Chapter 43: Textile Workshop

Chapter 43: Textile Workshop

Yu Lanyi took the pouch and saw the mandarin ducks with their necks entwined embroidered on it. He was delighted and said, "Qingyin, your embroidery is excellent. I really like it."

Though he couldn't embroider himself, he could still appreciate the skill in Zheng Qingyin's needlework. If this were to be put up for sale, many people would be willing to pay for it. Yu Lanyi genuinely liked it and immediately hung the pouch on his waist.

His waist already had a jade pendant, a jade drop, and a sachet hanging from it. Adding the mandarin duck pouch didn't look out of place; Zheng Qingyin's needlework made the pouch blend in seamlessly.

When Zheng Qingyin was embroidering the pouch at home, he thought about Yu Lanyi being a young master from a noble family, so he chose colors that were grand and elegant. Seeing Yu Lanyi so pleased with the pouch, Zheng Qingyin couldn't help but smile.

"Qingyin, I think your craftsmanship is excellent. What do you want to do later on?" Yu Lanyi asked as he sat down.

Zheng Qingyin hadn't thought much about it. He considered working in a workshop where he could embroider. He didn't like interacting with strangers, so embroidering in his room suited him just fine.

Zheng Qingyin shared this thought with Yu Lanyi.

"Then you don't have to go to a workshop. You can just embroider at home, as much as you want. Once you're done, you can sell them. Don't set a daily quota for yourself; our household is well-off," Yu Lanyi said, patting Zheng Qingyin's shoulder.

Zheng Qingyin sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Yu Lanyi felt like pinching Zheng Qingyin's cheek. He smiled and said, "It's nothing. I just want you to be happy and let your second brother handle the pain and troubles."

Hearing this, Zheng Qingyin smiled faintly. It seemed that his second brother and sister-in-law had a good relationship. His sister-in-law didn't put on any airs of being from a noble family; instead, she was straightforward and very considerate of him.

Zheng Qingyin felt at ease in Xin Feng County. As Yu Lanyi continued to speak, Zheng Qingyin felt reassured.

...

The weather was freezing, and Zheng Shanci was huddled in his office handling official duties. He focused on agricultural development and financial gain. The wealthy families in the city breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Zheng Shanci hadn't made any moves. The new county magistrate was capable, but it seemed he was only after political achievements in Xin Feng County to get promoted. As long as he didn't touch their interests, everything was fine. They didn't mind donating some silver to the county office to support the magistrate's political goals.

The Cheng family owned fifty thousand mu of land in Xin Feng County alone. Since Old Cheng had retired from the position of provincial governor, the Cheng family had seized even more land, reaching one hundred and fifty thousand mu in just a few years. Xin Feng County was already short on land, and the Cheng family alone owned one hundred and fifty thousand mu. They also had countless shops, mountains, and forests. It was no exaggeration to call the Cheng family the richest landowners in Xin Feng County.

The Qi family, the Gao family, and the Xia family engaged in similar practices, forcing commoners to sell their land and turning them into tenant farmers, then continuing to exploit them. These four families together owned two-thirds of the land in Xin Feng County. They also formed marital alliances with the scholars and provincial graduates in the county to gain more political power and solidify their positions.

The relationships were intricate, forming a tangled web in Xin Feng County. Zheng Shanci found it hard to intervene.

After finishing his duties, Zheng Shanci returned home, holding an umbrella as he walked. Seeing Deng Xue, he asked, "Where is your young master?"

"The young master is with Mr. Zheng, embroidering in the young master's room," Deng Xue replied.

Zheng Shanci nodded and went to his room to change out of his official robe before heading out. He thought that Lin Geer had gone to see Zheng Qingyin, so he decided to visit his elder brother first. Zheng Shanci still had Zheng Shancheng's leg problem on his mind.

He knocked on the door of the side room: "Elder brother, are you there? May I come in?"

"Come in, Shanci."

Zheng Shancheng was alone in the room, warming himself by the fire. Seeing Zheng Shanci, he looked pleased and asked, "Do you need something from me?"

"I remember your leg always hurts in the winter. I thought I'd take you to the clinic today to have it checked."

Hearing this, Zheng Shancheng looked at his leg, somewhat uncertain: "Can my leg still be treated?"

"Let's try the clinic first. Even if it can't be cured, we should at least make your winters more comfortable."

He had in mind Dr. Song, who had just arrived in Xin Feng County and had treated Yu Lanyi for acclimatization issues. He asked Wang Fu to invite Dr. Song to their home.

Zheng Shancheng went to the main hall, where Dr. Song arrived with his medicine box, followed by a young apprentice. Lin Geer, who was in Zheng Qingyin's room, got the news and came over.

"Is there still hope for treating Elder Brother's leg?" Lin Geer asked, feeling quite anxious.

"Don't worry, Mr. Yu. Let me take a look at your leg first," Dr. Song said calmly. He examined Zheng Shancheng's leg and asked, "Young Master Zheng, are you feeling any pain?"

Zheng Shancheng described his symptoms.

After a moment, Dr. Song set down his leg and said, "Young Master Zheng, your leg has been neglected for too long. I can't promise a full recovery, but I can ease your pain in the winter. You've taken good care of your leg, and the lower part isn't completely damaged, so there's still hope."

Zheng Shancheng wasn't upset by Dr. Song's diagnosis. After so many years, he had grown accustomed to his condition. Knowing his winters would be less painful was a relief.

"Thank you, doctor."

"No need to thank me, Young Master Zheng." Dr. Song nodded. "I'll go prepare the prescription now."

Lin Geer glanced at Zheng Shancheng, a little disheartened by Dr. Song's words. Still, it was good that Zheng Shancheng's pain could be eased during winter.

"Second brother, I can't thank you enough. My husband's been dealing with this winter pain for years. We couldn't afford a doctor, so we used home remedies or picked herbs ourselves," Lin Geer said.

Last night, she had been wondering how to bring up Zheng Shancheng's leg issue with Zheng Shanci, but today Zheng Shanci had already taken care of it, showing that he truly cared for his brother.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. We'll do whatever we can to help," Zheng Shanci assured her.

Lin Geer smiled.

Dr. Song wrote prescriptions for medicine to take and apply. Wang Fu saw Dr. Song out and ran into Scribe Jiang, who was bringing gifts.

Scribe Jiang didn't ask too many questions. Wang Fu bowed and asked, "What brings you by, Lord Jiang?"

Scribe Jiang smiled, "My wife brought back some hometown treats. I thought I'd bring them over for Lord Zheng."

As Scribe Jiang entered the main hall, he noticed a man who bore a resemblance to Zheng Shanci—this must be Lord Zheng's elder brother.

"Your servant greets Lord Zheng," Scribe Jiang said, keeping his gaze respectful and smiling at Zheng Shanci.

"What brings you by, Lord Jiang?" Zheng Shanci asked, puzzled, thinking something might have happened at the county office.

"My wife brought back some hometown treats, so I thought I'd bring them over for you. I heard your family's here, and sharing some hometown treats would make us happy."

Zheng Shanci couldn't refuse and had the gifts accepted.

Yu Lanyi and Zheng Qingyin were sitting in the room, embroidering. Yu Lanyi had been eager at first, but once he started stitching, he regretted it. He didn't know how to embroider—he hadn't even made his own wedding clothes. Yu Lanyi ended up making a big hole in the fabric.

Bored, he watched Zheng Qingyin, who was focused on his embroidery, looking calm and skilled.

Mr. Yu's first child was a boy, destined to be trained by the Marquis of Changyang, carrying heavy responsibilities with little freedom.

When Yu Lanyi was born, Mr. Yu was thrilled—another boy. He aimed to raise his son to be the most virtuous and accomplished man in the capital.

But Yu Lanyi was nothing like Mr. Yu had hoped. He didn't study the "Book of Men," couldn't embroider, was inattentive in class, and had a domineering, arrogant personality, earning a notorious reputation in the capital. At a young age, he had already become a tyrant in the city.

Zheng Qingyin was the kind of boy Mr. Yu had originally hoped to raise.

Restless, Yu Lanyi stood up and said, "Qingyin, I'll go see how my brother and sister-in-law are doing."

Zheng Qingyin put down his needle and thread, saying, "I'll go with you, sister-in-law."

...

Zheng Shanci and Scribe Jiang had matters to discuss, so they went to the study. Lin Geer said, "Let's return to our room and try soaking your feet with the medicinal powder to see how it works."

"Don't worry about me. We'll try it tonight. Feel better now?" Zheng Shancheng replied.

Lin Geer smiled and said, "Shan Ci is still good to you, his big brother."

Zheng Shancheng was pleased to hear this: "I am his biological elder brother. If he isn't good to me, who else would he be good to?"

Now Zheng Shancheng realized that Zheng Shanci had truly matured, with a good temperament and the ability to handle people well.

Seeing Yu Lanyi and Zheng Qingyin arrive, Lin Geer told them about Zheng Shancheng's leg. Zheng Qingyin's eyes lit up with joy, "If it can make elder brother's legs feel better, it's worth it."

Yu Lanyi said, "When my husband's term is over, we can go to the capital and find better doctors. We can even have my elder brother seek out the royal physicians in the palace."

The capital? Royal physicians?

For common folks like Zheng Shancheng, hearing about the capital and royal physicians was already overwhelming. This was a young master from a marquis's family, and his relatives naturally had such powerful connections.

Lin Geer's mind was racing. Mentioning the capital and royal physicians so casually, he felt like he was in a play. His sister-in-law not only had good looks and a good temper but also came from an excellent background.

What virtue did our Zheng family have to marry such a fine young master? It must be the ancestors' blessings.

"Where is my husband?" Yu Lanyi asked Jin Yun.

Jin Yun, seeing Yu Lanyi's question, covered her mouth and laughed, "The master has gone to the study to talk with Scribe Jiang."

"Oh? Scribe Jiang, the one who once invited my husband to go fishing?" Yu Lanyi vaguely remembered.

"That's right."

Zheng Shanci had asked Scribe Jiang to come to the study to inquire about the scholars and provincial graduates. Scribe Jiang naturally shared everything he knew: "These scholars and provincial graduates, Lord Zheng, you don't need to remember too many. Just remember a few key individuals."

Scribe Jiang slowly explained, "Provincial Graduate Wei, who is also the son-in-law of the Cheng family, teaches at the county school and his prestige in Xinfeng County is second only to Jiaoyu Liu. Provincial Graduate Wu, the son-in-law of the Xia family, works in the county office's revenue department and is the head of the revenue department. Then there's Provincial Graduate Gao, the son-in-law of the Gao family, and Provincial Graduate Tan He, the son-in-law of the Qi family. The remaining scholars are all affiliated with these families, serving them."

Zheng Shanci couldn't help but laugh. Xinfeng County only had five provincial graduates, and these four families had each claimed one.

"What about the fifth provincial graduate?"

Scribe Jiang: "Too old, none of the four families wanted him."

Zheng Shanci: "..."

Zheng Shanci was speechless.

This was akin to the capital's practice of snatching sons-in-law from the exam rankings. Zheng Shanci jotted down the names of these four individuals. Scribe Jiang sipped his tea, thinking Lord Zheng seemed determined to take on these four families.

He cautiously said, "Tan He, the son-in-law of the Qi family, is an honest man working in the public works department. He originally had a fiancé, but after passing the provincial examination, he was noticed by the young master of the Qi family, who was determined to marry him. The fiancé couldn't handle the Qi family's pressure and called off the engagement, leaving Tan He no choice but to marry the Qi family's young master."

Having been in the county office for many years, Scribe Jiang knew the temperaments of these four provincial graduates. Tan He had the gentlest temper but was also the most likely to be taken advantage of. He was not versed in social graces and always kept to himself, maintaining a distant relationship with the Qi family members.

Zheng Shanci jotted down Tan He's name.

Zheng Shanci also talked with Scribe Jiang about putting up notices in the spring when the merchant caravans brought back seeds, encouraging the villagers to plant the crops he desired. With the money earned, they could then repair the roads.

"The roads in Xinfeng County are in awful shape. Although sandy soil isn't suitable for growing grain, some vegetables and medicinal herbs can only grow in sandy soil. The taxes can also be concentrated on these. Fixing the roads will attract merchants, boosting Xinfeng County's trade, and the locals can make some extra cash." Zheng Shanci's words really won Scribe Jiang over.

Scribe Jiang pondered, "If Lord Zheng wants to repair the roads, relying solely on the income from the chili paste and oil pressing workshops won't be enough."

Suddenly, he thought of something and felt a chill down his spine.

The county office was broke, but those families were filthy rich.

Scribe Jiang stayed for dinner and then left. He was still pleased; bringing gifts to Lord Zheng, though modest, showed deep respect, and Lord Zheng treated him even more warmly.

After hearing Scribe Jiang's words, Zheng Shanci couldn't help but think about it. At least one family matter had to be settled after spring to raise the necessary funds. Zheng Shanci was flipping through a book in bed when Yu Lanyi, after washing up, lay down and snatched the book from him.

"Do you have anything planned for tomorrow's day off?"

"I'm going to a literary gathering tomorrow," Zheng Shanci had already planned.

Yu Lanyi was annoyed to hear this. Why does he have to go to some stuffy literary gathering on his day off? The people there talked in such a highbrow way that it made Yu Lanyi's head spin, and it always made him furious. They always sounded so pretentious, and it was just plain boring.

"Can't you skip it?" Yu Lanyi reached out, grabbed Zheng Shanci's face, and shook it hard.

Zheng Shanci felt dizzy.

"I already promised, and I want to check out the scholars and provincial graduates from Xin Feng County," Zheng Shanci explained, grabbing Yu Lanyi's hand.

"You can't be there all day, right? Save half the day for me," Yu Lanyi whined.

"What do you want to do together?" Zheng Shanci figured he'd only go in the morning and leave the afternoon free for Yu Lanyi.

"I want to build a snowman. Back home, my big brother always built snowmen with me," Yu Lanyi said, lightly punching Zheng Shanci. "Don't suggest someone else can join me; I want you to build a snowman with me."

"Alright," Zheng Shanci agreed without hesitation.

Yu Lanyi was finally satisfied. He kissed Zheng Shanci on the lips, and Zheng Shanci, in turn, cupped the back of Yu Lanyi's neck, deepening the kiss until Yu Lanyi was gasping for air before pulling away.

Zheng Shanci leaned in closer. His hands fumbled with Yu Lanyi's belt, and his kisses trailed down to his collarbone.

"Zheng Shanci... it's too cold, I don't want to," Yu Lanyi said, his eyes glistening as he pushed Zheng Shanci's head away.

Zheng Shanci's hair fell loose as he panted, his Adam's apple bobbing.

His voice was rough: "I can't hold back anymore."

Yu Lanyi tilted his head back, and Zheng Shanci's hand slid lower, only to brush against something cold. His mind snapped back to reality.

He had touched a knife on Yu Lanyi's leg.

Zheng Shanci's heart sank.

What couldn't he hold back? He could definitely hold back.

Zheng Shanci patted Yu Lanyi's back and asked, "Why do you have a knife on your leg...?"

Yu Lanyi, still half-asleep, grabbed Zheng Shanci's hand and nuzzled his face against it, mumbling, "That knife? It's to protect myself from you."

Zheng Shanci: "..."

Zheng Shanci felt he should never dare to lay a hand on Yu Lanyi unless he was invincible. Now he could only block. Yu Lanyi had actually brought a knife to protect himself from him? He didn't even wear iron plates under his clothes?!

Seeing Zheng Shanci silent, Yu Lanyi came to his senses and realized what he had said. He hurriedly explained, "I was just afraid you might get too handsy and wanted to protect myself."

Even someone as emotionally stable as Zheng Shanci nearly lost his temper upon hearing this.

"How could I... do such a thing?" How could I dare? Unless I had a death wish.

"Ah, I get it," Yu Lanyi untied the knife from his leg and tossed it to the bedside. "I just got used to carrying it. If you had touched my leg earlier, you would have found it sooner. It's all your fault."

Now it was his fault. Zheng Shanci thought about the delicate sensation his fingers had felt, his gaze wavering.

"Then I..." Zheng Shanci wanted to continue.

Yu Lanyi bundled up the bedding: "It's freezing; I don't want to bathe in this cold."

Zheng Shanci whispered, "Then at least give me a hand."

...

The next morning, Zheng Shanci went to a scholarly meeting, mostly attended by scholars. Since taking office, Zheng Shanci had lost interest in such gatherings, but seeing the scholars passionately debating, he felt somewhat moved.

Deputy Magistrate Qi showed up, bringing along a young, mild-mannered scholar dressed in a flowing robe.

"Lord Zheng, this is my junior, Tan He. He's been toiling away in the engineering office, but he's not much of a talker."

Tan He greeted Zheng Shanci.

"Deputy Magistrate Qi, how can you say that? I see Tan He as steady and promising," Zheng Shanci said politely.

Deputy Magistrate Qi's smile widened as he welcomed Zheng Shanci to sit down.

He was there to meet the scholars and candidates from Xin Feng County. Jiaoyu Liu brought them to meet Zheng Shanci.

"Please sit down, let's just chat, no need to be formal," Zheng Shanci said with a smile.

The scholars and candidates were all young, and Zheng Shanci's gaze fell on an elderly candidate who looked to be in his sixties. Zheng Shanci asked a few questions, and the five candidates answered one by one.

Zheng Shanci smiled and encouraged the scholars and candidates before dismissing them.

There were a few talented individuals among them, and Tan He's knowledge and insight were quite impressive. Zheng Shanci thought for a moment and said, "Deputy Magistrate Qi, I think Tan He is quite good. How about letting him stay by my side for now?"

Deputy Magistrate Qi was naturally very willing, eager to have Tan He spy on Zheng Shanci.

"Lord Zheng, you do us a great honor. Tan He, thank Lord Zheng quickly."

Tan He bowed his head and murmured his thanks to Lord Zheng. He had a gentle and refined appearance, with a tall and slender figure, making him a handsome young man. After greeting the scholars and candidates from Xin Feng County, Zheng Shanci made a prompt exit.

Deputy Magistrate Qi saw Zheng Shanci off and then turned to Tan He, saying, "Keep a close eye on Lord Zheng. If you catch wind of anything, make sure to let me know."

"Understood, father-in-law."

As Zheng Shanci left, Wang Fu handed him his cloak. Snowflakes continued to drift down, though the streets had been swept clean. Noticing the Zheng family's eatery was still bustling, Zheng Shanci asked Wang Fu to buy five grilled sausages to take home for the family to try.

The chili sauce workshop and oil press were real money-makers, and Zheng Shanci also wanted to open a textile workshop. The textile workshop could be run by women and young men, giving them an opportunity to earn money. Given the number of soldiers' widows in Xin Feng County, a textile workshop would help them get by and boost the county's economy.

When folks have cash, they're more likely to splash it, which benefits the development of the county.

Zheng Shanci considered hiring a carpenter. He was at a loss on how to enhance the textile machinery and had no solid plans, so he could only have the carpenter make more looms for the people to weave cloth.

With Tan He now assisting him, Zheng Shanci planned to have him consult with the engineering office the next day.

...

Capital

This year, heavy snowflakes were tumbling down, and Mr. Yu clutched a hot water bottle, the room warmed by a glowing charcoal brazier. He had suffered injuries during Yu Lanyi's birth and was most afraid of the cold in winter.

Mr. Yu said, "This winter's biting cold. Xin Feng County is close to the border, and Lan Yi's just like me, holing up indoors all winter, reluctant to step out."

"We'll see if the young master returns for the New Year. He ought to," said Nanny Cao.

"I want him to come back for the New Year, but then again, it wouldn't be proper for him to spend the New Year at his mother's home in his first year married and living in Xin Feng County. Most importantly, it's been nearly five months since he left, and I'm worried about any accidents on the road. That's what I regret the most."

Marquis of Changyang entered from outside, his expression somewhat grave, and his cloak was hung on the clothes rack by a servant.

Mr. Yu asked, "Has something happened in the imperial court?"

Mr. Yu instructed Nanny Cao to pour a cup of hot tea for Marquis of Changyang.

Marquis of Changyang took a sip of the tea, feeling much warmer in his stomach, and his expression softened: "This year's snow is heavy, and several prefectures are suffering from snow disasters. A few county magistrates failed to handle the situation effectively and were beheaded."

Mr. Yu was startled: "His Majesty has always been merciful. Why did he act so harshly this time?"

"It's because the local officials didn't take this snow disaster seriously and even embezzled the relief funds, causing tens of thousands of people to die of starvation." Marquis of Changyang spoke with disgust about these corrupt officials: "His Majesty has sent Heir Ye to transport grain and silver. It seems that only someone from the royal family can oversee this matter properly."

"His Majesty must be livid this time." Mr. Yu thought of Yu Zhangxing, who was still on duty in front of the emperor, and felt worried. Although Zhangxing had been the emperor's study companion since childhood, their relationship was extraordinary. But serving the emperor is like serving a tiger—who knows what His Majesty might think? [Footnote: This idiom reflects the unpredictable nature of the emperor.]

And there was also the second brother-in-law, Zheng Shanci, who was far away in Xin Feng County. Mr. Yu knew Zheng Shanci's character well; he wasn't the type to engage in corruption, as it would cost him his head.

Emperor Wuming was in a furious rage during the court session, but he calmed down after returning to the Panlong Hall. However, he smirked playfully, his handsome face showing a nonchalant expression.

"Go call Zhangxing over. I have something to ask him."

Yu Zhangxing entered the Panlong Hall, which was warm and cozy. He bowed to Emperor Wuming.

"Sit down, my dear general." Emperor Wuming smiled: "Before Heir Ye departed, he asked me for a favor, saying that after the disaster relief, he wanted to marry the third young master of your household as his principal consort. I agreed."

Yu Zhangxing said gravely, "Your Majesty, I was unaware of this matter."

Emperor Wuming waved his hand: "I know you don't usually care about these things, but I just wanted to inform you. I remember Yu Lanyi accompanied his husband to Xin Feng County. The third young master of your household is still a son of a concubine, and now he's about to become the principal consort of a heir. It's rather ironic, isn't it?"

Yu Zhangxing's heart dropped.

"I stepped in to relegate him to a secondary consort. If Jin Yun has the ability, he will naturally be promoted. If he lacks the strength, then it's his own fault."

Yu Zhangxing felt relieved: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Why thank me for that? I've disrupted your family's good fortune." Emperor Wuming laughed heartily: "You noble families are rather entertaining. I heard that the young master of Marquis Anxin's household broke off an engagement. His fiancé was caught red-handed having an affair with a servant. The evidence was irrefutable, and it caused quite a stir in the capital. I just took it as a joke."

Yu Zhangxing murmured, "Your Majesty..."

Since the passing of the former Phoenix Lord, no one has been able to control Emperor Wuming. The current Phoenix Lord is the younger brother of the former Phoenix Lord, and he scarcely controls the emperor. Fortunately, Emperor Wuming has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood and is a wise and capable ruler, though he occasionally acts recklessly.

After finishing his duties, Yu Zhangxing returned home and informed Marquis of Changyang and Mr. Yu about the matter.

Mr. Yu said indifferently, "Since His Majesty has decreed it, we just need to send him off."

Marquis of Changyang also nodded in agreement.

In the capital, many county magistrates had been beheaded, but Zheng Shanci in Xin Feng County remained unaffected. Yu Lanyi woke up in the morning and didn't wait for Jin Yun to come and serve him. He quickly asked Jin Yun to bring water and frantically washed his hands with a towel.

He had helped Zheng Shanci last night, and his hands were still sore.

The winter moonlight was not as bright as in summer. Last night, Yu Lanyi could only see Zheng Shanci's rising and falling chest under the moonlight.

Yu Lanyi blushed with embarrassment.

He casually dressed, had breakfast, and went out. He had agreed to build a snowman with Zheng Shanci in the courtyard that afternoon. Zheng Qingyin was looking at the pomegranate tree in the courtyard that morning. Yu Lanyi waved at Zheng Qingyin: "Qingyin! Qingyin!"

Zheng Qingyin looked up and saw Yu Lanyi approaching. He happily called out, "Second sister-in-law!"

Yu Lanyi jumped into the courtyard and walked briskly through the snow.

Jin Yun: "Young Master, watch out..."

Yu Lanyi, not watching his step, fell and made a big hole in the snow.

He quickly used his hands to support himself on the ground, preventing his face from sinking into the snow.

Zheng Qingyin was speechless: "..."

"No big deal," Yu Lanyi said as he got up, brushing the snow off his clothes, and walked over to Zheng Qingyin.

Zheng Qingyin thought to himself how energetic his second sister-in-law was.