Маdаm Li hаd sрent somе timе in thе nоrthеrn regions and hаd sоme imprеssion of thе еаstеrn, wеstеrn, and cеntral routes. Upon heаring this, shе cоuldn’t helр but ехсlaim, "Тhе Liu fаmilу must bе incrеdibly wealthу! Suсh a lаrge estatе, ocсupying mоrе thаn hаlf оf thе аlley—it must bе оne оf thе finеst in the сaрitаl, right?"
Biyu stооd neаrby with a smile аnd replied, "Nоt аt аll! Thе western residеnсе belоngs tо Маstеr Liu, but thе cеntrаl onе originаlly belоnged tо Lоrd Li оf the Соurt оf Imрerial Entеrtainments, while the eаstern residenсe belоngs to Lоrd Zеng, a rеtired expositor-in-waiting from the Hanlin Academy. Lord Zeng is from Anxi, Fujian, and is the largest tea merchant in the province. It’s said that forty to fifty percent of Fujian’s tea plantations belong to his family."
This explained why a retired expositor-in-waiting like Lord Zeng could own such a grand residence.
Madam Li gasped in astonishment.
Even the Zeng family only owned a residence of one route’s size here, yet Fourth Master Chi had bought three similarly sized and adjacent estates in one go. This was not something that could be accomplished with wealth alone!
As if sensing her amazement, Biyu continued with a smile, "Our Fourth Master went through great effort to acquire this estate. Initially, he wanted to buy any property near Apricot Grove Alley, but later he felt it was too close to the First Master and Second Master, fearing they might restrict him. So, he bought a residence near Elm Coin Alley, thinking it would be convenient to visit the Second Elder Master in his leisure time. However, the neighbors on both sides of Elm Coin Alley were unwilling to sell. You’ve been to Nine Prosperities Lane—the entire alley belongs to the Cheng family. How could our Fourth Master ever get used to living there!
"Coincidentally, Master Liu had stayed in Huai’an for some time and, instead of returning to his hometown in Jiangxi, decided to settle in Yangzhou. Yangzhou is mostly inhabited by salt merchants, making it difficult to find a satisfactory residence. So, he decided to sell his estate in the capital. However, the asking price was too high, and he hadn’t found a suitable buyer for a long time. Our Fourth Master had dealt with Master Liu before, and when Master Liu learned that our Fourth Master was looking for a good residence in the capital, he sent his steward to make an offer. Our Fourth Master was satisfied with the property but still found it too small. Master Liu had lived here for over a decade and was a fellow graduate with the neighboring Lord Li, so he persuaded Lord Li to sell his residence to our Fourth Master as well.
"This is how the coincidence unfolded. When Lord Zeng retired, his residence became vacant. Given the Zeng family’s wealth, maintaining an empty estate was no concern. However, it happened that a nephew of Lord Zeng was coming to study at the Imperial College, and the Zeng family planned to let him live there. Unexpectedly, this Young Master Zeng was an eccentric. Seeing a peach tree planted outside Lord Zeng’s study, its blossoms blooming brilliantly, he took an intense dislike to it. As soon as he moved in, he ordered the tree to be cut down and replaced with mottled bamboo. Little did he know that the peach tree had been planted by Lord Zeng himself when he first came to the capital to study at the Imperial College. It was said that the tree did not bloom for three years, but in the year it finally blossomed, Lord Zeng passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi. Lord Zeng had always regarded it as an auspicious symbol. For Young Master Zeng to demand its removal was akin to taking Lord Zeng’s life.
"In a fit of anger, Lord Zeng drove the young master out. He then hired flower farmers from Fengtai to transplant the peach tree back to his ancestral home in Fujian.
"The flower farmers from Fengtai came and went, but none dared to take on the task.
"Lord Zeng was left with no choice.
"He feared that after his death, future residents of the Zeng family might disregard his warnings and cut down the tree. He also worried that the tree was linked to the rise and fall of the Zeng family, and that someone might target it, bringing harm to his descendants.""Our Fourth Master had previously done business with the Zeng family. Lord Zeng happened to hear that Fourth Master wanted to buy a large residence, and since our Fourth Master is also a Jinshi graduate from both imperial examinations, not yet thirty years old, and the younger brother of the eldest master, Lord Zeng took the initiative to approach him. He asked Fourth Master to promise never to cut down this peach tree in his lifetime, and he would sell the residence to Fourth Master at a favorable price.
"It was truly a case of someone delivering a pillow just as one was dozing off. Our Fourth Master had been feeling that buying the residences of these two families was still a bit small, and then Lord Zeng came knocking.
"Fourth Master immediately promised not only not to cut down the peach tree but also to have people take good care of it.
"Lord Zeng was very pleased. He sold the residence to Fourth Master at twenty percent below the market price."
"Fourth Master is truly fortunate!" Madam Li listened with great interest and said, "Is that peach tree still in the east wing? Can we take a look?"
Biyu's responsibility was to entertain Madam Li well, so she quickly replied, "Of course, if you wish to see it! Would you like to visit the peach blossom first or go boating?"
"Let’s see the peach blossom first and then go boating," Madam Li said with a smile. "Peach blossoms are fleeting things, and many consider them frivolous. Using peach blossoms to protect a household—this is the first time I’ve heard of it."
Zhou Shaojin, however, was concerned about Cheng Chi’s finances. She asked, "Did Uncle Chi spend a lot of money buying the Li and Liu family residences?"
Biyu’s eyes flickered.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Shaojin to pick up on the implication and realize that purchasing the Li and Liu family residences had cost a considerable sum.
But whether it was appropriate to discuss this was uncertain, so she replied somewhat vaguely, "It didn’t cost too much silver. As you’ve seen, the Liu family’s side is lush with flowering trees, and the living water in the garden’s pond is drawn from there. The main hall of the Li family is very grand, with pillars made from century-old ancient trees—it could last for generations. All things considered, it’s quite a good deal!"
"But this residence is too large. If it ever needs to be sold, few people would be able to afford it," Zhou Shaojin sighed.
If Uncle Chi truly intended to establish his own household, such a large residence would be unaffordable for most people. It would be difficult to liquidate and would require many maids and servants for upkeep, incurring significant expenses.
The residence on Yuqian Lane was much better!
"Since it’s been bought, it won’t be sold!" Biyu said with a smile. "Nine Prosperities Lane certainly doesn’t lack the funds for this."
Only then did Madam Li realize how wealthy the Cheng family truly was!
Even the Zeng family, which controlled forty to fifty percent of Fujian’s tea industry, couldn’t compare to the Cheng family.
No wonder people in Jinling referred to the Cheng family of Nine Prosperities Lane as the foremost family of Jinling!
Madam Li praised Biyu with a smile, "I didn’t expect you to have only been in the capital for a short while yet already know the noble families here like the back of your hand."
Biyu replied with a smile, "It’s because I’ve often listened by Old Madam Guo’s side, and with a little guidance from Steward Qin, I’ve come to know which family is which."She accompanied Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin to the eastern path to view the peach blossoms, all the while chatting without pause, smiling as she said, "The alley we live in is called Fourth Alley, the best location near Chaoyang Gate. The Hai Ning Gu family's residence in the capital is in Sixth Alley, just two alleys away from us, very close. The Tongxiang Yuan family's residence in the capital is in First Alley, a bit farther than the Gu family, but still only a quarter of an hour away. However, Third Aunt's married family, the Peng family, is a bit farther from us—it takes three quarters of an hour by carriage. But in the end, they're all around this area... The Shucheng Fang family is also in First Alley, though the Yuan family is at the head of the alley and the Fang family at the tail. The Lujiang Li family lives in Third Alley, right in front of our house, but it's not as large as ours—it's a five-courtyard residence..."
She spoke clearly and methodically.
Listening to her, Madam Li couldn't help but admire Old Madam Guo, who was far away in Jinling!
Even a maidservant by her side, after a few years of her guidance, had such insight and knowledge. Even the matriarchs managing households in ordinary families likely lacked Biyu's talent.
No wonder many wealthy families liked to marry off their senior maidservants to others.
Zhou Shaojin felt the same admiration as Madam Li.
Biyu had said that Uncle Chi had brought the two of them over for her sake. If Biyu hadn't possessed such abilities, even if she liked them, Uncle Chi probably wouldn't have called them over... However, Old Madam Guo's Feicui was also quite capable... Thinking about it this way, it seemed this matter really had something to do with her.
While Madam Li was holding Zhou Youjin and examining the peach tree, Zhou Shaojin quietly asked Biyu, "What is Uncle Chi doing?"
Biyu replied in a hushed tone, "Second Master has come!"
"Second Master?!" Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes.
Her mind went blank.
Biyu reminded her, "It's Second Master Wei. Fourth Master's elder brother!"
Zhou Shaojin certainly knew of this person, but even with two lifetimes of experience, she had no impression of him!
Biyu thought for a moment and said, "It seems he came because of matters in Jinling."
Things had escalated to such a serious level!
Zhou Shaojin frowned, and her desire to see Cheng Chi grew even stronger.
However, now was not the right time.
She said to Biyu, "I want to see Uncle Chi. Is it possible?"
Biyu smiled and replied, "I'll go check the study later!"
Zhou Shaojin felt relieved and walked over to Madam Li with Biyu, both smiling.
The peach tree, regarded as an auspicious sign by Lord Zeng, was only as thick as a wine cup. It was surrounded by knee-high fences, its branches and leaves lush and dense. Although the flowering season had passed, one could still imagine the magnificent sight when it was in full bloom.
Everyone felt there was nothing particularly special about the tree. After looking at it for a while, they lost interest and went to the lake to row boats.
Zhou Shaojin had never been particularly interested in such activities, and she was preoccupied with Biyu's news. She sat in the Water Pavilion, watching as Madam Li took Youjin out on the lake with a boatwoman who knew how to swim.
Xiao Tan fanned Zhou Shaojin from the side and said with a smile, "It would be even better if more lotus flowers were planted in the lake."
The small lake on the western side was connected to the larger lake here. The small lake was filled with lotus leaves, and lotus buds were already peeking out. In contrast, the larger lake here only showed shimmering silver ripples, which made it look rather hot.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I suppose the small lake is part of the Liu family's old scenery, while this larger lake is newly excavated!"Xiao Tan smiled and said, "These two lakes, one large and one small, are quite interesting. I wonder what they're called?"
The young maid beside her laughed, "They haven't been named yet! Steward Qin said we'll have to wait a while before deciding."
Xiao Tan remarked, "By next year when we come again, the pond will surely be filled with lotus flowers."
The young maid chuckled, "Steward Qin said the small lake will be planted with water lilies, and only the larger one will have lotuses. But whether that's true or not, you'd have to ask Steward Qin himself."
Which Steward Qin were they talking about with the maid?
It seemed like Qin Ziping...
Didn't Uncle Chi say Jiying would come to the capital? Why hasn't there been any news yet?
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, "What is Steward Qin's name?"
The young maid shook her head, "This servant doesn't know."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but laugh.
Biyu hurried in and said, "Second Cousin, Second Master Wei has left. Fourth Master is alone in the study... and hasn't allowed anyone to attend to him!"
Was he unhappy?
Zhou Shaojin's heart tightened. She stood up and said, "Let's go take a look!"
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
PS: Corrected typos.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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