Chapter 100: The Villa
Upon hearing Ji Wu Shi's words, the shopkeeper hesitated before asking, "...Relocating the shopfront and renovating the tavern require proper planning. May I ask who Tai Furen intends to send to oversee Xianghe? This humble servant can arrange for assistance."
After a moment of consideration, Ji Wu Shi smiled and replied, "Let Ji Yao handle it."
The shopkeeper couldn't hide his delight—having the Second Young Master oversee the matter meant it would undoubtedly go smoothly. The Second Young Master was gentle in his dealings yet meticulous in his methods, much like Tai Furen herself, earning deep respect from all.
By the time the meetings with the stewards and shopkeepers concluded, it was already noon. Ji Wu Shi summoned Ji Yao to discuss the affairs of the Luzhou silk shop in Xianghe.
Gu Jinzhao had been sipping tea behind the curtained partition when Ji Wu Shi called her out. "Matters concerning the villa can't be settled just by listening to the steward's words. You must see for yourself what's being planted and how before making any decisions. Xianghe isn't too far from Tongzhou—why not have your Second Cousin accompany you? I'll also send Mama Song along."
Jinzhao inwardly groaned—her grandmother was clearly trying to play matchmaker! Before Ji Yao could respond, she quickly interjected, "Second Cousin is far too busy to be troubled with this. It's just agricultural matters—I can go alone."
Her grandmother chuckled. "You've never had the slightest understanding of these things since childhood—do you think I don't know? You wouldn't be able to tell anything just by looking. Let your Second Cousin assist you. He has business in Xianghe anyway, so it won't be an inconvenience."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Jinzhao sighed, glancing at Ji Yao's silent figure. She couldn't help but feel a bitter amusement—it was as if she hadn't intended harm, yet harm had come to him because of her.
Once Ji Wu Shi made up her mind, there was no changing it.
That afternoon, she arranged two carriages, along with a retinue of guards and maids, to escort Jinzhao to Xianghe.
The journey from Tongzhou's Sanhe County to Xianghe took several hours. The road followed the canal westward, passing through desolate wilderness and farmland where Indian corn grew. Scattered farmhouses dotted the landscape, and barefoot farmers carrying sewing baskets walked along the ridges.
Soon, they arrived in Xianghe County—a prosperous hub connecting Shuntian Prefecture and Tianjin Prefecture. Recent heavy rains had swollen the river, and workers were urgently reinforcing the embankments. Despite this, the streets remained bustling.
The Ji family's carriage was adorned with silver incense balls and glass lanterns, making it quite distinctive. Pedestrians gave way as it passed.
Jinzhao had brought Mama Tong, Qingpu, and Caifu along. She reclined inside the carriage against a dark brown velvet cushion embroidered with vine patterns, her eyes closed. Mama Tong was busy sewing a pair of white silk socks for her.
Caifu, who had never been to Baodi, eagerly lifted the curtain to peer outside. Rows of shops lined the streets—teahouses, taverns, butcher shops, temples, paper goods stores—while mule carts, carriages, and ox carts filled the road. The crowds included merchants hawking wares, gentry inspecting goods, and traveling monks with baskets on their backs...
When Jinzhao opened her eyes and saw Caifu childishly pressed against the window, she smiled and asked, "What's so interesting?"
As a child, Jinzhao had visited Baodi every New Year, either accompanied by her eldest aunt or Second Cousin, especially during the Lantern Festival. The brilliance of the lanterns along the ancient streets by the canal, reflected on the lake, had long made Baodi's splendor familiar to her—Xianghe held little novelty.
Caifu turned back sheepishly. "Before I was sold to the Gu family, I lived in a small market town. I loved listening to the vendors calling out their wares from behind the door."
Jinzhao had never heard Caifu speak of her childhood and grew curious. "What did they sell?"
Caifu thought for a moment. "During New Year's, they sold spring ox paintings, almanacs, candied twists, steamed dumplings, live carp... In February, it was donkey rolls, chicks, ducklings, fermented bean juice, haw flakes... March brought peach and apricot blossoms, river snails, tender toon shoots... April had apricots, salted yellow croakers... May was for mulberries, zongzi, palm-leaf fans, plum syrup, roasted lamb neck..."
She listed them all before realizing both Jinzhao and Qingpu were staring at her. Blushing, she added, "My mother never let me go out, so I dreamed of being a peddler—traveling everywhere and seeing everything. That's why I remember it all so clearly."
A peddler? Caifu's aspirations were certainly unique.
Qingpu asked curiously, "What's roasted lamb neck? Is it really a lamb's neck?"
Caifu hesitated. "I've never actually had it..."
The two began chatting quietly while Mama Tong watched with a smile. Suddenly, the carriage halted—Mama Song had arrived.
She lifted the curtain and said to Jinzhao, "Young Miss, please wait a moment. Second Young Master needs to finish discussing matters at the Luzhou silk shop before accompanying you to the villa. If you'd like to step out and look around, you may."
Jinzhao shook her head with a smile. Since he was here on business, dragging him along to the villa would only trouble him further. "I'm in no hurry. I'll just read in the carriage for a while."
Mama Song bowed and withdrew.
By the time Ji Yao finished his business and they reached the villa, it was already dark—and pouring rain.
Upon hearing that the young mistress of the estate and the Ji family's young master had arrived, Manager Zhao hurried out with his workers to greet them. Though they wore bamboo hats and raincoats, Jinzhao was drenched by the time she reached the covered walkway. Qingpu finally closed the umbrella once they were under shelter.
Jinzhao surveyed the villa—a courtyard house with corridors on all sides, connected by winding verandas but lacking a decorative gate. The courtyard was spacious, planted with several ginkgo trees. Ji Yao, assisted by a steward holding an umbrella, was equally soaked, his plain robe clinging to him and his hair disheveled.
Manager Zhao, a slightly plump middle-aged man with small eyes and a thin mustache, beamed. "Young Miss, your arrival has caught us unprepared. Please, you and Young Master Ji should freshen up in the side rooms first. The weather in Xianghe changes like a face—rain comes without warning."
Given their bedraggled state, it was indeed necessary. Jinzhao turned to Ji Yao. "Apologies for troubling you, Second Cousin."
Ji Yao shook his head gently. "It's no trouble." He wrung the water from his sleeves.
Jinzhao retreated to the side room, where Manager Zhao had already prepared hot water. Fortunately, she had brought spare clothes. She changed into a plain blue satin robe with white lotus embroidery at the sleeves and a white drawn thread skirt—simple attire befitting mourning.
Manager Zhao also sent over ginger soup to ward off the chill, along with a plate of freshly made Indian corn cakes.
By the time she was ready, night had fully fallen. Rain lashed against the windowpanes, and when she opened the shutters, all she saw was an expanse of darkness.
Manager Zhao was already waiting outside with ledgers detailing the villa's harvests over the past few years. He explained the recent situation: "...Three hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, with two hundred and eighty leased to farmers from Lingbi. They grow wheat and Indian corn at a fifty percent rent. In bad years, we collect two hundred bushels; in good years, four hundred... Over ten acres of fruit trees died, costing dozens of taels. Times are hard, which is why I wrote to inform you."
He went on at length, clearly pleading poverty. Jinzhao frowned—she hadn't come to listen to this. She dismissed him to prepare wine and food for Ji Yao. As she was in mourning, a simple bowl of porridge would suffice for her. Manager Zhao withdrew.
Mama Tong, who had been selected from the villa by Madam Ji, understood farming well. Jinzhao asked for her opinion.
Mama Tong replied, "I know this Manager Zhao. His elder sister was Madam's wet nurse. Out of gratitude, Madam always favored him. Of our three villas in Xianghe, he originally managed the best one—yet it suffered losses year after year. Madam noticed but said nothing, only swapping him with the manager from Lingbi. That's how he ended up here..."
"I used to work at another villa and heard the manager speak of him. He embezzled from the estate repeatedly. When Madam found out, she didn't reprimand him—it would have been embarrassing. She just halved his wages... His complaints today might stem from resentment over earning half as much as other managers."
After pondering this, Jinzhao decided to visit Lingbi once the rain stopped. She would speak with the tenant farmers—their words would be more reliable than Manager Zhao's. Even if she didn't understand these matters, she could always ask.
Meanwhile, Manager Zhao had prepared a lavish spread for Ji Yao—turtle stew, steamed crab, braised pork knuckles. Cheng Shi, Ji Yao's attendant, frowned and had most of it removed, leaving only a few light dishes.
He said to Ji Yao, "Second Young Master, this Manager Zhao seems slick and shifty-eyed—likely full of schemes. He's gone to speak with the Young Miss. Should we listen in to ensure she isn't deceived?"
Ji Yao, having changed clothes, rested his forehead on his hand. A lamp wick crackled. Slowly, he replied, "...I'm only here to accompany her. How she handles things is none of my concern." He wished he didn't have to see Gu Jinzhao at all.
Cheng Shi hesitated. "But Mama Song is here too. If she reports to Tai Furen..."
Ji Yao's eyes turned icy. After a long silence, he finally said, "Let her report. I'd like to see what Grandmother can do."
Gu Jinzhao, of course, paid no mind to Ji Yao. Early the next morning, once the rain ceased, she took the carriage to Lingbi County. Manager Zhao assumed she simply wanted fresh air after being cooped up indoors and sent an old woman to guide her.
As they traveled, the farmers scattered at the sight of her carriage. Unwilling to draw attention, she eventually disembarked, leaving the old woman behind while she and her maids pressed on.
They came across a peasant woman husking Indian corn in the fields. Mama Tong called out to her.
The woman, noting their fine clothes, turned to flee. Qingpu moved to chase her, but Jinzhao stopped her. Instead, she deliberately raised her voice: "Ah... Manager Zhao says fifty percent rent isn't enough, but I think it's too high. I'd like to lower it, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate..."
The woman's steps slowed. Jinzhao added, "Well, if Manager Zhao insists it's too low, perhaps we should raise it!"
At this, the woman whirled around. After a moment's hesitation, she approached—though keeping her distance—and asked timidly, "Are you... the landlord's steward?"
*Author's Note: For the sake of plot progression, certain mourning customs have been relaxed. Please bear with this liberty!
Special thanks to 13458182716, anneya (2), Dilanshengxue (2), and Jialuoxue'er (2) for your pink votes! Also to reader 140609133854895 for the scented sachet—mwah!
Still seeking pink votes—recent rankings have been volatile, and while others gain dozens daily, I'm lagging behind. Month-end struggles are real! Also, your author is a slow writer, obsessively revising each chapter—three hours per chapter, whereas friends finish in one. It's not for lack of trying, so thank you for your patience!*
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