That very afternoon, Minglan wrote a letter of recommendation for her elder brother Changbai, attaching an impromptu essay, and immediately sent someone to deliver it, inquiring whether Changbai might have time to meet with the young boy Changnian.
Then, Minglan began counting on her fingers with a sour expression.
Ancient civil officials valued punctuality for work hours but were rather lax about leaving times (Note 1). However, since Changbai was still serving in the Hanlin Academy, he dared not leave early for fear that the emperor might suddenly summon scholars for discussions. Therefore, even if Changbai had time to meet someone, it would have to wait until his day off (Note 2). After that, he would need to find a suitable school and recommend the boy... By her calculations, this would take quite a few days.
Next, Minglan summoned all the stewards and matrons of the estate for instructions, assigning responsibilities to each and announcing that during her absence of several days, any difficult matters would be handled by Cui Mama as the general supervisor. If necessary, a fast horse could be sent to report to her at the outskirts of the capital.
"You are all experienced in handling affairs, so I trust it makes little difference whether the master is present or not," Minglan said with a smile from her seat at the head. "When I return from this trip, we shall see how things stand."
The assembled male and female stewards standing below understood perfectly well that many of their positions still carried the label 'temporary acting.' If they performed poorly during Minglan's absence from the estate, they might be immediately dismissed. Thus, they all nodded vigorously like pounding garlic.
Minglan then asked Hua Mama and Liao Yong Xifu to stay behind separately for a word.
"Your sole task is to keep a good watch over Kouxiang Courtyard," Minglan said softly to Hua Mama. "Especially Rong Jie'er—if she shows any sign of headache or fever, immediately send for Physician Zhang from Xuancao Hall and report to me simultaneously."
Hua Mama inwardly acknowledged this as a shrewd move. By specifically assigning her—who had been sent by the Grand Old Madam to care for the three masters of Kouxiang Courtyard—any mishap would also implicate the Grand Old Madam. She glanced sideways at Liao Yong Xifu, thinking about how many informants the mistress must have planted inside and out. If she made any wrong move, Granny Lai's fate might serve as a warning.
At this point, it would be better to follow Tian Mama's example and fully commit to the Second Mistress. She immediately responded with grave assurance.
"With you, I need not say much," Minglan said with a smile, looking at Liao Yong Xifu. "You know what to be cautious about yourself."
Liao Yong Xifu adopted a solemn expression and bowed her head. "I have remembered all of your instructions, Madam. I have already informed the stables—if anything happens, you can be notified within two hours at most."
She had long been clear-headed: unlike hereditary servants who had accumulated years of affection and dignity, whose mistakes might only result in being sent back to their hometowns, they were originally servants of disgraced officials transferred along with the residence, their reputations already tarnished. If anything went wrong, they could be immediately sold off without anyone accusing Minglan of harshness or lack of consideration.
Moreover, since Minglan had married into Clear Garden with limited personal staff, she necessarily had to employ new people. At this juncture, whoever performed excellently could be promptly promoted. Besides, Cui Mama was old and lacking in energy, while Cuiwei was too young. If she handled her duties well and gained the mistress's trust, she could secure dignity for at least ten years.
She secretly resolved to keep a careful watch over the estate.
Amid such busyness, it continued until dinnertime. Danju was still directing maids to pack trunks, from clothing and valuables to incense burners and cages, even the round wooden bathtub, all being prepared for loading onto the carriage.Gu Tingye found this quite novel and smiled slightly, "You're rather decisive, leaving as soon as you decide. I thought you wouldn't depart until the day after tomorrow." In his mind, most women tended to be slow and procrastinating.
"I'll set off at mao hour tomorrow morning; Danju will stay behind to continue packing and leave when everything is nearly ready." Minglan held a brush, carefully making notes on a scroll, "I should arrive at Little Rain Manor before lunchtime, spend the afternoon there, and by then Black Hill Manor should be prepared. We'll rest there for the night, having Ameng escort Danju with the luggage directly there. We can visit Ancient Rock Manor in a few days."
Little Rain Manor was her dowry estate, managed by Old Cui. Old Mrs. Sheng would visit it twice a year, and Minglan had been there several times herself. It had always operated smoothly. This visit was merely a post-marital formality to signify the handover. However, the other two manors were not only vast in size but also entirely unfamiliar to Minglan in terms of both stewards and tenants, making it necessary to put in some effort.
"They're just manors that don't yield much silver throughout the year. There's no need for you to take them too seriously." Gu Tingye frowned slightly, seeming to look down on agricultural income.
Minglan strongly disagreed. The essence of household management was that aside from fixed assets like land, all other income shouldn't be counted as regular revenue. A large family's expenses should align with income from fixed assets, so any additional surplus could be used more flexibly.
However, her current focus on reorganizing the two manors had another reason. She shook her head, "It's not about the silver. I'm concerned that if we neglect management, something unfortunate might happen that we'd be held responsible for, perhaps even leading to impeachment."
When she was young and accompanied Old Mrs. Sheng to inspect the manors, she had seen tenant farmers' children begging by the roadside. Old Mrs. Sheng had repeatedly taught her then to guard against having her reputation tarnished by deceitful servants. With harsh masters or stewards who deceived both superiors and subordinates, tenant farmers weren't treated as human beings—oppression and exploitation were commonplace, and lives lost were hastily covered up.
Minglan had taken this to heart at the time.
Gu Tingye leaned his sturdy back leisurely against the headboard, flipping through a thick stack of ledgers. In the dim lamplight, he gazed fondly at Minglan's jade-like delicate face. Dressed in a white satin inner garment, she appeared even more petite and youthful, yet she held a purple-haired brush with a green jade handle seriously, writing on paper. Her fingers gripping the brush were as white as rice paper, their tips seemingly tinged green by the jade, making her look like a doll pretending to be an adult.
He dismissed her concerns with a smile, "Seeing enemies everywhere."
Minglan wrinkled her cute little nose at him, set down the brush, rose, and went to sit on the edge of the bed. Nestling against Gu Tingye's arm and leaning into his embrace, she suddenly asked, "You're right that land doesn't yield much profit. So what trade brings in the most silver?"
Gu Tingye was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "You've stumped me there. Butchering pigs? Robbery?"
Why did butchering pigs come right before robbery? Minglan was puzzled but didn't dwell on it. She shook her head again, "No, I once heard Zhuang Xiansheng say that the most profitable businesses in this world are essentially five: salt trade, mining, canal transport, border trade, and maritime trade. In other words, all require the court's approval to operate."
Gu Tingye slowly wiped the smile from his face.Minglan continued, "So who currently controls these major business dealings?" Gu Tingye's expression darkened. Looking at him, Minglan enunciated each word clearly: "I don't know who holds them, but they likely aren't in the Emperor's hands."
Gu Tingye's expression turned grave. After a long pause, he finally nodded.
"Initially I didn't think much of it," Minglan said quietly, "but that day Gongsun Xiansheng inadvertently revealed to me that the national treasury is actually empty. That's when I realized the severity of the situation. Though I'm just a woman, even I can see His Majesty has grand ambitions."
Grand ambitions typically accompany the consolidation of power. To achieve centralized rule, the foremost requirements are control over finances and military authority. The money exists—just not in the national treasury. The troops exist—they just don't fully obey the Emperor's commands.
Thus, what follows becomes straightforward: either they willingly surrender their wealth and power, or the Emperor "persuades" them to do so.
"The recent victory in the northern frontier, though accidental, created an opening for you. Since the military affairs there have proven ineffective, His Majesty can legitimately replace personnel. Those involved in border trade must be trembling with fear." Minglan twisted her body to rise from the man's embrace, kneeling properly on the bed with a serious expression. "Didn't you say His Majesty originally intended to send Lord Geng to guard the northern frontier? Shortly after, he was impeached."
Gu Tingye frowned deeply and said solemnly, "His own misconduct was to blame." His implication was that Minglan's speculation was only partially correct.
Behind one censoring official stood many; behind many censoring officials stood the entire scholarly community. Bound by relationships of mentorship, shared teachers, and same-year candidates, they formed an impenetrable network. Under the Late Emperor's benevolent rule of over twenty years, many had gradually aligned with powerful aristocratic families, forming what could be considered factions. They possessed wealth, power, and influence—reaching into the inner palace, court, military, and local governments.
When rain falls from heaven and flows over the earth, it's the crops that suffer. Minglan had no desire to become collateral damage.
"Gongsun Xiansheng spoke truly." After a long pause, Gu Tingye gazed quietly at Minglan before continuing, "He said you possess keen insight and broad-mindedness. Though a woman, you're worthy of consultation."
"You flatter me, sir." A blush spread across Minglan's cheeks.
"But you never ask me about court affairs?" Gu Tingye asked curiously.
Minglan hugged her knees, her small frame curling up as she replied sheepishly, "Grandmother told me not to pry into men's official business. If you think I should know, you'll tell me yourself." There had been several times she'd wanted to ask.
Gu Tingye studied her for a long time, his eyes profound and inscrutable, before saying slowly, "When I was young, my father told me that open attacks are easy to avoid, but hidden arrows are hard to defend against. Many skilled military commanders met their ends during peacetime. If I ever had the opportunity to serve in battle, I must mind my conduct to avoid giving others leverage."
Minglan's heart raced upon hearing this, her fingers suddenly clutching the man's arm. Gu Tingye comforted her by drawing her into his embrace, holding her close as he murmured gently, "Don't worry. Though censoring officials cherish their reputations, they're not foolish. They know whom they can impeach and whom they cannot. His Majesty currently needs capable people. Even if I were completely faultless, and even Lao Geng—nothing would come of it."He held Minglan in his arms, their bodies pressed tightly together as they lay quietly for a while, each able to hear the other's heartbeat. Gu Tingye chuckled and kissed Minglan's cheek. "From now on, if there's anything you want to know, I'll tell you."
"Mm!" Minglan nodded with a smile, leaning in to plant a firm kiss on his nose. She blinked and said, "You work hard outside, and while I can't be of much help, at least I won't let the household cause you any trouble!"
Touched, Gu Tingye ruffled Minglan's hair and suddenly whispered, "Your father was far-sighted, raising all his children well."
Minglan popped her head out from his embrace, looking rather pleased. "Back then, Zhuang Xiansheng said that if I had been born a boy, I would have accomplished great things." As they tangled together, Minglan's collar had come undone, revealing a stretch of snowy-white skin and the edge of a pale yellow undergarment embroidered with emerald-green lotus petals, beneath which the soft fullness of her curves trembled slightly.
Gu Tingye stared for a long moment before sighing leisurely. "It's better that you remained a woman."
...
Early the next morning, Minglan set out under the escort of the Tu brothers, along with household servants and guards. The procession consisted of three or four carriages, with Minglan seated in the second. Beside her, Xiaotao, who had been too excited to sleep all night, chattered incessantly throughout the journey.
"Have you never left the house in eight lifetimes?" Lüzhi couldn't resist teasing. "It's not like we've never been to Xiaoyu Manor before." She turned to Minglan and said, "Madam, would you like to sleep a little more? So you won't be tired later."
Minglan nodded drowsily. She had always been a night owl who loved sleeping in and hadn't fully woken up yet. Xiaotao deftly arranged the bedding for her to recline against, then turned to Lüzhi and whispered, "Qinsang and Cuixiu couldn't come this time—they're so disappointed. When I left, Cuixiu's eyes were red."
Lüzhi stole a glance at Minglan, who seemed to be asleep, and lowered her voice. "We can't all leave at once; someone has to stay and watch the house! Cuiwei can't be overseeing everything all day—would you trust anyone else?"
"I know that, no need to tell me!" Xiaotao whispered back. "But Ruomei wanted to stay this time, didn't she? Why drag her along when she's so unwilling?"
Lüzhi pouted and said disdainfully, "That girl's mind is restless these days. Madam is worried she might do something foolish, so she brought her along. Perhaps... to find her a husband at the manor?" Then, deliberately changing the subject, she teased Xiaotao, "And maybe find a match for our little Xiaotao too!"
To her surprise, Xiaotao thought for a moment and nodded blankly. "That wouldn't be bad."
Lüzhi clicked her tongue and turned away speechlessly.
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[Author's Note]
Note 1: The Yuan Dynasty's "Zhiyuan Xinge" states: "All government offices must handle affairs impartially. Matters requiring discussion and dispatch on the same day should be concluded before dispersing."
Note 2: For the purposes of this story, these ancient civil servants are assumed to have one day off every ten days.
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