Union

Chapter 99 Tea Mountain Tea Mountain Tea Mountain
Yunying went and found a fire pit.

The fire iron is what we now call an iron.

In ancient times, there was no electricity available, but people still needed to iron their clothes, so fire-starting and water-starting tools came into being.

Yunying prefers using fire to water.

The fire pot is like an inverted horseshoe, with a hollow, short handle. Red-hot charcoal is placed in the hollow part, and the bottom conducts heat to iron clothes.

This type of ironing tool was widely used, not only for ironing clothes but also for ironing paper and protecting books; it was an indispensable item in the homes of wealthy families.

Yunying carefully took out the second master's new clothes to iron.

The clothes sent to the Second Master by the Duke's Mansion were made of very precious materials. Yunying was really worried that if the Second Master were to damage them carelessly, she would not be able to afford to pay for them.

Yunying dared not be distracted for a moment, staring nervously at the clothes, not daring to blink.

Just as she was proceeding cautiously, as if facing a formidable enemy, the Second Master's voice suddenly rang out behind her, "What are you doing here?"

Yunying turned around instinctively, her hand flicking the fire poker, the glowing embers about to fall onto her clothes.

"Oh dear, your clothes." Yunying came to her senses and reached out to take the charcoal, but just as she was about to touch it, she suddenly realized that it was burning brightly.

Burning! Right now! Brightly burning! Wood! Charcoal!
If she were to receive this, her hand would be burned at best, and at worst, it would be burned with a hole.

"Are you out of your mind!" Second Master grabbed her and pulled her over. A gust of wind swept through his hand, and the charcoal was blown to the floor.

"Oh dear, Second Master, the floor is going to get burned through. We mustn't let the house burn down."

Yunying quickly broke free from the Second Master's grasp and ran to pat the scorched floor. White smoke was rising from the floor, and Yunying's actions, involving both hands and feet, were quite comical.

With a "sizzle," a cup of tea was spilled onto the charcoal, causing billowing white smoke to rise from it and extinguishing the fire.

Yunying squatted on the ground, looked up at the Second Master, who looked down at her with a half-smile in his eyes, "Can you get up now?"

"Yes, it's okay."

Although she said she could get up, Yunying's legs were actually a little weak.

After all, because of her carelessness, she almost set the whole room on fire.

Second Master pulled Yunying up, and Yunying stood up.

Standing upright and facing the Second Master, Yunying felt even more embarrassed and wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

She's truly more trouble than she's worth.

Yunying angrily smacked herself on the head twice.

Second Master said with a smile, "Stop knocking. He's not that smart to begin with, you'll only make him stupid."

Yunying was speechless. "Second Master, you can't be so disrespectful. I was just trying to iron your clothes..."

“Who ordered you to do this job? Your hands are better suited for helping me with accounting; doing this kind of rough work is a complete waste.”

Yunying didn't say that she had acted on her own initiative, but the Second Master had already given the order again, "Don't do it next time, just leave it to Suiyun and the others."

As for what Suiyun and the others are doing... fine, whatever Second Master says goes.

Yunying was about to clean up the table and floor when Second Master stopped her again, saying, "Take a break. Leave the rest to Suiyun."

Before Yunying could complain, the Second Master asked, "Why did you come to my room?"

He looked down at her, his phoenix eyes filled with a bright smile. Yunying's embarrassment and awkwardness all rushed to her head at once. At this moment, she belatedly realized that staying in the bedroom with a grown man she had once rejected seemed to be a very unwise decision.

Yunying calmed her agitated mind and said, "Mo Xue was in a hurry to deliver things to you, so she asked me to bring the clothes that the Duke's mansion sent to you to your room first. I don't know how to store those folding fans, jade crowns, and the like. The only thing I can do is iron the clothes and put them away for you. Speaking of which, didn't Mo Xue find you a set of tools to help embed pearl nuclei into pearl shells? Mo Xue only left a short while ago, why are you back already? Did you run into Mo Xue on the way?"

Second Master mumbled, "I ran into him. I told him to go keep an eye on things while I head back to the manor. It's not a job that will only last a day or two, so it's better if I go later. There's no need for me to stay there all the time."

Second Master then pointed to the adjacent wing room, "Most of my accessories are kept in the east wing room. You can just send your things there from now on."

Yunying agreed, then didn't know what to say next.

Fortunately, she noticed that the Second Master pursed his lips, and immediately had a bright idea. "Shall I make some tea for the Second Master?"

Second Master nodded, "Alright."

The two moved to the study, while the Second Master ordered Sui Yun to handle the mess in his bedroom.

Finally leaving that room, Yunying could breathe more easily.

Perhaps it was because she had spent a long time in the Second Master's bedroom, or perhaps it was because the Second Master's presence was everywhere, but as long as Yun Ying took a deep breath, she could still smell the faint scent of paper and ink.

Cool and refreshing, light and subtle, mixed with the Second Master's breath, it enters the body through the nose, making one shiver involuntarily.

The second master sat back in his armchair and saw two letters and a list of items on the table.

The second master picked up the list of items and saw that it contained many women's cosmetics, hairpins, and other jewelry. His eyelids couldn't help but twitch upwards.

Yunying said, "There are two letters, one from the Duchess and the other from the Duke. Second Master, please read the letters first, and I will go make tea."

It was called "brewing tea," but it was really just boiling some water on a stove. Once the water was ready, they took out the tea leaves sent from the capital, brewed them twice, and then served them to the Second Master.

By the time Yunying brought over the tea, the Second Master had already finished reading the two letters. He said to Yunying, "That box of women's items was a gift from your mother. Move it to your courtyard later."

Yunying parted her lips slightly in surprise, "For me?"

The Second Master nodded, "I'll reward you by having you manage my backyard." This was, of course, only one reason, but there was another, deeper, and more important reason that the Second Master wouldn't mention.

But even if the Second Master didn't say it, how could Yunying not have thought of it?

She had reviewed the list of goods; among the items to be given to the woman were fine rouge and face powder, as well as some fashionable fabrics. Of course, these were minor items; the main item was a set of glass jewelry with eight auspicious symbols.

That thing is very valuable; it's probably worth a thousand taels of silver.

Yunying felt that no matter how much the Duchess valued a steward, she wouldn't bestow such a generous reward. But since she did, it wasn't a reward for the steward, but rather for the Second Master's concubine.

Consider this: after she obtained the Jade Spring Pill, she first fed it to Aunt Ding. Aunt Ding then showed her a lot of kindness and, intentionally or unintentionally, pushed her towards the Second Master… Perhaps in Aunt Ding's eyes, she was already the Second Master's woman. If that's the case, giving her a generous reward seems reasonable, doesn't it?
With this in mind, Yunying firmly said no.

She looked at the Second Master, waiting for his signal.

But the Second Master didn't speak; he just looked at her with narrowed eyes.

Yunying felt a little flustered at first. "Second Master, why are you looking at me like that?"

Second Master remained silent.

The second master then gave a self-deprecating smile.

He recalled his mother's letter reminding him that a gentleman should know what to do and what not to do; he should adhere to etiquette, maintain high moral character and self-respect; he should be self-disciplined and cautious, and be mindful of his conduct even when alone. All of this was essentially a reminder: he should not let Yunying become pregnant and give birth, nor should he allow a concubine to give birth before his legitimate child.

Unfortunately, my mother was overthinking things.

It's impossible for him and Yun Ying, not only now, but also in the next few years.

A fleeting hint of self-mockery crossed the Second Master's face, as if Yun Ying had simply misread it.

Yunying didn't pay attention to any of this, because the Second Master spoke again.

The second master said, "Since it's for you, just accept it. You helped me calculate the area of ​​the fields for twenty days, and I haven't rewarded you yet..."

"Second Master, you have already given me a lot of jewelry and cloth."

"The past is the past, and the present is the present. I've said before that merit should be rewarded. I haven't rewarded you this time. Besides, you refuse what Mother gave you, so what if I said these were my gifts to you in gratitude?"

Yunying still didn't want them, saying, "They're all too expensive."

"Even the most valuable things only look good when used on a person. Just leaving them lying around is like a pearl gathering dust. Please accept them; you'll need to work on the terraced fields later. If you don't accept them, I'll feel bad asking you to do anything."

Yunying had never known that the Second Master possessed such eloquence. Unable to refute him, she eventually agreed to accept the gifts.

However, having received such a valuable gift, Yunying felt she should work even harder for the Second Master.

She said, "The terraced fields have already started construction, and I'll go out to supervise the work tomorrow. But since this is the first time we've built terraced fields, Second Uncle shouldn't have too high hopes for this season's harvest."

"Sure. As long as we can make a little improvement every year, even if it takes eight or ten years to build, I can wait."

“That won’t do. You can wait, but the people can’t.”

Speaking of ordinary people, I can't help but think of Changshun. And thinking of Changshun, I can't help but think of his tea plantations.

Yunying was itching with desire.

—I want to buy tea plantations, make tea cakes and bricks, and sell them in the Western Regions to make a lot of money.

But all of this hinges on the question, "Second Master, when will Chang Shun's case be decided?"

Second Master wasn't surprised that Yunying would ask this question, after all, she was quite curious and would ask about everything that came to mind.

He was used to indulging her, and as long as it wasn't something too important, he would tell her if she asked.

"It will be soon. The retrial and verdict should be announced within the next three to five days."

Chang Shun's case has dragged on for far too long.

The case of Chang Shun colluding with the government and oppressing the people was easy to judge. But Chang Shun also trafficked innocent people—some of the criminals involved had already been arrested and confessed. But Chang Shun insisted that it was a deliberate slander against him and refused to admit it.

Therefore, the only option is to find new witnesses.

New witnesses were easy to find; they were the two women Chang Shun had sold last month.

However, the two women had been sold to a place quite far away, and the specific buyers were chosen by Chang Shun, whose subordinates did not know this. This made the search even more difficult.

However, Sui Yu sent word a few days ago that the person had been found and was currently on their way back. It seems that in another two or three days, the group will arrive in Yungui County. With new witnesses, Chang Shun's case can be reopened and a verdict announced.

Second Master asked Yunying, "When you asked about Chang Shun, did you have some other plans?"

Yunying suddenly looked up, her face showing surprise.

Does Second Master have mind-reading abilities? How did he know she had other plans?

Second Master laughed, "Your little thoughts..." are written all over your face.

The second master didn't say the second half of the sentence, worried that she would deliberately conceal it in the future and not let him see the real her.

"Speak, what else do you want to do?"

Yunying thought for a moment, then leaned forward and asked, "Second Master, based on the crimes Chang Shun committed, what kind of punishment would he likely receive?"

"It depends on the current condition of the victims." If any of the trafficked women and children have died, Chang Shun must die; otherwise, if the women and children he trafficked are still alive, Chang Shun might be lucky enough to survive.

"You've managed to survive, but you're definitely going to jail or be exiled, right?"

Second Master nodded. "The most likely options are either the death penalty or exile."

"Now that Chang Shun is to be executed or exiled, what will happen to his private property? How will it be disposed of?"

Second Master raised his overly deep and bright eyes, his gaze full of understanding. "You've taken a fancy to Changshun's tea plantation?"

Yunying awkwardly touched her nose, "Was I that obvious?"

"It's not very obvious, but it's like the words 'I want it' are written all over everything." Second Master laughed. "What's so great about his tea plantation?"

"I don't know if it's good or not, I just think that the tea business has great potential."

"There's great potential?" Second Master said as if he had heard a funny joke. "You probably haven't seen the local tea from Yungui County before."

Yunying nodded. "I've met Second Master before."

The tea from Yungui County is really bad, probably due to the poverty of the mountainous area. The tea leaves here are small and broken, almost indistinguishable from tea dust. The color is also yellowish, unlike other teas that reveal a bright green color when brewed, which looks very appealing.

After the banquet for the elderly, Yunying went to the street with the Second Master. On their way back to the mansion, she saw an old man selling tea with a shoulder pole and looked pitiful, so she spent a lot of money to buy a lot of tea.

The tea leaves were broken and small, and the roasting method was poor. What's remarkable is that the tea had a surprisingly strong flavor.

Afterwards, Yunying sent someone to find the old man, and learned from him that the tea she bought was actually picked from a wild tea tree she found in the mountains.

She originally thought that the tea leaves were so small because of the lack of sunlight in the deep mountains and forests, but she later saw other teas on the market, which shattered her cognitive bias.

It turns out that the tea leaves here are very small.

One reason is that the soil is not fertile enough and lacks nutrients, which prevents the tea leaves from growing.

Another reason may be that, in order to adapt to the environment, tea trees have evolved over the years and gradually grown into tea leaves with very small leaves.

But that's getting off-topic. Let's just say that this tea tastes pretty good. If it were made into tea bricks or tea cakes and sold to the Western Regions, it would definitely make a lot of money.

At worst, we can improve the tea trees or introduce new varieties.

In short, how can tea cultivation not be profitable? Saying it's a business that makes a fortune every day might be an exaggeration, but it's still quite lucrative.

There will be another update later! I've written over 8000 words today, so please add this to your favorites, everyone! Please!

(End of this chapter)