Chapter 123 Who understands? Half a month after the wedding, I've become the Lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong...

On the occasion of Grandmother Jia's birthday, Yuanyang spread the word that the Rongguo Mansion was going to send out another batch of servants to pray for the old lady's well-being.

Although it's done like releasing animals back into the wild, you still have to pay for who lives and who dies.

The servants of the Jia family had experienced this more than once, and their words became increasingly explicit.

"Those who can leave should leave as soon as possible, while the masters still have some dignity."

"If it were me, I would also say to let them go. How much silver do they get for selling people? A pretty maid is only a dozen taels, and a skilled cook is only thirty taels. But if you want a spot to leave the manor... that's a long shot. Last time Miss Lin got married, she spent over a thousand taels of silver."

An old woman chuckled twice. The master had spent eight hundred taels to buy a concubine. They had seen Yan Hong before. The master was definitely a sucker.

"How come they still have money? Didn't they already spend money once when Miss Lin got married?"

"Well, there were a few families who figured it wouldn't be their turn, so they didn't contribute any money at all. And their masters' confidants didn't pay either, did they?"

The old women were silent for a moment, then one of them asked, "Aren't you going out?"

“What would I do if I went out? I’m an old lady’s mother, she wouldn’t mistreat me.”

A person nearby scoffed, "The Jia family has no tradition of treating the elderly well. The Ningguo Mansion next door—now that the Ningguo Mansion no longer exists—that Jiao Da from Master Zhen's family saved the old master's life, and they still gave him chores, fed him horse manure, and gave him a manor. Now his fate is unknown. Where is there any gratitude?"

The old woman who claimed to be Grandmother Jia changed her expression and lowered her voice, saying, "I've only told you a few of you this. Just listen and don't take it seriously. If word gets out, I won't acknowledge it."

Several old women sat in a tight circle, so crowded that there was hardly any room for them: "Just say it. We've known each other for so many years. Besides, what good would it do us to tell anyone?"

Only then did the old woman in Grandmother Jia's courtyard speak up: "How long has it been since Miss Lin married? Have you seen any of the people who came with her on her dowry day?"

The old women thought for a moment and then shook their heads in unison: "If Miss Lin didn't return home, it wouldn't be appropriate for them to come back. But they're all in the capital, and they must have one or two relatives here. Haven't they ever had a chance to go out even once? Is the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion so strict?"

The old woman shrugged: "Among the families who provided dowry, there were a few well-known wealthy landowners. Although they contributed a thousand or so taels of silver, they weren't seriously injured and ended up with even more. I heard, just heard, that they were ripped off again before leaving, and their luggage and belongings were searched."

"You mean they were actually using the guise of a dowry to silence her at the Rongguo Mansion!"

"Keep your voice down!" the old woman slapped her. "I certainly wouldn't dare go out. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. This year, the mooncakes we sent out even had the Rongguo Mansion's name cards printed in gold foil. And the old lady still has so many properties in Jinling. Besides, the old lady hates disloyal people the most, and the mistress is even more ruthless. Look at Xiren in Bao Er Ye's room, she didn't even ask to take a complete set of clothes with her when she left. She was directly kicked out, and then they searched her room!"

When the young ladies in Jia Baoyu's household were mentioned, the old women became noticeably excited: "They were all so delicate and pampered, spoiled so much by Master Bao. Their food, clothing, and daily necessities were not only better than ours, the old women who had worked hard and made contributions, but even better than the proper young ladies in the house. They also used plenty of imperial gifts. Now they've all fallen to this state because they wasted so many good things before. They deserve it!"

The topic gradually veered off course, but these old women all kept it in mind. They didn't spend any money to buy the right to "release animals," but quite a few people still had their own ideas.

The Ningguo Mansion is gone, who knows how long the Rongguo Mansion can hold on? If we don't leave now, are we just waiting to be sold off in the future? Then we won't have a choice.

In just one night, Yuanyang had raised enough money for charcoal for the winter and personally delivered it to Madam Wang.

"The old lady instructed that the room should still be lit with silver charcoal in the winter, and the young ladies should not be mistreated. The fourth young lady is pitiful; they don't want her anymore, so we must take good care of her. And Zhu'er's wife, a widow who has lost her job, should not be mistreated either. Miaoyu was also specially invited by invitation, so we must not let our guests be mistreated."

This is what they say in public, and there are also warnings behind the scenes.

"The old lady said that this would be the only time, and those people would not be able to squeeze any more money out of them. The old lady also instructed the mistress to think twice before doing anything. After the Mid-Autumn Festival comes the Double Ninth Festival, and after the Double Ninth Festival, it is time to prepare for the New Year. The mistress should think about how to prepare for the New Year's dishes, rewards, new clothes, and so on."

Lady Wang had barely had a moment to relax before she started worrying again.

I can't live like this anymore!

She called Wu Xing's wife over: "Go and see how Tan Chun is doing with her studies?"

Even if they didn't know at first, now that the hostage from Beili has been living in the capital for half a year, Prince Teng has some sources of information, and Madam Wang also sent someone to inquire a few days ago. The hostage from Beili is very wealthy, and his belt is made of pure gold.

Previously, Madam Wang looked down on pure gold, finding it vulgar. Now, all she wanted was for this belt to be hers.

"Send another basket of broad beans to Aunt Zhao."

Because their hopes are pinned on Tan Chun, they must not let Aunt Zhao get too cocky.

Lady Wang had only been dreaming about it for two days when the emperor bestowed a marriage upon the hostage prince of Beili. His principal wife was the second daughter of Prince Mingyuan, and his dowry included two concubine daughters selected from the imperial clan, both of whom were granted official positions.

Lady Wang was extremely anxious, and with Grandmother Jia's subtle and overt urging, she went back to the Wang family that very night to find Prince Teng.

Wang Ziteng was still as thin as a rake, but his eyes had become even sharper. He deliberately held back and slowly took a sip of his tea: "Why are you in such a hurry? I told you from the beginning that Tan Chun could only ever become a maid. Besides, he doesn't take a wife or concubines, so how would I know what kind of woman he likes?"

Lady Wang returned to the Jia household and told Grandmother Jia what had happened. Grandmother Jia breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt something was amiss.

When Yuan Chun was sent to the palace, the thought was that she might catch the emperor's eye, but that was the imperial palace, and starting as a palace maid was one thing. But now, to be a hostage prince's maid, shouldn't we at least know what kind of woman he likes?

Could it be that she wants to talk about Tan Chun? Grandmother Jia thought for a long time before she remembered that there was such a word as flattery.

She then instructed Madam Wang: "Treat her well. Tan Chun is a polite and grateful girl. Tell her more about how good the Rongguo Mansion is to her."

Lady Wang agreed, but didn't take it too seriously. Over the years she had spent with Tan Chun, it was always Tan Chun who catered to her.

Did she instruct Tan Chun to ostracize Lin Daiyu? No, it was all Tan Chun's own initiative.

Lady Wang felt that as Grandmother Jia grew older, she became increasingly soft-hearted and even lost the ability to deal with people.

After the birthday banquet for Grandmother Jia ended, she became anxious again.

This time, even without Yuanyang speaking, everyone understands what's going on.

Shi Xiangyun got married, but the Jia family didn't even receive a single invitation.

Of course, the Shi family didn't simply refuse to send invitations; they sent someone to say, "We want to keep things simple. The son-in-law's family doesn't like to make a fuss, so we won't invite too many people."

Lady Wang secretly mocked Grandmother Jia several times: "Even though she's called an old lady, the Shi family looks down on her, unlike our Wang family, who always keep in touch every now and then."

Wang Xifeng also mocked Madam Wang with Ping'er: "Madam is such a fool. The Shi family looks down on the Jia family, but she doesn't know why my uncle is still willing to talk to her, and she's even smug about it. No wonder her three children are all worse than the last. If I were her, I would definitely raise Lan'er well, unlike her, who picks up sesame seeds but loses watermelons."

"Open your mouth." Ping'er fed Wang Xifeng the medicine. She was quite happy. Ever since she had given up all her household affairs, her health had improved a lot. She was also becoming more and more energetic, talking badly about people behind their backs every day.

Anyway, Second Master is a blockhead, and the Jia family is a bottomless pit. Second Madam isn't a weak woman who can't live without her husband's family, so why bother focusing her attention on them?

Although the Jia family did not receive an invitation from the Shi family, Lin Daiyu did. Of course, the invitation was sent to the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion.

But Mu Chuan didn't know the Shi family or the Wei family, so why would they invite him to a wedding banquet right away?

"Are you going?" Mu Chuan asked.

Lin Daiyu turned and glanced at him: "Have you ever seen me associating with the Shi family's daughter?"

Mu Chuan chuckled twice, feeling a little embarrassed to say it, but when his wife glared at him, even his heartbeat became stronger than usual.

Mu Chuan put the invitation aside, and Lin Daiyu came over and sat down next to him, asking in a coquettish voice, "When are we going back? When we came out, the ginkgo and red leaves had already started to change color. I want to go back and see them."

Ah, he still prefers to be affectionate.

"You're not playing anymore? You're not going to pump the bellows anymore?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head.

"Not fetching water anymore?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head again, a smile appearing on her face: "You really want me to do chores? I'm just giving it a try."

A few days ago, someone insisted that he was definitely a master at starting a fire, and that he just needed to practice working the bellows. I wonder who that person is.

Lin Daiyu sighed, her face full of helplessness, "I wasn't a genius after all."

"I realized then that Mother was just teasing me. When others light a fire, they use dry firewood, but Mother replaced it with dry grass, which made it burn much faster and fiercer. With a whoosh, the fire burst into flames, which startled me. I thought—" I must be related to the Wind God at some point, right?

Mu Chuan laughed very loudly, and then received a loving pinch.

“It will take another two or three days,” Mu Chuan said. “I have presented some new farming tools, and the court will send people to inspect them tomorrow. I reckon His Majesty will also be coming.”

Lin Daiyu looked completely disbelieving, but Mu Chuan was quite confident.

Although his confidence stemmed not from the farm tools, but from his faith in his favorite courtiers.

Sure enough, the palace guards arrived in the afternoon.

Lin Daiyu looked at her new husband in disbelief. Mu Chuan said, "In the Great Wei Dynasty, there is no rule that the emperor is not allowed to leave the palace. Besides, His Majesty cares about the people, and agriculture is fundamental. This is a blessing for the Great Wei Dynasty and a blessing for the people."

Lin Daiyu was amused: "You should say that to His Majesty tomorrow."

The emperor and his entourage arrived at Linjia Village at noon the next day.

After a simple yet solemn reception ceremony, the emperor followed Mu Chuan to the fields.

One mu of dry land and one mu of paddy field.

Mu Chuan took out a simple hand-cranked seeder.

The person demonstrating went down to perform the procedure, while Mu Chuan accompanied the emperor, explaining it to him.

The rice transplanter in the paddy field is a hand-cranked machine that rolls forward to plant the seedlings in the ground.

“We can plant five mu of land a day,” Mu Chuan said. “Rice can’t be planted in the capital this season; this is just a gesture.”

The hand-cranked seeder, though only a very simple prototype, was the first step towards mechanized mass production.

The emperor was so engrossed in looking at the neat rows of rice seedlings that he waved his hand and, for the first time, said impatiently to Mu Chuan, "Qiao Yue, don't spoil the fun. Let's get a closer look."

The emperor himself could see the advantages, but Mu Chuan only mentioned the disadvantages: "Initially, it was made of wood, and the idea came from seeing the seedlings. However, wood swells when soaked in water, so later some components were replaced with iron, which makes it last longer, but it needs maintenance to prevent rusting."

Although gears can be made, the chain bearings are not refined enough with the current technology, so a lot of cowhide and sheepskin are used as substitutes. The precision is not enough, and they need to be readjusted after a period of use.

“Planting in small plots of land is not suitable. The cost is not cheaper than manual labor, and it requires frequent adjustments, which can sometimes damage the seedlings. It is not cost-effective for ordinary households; large plots of land are necessary. Although it can save time on transplanting, the subsequent weeding, loosening of the soil, and fertilization are still essential. If you plant too much, you won't be able to harvest it all, and it will all be for nothing.”

The emperor glared at him and then asked the people from the Ministry of Works, "The one Qiao Yue made can only be inserted in one row at a time. If you make two side by side, can't you insert two rows at a time?"

The official from the Ministry of Works nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. We will try it when we get back."

After watching the rice planting, Mu Chuan invited the emperor to the dry fields to watch the sowing.

"Both corn and soybeans can be used."

A seed planter is a large disc that rolls around and sows seeds into the soil.

Adjusting the length of the nozzle allows you to control the sowing depth.

Although it's not very well controlled yet, and two or three seeds might fall out at once, the methods for raising seedlings and storing seeds are quite primitive at this stage. There are no pesticides; everything relies on tilling the soil and burning straw. Even when sowing manually, only two or three seeds are sown at a time, and we see which ones germinate. Sometimes, we even have to replant.

So this isn't a drawback.

"The soil needs to be turned over properly, and you can't water it before sowing, lest the clay clogs the mouth."

Mu Chuan listed several more shortcomings, while the emperor continued to glare at him with a smile.

"Qiao Yue, oh Qiao Yue." He was truly different from other ministers.

Other ministers would praise themselves to the skies, but Qiao Yue only mentioned his shortcomings.

The emperor, disregarding whether anyone was around, stood on tiptoe and forcefully patted his shoulder.

“I have seen it. I think it can be used, so the imperial estate will use this for sowing this year.”

The emperor, full of pride, looked at the neat fields of Linjia Village and announced loudly, "The Earl of Zhongyong is promoted to a first-class marquis! Linjia Village is exempt from taxes for three years."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Mu Chuan knelt on the ground. The emperor was now satisfied; patting him on the shoulder was easy enough. Just give him a few more gifts, and he'd get the pat on the shoulder, right?

"Get up quickly, the ground is cold." The emperor helped Mu Chuan up.

Lin Daiyu stood with the Mu family on the ridge of a field not far away.

She was also a little incredulous. Had she really become a Marquis's wife? It didn't seem as difficult as her grandmother had described.

...I started out as a great-granddaughter-in-law after I entered the family...

I was promoted to Lady of the Marquis within half a month of entering the household.

Lin Daiyu smiled, revealing two small dimples; she was so proud.

Huang Guihua slapped Mu Dazhuang's back hard again: "You're such a burden! It's all your fault that I'm still a first-rank imperial consort!"

Mu Dazhuang glared at her: "Give me some face in front of my daughter-in-law."