Chapter 5: The Noble Lady

Chapter 5: The Noble Lady

"Brother, it's time to start work early!" Not long after, a voice called out from outside.

The speaker was the son of Zhao Datou, named Tie Niu, who also worked at the cowshed. Meng Yuan liked him for his simple and honest nature, and took good care of him. Sometimes, he would even share a sheep egg with him, so they got along well, and Meng Yuan would go to work with him every day.

Meng Yuan stepped out and headed to the cowshed with Tie Niu.

There wasn't much work to do in the winter days; they only needed to shovel the manure, provide water, and feed the animals, with few other odd jobs left to do. After all, winter was a time for leisure, and the fields didn't require much attention.

But that Li Zhuangtou was truly ruthless, not allowing others a moment's rest. Seeing Meng Yuan's capability, he assigned him all sorts of tasks, from castrating sheep and cattle to shoveling manure, cutting grass, leveling the ground, and even clearing snow, leaving only sleeping with his daughter-in-law untouched.

Even the village's sole veterinarian, Jiang Laobo, couldn't find peace. Whenever the village was at ease, he would be sent to nearby villages for private work, and his second son would follow him. Any money earned would go directly to his second son.

Even a child like Jiang Tang had to weave as many grass ropes and bamboo baskets as the village women, and all the finished products would be given to his eldest son, Li Dabiao, for sale.

The three daily meals never included meat, and they often skimped on portions. They resold the village's manure and young chickens and pigs, truly a picture of stinginess and greed.

The villagers had no choice; Li Zhuangtou had come with the Empress Dowager as part of her dowry, and he had also ingratiated himself with Liu Zongguan of the Imperial Mansion. In the village, he and his son were like an all-powerful duo.

After working for more than an hour, everyone washed up a bit before heading to the dining hall for breakfast.

Jiang Tang was already waiting, and she took out two dried jujubes to give to Meng Yuan, but he glared at her and sent her back.

After finishing their meal, Meng Yuan was chatting with Tie Niu about castration techniques when a hurried gong sounded from outside, signaling the assembly of the villagers.

They all gathered in front of the village hall and saw a carriage with two mounted guards.

Two young maidservants stepped down from the carriage first, and finally, the main person arrived.

This person wore a light-colored cloak, the edge of their hood trimmed with white fox fur. With their hands tucked in their sleeves, they stood tall and scanned the crowd. Their appearance was exquisite, seemingly around twenty years old.

"Xun Mei, why have you come? Isn't it usually Liu Zongguan who comes?" Li Zhuangtou, who usually bossed everyone around, now bent over in an attempt to please.

Meng Yuan had heard of this young lady; she was a favorite attendant of the Empress Dowager.

But looking at her dignified aura, she didn't seem like a mere attendant; instead, she appeared more like a true master.

"The festival is approaching, and the Empress Dowager has sent me to take a look," Xun Mei's voice was as serene as snow-covered plum blossoms as she walked towards the hall.

Li Zhuangtou quickly followed her inside, while the other villagers stood outside, clueless about what was happening.

Meng Yuan could tell that this Xun Mei had come to inspect the annual accounts.

Sure enough, after a while, Li Zhuangtou emerged from the hall and called people in for questioning, but he didn't go back in. Those who came out after being questioned had joyful expressions, while Li Zhuangtou and his son's faces grew increasingly grim.

After waiting for half an hour, Meng Yuan, Jiang Laobo, and Jiang Tang also got the chance to enter.

Xun Mei had taken off her cloak and was examining the ledgers at a low desk, her other hand deftly manipulating the abacus.

"Are you the new veterinarian?" Xun Mei asked without looking up, her fingers dancing across the abacus.

"Yes, noble lady," Meng Yuan replied.

"Have you suffered any mistreatment or humiliation in the village?" Xun Mei inquired further.

"The Empress Dowager has treated me well, and no one has humiliated me," Meng Yuan answered. He had long wanted to turn the tables on Li Zhuangtou and his son, but he didn't make random accusations.

In Meng Yuan's opinion, Li Zhuangtou had probably already settled the accounts. Even if he did report them, it would only be for minor matters like reselling manure and selling chicks and piglets. Given Li Zhuangtou's status as a dowry servant, today's affair would likely end with a scare but no real danger.

"How much monthly allowance does the village provide you?" Xun Mei asked.

"Noble lady, we've only been in the village for a month, and we haven't received any yet," Meng Yuan replied.

"Do you know if the livestock farm has been oppressing the nearby villagers?"

"We haven't heard of such things," Meng Yuan said.

"You answer smartly. Have you studied?" Xun Mei lifted her head to look at Meng Yuan, noticing that although his clothes were tattered, they couldn't hide his handsome and refined air. She glanced at him a few more times before returning to her calculations.

"I've studied before and know a few characters," Meng Yuan said.

"Can you calculate accounts? Can you use the abacus?" Xun Mei asked.

"I've glanced through a few accounting books," Meng Yuan replied.

"There are chickens and rabbits in a cage. There are eight heads and twenty-six feet in total. How many chickens and rabbits are there?" Xun Mei asked, presenting a math problem.

"Xun Mei directly asked a question."

Without needing to count on his fingers, Meng Yuan instantly knew the answer, but he feigned contemplation, pausing for a few breaths before replying, "But there are five rabbits and three chickens?"

Xun Mei, the young lady, smiled slightly, showing a hint of appreciation. "Her Highness the Empress Dowager is kind and won't let her servants go hungry or cold. You're new here, so work hard, and there will be a day when you rise above this."

Meng Yuan understood. Being literate and skilled in accounting had already earned him the status of a "superior servant," but because he was still new, he had to wait a little longer.

"Thank you, Elder," Meng Yuan quickly expressed his gratitude, though he didn't know when he would receive a promotion.

"I'm not an Elder, just like you. We're both) here to serve Her Highness." Xun Mei seemed to have a good impression of Meng Yuan. She took out a small porcelain bottle, "You work hard, and there will be time for reading books. I brought some chilblain cream; you should treat the chilblains on your hands."

"Thank you, Sister Xun," Meng Yuan said as he took the bottle, already addressing her more intimately.

Xun Mei signaled, and the little maid beside her took out three small silver coins, distributing them to Meng Yuan and the other two.

Meng Yuan lightly weighed the coin in his hand; it seemed to be about one tael. No wonder the people who were questioned earlier left with bright smiles; they had received a reward.

"The festival is approaching, and this is a gift from Her Highness. Everyone will receive one. But since you're new, I gave you a little more; don't go around boasting about it." Xun Mei smiled, seeing that Meng Yuan and the other two were about to leave, their faces filled with joy, noses running, and eyes tearing up.

Meng Yuan felt a bit disappointed at not having the chance to show off his flattery skills.

After leaving the main hall, they saw Li Zhuangtou and his son outside, their faces dark as they glared at Meng Yuan and Jiang Laobo.

Jiang Laobo was startled and whispered, "We didn't do anything."

Li Zhuangtou waved his hand impatiently.

Meng Yuan remained silent, but he had his own thoughts.

Xun Mei personally distributed the festival rewards, clearly to prevent anyone from withholding the benefits. This showed that the Empress Dowager was not only kind but also capable.

The people above were good, but Li Zhuangtou and his son below were greedy and cunning, executing their duties poorly.

Xun Mei kept Li Zhuangtou and his son at a distance, questioning the villagers about the affairs of the village. She carefully investigated whether there was any deception going on in the livestock farm. Her actions showed that the Empress Dowager was aware of the conduct of the people below and was taking measures to prevent and correct it.

Indeed, after checking the accounts, Xun Mei walked around a few more cow sheds and then instructed Li Zhuangtou not to mistreat the villagers, not to withhold their food, and not to cause trouble in the name of the Imperial Mansion.

Li Zhuangtou and his son dared not even breathe heavily, nodding obediently. But as soon as Xun Mei left, they burst into laughter. Clearly, they had done more than just these minor offenses, and that's why they were so proud after passing this test.

However, Meng Yuan didn't have enough evidence to bring them down.

After a busy day, they finished work and returned to their residence.

Meng Yuan quickly freshened up and was pulled by Jiang Tang into her small thatched hut.

A single lamp glowed dimly, and they sat side by side on a long bench. Meng Yuan moistened his fingers and wrote Jiang Tang's name on the worn-out table.

Jiang Tang didn't pay much attention to her studies, but she followed along, drawing a few lines before whispering, "That Xun Mei sister was really pretty today."

"You'll be even prettier than her in the future." Meng Yuan spoke matter-of-factly. This little girl had good potential; she just needed to gain some weight. In a few years, she'd probably be a real beauty.

Hearing this, Jiang Tang lowered her head, her face slightly red in the faint light.

The young girl's shyness was pure and adorable, but it also made Meng Yuan unable to tease her even a little.

"Brother, how do I use this?" Jiang Tang took out the small porcelain bottle of chilblain cream that Meng Yuan had received from Xun Mei.

What else could you do with it? This little girl was so young but already so cunning!

Meng Yuan took the bottle, and Jiang Tang quickly extended her hand.

She wove grass ropes and bamboo baskets every day, and her delicate palms were covered in tiny cracks. Meng Yuan felt a pang of pain seeing this.

He gently applied the cream to the cracks on her hands, rubbing it in. "Next year, you won't get chilblains again."

Jiang Tang nodded happily, then she applied the cream to Meng Yuan's hands, humming a slightly off-key version of the "Shepherd's Song."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end