“This isn’t called amusing—it’s called asking for humiliation.” Qiu Sanniang finished giving instructions to the young maids and came over to talk with Mo Zi. “You can still laugh about it? They deliberately agreed to give you the cold shoulder. If it were me, I’d be fuming with anxiety.”
“No need to be anxious. Their behavior is somewhat understandable. These men have been officials all along, and suddenly they have to listen to a woman—naturally they’ll resist. It’s fine. As long as the Emperor doesn’t rescind his decree, they can eventually be brought to heel. If I get anxious, I’m only making myself uncomfortable. The current situation clearly means if I’m comfortable, they’re uncomfortable.” She just needed to keep her official’s hat from falling off.
“It seems I need to learn the way of officialdom from Official Mo Zi.” Xiao San entered the room with a beaming smile. “Sanniang, I’m back. Just now when I entered our main gate, I found that at night with the lamps lit it looks like a celestial palace—even more enchanting than during the day. A new home brings new prospects. The more I look, the more I feel that establishing a separate household was a good thing. Eventually when either eldest brother or second brother inherits the title we’ll have to move out anyway, so better to write it out early. Mother said it’s fortunate we live nearby and praised you for being so thoughtful. I thought, if we weren’t this close, they wouldn’t have easily allowed us two to move.”
“Even if separated by a street, at least we’re living our own little life.” Now that Qiu Sanniang had moved out, her mood was much better, and she spoke frankly with Xiao San. “Oh right, I had people tidy up the front garden. In a few days, invite those good friends of yours over to liven things up. If you want to start poetry or book clubs, do as you please—I won’t interfere.”
“Having guests over is necessary to add prosperity to the new home. But forget the poetry and book clubs. Since we’ve divided the household, I need to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family.” Xiao San’s expression turned serious. Seeing Qiu Sanniang about to speak, he continued, “Sanniang, you enjoy doing business, and I won’t stop you anymore, but that’s all your personal savings. Father gave me several estates, and the family also allocated five rice and salt shops. I’ve already written to have the estate managers come for a visit. I’ve also inspected the shops and replaced them with stewards and accountants of my own choosing to help manage things. This year’s household expenses should be secure. If there are other suitable business ventures, I’ll also look into establishing them. If you have any ideas, tell me. You understand business better than I do. I’ll give you all the account books to review, and if there’s any surplus, we’ll first make up for your expenses in buying the residence.”
Mo Zi blinked. She had said that although Xiao San didn’t seem very reliable, at critical moments he was clear-minded and perceptive—actually quite decent. No wonder that no matter how much Qiu Sanniang struggled, she eventually softened and willingly became this Xiao San’s wife. At least, both were trying hard to build a solid life together. Then truly, past good or bad matters shouldn’t be dwelt upon too much.
Qiu Sanniang smiled radiantly. “I’m not managing your accounts. I don’t have time to deal with both my own household affairs and outside matters. You want to support the family, so naturally you need to put in effort and labor. It’s good to learn these things. I see that father-in-law understands these matters very well—which of his subordinates can deceive him? Mother-in-law handles small matters, but major decisions require his approval. He’s also a Grand General—his official duties are countless times busier than yours.”
“That’s why Father often says none of us three brothers take after him—some only know how to lead troops, while others only—” Xiao San nodded emphatically again. “I’ll give it a try.”
“Mo Zi, he’s become quite good with the abacus now.” Qiu Sanniang covered her mouth and laughed. “He’s even thrown his books into my room. Who doesn’t know that Young Master Xiao San has always treasured books like his life—his precious book collection never left his library.”
Mo Zi held up *The Legend of the Flower Goddess* and asked, “This one?”
“Eh? How did this copy of *The Legend of the Flower Goddess* end up in your room?” But Xiao San didn’t rush to retrieve his precious book. “It must be that boy Bai He who forgot to put it away. Everything about him is fine except for this careless habit of being scatterbrained—it’s quite vexing.” Qing Que had been implicated by Jin Si’s affair and had already been sent home by the family, replaced by the slightly younger Bai He.
Mo Zi passed the book over.
Xiao San didn’t take it. “I’ve long wanted to show you two this book. I’ve read tens of thousands of books, but very few specifically about women. Apart from Hua Mulan, there are only a few extraordinary women of ancient times whose fame spread far and wide. Only this book chronicles the affairs of a woman from our current dynasty, and not someone of high status either, but an ordinary woman. Though not lengthy, it’s vivid; the story isn’t earth-shattering but realistic and heartwarming. A flower-loving woman from the flower country of Yuling, who possessed such a pure heart and helped improve the lives of local common people.”
Qiu Sanniang joked, “San Lang, if you keep talking like this, your wife will think you’ve fallen deeply for that woman.”
Xiao San laughed heartily. “Having my wife jealous makes this husband feel complete.”
The affection between these two had somehow become impenetrable—not a drop of water from outside could seep through. Looking at the maids busy arranging things on both sides, each kept their eyes straight ahead, seemingly accustomed to their masters being this affectionate.
Mo Zi was also used to being the third wheel. She flipped through the book. “Then I’ll borrow it to read first.” The Flower Goddess shared some commonalities with Dou Lu. Equally beautiful, equally fond of growing flowers, equally kind-hearted. Thinking of Dou Lu’s frequent nightmares made her somewhat concerned.
Xiao San generously allowed the loan. “Mo Zi, you must visit often from now on. After you left, Sanniang always says she’s bored, with no one to make her think and compete with. Alright, you sisters chat. I’m afraid Bai He has forgotten something again—I’ll go check.”
After Xiao San left, Qiu Sanniang and Mo Zi moved to sit in the warm pavilion.
A servant woman had lit the fire and opened the windows. Mo Zi could see the lamps in the garden. They truly were beautiful—the beauty that came from Qiu Sanniang’s careful decorating. She had never seen her put much thought into Yongzhai, hadn’t even changed a single thing in the Moke Courtyard. After all, this was truly her own home where everything could follow her own wishes.
Young maids brought refreshments—all new faces who addressed Mo Zi as Miss.
“Have something first to tide you over. We’ll start the meal when Bai He arrives.” Qiu Sanniang took a piece of red bean cake herself and tasted it, but found it flavorless. “This is self-inflicted. Sending them out one by one, yet now I don’t enjoy eating and have less amusement too.”
“So I’m your amusement.” Mo Zi laughed. “But aren’t there still three more? Why don’t you just not release anyone and have them work like oxen and horses for you?”
“I love novelty and tire of the old—is that acceptable?” Qiu Sanniang then sighed leisurely. “Could I really let people I value remain maids their whole lives? Right now releasing them is even more necessary. Bai He has only been gone two months and already found a fifth-rank official—she’s become an official’s wife. If I kept Hong Mei and Lu Ju, wouldn’t they resent my favoritism?”
“Bai He found a good person—whether she’s an official’s wife or not doesn’t matter.” Mo Zi was unconcerned. “If you also find good people for Hong Mei and Lu Ju, they won’t resent your favoritism. Each person’s fate is different—how could they all marry officials? Besides, among officials, good people are rare. Official Jiang is as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, and Bai He encountering him was also destined by fate.”
“True.” Qiu Sanniang liked asking Mo Zi’s opinion precisely because her words were unexpected yet thought-provoking.
“Who’s next in line?” Mo Zi ate the refreshments, finding the quality acceptable. She wasn’t as particular as Qiu Sanniang. “You invited me for a meal because of this matter.”
Qiu Sanniang cast a plaintive glance. “Can’t I invite you without a reason?”
“I have leisure, but you don’t have leisure.” Mo Zi wasn’t afraid of her fierceness. “Moving out is like a bird escaping its cage—you can’t wait to spread your wings and soar high.”
“For now I won’t release them. I did release the Cen family though. Uncle Cen absolutely refused to accept it, but I eventually persuaded him and cancelled Dalang and Er’s slavery contracts. From now on I’m just their employer. However, I see you have quite a few good gentleman candidates around you, so keep an eye out for Hong Mei and Lu Ju first.” Qiu Sanniang didn’t want to be left without any capable people so quickly—she’d wait until the new people were trained.
“No way, I don’t arrange marriages. If anyone’s keeping an eye out, let them do it themselves.” Don’t scare people—she wouldn’t casually participate in husband selection opinions again. “You have freedom to come and go now—what do you need me for?”
“Ah? I forgot.” Qiu Sanniang still thought this was the Prince’s mansion. “True, from now on taking them everywhere, maybe before long they’ll all be clamoring to marry.”
“What about Xiao Yi? You’re not managing her?” They’d talked for so long without hearing Xiao Yi’s name mentioned.
“Her? She says she won’t marry. How can I manage that?” Qiu Sanniang pouted. “Besides, even if I wanted to manage it, I’d have to find her first. I can’t climb trees or get on rooftops.”
Mo Zi thought about it and laughed, her eyes crinkling.
“I want to discuss something with you, help me make a decision.” Seeing Mo Zi’s knowing expression, Qiu Sanniang continued, “Having a meal is the main thing—this is just incidental. I want to do business in salt. What do you think?”
“Salt? Great Zhou prohibits private salt sales. Surely you don’t want people to smuggle it?” Mo Zi truly admired Qiu Sanniang’s audacity—she didn’t love anything that wasn’t risky. Let her do legitimate business and she’d lose money.
“Of course not. Even if I didn’t consider myself, I’d have to consider him.” Qiu Sanniang wouldn’t walk that old path again.
Mo Zi immediately understood her meaning. “You want to become a legitimate salt merchant? That means being an official merchant!”
According to Great Zhou law, salt was prohibited from private sale. Production from all regions entered designated national treasuries, then the government uniformly sold to designated major salt merchants, who then distributed to various shops. Salt was fundamental to human survival and the foundation of a nation. Therefore major salt merchants were limited to official merchants. Even great merchant families like the Min clan could only be third-tier dealers. Official merchants—the Emperor’s tacitly approved method for officials to engage in commerce—only existed in economic lifelines like salt mines and special commodities. Their status was subtle—the lowest tier among officials yet the highest tier among merchants. Great Zhou’s requirements for official merchants were extremely high, requiring not only official background and backing but also strong financial guarantees. Similar to shipping firms, the entry threshold was extremely high, but once inside, there was endless silver to be earned.
“First, I have Prince Jing’s mansion backing me. Second, I have plenty of silver. You can be a female official, so I can be a female official merchant.” Qiu Sanniang’s ambitions were never much lower than Mo Zi’s.
“Since you’ve already decided, why ask me? Though official merchants’ profits are high, during wars or disasters they’re the first to be taxed—the risk is high. But you’ve always liked betting small to win big, so I’m not surprised. Just make sure you keep some backup plans to guard against contingencies. I know nothing about the salt industry—don’t expect me to help with whatever connections or methods are involved. Besides, you’ve seen that I can’t establish any rapport with other officials.” There’s specialization in every profession.
“You can’t establish rapport, but your man can. I originally wanted to ask him about salt merchant matters, but feared he wouldn’t bother with me. Can you help me arrange a meeting with him?” Shrewd indeed.
“My man? Who?” Mo Zi squinted.
This was called feigning ignorance.