Chapter 80

Song Dingxiang was unaware of the incident in the capital city, and the Eighth Prince's consort did not mention it to her, fearing it would unsettle her. Of course, if she had known, she would have likely burst into a tirade.

When everyone was reluctant to spend money, they all acted like cowards, but now that they see the benefits, they all come out wanting a piece of the pie?

Is it really that easy?

However, even if she didn't know, her business acumen prompted her to handle her capital properly.

The profits from woolen products were not actually high, and a significant part of the premium quality had to be given away for free. The remaining profits were only marginal.

However, the condiment business was highly profitable. Even poor families would buy soy sauce, noodles, pickled vegetables, and sauerkraut throughout the year.

Although each item only cost a few copper coins, the high production volume made up for it. The most crucial factor was that she held the core technology in her hands, making her unafraid of anyone trying to compete.

So, she divided the shares of the condiment workshop into ten parts. She gave a share to her eldest brother Song Junshan, who helped manage the condiment business, three shares to her brothers, and a share each to her grandparents.

The remaining two shares were split, with one of them sent to the Eighth Prince's mansion.

The Eighth Prince received these two shares of stock, and after discussing with his consort, he decided to send one share to the palace.

The national treasury had been under immense strain due to years of government spending. The Emperor had repeatedly dipped into his private funds to fill the gaps in the treasury, causing it to dwindle rapidly. He began to suspect that he might become the poorest monarch in the history of the country.

Although the share the Eighth Prince sent was just a small part, for the Emperor who often had to rely on others for meals, even a small offering was significant.

After pondering all night, he felt that he couldn't accept the share without reciprocating, so he personally wrote "Delicious Flavor" in bold characters, signed his name, stamped it, and gifted it as a return gift to his Eighth Uncle.

His Eighth Uncle and Aunt mulled over the paper with the three characters for several days. Eventually, they had a golden plaque made by skilled craftsmen in the capital and had it personally escorted to the Wei County by a palace guard.

By the time it arrived in the guard county, it was almost time for the New Year.

When Song Dingxiang received the plaque, she was astonished. Accompanying her was a young eunuch who was said to be the apprentice of the palace eunuch.

In a gentle tone, he said, "This is a plaque personally nominated by the Emperor, so it cannot be casually hung up. Your workshop must be renovated, or it would be disrespectful to the Emperor."

Song Dingxiang smiled wryly and replied, "Thank you for the reminder. However, as you can see, everything is covered in ice and snow now. Even if we try to work on it, we can only scrape a small piece of land. There's no way to renovate at the moment."

The eunuch chuckled, "There's no need to worry. I will stay here to supervise the county princess. When spring arrives, we can quickly find someone to make the necessary repairs. Once this matter is settled, we can head back home."

The plaque nominated by the Emperor could not be placed haphazardly. After much deliberation with the young eunuch, Song Dingxiang decided to place the plaque in the largest nearby temple and have a highly revered monk recite scriptures and bless it.

Once the workshop was renovated, she would invite the plaque back.

Actually, she also had a bit of a tricky idea. Before the plaque was hung up, it couldn't tolerate any damage.

If it was kept at her own home and something went wrong, there might be a risk of losing her head. Placing the plaque in the temple, where only monks and devotees frequented, meant that no one would likely try to mess with the plaque.

With the safe escort of the plaque to the temple, a weight was lifted off Song Dingxiang's heart.

On this cold day, except for the kimchi and woolen workshop which remained open, all other workshops were closed. Normally, it was the duty of the Generals' servants to guard and patrol the area, so there wouldn't be any trouble.

Bao Ya and Yi Cheng had already started to roll over. After finishing her chores for the day, Song Dingxiang enjoyed playing with her children. The two kids were well-fed and chubby, with their little arms and legs plump and fleshier, feeling as soft as a tender lotus root when pinched.

Bao Ya was quicker at rolling over, usually using her head against the mattress and pushing with her arms and legs to flip over. However, Yi Cheng was slower, lazily swinging their arms and legs before rolling over, which amused Song Dingxiang.

"You look like a turtle," she joked.

Li shi slapped her on the arm and scolded, "That's your son. What mother would say their son looks like...like..." Li shi couldn't continue.

Song Dingxiang burst into laughter, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore. Hahaha, but it does look alike."

"Shut up!" Li shi couldn't help but lose her temper.

*

Before the New Year, every household was willing to spend their savings at the market to buy New Year goods. Song Dingxiang also took this opportunity to introduce two new condiments.

One was oyster sauce, and the other was seven spice powder.

The condiments in the restaurant were neatly packaged in porcelain jars specially made by Song Dingxiang, with the Emperor's three characters inscribed on them, making them look very grand. Even as gifts, they were quite presentable.

In the grocery store, the condiments were sold loose, and anyone could buy a bowl or jar for oyster sauce at one to three wen, and seven spice powder at one to five wen. After much discussion with her family, Song Dingxiang set the prices.

Although slightly more expensive than other seasonings on the market, they were affordable for every household. People didn't buy in bulk but purchased a few ounces to use during the New Year, adding a fresh taste to their dishes.

Apart from the seasoning powder, there was also a thin booklet. The booklet contained numerous recipes for seafood porridge, with a total of thirty pages, priced at two hundred wen per copy, which was more expensive than the seasonings.

Surprisingly, once it was displayed, it was quickly sold out. Many restaurants and wealthy households purchased it, some even buying more than one copy to give as gifts.

Additionally, at Song Dingxiang's request, Mr. Wang's steward had delivered several carts of dried seafood the year before.

Song Dingxiang had the dried seafood packaged according to the quantity required for each serving of seafood porridge or other dishes, along with the necessary seasonings. Simply buy a package and follow the instructions to prepare a dish or cook a delicious porridge, making it very convenient.

Who in Weixian bought things like this?

The Song family was truly innovative. And most of it was dried goods, which could be stored and used whenever one wanted to eat a meal. Not only did the people of Weixian like these products, but many merchants also bought them in bulk, and within a few days, half of the store was emptied.

"The purchasing power of the common people is truly formidable," Song Hutou said as he counted the abacus beads and said to Song Dingxiang, "I was wondering when we could sell all this stuff, but in just a few days, half of it is gone. Watch, by the end of the year, I bet the rest won't last long either."

In fact, this was the simplest convenience food, and as Song Dingxiang looked at the accounts, she had another idea.

Now, half of the Song family had returned to celebrate the New Year with Song Dingxiang. Although they lived together on regular days, during the New Year, they closed their shops and did nothing but gather together to make dumplings and prepare New Year's dishes, making it a truly special occasion.

During this time, Song Hutou drove back to the village with some New Year gifts to be shared among the remaining three families.

Now, many women in Beihugouzi Village had learned to knit gloves and scarves, buying wool from Song Dingxiang's side in the county to do so. After finishing, they would return the items to Song Dingxiang's side, earning more than the men.

So, when mentioning Song Dingxiang's side, they naturally referred to her as "County Princess Song," distinguishing her from their own family who remained in the village.

The three remaining Song families in the village seemed to be living even more poverty-stricken than before. After Song Xingren had a stroke, he never fully recovered, and Gao shi was constantly irritable, unhappy with everyone.

Song Hutou knocked on the door, but Song Xingren's two sons were not at home, and it was unclear where they had gone.

Gao shi shouted, "Who is it? The door isn't locked, can't you come in by yourself?"

Song Hutou paused for a moment before pushing the door open and walking in.

Seeing Song Hutou through the window, Gao shi quickly came out to greet him, saying, "Who could it be coming over on New Year’s, and it turns out to be Hutou. Quickly come in and warm up. It's been a whole year since you last came."

Song Hutou put down what he was carrying at Gao shi's feet and said, "I won't come in to sit. I need to hurry back. The roads are all covered in snow, and it might be difficult to travel later."

Not letting go of his arm, Gao shi kept pulling him into the house, saying, "Since you're here, how can you not come in? Hurry, Third Grandaunt will make you some hot brown sugar water."

Song Hutou couldn't break free and had no choice but to enter the house. As he lifted the door curtain, a warm, pungent smell filled the air, causing him to furrow his brows.

Gao shi pushed Song Hutou to sit down on a chair, then went out to bring in the New Year gifts, saying with a smile, "I was so busy last year that I forgot about this. In a few days, I'll have your fifth and eighth uncles personally go to your house to deliver the gifts."

Song Hutou replied, "No need, it's cold and slippery outside, and uncles are not young anymore. I don't want them to slip and fall."

Gao shi insisted, "How can they not go? They are relatives after all, they should at least pay a visit."

Feeling awkward, Song Hutou forced a smile and said, "There's no need for all this formality. It's too much trouble back and forth, so it's better not to go."

Gao shi pursed her lips and suddenly asked, "Hutou, I heard that your fifth and sixth grandaunts are also living in your house?"

Song Hutou thought to himself, waiting for this question to come up. He smiled and said, "It's not that they are living in my house, they're just helping out with household chores."

Quickly, Gao shi added, "I can also help with the chores."

Song Hutou didn't respond directly, simply glanced towards the main house and said, "Is my Third Granduncle feeling better yet?"

Disdainful, Gao shi said, "At his age, he probably won't get any better."

Song Hutou remarked, "Then, please take good care of him. If you go, what will fifth and eight uncles do? Besides, there's no shortage of work in my family."

A frown appeared on Gao shi's face as she said, "Why can your fifth and sixth grandaunts go, but I can't?"

Seeing her reaction, Song Hutou said firmly, "Yes, others can go, but none of those from your family can. Third Grandaunt, we give you gifts for the New Year out of respect, following the customs of our ancestors. However, if you insist on causing trouble, I may have to stop coming to this house in the future."

He was no longer the easily bullied child of ten years old, but a respected storekeeper who had made a name for himself in Weixian. He didn't appreciate being suppressed by Gaonshi's seniority.

Flustered, Song Gaoshi responded, "You! I never expected you to be so difficult to deal with," her face visibly changed. "Remember when your sister said she was willing to support us in our old age? Is that still valid?"

After a moment of silence, Song Hutou remembered and replied with a smile, "Is Third Grandaunt planning to send fifth and eight uncles to prison? Not just your sons, but are you ready to abandon your grandsons as well?"

In a cold huff, Gao shi retorted, "What do you want me to do? None of them are filial! Look at this messy house, can anyone live here? Their father would rather eat and sleep on the bed, expecting me to clean up everywhere. Do you know my age? I'm sixty years old. As I grow old, I can't even enjoy any blessings. Why should I bother with them?"

Song Hutou said, "I don't have a say in this matter. If you want my family to support you and third Granduncle in your old age, you'll have to discuss it with my fifth and eighth uncles family. Once you reach an agreement, have someone pass the message on to me, and I will make arrangements for you and third Granduncle."

After speaking, he didn't sit down but stood up and walked out, saying, "Third Grandaunt, you need to think it over. This isn't as simple as stealing an egg from a bowl."

Heading home on the carriage, Song Hutou still felt a faint stench lingering on him. It wasn't just the smell of excrement, but also a scent of aging and decay, exuding an unbearable rottenness.

Upon returning home and sharing the situation, Song Xingyi's head began to ache, prompting him to go outside and sit on the large grinding stone in the courtyard while smoking.

Fifth and Sixth Grandaunt remarked, "Perhaps we've been here too long, and she's getting envious."

Li shi retorted, "If she can send her own son and grandsons to prison, I'm willing to spend some money to support her in old age and at the end!"

Smiling, Song Dingxiang reassured, "Grandma, don't worry. Third Grandaunt won't come here to ask us to support her in old age. She probably just wants to use her son and grandsons to pressure her daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law to serve her. Even if she really intends to do so, I'll send my maid over to help her manage things at home. That's a way of supporting her in old age, and there's no need to bring her over here."

Li shi added, "She's capable of disregarding her dignity. At sixty, managing the household like this, wouldn't it be embarrassing to let it be known? Even in the underworld, our ancestors would probably ignore her."

Unexpectedly, shortly after the Lunar New Year, someone came to relay a message to the village.

"Third Granduncle was unwell last night, and this morning he felt cold to the touch. Third Grandaunt sent me to ask you to return home." The messenger was a grandson from Song Xingzhong's family, who appeared to have arrived early in the morning.

"Dacong, how did you come all the way here?" Li shi inquired.

Having wiped his mouth with the water Song Hutou handed to him, Song Juncong replied, "I was given some money at home, so I ran to the town first, then caught a cart here. Fourth Granduncle, Fourth Grandaunt, Fifth Grandaunt, Sixth Grandaunt...where's Sixth Granduncle? When are you all going over?"

Song Dingxiang responded, "Just wait a moment, we'll get ready and head over. Did you come here early because you're hungry? Hutou, please have the kitchen cook up some noodles for him."

Song Jun acknowledged and sat in the hall, waiting under Song Hutou's guidance.

Zhou Yinuo said, "I left the children at home with the maids and nurses, so we didn't bring them along."

Annoyed, Song Dingxiang said, "We weren't planning on bringing them anyway. What a good thing it would be? What if they cause trouble because of our two little plump ones?"

Zhou Yinuo reached out and held her hand, comforting her, "Don't worry, I'll bring a few guards with me when we go over later. They wouldn't dare to cause trouble."

Song Dingxiang sighed and said, "I just can't seem to have a good time during the New Year. Why does everything feel so rushed? Third Granduncle just passed away a few days after the new year."

Zhou Yinuo replied, "At least Third Granduncle was sixty, reaching such an age, and he had a stroke. These days with the cold weather... but at least he passed after the new year."

With Song Xingren gone, several carriages were arranged on this side, cramming all the Song family members onto them. The younger ones were left at home under the care of the steward and servants.

Once the gates were closed, there was no need to worry about any issues.

Accompanied by ten guards riding horses on each side, Zhou Yinuo led the way into the village.

Looking around the spacious carriage, Song Juncong was envious. Glancing at Song Hutou beside him, he couldn't help but ask, "Hutou, is your family still hiring workers for the spring? Can I bring your sister-in-law over to work?"

Song Hutou responded, "We are hiring, as long as your family agrees to it. But I must warn you in advance, if you don't perform well, we will ask you to leave. Don't think just because we're relatives, you can slack off. Don't you know? In our family's soy sauce workshop, the Emperor himself personally inscribed a plaque. It will open in the spring, and if you don't work well there, it is said you might lose your head."

Surprised, Song Juncong asked, "Is that true?"

Song Hutou replied, "Of course it's true. Would you dare to cause trouble under the Emperor's plaque? Don't think my family can protect you. They might just take you straight to prison!"

Feeling a bit intimidated, Song Jun thought about the money he could earn by working in the village and mustered up the courage to say, "I dare not cause trouble. I may not know much, but I do have some strength. I can handle some strenuous work."

Song Hutou advised, "Let's talk about it in the spring. I don't have any vacancies now. We have regular workers, and we only hire temporary workers when they're busy."

Song Juncong observed Song Song Hutou's neat and new clothes, feeling very envious. His own cotton jacket looked new, but it was simply an old jacket covered with a rough cotton cloth.

Once the cover was removed after the new year, it would reveal the old clothes. However, from head to toe, Song Song Hutou looked completely new, and even Song Huzi, now dressed in a scholar's long cotton robe, looked quite presentable.

Uninterested in Song Juncong's gaze, Song Hutou turned to chat with Song Junshan. The men in the carriage were all young and brothers from the family, making the journey enjoyable.

As the carriage entered the village, the village chief approached.

Song Zhiyuan and Song Zhicheng quickly got off the carriage, saying, "Why are you waiting out here in such cold weather?"

The village chief awkwardly and obsequiously smiled, "It's been a long time since I paid my respects to the County Princess, and knowing that the County Princess was coming today, I wanted to come and pay my respects."

Embarrassed, Song Zhiyuan hurriedly said, "Today we're back for family matters, no need for such formalities, we are all children from the village. Please, quickly get up." He helped the village chief to his feet with Song Zhicheng's assistance.

The village chief did not leave but followed the carriage, saying as they walked, "So Old Third Song passed away today? I should go and help organize things. It's the New Year... Oh... Old Third Song didn't really enjoy his life."

The voice of Song Dingxiang came from the carriage, "Village chief, what are you saying? My Third Granduncle had all his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren with him, living in a four-generation household. How could you say he didn't enjoy his life?"

The village chief, taken aback, immediately slapped himself, saying, "Oh, I spoke out of turn. I didn't mean he didn't enjoy his life, just that he had been bedridden for over a year. I speak frankly and am not afraid of the County Princess and General making fun of me. My wife visited Old Third Song's house, and the smell there..."

In the past, Song Xingren had not lain down, and Gao shi had been attentive. Plus, she was skilled at sewing, and all the clothes on Song Xingren were made by her, very comfortable and fitting.

But after Song Xingren bedridden, Gao shi seemed to have changed, from initially taking care of him to later being indifferent. Eventually, they didn't even live in the same room.

Completing his remarks, the village chief continued, "I'm not speaking ill of Old Third Song's family, it's just that when someone is so sick for a long time, not even their own children, let alone their daughter-in-law, want to take care of them."

Song Zhiyuan sighed. He could almost imagine how Song Xingren had passed away. It was no wonder the village chief said he hadn't enjoyed his life.

Song Xingren's sudden departure had left the family unprepared.

The carriage first returned to their courtyard, where Li Sheng and others were waiting. "Knowing that you were all coming back today, we have warmed up the beds in the courtyard. The beds of Fifth and Sixth Grandaunt are also ready, but not as warm as ours. Why don't we rest here for a while?"

Fifth Grandaunt got off the carriage, saying, "Thanks for your help. Let the young ones go back to tidy up, we elders will rest here first."

Li Sheng humbly responded, taking the horses into the courtyard with his wife and children, before driving them to the backyard to eat fodder.

Song Dingxiang arranged two rooms for the guards to rest and, along with others, went to the main house and climbed onto the kang. When Li Sheng came in, he was asked about the village's affairs.

"Can you tell me a bit about the village? I'd appreciate it if you could share your knowledge."

Li Sheng said, "We rarely leave the village except for farming chores, but we do know a bit about the Song Xingren family. Their grandchildren have all moved to their daughter-in-law's house, sending money monthly but rarely meeting face to face. Even the land in our village has been leased out, as they are supposedly selling goods or working as peddlers on the other side. After Song Xingren had a stroke, his two sons initially helped take care of him, and his daughter-in-law Zhu shi was diligent. However, the old lady's tongue... In the end, they all didn't want to stay at home and often left after dinner."

Song Li said, "Did the old lady... scold people?"

Li Sheng replied, "Yes, indeed. I heard her once, saying things that were really hard to bear. Not only could his sons and daughter-in-law not stand it, even those of us who occasionally heard it couldn't bear it."

Sixth Grandaunt sighed, "What a calamity. Who would have known that Third Sister-in-law was so fond of scolding others? She used to speak softly before. People really change as they age."

Fifth Grandaunt coldly remarked, "I don't think she changed at all. She used to hide it well, but now the truth is out."

"And what else?" Song Dingxiang asked again.

Li Sheng thought for a moment and said, "Earlier today, Song Zhishen came out shouting for help, and I went to assist. I touched the old man's kang, and it was ice-cold, no warmth at all. His face was so pale, it was frightening."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room involuntarily shivered.

——— Author's Note:

My neighbor is truly an angel, she brought me a bowl of dumplings today, and it was delicious!