Chapter 84

Chapter 84

The lake within the Princess's residence was vast, with several black-curtained boats that could be used to leisurely sail on its surface. While such a sight was common in the Huaihai region, it was quite rare in the capital, where most households did not possess such a large body of water. Hence, the young ladies were all thrilled, and Meng Die was initially excited as well.

But then, there was no 'then'. It turned out that this was Meng Die's first time on a boat, and she discovered that she had a tendency to get seasick – perhaps even a bit hydrophobic. As she sat on the swaying small boat, gazing at the shimmering water, she succumbed to dizziness.

Taking a sip of tea with a slightly bitter taste, savoring its aftertaste, Meng Die made sure that nobody noticed her seasickness.

With the chilly autumn wind blowing, the boat ride was brief. Meng Die leaned on Lu Wei's arm as they disembarked. Lu Wei raised an eyebrow, but Meng Die gently shook her head.

Splash! The sound of water echoed as Guo Jia Yin's skirt was unexpectedly drenched by an unknown source. She froze in surprise.

"Ha ha..." A clear, childish giggle rang out, and a flushed figure emerged from the low reeds.

"You dare to splash me!" Guo Jia Yin reached to tickle the little one's armpit, causing the child to burst into laughter. With a chubby hand, the youngster splashed water in all directions.

This time, several young girls were caught in the crossfire. Perhaps due to their young age or the joy of boating, they took this as an opportunity to engage in a playful water fight, splashing each other back and forth.

The initial mischief-maker clapped her hands and laughed heartily. Guo Jia Yin retaliated with water, but the plump little girl proved agile, quickly hiding behind Li Lang. Guo Jia Yin's splash ended up landing on the hem of Li Lang's skirt instead.

Li Lang was not one to back down and promptly responded in kind.

Meng Die: "Off we go, off we go."

By the time the Grand Princess arrived, she could hardly contain her mixed emotions as she saw these young maidens with wet skirts. "Each and every one of you is so mischievous. Quickly, change your clothes."

The little plump girl, being the culprit, received a pinch on her cheek from the Grand Princess. "You're the naughtiest. Aren't you cold?"

"I'm not cold."

Princess Grand, upon touching the chubby girl's hand, was surprised to find it still warm despite their playful water antics. Looking down, she noticed that the little one was quite wet, except for her surprisingly clean shoes. "You're not cold, but go change your clothes anyway."

All the young girls went to change, with no shortage of spare outfits – they, of such high status, always carried at least two sets of clothes when stepping out.

Meng Die engaged in casual conversation with a few ladies who had avoided the water fight. She noticed an elderly nanny approach Princess Grand, followed by a smile on the princess's face. Meng Die knew then that Li Lang was safe.

A child of only three or four years old, how could the household of a princess allow her to hide alone in a reed bed? No matter how much a common family doted on their child, they would never let them wander out of sight for a moment, especially near water – how perilous that could be. If the child had truly sneaked off without anyone around, the servants in charge might as well have been punished severely.

It seemed the child genuinely wanted to play, so Princess Grand dressed her warmly and discreetly arranged for someone to follow, also observing the conduct of the young girls during their boisterous play – one's true character often reveals itself in such moments.

While Li Lang was absorbed in her playful antics, she noticed the plump girl about to step on the damp bank. Swiftly, she reached out to pull her back, and during their water fights with the other young ladies, they had all been careful to splash only at the hems of dresses, areas of lesser importance.

Most women wore makeup, so how could they afford to get wet? Anyone who splashed water onto someone's face could be seen as ill-intentioned, if not utterly insensitive. Cold often crept in from the soles of one's feet, and despite the layers worn in late autumn, wet shoes would inevitably lead to chills. Thus, avoiding splashing water on their feet showed consideration.

After the young ladies had redressed and fixed their hair, their bonds grew closer. They chattered merrily, admired the chrysanthemums once more, and the princess even invited them for dinner. Only then did they bid each other farewell and climb into their respective carriages.

Upon returning to the Marquis Yongyi's residence, Meng Die hurried to the eastern annex. Madam Ning and Wen were both present. Seeing Meng Die's cheerful demeanor, both women heaved a sigh of relief.

Madam Ning couldn't wait to ask, "How did it go?"

Meng Die smiled and replied, "We had great fun, and His Highness was also very pleased. In fact, he even invited us to stay for dinner."

Madam Ning let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank heavens. I hope everything proceeds smoothly."

The next morning, when paying respects to Lady Hou, Madam Wu couldn't help but inquire, "Dear Butterfly, were the chrysanthemums lovely yesterday? I've heard that many of the varieties in Princess Changping's garden are new breeds cultivated from the imperial palace."

Meng Die chuckled. "Aunt Wu has really caught me there. To be honest, all those flowers and blooms look alike to me. People rave about one being as graceful as a fairy on water, another resembling an elegant recluse, but I truly can't see or appreciate the difference."

Madam Wu responded, "Surely you found some particularly attractive."

Meng Die: "Indeed, there is such a thing, but others don't seem to like it much. They say it's vulgar."

Wu: "Vulgar?"

Meng Die speaks with conviction: "Yes, I simply adore the vibrant colors."

Wu wears an expression of disbelief, while Fang and Zhou can't help but chuckle.

Jin, unable to hold back, comments: "You've described a beautiful flower in such a peculiar way. Now I have no desire to see it at all."

Meng Xiao looked at her and said, "So what would you call it? Overdone with bright reds and greens? Gaudy and showy?"

Wen Shi waved her handkerchief dismissively. "Stop right there. If you keep going, I'll lose all desire to appreciate flowers for the rest of my life."

The crowd laughed.

After returning from the main house, Meng Die went to her room for breakfast, surprised by the noodles on the table.

Xing Huang set out her utensils. "These are cold noodles. You cook them in boiling water, then rinse them with more water after they're cooked. It's quite a simple preparation. Second Grandma hasn't had much of an appetite lately. I find this quite refreshing, but I'm not sure if it suits her taste."

Meng Die examined the variety of sauces and asked, "Which one goes well with the noodles?"

Xing Huang chuckled. "This is Li'er's favorite noodle dish. She says the egg and scallion flavor is the best. I agree after trying it myself."

Meng Die responded, "Then I'll give the scallion one a try too."

With one bite, Meng Die's eyes lit up. The unique aroma of wheat from the noodles combined with the distinct scent of scallions burst in her mouth. The noodles, moistened by the broth, were exceptionally refreshing. Before she knew it, Meng Die had devoured the entire large bowl.

After rinsing her mouth, she exhaled deeply. "Back when I was studying, I read about how nature favors grains above all else, but I didn't truly understand it then. Now I can appreciate the depth of that statement. This wheat fragrance is truly delightful. Usually, when we mix noodles with chicken or bone broths, the richness overshadows this lovely aroma – what a waste. Our ancient forebears were indeed wise; they didn't speak falsely."

Xing Huang smiled and said, "I felt the same way while eating. I never imagined that the aroma of malt could be so appetizing."

Meng Die: "We'll have this again tonight, but let me try preparing some different sauces and braised dishes. Oh, by the way, both Elder Sister-in-law and Younger Sister-in-law have been complaining about the dry heat making it hard for them to eat. Let's send two bowls over to Grandma Da and Grandma Hui next door, as well as some to the young ladies' quarters. The cooking might be too simple, so we won't bother the elders."

Xing Huang nodded repeatedly. "I understand. I'll prepare a few more varieties of sauces and braised dishes for the evening."

Meng Die finished her meal and soon led her entourage to the Jingcu Pavilion. To her surprise, the servants of the Marquis household were incredibly efficient; within just two days, they had managed to gather comprehensive information about that courtesan.

Grandma Xia replied, "To Second Lady, we've investigated the background of that courtesan. She wasn't a flower girl from a capital's pleasure house, but rather brought back by that wealthy merchant from Yangzhou. In the residence, she didn't behave properly, and the merchant's interest in her was fleeting. Thus, she was expelled by the lady of the house. She was given a sum of silver, with which she purchased a small shop in the capital to sell fragrant oil."

Moreover, apart from corresponding with the head of Xiaowang Village, she also has several intimate connections. One is a junior steward from the Marquis of Yongsu's residence, another from the household of the Left Vice Minister of Punishments, and yet another is a young servant from the Minister of Rites' estate. There are others, but their identities have not been ascertained as of yet.

Upon hearing this, Wen and Jin showed clear disdain on their faces. Meng Die, on the contrary, laughed. "You seem to be quite occupied. Perhaps you're a master of time management."

Jin: "What is a master of time management?"

Meng Die: "Think about it, with all the people she's interacting with, she can't possibly let them run into each other, right? Doesn't she have to schedule their visits to her accordingly? She's essentially a master of time management."

Lady Jin chuckled. "Your explanation does fit rather well. After all, she did come from a courtesan's background—she's indeed restless. Which lady of the household could tolerate such behavior?"

Meng Die inquired further, "Which merchant is this? Does he hold any prestige in the capital?"

Grandma Xia replied, "He's a high-ranking manager from the Yang family's trading house and a member of their main family. He specifically oversees their fur trade with Mongolia."

Meng Die raised an eyebrow. "If he deals in furs, why would he go to Yangzhou? There wouldn't be much demand for furs there, would there?"

Grandma Xia paused, her eyes clouded with confusion. "I didn't inquire about that. If Second Lady wishes to know, I'll send someone to investigate immediately."

Meng Die nodded. "Yes, do look into it thoroughly. How did a fur trader end up in Yangzhou and bring back a courtesan?"

Nanny Xia: "Yes."

Wen Shi turned to Meng Die and observed, "You seem particularly invested in this matter?"

Meng Die smiled. "I can't quite explain it, but I have a hunch that there's more to this than meets the eye. This courtesan seems to associate only with servants, insignificant figures, but upon closer thought, these minor characters can sometimes play significant roles."

Wen Shi pondered her words. "They have an intimate understanding of the household affairs."

Jin Shi also had an epiphany. "To hold positions like small courtyard head or manager, one must have connections within the estate."

Wen Shi turned to Xia Momo. "This matter must be thoroughly investigated with every detail accounted for."

Xia Momo replied, "Yes, Madam."

After the duties were assigned in the Jingci Pavilion, that evening, Wen Shi, Jia Shi, and the young misses received cold noodles from Meng Die. This simple dish was usually not served on the tables of the masters, but since it came from Meng Die, the servants prominently displayed the bowls. Everyone gave it a try out of respect, and upon tasting, they found it quite enjoyable.

In the late autumn, the dryness often caused internal heat, and this refreshing, straightforward food received universal praise.

The next morning, during the customary greetings, Wu Shi's eldest daughter, Li Zan, said, "Second Sister-in-law, your cold noodles are really delicious. I haven't had much appetite these past few nights, but last night I devoured a large bowl."

Li Yu also nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's delicious."

Lady Hou was curious. "What are these 'crossing the water' noodles?"

Meng Die chuckled. "It's originally a dish for servants, rather roughly prepared. But it's quite refreshing and soothing to the palate. I enjoyed it, so I sent some to everyone."

Wu said, "Then why didn't I get any?"

Meng Die covered her mouth and smiled. "It's too rough, I thought Aunty might not be accustomed to its taste."

Madam Hou: "It doesn't have to be fancy, just something filling will do. I'll have the same for dinner tonight."

Madam Ning chuckled. "I'll give it a try as well."

With that settled, the quick-witted servant hurried to the kitchen to instruct Mu Wufu's family.

Mu Wufu's wife was in charge of the kitchen. Upon hearing the news, she inquired further about the situation and soon came up with a plan. Addressing the four reputable cooks in the room, she said, "Due to the departure of Xiao Wang Village Head's wife, we're currently in need of a pastry chef. We were still deliberating on who to choose, but now it seems serendipitous. What do you think of Lady Wu, Li'er's sister-in-law, as a candidate?"

The four women exchanged glances. In any household, working in the kitchen was considered a desirable position. With Xiao Wang Village Head's wife gone, they had all been vying to secure the spot for their own trusted relatives these past few days.

A woman commented, "I believe it's feasible. Yesterday, Miss Li'er brought her sister-in-law over and prepared a bowl of cold noodles for Miss Xing Huang. Her technique of kneading the dough seemed quite proficient."

Another woman added, "After Miss Xing Huang tasted them, she said they were firm and cooked to perfection. In the morning, she made a bowl for Second Madam, and in the evening, she prepared a large pot, intending to send it to the ladies and young misses. This shows that our mistresses have approved of her skills."

The other two women also nodded in agreement. Although they had their own calculations, with Mu Wufu's family already voicing their approval and the mistresses' endorsement, they wouldn't object. Any opposition would be futile and might only lead to unnecessary conflicts.

Mu Wufu's family was content. "Very well, since everyone is in agreement, I'll inform her right away. She can start preparing and come work here this evening."

After settling matters in the kitchen, Mu Wufu's family turned around and hurried to the Wu residence.

Upon her arrival, numerous people immediately approached to greet her. "Sister-in-law, how wonderful to see you here today! What brings you over?"

Mu Youfu responded with a warm smile, "I have some business to attend to."

Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, she made her way to the Wu family. The Wu family had been informed of her visit, and Madam Zhao, accompanied by her daughter-in-law, came out to welcome her. "Oh, Sister Mu, which way did the wind blow you here? Please, come in and take a seat."

Mu Youfu replied, "I won't be sitting for long. I still have matters to attend to in the kitchen. Actually, that's why I'm here. Our kitchen is currently in need of a pastry chef, and I recall that Madam Wu is currently available and skilled in making pastries. I thought perhaps she could lend us a hand and fill the position. Would you be willing?"

Madam Zhao's eyes sparkled with excitement, almost blinding with delight. "Yes, yes, we would be more than willing! Thank you so much, Sister Mu. This is truly wonderful."

Mrs. Mu Youfu chuckled. "No need for thanks. It's mainly because she's skilled. You should tidy up and head over to start work soon."

Wu Nainai nodded repeatedly. "Alright, alright, I'll get ready and go right away."

Mrs. Mu Youfu said, "Then I'll take my leave first."

Madam Zhao offered, "Sister, come in and have a cup of tea before you go."

Mrs. Mu Youfu waved her hand. "No need, the masters haven't had their breakfast yet. I should keep an eye on things."

Madam Zhao and Lady Wu bid farewell to Mu Youfu's family as they left. Upon returning to the courtyard, Wu Miao and Wu Zhu had already come out. Wu Zhu's face lit up with joy. "You're really going to help in the kitchen?"

Madam Zhao chuckled. "How could that be false? Sister Mu came personally to inform us."

Wu Zhu rubbed his hands together in excitement and said to his wife, "The kitchen provides meals, so your going there means one less mouth to feed at home. Besides, I've heard that they often distribute scraps, which are still valuable items. Perhaps our family's diet can improve as well."

Madam Zhao nodded repeatedly. "In the past, when you were always working on these noodles, I wondered why you bothered. Now I see that having a skill like this is essential."

Lady Wu also wore a smile in her eyes. "Our Li'er girl is truly thoughtful. If not for her noticing that Second Grandma couldn't eat and recommending me for these cold noodles, pleasing the masters, the kitchen would never have thought of me."

Wu Miao also emerged from the room, "Indeed, our Li'er is clever. She found such a great opportunity."

Madam Zhao commented, "Speaking of Li'er, she has truly made a name for herself. The other day when she returned, she was wearing a butterfly hairpin... oh! It was strung with pearls, each the size of a soybean and perfectly round. Just that one hairpin could probably sustain our entire family's expenses for half a year."

Wife Wu added, "Everyone in the mansion knows that Second Lady is generous. If you complete your tasks well, there will be rewards. Yesterday, I cooked two meals of noodles, and Miss Xing Huang gave me a string of coins as a reward."

Madam Zhao's face lit up with joy, "For Li'er to serve by such an esteemed lady's side, she's truly fortunate. No wonder people said she had an auspicious appearance since she was young."

Second Servant girl came out of the room with a cold snort, "No matter how fortunate she is, she's still a servant. If she were really blessed enough to become a concubine, then she'd truly live a life of gold and silver, enjoying the finest delicacies!"

Lady Zhao shot her a withering glance. "Off with you, don't indulge in impractical fantasies."

Wu Nainai harrumphed softly before entering her quarters to tidy up. Once ready, she headed to the kitchen to begin her duties.

That very evening, the Marquis Yongyi's household received a bowl of refreshing cold noodles. Having grown accustomed to rich and greasy meals, the delicate, watery noodles were a delightful change, soothing their palates and reducing their internal heat. As a result, they found themselves consuming more of their usual fare than they initially intended.

When Meng Die returned from the Jingcu Pavilion, Fan Hong and Nurse Fan were waiting for her in the courtyard.

Fan Hong spoke first, "Second Aunt, the Ministry of Finance has informed us that the grain convoy will depart in three days."

On an ordinary day, Meng Die wasn't surprised at all. "Have you prepared everything?"

Fan Hong replied, "Yes, everything is ready except for the strong alcohol. I've double-checked all items to make sure there are no issues."

Meng Die said, "Take the strong alcohol with you. When you get there, remind your Second Master not to drink it. It's highly concentrated and could severely burn his throat. Also, fetch a few pounds of sweet potato seeds from Headman Wang's place and bring them along. Xing Huang, pack some of our saved watermelon seeds for Manager Fan as well."

"Okay," Xing Huang added. "Many people requested food from Sister Lu Wei. I've prepared them and they're stored at Headman Wang's. I've labeled each item with their names, so don't mix them up when you deliver them."

Manager Fan chuckled. "I've seen those items and have arranged for them to be placed separately on two carriages."

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Arrange for a few reliable people to take the distillation equipment to the manor for temporary storage. When the imperial prohibition on brewing alcohol is lifted, you can have them purchase wine and then distill it."

Fan Hong replied, "Yes, I will."

Nanny Fan said, "Second Lady, the furnace has been forged."

Meng Die's eyes sparkled instantly. "Really? Perfect. After the distilling vessels are taken out, place the furnace there. All expenses can be covered by obtaining funds from Manager Rong's account." Iron was a valuable commodity, and such a large iron furnace would be worth a considerable sum of silver.

Nanny Fan smiled, pursing her lips. "Second Lady, the skilled craftsman didn't ask for a single coin, not even the cost of the iron. He said it was his way of expressing gratitude to Second Lady for allowing him to sell the furnace in the future."

Meng Die raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Is he really that certain someone will order his stove?"

Aunt Fan beamed with exceptional pride. "Who in the entire capital doesn't know that Second Lady is a reincarnation of the God of Wealth? Whatever you set your eyes on turns to gold. Remember the wooden frames we ordered from the carpenter for the jute landscape supports? His shop is now one of the most renowned carpentry establishments in the city."

Meng Die laughed heartily. "Since the old craftsman has such faith in me, I can't let him down. I'll have to create delicious dishes soon so he can recoup his investment."

Aunt Fan said, "I'm looking forward to trying those tasty treats you mentioned, Second Lady."

Xing Huang quickly chimed in, "Me too! That cream was unbearable. It's hard to imagine what could possibly taste good made from it."

Meng Die spoke with utmost confidence, "Just wait and see."

Fan Hong's actions were swift. He swiftly enlisted assistance to carefully dismantle and remove the distillation apparatus. It took quite some effort to bring in Meng Die's custom-built oven, along with a substantial amount of firewood.

Such a significant commotion naturally did not escape the notice of the Marquis's residence, but given Meng Die's penchant for intrigue, most were more intrigued than alarmed, curious as to what purpose such a massive iron furnace could possibly serve.

Upon the completion of the oven installation, Meng Die inspected it meticulously and was highly satisfied. The oven was equipped with several removable partitions, allowing for a significant increase in the quantity of bread that could be baked at once. If those partitions were taken out, the stove could also be used to make hanging pancakes.

In the world of her dreams, there were numerous occasions when Meng Die would rise early to go to school and treat herself to a hanging oven biscuit on the way, accompanied by a bowl of doufu nao – it was sheer bliss. Unfortunately, in the Great Yi Dynasty, perhaps due to the high cost of iron, such a delicacy as hanging oven biscuits was nowhere to be found.

Meng Die, after inspecting the stove thoroughly, promptly instructed, "Mei'er, take some people to clean the stove thoroughly, then light a small amount of firewood to test if the heat distributes evenly across all compartments."

"Alright."

Meng Die continued, addressing Mama Fan, "Arrange for someone to fetch fresh cow and goat milk from the manor, more goat milk than cow's milk, a large chunk of butter, two hundred catties of wheat flour, and three hundred eggs. Xing Huang, how much sugar do we have left?"

"There's still half a jar left."

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Let's get a hundred catties of sugar for now."

Xing Huang's eyes widened in astonishment. "Second Aunt, are you planning to bathe in syrup? Why so much sugar?"

Xue Qing playfully nudged Xing Huang, unable to hold back her laughter.

Meng Die chided with a smile. "Out of the mouths of dogs only nonsense flows, you really know how to talk rubbish."

Xing Huang giggled uncontrollably.

Meng Die added, "When fetching the items, grab something else as well to divert attention, so no one suspects what we're really up to."

Nanny Fan paused, smiling as she nodded. "I understand."