natural predators for the silkworms. You might only retrieve one or two out of a handful, with a high loss rate. Thus, people gradually shifted to raising silkworms indoors."

"I've heard that there are many mulberry forests now, and with so many women on the estate, most of whom aren't in the best health due to the famine, any work they do could be detrimental to their bodies. Not allowing them to work, as Head Wang mentioned, isn't a solution either. Letting them watch over the birds and release the silkworms would give them some work without overexerting themselves. If we can even gather some cocoons, it wouldn't be a loss for us."

Hulu concluded, "Second Lady is truly compassionate."

Xue Qing: "I have seen this oak silkworm silk before. Although it's rather rough and doesn't have a lustrous sheen, it's said to be difficult to dye but quite fluffy and warm. I was thinking, if we could harvest a large amount, using this silk in blankets shouldn't be much worse than the silk from the south."

Meng Die: "There's no need for that. Aren't you currently researching how to weave wool and cashmere into carpets? What do you think about this oak silkworm silk? Could it potentially be made into carpets?"

Xue Qing paused, then abruptly stood up and paced around the room. "Yes, that's right! Mulberry silk could indeed be used for carpets, even more so than mulberry silk!"

Xing Huang inquired, "Why is it more suitable?"

Xue Qing's cheeks flushed with excitement. "Mulberry silk is delicate and not very durable, while tussah silk is coarser and more resistant to wear. Wouldn't it be perfect for making carpets?"

Lu Wei pondered for a moment. "Second Aunt, those foreign merchants have always admired our exquisite silk carpets. If we could truly create beautiful silk carpets from tussah silk, we would surely make a fortune."

Meng Die smiled triumphantly. "I initially thought of blending wool and tussah silk, but hearing you, using tussah silk alone would suffice. That's even better, as pure silk carpets don't absorb moisture and are less prone to insect infestation compared to blended ones. By the way, have all the foreign and maritime merchants arrived this year?"

Lu Wei: "Aren't you, Second Aunt, planning to quit the business of buying and reselling?"

Meng Die: "Who said I'm quitting? Before, I was worried about causing trouble for Mother. Now, with or without me, the troubles don't seem to lessen. In that case, why should I pass up on making a fortune? Who would ever complain about having too much money?"

Lu Wei, Xue Qing, and Xing Huang burst into laughter. Meihong and Hulu didn't understand, but they both kept quiet. They privately asked for an explanation.

Lu Wei didn't hide anything and recounted how, when Meng Die first started earning money, outsiders began seeking her out: "These people couldn't connect with Second Aunt directly, so they found ways to cling to Madam. Second Aunt felt it wasn't proper, and because of the stress and effort, she fell ill. That's why she stopped engaging in these trading activities."

Xue Qing also added, "Now that there's news about Second Master, regardless of whether Second Aunt continues this buying and selling business, those who want to establish connections will still try to do so."

Meihong and Hulu suddenly understood.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 15th day of August, the traditional Moon Festival, a time for unity and togetherness. The Yi dynasty, from the highest ranks to the lowest, placed great importance on this occasion. Despite the severe drought in several provinces, the people of the capital, as long as their lives were not too difficult, still purchased numerous items to celebrate with their families, young and old, in joy and harmony.

The Marquis Yongyi's residence was also adorned early on, exuding an ambiance of joy from top to bottom. The Marquis' Lady, Lady Ning, and Meng Die, all three holding imperial titles, were dressed in their respective title-bearing attire. On such a grand occasion, the palace would undoubtedly bestow rewards.

Sure enough, an imperial envoy was dispatched from the palace. However, the first edict was not the customary reward but a special honorific title for Lady Ning. Li Ai had petitioned for her to receive an imperial decree of ennoblement.

In the Great Yi Dynasty, any official who achieved merit could request an imperial decree to confer upon their wife a title equivalent to their own rank. That's precisely where the saying "to hold an office, ennoble one's wife, and provide for one's children" originates from.

Apart from bestowing titles upon one's wife, the higher one's official rank, the more people they could protect and honor. For example, those at the second class rank or above were not only able to request titles for their wives but also for their mothers. If one were to be granted a noble title, they could even honor their grandmothers.

Li Ai's request for a title for Madam Ning indicated that he had been promoted again, and at the very least, he had reached the second-class rank. At this moment, the imperial eunuch declared clearly, "…Second-Class Lady…"

Madam Ning, who received the title, didn't seem particularly pleased. It was well-known that the higher the rank, the harder it was to advance. Li Ai had jumped from the third class to the second-class rank of vice general, a leap of four levels!

For a military officer to rise so swiftly, there were usually two reasons: either they had made a significant contribution that turned the tide of the war, or they had suffered severe injuries, such as disabilities, on the battlefield, warranting extraordinary rewards from the emperor.

After Madam Ning's commendation, as expected, it was Meng Die's turn. Her own title escalated from Third-Class Lady to Second-Class Lady. This was followed by the customary imperial New Year's and festival gifts.

Once all of that was taken care of, Lin Chu personally assisted Madam Hou to her feet. "Matriarch, congratulations! Commander Li has made great accomplishments on the battlefield this time. His Majesty was so delighted that he repeatedly praised him with the word 'excellent.'"

"The alliance between the three kingdoms was said to have been disrupted, prolonging a war with no clear end in sight. But now, a glimmer of hope has emerged. Marquis Yongwei presented a memorial to the throne, stating that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the campaign might conclude and the troops return home by the third year."

Such is the magnitude of joy and sorrow; one's apprehension can swiftly be supplanted by overwhelming elation. Even Lady Hou, renowned for her composure, lost her usual calm: "Is what you say, Eunuch, truly the case?" Lady Hou paused, laughing at herself, "Look at me, I'm so overjoyed that I've become foolish."

Lin Chu chuckled and said, "Not to mention Madam, even I found it hard to believe when I first heard the news."

Lady Hou beamed with joy, "Please, come this way, Director. Have a cup of tea."

Lin Chu replied, "Of course, I want to bask in the joy as well."

After bidding farewell to the eunuchs who had delivered the imperial edict, the entire Marquis Yongyi residence instantly transformed into a sea of revelry. Servants and attendants came in waves to congratulate Marquis Yongyi, the Marquise, the heir to the marquis title, Lady Ning, and Meng Die.

Upon returning to her courtyard, Lu Wei led the maidservants to offer their felicitations to Meng Die.

Xing Huang couldn't help but ask, "Madam Second, should we start addressing Young Lady as Lady now?"

Lu Wei gave her a sharp glance. "Don't be impudent. You can speak freely at home, but not in such formal settings."

Xing Huang shrunk her neck. It was rare for her to see Lady Lu Wei look at someone so directly with a glare. What was wrong with that address? There was nothing improper about it!

Meng Die smiled and nodded at Lu Wei, highly pleased with her reaction. Madam Hou and Madam Ning had married in due to their husbands' inherited titles, thus they were entitled to the title of Honorary Lady from the moment they entered the household. Calling them Lady was not only natural but also, to some extent, a subtle display of pride, signifying that their family held an inherited title.

Meng Die's situation was different. She hadn't initially possessed such a title, and while it would be reasonable for her to adopt the new address now, she still needed to consider the feelings of the First Household. Though Wen Shi wasn't a petty person, constant reminders of this matter might provoke even the most patient soul.

Putting herself in their shoes, Meng Die knew she wouldn't be as magnanimous. Therefore, this title could never be used within the family.

After the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, various maritime merchants returned home one after another.

Meng Die summoned Mother Fan: "Mother, you and Lu Wei should take your leisure time to visit various maritime merchants. Indulge in food, entertainment, and fun. If you come across anything novel, report it back to me."

"Alright, Miss."

Meng Die then turned to the eager Xing Huang: "Divide your duties and accompany them to broaden your horizons. It's no good being confined to the inner courtyard, only gossiping about others all day. You risk becoming ignorant."

Meihong interjected, "We're not that foolish. During Mid-Autumn Festival, when Lady gave Second Madam that ruby, I knew it was a valuable item."

Meng Die teased, "You have quite the tongue."

Meihong chuckled and handed the jewelry to Meng Die. "Second Lady said I should use this gemstone for something. I thought it was too large to waste on anything else, so I instructed them to create a hairpin with it. Second Lady, take a look."

Meng Die took the ornament from its small box. The Fuwen Peony hairpin was crafted meticulously with golden threads, with a gigantic ruby embedded at the center of the flower. The combination of gold and gemstone shimmered luxuriously, exuding opulence and grandeur. "A gem this size truly deserves to be in a hairpin like this," she remarked.

Meihong's eyes crinkled into a smile. "I couldn't agree more."

With a decision made, Meng Die happily examined the new accessory with her maidens, completely unaware that her action had instantly set the maritime merchants on high alert, all eager to seize the opportunity.

Ordinary household women were usually ignored when they tried to purchase goods from these merchants; their items never lacked buyers. But Fan Nanny and Lu Wei were different.

Since their appearance at the first maritime trader's establishment, all the traders had been vying for their attention, eager to invite them to view their goods. They refused to sell anything to anyone else except for their long-term partners, their eyes fixated on Madam Fan and Lu Wei, observing their interests.

Not only were the major sea merchants watching Meng Die's every move, but also the prominent merchants and influential aristocrats in the capital were keen to see what she would purchase so they could follow suit and make a profit.

After visiting three traders, Lu Wei returned to share her thoughts with Meng Die, her tone filled with amazement. "Remember when we first started, even the smaller-scale Hu Shang traders barely acknowledged us. We could only buy those batches of sea fish because no one else wanted them. Now, with Second Aunt's reputation, these people would gladly display all their goods just for us to take a look. Their enthusiasm, tsk tsk!"

Meng Die chuckled. "Are their current goods much different from two years ago?"

Lu Wei pondered. "There have been changes, but not significant ones. The once-rare mirrors are now more affordable, and there are larger dressing mirrors available. Since the nobles in the capital aren't as fond of perfumes, apart from specialist perfume merchants, others have reduced their stock. However, there's an abundance of pearls, coral, and gemstones, especially plump and round pearls that every sea trader seems to have. There are also many more conch shells, particularly large pieces, both natural and intricately carved. They truly are visually appealing."

Meng Die: "So it's just visually appealing. Is there anything else to it?"

Lu Wei: "The sea merchants also brought back a variety of wines. There's one called red wine, which is colored red, and another called grape wine, though they're quite different from what we have here. Both are extremely rare, with a single bottle being worth a hundred taels."

Meng Die's interest was tepid.

Lu Wei pondered for a moment: "Now that I think about it, there is something I've tasted that's quite peculiar. It's both delicious yet cloying, and though it doesn't quite suit my taste, it has an oddly alluring aroma. It's hard to describe."

Meng Die, intrigued: "What could it be?"

Lu Wei paused, "Oh dear, what was its name again? Xing Huang, you also found it too rich that day. What was the name of that thing we tasted?"

Xing Huang lifted the curtain and entered the room, "Sister Lu Wei, I believe you're referring to cream."

Lu Wei nodded, "Yes, that's the name."

Meng Die's eyes sparkled instantly, "Cream?" The mention of it nearly made her forget that in her dream, she had a great fondness for cream cakes.

Xing Huang continued, "That's the cream. It tastes rather heavy and has an indescribable fishy odor. The texture isn't particularly pleasing either. The only redeeming quality is a hint of milkiness in its flavor, but even that is only tolerable when smelled, truly just for show."

Lu Wei nodded. "This wasn't something that maritime merchants would typically serve their guests. They only brought it along because it's easier to store on cold ships, and they said it helps stave off hunger. Sometimes, they even spread it with butter on steamed buns. The taste!" Lu Wei's face contorted in disgust.

Xing Huang chimed in, "When I saw their servants eating it the other day, I was curious and wanted to try it. But in the end, I couldn't even finish my dinner that night."

Meng Die looked at Xing Huang in disbelief. Eating unsweetened, unwhipped cream was a feat only warriors could accomplish. However, Meng Die was puzzled. "It can be stored for so long?" She remembered from her dream that cream didn't keep well; this stuff was clearly difficult to preserve.

Lu Wei chuckled. "Of course not. They made it fresh when they arrived in the capital. This cream is extracted from milk, and after doing so, the remaining milk is said to be perfect for bathing—neither too greasy nor bad for the skin."

Meng Die was speechless. "To waste like that without fear of divine retribution…"

Lu Wei nodded in deep agreement. "Back when I was still confined to the estate, I didn't realize the severity of the drought. But after stepping out this time, I've seen how many people have been displaced, struggling just to have a full meal. Yet they're still preoccupied with their skin's condition. Second Aunt is right; such extravagance is fearless of heavenly retribution."

That evening, as Meng Die lay in bed, her thoughts drifted to cream cakes. Cream was derived from fresh milk, and her estate currently housed a considerable number of goats, ensuring a daily supply of fresh goat's milk. Sugar was something she now had in abundance. As for eggs, she had initially permitted the unwed girls on the estate to raise chickens in the woods both to supply eggs for her soup business and to provide them with an opportunity to earn money. Thus, eggs were also in no short supply.

Especially with the recent heat, soups and stews aren't selling well. The eggs simply can't be sold off, so Head Wang has even started pickling them.

Meng Die turned over in her thoughts. Flour was not something she lacked, and unknowingly, all the raw materials for making butter cakes were already at hand. With that being the case, why shouldn't she? Most importantly, she had been pondering how to nourish those women's health, and as the saying goes, when one is sleepy, a pillow arrives—this opportunity had presented itself serendipitously.

She's purchasing vast quantities of sheep and cattle to provide the women with goat's and cow's milk. Lord Wang, being a frugal man by nature, would undoubtedly feel it's an unnecessary expense. He's accustomed to saving every penny. Now that goat's milk and cow's milk can generate income, using the cream from them for those women to drink would be most opportune! Besides, cream cakes also fall under agricultural products. If they indeed start making profits, she wouldn't have to worry about envy-driven accusations from others.

Each step was meticulously pondered, and only after ensuring there were no oversights did Meng Die drift into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Meng Die instructed Lu Wei to take Xing Huang out to learn the art of making cream: "Go to Manager Rong's place to fetch some silver and soap as payment for the lessons. Also, pass a message to Headman Wang to purchase as many cows and sheep as possible for milking purposes. If there aren't enough shepherds or cowherds, let him discuss with the existing shepherd to either hire more people or buy them."

Lu Wei hesitated slightly: "Second Lady, many sea merchants know how to make cream. It'll be difficult to keep this recipe a secret."

Meng Die chuckled: "What are you thinking? I have no intention of keeping it confidential. They can teach whoever they wish; we'll just carry on with our own production."

With Meng Die's reassurance, Lu Wei felt confident. She took Xing Huang to seek out a sea merchant, the very one Headman Wang had bought seeds from previously.

It has been heard that the second lady of the Marquis's mansion intends to learn the method of making cream. The young merchant didn't think too much about it; he assumed that Meng Die also wanted to use fresh milk for a bath, a practice quite popular overseas and actually quite popular in the capital as well. However, this behavior is indeed somewhat wasteful. Knowing that the current Emperor does not favor such extravagance, everyone carries out this practice quietly, without making a sound.

Not only did the small-time merchants think this way, but those who kept an eye on Meng Die's moves also shared similar thoughts upon seeing Lu Wei teach her maid this technique. Of course, there were also skeptics who believed that Meng Die must have discovered something unique about the cream, but they weren't entirely convinced. After all, women cherished beauty, and even a shrew couldn't escape this common desire.

Xing Huang learned the technique of making cream and promptly used it with goat's milk upon her return. Upon tasting it, everyone found the flavor so delightful that it spared the need for the entire Qi Xia Courtyard's evening meal.

With a deeply distressed expression, Lu Wei covered her stomach and asked, "Second Grandmama, can this really be transformed into something delicious?"

Xing Huang muttered, "I think it would make a rather excellent poison."

Meng Die was speechless. "What are you talking about! There's no poison. When I make something delicious, don't fight over it then."

The maids looked at each other, their faces clearly conveying disbelief.

Meng Die's expectations were high, but reality was harsh – this was the situation she found herself in. She had thought that with whipped egg yolks, sugar, and flour, she could easily make a cream cake. But when she actually started, she realized there were issues with the proportions, and most crucially, she didn't have an oven. Forget about cream cakes, she couldn't even make a simple cake. She needed to build an oven first.

...

Meng Die dove back into her study. Relying on her limited memories, she spent two days drawing up a blueprint for an oven, which she then handed to Nurse Fan, asking her to find someone to construct it. "Nurse Fan, my drawing isn't very precise. Please find a skilled craftsman with experience and explain the effect I'm aiming for. Then, let him adjust the design as he builds the oven."

Nanny Fan examined the drawing and inquired, "Is this a stove?"

Meng Die yawned. "Let's call it a furnace for now, it's something along those lines. Ask the master craftsman to put in extra effort. Once I create something remarkable with it, I'm sure everyone will want to emulate this furnace. Tell him he can make them for others; there's no need to keep it a secret from me."

"Well,"

Xing Huang watched as Madam Fan departed, stamping her foot in frustration. "Second Lady, those people outside have countless eyes on you. Even if you try to keep the formula secret, it might not stay hidden, and in the end, they would benefit from your lack of discretion for nothing."

Meng Die let out another ungraceful yawn. "It's like cultivating mushrooms. Even if we give them the formula, how does it affect us?"

Xing Huang pondered for a moment and chuckled. "That's true. They wouldn't have beets for mushrooms, nor suitable land for beets. Our manor has truly become a treasure."

Hulu nodded. "Indeed, when I went back home the other day, everyone was talking about it. They said that people in the capital all think Second Aunt's mountainous manor was a steal, a genuine bargain. I've also heard that now, the previously unwanted mountainous manors around the outskirts of the capital have all increased in price. They're not much cheaper than proper good manors. Is it almost time to harvest the beets?"

Xing Huang replied, "Yes, they've already started harvesting them at the manor."

Meng Die's gaze wandered off into the distance. The harvest had indeed begun. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor had dispatched officials from the Ministry of Finance to Ganzhou to oversee the autumn beet harvest. In reality, the emperor wanted detailed data on the beets. He couldn't rely solely on the Meng family's account; he needed to send someone to verify.

"Second Aunt," Meng Die heard Lu Wei whisper while she was lost in thought, "Amber has been sent to the manor by First Aunt."

Meng Die's spirits lifted instantly. "What happened?"

Lu Wei shook her head. "Not a single whisper has come from that side. But Hupo is a heavy drinker with an unguarded tongue. For Lady Wan to react only now is already a lenient treatment for her."

These same words were echoed by Wen Shi to Ruixue. "I've warned Hupo about her drinking habits and the importance of knowing her limits before. But she takes it all in one ear and out the other. Now, she's even daring enough to instigate conflicts and stir up trouble among her superiors. I can no longer tolerate her."

Ruixue secretly glanced at Wen Shi's somber expression. "Lady Wan, Hupo deserves punishment, but I feel that this matter might not be as straightforward as it seems."

Wen Shi was puzzled.

Ruixue deliberated, "Amber has been by Grandmother's side for quite some time now. We're all aware of her straightforward nature and how she often speaks without thinking, which isn't endearing. But she's not one to stir up trouble; she simply doesn't have that kind of mindset. I wonder if someone might have instigated her this time? Knowing her candidness, they could have used it to their advantage."

Wen mused, "That's possible. Ever since the young lady next door received her title from Lady, many hearts in our household have become restless."

Ruixue agreed, "Exactly. These petty people, seeing things improve over there, either cause trouble on our side or speak sourly about them. Now that Lady Hui is about to enter the household, who knows what faces these people will put on."

Wen took a deep breath, "If she was indeed provoked, then it's her own fault. There are more and more affairs in the estate, and her temperament isn't suitable for such an environment. From now on, let her stay on the manor."

Seeing that persuasion was futile, Ruixue could only acquiesce.