To Yun Ye, Chang’an was like a gigantic cesspit—staying there even one day made him feel the stench. He didn’t want his family members to be contaminated either. Taking his aunt and elder sister, he left that place of trouble far behind. At the ancestral residence in Chang’an, he left only a few servants and guards to watch the house. Everyone else returned to the fief.

Home was still more comfortable. Lying on a comfortable reclining chair, rocking a palm-leaf fan, with his collar open, on the low table beside him sat a black pottery basin with ice cooling a silver wine flask. The wine cup was placed right at hand—all he needed was to lift his hand and cool wine would flow down his throat.

Locusts didn’t like eating paulownia trees, so Yun Ye had a patch of shade. Yiniang, who had just been learning to serve people at his side, had been called away by the forthright Runniang. Now there wasn’t even anyone to pour wine. Yun Ye didn’t want to move, not even his toes. Since entering the sixth month, not a single drop of rain had fallen in Guanzhong. Every day brought a blazing sun. The slightest movement brought a body full of sweat. The silk undergarments stuck to his body with perspiration like a second layer of skin, making him both itchy and uncomfortable.

Yun Ye never wore silk or satin undergarments. His underclothes were all made from a fabric called white cotton cloth. According to Grandmother, it was more expensive than silk or satin. Cotton was still in the Gaochang Kingdom—for now, there was no hope that everyone could afford to wear this imported fabric.

Lying down too long also became somewhat boring. Besides, Grandmother was still busy in the back courtyard watching the aunts and ladies make perfume. Always lying around himself didn’t seem right. Getting up and putting on his shoes, he stretched lazily as he walked toward the back courtyard.

Before he arrived, the rich floral fragrance drifted over, reviving his spirits. He didn’t know what flowers Grandmother and the others had used—the scent was so alluring.

Two servant women sat beneath the moon gate, stitching shoe soles. It appeared they were making left and right shoe patterns. Ever since learning that the master’s family wore shoes distinguished between left and right, the people of the estate had also begun making shoes that way.

He stopped the servant women from bowing and entered the courtyard. Grandmother was lying on a chair, eyes closed, taking a nap.

Not wanting to disturb her, he tiptoed toward the house to take a look. Yun Ye hadn’t been here in quite a while. Just thinking about it made him ashamed. He had only carelessly made a few bottles of inferior perfume before letting go and not managing it—truly rather irresponsible.

“Ye’er, why are you running around in this scorching heat instead of sleeping? Didn’t I tell Yiniang to accompany you? Where has that girl run off to now? You shouldn’t indulge her so much. If she’s like this after marrying into someone’s family in the future, what will become of it?” Grandmother always had this ability to hear in all directions. Even with her eyes closed, she knew who it was.

Moving a small stool to sit beside Grandmother, he picked up the palm-leaf fan to cool her, chatting idly with her—it had been many days since he’d been home.

“You already know what kind of temperament Yiniang has. If you order her to fan me, she could fan for a whole day without changing position. Seeing her looking somewhat bored, I let her go play with Runniang. I’m the one who sent her away, so don’t scold her. If you scold her once, that silly girl will cry for a whole day.”

These few younger sisters in the household were now all objects of Yun Ye’s doting. Needless to say about Xiao Ya—she was the apple of his eye. If anyone bullied her, Yun Ye would hack their entire family to death. Yiniang had a weak temperament—no matter who bullied her, she never spoke up. Grandmother often felt disappointed in her, saying she would suffer a great loss someday.

Yun Ye very much disagreed with Grandmother’s statement. Gentleness was a Chinese woman’s tradition. The Great Tang was in chaos precisely because there were too many strong-willed women. As for being bullied and suffering great losses, Yun Ye felt that as long as he was alive, such outrageous things would never happen.

“Today I saw Xiao Dong again in the garden digging holes to bury food. I don’t know what that child is thinking. Does our family lack food for her? Does she need to hide it? Does this child have some illness?” Grandmother’s words left Yun Ye not knowing how to answer. This was a type of compulsion. Ever since Xiao Dong had been brought home, she had always been very quiet. She wasn’t like Xiao Xi’s delicacy, nor like Xiao Ya’s liveliness, didn’t have Xiao Nan’s gentleness, and wasn’t similar to Daya’s precocity either. She was always in a state of tension. He’d asked Second Aunt about it, and she’d hemmed and hawed without being clear. There was something here—Yun Ye knew it clearly, and Grandmother knew it too.

In this household, as long as the two of them didn’t ask, others dared not speak, and servants dared not gossip even more. They knew the family head was someone who extremely protected his own.

“Let Xiao Nan stay with me these days. Once she becomes familiar with your grandson, she won’t hide snacks anymore. The Yun family suffered disaster, and everyone had a hard time. Even if there are flaws, Grandmother, just pretend you don’t know. Your grandson will do the same.”

The old grandmother opened her eyes to look at Yun Ye and said, “You certainly have a generous nature. I’m just afraid people will say the Yun household has improper family conduct.”

“With such a spendthrift fool like me in the family, there’s long been no family reputation to speak of. You probably don’t know yet—there are three scourges in Chang’an: Yun Ye, termites, and lap dogs. Your grandson ranks first!”

“Which scoundrel is gossiping like this? Doesn’t the government care?” The old grandmother immediately sat bolt upright. In her view, Xiao Nan’s matter was as small as a sesame seed, not worth her worrying about. But having someone damage her grandson’s reputation—this the old grandmother absolutely would not allow.

“If they want to talk, let them talk. Your grandson has stirred up a whole mess of trouble now—I don’t care about this little bit. Besides, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Supporting the old grandmother to lie back down, Yun Ye continued, “Which noble family doesn’t have people gossiping behind their backs? The Yun family jumped from ruin and death to a marquisate in just one year—if there weren’t jealous people, that would be strange.”

“Is there trouble at court? I heard that a few days ago, over a hundred heads were chopped off at once in the West Market. Our family mustn’t get involved in such matters.” The old grandmother was somewhat nervous.

“It’s nothing. What does it have to do with our family? It’s just that I can’t stand seeing some things. Anyway, your grandson won’t be going to Chang’an these days. The life and death of others has nothing to do with our family.”

“That’s best. Grandmother doesn’t like the city either. Living at Jade Mountain is more comfortable.”

Having finished speaking, the grandparent and grandchild shared an understanding look and smiled at each other.

The production volume of perfume had never been increased, and Yun Ye had no intention of expanding output. Right now, this mysterious women’s product was quietly spreading through Chang’an city. Madam Cheng had a small bottle that she locked away like a treasure, only applying a little when attending gatherings of noble ladies. This alone had those noble ladies flocking after it. Madam Cheng only deflected, saying it was from an old acquaintance of her husband who had obtained it from a faraway place. She only had that one small bottle and knew nothing else about it.

Madam Niu also had some, but Madam Niu didn’t like ostentation. A few days ago, she had finally arranged a marriage for Niu Jianhu—and it was one Little Niu himself had taken a fancy to. The young woman was also bold by nature, from a military family. Having seen many wounded soldiers missing arms or legs, she had long since thought nothing of it. Seeing Little Niu run like the wind, healthy as an ox, and looking quite distinguished, she agreed to the marriage.

His fiancée didn’t care about money but was obsessed with various fragrances—the super flower fanatic type who would lean in to smell even dogtail flowers. Madam Niu didn’t use perfume herself, so she gave the bottle Yun Ye had sent to her future daughter-in-law.

The perfume had been given just the day before, and the very next day, his future daughter-in-law personally came to the door with her maid. In the Great Tang, which newly engaged young lady would shamelessly rush to her husband’s family? Although both were military families and didn’t pay too much attention to propriety, this was still shocking.

Madam Niu didn’t mind. In her view, having her daughter-in-law come to the door was a good thing. Who knew what that prospective mother and daughter-in-law whispered about in the room? In any case, from then on, Niu Jianhu kept running to the Yun household without stopping.

Little Niu had made three trips to the Yun household in ten days. Each time he came, he had that hesitant look about him. He didn’t have Cheng Chumo’s thick face, nor Li Chengqian’s shamelessness. Each time he came to the house to ask for things, he would hem and haw for ages before he could speak.

Not wanting to look at his constipated face, Yun Ye had just stolen a bottle from the back courtyard—reportedly made from a wild flower called stone orchid. The fragrance was elegant, and Yun Ye quite liked it. Seeing Little Niu being coy, he tossed it to him. Just a small bottle as thick as a finger. Niu Jianhu thought it was stingy and threw a tantrum, saying he didn’t want it.

“Do you know or not—this bottle is orchid-scented. The household has only six bottles total. I stole this one when Grandmother wasn’t paying attention. If you don’t want it, perfect—I’ll keep it for myself. When I meet a beauty someday, I’ll give it to her. Maybe I can win the beauty’s heart.”

The small bottle disappeared in an instant, making Yun Ye frown. People say birds of a feather flock together. Niu Jianhu was also beginning to march in the direction of being a scoundrel.

Once he got the item, brotherhood was useless. Before leaving, he drained Yun Ye’s entire flask of ice-cold grape wine in one breath. Without even saying goodbye, he exhaled cool air contentedly, patted Yun Ye’s shoulder without a word, pulled over his horse, and ran off in a puff of smoke.

Xiao Nan was tucked under her brother’s arm, struggling chaotically as she was carried out of the estate.

The tenant farmers were working in an orderly manner under Qian Tong’s command—collecting locusts, drying locusts, cooking locusts—the activity was lively. The entire estate was working for the Yun family. In the huge grain-threshing yard, heads bobbed everywhere. There were even those selling food and those selling tea—it was like a marketplace.

Estates from dozens of miles around brought locusts to the Yun household. In this year of great disaster, everyone wore gloomy faces, only showing a bit of brightness after receiving copper coins or grain from the Yun family, then bowing to the accountant steward before quickly departing.

After watching for a while, Yun Ye discovered that more people wanted grain, fewer wanted copper coins. He didn’t know if the household’s grain would be enough. Raising his hand to call over the busy steward, he asked, “Old Qian, is there enough grain in the household? I see they’re all asking for grain, with few asking for money. How much grain will be enough at this rate? Have you calculated it?”

Qian Tong wiped away sweat and said to Yun Ye, “We’re not short of grain right now. The County Magistrate said that the grain the Yun household exchanges with the villagers will be allocated from the official granaries at fair prices—not a single grain less. You see, the government runners are all over there.” Qian Tong curled his lip disdainfully and continued, “They really take themselves seriously, saying they’re here to prevent accidents. This lowly one sees they’re here to monitor our household, afraid we’ll resell grain. A bunch of petty scoundrels—what do they take the Yun household for?”

These days, Old Qian’s temper had been rising. He had developed a bit of a steward’s bearing. Dealing every day with the government offices and the various princes’ and nobles’ estates, even a stone should have gained some understanding.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Having the government involved is a good thing. Gradually hand over the leading position to the government. Listen to them on major matters. Our household just plays a guiding role. Don’t covet the credit—this credit cannot be coveted. It will cost lives, understand? Our household only wants reputation, nothing else.”

Old Qian shuddered. He knew that over one hundred sixty heads had been chopped off a few days ago.

“Milord, rest assured. I’ll see to it right away. We’ll replace our household’s accountants with government ones. Our household will just keep some people on hand.”

Watching the steward hurry off, along with the bustling government runners, Yun Ye knew that large-scale disaster relief had finally begun.