Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Madam Wu couldn't help but remark, "Eldest Sister is truly blessed. The moment Elder Brother-in-Law reported his achievements, he immediately requested an appropriate title for her."

Lady Hou was even happier. "When I think of them, I still see the image of the two of them playing with mud when they were young. In the blink of an eye, not only have they grown up, but they've also made a name for themselves."

The others paid their compliments, and the conversation soon shifted to Jin Shi. Li Hui had already decided that she would go to the Lingnan region to defend the border. They would set off after the Lantern Festival. Jin Shi would accompany her, but the couple would not travel together. Li Hui had imperial orders to fulfill and needed to make haste, while Jin Shi was concerned about Nuan Jie's adaptability and would take a more leisurely route, enjoying scenic spots along the way.

Madam Ning advised, "The Lingnan area is humid and hot, with many snakes, insects, and rodents. You must bring ample mosquito repellent this time. Prepare several sachets of fragrant herbs for Hui'er."

Wen: "I've heard that they use sulfur to disinfect outer garments. You might want to try that too, as it repels snakes, insects, and rodents."

Jin diligently noted this down.

Meng Die: "When my family first arrived in Ganzhou, many of us struggled with the change in climate. You should be cautious on your journey and avoid drinking untreated water, even for your servants. If you find it difficult to adjust, start by consuming local vegetables and fruits. That will help you gradually acclimate to the new environment."

Jin replied, "Okay, I'll remember all of that."

Meng Die: "I've heard that the lychees in Lingnan are exceptionally delicious, even better than those from Fujian. When you get there, do try to send me some, if you can."

Wen Shi teased Meng Die with a smile, "Considering you're the elder sister-in-law, you should be providing some gifts and support for your younger sister-in-law when she's traveling far. Yet, you still have the nerve to ask for something."

Meng Die shot back undaunted, "Give things? You, as the eldest sister-in-law, are more than enough. Let me tell you, on a long journey, it's easy to lose one's appetite. At such times, adding some seafood to the dishes or soup can surely stimulate the taste buds."

Wen Shi replied, "Oh, so you're using my things to gain favor!" She raised her hand as if to strike Meng Die.

Meng Die swiftly darted away, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Jin Shi laughed so hard that she had to clutch her stomach.

Amidst the jests and chatter, they returned to Meng Die's quarters. Meng Die stretched lazily, disregarding her posture. Meihong promptly helped her remove her jewelry and take off her thick clothes.

Meng Die lounged lazily on the couch, finally feeling at ease. "Hulu, I noticed that Third Madam seemed rather listless today. Has something happened?"

Hulu glanced out the window before coming closer to Meng Die and lowering her voice. "Our Third Madam isn't the original Third Madam."

"Oh?" Meng Die was confused. Was this some sort of tongue twister or a ghost story? Did it involve demons and ghosts taking human form?

Hulu continued, "Our Marquis Yongyi's household is in an alliance with the Minister of Revenue's left vice-minister's family. Our side is represented by Third Master, while their initial agreement was for the eldest daughter of the main wife. Or rather, Vice-Minister Yao had his eye on the eldest daughter from the main branch. But the eldest branch disapproved of our Third Master, who is a concubine's son, so they refused to give him their eldest daughter. That's when Vice-Minister Yao switched to betroth the eldest daughter from the second son's family instead."

Meng Die softly scoffed. "It doesn't matter who came through the door, whoever they are, they become the Third Madam of this household."

Hulu: "I share the same thought."

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Since it can be altered, it suggests that the two maidens from the vice-governors' households are likely of similar age and have reached marriageable years. Which family is the other match?"

Hulu cast a glance at Meng Die, who responded with a questioning look.

Hulu: "It's the legitimate grandson of the Minister of War, the third son from the eldest branch, Cheng Sanlang." !!!!

Meng Die was dumbfounded. The name Chun Liu rang loudly in her mind. Immediately, she recalled what Yao had said when inquiring about her – that she had an elder cousin who married into the family of the Minister of War's left vice-governor. It all fit together now, and it was truly hard to comment on!

This passage actually clarifies one matter: it seems that the main family's disdain for Li Peng is not solely because he is of common birth, or perhaps that is only a part of it. The deeper reason might be that Li Peng has not yet passed the military imperial examination to become a military scholar, and is currently only a military juren, without a formal position. On the other hand, Cheng Sanlang has already passed the military imperial examination and has been granted a formal duty.

Meng Die took a while to regain her composure. "If that's the case, Third Madam shouldn't be in such a poor state. It seems to me that she has a thick layer of makeup on, and there appears to be an injury on her face?"

Hulu wore an expression of inexpressible thoughts, hesitating to speak yet longing to share.

Meihong interjected, "The matter of the spy has been whispered about. The spy gleaned information from that noble's lips, and I've heard that his position is no longer secure."

Meng Die acknowledged with a soft "Mm," just as her grandfather had said to her.

Meihong: "Miss Yao from Minister Yao's residence is still very young, and last year she gave birth to a girl. Naturally, she wouldn't want to be bound to that situation."

Meng Die nods, acknowledging that this is a common human sentiment.

Hulu takes over the conversation: "I've heard that the eldest branch of Minister Yao's family wishes to marry this young lady to our Third Master as a secondary wife. They speak of the idea of sisters serving one husband, emulating the story of Empress Ehuang and Lady Nüying, claiming it would be a beautiful tale. They even hint that since our Third Madam has yet to conceive, their daughter would surely bear children, with sons who would be more filial than those born to other concubines. No matter how mild-mannered Third Madam's parents are, they couldn't tolerate such remarks. Third Madam was furious, and thus a feud erupted between the two branches. The commotion was so great that it couldn't be concealed, and now everyone knows about it."

(⊙o⊙)...

Meng Die's face is frozen in disbelief. This is not an easy situation to comment on. After a long while, she manages to say, "What a mess this is!"

No matter how absurd the situation was, it had no direct connection to Meng Die, and she couldn't intervene – in fact, it was better if she pretended not to know.

After the fifth day of the new year, when the God of Wealth was welcomed, the poor in the capital began their new year's struggles, while the wealthy started socializing and networking, hosting gatherings one day and attending others the next. Today you meet new faces, and tomorrow they might lend a helping hand or offer convenience in some matters.

In the dead of night on the tenth day of the first month, Meng Die jolted awake from her sleep. She thought she heard yelling. Focusing her ears, she picked up the sound of Hulu moving about outside: "Hulu, what's going on?"

Hulu entered the room with a candle, placing it on the table before lifting the bed curtains on one side. "Second Madam, Grandma Zhao just said that something happened next door. Third Master, who went out to visit friends today, returned late and decided to rest in Xia Ri's usual room. Unbeknownst to him, a maid tried to climb into his bed."

Meng Die's pupils dilated in shock.

Hulu wore an evident frown on her face.

Meng Die looked at her questioningly. "What's wrong?"

Hulu took a deep breath. "It was Li'er's younger sister, Er Ya, now known as Bistao, who climbed into bed. She was kicked off the bed by Third Master and still had the audacity to beg Third Madam for mercy, suggesting that Third Madam could follow the principle of 'abandon the mother, keep the child.'"

Meng Die realized that in just this one month, she had been shocked more times than in the past twenty years. These people's thought processes were beyond her comprehension. "Enough, I understand now."

With a troubled expression, Hulu asked, "Will Second Madam's actions bring trouble to Li'er's family?"

Meng Die: "Why do you ask?"

Hulu lowers her voice: "In our household, someone once tried to seduce Fifth Master. Eventually, the entire family was sent away. But I've also heard that they were all in on it together, though I can't verify the truth."

Meng Die smiles: "Li'er works at my factory, so she's definitely not involved in this. It won't affect her. As for her family, it depends on whether or not they were aware. If they weren't, then it's unrelated to them."

Hulu's face brightens again: "That's good to hear."

Meng Die lies back down, but finds it difficult to sleep soundly that night. In her dream, she is surrounded by unfamiliar flowers and trees that seem to follow her wherever she goes. After careful examination, Meng Die recognizes them all as rare and peculiar species.

The following morning in the Jingmei Pavilion, Meng Die noticed that Lady Yao's complexion was visibly poor, indicating she hadn't slept well the previous night. Taking the initiative, Meng Die asked, "I heard some commotion from your side late last night. Was there a problem?"

Lady Yao sighed deeply. "Yesterday, my husband went out to meet friends and returned late with the smell of alcohol on him. He didn't want to disturb my rest, so he went to sleep in Xia summer's bedroom. Unbeknownst to him, one of the maids attempted to take advantage of his drunken state."

Meng Die inquired, "Did you deal with the matter?"

Lady Yao shook her head. "I initially planned to sell her far away, but when I saw how young she is, I hesitated. It's heartbreaking to separate someone so young from their family."

Meng Die understood. By saying this, Lady Yao had already investigated and confirmed that Bi Tao acted alone, without involvement from Li'er's family. Lady Yao wasn't hesitant due to the separation itself, but rather because Bi Tao was Li'er's sister, and she was worried about creating tension. "That's where you're wrong. Sister-in-law, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you're too soft-hearted. For someone so young to have the audacity to do such a thing, imagine what she might attempt when she's older? A person like her should be sold far away to prevent future incidents."

Wen Shi also chimed in, "Your second sister-in-law speaks the truth. If you let her off easily, wouldn't that only encourage such behavior?"

A smile graced Yao Shi's face. "Many thanks for the guidance from both my sisters-in-law. I understand now."

Upon returning to her chambers from the Jingcu Pavilion, Meng Die couldn't help but sigh.

Xing Huang looked at Meng Die in confusion. "Second Lady, why are you sighing? Didn't you say it has nothing to do with Li'er's family?"

Meng Die waved her hand. Her sigh was for Yao Shi, such a capable and straightforward person, yet because she had not conceived, anyone could step on her.

If Yao Hongyan were to bear a child, her uncle's wife and their whole family would never make such repulsive demands. As for this Bitao, it is likely that she would not have the audacity to climb into bed. Fortunately, Li Peng is a good person, who directly kicked the person out of bed. However, if Li Peng had the slightest infidelity, the Yao family would have to swallow this loss, and even her own family would not stand up for her to seek justice.

Meng Die gestured to Hulu and whispered, "What did the physician say about Third Aunt next door?"

Hulu also spoke in a hushed tone: "The physician mentioned that Third Lady has an ailment in her lower abdomen. They prescribed the Chengze Pill from the Thousand Gold Formula."

Meng Die nods in agreement. She can only nod, for in the world of her dreams, with its advanced medical techniques and developed medicine, infertility remains a perplexing issue. She is powerless to assist in this matter; she can only hope that Madam Yao does not fall into bitterness and melancholy because of it. Otherwise, constant emotional suppression would make conception even more challenging.

On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the emperor personally took up his imperial pen to adjudicate two cases, one of which involved spies. The spies, naturally, did not escape unscathed; no mercy was shown, and all were eliminated. Those who had come into contact with the spies but were found innocent were released. However, those who were discovered to have divulged information were severely punished, their sentences exacerbated.

Cheng Kang, the legitimate grandson of the Minister of War's left vice-secretary, had once been in charge of transporting provisions two years prior. Due to his position, he was aware that the Ministry of Finance had issued an IOU to the front-line troops. Spring Willow coaxed this information out of him and conveyed it to the battlefield.

Upon learning that the frontline troops were short on provisions, particularly the fodder for horses, the enemy nation swiftly devised a plan. They set fire to the areas surrounding Aksu several times, preemptively destroying all the vegetation.

Were it not for Marquis Yongwei having promptly gathered fodder from elsewhere, countless warhorses might have perished from starvation.

Not to mention divulging this information to spies, merely the act of revealing that the Ministry of Finance had issued IOUs would be considered a grave offense, as it pertains to critical military intelligence. Not only was Cheng Kang sentenced to death, but also the officer who initially disclosed the information to him faced the same fate.

Vice Minister Cheng was implicated by his grandson, but due to the fact that he was a grandson and not a son, the emperor only reprimanded him severely without demoting him. Cheng Kang's biological father, who originally held a third-rank military title, was now demoted to a fourth-rank position and gained a reputation for failing to discipline his child properly. The Cheng family suffered significant losses.

The second case involved Count Yongping, and it would be judged according to the initial agreement. Then an imperial edict was issued to Zhou Jue, ordering him to inherit his title.

Following Meng Tingyi's suggestion, Zhou Jue promptly submitted a memorial, expressing his gratitude in essence. He mentioned that despite the disgraceful descendant in the Zhou family, the Emperor still showed favor out of old affection, punishing only the culprit while bestowing a title upon him. Overwhelmed with emotion, he thanked the Emperor for his boundless grace. However, acknowledging his lack of literary and martial prowess, he felt unworthy of the title and thus intended to return to his hometown... and so on.

Meng Die heard about this and chuckled. She was certain Zhou Jue didn't possess such literary talent; he must have had someone else write it for him.

Regardless of whether Zhou Jue had sought help, the Emperor was delighted by the memorial. His dislike for the Zhou family as a whole significantly subsided.

He summoned Zhou Jue for an audience, discovering that the young man genuinely had no desire to inherit the title, not just putting on an act of humility. The last trace of resentment towards the Zhou family vanished. He now thought that as descendants of a founding hero, it was only natural that one wayward descendant wouldn't ruin their entire reputation. Indeed, the rest of the family seemed commendable.

The other party was so resolute that the emperor didn't force the issue and approved Zhou Jue's request to resign, allowing him to return to his hometown. To compensate him, he granted an extra sum of silver every year to Zhou Jue and his eldest legitimate son. In essence, this was the annual stipend equivalent to an earl and his heir, though without an actual title, they could not receive official ranks. The emperor also bestowed a large estate in Zhou Jue's hometown as a substitute for the rank of a lady with an official title.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Zhou Jue felt ecstatic. He truly admired and respected Meng Tingyi, and at the same time, he felt a sense of pride in his own judgment—indeed, he had chosen the right person. Haha, he had excellent taste!

In the capital, people were buzzing with discussions about these two cases. Meng Die lay on her soft couch, half-asleep, feeling unusually drowsy this spring. For the first time, she found herself with no other interests besides staying in bed. Even the important task of compiling books failed to arouse her enthusiasm several times.

"Second Lady, First Lady is here."

Meng Die opened her eyes and yawned. "My sister-in-law is here?" Startled, Meng Die hastily got up. Wen Shi's pregnancy was particularly demanding; she dared not eat much each day, yet her belly continued to grow, causing great concern among everyone in the household.

"Why? Not expecting me?" Wen Shi entered slowly, supporting her lower back.

Meng Die hurried over to assist her. "If you were feeling bored, you could've just sent someone to fetch me. There was no need for you to make this trip yourself."

Wen Shi replied, "The physician said that it's better for me to walk around frequently than to lie in bed all day. I'm supposed to do some light exercise each day anyway."

Meng Die felt somewhat relieved. "I see. Is there something specific that brought you here at this hour, Sister-in-law?"

Wen Shi sat down gradually, and Meng Die promptly placed a cushion behind her to support her back. Once she was settled, Wen Shi asked, "Do you truly consider me as part of the family?"

Meng Die was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean?" Wen sneered. "You've been searching for tidal flats for years. Why didn't you mention it? If not for Lu Wei accidentally letting it slip the other day and telling Ruixue, who then informed me, I'd still be in the dark."

Meng Die pretended to understand, teasing Wen. "Oh, I see. I thought you gave me Ruixue to help me, but it turns out you sent a spy instead."

Wen covered her mouth, giggling secretly. "You have the nerve to accuse me of sending a spy. If I hadn't, you would've kept it from me, wouldn't you?"

After exchanging a few playful remarks, Wen got down to business. "I have a tidal flat in Zijiang. Though not extensive, it's still usable. If you need it, just tell me directly. There's no need for all this effort and trouble."

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Eldest Sister, I won't hide this from you. You're aware that last year I added many fish fry to our ponds." Noticing Wen's nod, Meng Die continued, "Did it ever occur to you who might have had such good fortune to catch so many fry?"

Wen replied, "To be honest, I did wonder, but then I thought, where else could they have come from? If it was luck, perhaps the heavens rewarded you for establishing the nursery."

Meng Die chuckled. "Good fortune like that doesn't just happen. When I bought this estate, I indeed did so because of the river, but not solely for the sake of enjoying fresh fish. I wanted to study how to encourage fish to spawn in our ponds."

Wen's eyes widened. "My goodness, you were researching that! So last year's abundance of fry means your research was successful? Oh my, that truly is—Ah!" Wen was all too familiar with the struggle of having no fish fry.

Meng Die nodded. "Yes, it was successful. The year before last, we had a small batch of fry, which we kept and raised ourselves. Last year, there was an explosive growth. Our pond couldn't accommodate them all, so we distributed them among everyone."

Wen Shi realized, "No wonder you could afford such long, one-foot-long fish when Third Sister-in-law moved in. Are you also developing something on your tidal flats?"

Meng Die nodded repeatedly. "Yes, I am developing something. But as you saw, it took several years from when I bought the estate to successfully breeding the fish fry. Developing something on the tidal flats might be even more challenging than that. How could I have the heart to occupy your land all this time and hinder its potential?"

Wen Shi countered, "That's not the right way to think. Even if you're researching fish fry at your estate, does that mean the mountainous area has no potential? Have you earned less from raising sheep or silkworms? Can you possibly utilize the entire tidal flat for your research?"

Meng Die was left speechless.

Wen Shi huffed coldly, "It seems you don't consider me family."

Meng Die quickly apologized with a smile, "Oh my dear sister-in-law, I was wrong, I misunderstood."

Wen Shi replied, "You know you're wrong?"

Meng Die acknowledged, "Yes, I know. This time, I won't be courteous with Sister-in-law anymore. Please trouble yourself to show me the map of your marshland so I can choose a spot."

Wen Shi chuckled, "You! I'll send it to you later."

"Alright."

Not long after Wen Shi left, her newly appointed maid Hong Liang brought over the map of the tidal flats that had come with her dowry. She mentioned that the map was far less detailed than the world maps in Meng Die's dreams, only outlining the general shape of the area and indicating where certain features were roughly located.

Meng Die studied the map, recalling the environmental requirements for cultivating seaweed.

"Second Aunt, Sister Qianceng is here," announced the maid.

Meng Die put down the map as Qianceng entered, lifting the curtain. "Second Aunt, Grandmama sent me to invite you to pay her a visit."

"Very well, I'll go immediately," Meng Die stood up.

Thousand Layers returned with news, while Meihong and Hulu assisted Meng Die in tidying her hair and attire. Meng Die then proceeded to the main chamber accompanied by Hulu.

As they walked along the corridor leading to the main chamber, Meng Die caught sight of a figure with their back turned, resembling Madam Zhou. Recalling Madam Zhou's recent frail appearance, she let out a gentle sigh.

Upon entering the chamber, Meng Die noticed that all the servants were outside. Thousand Layers volunteered, "Grandmama is in the warm pavilion."

Hulu, perceptive as always, waited patiently outside.

Meng Die entered the warm pavilion alone, addressing her grandmother, "Grandmother, I'm here."

Lady Hou returned to the present, "Come in, take a seat." Seeing Meng Die sit down, she sighed deeply, "There's something I need to discuss with you."

Meng Die: "Grandmother, what is it?"

Lady Hou paused for a moment, "Your third aunt came to see me just now."

Meng Die hesitated, confirming her suspicion that she hadn't been mistaken earlier – it was indeed Madam Zhou.

Lady Hou continued, "You're aware of the situation in her family. She's actually one of the better-off ones, and you understand this without my needing to elaborate."

Meng Die, of course, understood the situation. A married woman's life was greatly affected by the decline of her natal family, with various outcomes depending on the circumstances. For someone like Madam Zhou, whose husband's family had a good reputation, she would not be mistreated. Even if she were to encounter an unscrupulous family, it wouldn't be too much of an issue. At her age, she cared more about her sons than her birth family or even her husband. As long as her son had some ability, she could still lead a comfortable life. If her son was completely incapable, that would be a different matter.

Then there were those who were married off at a younger age than Madam Zhou and still had growing sons. In such cases, their husbands' attitudes mattered significantly. Since they had been married for several years and had children, unless they were in a particularly heartless family, they would not be treated too harshly for the sake of the children.

The most difficult situation was for newlywed women. If their natal families collapsed, unless they were fortunate enough to be in a compassionate household, their lives would be akin to drowning in bitterness. This was still better than encountering ruthless people, where being dismissed or even dying in the inner courtyard might leave them without anyone to advocate for them.

Meng Die let out a deep sigh. Life was hard for women.

Lady Hou said, "Your third aunt mentioned that her niece is longing to see her family. She wishes to ask for permission to visit. But she is currently pregnant and finds it inconvenient to travel."

Meng Die was taken aback, but she understood why Lady Marquis had sought her out for a discussion. Rumors among the servants had once suggested that Li Ai was the pillar of the Marquis Yongyi household, bringing more honor to Lady Ning than anyone else. These words might have been intended to provoke Amber, but they also held a grain of truth.

The Marquis Yongyi's residence was now thriving, and much of its prestige could be attributed to Li Ai. As the male heir, even if he were not physically present, no one would refute the claim that he was the backbone of the family. A smaller yet significant portion of the family's reputation was owed to Meng Die. In this world, it was not easy for women to earn respect. Coincidentally, Meng Die and Li Ai were lawfully wedded spouses. In short, the future of the marquis household rested on their shoulders.

When Madam Zhou went to visit her niece, it was not merely a visit; she was there to offer support. What did Madam Zhou possess? Forget about herself, even Third Master had only attained the rank of a fifth-grade official. The backing Madam Zhou provided came from the influence of the Marquis household, and that prestige was earned by Li Ai and Meng Die.

With Li Ai absent, Meng Die, as one of the key figures involved and his wife, naturally became the person Lady Marquis needed to consult.