"No wonder the prince knows so much about tea, and the tea in the prince's mansion is so fragrant. It turns out he runs his own tea shop."
Yun Duoduo never expected that Jin Jinzhi, who was busy every day, was also running a tea shop.
"Besides the tea plantation, there are also 500 hectares of fertile land, all of which are good fields, with no barren or desolate areas."
"The farmers have already planted the seeds, and there are also some seeds that the prince brought back from the Western Regions when he went on his expedition. Presumably, they will produce tomatoes, eggplants, hawthorns, dates and the like in the fall."
"Including the fertile land that our royal estate originally owned, we can expect to earn about 30 million taels of silver every year."
"Okay, I understand, Uncle Fu. Keep an eye on the fields when you have time. Some of the farm managers are very shrewd and they often bully the farmers."
"Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will send people to check on things from time to time."
"Yes, His Highness has gone to Jiangning. Tomorrow, I will go to the Five Pagoda Temple outside the West Gate to pray for His Highness."
Yun Duoduo put down her teacup and continued speaking.
The Five Pagoda Temple has a very good reputation in Beijing. People in Beijing go to the Five Pagoda Temple to pray for the safety of their families.
"Alright, since we're going to the Five Pagoda Temple outside the West Gate to offer incense and pray to Buddha, this old servant will prepare some dry food, a water bottle, and some maids, servants, and guards to accompany us."
"Well, you decide what to do."
"Alright, I'll instruct the servants to carefully check the good stuff and make preparations. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Uncle Fu."
Early the next morning, Yun Duoduo, A Xiang, Qiu Ju, and their group left the palace and headed to the temple.
At the gate of the mansion, carriages, utensils, and casual maids and servants were all ready.
Who are these people?
As Yun Duoduo left the mansion and boarded the carriage, she noticed that some of the people in the entourage were dressed differently.
"These are the bodyguards that the prince left for the princess before he left."
"These people will stay with the princess at all times to protect her safety."
Yun Duoduo nodded: "Is there anyone protecting the Jin family?"
During Jin Jinzhi's absence from the capital, she, as the daughter-in-law, must protect the safety of Xun Yunge and Jin Xiaoran.
"Your Highness, rest assured, His Highness has made all the arrangements."
"Moreover, the master is skilled in martial arts, and the Jin residence is heavily guarded; ordinary people cannot enter."
As he spoke, Uncle Fu helped Yun Duoduo into the carriage.
"Okay, let's go then."
...
It was already noon when we arrived at the temple.
The temple was crowded with people coming and going, all offering incense.
After offering their prayers, the group left the inn and found another inn nearby to stay in. This inn was located right below the temple at the foot of the mountain.
“Your Highness, let’s rest here for the night and recover our strength. We’ll return to the manor tomorrow morning,” Dongshuang said.
"good."
The counter and chairs inside the inn were arranged very elegantly. The dark gray willow wood tables and chairs were coated with wax and looked very warm under the candlelight.
The tables and chairs are carved with exquisite patterns, and a layer of light green gauze hangs over the bamboo windows, exuding a gentle and delicate feeling everywhere.
"I'll go tell the shopkeeper to prepare braised beef and hot water."
Ah Xiang was about to call the shopkeeper to prepare the food when Yun Duoduo stopped her.
"Aunt Xiang, I'll just have a bowl of mung bean soup. Whatever you want to eat, just ask the shopkeeper to make it."
"good."
After saying that, Yun Duoduo went upstairs. At the corner of the stairs, an old woman with a sorrowful expression and tears streaming down her face came down.
"My daughter! Where are you?!"
The old woman was dressed in coarse cloth, her face was deeply wrinkled, and her hands, which were covered in calluses, were wiping away tears.
What happened?
Yun Duoduo asked the waiter in a low voice.
“This old lady is from Yangzhou. She lost her daughter a few months ago and has been searching for her all this way.”
"I've suffered a lot on my way from Yangzhou."
It seems that the old woman has lost her family and is looking for them.
"Ah, they're pitiful people too."
The waiter sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"Grandpa, please don't be sad. Could you describe what your daughter looks like? We can help you put up a notice."
The old woman's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, and she knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Yun Duoduo.
"Bodhisattva, the living Bodhisattva has appeared!"
The old woman knelt on the ground and kowtowed. She had been searching for her daughter all the way here, and when she heard that there was a Five Pagoda Temple, she came to pray to Buddha. Unexpectedly, she really met a benefactor.
"No, no, get up quickly."
Yun Duoduo quickly helped the woman up, went into the room, and drew a portrait based on the old woman's description.
I originally thought the old woman's child would be a woman in her twenties or thirties, but the drawing based on the description looks like a girl who hasn't reached marriageable age yet.
"What a thin and frail girl."
Looking at the portrait, Yun Duoduo couldn't help but speak.
These words made the old woman even more heartbroken. "My husband and I had a child late in life, and it was so hard for us to have her, but we were too poor. We couldn't give our daughter a single good day. She has suffered so much with us..."
As she spoke, the old woman began to sob.
"Dongshuang, have several copies of this painting made and have them posted on the main road."
"Grandma, stay here for now. If you receive any news, someone will come to this inn."
Seeing the old woman's somewhat troubled expression, Yun Duoduo understood, "The rent will be charged to our account."
"Okay, okay, thank you, young lady!"
...
The next day at noon, the group returned to the Prince's Mansion. Uncle Fu heard the sound of the carriage wheels from afar and waited at the gate of the mansion.
"Your Highness, lunch is ready."
After having lunch in the front hall, Yun Duoduo saw Uncle Fu still standing to the side and asked with some doubt, "Uncle Fu, is there something else?"
Uncle Fu looked at Yun Duoduo with a smile: "Your Highness, the courtyard that the Prince built for you has been cleaned up."
"Would the Princess like to take a look?"
"courtyard?"
"Let's go in and take a look."
With that, Yun Duoduo lifted her leg and left the front hall, heading towards the backyard.
"Your Highness, the newly built courtyard is not in the mansion. This old servant will take you there."
Yun Duoduo was puzzled. Had they built another courtyard outside?
Yun Duoduo followed beside Uncle Fu, while A Xiang and Dong Shuang followed behind.
After leaving the Prince of Jibei's mansion, turn right and walk a few dozen steps, and a palace-like courtyard will suddenly appear before you.
"Fu Shuang Courtyard..."
When she arrived at the entrance, Yun Duoduo saw the plaque hanging above.
"Oh, Your Highness, this entrance looks just like the Fu Shuang Palace!"
Yun Duoduo nodded, looking just like a miniature version of Fu Shuanggong.
Upon entering, you'll see that the yard is filled with evergreen trees like pines and cypresses, as well as pink wintersweet, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
"This is the front hall," Uncle Fu said, walking ahead.
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