Buying Grain for Twenty

After the servant left, Gu Xin’s anger had yet to subside. Seeing the clothes there made it feel as though Jiang Shuwan were mocking his unrequited affection, and in a fit of rage, he trampled upon them.

Liu Xu watched Gu Xin, who seemed to have lost his mind, with a sense of bewilderment. Only yesterday, the young master had changed his tune and declared his intention to marry the Jiang family’s cousin. Why, then, was he now sending gifts to the eldest Miss Jiang? He was confused, yet he dared not ask.

Once Gu Xin had vented his frustration, he looked at the wreckage on the floor, smoothed his robes, and muttered viciously, "Whether in the past or now, Rou'er is always the better one. Jiang Shuwan only acts so arrogant and domineering because she relies on her family background. I initially pitied her, but since she is so ungrateful, I need not be polite to her any longer."

Once she entered the household, he and Rou'er would certainly not let her off easily.

**

Yulan Pavilion.

The iron brazier in the room crackled and popped. With the doors and windows tightly shut, the temperature inside was a world away from the cold outside. Jiang Shuwan sat at a low table, several boxes spread before her. She picked up a pearl hairpin and examined it from every angle. The hairpin was white, tipped with a string of jade carved into tiny magnolia flowers; one look at the quality revealed it was far from cheap.

Liusu poured her a cup of hot tea and smiled. "My lady, your cousin is truly kind to you, sending you so many things."

Jiang Shuwan set the hairpin down, took the cup, and sipped the tea, feeling a warmth spread through her body. "Yes, they have always been good to me. When Mother was still alive, we often played together, but ever since..."

Jiang Shuwan could not go on. Since her mother's passing, the Jiang family had sown discord, driving her away from the Shen family. She had been as foolish as a pig, believing their lies and cutting ties with the Shens. She had broken the hearts of her maternal grandparents, yet they held no grudge, having her second cousin in the capital send her items every month for fear she would have nothing to rely on in the Jiang household.

In her past life, she had been blinded by greed, clinging to the Jiangs and distancing herself from the Shens, only to be bullied to her death. In this life, she would ensure that those who wronged her in her previous life received the retribution they deserved.

Jiang Shuwan gripped her teacup tightly.

"Eldest Miss."

Suddenly, the servant’s voice sounded from outside, pulling her back to reality. Jiang Shuwan set the cup down and said coldly, "Come in."

Liusu stood to the right of the table. The servant entered, bowed respectfully, and said, "Eldest Miss."

"Well? Did you return the items?"

"I have returned them. However..." The servant hesitated.

"Speak plainly if you have something to say."

The servant recounted Gu Xin’s reaction and every word he had spoken to Jiang Shuwan.

"Pfft."

Jiang Shuwan and Liusu burst into laughter. Jiang Shuwan covered her mouth, casting a sidelong glance at the servant. "What is your name? What are your duties in the courtyard?"

"Ah?" Caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone, the servant was momentarily stunned.

"The eldest Miss is speaking to you," Liusu said with a stern face.

Realizing his lapse in decorum, the servant immediately lowered his head. "Replying to the eldest Miss, this servant is named Du Qing. I am a gardener in the backyard."

"Your name is Du Qing?" Jiang Shuwan’s voice rose in pitch.

In her past life, the Yongbo Marquis Mansion had taken her mother’s dowry and handed it to a man named Du Qing to manage. Under his hand, the Marquis Mansion had flourished, acquiring countless farmlands and shops.

"Yes, that is me." Du Qing was puzzled by her reaction.

Jiang Shuwan composed herself. "Liusu, go fetch the box containing my silver notes."

"Yes." Though puzzled, Liusu turned to retrieve it. She returned shortly with the box.

Jiang Shuwan opened it, took out all the notes inside, and handed them to Du Qing. "This is ten thousand taels of silver. I want you to buy up as much grain as you can from the surrounding areas."

These ten thousand taels had been left to her by her mother before she died; she had never been able to bring herself to spend them.

Du Qing looked at the thick stack of silver notes and did not take them, trembling with anxiety. "Eldest Miss, I am merely a gardener. I do not know how to conduct business."

"Was your grandfather a scholar?" Jiang Shuwan asked.

"Yes." Du Qing was surprised she knew this.

"Do not be so surprised. I also know that your grandfather’s family were merchants, and it was only after the family fell into decline that you were forced into servitude."

Du Qing was even more shocked.

"Do not worry. I learned all of this from the slave trader when you were sold into the household," Jiang Shuwan said, offering a convenient excuse.

Du Qing let out a sigh of relief. He had feared that he had offended Jiang Shuwan and that she had investigated him specifically to hold it over his head. "Eldest Miss, why did you choose me?" he asked, voicing his lingering doubt.

"As I just said, your ancestors were merchants, so you should understand the trade. I trust you with this."

Du Qing was deeply moved by her trust. "But although I have some understanding of business, I am no match for those who specialize in it. It would be better if you found someone else." He still dared not take on the task.

"Others may have the ability, but I do not trust them. I only trust you now, and I believe you will handle this well for me. If you succeed, I will never treat you poorly."

Seeing how highly she regarded him, Du Qing was moved. He accepted the money and promised, "My lady, have no fear. I will do my utmost to fulfill this task and will never betray your trust."

"I believe in you," Jiang Shuwan said with a smile.

She then handed him a land deed for a property in the western suburbs. "This is a courtyard that was part of my mother’s dowry. It is quite secluded; it will be the perfect place for you to store the grain you purchase."

"I understand," Du Qing said, taking the deed.

"From now on, when you work for me, do not refer to yourself as a servant in my presence," Jiang Shuwan instructed.

Du Qing was stunned, then deeply moved. "I understand. Thank you, eldest Miss."

Those purchased as servants were not only forced to sign indentures but were required to bow and scrape, keeping their status humble. Even if a master took a liking to them and gave them work, the masters treated it as a supreme favor, expecting eternal gratitude in return. Someone like Jiang Shuwan was a rarity. Du Qing vowed in his heart that he would go through fire and water for her.

"Very well, go and attend to your business."

"Yes."

After Du Qing left, Liusu could no longer contain her curiosity. "My lady, why the sudden need to hoard grain?"

Since the Emperor’s ascension, the Yun Dynasty had been prosperous, and there had been no signs of famine. Jiang Shuwan was not a merchant, and this sudden purchase of grain left her bewildered.

Jiang Shuwan took a sip of tea and said meaningfully, "It will be of great use in the future."

In her previous life, the Nanping County had suffered a massive flood, followed by an inexplicable plague that spread to the capital, causing grain prices to skyrocket. Eventually, a single sheng of rice cost a tael of gold. Counting the time, it was almost upon them.

She could not tell Liusu this, however. After all, had she not experienced it herself, she would never have believed something as bizarre as reincarnation.