Two months ago, Gu Qinlan had instructed the servants in the mansion to uproot the flowers in the garden and turn it into a vegetable garden. At this time, the fresh vegetables in the garden were ready for harvest.

As for meat, Gu Qinlan had made ample preparations. Although fresh meat was hard to find, various kinds of cured meats and dried meats were piled up like mountains.

The Prince Duan's mansion kept its gates tightly shut and lived a self-sufficient life. Although its standard of living was not as high as before, it was still more comfortable than most families.

Because of the large quantity of dried vegetables collected, Gu Qinlan had the servants in her household set up a stall in front of the Prince Duan's mansion to sell the dried vegetables.

Despite the exorbitant prices, some people are still willing to buy them in order to make a living during these difficult times.

During those days of food and clothing shortages, the general public, especially the wealthy and powerful, were plunged into the predicament of not being able to enjoy vegetables. Rumors spread that the Prince Duan's mansion had an ample supply of dried vegetables, so these wealthy families sent their servants to purchase them, hoping to alleviate their embarrassing situation of having no vegetables to eat.

This situation quickly attracted the attention of ordinary people. Fearing they would miss the opportunity to buy, and that even with money in hand, they would have nowhere to buy, they also joined the buying frenzy.

The once troublesome mountain of dried vegetables has suddenly become a hot commodity in the market.

Zheng Huiyi witnessed the long queue of anxious people waiting outside the mansion and expressed her sincere admiration for Gu Qinlan's wisdom and foresight.

"At first I was worried that these dried vegetables would rot in the mansion, but I never expected that they would all be exchanged for gleaming silver. Sister's foresight is truly astounding."

Zheng Huaiyu nodded in praise, "Mother is so clever; I could never have imagined these things."

Zheng Huiyi strongly agrees with this.

Meanwhile, the Duan Prince's Mansion was doing quite well, while the Ji family's situation seemed rather bleak.

The Ji family's territory was small, and they were completely unaware of the crisis. Apart from stockpiling some rice and grain when rumors of refugees crossing the border first arose, they made no other preparations. In just half a month, their vegetables were all used up, and the whole family had to subsist on rice and steamed buns every day, leaving them with unbearably dry throats.

The discomfort was tolerable for adults, but difficult for children to accept. With no food available, several children cried and refused to eat.

Madam Ji saw this and felt distressed, so she urged her sons to come up with a solution as soon as possible.

Although Madam Ji outwardly asked everyone to discuss solutions together, in reality, the entire Ji family placed their hopes on Gu Qinlian.

After all, only the Prince Duan's residence currently has a vegetable supply, and it is also being sold to the public.

Although they could buy vegetables at the market with money, who would be willing to pay for them when they could eat them for free?

Besides, the dried vegetables at the Prince Duan's residence are not cheap; they are more than ten times more expensive than usual. The Ji family's money is already limited, and it must be used wisely. How could they spend it on such trivial matters?

Gu Qinlian and Gu Qinlan are twin sisters. If she asks for some vegetables, would Gu Qinlan refuse?

"This is utterly shameless! It's just some dried vegetables! It's something that could be solved with a few coins, yet they're trying to take advantage of such a small thing!"

Gu Qinlian was so angry that her face turned ashen. She couldn't understand why the Ji family, who had always maintained dignity and respectability in their previous life, had become so worldly and despicable in this life, even abandoning their sense of honor.

She even felt that she wouldn't have the nerve to pay for the vegetables herself, let alone ask Gu Qinlan for them.

Seeing that she hadn't made a move for a long time, the Ji family members repeatedly urged her on in their conversations.

Annoyed to no end, Gu Qinlian simply took her personal maid and returned to her parents' home, leaving the Ji family dumbfounded.

“Mother-in-law, my third sister-in-law has already gone back to her parents’ home. What should we do? Perhaps we can take some silver from the public treasury and go to the Prince Duan’s mansion to buy some vegetables? The adults can manage without vegetables, but how can the children stand it? Recently, the eldest young master’s excretion has become a problem. I’m really worried that he will develop health problems because of this.”

The eldest daughter-in-law used the child as an excuse, which broke Madam Ji's heart, but she had no money to spare.

The family was already struggling financially, and the devastating floods destroyed their house, requiring extensive rebuilding that nearly bankrupted her.

She dared not use the remaining silver easily, for it was her own funeral expenses and the capital to support her third son's imperial examinations.

However, she had to find a way to meet the dietary needs of her large family.

So, Madam Ji went to Ji Yinli's study.

Ji Yinli was engrossed in writing an article inside the house, while his concubine, Fuling, carefully ground the ink beside him. Normally, Gu Qinlian was very wary of Fuling, and Fuling dared not easily approach Ji Yinli. But now that Gu Qinlian had returned to her parents' home, Fuling finally found an opportunity to add a touch of romance to Ji Yinli's life.

Ji Yinli was not a reserved person to begin with, and with Fuling's deliberate teasing, the two quickly fell into passion.

Madam Ji pushed open the door and happened to witness this scene. She was so angry that she almost fainted.

"What are you doing! In broad daylight, do you have no sense of shame?"

Madam Ji shouted angrily, startling the two of them into separating immediately.

She strode forward and slapped Fuling hard across the face: "You wretch, who gave you permission to come here and stir up trouble? How dare you interfere with my son's studies? Are you tired of living? Believe me or not, I'll sell you off to a place a thousand miles away right now!"

Fuling covered her slapped cheek, knelt down on the ground without a sound, and sobbed uncontrollably: "Madam, I know I was wrong, I will never do it again."

Ji Yinli hurriedly tried to dissuade her: "Mother, why are you doing this? It's not her fault, I was just out of my mind. Fuling, get out of here!"

Fuling hurriedly scrambled out of the study.

Madam Ji was furious, her anger blazing: "Third son, you mustn't do anything foolish! This Poria cocos must get out of here!"

She cannot accept anyone who might hinder her son's success in the college entrance examination!

On this point, Madam Ji actually found Gu Qinlian quite admirable.

Although Gu Qinlian came from a merchant family, she had a profound understanding of the importance of the imperial examinations. She tirelessly urged Ji Yinli to study diligently every day, even more so than her own mother. However, since Gu Qinlian entered the family, she no longer inquired about Ji Yinli's studies.

Surprisingly, less than half a day after the third daughter-in-law returned to her parents' home, that young woman named Fuling dared to boldly entice Ji Yinli to do something outrageous in broad daylight!

How could Ji Yinli bear to part with such a sensible and understanding woman as Fuling? He immediately said, "If Mother really wants to sell Fuling, then I would rather give up my studies. I am also a person of flesh and blood; I get tired, and I feel pressure. You force me to study every day, and Qinlian is also pushing me relentlessly. I can only get a moment's respite with Fuling by my side. If it weren't for Fuling's encouragement in my ear, I would have given up long ago!"