It had been snowing for several days, and a thick layer had accumulated on the eaves. Fearing that the snow might freeze and fall, injuring someone, several small eunuchs took advantage of a temporary lull in the weather to slowly sweep it down with long bamboo poles.
In the depths of winter, their exposed hands quickly turned bright red from the cold, becoming numb and losing all sensation.
Finally finished with the task, they suddenly heard a sound behind them. Turning around, they saw two small eunuchs approaching with a bucket of ginger tea and a basket of porcelain bowls. They said with a smile, "A reward from the Mistress to warm your hands."
The ginger tea, fresh from the stove and flavored with brown sugar, was wonderfully warm to hold.
In the main courtyard, Muxue lay curled on a lambskin felt, looking out through the glass window.
The snow on the eaves had mostly been cleared. In a corner sheltered from the wind, a few small eunuchs were drinking tea and chatting.
Sitting on a Palace Stool, Mama Zhao took the opportunity to advise her, "The Princess is so lenient with the servants; many would pray for such a master. It is their blessing to be able to serve the Princess."
"I know," Muxue replied, turning her head and stirring her milk tea with a spoon. "As you suggested, we shall purchase twenty more people. Give priority to girls."
"This servant will certainly select them carefully. I will need to withdraw approximately two hundred taels of silver."
"Ten taels per person?"
"Yes, as established by the Ministry of Revenue regulations. For those between the ages of ten and sixty, the price is ten taels per person. The total should fluctuate around two hundred taels," Mama Zhao explained.
Muxue was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "I understand. Go and see to it."
Mama Zhao took her leave and exited the room. Snow had begun to fall again at some point. Just as she reached the front courtyard, she happened to run into Nanny Wu, who was hurrying back.
"Have you finished your business?"
"Yes. My husband and I just went to the pawnshop as the Mistress ordered. With the New Year approaching, it is truly crowded."
Nanny Wu brushed the snow off her cloak and asked, "Are you going to handle the purchase of the new servants?"
"Yes, the Princess has finally agreed."
"If you ask me, we should have bought more people long ago," Nanny Wu said. "Maids, manservants, attendants, grooms—we need people everywhere. Our Fourth Princess is a dignified Heshuo Princess, yet the entourage serving her isn't even as grand as the Difujin of the Nalan family."
"The Princess's intention was to add more people after we arrive there; she felt we had enough for now."
"That works too. But stay alert; do not pick anyone with a crooked heart," Nanny Wu reminded her. "Since it is the New Year season, those human traffickers might try to raise their prices. Don't let them mess around; pay exactly what is required. To get a chance to serve by the Princess's side, some people even slip red envelopes to the traffickers."
"I know."
The two exchanged a few more words before continuing with their respective duties.
The gatekeeper maid lifted the thick door curtain, and Nanny Wu lowered her head as she entered to pay her respects to the Princess. "That pawnshop is in an excellent location. The Imperial Household Department did not cheat us; it is right next to the Imperial Academy, and there are many people coming and going."
She was referring to the only pawnshop included in the Princess's dowry.
Over the past few days, Muxue had carefully reviewed all her assets. Aside from fixed income such as her salary, silk fabrics, and grain from her estates, the only thing that could generate interest silver was this Anrong Pawnshop.
In these times, investment channels were very narrow for noblewomen. A common practice was lending money to collect interest, much like Wang Xifeng often did in Dream of the Red Chamber. However, while that was private lending, the Anrong Pawnshop under Muxue’s name was a legitimate official pawnshop backed by the imperial court.
Lending silver and taking commissions from pawning were all perfectly legitimate activities, functioning somewhat like a bank.
"What did you think of the shopkeeper?" Muxue asked.
"It was only our first meeting, but he seemed quite steady," Nanny Wu said. "My husband also inquired outside and heard that Shopkeeper Hu handles affairs very reliably, though he is a bit henpecked. Oh—he has already listed the interest silver for the winter season."
She took a small booklet out of a felt bag. "A total of one hundred and fifty taels of interest silver. Business has been better as the New Year draws near."
Muxue took the ledger and glanced through it. If it followed this trend, she could expect an average of six to seven hundred taels a year.
If I can manage the pawnshop business well and turn it into a chain, it should be a good way to make money, Muxue thought.
She needed to find an opportunity to see it for herself.
Muxue’s eyes darted around before she looked at Rong'er. "The weather looks decent today. Go to the West courtyard and ask—perhaps the consort would like to take a stroll on the streets?"
Seeing Muxue's expression, Nanny Wu knew that the Princess was the one who wanted to go out. She stood up with a smile. "This servant will inform the staff to prepare."
"Don't make a scene. Just you and the others following is enough. At the foot of the Son of Heaven, there shouldn't be much trouble."
Muxue herself grew a bit excited. She picked out a bright red feathered gauze cloak lined with white fox fur, which made her complexion look much healthier.
After changing and heading out, she found Dorji already waiting in the courtyard.
"You certainly came quickly," Muxue said.
Dorji laughed heartily. "When the Princess invites me, if I weren't quick, wouldn't that be a great irreverence?"
He reached out his hand toward Muxue. She gave him a look and immediately walked forward, pretending not to see it.
Dorji wasn't upset; he followed her with a faint smile.
Because she had specifically ordered a light escort, they didn't bring many people. Nanny Wu, Rong'er, and two guards followed them out.
In the inner city of the Four-Nine City, only Bannermen resided, but many Han people worked in the shops or set up stalls, though they had to return to their homes in the outer city before the curfew.
With only two days left until New Year's Eve, several stalls selling spring couplets lined the sides of the street. The stall owners, hands tucked into their sleeves, called out to passersby, "Spring couplets for sale, cheap spring couplets!"
Many shops were closed for the New Year holidays, but some teahouses and restaurants remained open.
Muxue and the others strolled along the dirt road, only to find there wasn't actually much to see.
Seeing the look of disappointment on the Princess's face, Nanny Wu said softly, "New Year's Eve is almost here, so many shops are closed. Plus, with the snow, many people are staying indoors. Once the first day of the New Year passes, there will be temple fairs and lantern festivals on the streets—that’s when it truly gets lively."
"Mm, I’ll come back to see then," Muxue said. As soon as she finished speaking, Dorji chimed in.
"I’ll remember that."
"Remember what?"
"That we’ll visit the temple fairs and lantern festivals together," Dorji said matter-of-factly.
Muxue rolled her eyes at him. "Who said I'd accompany you?"
"The Princess, of course." Dorji leaned in, his eyes bright. "Accompany me, won't you? I've never been to one."
When he leaned in to plead like that, with such a childlike air, it was truly a bit unfair.
Muxue turned her head away. "Depends on my mood. Perhaps."
Saying this, she quickened her pace.
They finally reached the street where the pawnshop was located. Seeing the sign for "Rong'an Pawnshop," the group was about to step forward when they suddenly heard a woman's roar from inside: "Hu, have you been hiding secret money? Why are you hiding? Come out and explain yourself!"
The workers near the pawnshop all poked their heads out, watching the commotion with great interest.
Curious, Muxue asked one of the workers, "What is happening?"
"It’s the lioness of Shopkeeper Hu’s household," the worker said with a laugh. "It’s fine. She’s just scaring him; I've never seen her actually hit him."