Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Fengyu Manor; Xiaoxiang Society
The next day, Wu Tianyue originally wanted to send Daiyu to the prince's mansion before leaving, but when he heard that Daiyu had gone to live with Tanchun and others, he turned around and went to the prince's mansion.
Before he even left the house, someone came in: "The Junior Secretary of the Crown Prince's Mansion, Ke Wen, wants to see you."
"Please come in." Wu Tianyue said and went to the study outside.
"Greetings, Crown Prince." Ke Wen entered and bowed, then explained, "Today, the Emperor summoned His Highness to the palace for a meeting. His Highness ordered me to take His Highness to the manor house for a visit."
Wu Tianyue listened, nodded, and didn't say much to him. He sent someone to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to deliver a message saying that he was leaving the city. Then he said directly, "Then go today."
"Yes." Ke Wen responded and rode out of the city with Wu Tianyue.
The manor sponsored by the prince was called Fengyu Manor, located sixty miles north of the capital. It was surrounded by mountains and rivers and had fertile land.
The manor covers an area of nearly a thousand acres, with a small house with three entrances in the middle, which was used for the prince to live in during his inspections, although he had never been there.
To the east are paddy fields, where water is channeled into canals and various varieties of rice, as well as water chestnuts and lotus roots, are planted; to the west are dry land, where wheat, millet, and other crops are rotated; to the south are vegetables such as melons and eggplants, and condiments such as perilla and chili peppers; to the north, mulberry trees are planted for silkworms, ramie is grown for cloth weaving, and a poultry house is set up to raise chickens and ducks; various fruit trees are also planted on the mountain behind.
Wu Tianyue naturally couldn't tell the difference between these, so he ordered Wu Bu, the chief steward of the manor, to take him around to have a look. After that, he had an idea in mind and asked people to call all the stewards of the manor.
He ordered, "I've taken a rough look and you've all done a good job. However, there are important things to do in this farm from now on, so we need to redistribute the work."
As he spoke, he brought out a list, called out a few names, and continued, "First, each of the four districts (east, west, south, and north) must mark out two plots of land. These two plots must be roughly the same in terms of fertility and location. Then, from each district, select a few tenants who have performed well and will be responsible for subsequent planting and breeding. Divide them into four teams: grains, vegetables, fruit trees, and livestock. Each team will have a literate person assigned to record their daily activities and the status of their crops and poultry."
After hearing this, the district managers bowed their heads in agreement.
Wu Tianyue continued, "Besides that, arrange for a steward to lead people to the nearby villages to ask the farmers how they are tending their crops. Don't bully others by taking advantage of your power. Anyone who provides information will be rewarded, but all of this must be recorded in a book. When you return, plant the designated plots according to the instructions. If it's effective, you'll get another reward. If it's useless information, whoever wrote it down will be held responsible."
"There's no need to rush these things. Just do what you did in previous winters. The selected individuals will need to take time every day to study ancient agricultural texts. Chang Jian will lead the teaching staff," Wu Tianyue added. "The rest will remain under the responsibility of Chief Steward Wu, but I'll check in on them from time to time."
Wu Bu and Chang Jian also received the order. Wu Tianyue then asked, "Who will be in charge of the farm guards?"
A burly middle-aged man stepped out and said, "I, Wu Yi, will be in charge of patrolling and escorting Fengshuo Manor."
Wu Tianyue nodded and said, "You arrange the shifts. From now on, one team will stay in the village every day, and the rest will go out on patrol with me."
After Wu Yi agreed, Wu Tianyue said, "It's the autumn harvest season now. You guys go and get busy. Wu Yi, get the farmhands in order and pick a few of them to go with me later."
The output of this farm was just a drop in the bucket for the Crown Prince's Mansion, so Ke Wen didn't care about Wu Tianyue's previous troubles. However, he was a little worried by what he said later. So after everyone agreed to leave, Ke Wen stepped forward and said, "Prince, you are of noble status. Leading people out on patrol..."
Before he could finish his words, Wu Tianyue raised his hand to interrupt him: "Things should be handed over to those who understand. I don't know how to farm, but I do understand these things. Besides, who would dare to act rashly under the emperor's feet? I'm just taking people to visit the nearby villages and, by the way, help the people to deter the scoundrels so that they can have peace of mind for the autumn harvest."
After hearing this, Ke Wen didn't know how to persuade him, so he had to let him go for now and report to the prince after returning to the city.
"Don't worry about it. He's just a child at heart. Let him play for a few more years." The prince heard this and smiled. "As for the Zhuangzi matter, you can keep an eye on it when you have time. If there's any result, that's great. If not, that's fine too. Just be careful not to let anything spread that disturbs the people."
Ke Wen quickly agreed and went there every few days. Seeing that someone was in charge, Wu Tianyue left the matter to him and Chang Jian, and he took the farmhands around all day.
Daiyu had no idea what Wu Tianyue was doing outside, because she had decided to set up a club in the palace yesterday. She thought that she would have to invite the princesses in the palace, and also send invitations to several princesses and princesses. After all, this club was led by Tanchun, and the sisters were also in the club, so she had to discuss it with them.
If they agreed to add people, it would still be the Begonia Society. If not, they would just set up their own new society, separate from this one. So today she got up early, sent a letter to Princess Zhongshun, and went to discuss with her sisters.
Yingchun and Xichun were chatting with Tanchun in Qiushuangzhai. After hearing what Daiyu said, they both agreed.
Tanchun laughed and said, "Poetry writing is always a joy when there are many people around. But firstly, if the princess and the others are coming, our family members won't be able to serve as president or vice-president. Secondly, I don't know if old farmer Daoxiang is willing to go out."
So everyone went to Daoxiang Village to find Li Wan.
After hearing the whole story, Li Wan declined, saying, "I wanted to be the club's president because it was a club founded by my sisters. Now that you're running a club in the palace, it naturally has nothing to do with me. Besides, my status is different after all. You unmarried girls should just go and have fun on your own."
Daiyu tried to persuade her again, but Li Wan still shook her head. Tanchun then said, "In that case, let's split the two clubs. The Begonia Club back home will still be managed by my eldest sister-in-law, and Yu'er will be the president of the club over there. There's no need for a vice-president. We'll just wait for the invitations to join."
Yingchun and Xichun were not very keen on poetry, and Li Wan was a widow who did not want to go out, so when they heard this, they both said, "That's right."
After the discussion, Daiyu said with a smile, "I have to tell Sister Bao and Sister Yun about this. Why can't I see her anywhere today?"
Tanchun had also heard rumors about the Xue family's affairs in the past few days and wondered, "Her family affairs should have been settled by now. I wonder what she is busy with."
As he spoke, he left Daoxiang Village with everyone else and headed towards Hengwu Garden.
As soon as I reached the door, I saw Xiangling leading a few girls wearing coarse clothes.
Tanchun stepped forward and asked with a smile, "What are you doing?"
"I don't know either," Xiangling replied with a smile. "Our master sent someone out of the city early today to invite him, and he only asked me to bring him in for the young lady. Besides him, he also gave me a bag of seeds."
As she spoke, she called the servant behind her to come forward and pointed to the cloth bag she was holding for them to see.
The sisters stepped forward to open it and took a look. They became even more curious and hurried into Hengwu Garden with Xiangling and others.
Baochai was reading a book when she saw a large group of them come in. She said with a smile, "What's going on today? Why are you all so busy?"
Then he asked Xichun, "Didn't the old lady ask you to paint the garden? Do you still have time to come out and stroll around?"
"That's not something that can be done overnight, and we don't have all the paints and canvases yet." Xichun smiled and said, "I came here today to tell you something."
Baochai laughed and said, "What's so important?"
"Let's put that aside for now." Daiyu saw the book Baochai was holding - "Collection of Flowers" and said with a smile, "First, let me ask you, why are you suddenly reading this book and asking someone to buy seeds?"
The matter had not yet been completed, and Baochai did not want to tell so many people about it. She just said, "I just have nothing to do."
"Don't ask any more questions." Xiangyun said with a smile, "She just came back yesterday at midnight. As soon as she arrived, she asked someone to look for the book. It took her a long time to find this one. She just sent someone to buy the 'He Pu'. I've been asking her for a long time today, but she still won't tell me."
After hearing this, everyone became even more curious and pulled Baochai to ask.
Baochai was so annoyed that she could only say, "It's not done yet. I'll tell you when it's done."
The few of them finally stopped talking and chatted for a few more words. Zijuan came in and said, "The girl is here. It's so hard for me to find her."
Daiyu heard this and said with a smile, "Is there anyone coming over there?"
Zijuan nodded. "The Queen must have received the news and sent someone here. She even specially sent a few flowers in a vase. I haven't seen them before, so I don't know what they are."
"I'll check it out tonight." Daiyu smiled and stood up, then asked, "Where is he?"
"They are all waiting outside the garden."
When everyone heard about it, they hurriedly urged Daiyu to go.
Daiyu said goodbye to a few people, took Zijuan out, got in the carriage and went straight to the palace.
Princess Zhongshun was sitting and teaching the housekeeper Jin Ling the ways of the house. When she saw Daiyu coming, she hurriedly pulled her to sit down and said, "I was thinking that you have only started two clubs, so it will take some time."
Daiyu smiled and said, "It will indeed take some time. The second day of the New Year is Sister Feng's birthday, so we have to wait until at least that day."
Princess Zhongshun listened and nodded, "As you should."
Then he asked Daiyu, "Will your club still stick to your previous name?"
Daiyu shook her head and said with a smile, "That's from the mansion over there. Since I'm running my own club here, I naturally have to open another one."
"We need to come up with a name first," Princess Zhongshun said with a smile. "Then we need to decide on a theme. Should we emulate the free and easy style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, or the rhythmic style of the Tang and Song dynasties? Should we write about objects, express our feelings, or even sing in harmony?"
Daiyu smiled and said, "I haven't made up my mind yet. Does your Majesty have any ideas?"
Princess Zhongshun laughed and said, "Why did your poetry club ask me what I was doing?"
Daiyu refused to give in: "Your Majesty was the one who wrote to me and asked me about it first, and now you're pushing it onto me alone?"
"How did I push it onto you?" Princess Zhongshun pinched her nose. "You're the head of the community, so naturally your opinion should prevail. Why are you blaming me?"
"It was only after hearing what the Majesty said that I suddenly had the urge to start a society," said Daiyu. "The Majesty must not leave me alone."
"Then we can do it later." Princess Zhongshun thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Or maybe we can wait until the winter snow falls and enjoy the plum blossoms and the snow in the plum garden."
Daiyu shook her head and sighed, "That method won't work. A few days ago, the sisters over there said they would hold a party to enjoy the scenery after the first snow fell."
"That's not right, and that's not right either." Princess Zhongshun laughed, "I really can't arrange things for someone as busy as you."
Daiyu smiled and said, "The Queen sent me here, so you can't run away."
After that, he smiled and asked Jin Ling who was sitting next to him: "Ling'er, do you have any ideas?"
Jin Ling smiled and said, "It's far away in the horizon, yet it's right before our eyes."
Daiyu asked curiously, "In front of me?"
Jin Ling smiled and said, "Didn't you see the flowers that the Empress sent over today, Sister?"
Princess Zhongshun clapped her hands after hearing this and said, "Yes, that flower is called Yuerui. During the day, the petals are closed, like jade hairpins. At midnight, they open in response to the moon, looking like small lanterns from afar. The color of the flowers is also unique, with a faint purple stem and white petals, but under the moonlight, they have a faint green halo. This flower is extremely difficult to cultivate, and the small patch in the mansion has only bloomed this year. Fortunately, if you pick these flowers and put them in a vase, they will bloom for several months. But after all, it is better to sit under the moon and watch them."
"There are flowers like this?" Daiyu said with a smile, "Then I must take a good look at them tonight."
Seeing that she liked it, Princess Zhongshun smiled and said, "You and Ling'er can go and see it later. If you like it, I'll have someone plant a few in your yard."
Daiyu smiled and said, "Thank you, Madam."
The topic was decided, and when someone came to talk, Princess Zhongshun went to do something, leaving the two of them to discuss it on their own.
After dinner in the evening, Daiyu and Jin Ling gathered together to chat until the lights were turned on, and then they decided to name the poetry club Xiaoxiang Club. Daiyu was naturally the president, and there was no deputy. Only Princess Zhongshun served as the supervisory censor, and the first meeting of the club was scheduled for the 15th.
The next day, Daiyu wrote a note at the prince's mansion and asked someone to send it to several princesses and princesses. Then she returned to the Jia Mansion, paid her respects to Lady Jia, chatted with her grandmother for a while, and then went back to the Grand View Garden.
I went to Yihongyuan first and learned that Wu Tianyue had not returned yesterday. After putting down the post, I went back to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to rest.
In the evening, she ordered the little maid to deliver the things that Jin Ling asked her to bring to the sisters, and ordered Zijuan to deliver invitations to the sisters.
All the sisters replied to the post and agreed to go to Prince Zhongshun's mansion together on the 14th, but there was still no news from Wu Tianyue.
Daiyu waited until midnight, but Wu Tianyue still hadn't arrived. Thinking he must be tied up by something, she ordered the lights out. Just as she was about to go to sleep, she heard Zijuan whisper outside, "Miss, the prince is here."
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