Chapter 34: Family School of the Liu’s (I)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The maid had not dared to say anything. Though she had served the madam for many years, she still did not know the madam’s temperament.
It would be inaccurate to say that the madam loved Liu Lanting, for she always kept her distance from him… Liu Lanting was the late lady’s only son, so it made sense why Madam Hu didn’t particularly like him. After all, she had become Master Liu’s concubine through much of her own effort and cunning.
But it would also be inaccurate to say that Madam Hu hated the second Langjun. The madam had continued managing the late lady’s textile workshops after she passed away, and there was a steady increase in profits under her supervision. But the madam did not try to claim the earnings as her own… She was just managing the businesses until the second Langjun could take over. Additionally, when she heard the news that the second Langjun had been kidnapped, she fainted from worry.
If the maid were to be honest, she really had no idea what was going on in the Liu house.
Madam Hu’s maid did not understand the inner workings of the Liu household and neither did Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji had planned to lock herself away in the study room and browse through all the books to get a better understanding of this era. With her excellent memory, she should be able to get a hold of things quickly. Although the study was filled with “books,” most were actually made from heavy bamboo slips.
She had not been reading for long when a maid by the name of Taxue quietly informed her that she was delivering that month’s supplies.
“Supplies?”
Jiang Pengji searched Liu Lanting’s memories and faintly understood that the maid was referring to pocket money.
But when she took a good look at the items that were being placed in her room, she realized that she had misunderstood.
The supplies that the maid brought were not coins. They were actually supplies for a student: calligraphy tools, cloth for making clothes, fur, boxes of incense, fancy stationery, and five hundred sheets of paper made from young bamboo…
Jiang Pengji was astounded that Liu Lanting could easily get five hundred sheets of paper per month in an era where paper was more expensive than gold.
“This month’s paper feels different,” Jiang Pengji observed.
“According to the workshop owner, the paper craftsman made some tweaks to improve the quality of the paper. The texture is now smoother to the touch,” Taxue said.
Jiang Pengji went over to the shelf and felt the older books. The new papers were much better.
But that was not what was on her mind.
Paper-making was new in this era. The paper from this era was usually poor quality, and not many people were able to use it. It was rare to be able to afford good paper, and its value was more than gold.
Jiang Pengji found something in Liu Lanting’s memories. The children from another family only had about 50 pages of poor quality paper, but even that was considered extravagant because most people still wrote on bamboo slips.
Yet Liu Lanting could afford to write on the best quality paper? Unless…
A plan started to form in Jiang Pengji’s mind. “It must not be easy for the workshop to make paper. And to send 500 sheets to the house every month seems excessive.”
Taxue didn’t know that she was being tested, so she replied, “The late lady left the workshop to you. As long as you need paper, the workshop will deliver it to you… Even if that means they can’t sell to anyone else. Why should you cut down on your usage for the benefit of others?”
Paper workshop… As expected… Jiang Pengji’s head throbbed.
Taxue glanced at Jiang Pengji and inwardly sighed in relief when she saw that the Langjun’s expression was still relaxed.
Everyone in the house knew that the Langjun had sentenced a servant to death. In the past, Liu Lanting did not have much of a presence in the house. His personality was weak and garnered no respect. But the new Liu Lanting was a man of his word, and none of the servants would dare to cross him now.
The workshop’s owner had delivered the papers for that month two days earlier. He had also given her something as a small favor, hoping that she would say something good about him to Liu Lanting. The owner had a lucrative post and did not want to lose the job.
The workshop was only average-sized, so it had its limits when it came to producing paper. The amount of paper the noble families consumed every year was immeasurable. Merchants and nobles had to fight to place their orders. If they were even a moment too late, they would not be able to get paper, no matter how much money they offered. Therefore, it was common to bribe the owner in order to get the amount of paper they wanted for that year.
“It looks like the owner gave you something nice in order to say good things about him.”
Jiang Pengji looked at Taxue’s right sleeve where she hid her hand. The maid paled.
“Being a woman isn’t easy… Don’t worry. As long as the owner doesn’t go overboard with his favors, you can keep them. My maids deserve preferential treatment.”
If you truly did not want her to worry, the System silently rebutted, You wouldn’t be so direct with your words.
Jiang Pengji had gotten the information she wanted. She was pretty sure the identity of Liu Lanting’s mother was suspicious.
Yongyuan de Tiankong: “Hahaha… Why does it feel like there are other time travelers besides the host?”
Murui Huakai: “Eh? Really? Maybe the host can have a historical reconnection with her family.”
User3216: “The one above is too naive. There is no knowing what is in a man’s heart. It might not be productive to connect with her family. Host, be careful that you don’t get backstabbed.”
UserRey11: “Why do I feel like there’s another time traveler? You’d be considered merciful if you don’t stab the other time traveler first. #picksnose”
Toudu Feiqiu: “Agree @Rey11. Streamer combat power max.”
As Jiang Pengji thought and read the comments for clues, Taxue’s voice sounded in her ears.
“Are you still going to the family school tomorrow?” Taxue tidied up the study supplies and sorted them into their different storage boxes. “Master Wei sent a messenger yesterday. He still hasn’t fully recovered from his cold and needs three to five days more days of rest. He doesn’t want to spread the cold to you.”
Liu Lanting’s private tutor had already taken a three-day leave for his cold, and he still had not recovered.
“Family school?”
Jiang Pengji frowned and sifted through Liu Lanting’s memories. It seemed like a normal school for children. But in her memories, Liu Lanting hated going there. She had spent most of her time with a private tutor in the house.
Jiang Pengji had originally not planned on going to the lessons, but the stream had quite a few comments requesting to see how schools in the olden days worked.
She swallowed and replied, “I’ll go tomorrow. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and I have no idea what it’s like now. Taxue, ask the head servant to prepare some money and give it for Master Wei for his cold.”
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