So fast!
Yu Tang was very surprised, but after the surprise came delight. She felt very fortunate to have chosen Young Steward Tong to help.
She thanked Senior Steward Tong.
Senior Steward Tong waved his hand dismissively and had someone call Young Steward Tong over. The three of them sat in the small flower hall behind the pawnshop’s inner courtyard to discuss future matters.
Senior Steward Tong’s idea was to first hire outside masters at a high price to help make a batch of plate incense the size of foot basins and stick incense as thick as a forearm for献香 presentation at the scripture lecture, then teach the masters and lay Buddhists at Ku’an Temple how to make this kind of incense. Combined with the incense-making methods already taught by Second Miss and Third Miss, most of the incense produced would be sent to the Pei family’s incense and candle shop for sale, with a small portion kept at the temple—either to sell to people who came specifically seeking incense, or to give to worshippers who came to offer incense at Ku’an Temple.
Yu Tang could understand the former part—it was exactly what she had in mind. But she was a bit confused about the latter, saying, “Ku’an Temple is quite remote with almost no worshippers. Giving Buddha incense to people who come to offer incense is fine, but selling incense to people who come seeking it…”
Eight or nine times out of ten, no one would buy it!
Senior Steward Tong’s plump face smiled like a laughing Buddha as he said, “Miss Yu, doing business isn’t such a simple matter. Sometimes it’s for making money, sometimes it’s for gaining reputation. Sometimes earning money is more important, sometimes reputation is more important. Ku’an Temple, at its core, is meant to do good deeds. Since we’re doing good deeds, reputation is somewhat more important. Moreover, Ku’an Temple currently has no reputation at all, so how to establish Ku’an Temple’s reputation is the first priority. As you said, Ku’an Temple is remote with few worshippers, and even fewer people coming to seek incense. But our original intention isn’t to sell incense either—think about it: if you go to Ku’an Temple to offer incense, you get incense for free, but those who don’t go in to offer incense and want to obtain Ku’an Temple’s Buddha incense have to pay silver for it. Would you choose to go in and offer incense? Or would you choose to pass by the door without entering, just buy some incense and leave?”
Yu Tang suddenly understood, looking thoughtful.
Senior Steward Tong watched and nodded secretly to himself.
No wonder Scholar Yu couldn’t bear to marry off this daughter—she was clever, understanding things immediately. In a few years, she might actually be able to support the Yu family!
Senior Steward Tong’s heart was pleased, so he simply said more: “That’s why the incense sent to Zhaoming Temple is very important. It must smell good, it must make those women feel comfortable just from the scent. When A’Hai goes there, the first thing he must do is smell what fragrance those Buddha incenses have. I’ve heard there’s an incense formula that can produce Buddha incense with a sandalwood scent. I think this is good. We can separately make a batch of sandalwood-scented Buddha incense to give away during festivals like Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival—first come, first served, while supplies last. We can also make some calming incense, as many elderly worshippers have trouble sleeping…”
Once he started talking about business principles, he became rather long-winded. When he noticed Yu Tang staring at him somewhat blankly, he suddenly realized he had said too much again. He quickly stopped and smiled, saying, “These are all just random thoughts of mine. As for what specifically to do, we’ll need to analyze the actual situation and discuss it properly.”
But just these casual remarks had already opened Yu Tang’s eyes considerably.
She quickly said, “Please continue, please continue. It’s just that I hadn’t thought this much before and I’m afraid I won’t remember it all at once. Could I find some writing materials to take notes?”
Senior Steward Tong was astonished, then burst into hearty laughter.
Yu Tang’s face reddened as she said urgently, “My, my brain really isn’t quite sufficient. Please stop laughing at me.”
“Very good, very good.” Senior Steward Tong didn’t mind at all and laughed, “I’ve also trained many apprentices. It’s not fear of not knowing that matters, but fear of not being earnest. This attitude of yours is very good. Ku’an Temple’s business will definitely succeed.”
So in Senior Steward Tong’s eyes, the Ku’an Temple matter was merely a business venture.
Yu Tang smiled bashfully.
Only then did Young Steward Tong have an opportunity to speak. He respectfully consulted Yu Tang: “May I see the incense formulas? I’ve long heard these formulas were found by you in a rare edition. Since they’re from a rare edition, they must be formulas from the previous dynasty. People of the previous dynasty favored luxurious incense use, while people today favor elegant simplicity. I’m afraid these formulas will need some adjustments.”
This was a misunderstanding.
These incense formulas were what Gu Xi had concocted in her previous life. They not only suited modern tastes but were especially popular with women.
Young Steward Tong hadn’t seen the finished incense yet, so naturally he would have concerns.
Yu Tang immediately agreed readily: “We only want to help Ku’an Temple have an income so it doesn’t have to rely solely on incense offerings. You can modify them however you like.”
As long as the person Young Steward Tong hired had the ability.
Both Senior and Young Steward Tong visibly relaxed.
Yu Tang secretly smiled to herself.
She stayed at the pawnshop for nearly an hour before the three of them roughly outlined the future procedures. But continuing further would involve specific details. Young Steward Tong had just taken over the task, and Yu Tang hadn’t visited Ku’an Temple again either. The one asking didn’t know, and the one answering wasn’t clear, so they didn’t continue the discussion. Instead, they agreed to talk again after Young Steward Tong had visited Ku’an Temple and found an incense-making master.
Yu Tang rose to take her leave.
Both Senior and Young Steward Tong saw her to the door.
It was the season of warm spring and blooming flowers. The camphor tree in the inner courtyard’s skywell was sprouting fresh green branches, refreshing and delightful. The koi fish raised in the pond beneath the tree swayed gracefully, lively and charming.
Yu Tang couldn’t help but pause slightly in her steps.
She suddenly recalled the scene of her first time entering the inner courtyard.
Pei Yan had been in the elegant room.
She had seen his profile through the skywell.
It felt as if it had happened just yesterday.
Yet in reality, nearly two years had already passed.
Yu Tang’s lips curved upward in a slight smile.
Back then, she had only thought Pei Yan was strikingly handsome, impossible to forget once seen. She hadn’t imagined that one day she would become Pei Yan’s honored guest and would have so many entanglements with the Pei family.
She returned to the Yu family in a cheerful mood.
At the Pei manor, Shu Qing had returned from Ku’an Temple and was discussing road construction matters with Pei Yan: “Everything is arranged. At most ten days and the road will be passable. However, if we want to pave it entirely with bluestone slabs, it will probably take another half year.”
Most importantly, during this time, every household would either be busy with spring plowing or planting mulberry trees to prepare for silkworm cultivation, so there might not be able-bodied men available to help with road construction.
He hesitated, saying, “Should we ask Magistrate Tang for help?”
Magistrate Tang’s nine-year term was nearly complete, and he had been seeking connections hoping to transfer to a better location. However, after the Li family’s private harboring of refugees as bandits was exposed last time, he both didn’t want to offend the Pei family and didn’t want to offend the Li family, whom he viewed as nouveau riche. The result of trying to please both sides was that neither was satisfied with how he handled things, and at this critical juncture, neither family would naturally help him either.
He was frantically anxious about this matter.
But Pei Yan didn’t want to give Magistrate Tang this opportunity. He said, “Our foundation is in Lin’an City. If we indulge a local official like Magistrate Tang, what will future officials who take office think? In my opinion, the matter of the Li family’s private harboring of refugees should be brought up again and again, and he should be kicked off to some remote corner to serve as an official. This would make those who later come to serve as officials in Lin’an open their eyes wide and know what should and shouldn’t be done.”
Shu Qing thought about it and felt it made sense, so he nodded, preparing to continue discussing magistrate matters with Pei Yan—after Magistrate Tang left, who would come to Lin’an as the local official was something they could influence if they wished, affecting Lin’an’s official appointments and dismissals. Who knew that Pei Yan would suddenly change the subject, shifting to the scripture lecture at Zhaoming Temple for the Buddha Bathing Festival: “Has the itinerary for that day come out? How is the donation matter arranged?”
He was astonished.
Truthfully, this was a minor matter. Given his status and position in the Pei manor, he wouldn’t normally pay attention to such things. But as an advisor, he couldn’t say he didn’t know.
He immediately had someone summon Hu Xing.
Hu Xing promptly said, “The specific procedures haven’t been finalized yet, but the Old Madam’s intention is to make donations first, then hold the scripture lecture, after which those who wish to donate more can continue doing so. All those who donate that day can have their names recorded and carved on a stone tablet to be erected beside the Enlightenment Pine behind the temple. Does this arrangement work for you?”
Originally, such matters followed established precedents. Although Hu Xing said the Old Madam hadn’t completely finalized it, this procedure had certainly been approved by the Old Madam—otherwise he would have directly asked Pei Yan to make the decision. He spoke this way merely to give advance warning in case Pei Yan had opinions that differed from the Old Madam’s. Of course, if Pei Yan insisted on changes, he would certainly modify things according to Pei Yan’s wishes.
Only the probability of this happening was extremely small.
Pei Yan was the family’s patriarch. He was someone who managed major affairs. These matters of throwing in incense silver and donating lamp oil money had never required his attention before.
Hu Xing thought he was probably asking on a whim and stood confidently with his chest out, waiting for Pei Yan’s praise.
Because donations would continue to be accepted after the scripture lecture, most of those making later donations would likely be ordinary people emotionally moved by the lecture—impulsive acts of the moment. This way, the donated items and silver would certainly exceed those of ordinary incense gatherings, and this scripture lecture sponsored by the Pei family would definitely become famous throughout Jiangsu and Zhejiang, adding glory to the Pei family.
Unexpectedly, Pei Yan glanced at him and said, “This arrangement is quite good. However, since we’ve invited an eminent monk from South Shaolin Temple this time, the main purpose is still to let everyone hear the monk’s teachings. We shouldn’t let the tail wag the dog. Donations after the scripture lecture can continue as planned, but for donations before the scripture lecture…” He pondered, “Just have the temple uniformly arrange for the guest monk to present them, and the master of the guest hall can simply recite the donation register. Too much is as bad as too little. The Pei manor should participate less in such matters that draw attention during scripture lectures.”
Hu Xing responded tremulingly while Shu Qing opened his eyes wide, not blinking for quite a while.
Pei Yan didn’t care what these people thought.
Having assigned the matter, the taut string in his heart finally relaxed.
Everyone would act uniformly, and it was a last-minute change—Miss Yu shouldn’t have any opportunity to cause trouble now, right?
He pondered this in his heart, considering whether he had overlooked anything else.
Hu Xing and Shu Qing, however, bowed and withdrew from the study with increasingly strange expressions.
Pei Yan began thinking about Magistrate Tang’s matter.
But Hu Xing grabbed Shu Qing and earnestly asked him in a low voice, “What does Third Master mean by this? Does he think my previous arrangement was too high-profile? Is he angry with me?”
This new patriarch had unpredictable moods, truly making him unable to grasp the pattern.
Shu Qing, however, was thinking about Yu Tang.
Could this matter be related to that young lady from the Yu family?
His response to Hu Xing was therefore somewhat distracted: “Probably not! However, I heard that Miss Gu will also be there to join the excitement that day. Although she’s the eldest legitimate grandson’s wife, the patriarch position fell to Third Master’s branch.”