January 30th. The sun finally emerged over the Forbidden City.
The accumulated snow on the glazed tiles of the palace melted into water, dripping down and moistening the soil beneath the corridors, presenting a scene of all things reviving.
Qianxi Sisuo also brought one good and one bad piece of news.
The good news was that as the weather warmed, Su Muyao could finally begin her farming plan.
Early this morning, she and Yun Mo brought out the charcoal ash they had saved up this month from the kitchen and poured it onto the empty patch of land against the wall in the backyard, then spread it evenly bit by bit with a push cart.
By noon, the soil was dampened by the melted snow. Taking advantage of this, Su Muyao and Yun Mo easily turned the soil over with hoes, mixing the charcoal ash into the earth. With that, the fertilization of this plot was considered successful.
Su Muyao’s final choice to use charcoal ash as fertilizer was also the result of careful consideration.
First, Su Muyao had a cleanliness obsession, so manure from the latrine was directly ruled out.
The remaining options mainly consisted of three usable fertilizers:
First, the charcoal ash produced from burning charcoal during winter;
Second, a large sack of wood ash accumulated in the kitchen;
Third, a large bag of leftover tea leaves from the palace maids’ tea drinking, saved up by the servant women in the back rooms.
Among these, wood ash contains large amounts of nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. With its high alkalinity, it not only raises the soil’s pH but also improves soil structure. Among all plant ashes, wood ash unquestionably ranks first in quality for fertilizing land.①
Tea leaf ash comes next. It is mainly rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, making it relatively ideal for fertilizing land as well.②
In comparison, charcoal ash falls short. It is the result of burning wood into charcoal and then burning it again. Many trace elements combine with oxygen during this process, turning into gases and being burned away.
Su Muyao was well aware of all this, but she chose charcoal ash mainly because it has another name: activated charcoal ash.③
Activated charcoal has an extremely strong adsorption capacity, and its main function is to help soil retain moisture.
With the spiritual spring at her disposal, Su Muyao had no worries about growing crops. Her only consideration was how to maximize the retention of the Spirit Spring Water she irrigated into the soil.
Thus, for her, using charcoal ash as fertilizer was more suitable than other plant ashes.
The weather warming, the soil thawing, and successful fertilization were undoubtedly good news. But everything has both good and bad sides.
The bad news was that with the clear weather, birds no longer had to worry about finding food. So from last night until today, not even a single feather could be found under the winnowing basket.
Just when their diet had improved slightly, they were now back to square one.
Su Muyao lay in the rocking chair in the courtyard, gazing sorrowfully at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. Why did others who traveled through time have smooth sailing, while she got stuck with hellish difficulty?
She didn’t seek wealth and glory—she only wanted a comfortable and peaceful life, free from worries about food and clothing in her old age. That would be enough for her.
Just as she was thinking this, a clear cry sounded in her ears.
The slight melancholy she had managed to muster was shattered by this resonant sound.
Su Muyao slightly raised her eyes and saw the Haidongqing perched on a branch. Meeting its domineering, golden-green eyes that seemed to survey the world like a ruler, Su Muyao remained utterly unmoved. She said idly, “We didn’t catch a single bird today, so you’ll just have to go hungry.”
She was craving meat too.
If it weren't for this Haidongqing being such a big eater, she might already be living a self-sufficient life by now. Thinking of all the quails and turtledoves that had gone into this Haidongqing's stomach, she felt a pang of frustration. She turned around, ignoring it perched in the tree.
The Haidongqing let out a cry, shook its wings, and flew away.
Su Muyao nearly laughed in exasperation.
What an ungrateful creature.
After all, she had been feeding it for over ten days—if not for merit, then at least for hard work, right? Yet here it was, having eaten Qianxi Sisuo into poverty, then simply flapping its wings and flying off without so much as a backward glance.
Su Muyao's earlier frustration instantly doubled, and she wished she could catch that Haidongqing and roast it for a meal.
She thought of at least seventeen or eighteen ways to cook Haidongqing before feeling slightly better. Just as she was about to get up and return to her room, she spotted a black dot on the distant horizon, approaching like an arrow piercing through the clouds.
The Haidongqing had actually returned!
And it seemed to be clutching something in its talons.
Su Muyao rubbed her eyes, hardly believing it. Only when the Haidongqing flew into the courtyard and dropped a plump rabbit from its sharp talons did she snap out of her daze.
How could she have forgotten? Haidongqing was the king of eagles, a born hunter. If she had realized its abilities earlier, she would have insisted it bring its own food when coming for meals.
Living off others' resources wasn't so easy after all.
Su Muyao thought it was only right for the Haidongqing to catch a rabbit for them, but Yun Mo didn't see it that way.
As a true native of ancient times, Yun Mo had always been cautious around the Haidongqing, knowing it was a noble creature symbolizing the imperial family, and she feared offending it.
This time, seeing the Haidongqing actually hunt a rabbit as a gift for them, she was both shocked and delighted, exclaiming repeatedly, "Miss, when I was little, my father told me stories of crows feeding their parents in return. Back then, I thought he was lying—how could there be birds so understanding of human nature? But it turns out it's true! This Haidongqing is so clever and capable!"
The Haidongqing seemed to understand Yun Mo was praising it and glanced smugly at Su Muyao.
Su Muyao was speechless.
It was Yun Mo who cooked delicious meals and treated it with reverence, yet instead of clinging to Yun Mo, it insisted on pestering her. How strange.
Regardless, they could enjoy meat again today.
As for eating rabbit meat, Su Muyao had absolutely no qualms. Phrases like "Bunnies are so cute, how could you eat them?" held no weight with her.
Rabbit meat was high in protein, low in fat and cholesterol, and even referred to as "beauty meat" in some island nations.
Back in modern times, she had particularly enjoyed rabbit meat. Once the gamey taste was removed, rabbit meat became tender and soft, delicious no matter how it was prepared—steamed, stir-fried, pan-fried, or deep-fried.
After finishing a satisfying meal of hand-shredded roasted rabbit, Su Muyao stroked the Haidongqing's back contentedly and said, "Next time, remember to catch live rabbits. Don't kill them right away, understand?"
Huh?
The Haidongqing swallowed a piece of roasted rabbit meat, tilted its head, and looked at Su Muyao with a seemingly puzzled expression.
For the sake of their future survival, Su Muyao felt it was important to communicate with the Haidongqing. Gesturing with her hands, she explained, "Rabbits reproduce quickly. We can set aside an area to raise them, and then we'll have a steady supply of rabbit meat to eat."
As she spoke, she poked the Haidongqing on the forehead and said, "If you can catch a live rabbit, I won't think about eating you anymore."
In response, the Haidongqing lowered its head and pecked at another piece of rabbit meat.
Yun Mo laughed, "Miss, it's not afraid of you."
Su Muyao replied, "Of course not. I'm not an eagle trainer."
At this, she couldn't help but recall the eagle training methods recorded in books. One of them stated that to ensure the eagle continuously hunts, it must never be fed to fullness during meals—it must always remain hungry.
No wonder this Haidongqing came to her place every day for food.
For once, Su Muyao felt a twinge of pity.
Just as she was thinking this, a knocking sound suddenly came from the main gate.
Yun Mo was startled and reflexively stood up, her face pale as she said, "Miss, could it be someone looking for this Haidongqing?"
It was no wonder she thought this—after all, the Haidongqing held a special status in the current dynasty. She had been treating it with extreme caution, fearing that any mishap might implicate them. For this reason, she had been unable to eat or sleep peacefully these past few days.
But her young mistress appeared quite calm. Just two days ago, she had even suggested giving the Haidongqing a name—"Xiao Bai"—but fortunately, Yun Mo had managed to stop her.
If they carelessly gave the Haidongqing a name and someone with ill intentions found out, they might use it against them.
Su Muyao said nonchalantly, "What's there to fear? It flew here on its own—we didn't tie it up and bring it here."
She would naturally be cautious where caution was due, but she refused to overdo it.
Wasn't the point of living to be comfortable?
If she had to sincerely treat an eagle—essentially a pet—like an ancestor, she might as well wash up and go to sleep! Besides, aside from Yun Mo, only she was here. Who would know what happened in their residence?
It wouldn't matter even if they were a bit more audacious.
Moreover, regarding this matter, they truly hadn't done anything wrong. Whether it was palace regulations or etiquette, they had followed them properly.
Still, Su Muyao was quite pleased that Yun Mo could think of these things.
What she feared most in the depths of the palace was having a foolish companion. Fortunately, Yun Mo wasn't one—she was quick-witted, sharp, and an excellent cook.
Although the feudal hierarchy was ingrained in Yun Mo's bones, Su Muyao had no intention of changing her.
Yun Mo was now a servant girl. Asking her to do things beyond her station wouldn't help her—it would only harm her.
Su Muyao couldn't understand characters like Xiao Yanzi from My Fair Princess, who insisted on forcing ideas of equality into the minds of servants like Caiyun, Caixia, Xiao Zhuozhi, and Xiao Dengzi.
If she were in Xiao Yanzi's position and truly wanted to help Caiyun and Caixia, she would give them enough money to live out the rest of their lives and release them from the palace. Without the constraints of their indentures, they would no longer be palace maids or eunuchs but free individuals—and of course, they would be equal to ordinary people.
Otherwise, all that talk wouldn't solve any practical problems.
Thinking this, Su Muyao couldn't help but sigh. How come protagonists in other people's novels could become princesses, while she ended up as a lowly, status-less former imperial consort candidate of the late emperor? She was struggling just to survive, let alone freeing Yun Mo.
Such was fate.
Yun Mo also knew her young mistress made sense.
But recently, when she went to Shoushanfang to fetch meals, she overheard the servants there whispering that the new emperor was unpredictable in his moods, harsh and ungrateful, with ruthless methods, so everyone should be careful. This made her somewhat worried as well.
However, since her mistress didn’t seem to pay it much mind, she felt it wasn’t appropriate to bring it up again.
Yun Mo, preoccupied with her thoughts, went to open the door. After a short while, she returned, looking a bit more relaxed than before.
“Miss, it’s someone from Yingzaosi delivering next month’s charcoal.”
Su Muyao blinked, remembering that today was the thirtieth of the month, the end of the month, which was indeed the day Yingzaosi delivered charcoal each month.
“Have you checked and accepted it?”
Yun Mo shook her head. She had been about to do so, but then she recalled that when they received the charcoal last month, nearly half of the Heitan had been damp. So, she made an excuse to have the eunuch wait outside while she came in to discuss it with her mistress.
Her mind simply couldn’t figure out how to handle such a situation.