Muxue was not born with a disposition for managing people and affairs.
Whether in her "past life" before transmigrating or in this current life, she was somewhat oblivious in this regard. Finding it troublesome, she simply chose to be a hands-off manager; in any case, it wasn't as if she would ever lack food or clothing.
However, the current situation forced her to take things seriously.
These nannies and matrons, maids, and eunuchs were all to follow her to Mobei. Their lives, fortunes, and misfortunes all depended on her.
Usually, she was the one being cared for by them. Although she hadn't interacted with or spoken much to many of them, the fallen leaves in the courtyard didn't vanish by themselves every morning, and whenever she was thirsty in winter, there was always warm tea ready. All of this relied on those female servants and eunuchs. Muxue could not truly treat these people as mere slaves or as replaceable objects.
She felt a certain responsibility toward those who served her, along with a faint sense of guilt. Had they not become her followers, these people could have remained in the capital to live a stable life.
Unfortunately, she had no choice, and neither did they.
Muxue asked for the list of all her followers. Among those with official ranks, there was one Changli of the princess's residence, two Second-rank Guards, one Third-rank Guard, and one Master of Ceremonies each for the sixth and seventh ranks.
Inside the princess's residence, there were four nannies and matrons, ten women, and another ten eunuchs. Some had followed her out from the palace, such as Nanny Wu and Rong'er; others had been sent later by the Imperial Household Department. Among the latter, some had names that clearly marked them as Booi recently selected through the Imperial Household Department's draft, with names like Da Niuniu and Wu Niu.
Outside the princess's residence, there were ten households of the Dowry Retinue and two Estate Stewards. These people served as guards and companions but also possessed their own skills. There were Vegetable Farmer Households specialized in farming, Medical Households who knew a bit of medicine, and various artisans, such as Carpenters, Goldsmiths, Wine and Vinegar Makers, Pastry Chefs, and Tailors. One dowry household could have as many as seven or eight members, while the smallest had two. Almost every aspect of daily life—clothing, food, shelter, and travel—was covered.
All in all, Muxue’s Dowry Household consisted of ninety-nine souls. It was equivalent to dragging the population of a small village out to the grasslands.
It just so happened that in a few days it would be Laba. According to palace custom, Laba Congee was to be simmered and distributed.
She could use this opportunity to meet these people.
Two days in advance, the large copper pot for simmering the Laba Congee was brought out. It was such a massive pot that it could fit a small pig. Placed in the front courtyard, everyone couldn't help but take a second look.
A day before, a colorful canopy was erected, the firewood was lit, and all kinds of toppings such as yellow rice, white rice, millet, and chestnuts were prepared.
Surrounded by the crowd, Muxue walked to the front of the copper pot and scattered a handful of red dates.
Mama Zhao smiled. "We thank the Princess for her blessing. These servants are lucky in three lifetimes to be able to taste the Laba Congee personally simmered by the Princess."
Muxue felt a bit embarrassed and said, "It is merely a gesture. Those truly busy with the work are the people below. Is everyone from the Imperial Kitchen here?"
Beside the copper pot, a round-faced eunuch and his two apprentices came forward to kowtow, their faces full of unexpected joy.
"This servant, Qian Cheng from the Imperial Kitchen, greets the Princess."
Muxue nodded. "You have worked hard these past two days, Qian Cheng."
Qian Cheng’s round face flushed with excitement. "It is my duty, my duty! Rest assured, Princess, we will make sure this pot of Eight-Treasure Congee is simmered until it is fragrant and sweet!"
By the next morning, the scent of Laba Congee filled the courtyard inside and out.
They first waited to receive the Laba Congee bestowed by the palace. After expressing their gratitude and tasting it, it was time for the Laba Congee from the princess's residence to be served.
It was a sunny day. Muxue sat steadily in an armchair under the eaves, watching the staff busily serving the congee.
The first bowl was naturally offered to her. Qian Cheng had indeed put his heart into it; besides the soft red date paste, he had added cream, making it taste particularly fragrant and sweet.
As for the second bowl… Muxue held up the Laba Congee and turned slightly. Dorji was standing to the right of her armchair.
"Consort, try this Laba Congee."
Dorji smiled. "Thank you for the gift, Princess."
Without saying anything else, he reached out and took the bowl of Laba Congee from her hands. His movements were crisp, and he did not touch her fingertips.
Ever since the night they shared a bed after her nightmare, he had maintained this attitude—impeccable in etiquette, appearing to outsiders as part of a loving couple.
Muxue felt a bit uneasy. She pressed down the corner of her cloak, sat back in the chair, and instructed the Matron, "Then, let us begin."
The Laba Congee was distributed in order of rank. The first to come forward was the Changli of the princess's residence, Mu Sen.
Mu Sen was over forty years old, with graying hair at his temples and a long beard. He was thin and had a somewhat sage-like aura about him.
Next were the guards of the princess's residence. These guards were all married, and Muxue had specifically instructed that their wives should also come to receive the congee.
The first guard had an easy name to remember: Huang Zhong. He looked quite festive.
When the second guard came forward to give thanks, he had an excellent voice, one that seemed familiar.
Muxue said, "Your voice is quite pleasant."
The guard named Tong Shoulv laughed. "Yes, otherwise this servant would not have had the fortune to sing the wedding songs for you."
She remembered now. It was the couple who had stood outside the window singing wedding songs during the Great Wedding, acting as the atmosphere creators.
Next were the female servants and eunuchs who served in the princess's residence. The first to receive it were naturally her wet nurse, Nanny Wu, and her husband. Muxue didn't quite remember his name, but according to current custom, she called him Nanny's Husband. People of that time placed great importance on wet nurses and their husbands; even Emperor Kangxi treated his wet nurse as he would an elder.
Then came Mama Zhao, Chief Eunuch Yan Xi, and the other attendants.
Because Muxue had specifically given instructions, those members of the Dowry Household still living outside the princess's residence also sent representatives. They were the families of the two Estate Stewards, Old Mi and the couple Old Xie.
These two couples had clearly not expected to be invited to the princess's residence to receive Laba Congee. They were both extremely excited, though in different ways. Old Mi and his wife were trembling with fear, unable to speak clearly, while Old Xie was particularly hyperactive and talkative. In the time it took to give thanks and kowtow, he babbled on for three minutes.
It was only when Chief Eunuch Yan Xi could no longer watch and interrupted him that it finally ended.
Once it was over, Muxue leaned back on the heated brick bed and sighed, "Good Rong'er, massage my hands for me."
She had insisted on personally handing each bowl of Laba Congee to her followers. As a result, her hands were sore after finishing.
Hearing this, Nanny Zhao found it amusing as well. "The Princess insisted on handing them out personally; how tiring. What is their status? They are not worthy of you personally serving them congee."
As she spoke, she massaged Muxue's other hand.
Muxue smiled but didn't say anything. She wanted to see these people in person, and at the same time, she wanted them to know exactly what kind of master they were being loyal to.
She had no special insights into management. In the end, she felt it was better to choose a simpler method: to treat others with her heart.
She had received red envelopes herself. The feeling of receiving a red envelope personally was different from receiving it through an intermediary. That was the reason for her actions.
After resting for a while, Mama Zhao came in to report, "Princess, I have sent people with the Laba Congee to distribute it to the Dowry Households outside the residence."
"Good," Muxue instructed. "Remember when the New Year's Gifts are distributed later, make sure they each receive a portion as well."
Nanny Wu clicked her tongue. "Oh my, Princess, your heart is simply too kind." She was in charge of the finances, so she felt a bit of a sting at the expense.
Seeing her expression, Muxue specifically enjoined, "It should be as much as is required. The copper coins must also be of full weight; do not give them those mixed with impurities."
The currency currently in circulation was metal, like silver and copper coins. One downside was that they were prone to wear and tear. A coin might look like the right size, but in reality, it might lack weight. Or some copper coins were mixed with other metallic elements, making them poor in quality. In actual market transactions, these poor-quality coins could buy relatively fewer goods.
There were also black-hearted merchants or masters who took advantage of this loophole to indirectly deduct pay.
Since the Princess had spoken, Nanny Wu had to agree despite her stinginess. "This servant remembers. Please rest assured."
Muxue said, "They are all going to follow us to Mobei. Let us be more considerate of one another."
Things like courteous treatment were merely the icing on the cake. What was truly useful was cold, hard cash.