Days passed, indistinguishable from one another, yet a new vibrancy had permeated the Duke’s Mansion. Now, not only its grand entrance but the entire Dongyuan was adorned with festive red and colorful decorations. A fifty-fifth birthday was no mere occasion; ordinarily, it would warrant only a small family gathering or a few close friends. But today was different.
Since Shang Ji’s return, the Duke’s Mansion had not hosted a single grand banquet to entertain his esteemed colleagues. Firstly, Shang Ji was genuinely preoccupied, tirelessly training troops in the military camp, leaving him no time for social niceties. Secondly, with everyone vying for the coveted position of Hussar General, a birthday banquet at the Duke’s Palace was deemed the most opportune moment for a grand display of his success. Thus, when Madam. Wei extended the invitations, countless individuals who had previously kept their distance now eagerly sent messages confirming their attendance. This was a boon for the Duke’s household, and Madam Wei, naturally, delighted in spreading the invitations far and wide. Everyone, from the highest to the lowest, toiled diligently to ensure the event’s success, sparing no effort for minor details.
Seizing this bustling opportunity, Du Jingyi ventured out twice, each time visiting the General’s Mansion to inspect the ongoing repairs. She had to admit, the team of bricklayers chosen by Mama Dou was truly exceptional; their progress far exceeded her expectations. In less than a month, nearly all the construction was complete. At this rate, the mansion would likely be finished by mid-October. This would allow the gardeners to begin their work early, ensuring the grounds were meticulously cared for. Though winter in Sui’an City was harsh, Du Jingyi had once accompanied her father to Mobei, an even colder region, where she had witnessed the ingenious greenhouses and gardens constructed by wealthy local households. Even in the bitterest winter, flowers bloomed in there as if in an eternal spring. Mr. Du, enchanted by these marvels, had obtained a set of drawings from an old friend for his own use. The only drawback was the immense cost. But now, money was the least of Du Jingyi’s, or rather, the General’s Mansion’s, concerns.
Thus, Du Jingyi retrieved the greenhouse blueprints from the Du family. Upon returning to Dongyuan, she instructed her maid, Yingying, to summon Aunt Dou. Mama Dou had not been particularly busy these days, primarily overseeing errands within Dongyuan. So, when Yingtao arrived, she found Mama Dou readily available.
Mama Dou’s face lit up with pleasure when she saw her . She stepped forward, inquiring, “Why is Miss Yingtao here? Has the Young Lady call for me?” Yongtao , as a sweet-mouthed and kind-faced girl , smiled and curtsied to Mama Dou. “Mama Dou’s guess is correct. Madam wishes to discuss matters concerning the General’s Mansion with you.” Hearing this, Mama Dou initially thought it was merely to inquire about the progress. Without a hint of suspicion, she followed Yingtao.
Upon entering Xitang Courtyard, a comforting warmth enveloped them, a stark contrast to the chill outside. It was late September, and after several bouts of autumn wind and rain, the air had grown steadily colder. Earlier in the month, a lingering “autumn wind” had allowed for light shirts, but now, thicker cloth and silk were necessary. In another month, winter jackets would be essential. Consequently, Lu Ju and several embroiderers from Dongyuan were busily at work for this .
When Mama Dou entered the room, she saw Du Jingyi seated on the heated kang by the bright window, clad in a warm, goose-yellow embroidered vase-style gown. Before her lay a magnificent gold-framed abacus with white jade beads, clearly an object of considerable value. “This slave has met the Young Lady,” Mama Dou greeted.
“Mama Dou is here. Lizhu, serve tea.”
“Yes,” Lizhu responded curtily .
For Du Jingyi, Butler He and Aunt Dou were not mere servants; she treated them with considerable generosity because of there unwavering loyalty over the years.So as Lizhu brought a round mahogany stool for Aunt Dou, then presented a cup of tea, her demeanor impeccably polite.
Mama Dou, without hesitation, directly addressed the matter. “What do you wish to tell me, Madam? The General’s Mansion’s procurement list is almost complete. I brought it here for your review. Is there anything you wish to add?” With that, she handed over a brochure.
Du Jingyi took it, scrutinizing it carefully before smiling. “Mama Dou is most experienced in handling affairs and has prepared a complete set of items. Let’s proceed as planned.” As she spoke, as if remembering something, she instructed Aunt Dou, “After the General’s Mansion’s storehouse is repaired, have my dowry delivered there. There’s a set of rosewood furniture within that is exceptionally fine. Let’s place it in the front hall to entertain guests.”
“Yes, Young Lady.” The items from the Du family were not only expensive but exquisitely elegant. Mama Dou could discern this simply by observing the furnishings in the current room. Thus, she was delighted to save this expense and allocate the funds elsewhere.
“Oh, by the way,” Du Jingyi continued, “I also brought a set of blueprints from my parents’ home. They are for the greenhouses built by wealthy merchants in Mobei. Mama Dou, please take a look and discuss them with the masonry team to see if they can be constructed in the general’s mansion. If it’s possible, we can build a room in the main courtyard, the sister-in-law’s courtyard, and the eighth sister’s courtyard, so that everyone can have a warm winter.”
Mama Dou had never heard of such a thing and was naturally curious. Yet, seeing the detailed drawings her mistress provided, she quickly skimmed them and nodded in agreement. “Okay, I’ll take this to the masonry team to discuss how to build it. If it can be done, that would be a marvelous thing.” However, Mama Dou suspected that the team, being relatively uncreative, would simply follow the drawings meticulously.
Seeing her compliance, Du Jingyi seized the opportunity to propose a moneymaking venture. “There are many noble and wealthy households in Sui’an City. If we can successfully build this greenhouse, we can publicize it. This masonry team will become a rare commodity. When the time comes, thirty percent of the profits will naturally be given to us.”
Upon hearing this, Mama Dou’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t that she disagreed with her mistress seeking ways to earn money, but she felt this particular method might be looked down upon by the ladies in other high-ranking households. Thus, she hesitated to accept directly. Du Jingyi, observing her hesitation, immediately understood. In the Du family, such a proposal would be met with applause, but here, in the General’s Mansion, face and reputation held greater sway. So, she cleverly pivoted. “At that time, we can use the money to go to the Enshan Hall to give out porridge, which can also be regarded as accumulating blessings for the General.”
Shang Ji, a man who fought on battlefields, carried a heavy burden of killing. Therefore, not just he, but all generals were keen on performing good deeds and believing in the blessings of gods and Buddhas. Hearing this, Mama Dou’s frown relaxed, and she nodded in approval. “The Young Lady is kind-hearted. I will do it as you say now!”
The two chatted briefly about the General’s Mansion’s arrangements, then Aunt Dou rose and departed. After she left, Du Jingyi planned to rest, but then Li Zhu burst into the room, her face alight with excitement, like someone eager to watch a thrilling drama unfold. “Young Madam,” she exclaimed, “the fight is about to begin, the fight is about to begin!”