Chapter 36

Xiao Wanling received a token that granted her entry to and from the Prince of Jin’s residence. Sure enough, with the token in hand, she moved freely through the estate. She headed straight to the Zhang residence. Both Madam Zhang and Li Die’er let out a breath of relief upon seeing Xiao Wanling return safely.

On the table were tea and snacks. Madam Zhang pulled Xiao Wanling to sit down. “Tell me everything you did in the Prince of Jin’s residence to make Madam Ji change her mind and let you go!”

Xiao Wanling took a sip of tea. “I offered a few recipes.” She had received two hundred taels of gold and a cartload of grain—it was worth it!

Madam Zhang was astonished. “Madam Ji is surprisingly generous! The Han family has already fallen out with her, and she’s departing for the capital tomorrow. Be careful—they might try something underhanded!”

She spoke without avoiding Li Die’er, and when she saw the doubt flash across Xiao Wanling’s face, she proactively explained, “Madam Li’s indenture contract is now in my hands. It’s all settled.”

The first thought in Xiao Wanling’s mind was that the Zheng family had sold the same girl twice. Madam Zhang, a mere merchant, was able to stand up to the impoverished gentry of the Zheng family.

Madam Zhang seemed to read her thoughts. “It just cost a bit of money, that’s all. Rest assured, I’ve obtained the contract that Xue Cui had from the Zheng family.”

In just a day and a night, Madam Zhang had completely resolved Li Die’er’s matter. Xiao Wanling said sincerely, “Thank you!”

Madam Zhang didn’t stand on ceremony. “You need to come up with more recipes for tea and pastries. Let’s strike while the iron is hot and steal all of the Han family’s business.”

Xiao Wanling raised her teacup and clinked it against Madam Zhang’s. “Absolutely.”

They began discussing the next step—dyeing fabric. Madam Zhang wanted to partner with Xiao Wanling, but she waved it off. “I don’t have the time or energy for that.”

Madam Zhang was straightforward. “Then I’ll give you a share of the profits at year’s end.”

Last time, when she wore a violet, narrow-sleeved, cross-collar robe, it had made her look tall, fair-skinned, and elegant. The Grand Tutor’s legitimate daughter liked it so much she asked who had made it. Madam Zhang gave her a bolt of violet silk. Once the Grand Tutor’s daughter accompanied Madam Ji back to the capital, it would surely become popular among noble ladies.

Li Die’er smiled sincerely. She stood by and refilled their tea. She had been so worried she hadn’t slept in days. That everything was resolved so easily left her feeling light and clear-headed.

Madam Zhang said, “You can stop fussing. Sister Xiao said you should go work at Ruyi Pavilion doing miscellaneous tasks. However much you can learn is up to your own ability.”

Li Die’er was so moved she nearly cried. “Thank you!”

Xiao Wanling needed to go to the money exchange to deposit her gold, so she got up to leave.

Li Die’er walked her to the Zhang residence’s front gate and waved goodbye reluctantly. It all felt like a dream—meeting her fourth sister, settling the issue without even needing to reveal their relationship, and Madam Zhang treating her as though she already knew everything without asking.

Madam Ji was departing for the capital the next day, and the Prince of Jin’s estate was a flurry of activity with people coming and going.

Xiao Wanling made a quick farewell and returned with a full cart of grain. It wasn’t just one hundred catties—someone had clearly added more on Madam Ji’s orders.

It was midday break, and when the cart rattled into the village, people rushed out of their homes at the sound.

Cheng Qiao’er was standing in her courtyard when she saw the oxcart piled high with sacks. She rushed over and touched one. “This is grain?” she asked the driver.

The driver responded affirmatively, unloaded all the sacks, cupped his hands at Xiao Wanling, and then hurriedly turned the cart around to report back.

Only then did Cheng Qiao’er notice Xiao Wanling stepping down from the cart. She exclaimed in surprise, “Madam Xiao, did you bring all this grain back?”

At the mention of grain, everyone came rushing out of their homes and circled around the pile of sacks.

Xiao Wanling smiled and nodded. “Yes! Madam Ji is leaving tomorrow!”

Cheng Qiao’er cheered, hugging Gu Yaofang and jumping with joy. She grabbed Han Hui’s hand and shouted, “We can finally eat white rice! And Madam Ji’s leaving too!”

Everyone was caught up in the celebration, forming a circle to cheer together.

The farm supervisor came rushing over with more good news. “In three days, everyone will go harvest grain!”

But when people asked what kind of grain, he didn’t answer. The fields were obviously empty, and the vegetables hadn’t grown yet.

The farm supervisor told Xiao Wanling, “This grain is counted as a purchase from you.”

That evening, both villages lit bonfires on the threshing ground. The men who had gone south to repair bridges and roads had returned the night before. A long-overdue bonfire celebration lifted the spirits that had been suppressed for months.

Everyone brought out what little food they had stored. It wasn’t much, but together it made a feast.

Supervisor Sang pulled out half a jug of grape wine he’d begged from Xiao Wanling. Despite the pain of parting with it, he shared it with the men. “Madam Xiao wouldn’t even sell this to me!”

Xiao Wanling sipped some tea. “That wine’s been aging for a long time—it gets you drunk easily.”

Cheng Qiao’er crouched beside her and slipped some roasted beans into her hand. “I heard we won a victory on the eastern front. The men might be coming back soon!”

Someone threw a bundle of bamboo into the fire. It crackled and popped noisily, making everyone jump back and cover their ears. Watching the flames, people laughed and chatted.

Once the fire burned out, the farm supervisor stepped forward. “Starting the day after tomorrow, everyone resumes their work schedules!”

Everyone groaned.

He chuckled. “Hundreds of catties of grain, and you’re still not happy?”

“What kind of grain is it?” Everyone looked around at each other. The lotus roots had been dug, the bamboo shoots picked, wild vegetables foraged, and even fish had been caught—what else was left?

Xiao Wanling knew the potatoes were nearly ready to harvest. She clapped enthusiastically. Cheng Qiao’er followed suit and whispered, “Three days? Think they’re waiting in case Madam Ji comes back?”

Just then, Xue Cui ran over and stood proudly in front of Xiao Wanling, hands on hips. “I sold Madam Li back to her previous owners. Hand her over!”

Xiao Wanling replied, “She ran away herself! You bought her just to starve her to death?”

Xue Cui stuck out her chin. “You refused to acknowledge her and left her to die. Don’t blame me. I know you’re hiding her—don’t wait for the authorities to show up!”

Xiao Wanling stared at her. “How much did you sell her for? If you wanted to sell her, why not ask me first? Instead you shoved her into another pit.”

Xue Cui looked like she’d caught Xiao Wanling in a trap. “She admitted it! You all heard her—Madam Xiao and Li Die’er are real sisters!”

The three daughters-in-law of the Xue family remained expressionless as they watched her. They felt she had absolutely no empathy.

Xiao Wanling said, “If you want to report me to the authorities, go ahead.”

Xue Cui thought she had the upper hand and reached out to grab her. But Supervisor Sang set down his wine cup and stood up, shouting, “Xue Cui, have you finished your work today?”

He was a completely different person once he drank—no longer the smiling Buddha. Xue Cui was a bit afraid of him and ran off. She had to pick over ten catties of mulberry leaves a day—an impossible task for her.

Three days passed quickly. Everyone took their baskets and tools and headed to the back mountain. After crossing several hills, they stopped.

The farm supervisor pointed to a plot of vegetable land. “Here it is. Start digging!”

Everyone looked around. “Dig what?”

Xiao Wanling took a hoe and loosened a patch of soil. Cheng Qiao’er immediately grabbed the vine and gave it a shake. She had eaten mashed potatoes at Xiao Wanling’s place before—she plucked one and tossed it into her basket.

Those who had dug up sweet potatoes before immediately joined in—digging, picking, and collecting potatoes.

Once a patch was finished, the farm supervisor checked it to make sure nothing was missed. Then they moved to the next plot. Without needing instructions, everyone dug like before. When a basket was full, the men carried it back.

The potatoes were about the size of goose eggs. Madam Xiao said they had been planted late. Now it was time to plant broad beans and winter wheat.

That evening, they had pork stewed with potatoes. Several families began planning to grow potatoes next year. Some considered planting sweet potatoes. At critical times, filling their stomachs was most important.

Everyone was busy with farm work for several days, and the workload in the mulberry and tea fields also increased.

The Han family’s shops reopened. After months without meat buns, cravings ran high, and crowds flocked over.

Han’s clerk shouted, “Tea—five wen! Veggie buns—six wen! Meat buns—eight wen!”

“So expensive?” The meat bun only had a bit of meat, and the dough was yellow and lumpy.

The clerk waved his rag. “Buy it or don’t!”

Back when Xiao Wanling’s sweet potatoes were harvested, they had all been carted away. The farm supervisor felt guilty and planned to repay her with beans. Since her reward had yet to be officially granted, he couldn’t offer anything. He didn’t want to disappoint her.

Xiao Wanling remembered the leftover lotus roots and decided to make lotus root starch. As the weather cooled, Ruyi Pavilion started offering Osmanthus Lotus Root Starch. She suggested trading all her lotus root starch for about ten catties of dried fruit, as winter was coming, and food would become even scarcer.

The Han family was showing up again. They might pull the same tricks—undercutting prices on tea and snacks.

The farm supervisor had heard about their shady dealings and was disgusted. With the granaries empty and soldiers returning victorious, he made daily trips to the city to buy grain.

Madam Xiao often asked him to deliver recipes to the Zhang residence. One day, he saw a cleaning maid who looked like Li Die’er, but this one held herself confidently.

Madam Zhang examined the lotus root starch recipe and sample. It had a light sweetness, dissolved instantly in the mouth, and included raisins, peanuts, walnuts, and fragrant osmanthus. She immediately had the cook make some and hung a sign advertising Osmanthus Lotus Root Starch.

Very few people knew about lotus root starch to begin with. Curious customers bought some and were delighted. Warm and filling, it was also said to promote health. Word spread quickly—soon it was the talk of Jin City’s noblewomen.

They heard it could beautify the skin, making it smooth and rosy. What were they waiting for? They sent their maids to buy it!

Han Shuyi stood at the gate of Hongyun Restaurant, glaring at the luxury carriages parked outside Ruyi Pavilion, where people were buying lotus root starch by the armful. She was fuming.

A servant bowed and reported, “We sold dozens of taels of silver worth just this afternoon, and many have placed orders for tomorrow. They say the starch was sent by the farm supervisor of Qishan Village to Madam Zhang.”

Han Shuyi clenched her fists so hard her palms ached. “That bitch Zhang Yingying! Since when did she have so many allies? And Qishan Village’s shop earned hundreds of taels just to lose it all? And that Madam Xiao—why can’t any of you deal with her? What use are you to me?!”

Xiao Wanling’s version of the lotus root starch had less dried fruit and sold for just three wen a portion.

The farm supervisor brought more freshly harvested lotus roots, and Xiao Wanling began selling stuffed glutinous rice lotus root. The roots were cleaned, filled with sticky rice, and boiled in syrup. Sliced into pieces, they were both tasty and filling. Women from nearby villages who came to the morning market all bought some lotus root starch and glutinous lotus root—either to try it themselves or bring it home for their kids and families.

Two days later, the farm supervisor said that if they didn’t harvest the mulberry leaves soon, they’d turn yellow. Xiao Wanling started selling Fairy Tofu, drizzled with sugar syrup or sauce. Some women, seeing this new kind of food, hesitated.

“Sweet or savory?”