bayedsolid Chapter 85 Testing
Chapter 85 Testing
Two days later, when she went to Yun Gui Courtyard to pay her respects, the Second Miss brought four head maids with her for the first time. Mingyue had already changed into the manor's autumn-style tea-colored long dress with dark floral patterns. Meng Shu helped her comb her hair into two buns and put on red jade drop earrings. Standing with Mengzhu and the other two, she looked more vibrant.
The Second Miss must have said something to Mengzhu. Now Mengzhu remained calm and followed the rules, stepping back a step behind the Second Miss. Meng Shu stood beside her, with Ruizhu and Mingyue following closely behind.
Many personnel changes can occur subtly and gradually, without requiring approval from above.
Since the Second Miss assigned Meng Shu to make arrangements at Yunxi Courtyard last time, Meng Shu's role among the four head maids has been similar to that of Guang Bai by the Old Madam's side, as she is the one who handles most external affairs and social interactions.
Under Wei Mama's instruction, Mengzhu intentionally learned from Suwen's actions, managing not only the Second Miss's storeroom but also the maids in the inner courtyard. Mingyue stayed close to the Second Miss at all times. Ruizhu secretly asked Mengshu to get in touch with Huaying, the real head maid of Fu'an Residence, and learned many hairstyle and clothing matching skills.
This is an invisible competition and comparison. They don't need to be urged; they can consciously follow the wishes of Madam Yun, the head of the household, and strive to gain a foothold.
Madam Yun has been quite busy these past two days, fully demonstrating her skills as the matriarch of the household.
After the incident involving Aunt Lu, Madam Yun immediately sealed off Fengyin Courtyard the day after returning to the mansion, thoroughly inspected the place inside and out, and moved all the incense and incense-making equipment to other courtyards.
As for the second young master, he naturally stayed at Fu'an Residence. With a wet nurse to take care of him, the old lady didn't need to worry about him. The old lady was happy to enjoy her grandchildren, and her mental state improved considerably. Although the remaining poison of Aunt Lu had been cleared, it had damaged her heart meridian and she was temporarily unable to move. Therefore, no matter how unwilling she was, she had no grounds for objection.
As for Aunt Wen, Madam Yun's subsequent actions left Meng Shu quite intrigued.
"Aunt Wen fell ill during her confinement, but she has just recovered. There's no need for her to come and pay her respects these next few days." Aunt Wen, looking unwell, had just finished her greetings when Madam Yun gestured for the head maids to take seats.
Aunt Wen was wearing an indigo blue silk jacket with a pattern of intertwined lotus flowers and silver threads. Her face looked even paler in the sunlight. She sat down next to the chair and said, "Madam, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. It's good to get some exercise."
As soon as Aunt Wen finished speaking, Madam Yun casually picked up the osmanthus-scented bead bracelet and said, "Aunt Lu is indeed very skilled at making incense. She often says that using the right incense is very good for the body, just like this osmanthus-scented bead bracelet, which calms the mind when smelled."
Aunt Wen smiled in agreement, "Aunt Lu is indeed very capable."
At this moment, Madam Wei led a young girl into the flower hall; it was none other than Huixin from Fengyin Courtyard. Madam Yun, with a smile, pointed to the incense sticks in Madam Wei's hand and said:
"It's quite a coincidence that Aunt Wen gave Aunt Lu a book of incense recipes during the Double Ninth Festival. It contained a recipe for a kind of incense called 'Zhanxi Anhun Xiang' (藿息安魂香). I had heard of it when I was still a young lady in the capital. It was said to have been created by a descendant of the Chen family and had been lost for many years."
"The Huixin Girl costume has been reproduced recently. Mama Wei, please send some back to Aunt Wen."
Madam Wei bowed and replied, "This old servant just returned from Fengyin Courtyard. Aunt Lu also saw this incense just now and said that Huixin made it very well. Aunt Lu heard that Aunt Wen was not feeling well and said that burning this incense at night would help her sleep peacefully."
Aunt Wen gave a guilty smile and stood up to thank Madam Yun. "...Thank you for your concern, Madam. I will go and thank Aunt Lu later."
When Madam Yun led the young ladies to Fu'an Residence, Aunt Wen, feigning illness and fearing she might pass on her illness to the old lady, prepared to return to Lanting Courtyard. Suddenly, Madam Yun spoke up, "Autumn is dry, and mosquitoes and poisonous creatures haven't yet gone into hibernation. I heard from Doctor Zhen that calming incense shouldn't be used with other spices. Aunt Wen, don't forget that."
Upon hearing this, Consort Wen's expression changed. After suppressing her shock, she managed a slight smile, bowed slowly, and took her leave, saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Madam. I will certainly pay attention."
Madam Yun observed this and pondered for a long time on the way to Fu'an Residence. She then said to Mama Wei, "Let Doctor Zhen and his apprentice try the Soul-Soothing Incense... What would be the consequences if it were burned together with the Auspicious Incense from the Double Ninth Festival?"
Madam Wei was a shrewd woman; she almost immediately understood what Madam Yun was talking about. She quickly gave a wink to the head maid behind her and hurried off to the front courtyard.
Inside Fu'an Residence, the young ladies chatted with the old lady about some interesting things. Meng Shu estimated the time and reminded the second young lady. The mistress and servants apologized to the old lady and Madam Yun before leaving Fu'an Residence. They were going out to inspect the shops today and would have lunch outside. When they returned to Yunyi Courtyard, Donggua and Jinshu had already packed their things and were waiting for them.
Then Jinshu watched helplessly as the second young lady left with five others. Suppressing her jealousy, she rolled her eyes and went to the general affairs office to find her parents. She had come to terms with it these past few days. No matter what, she could not get ahead with the second young lady. Naturally, she was unwilling to accept this. She heard that several of the old lady's head maids had reached marriageable age. If there was a chance to be transferred back to Fu'an Residence, it would be an opportunity for them to get ahead.
No one knew what she was thinking. Meng Shu and the others chattered away the whole way after getting into the car. The second young lady was never reserved in front of them. She pointed at the winter melon and said, "We'll see what you're capable of later. What are Meng Shu's plans for today?"
"Reporting to Second Miss, let's go to the bookstore first. It has been open for a few days now, and the new manager was transferred from the General Affairs Office of the mansion. After that, we'll go to the incense shop, and finally the cloth shop. We'll have lunch at the cloth shop. I've already informed you in advance."
The second young lady nodded. She didn't care much about the bookstores, but there were many bookstores in Lin'an. Although she didn't have the chance to visit them all, she sent people to inquire. She found that many books in the capital were not available in Lin'an. Most of the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections used for the imperial examinations were only a few books, and most were only for on-site copying.
Why did this happen? Meng Shu had actually noticed it long ago. Her grandfather had been a scholar all his life, but his collection consisted mostly of travelogues, landscapes, engineering and pharmacopoeias, and miscellaneous literary works. He had very few books on classics, history, philosophy, and literature.
After communicating with Mr. Lin, I learned the details. Mr. Lin was quite pleased that the second young lady had asked this question. He carefully explained some old stories from the previous dynasty and pointed out that the previous dynasty valued martial arts. This was one of the means to control the people, that is, to "keep the people ignorant." Also, because the Jiangnan region was wealthy, most families had access to books, so this situation was not taken seriously even now.
Meng Shu concluded that the difficulties faced by people at the bottom of society are such that they can only passively accept them if no one speaks out for them.
Therefore, the second young lady went to discuss with Tang Xian, and as a result, after opening a printing workshop in Lin'an... Meng Shu also looked at the second young lady with new respect.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the printing industry was under strict government control. It is unknown what method Tang Xian used, but within a month, he built a workshop in the outskirts of Lin'an. He brought woodblocks from the Ministry of Works in the capital to print classics, histories, philosophical works, and the reflections of scholars from past dynasties.