Chapter 34 – Liu Clan Studies Part One
The maidservant at this moment dared not speak; she had served Lady Die for many years and still couldn’t decipher the lady’s temperament.
If one said she favored the Second Young Master, it was secretly countered by her penchant for tripping others up. She was neither warm nor cold with people… After all, she was the only legitimate child left by the late First Lady, who clung desperately to become the Master’s concubine in the end, so it was only natural for Lady Die to hold some disdain for the Second Young Master.
But to say that Lady Die detested the Second Young Master? The maidservant couldn’t quite agree with that.
The clearest evidence was that the several highly profitable workshops left by the late First Lady were all managed by Lady Die over the years!
These past years, the revenue of the workshops had soared, even surpassing that of the Liu Residence by several multiples, yet Lady Die showed no intention of taking any for herself… It really seemed she was genuinely managing the affairs for the Second Young Master, ensuring everything returned to him in full.
Besides that, when news arrived yesterday that the Second Young Master had been kidnapped by thieves, Lady Die had actually fainted from anxiety.
Truth be told, the dynamics of the small Liu Residence were becoming increasingly bewildering.
While the maidservant by Lady Die’s side was baffled by the murky waters of Liu Residence, Jiang Pengji was feeling a bit dizzy herself.
In an effort to grasp more about this era, she planned to spend some time in the study reading through all the books. Given her memory skills, it would hardly take long. Most of the materials were heavy bamboo slips, with only a few bound paper books.
However, before she could read much, the maidservant Ta Xue informed her that the monthly supplies had arrived.
“Monthly supplies?”
Jiang Pengji searched through Liu Lanting’s memories, vaguely recognizing that this was akin to pocket money.
But when she saw the pile of items in her room, she realized she seemed to have misunderstood.
The monthly supply wasn’t just a box of silver or a heap of copper coins; it included daily supplies for study, such as several sets of writing materials, dozens of fabrics for making new clothes, several pieces of processed soft fur, dozens of incense powders, several stacks of floral papers… and a dedicated stack of five bundles of bamboo paper… In this age where paper was more precious than gold, Liu Lanting’s monthly supply included five bundles of bamboo paper?
At this thought, Jiang Pengji’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprised, “This month’s paper looks particularly nicer than last month’s.”
Ta Xue had no doubts and instead wore an expression that said, “The Second Young Master has a good eye,” while secretly clenching the weighty pouch in her sleeve.
“According to the workshop manager, the craftsman has made several adjustments in the trials, and the bamboo paper’s durability is better than before, plus it feels smoother to the touch,” Ta Xue explained.
Jiang Pengji reached out to feel it, and indeed, it was of better quality than that of the books on the shelf.
However, this wasn’t her primary concern.
Although papermaking technology existed in this age, it wasn’t fully developed, and the quality of the paper produced was poor, with limited usage. Therefore, good paper remained exceedingly precious; paper suitable for ink soaking and painting was even more rare and expensive.
She recalled a detail from Liu Lanting’s memories: in other families, even the most cultivated disciples received half a bundle a month and that was already considered extravagant, with most paper being of mediocre quality. More people still used bamboo slips for writing.
Unlike Liu Lanting, who received an excess supply and meticulously selected the finest batch… unless…
Jiang Pengji had an inkling and remarked, “Producing bamboo paper is no easy task; receiving five bundles in a month seems a bit excessive.”
Ta Xue did not realize she was being tested and naturally replied, “The papermaking workshop was originally left to the Second Young Master by the late First Lady. Not to mention five bundles a month, as long as the Second Young Master needs it, even if they don’t sell paper outside, they cannot run short for him; there’s no reason for you to save on their behalf.”
Papermaking workshop… As expected… The veins on Jiang Pengji’s forehead twitched slightly.
Ta Xue took a covert glance at Jiang Pengji, seeing her expression appeared relaxed and cheerful, and couldn’t help but secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Most of the servants in Liu Residence were already aware of the matter where the Young Master had dealt swiftly with a house servant. Previously, they looked down on this Young Master who wasn’t very noticeable and had a soft personality, but having witnessed his uncompromising decisiveness, they all fell into line.
The workshop manager even sent in the monthly supplies two days earlier and gave Ta Xue some benefits, asking her to praise him in secret.
The papermaking workshop was a lucrative business, and the manager didn’t want to lose this opportunity in vain.
The size of the papermaking workshop wasn’t too large but not too small either, and the amount of paper produced each month was limited. The paper consumed by the aristocrats each year was incalculable, and the bamboo paper from the workshop was eagerly ordered in secret by nobles and merchants alike. If one was late, no matter how high the price offered, they wouldn’t sell.
To grab the annual quotas, bribing the manager to secure a little extra was a yearly routine.
“It seems the workshop manager indeed gave you plenty of benefits; it’s rare for you to speak up for someone else.”
With that, Jiang Pengji’s gaze fell on Ta Xue’s right hand hidden under her sleeve, her face pale. She smiled reassuringly, saying, “It’s tough for a girl… don’t be too afraid, if the manager gives you benefits, as long as it’s not excessive, accept it. My maidservant deserves preferential treatment.”
The system internally ridiculed, if only she weren’t afraid, why did she have to say it so bluntly?
Having found the clues she desired, Jiang Pengji rubbed her temples discreetly, becoming even more certain that Liu Lanting’s mother had an unusual identity.
【Forever Sky】: 2333, why do I feel like there might be other time-traveling girls besides the host?
【Wooden Peony Bloom】: Hey, really? Maybe the host could hold a historic family reunion assembly.
【User 3216】: So naive upstairs; one never knows a person’s true intentions. Be cautious, host.
【User Rey11】: I get the feeling if there’s a second time-traveling girl, it’d be merciful if the host doesn’t stab her first. #NosePicking
【Stowaway Non-Money】: Agreeing with @User Rey11, the host’s combat power is maxed out.
While pondering and glancing at the bullet screen for inspiration, the voice of maidservant Ta Xue reached her ears.
“Is the Second Young Master going to the clan school tomorrow?” As Ta Xue helped her organize the supplies, categorizing them into different boxes, she continued, “Mr. Wei sent someone yesterday to request leave. He said he hasn’t recovered from his cold and needs three to five more days of rest to avoid passing on the illness to the Young Master.”
The teacher who had been instructing Liu Lanting had been ill, taking three days off, and it turned out he still hadn’t healed.
“Clan school?”
Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and thought for a moment; that place was similar to a school for young children.
However, in her memories, Liu Lanting disliked attending there and mostly had the teacher come home for private lessons.
She originally thought to refuse, but noticed many viewers on the screen wanted to see a closer look at the ancient family school.
Thus, Jiang Pengji swallowed her refusal and said, “I’ll go tomorrow. It’s been a while since I attended, and I’m curious what the situation is like now. Ta Xue, remember to ask the steward to prepare a light gift for the teacher to give him some peace of mind while he recuperates.”
The clan school, to put it simply, was a private school funded by the clan, where teachers were engaged to instruct the family’s children.
