After finishing the meal, Yun Yin went to check on the land Zhang Lin had been clearing. The second plot was already half-turned. She called him over and said, “This soil doesn’t seem very fertile. How did you usually fertilize your fields before?”
Zhang Lin thought carefully for a moment and replied, “We used chicken manure we raised ourselves, mixed with chopped wheat and rice straw, and composted them together.”
“Don’t worry, ma’am. Once I finish clearing the land, I’ll start composting. We don’t have chicken manure, but there’s plenty of bird droppings in the mountains—they can be used too.”
Yun Yin recalled a composting method she had seen in a farming book and nodded. “I have a method you can try as well. Make more compost—the soil here will probably need a lot of it to become fertile.”
She explained the process in detail. In fact, most of it was similar to what Zhang Lin already knew, but the straw needed to be chopped finely and moistened to maintain humidity, which would help it decompose faster.
In addition, they could add fallen leaves from the mountains, kitchen scraps, and plant ash into the compost pile. It should be covered with a woven grass mat to prevent moisture loss, and water should be added from time to time to maintain proper humidity. Compost made this way would be high quality.
Yun Yin emphasized key points such as temperature, moisture, and ventilation. By the time she finished, her lips were dry.
She took a sip of water to moisten her throat and said, “Try it first. If you run into problems, come ask me.”
Zhang Lin scratched his head, hoe in hand, and went back to work—who knew how much he had actually remembered.
Yun Yin returned to her food stall, planning to wait for passing merchant caravans.
But even until nightfall, no caravans came. She packed up her things, leaving the harder-to-carry items at the stall for Zhang Lin to watch over.
She decided that if no one came the next morning, she would go to the county town to buy an iron wok.
Early the next morning, Yun Yin struggled out of bed. The sky was only just beginning to lighten, and the moon was still faintly visible. After stretching, she took her things to the stall, where Zhang Lin was already up.
Looking at the still-empty official road, Zhang Lin said with a worried expression, “Ma’am, what should we do? If no one comes again today, should we move the stall somewhere else?”
Yun Yin set down her things. “We haven’t kneaded the dough yet anyway. Let’s close for a day. I’ll go to the county town to buy an iron wok and also ask around about the situation.”
“There may be bandits on the road. The county office might have posted notices—I’ll check. You continue clearing land and making compost today.”
After giving instructions, Yun Yin returned to the hut, gathered her belongings, and headed to town to find Luo Man.
The town looked as usual—people working and vendors setting up stalls. No one seemed to be talking about bandits.
When Yun Yin found Luo Man, she was doing accounts with an abacus, calculating recent profits. Seeing Yun Yin, her eyes lit up. “Sister, what brings you here today? Why isn’t that young man surnamed Zhang here instead?”
Over the past few days, whenever Zhang Lin came to town to buy bones, Yun Yin would have him bring Luo Man a basket of elm seeds and Chinese toon shoots. Today, since Yun Yin planned to go to the county, she delivered them herself.
Yun Yin smiled apologetically. “I came to ask Sister A-Man for a favor, if it’s convenient.”
Luo Man put away her abacus and led Yun Yin to the back courtyard. “Did you run into some trouble?”
Yun Yin set down the basket. “Sister A-Man, are you using your carriage today? If it’s convenient, could I borrow the carriage and driver? I plan to go to the county town.”
Luo Man patted her chest lightly. “I thought it was something serious—just borrowing a carriage?”
She called out, “Zhao Qian, come here.”
Zhao Qian, who had been cleaning the courtyard, hurried over. “What do you need, boss?”
“Prepare the carriage and take Madam Yun to the county town.”
After Zhao Qian left, Yun Yin pressed her lips together and smiled. “I’ve really troubled you.”
Luo Man shook her head. “It’s nothing. You’re just too polite.”
“I should be thanking you instead. The snacks you taught me before are very popular with the scholars.”
“I’ve had them made in my restaurant in the county, and business has improved quite a bit.”
Yun Yin was surprised. “So you have a restaurant in the county too? That’s impressive.”
Luo Man waved her hand. “Not as impressive as you say. Just making a living. The most famous restaurant in the county is Manxiangju, opened by people from Mianzhou.”
“It’s well-known there too, with branches in many counties. Their Eight-Treasure Chicken is especially famous—you must try it if you go.”
Yun Yin nodded with a smile. “Thank you for the recommendation—I’ll definitely try it.”
Before leaving, Yun Yin asked, “Sister A-Man, have you heard anything about bandits nearby recently?”
Luo Man looked surprised. “Where did you hear that? I haven’t heard anything, and there’s been no news in the county.”
She thought for a moment. “But it’s been a while since I last went to the county. There might be something I don’t know. Is that why you’re going?”
Yun Yin shook her head. “That’s only part of it. Mainly, I want to buy an iron wok—it’s more convenient for cooking.”
Luo Man nodded. “You’ll need to go to a blacksmith in the county for that. We mostly cook stews, so we never bought one. Iron woks are expensive—at least two strings of cash.”
Yun Yin had expected it to be costly, but hearing the price still made her take a deep breath. Buying one would take most of her savings.
Still, she needed it. She was used to cooking with an iron wok—for stir-frying and stewing—and wasn’t accustomed to using a cauldron.
After saying her goodbyes, Yun Yin got into the carriage. Zhao Qian drove steadily, and they arrived at the county town without much bumpiness.
Just as she was about to get down and take a look around, a delighted voice called from outside:
“Is that Madam Luo? You’ve finally come to the county!”
The man continued in a flattering tone, “Since you’re here, why didn’t you tell me? I could have treated you to a meal.”
Confused, Yun Yin heard Zhao Qian respond, “Sir Song, you’ve mistaken us. The person inside is not our mistress.”
The man shoved Zhao Qian aside. “Move. I’m talking to Madam Luo—what’s it to you?”
Yun Yin lifted the curtain and jumped down. “He’s right. You’ve got the wrong person.”
She looked at the man blocking the carriage. He wore a jade crown and a round-collared robe with wide sleeves, giving him a scholarly air. He looked elegant, but his behavior was that of a spoiled young master.
Seeing that she was not the person he expected, his expression darkened. “Who are you? Why are you using Madam Luo’s carriage? Where is she?”
Yun Yin didn’t intend to engage and told Zhao Qian they should leave. But the man stopped her again.
“I’m talking to you. Why are you ignoring me? I just want to know how Madam Luo has been lately.”
“She hasn’t come to the county for nearly a month. Did I do something wrong? If not for my studies and my family not letting me leave the city, I would’ve gone to find her.”
Yun Yin had no interest in his personal matters. She interrupted, “I don’t know. I have things to do—excuse me.”
But he persisted. “How could you not know? If you weren’t close to her, she wouldn’t lend you her carriage.”
“What business do you have? Tell me—I know this county well. There’s nothing I don’t know.”
Yun Yin studied him for a moment. “May I ask your name, young sir?”
He straightened his robe proudly. “My name is Song Shi. I study at the county school. And you?”
Yun Yin gave a polite smile. “My surname is Yun. You can call me Madam Yun.”
She didn’t plan to reveal more, but judging from his appearance, he seemed to be from an official family—useful for gathering information.
She cleared her throat. “Could you tell me how to get to the blacksmith?”
Song Shi pouted. “I thought it was something important. Just the blacksmith?”
“Well, I happen to be free today. I’ll take you there. But if you can tell me about Madam Luo, that would be even better.”
As they walked, a voice called out urgently from behind, “Young master, wait!”
A boy was pushing through the crowd toward them. Yun Yin nodded in his direction. “Is he looking for you?”
Song Shi ignored him. “No need to bother. Let’s go.”
The boy caught up. “Young master, we should go home. If the mistress finds out, I’ll be punished.”
Song Shi snapped impatiently, “Are you my servant or my mother’s? I’m already tired from studying all day—can’t I have some freedom on my day off? If you still consider me your master, then be quiet and follow.”
Yun Yin paid no attention to their quarrel. Her gaze was fixed on a familiar figure in the distance.
She murmured to herself, “Why is he here?