Chapter 100: Cui Li

On the way, Lin Fang asked Xian’er about her future plans. Xian’er replied, “To serve the Sixth Young Miss well.”

“Ha? Do you mean you’ll follow me for a lifetime?”

“I am the Sixth Young Miss’s maid, of course I’ll follow you for a lifetime.”

“Maids grow up too, and when they grow up, they marry. You’re already thirteen, almost at the age for marriage.”

“Maids don’t marry until they’re sixteen. I still have time.”

Heh, most girls would blush and feel shy when the topic of marriage comes up, but this Xian’er—whether she’s just slow to mature or simply carefree—talks about her own marriage as casually as if discussing when dinner will be served.

Xian’er had been with Lin Fang for six years, practically inseparable. One could say that Xian’er and Qian’er had become integral parts of Lin Fang’s life, just like Dalang and Guicheng. Naturally, Lin Fang wanted to make good plans for them both. Though Qian’er still worked for the Lin family, she was no longer a slave, and Lin Fang intended to secure Xian’er’s freedom as well.

Lin Fang teased Xian’er, “Have you taken a liking to anyone? I could arrange an early betrothal for you so no one else snatches you away.”

Truth be told, with a bold mistress like Lin Fang, the servants had long grown accustomed to her playful teasing—especially Xian’er, who had been with her since the age of eight and was naturally cheerful. She never took Lin Fang’s words seriously.

Ignoring Lin Fang’s teasing, Xian’er asked, “Sixth Young Miss, will this school continue to operate?”

“Hmm? What, have you taken a fancy to someone there? I can arrange it for you.”

“Ah, no, Sixth Young Miss! Xian’er just likes the atmosphere of the school. If you really want to plan for my future, could I manage the school like Lan Ma someday?”

Lin Fang found it amusing. Xian’er claimed to love the school’s atmosphere, but in reality, she just enjoyed playing with the students every day. Still, the question reminded Lin Fang of an idea she’d once had. She asked, “Xian’er, how about finding you a mother?”

“Sixth Young Miss, I don’t even remember where my home was or what my mother looked like.”

Seeing other children cuddling with their mothers, Xian’er often felt envious. Even when she saw a mother chasing her child with a stick, Xian’er thought how happy that child must be.

Ah, poor kid.

Patting Xian’er, who was only half a head taller than her, Lin Fang asked, “What do you think of Lan Ma being your mother? She’s alone too.”

After a stunned pause, Xian’er brightened. “Really?”

Before Lin Fang could respond, Xian’er worried, “But Lan Ma always says I’m too mischievous. She might not like me.”

Seems she really does long for a mother. Lin Fang reassured her, “Don’t worry. Let me ask Lan Ma first, alright?”

“Yes, yes! Thank you, Sixth Young Miss!” Xian’er nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, too overwhelmed to say more.

As they entered the courtyard, they heard laughter from her parents’ room—her parents’ voices and two unfamiliar ones.

The moment she stepped inside, Li Cuimei beckoned, “Fang’er, come. Meet your Eighth Aunt.”

In the main hall sat a man and a woman in their twenties. The man was handsome, while the woman looked somewhat familiar. Even seated, it was clear they were both tall.

Eighth Aunt? That must be Second Grandmother’s daughter, Lin Cuili. No wonder she looked familiar. Lin Fang stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Eighth Aunt. Fang’er pays her respects.”

Second Grandmother had mentioned that Eighth Aunt lived in a windy, bitterly cold place. Indeed, her skin wasn’t as fair as Second Grandmother’s, likely due to the harsh climate, and she looked older than her age. If she stood beside Second Grandmother, people might mistake them for sisters rather than mother and daughter.

Taking Lin Fang’s hand for a closer look, Lin Cuili laughed. “Haha, though we’ve never met, I’ve long heard of your cleverness. Your mother says you teach at a school? My, just as talented as she was in her youth. You’ll surely grow into a great scholar.”

Lin Fang demurred, “You flatter me, Eighth Aunt. I only teach basic literacy—nothing compared to Mother’s achievements.”

Before Lin Cuili could reply, the young man beside her interjected cheerfully, “And me! I’m your Eighth Uncle.”

Lin Fang quickly bowed. “Greetings, Eighth Uncle. Fang’er pays her respects.”

Haha, this Eighth Uncle was tall, broad, and handsome—someone Second Grandfather must have approved of greatly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have married his beloved daughter off so far away.

Dalang had grown up under Tong Shi’s care and shared a special bond with his younger sister Lin Cuili, closer even than Lin Cuiping and Lin Cuili. When Li Cuimei married Dalang, Lin Cuili was still unmarried, so the two had interacted before. Now reunited, they were naturally affectionate.

During their conversation, Lin Fang learned that Lin Cuili had followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a court guard like Tong Shi had been—and also a physician.

Lin Zhongsi had observed a year of mourning for Lin Bosi. By the time the mourning period ended, he was past retirement age. But with Tong Shi’s business expanding rapidly these past two years, he hadn’t had time to complete the official retirement procedures.

Lin Cuili and her husband had come to deliver Lin Zhongsi’s retirement documents. Tong Shi had entrusted them with bringing the profits from Dalang’s businesses in Liangping Town over the past two years, as well as the income from Li Cuimei’s dowry properties. As court guards, no one would dare intercept them on the road.

After work, Lin Cuiping and Lin Cuie returned home. Lin Cuie changed into casual clothes and hurried over excitedly. She’d been too young when Lin Cuili married to remember her well, so she greeted her Eighth Sister politely but had little to say.

Lin Cuiping and Lin Cuili had been rivals as children. Though both were adults now and no longer as contentious, the distance had kept them apart. After exchanging formal greetings, Lin Cuili chatted with Dalang and his wife while Lin Cuiping sat quietly.

That evening, after a hearty meal, they followed their usual routine of taking a walk along the field paths to aid digestion. Lin Cuiping and Lin Cuie excused themselves to return to their own courtyards, leaving only Dalang, his wife, and Lin Fang to accompany Lin Cuili and her husband.

The moonlight was splendid that night. Dalang and his brother-in-law found an open space and began sparring with swords and spears. Seeing this, Guicheng’s hands itched to join, and soon the three were locked in a fierce match. These past two years, Dalang and Guicheng had been too busy with work to enjoy such vigorous exercise, and now they were thoroughly absorbed.

Meanwhile, Li Cuimei held Lin Fang’s little hand as they strolled through the fields with Lin Cuili. During their chat, Lin Cuili mentioned, “Eldest Sister-in-law, Mother wrote that you knit a kind of tight woolen undershirt that’s very warm. Could you show me?”

Li Cuimei shook her head. “To be honest, since coming here, I’ve been too busy reclaiming land to knit any. Besides, few people here raise sheep, so wool is hard to come by.”

Then she remembered, “But I do have a few cashmere garments—even warmer than the woolen ones.”

“Cashmere? Mother never mentioned those. Even warmer than wool? I must see them!”

Recalling the circumstances, Li Cuimei smiled. “Heh, it was Fang’er playing with a comb on a goat one day. She managed to comb out some fine down. Curious, she had every goat combed. The down was spun into fine thread and knitted experimentally. The result was lighter, softer, and warmer than regular knitwear—but there was so little cashmere, we only made a few pieces.”

“Then I must see them even more!” Lin Cuili, impatient, tugged Li Cuimei back toward the house.

At home, Li Cuimei brought out her cashmere garments—a set of close-fitting underclothes. Lin Cuili couldn’t stop touching them.

She and her husband spent most of their duty days running about in the wind. Come winter, the wind cut like knives, stinging their faces. Even in heavy coats, they often felt chilled to the bone. These cashmere garments would make a world of difference.

Seeing Lin Cuili’s reaction, Li Cuimei knew she adored them. She initially thought to gift her the unworn undergarments, but realizing she was much shorter than Lin Cuili, she instead gave two unused sets of Dalang’s underclothes to the couple.

“Eighth Aunt, do you raise sheep at home?” Lin Fang remembered Second Grandmother describing how Lin Cuili’s in-laws had herds of cattle and sheep. It’d be wonderful if they could buy some sheep.

“We used to have dozens, but we sold them when we took up our posts. My sons cried for days when the sheep were sold.” Lin Cuili had two sons—one a year older than Lin Fang, the other a year younger.

Just as Lin Fang was about to voice her idea, Lin Cuili had one of her own. “Oh, Mother wrote that Eldest Sister-in-law wants to open a woolen knitwear workshop. Is that true?”

Li Cuimei nodded. “I’ve considered it, but without a steady supply of materials, it’s remained just an idea.”

“I can supply the materials! I’ll provide them!” Lin Cuili’s voice brimmed with excitement.

Li Cuimei had already guessed her thoughts but asked anyway, “How so?”

Lin Cuili explained eagerly, “My in-laws produce large quantities of wool. I’ll buy it from them and sell it to you—then your workshop can start! But I have one condition: I get the first batch.”

Hah, Lin Fang stifled a laugh. Just like Second Grandmother, this Eighth Aunt wanted first dibs—though her appetite was bigger, demanding the entire first batch rather than just the first piece.

Lin Cuili was truly Tong Shi’s daughter, quick on the uptake when it came to business. Putting herself in others’ shoes, she immediately realized her fellow guards would welcome such warm, snug knitwear. With their decent salaries, buying a piece or two would be no trouble—and she could profit from the markup.

If she could expand this market among her colleagues, the potential earnings would be even greater!

But Li Cuimei wasn’t as optimistic. “Knitting is easily copied. If someone replicates the technique and opens a workshop locally, their prices will undercut yours. Won’t that hurt your sales?”

This was a real possibility. Back when Cui’s Knitwear Workshop first opened, imitators had quickly appeared. Lin Cuili fell silent.

Remembering luxury brands from her past life and her family’s approach in Liangping Town, Lin Fang suggested, “Mother, if we use double-sided embroidery to add unique patterns to the knitwear, it’d be harder to copy—and we could charge more.”

“Exactly, Eldest Sister-in-law! Fang’er is right,” Lin Cuili agreed enthusiastically. “The clothing from Lin’s Cui Ji sells better at higher prices, especially among the wealthy. It’s not just the fine craftsmanship—the double-sided embroidery sets it apart, making it a status symbol.”

Li Cuimei sighed. “Ah, don’t I know it.”

Yes, they’d moved here precisely to leave past troubles behind, minimizing the harm Lin Bosi had caused and creating a better environment for the children. The clothing and knitwear workshops on the farm didn’t carry the Lin’s Cui Ji name—they didn’t even have a brand. They only ran one modest garment shop in town, selling clothes at very low prices.

Lin Fang regretted her thoughtless remark, realizing it had stirred painful memories for her mother. She quickly comforted her, “Heh, Mother, no use dwelling on it. Let’s earn what we can now—we’ll cross bridges when we come to them. With Eighth Aunt’s cleverness, who knows? She might make a fortune.”

“I know I’m clever—no need to tell me.”

Uh… Lin Fang was taken aback. She’d thought herself quite thick-skinned, but this Eighth Aunt put her to shame.