Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Meng Die listened to the report given by Nurse Fan and nodded in satisfaction. "Han has finally received her due punishment. When will Shi Huanli undergo the palace punishment?"

Nurse Fan replied, "As soon as they were taken in, the punishment was carried out. This case was personally approved by His Majesty, so the palace servants dared not delay; they acted promptly."

Meng Die asked, "Is he dead?"

Nurse Fan answered, "Of course not. Empress Dowager specifically ordered a renowned imperial physician to be on standby. She even mentioned that it's a life, after all, and no medicine should be spared. Rumor has it that when he first regained consciousness, he seemed somewhat deranged. The physician managed to restore his health, but he attempted suicide several times, only to be stopped each time by the eunuchs sent by the Empress Dowager."

Meng Die chuckled. "Where is he now?"

Aunt Fan also laughed. "He's been sent to clean the privies."

Meng Die replied, "Life in those menial roles within the palace can be harsh. Beatings and insults are daily occurrences. Many who accidentally offend or are unlucky enough to be assigned there often contemplate suicide. You'd better find a way to pull some strings and keep an eye on him. We can't let him die so easily; that would only benefit him for nothing."

The smile on Aunt Fan's face widened. "Second Lady, rest assured. Empress Dowager has already specifically assigned several elderly eunuchs to supervise him. She said if he doesn't endure the hard labor as atonement, then all County Princess's efforts would be in vain."

"Haha..." Meng Die burst into laughter. It seemed that the Empress Dowager also despised Shi Huanli to the core, wanting him to suffer but not die, to live with torment.

When Meng Die had her fill of laughter, she asked, "What about the rest of the Cui family? What's Aunt Three thinking?"

Fanny's smile faded, revealing a hint of disdain. "That old hag from the Cui family, when Madam Third paid them their final visit in prison, she actually asked Madam Third to beg the old marquis to intercede with His Majesty on their behalf..."

Xing Huang exploded, "How dare she think so highly of herself?"

Fanny replied, "Who knows how she could even utter such words. Madam Third shot her down immediately. She said that Mother always taught me that a daughter, once married, is like water poured out, and that a daughter's family is no longer her home but merely an extended family. She shouldn't meddle in her family's affairs, for she has no right to do so. I've kept Mother's words close to my heart all these years and have never dared to forget them. Now, what happens to you all naturally has nothing to do with me; being able to see you one last time is already the limit of our familial ties."

Meng Die couldn't help but chuckle. It was a typical response from her Aunt Three. Compared to her hot-tempered Aunt Two, Aunt Three seemed quiet most of the time, but in reality, she had a sharp tongue.

Nanny Fan: "Cui Family's Eldest Master's wife has been taken back by her own family, along with their pair of children. He also has three concubine-born offspring. Madam Third has purchased a small manor and a few acres of land in a neighboring county near the capital. She has arranged for two loyal servants to look after them."

Meng Die: "I recall that Aunt Third had a legitimate younger brother and sister, right? It was her sister who informed Grandmama Cui about her intention to take advantage of me. They must be quite old now, aren't they?"

Nanny Fan nodded: "Madam Third sought permission from our Lady to bring them back into the household. Second Master Cui is already nineteen this year. He passed his provincial examinations early and has a good character, which is worlds apart from his elder brother. Unfortunately, Old Madam Cui has high expectations, so he hasn't been betrothed yet. It might be difficult to do so now, but he is still a man, and a delay of two years is acceptable. As for Madam Third's sister, she is almost seventeen and hasn't been promised to anyone yet. With the current situation at home, who knows what will happen in the future?"

Meng Die waved her hand dismissively. "What's there to worry about? As long as she can stand on her own feet, adversity is only temporary. Her future will eventually improve." She toyed with a slip of paper adorned with lavender. "I never expected this lavender-adorned paper to play such a significant role."

Xing Huang: "In previous years, the paper always featured peaches, magnolias, orchids, and the like. This is my first time seeing lavender printed on it too."

Meihong: "I first learned about lavender because of the dried lavender Second Master sent. Before that, I had never even heard of it."

Nanny Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "Whoever first mentioned that lavender is popular this year must have had a loose tongue. They said that Second Master specially went to Princess Yuanyou's garden to find lavender for Second Lady because she couldn't sleep well in the summer. Nowadays, in the capital, people consider lavender-embroidered paper signs as a symbol of a loving couple."

Meng Die felt numb. She and Li Ai had never even met; how could they be considered a loving couple? If only those people had some brains!

Xing Huang and the other two giggled quietly.

Nanny Fan took out a red piece of paper from her sleeve. "According to our capital's custom, when a new house is built, relatives, friends, and neighbors are invited to a housewarming party. When I asked Second Lady last time, she said it was just a workshop, so no need for a housewarming. Instead, we should treat all the bricklayers to a meal as thanks for their hard work and to make things lively. Even so, I still picked two auspicious days for the feast based on the estimated completion date, consulting a master. It's up to Second Lady to decide which day to choose."

Meng Die received the red paper with a face full of delight. "It's almost finished? So soon?"

Looking at Meng Die's changing expression like a Sichuan opera mask, Ama Fan chuckled, her shoulders shaking. "Second Lady is willing to spend the money; how could the work not progress quickly?"

Meng Die glanced at the dates on the red paper. One was the twenty-sixth of June. It was an auspicious day known as Kai Ri in the twelve-day cycle, and it fell on Xin Metal Day in the Ding Wei month. "Let's settle on the twenty-sixth of June. On that day, the fire of Ding will illuminate the pearl. And don't just hire masons; invite them in the morning, and in the evening, treat all the female workers. Don't be stingy with the silver. Go to Manager Rong's place for more funds, and while you're there, order some bread from the Thirteen Merchants' Guild, one for each person."

"Aye."

Meng Die passed the red paper to Hulu. "Tell Lu Wei when you return, Ama, and ask her to continue recruiting people right away. Xing Huang, go assist Lu Wei."

"Very well."

Blissful days always seem to pass swiftly. In the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month. Thirteen merchant houses each sent respected managers to celebrate the occasion. Knowing that Meng Die wouldn't accept monetary gifts, they brought loaves of bread instead. Manager Rong personally thanked each of them.

At the auspicious hour predicted by the feng shui master, firecrackers exploded simultaneously at the factory, accompanied by the lively drumming and gong-playing of lion dancers. Fan Hong had even invited three opera troupes to perform on a stage in rotation, singing about prosperity and the blessings of the God of Wealth to the poor. The crowd surrounding the area swelled into layers, brimming with excitement.

After the bricklayers finished their meals in the morning, they left with full stomachs, holding their wages and the uneaten loaves of bread to return home. Fan's nanny, who had hired extra helpers beforehand, immediately entered to clear the empty dishes, preparing for the next round. As Meng Die was accustomed to generosity, Fan Hong and his nanny followed her habit. Today's feast included meat in every dish, and whatever was left had been taken by the guests.

In the afternoon, the factory again filled with smoke from cooking fires. Amidst the lively singing, Lu Wei led the working women to the site. Under many envious gazes, they entered the factory and found seats. The helpers began serving the dishes, which, apart from the main meat courses, also contained vegetarian options with a touch of meat, bringing joy to the faces of these women. Like before, they saved the bread to share with their elders and children, contemplating that if they worked hard here, they would occasionally be able to afford such bread in the future.

Meng Die's textile factory launched amidst great fanfare and public attention, becoming a popular topic of conversation in the capital for quite some time.

The first floor of the factory was divided equally between the silk reeling and dyeing departments, while all the weavers were situated on the second floor, which was better illuminated.

Initially, Master Dashi and his apprentice planned to prepare the dyes at their rural estate, but they later found it inconvenient to transport the dyes daily into the city. After consulting with Meng Die, Fan Hong proposed constructing a large courtyard near the factory. This compound was divided into two separate yards, both with brick and tile houses, allocated for the families of Master Dashi and his apprentice. The dye preparation area was situated at the back, and once ready, the dyes would be delivered to the factory at fixed times by young men, with elderly women receiving them – ensuring no gossiping opportunities arose.

Male and female workers were strictly separated, and the delivery of the dyes was carried out by young lads, while the aged grannies were responsible for receiving them. The high walls surrounding the factory were adorned with roses and thorny elms, discouraging any ill-intentioned climbers with their prickles.

In the spacious and well-lit workshop, the female workers were all beaming with joy. Most of them lived in the West District, so the proximity of their workplace to their homes saved them a great deal of travel time, allowing them to sleep a little longer each day.

Nonetheless, their excitement paled in comparison to that of Head Wang. The moment the women left, he nearly leaped for joy and immediately began arranging for a pond to be dug without any rest. This year's fish fry were unusually abundant, and the ponds in the village had become insufficient.

However, Head Wang's digging pace couldn't keep up with the rapid growth of the fish fry. Gazing at the young fish in the pond, he clutched his chest in reluctance and dispatched someone to send a message to Meng Die. Should the extra fish fry be released into the river or turned into dried fish?

Upon hearing Nurse Fan's report, Meng Die fell silent for a while. It was the first time she had a profound understanding of Head Wang's stinginess. To make dried fish, they would need to be at least finger-length, but how big were these fry? If they could reach the length of a small finger segment, it would already be considered good.

Meihong expressed her confusion, "To be honest, overly frugal people usually develop such habits from having experienced too many hard times. I remember Head Wang has been in charge for quite some time; he shouldn't have been living in poverty all along, right?" The Meng family wasn't known for mistreating their servants.

Nanny Fan chuckled. "Ah, he was simply repaying a kindness. His mother fell ill with postpartum complications after giving birth to him. His father, due to poverty, went into the mountains to gather herbs but unfortunately encountered a fierce beast. He barely managed to escape and passed away in the middle of the night, while his mother, already ailing, soon followed. In the countryside, children like Wang Headman, who lost their parents before they were even a month old, are often labeled as inauspicious stars that harm their relatives. Most are abandoned to fend for themselves.

"Fortunately, his two uncles took him in without any complaint, and their wives also helped by breastfeeding him in rotation. Even the other clansmen didn't look down on him. With their families being poor, there wasn't enough milk for everyone, so the village women would feed him whenever they could. As he grew older, he relied on the generosity of many households for food."

"Later, when the village suffered a disaster, Wang Headman sold himself for a few ounces of silver to help his fellow clansmen. With his diligence, willingness to work hard, and honest nature, he quickly gained the favor of his master and became the headman. However, he always thought about how his people back home were struggling. The land there was too barren, and every household had trouble getting enough food. So, he often saved his monthly stipend and rice rations to send back to his hometown. That's why he's considered thrifty."

Hulu commented, "From what you say, Lady Wang is also kind-hearted. They say women shouldn't overly support their natal families, but men shouldn't neglect their clans either. If she had been someone with a narrower heart, the couple would've surely quarreled frequently."

Nanny Fan nodded vigorously. "Indeed, that's true. Lady Wang has a genuine kind heart. The clansmen of Wang Headman also knew this. One year, when Lady Wang fell ill and needed a rare medicine, which was produced about 20-30 miles away from their clan's land, they immediately organized all the able-bodied villagers to go and fetch it." Wiping her eyes, she sighed. "Ah, they're all people with difficult lives."

Meng Die: "What about Headman Wang's current clan members?"

Aunt Fan: "They're much better off now. When Second Lady acquired a large manor for farming, Headman Wang consulted the clan. Apart from a few elderly who cling to their ancestral land, most of the young and strong have brought their families to work for Second Lady. Our rent is low, and they're diligent, so their lives have improved significantly. Not long ago, Madam Wang even mentioned that Headman Wang has made progress; now he can occasionally afford to buy some meat for a treat."

"Haha..."

Meng Die's eyes curved with amusement: "If I were to suggest directly that he release excess fish fry into the river, it would probably keep him up for nights worrying. Mu Qing, go next door and see if First Lady has any spare time. If she does, I'll visit her later."

"Aye."

Meng Die then addressed Nanny Fan, "Today, you should also visit my grandmother's home and inquire if there's a suitable place for fish breeding in our newly acquired large estate."

"Very well, I'll do that right away."

No sooner had Nanny Fan left than Wen Shi arrived with her entourage. Meng Die hurried to greet her, supporting her gently. "Why have you come? Be careful, please."

Wen Shi smiled. "This is my third time, you know. Do you still think I'm as fragile as a porcelain doll? Besides, walking around regularly will make the delivery easier when the time comes."

Meng Die surrendered. "Alright, I can't argue with you."

Wen Si took Meng Die's hand and slowly sat down. "What brings you to me?"

Meng Die replied, "This year, my manor's pond has seen an abundance of fish fry. It would be a shame to let them go to waste by releasing them back into the river. I was wondering if our two large manors have any suitable places for fish farming?"

Speaking of this, Wen Si's smile broadened. "Neither of the two large manors has a major river; they both only have four or five small streams that suffice for irrigation. There are also large ponds, which were initially used solely for water storage. When we joined forces to deal with those managers, you mentioned that we no longer needed to buy lotus leaves, as we could use the lotus pond in our estate. I took note of that. Later, when I had the chance, I instructed my people to plant lotuses in the manor's ponds. Over the years, the lotus flowers, leaves, seeds, and rhizomes have brought in considerable income. If you have fish fry, they'd be perfect for the lotus pond. I've heard that fish feed on lotus leaves."

Meng Die nodded. "Yes, they do eat lotus leaves, flowers, and other aquatic plants. I'll instruct them to send the fish fry to the manor tomorrow."

Wen Si agreed. "Alright, I'll make arrangements later to inform the manor about it. If we successfully raise many fish, we might be able to enjoy fresh fish during the New Year celebration while saving a substantial amount of money."

Meng Die nods. Being an inland city, the capital doesn't have a highly developed water system, making it difficult to catch fish fry. Thus, the prices of fresh and large fish remain consistently high, not just in the capital but throughout the entire Great Yi dynasty. It's no wonder everyone yearns for the fertile lands by the riverside.

Wen Shi glances at the table. "Why are you looking at accounts now?" Generally, manors in the capital review their books in winter, while shops do so at the start of each month. Today is mid-month.

Meng Die rubs her forehead. "You know about my factory, right? With weavers, silk spinners, and dyers, there are nearly ten thousand female workers. They're all paid every ten days, and each person's wage differs slightly, leading to a multitude of accounts to manage."

Wen Shi frowns. "It's unrealistic for you to check the accounts daily. How about changing their pay cycle to once a month?"

Meng Die shakes her head. "Many families rely on these wages to buy rice and flour. A month is too long."

Wen: "But that won't do either."

Meng Die smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I only look at them when I have spare time, to help alleviate the pressure on Lu Wei and the others. Besides, they're also recruiting new staff, but you know how it is with accounting – one must be thoroughly informed before hiring anyone. It might take some time before everything runs smoothly."

Wen nodded and engaged in some casual conversation before taking her leave.

The Meng family quickly informed Meng Die that the grand manor bestowed by the emperor also had rivers and ponds. This year, Lady Hu had instructed her people to plant lotus flowers, making it an ideal time to raise fish.

Huang, the head of the manor, was delighted upon receiving this news. He promptly arranged with Jiang, the other head, to send fish fry to both sides. After distributing one-fifth of the surplus, they were left with four-fifths of the original number.

Meng Die inquired about Lady Hou, Lady Ning, as well as Madams Zhou and Fang, whose families all had manors in the outskirts of the capital, naturally providing ample space for fish farming. They eagerly requested numerous fry, leaving only two-fifths of the original stock. Meng Die then allocated some to the British Marquis House, the family of Jin, and Li Jin. Although the Chen family didn't hold a noble title, they were still the family of an imperial prince, thus owning manors in the outskirts of the city. The Yao and Wen families, however, lacked such properties and had to abstain.

With less than one-fifth of the fish fry remaining, Meng Die instructed Headman Wang to distribute them among their friendly neighbors as a form of simple advertisement for her fish breeding endeavor.

Three days later, Amber came to summon Meng Die: "Is Second Lady free at the moment? Lady First has invited you."

Meng Die seemed momentarily lost in thought before she replied, "I'll be there shortly."

"Alright."

Meihong dismissed Amber, and Xing Huang eagerly spoke up, "I thought Amber was sent to the manor? Has she returned?"

Meng Die replied, "Amber has been with Eldest Sister-in-law since she was young, serving as her maid during the marriage. How could she stay in the manor all the time?"

Meihong helped Meng Die tidy up a bit, then Meng Die, accompanied by Hulu, went next door to visit.

Upon entering the room, Meng Die asked with a smile, "Did you specifically send someone to call me over because there's something to discuss?"

Wen Shi also wore a pleasant smile on her face, "Indeed, there's a matter I wish to discuss with you. I'm hoping to ask for your assistance with a task."

Meng Die was perplexed.

Wen Shi pointed to the coral beside her and said, "I was thinking of finding a job for her. How about letting her help you manage some of the accounts in your workshop?"

Meng Die's eyes widened, sparkling with surprise. "How, how could that be? Coral is your personal maid. If she were to go with me..."

Wen Si interrupted Meng Die forcefully: "Just say if you're truly delighted or not in your heart."

The curve of Meng Die's lips simply refused to subside. "I would be more than delighted, indeed. Coral is a master at managing accounts. If she were to join them, Lu Wei and the others would probably be spinning with joy inside their chambers."

Lady Wen broke into laughter. "I didn't send her over just to help you temporarily. I was thinking of having her stay with you all the time."

Meng Die immediately wiped away her smile and waved Hulu away. Coral and the others also took their leave. Meng Die continued, "Now it's just the two of us in this room, so let me be frank. Nurse Xia and Nurse Chi are getting older by the year. As the eldest daughter-in-law in the household, you'll definitely need someone by your side to take over their duties in the future. I know Coral is a stable person, and she's also skilled at managing accounts. She's an invaluable aide."

Lady Wen's smile faded. "I understand what you're saying, and I've thought long and hard about sending her to you. Not only her, but I'm also considering entrusting Ruixue to your care."

Meng Die grew anxious. "That would be too much."

Lady Wen held onto Meng Die's hand. "Let's not exchange polite words. Listen to my thoughts. Tell me, is it beneath Ruixue's or Coral's abilities to manage the household affairs?"

Meng Die fell silent. In her eyes, Ruixue possessed the acumen of a chief accountant, while Coral might not quite reach that level but would surely excel as a finance minister. Both were truly wasted in the confines of the household.

Wen Shi confided, "Let me be honest with you. Sometimes I envy your position, but I'm aware that I lack both your abilities and courage. Now, with Xi Ge and Can Jie by my side," she gently stroked her barely visible pregnancy, "and this one on the way, I willingly embrace my role within these walls. But willingness aside, who wouldn't yearn for a broader horizon?"

"I've known Ruixue and Coral since they were young, treating them like my own sisters. If there was no opportunity, so be it. But now that a chance has presented itself, why should I hold them back from the vast possibilities before them?"

Meng Die lowered her gaze. "Your words sound lovely, but I understand that entrusting them to me would be a tremendous help to me."

Wen Shi covered her mouth, smiling but not refuting. Her initial intention was indeed to assist Meng Die.

Meng Die: "So, do they want to be released or stay?" Meng Die paused, still concerned. "Eldest Sister, what about your household staff?"

Wen Shi lowered her voice. "For Younger Sister Ba's marriage, Grandfather was angered into a faint, and since then his energy hasn't been the same. You know our family isn't as harmonious and peaceful as an aristocratic household. My father had to put in effort to suppress the others. Nowadays, he makes most of the decisions at home. With less of those chaotic matters, we have more than enough manpower."

Meng Die exhaled deeply, finally putting her mind at ease.

Wen Shi pondered. "Coral's husband is serving your elder brother, so he can't leave. It wouldn't look good to release Coral either, so she'll still be considered part of the household. Ruixue isn't married yet, so she can be released."

Meng Die: "Alright, I'll take care of her registration and other formalities beforehand, allowing her to establish her own household."

Wen: "Very well."

The matter was settled. Coral went over to lend a hand first. Ruixue was the head maid in charge of everything in Wen's household. Handing over her responsibilities wouldn't be easy; she had to ensure everything was in order so as not to leave a mess for her successor. Fortunately, Amber had returned. Apart from her love for alcohol, she was capable of handling domestic affairs without any issues.

There was also Song, who Wen had recalled from the countryside. As the eldest daughter-in-law of Mother Xia, she had been the head maid by Madam Wen's side when they were still at the Wen family residence. She was more than qualified to serve as Wen's personal governess overseeing the estate.

As for Mother Xia, she had previously instigated a conflict between Wen and Meng Die for the sake of her second son. Wen had sent her to the countryside. After witnessing the outcome of the Jia family, her once-dazzled heart had cleared up. However, her second son remained unrepentant and often bothered her for money. Afraid of causing trouble for Wen, Mother Xia refused to return. This time, she agreed to take on the role of her eldest daughter-in-law.

With everything arranged swiftly by Wen, Ruixue took over the general ledger at Meng Die's factory, much to Lu Wei and the others' relief.