Chapter Thirty-Nine: Rumors

Rong Yanzong looked at him as if he were a fool and said mercilessly, “I didn’t expect you to judge people by their appearance. Regardless of the princess’s character, with your attitude, you’re bound to suffer a great loss sooner or later.”

Xiao Zhan wasn’t offended; he grinned and replied, “I have my reasons for saying so. You don’t know—Her Highness told me that high-proof spirits can be used to clean wounds and greatly reduce casualties. Don’t you think that’s good news?”

Rong Yanzong hadn’t expected her to possess such profound knowledge. He asked curiously, “Isn’t this recorded in medical texts? Why haven’t you heard of it?”

Xiao Zhan shrugged, somewhat uncertain. “Perhaps it’s in a medical book I haven’t read. I’d never claim to have read them all; it’s normal not to know everything. If what she says about the spirits is true, then the princess has rendered a great service. How do you plan to thank her?”

“You’re talking too much today. Weren’t you just complaining about being hungry? Hurry back to the manor and have your meal,” Rong Yanzong clearly had no interest in discussing the Princess of Kangping or the matter of gratitude. That was an affair between them—and besides, for now, it was the princess who ought to thank him.

Xiao Zhan hadn’t been paying attention to his stomach, but at Rong Yanzong’s reminder, it grumbled loudly in agreement. He promptly lost interest in other matters and tugged Rong Yanzong along with him, saying, “Let’s go quickly—I really am hungry. After rushing about all day, I’m truly exhausted.”

After Wei Baofu took her medicine and slept well, she awoke the next day almost fully recovered. Though still a bit weak, she was much improved, and those attending her finally breathed a sigh of relief. Having lain in bed too long, she was uncomfortable and wanted to get up and move around. As Linglong did her hair, she told Wei Baofu about Rong Yanzong’s identity.

Because her attention had always been focused on a few people in the palace, Wei Baofu knew little of the prominent families in the capital. She had heard of the Duke of Weiguo’s household, a title passed down since the founding of the state—a true pillar of nobility. That family, however, kept a low profile and rarely made a public display.

“As for the Marquis of Zhenbei, I haven’t paid much attention to him. I’ve only heard he’s a military genius, and that the Duke of Weiguo’s family holds two titles—quite a rarity. What’s even more remarkable is that, despite commanding troops, he hasn’t aroused the emperor’s suspicion. That alone is proof of his capabilities.” Wei Baofu had always admired those of genuine talent.

Pearl, standing nearby, smiled and said, “I’ve heard some rumors about the Marquis of Zhenbei, though I worry it might offend your ears.” She glanced nervously at Linglong, as if fearing a scolding.

Wei Baofu waved her hand unconcernedly. “Tell me whatever you know. I’m not so easily offended.”

Pearl didn’t hesitate. “I’ve heard the Marquis is notoriously indifferent and unfeeling. Though he’s already twenty-four or twenty-five, he’s never taken a proper wife. Instead, he has accepted three concubines in succession, but none of them lasted more than three months before being coldly dismissed.”

Multiple wives and concubines were common enough, but to take and discard them so quickly was rare. Wei Baofu frowned in puzzlement. “Does he have anyone by his side now? He hardly seems the type to be unable to support a concubine.”

Pearl replied, “That’s just it. They say the Marquis’s interest in women never lasts more than three months. Right now, there’s no one at all in his household. Not long ago, someone offered herself to him, and busybodies even opened a betting pool on how long she’d last. As it turned out, she never even got close to the Marquis—didn’t so much as touch the hem of his robe. He truly is an odd one.”

Wei Baofu couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head. The Marquis of Zhenbei was an amusing man. In modern times, he would have simply had three failed romances—nothing so strange. But here, it made him a curiosity.

“Never mind the rumors. It’s just that his views differ from others. Perhaps he simply wishes to find someone who truly suits him, but keeps failing and so draws criticism for it.”

Linglong smiled. “In any case, it’s none of our concern. But I don’t think the Marquis is as fickle as people say. After all, it was his military doctor who treated you. How should we thank him?”

That was a difficult question. In this life, Wei Baofu had seldom interacted with men. In her previous life, her work environment was complicated, so she’d always kept her distance from men. She truly didn’t know how to express gratitude to one, and felt a headache coming on.

“By rights, a man of the Marquis’s rank and power lacks for nothing. Giving gold or silver would almost be an insult. He’s a military man, so perhaps he’d be interested in military treatises or fine weapons, but I have nothing like that on hand. It really is tricky.”

Pearl grinned, “If you ask me, it was just a small favor for him—no need to make too much of it. We could simply send some delicacies and offer a promise: if he ever needs help, he can send word to you, and we’ll do what we can. If we can’t, so be it. What do you think?”

Wei Baofu frowned instinctively. She disliked making promises lightly, whether to others or receiving them herself. In her mind, a promise was a weighty matter—if given, it must be kept.

Just as she was about to decline, a young maid arrived to announce that a steward named Yu was seeking an audience at the gate. The three women were delighted and set aside their discussion to go out together.

Yu Shun was waiting outside. Soon, a matron led him in. Seeing few familiar faces, Yu Shun quickly understood the situation. Upon seeing Wei Baofu, he bowed respectfully.

Wei Baofu smiled, “We only just wrote you, asking you to return to the capital. I can’t believe you’ve come so quickly. Did you stop at the Princess’s Manor first?” She was in good spirits.

Yu Shun replied with a smile, “I hurried back as soon as I’d settled matters outside. With you not yet settled, how could I rest easy? I notice you don’t look well—have you been ill?”

To Yu Shun, his mistress was the center of his world, to be carefully tended at all times. Wei Baofu touched her own cheek and replied casually, “It’s nothing. I had a fever before, but after some medicine, I’m much better now.”

At these words, Yu Shun shot Pearl and Linglong a reproachful look, and both lowered their heads in guilt. Wei Baofu quickly intervened, “People fall ill; it’s nothing to fuss over. What’s that you brought with you?”

Yu Shun had come in carrying a bag, which he’d set at his feet. At her question, he replied with a smile, “You asked those sailors who went abroad to bring back seeds of new crops. They took your request seriously and brought back quite a few things. I didn’t recognize them, so I brought them all for you.”

As he spoke, he untied the bag. Wei Baofu knelt down with delight. She had specifically told Yu Shun to keep an eye out for reliable ships to invest in, hoping for just this outcome. After a few months, she was surprised and pleased to see they had indeed brought back some treasures.

Without concern for the dirt, she rummaged through the pile and discovered potatoes, corn, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds. Most wonderful of all, there were sweet potatoes, as well as all manner of miscellaneous vegetable seeds. Her face lit up with joy.

“Shunzi, you’ve done a great deed! These are all wonderful—not only filling, but high-yielding too. With these, many more people can be fed.”

In this era of low productivity, many still went hungry. Wei Baofu had no grand ambitions, but she hoped to do what she could for the common folk—to make her second chance at life worthwhile.

Yu Shun didn’t know how valuable these things were, but he was happy to see his mistress so pleased. He said, “As long as they’re useful. The trouble is, no one knows how to plant them. We’ll need to find some skilled farmers.”

Wei Baofu nodded her agreement. She actually knew how to plant them; in her previous life, the orphanage she grew up in often had everyone work together in the fields, since funding was limited and they couldn’t rely solely on donations. Much of their food was homegrown, so she was not entirely ignorant.

But here, she ought not to show such knowledge. “Find more people like that—it will be useful sooner or later.” If these crops could be introduced by the Fourth Prince, his prestige would be transformed. Wei Baofu was making plans, but knew not to rush.

Picking up a potato, she smiled. “There are quite a few potatoes. Have the kitchen make some at lunch—there are many ways to prepare them. You should all try some.” Pearl, alarmed, said, “Mistress, these are precious—brought all the way from overseas. Let me cook them myself. Just tell me how.”

Wei Baofu smiled and nodded. Pearl most enjoyed experimenting with food. Holding the seeds, Wei Baofu said to Yu Shun, “Take these to the Princess’s Manor and keep them safe. When I return, we’ll open a small vegetable plot and try planting a few.”

These were true treasures. Each one could bring her great benefit. The more valuable, the more carefully they must be guarded—and Wei Baofu understood this well. For now, it was best to keep their existence secret.

The emperor might watch her movements, but he’d never imagine that a noblewoman raised in seclusion could cultivate crops that would benefit the nation. Yu Shun and the two maids could sense her excitement, but, not having seen the potential of these crops, they couldn’t truly share her feelings.

But as long as their mistress was happy, they were delighted. Wei Baofu said to Yu Shun, “Go wash up, and join us for lunch later. We’ll experiment in the kitchen first. If anyone asks, just say you brought back some rare foods and don’t elaborate. The sailors needn’t be silenced—after all, they really don’t know anything.”

And so, the matter was settled.