Li Cuilan and Zhang Tieshuan had no acquaintances in the capital apart from the residence of her second brother, General Li Ziyi. When feeling idle and bored, they had nowhere else to go.
Her second brother was occupied with official duties every day, while his wife, Guo Jiayi, was constantly engaged in social obligations. Both were extremely busy.
Not long after arriving in the capital, Li Ziyang found himself a job, leaving early and returning late each day. Daping, meanwhile, spent her days learning the capital’s customs from her sister-in-law Guo Jiayi and quickly adapted to life in the general’s residence. She had once tried to involve Li Cuilan in accompanying Guo Jiayi to various aristocratic households, but Li Cuilan disliked such activities, so Daping stopped bothering her.
With both her brother and sister-in-law occupied, Li Cuilan and her husband could only spend time with the elderly couple, Li Qingyun and his wife, Pan. However, the old couple was not idle either.
Out of courtesy, visitors to the general’s residence always paid respects to the patriarch and his wife. Though the elderly couple disliked empty formalities, they forced smiles and endured the social niceties for their son’s sake. The general’s household was large, and the capital’s rules were intricate—every word and action required caution. Life was far less relaxed than in Liangping Town, and the old couple found it no easier than their eldest daughter and son-in-law.
Seeing his elder sister and brother-in-law listless, Li Ziyi inquired about the reason. After a moment’s thought, he told them to wait patiently for a few days while he devised a way to ensure they would no longer be bored—though it might involve some hardship. Coming from a farming background, the couple had no fear of hard work and eagerly awaited Li Ziyi’s solution.
A few days later, Li Ziyi approached Li Cuilan and asked if she would be willing to resume her old trade—growing vegetables in greenhouses. Li Cuilan immediately agreed, and when she learned that the location was near her third sister’s place, she was overjoyed. As for why the imperial court had chosen that particular site—coincidentally where many displaced refugees needed resettlement—Li Cuilan suspected it was her second brother’s deliberate arrangement. However, court affairs were complex, and she refrained from asking too many questions, trusting that her brother had their best interests at heart.
After talking for a while, Li Cuilan felt parched and took a sip of tea before chuckling, “Father and Mother wanted to come along too, but Second Brother wouldn’t allow it, saying they were too old and would be better off in the capital where everything was convenient. They complained endlessly, insisting that staying in the capital was anything but convenient and that they’d suffocate from boredom sooner or later. Eventually, Second Brother relented and promised to personally escort them here next spring once everything was in order. Only then did they quiet down.”
Li Cuimei laughed as well. “If they didn’t make a fuss, they wouldn’t be our parents. They’ve always been playful by nature—how could they endure so many rigid rules? It’s already a miracle they didn’t insist on coming with you. This way is fine. I haven’t seen Second Brother and his wife in over a decade. Let’s hope he keeps his word and brings them next year.”
Noticing her elder sister and brother-in-law looking exhausted, Li Cuimei urged Xiaoqin’s wife, “Send someone out again to check—why hasn’t the master returned with Fang’er yet?”
Before dinner, Li Cuilan had already asked about Dalang and Lin Fang. Moreover, with no moonlight tonight, the outside was nearly pitch-black. Worry gnawed at Li Cuimei as her husband and daughter remained absent.
“No need to look—I’m back.” As soon as Li Cuimei spoke, Dalang pushed aside the curtain and entered, bringing a chill with him.
Dalang immediately apologized to Li Cuilan and her husband. “Elder Sister, Brother-in-law, forgive me. By the time I settled Eunuch Zheng, it was nearly evening, and the old monk refused to let me bring Fang’er down the mountain. I stayed to chat with her for a while, delaying your welcome.”
Li Cuilan waved it off. “No need for formalities among family. How is Fang’er?”
“Just physically weak, but nothing serious.” Though he smiled, unease lingered in Dalang’s heart. He felt his daughter and the old monk were hiding something from him. Why wouldn’t the monk allow her to come down when she seemed perfectly fine?
Li Cuilan nodded. “It’s right not to bring her down. If she’s weak and the weather is cold, her health comes first.” Zhang Tieshuan nodded in agreement.
After a few more idle remarks, Li Cuilan took her leave. Though reluctant, Li Cuimei understood her sister and brother-in-law had pressing responsibilities.
Only after Dalang and Li Cuimei retired did the couple have time to talk. Dalang recounted his meeting and conversation with Qi Biao, while Li Cuimei explained in detail the reason for Li Cuilan’s arrival.
Holding his wife gently, Dalang sighed. “Ah—we really owe Second Brother and Yi’er for this idea. Not only does it provide work for the refugees, but it also solves the urgent need for winter supplies.”
Li Cuimei was less optimistic. “Breaking ground to build greenhouses in freezing weather—what if someone accuses us of wasting resources and exhausting the people?”
Dalang replied softly, “Though it may seem wasteful, the benefits outweigh the costs. Without this, most refugees would have starved by now, given the meager rations from the county office. Now, they have ample food and hope.” His voice was heavy with fatigue.
Li Cuimei wanted to ask more, but light snores already sounded beside her. She let it go—Dalang had been leaving early and returning late these days, sometimes even skipping meals. He was utterly exhausted.
The next morning, Dalang woke late to find his wife already gone.
Tan Liu, hearing movement, entered to report that a maid from Xiyuan Courtyard had been waiting for some time. She wished to inform the master that Miss Sima had urgent matters to discuss with him.
As Tan Liu warmed his clothes over the brazier, Dalang dressed and asked, “Did you ask her what Rusu wants?”
Tan Liu shook his head. Dalang said, “Rusu dislikes the cold—I’ll go to Xiyuan Courtyard instead.”
Upon arrival, he found Chen Dong feeding Master Sima with a soft tube. Since collapsing, the old man had remained unconscious, making feeding a challenge.
Initially, Tong Shi and Lin Zhongsi pried open Master Sima’s mouth while Tong Shi inserted a thin bamboo tube into his esophagus, attaching a funnel to pour in broth or porridge. Once Chen Dong learned the method, she took over, with Xiao Shiyuan holding her father’s mouth open as she carefully inserted the tube, ensuring it didn’t enter the windpipe before feeding him.
Master Sima now looked clean and healthy, a testament to Chen Dong’s care.
After helping settle Master Sima back in bed and ensuring he was warmly covered, Dalang asked, “Rusu, did you need me for something?”
“Yes,” Chen Dong handed him a cup of red date tea. “Lately, Xian’er mentioned the greenhouse vegetable project. Last night, I recalled Fang-jiejie once told me about an ancient method of growing mushrooms in greenhouses, though the book wasn’t detailed, so she didn’t explore it further. I was wondering—could we reserve one greenhouse for me to experiment with mushroom cultivation?”
She paused, watching for his reaction.
Dalang’s interest was piqued. “Did Fang’er mention how long it takes to harvest mushrooms in a greenhouse?”
“Hmm—” Chen Dong pretended to think. “If successful, as little as two or three months.”
In truth, Lin Fang only knew the theory, while Chen Dong had both theory and practice. She merely wanted to use Lin Fang’s reputation for brilliance to realize greenhouse mushroom cultivation. Hearing everyone else busy, she longed to contribute.
“Good. I’ll discuss it with the cultivation officer about allocating a greenhouse. If successful, you’ll have done a great service for the refugees and Lin Town’s development.”
Action followed words. Dalang headed straight for the gate, prompting Tan Liu’s surprise. “Master, won’t you even eat breakfast? What’s so urgent? Can I handle it?”
The Lin household valued self-sufficiency, so servants rarely hovered. Tan Liu, stationed at the courtyard gate, hadn’t overheard the conversation.
After hearing Chen Dong’s idea, Tan Liu suggested, “If Sixth Young Miss is involved, success is certain. Master, why not request additional imperial supplies now for a mushroom greenhouse? It’d speed up refugee aid. If we wait until after success, who knows how long approval might take?”
Dalang hesitated—greenhouse mushrooms were still theoretical.
Tan Liu pressed, “Master, our mountain mushroom farm was Sixth Young Miss’s idea. Its yield dwarfs wild harvesting. You know her brilliance better than I. Why not try?”
Tan Liu’s faith in Lin Fang was genuine—to him, she was nearly omniscient. Unbeknownst to him, the mushroom cultivation expertise actually belonged to Chen Dong. If Lin Fang knew Tan Liu credited her, she’d likely gloat over having new bragging rights against Chen Dong.
Dalang decided. “Good. Outsiders only know of Lin’s abundant wild mushrooms, not the farm. But Yi’er knows. Inform him—yesterday, he mentioned securing more imperial supplies. Perhaps this can aid his efforts.”
“Yes, I’ll arrange it. But Master, shouldn’t you eat first? Once you leave, who knows when you’ll next have time?”
“True. You’ve waited hungry too. Let’s eat together.”
“As you command.”
Initially strict about hierarchy, Tan Liu had grown comfortable sharing meals with the family. During busy times, master and servant often ate on the go, foregoing formalities.
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