As Frost’s Descent approached unnoticed, less than half a month remained until the Beginning of Winter. In the capital, all donations of silver, gold, and fine goods from officials’ families had been recorded and cataloged. Over forty chests of jewelry and hairpins, more than two hundred chests of clothing and delicate items, and various other objects were neatly organized.
Ming Tan had originally tasked Bai Minmin with inquiring about transportation costs, assuming it would be straightforward with her uncle and Bai cousins’ assistance. Unexpectedly, Zhang Huaiyu learned of this and discreetly contacted his friends, bypassing several complexities to directly reach Western merchants operating in the Yuxi region.
These Western merchants agreed to purchase gold, silver, and fine goods at Yuxi market prices, offering an equal value of winter supplies in exchange. Ming Tan carefully calculated and found this to be a mutually beneficial and highly suitable transaction.
Time was of the essence; the goods needed to be distributed to the people before the winter solstice at the latest. Otherwise, how could they serve as protection against the cold? Selling the items for silver and then purchasing supplies would have been a cumbersome process. Now, with someone willing to bypass the intermediate steps and barter directly, it was both convenient and efficient. While Yuxi’s market prices weren’t the best, they were certainly more favorable than casually pawning the items in the capital.
No matter how Ming Tan considered it, this method seemed excellent, and there was no reason to reject it. However, Bai Minmin disapproved, muttering reluctantly, “Who knows if the people he found are reliable?”
“Do you think I haven’t verified that?” Ming Tan found it rather amusing.
Bai Minmin retorted, “Who would accept so many items and agree to trade at Yuxi market prices? I think they’re either unreliable or Zhang Huaiyu privately promised them something else. If Zhang Huaiyu made some private deal to make this happen, what’s the point of us doing this? We’re just riding on someone else’s efforts for fame!”
“That’s not it; you’ve misunderstood,” Ming Tan explained patiently. “I’ve inquired about this. Western merchants can sell these items to small Western countries. In places like Wuheng, items from the Daxian capital are considered expensive and novel. Moreover, since these gold and silver goods belonged to imperial consorts and officials’ families, selling them to small Western countries would yield far greater profits than elsewhere. They agreed to this deal because it’s lucrative for them.”
“But—” Bai Minmin began.
“But what?”
Bai Minmin wanted to say that Zhang Huaiyu was only doing this to make her indebted to him, but since the Empress had proposed this project, wasn’t it natural for him to help his sister? If she took it personally, wouldn’t she seem too self-important?
Seeing Bai Minmin’s silence, Ming Tan assumed she had no further objections. Lost in thought, she mused, “My brother is in Yuxi, yet I didn’t think of this solution. I rarely paid attention to Young Master Zhang before, but now I see he’s quite capable.”
Of course, he wasn’t ordinary—who else could excel so remarkably at both verbal sparring and finding ways to annoy people?
Bai Minmin turned away in frustration, still displeased about being forced to accept Zhang Huaiyu’s favor.
Before long, the twelfth lunar month arrived, and the winter solstice approached. Among the many occasions throughout the year, the winter solstice was second only to New Year’s Eve in importance.
With the winter supplies successfully delivered to the people in the cold, impoverished areas, the task assigned by Empress Zhang was finally accomplished.
Court officials submitted memorials praising Empress Zhang for her compassion, concern for the people, virtue, and kindness, hailing her as a role model for all women in the empire and a blessing to the people of Daxian. Despite the widespread acclaim, Empress Zhang didn’t take sole credit, often attributing the success to the generosity of the capital’s official families who were willing to donate and raise funds to help the people in the border regions.
As the actual facilitator of this project, Ming Tan naturally received her share of commendations. Emperor Chengkang even issued a special imperial edict praising her for her refined character, intelligence, and resourcefulness. He deliberately had it read aloud outside the Wang mansion to make it widely known.
Though reputation was no longer as crucial to Ming Tan, she felt proud and satisfied that the first project she had earnestly worked on was completed. However, with the New Year approaching, she couldn’t rest. After finishing this task, she immediately threw herself into managing household affairs.
Although Uncle Fu usually managed the mansion, he was already overwhelmed with overseeing the estate and outside businesses. He had no time to handle the various social obligations of the household.
Previously, when there was no princess consort, the Wang mansion had been austere and quiet, with few social engagements. Now, with a princess consort, the mansion was much livelier, and the additional responsibilities inevitably fell to Ming Tan.
“The Li family’s gift is a bit light. How was this prepared? Add some tonics suitable for pregnant women, and a high-quality ginseng root would be perfect for the Li family matriarch. Oh, and include several pieces of fine fur. Although my husband and I weren’t at the mansion, I remember there was a white fox fur among the rewards from the Emperor after the autumn hunt?”
The maid affirmed.
“Add the white fox fur as well. Remember to mention that it’s specially sent for my elder sister to keep warm. It’s inconvenient for her to go out bundled up too heavily while pregnant in winter. Bai fox fur is warm and light, perfect for her.”
The maid acknowledged again.
“As for the Pingguo Ducal mansion, the young duke was a great help this time. It wouldn’t be excessive to make their gift three times as lavish…”
Having studied household management, Ming Tan handled these matters efficiently, though with a flurry of activity.
She spent a day preparing the winter solstice gifts, another day reviewing account books, and then half a day wandering around the mansion, pointing out areas that needed repairs to the accompanying steward, instructing him to oversee the work diligently. After all, once the winter solstice passed, the New Year wouldn’t be far off, and the mansion should be spotless and renewed for the festivities.
By the time she could catch her breath after this whirlwind of activity, it was already the eve of the winter solstice. Ming Tan suddenly remembered that tomorrow the Emperor would personally visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and her husband, as a royal prince, would naturally accompany him. She had hoped to share dumplings with her husband tomorrow, but now it seemed impossible.
She had been so exhausted lately that she often retired before her husband returned, and they hadn’t spoken much for several days.
To think they couldn’t even spend the winter solstice together… Ming Tan wasn’t sure what she was pondering, but in the end, before Jiang Xu returned to the mansion, she had Green Ears light a lamp and personally retrieved the winter boots hidden at the bottom of a certain sandalwood chest.
She examined them for a good while, finally recalling how to continue sewing the boots.
She had been so busy lately that she had almost forgotten. During their stay at a hunter’s home on the way to Tonggang, she overheard a conversation between the couple and was moved by the warmth of their ordinary married life. She wanted to learn from them and do something for her husband.
On the return journey, Jiang Xu had left her at an inn for a few days while he went alone to inspect the Northern Garrison troops. With nothing else to do, she had found some fur and started making winter boots for him.
Fortunately, she had some idea of how long it would take her to make things. If she were making ordinary boots, they probably wouldn’t be ready until after the New Year in early spring.
“Young Mistress, these deer-skin boots are so exquisitely sewn. Are you planning to give them to His Highness?” Green Ears asked.
Ming Tan nodded, quickly resuming her careful stitching.
Seeing Ming Tan still sitting by the couch, diligently threading her needle after a tiring day, Green Ears couldn’t help but ask, “Young Mistress, you’re tired today. Why not rest and continue sewing tomorrow?”
“No, I want to finish before my husband returns.”
“Then let me help you, Young Mistress. There doesn’t seem to be much left, and sewing by lamplight is straining. It’s not good for your eyes.”
“No need. Go keep watch outside,” Ming Tan said, stifling a yawn but remaining adamant.
Green Ears had no choice but to replace the candle with a brighter one before quietly withdrawing.
Without Green Ears chattering beside her, the room suddenly became exceptionally quiet. Ming Tan roused herself and continued sewing the left boot, occasionally patting her cheeks to ward off encroaching drowsiness.
Perhaps due to her exhaustion, the needle tip missed the boot several times and pricked her fingertips. Tiny blood droplets appeared, and she hissed softly, sucking on her fingertips. The brief pain seemed to momentarily clear her mind.
Tomorrow was the winter solstice, and the Emperor would leave the palace to worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. All military units in the capital were on high alert. The Imperial City Guard was responsible for guarding the city, while the Imperial Guard led by Lu Ting would escort the Emperor throughout.
Jiang Xu had been discussing plans with them until late and returned to the mansion well after nightfall. He had assumed the little princess consort would have retired early as usual but was surprised to see the lights still on in her chambers.
As he entered, Ming Tan was fighting back a yawn while finishing the edges of the winter boots. On the last two stitches, she heard movement outside the curtain and became distracted. She pricked her fingertip again, and a small droplet of blood appeared. She hissed softly, instinctively sucking on her fingertip.
Jiang Xu lifted the curtain and entered just in time to witness this scene.
“Husband,” Ming Tan looked up, quite surprised.
Jiang Xu didn’t respond but stepped forward and grasped her wrist. He saw that her fingertips were red and covered with numerous tiny needle pricks. With a slight squeeze, small droplets of blood seeped out again.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Ming Tan sheepishly withdrew her hand, finished the last stitch, and then used scissors to cut the thread short.
“I made winter boots for you. The soles are thick and soft, so they’ll be very comfortable to walk in. The fur lining is also very warm, so you won’t have to worry even if it snows. Water won’t seep in,” she explained.
All traces of sleepiness vanished as Ming Tan looked at him expectantly. “Would you like to try them on?”
Jiang Xu gazed at her silently for a moment, then softly agreed, “Mm,” and took the deer-skin boots.
The winter boots were made with great care. Jiang Xu noticed that the inside of the left boot was embroidered with the character “Qi Zhi,” and upon checking the right boot, he saw “A Tan” embroidered on the inside.
“You embroidered words in secret,” he observed.
Ming Tan nodded, looking at him eagerly, waiting for his praise.
However, after examining them for a while, though he seemed to want to offer words of praise, what came out of his mouth was, “Won’t it smell, embroidered inside the boots?”
“…”