Aunt Fan recognized Qin Fang’s voice and hurriedly opened the door. “You’re back, my lord! Oh, you caught quite a haul!”

She noticed the wild rabbits, wild chickens, and a larger animal she didn’t recognize.

The servants in the outer courtyard heard the commotion and came to take a look, but they kept their distance, understanding that they shouldn’t intrude.

Even though they weren’t fully aware of the etiquette of a big household, they knew enough to not crowd around Qin Fang.

Qin Fang had taken five private guards with him early in the morning to hunt.

They spent the whole day on the mountain and managed to catch four animals: a wild chicken, two wild rabbits, and a roe deer.

They had been quite lucky since it was spring and the animals were out looking for food.

In the border region, spring hunting was easier, and winter hunting was also favorable since animals moved less during that season.

If you found their tracks, it was usually possible to catch them.

However, spring was still considered the best time for hunting.

Qin Fang and Kun Shi carried the four catches to the kitchen while Huang Huzi and the others took care of their horses, washing them down in the stables.

Aunt Fan followed behind, already thinking about how to prepare the meat for dinner.

When Yang Haiyan and the children heard the noise and went to the kitchen, she was struck with an idea upon seeing the animals on the ground. “Husband, can you catch live rabbits?”

Rabbits reproduce so quickly, if they could raise them, they wouldn’t have to worry about having enough meat!

Qin Fang, thinking she wanted a rabbit, replied confidently, “Of course.”

He felt compelled to meet her desires.

Upon hearing this, Yang Haiyan said, “Then bring back one male and one female. They can breed.” After that, they could raise them to eat.

She thought nothing of how adorable rabbits were; her mind was set on practicality.

Qin Fang was moved by her words, thinking that after the new year, she would turn eighteen in nine months.

Surely, she must be eager to have children with him. “Alright,” he said.

Aunt Fan, looking at the four dead animals, asked, “Madam, how should we handle these?”

Yang Haiyan began directing the preparations for the game. “Two rabbits should be braised, and the wild chicken should be made into soup. When we make the soup, add dried bamboo shoots, dried black fungus, and dried mushrooms.”

Aunt Fan responded eagerly, “Yes, Madam!”

Kun Shi quickly got to work skinning the rabbits while Aunt Fan and Yu Auntie helped to pluck the wild chicken.

Qin Fang took charge of the roe deer himself.

Once the meat was prepared, the private guards, who had finished washing their horses, arrived.

Seeing all five private guards present, Yang Haiyan recalled something important and said, “Captain Kun, could you all come over here for a moment?”

The five private guards, led by Kun Shi, stepped forward. “We greet you, Madam.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “No need for such formalities. I mainly want to discuss something with you. Previously, since you didn’t have your families with you and cooking was inconvenient, the household prepared meals for you. But now that your families have returned, I’ve decided that we will no longer provide meals. However, don’t worry; the food will be converted into a monthly grain allowance.”

She continued, “Based on your needs, each of you will receive 40 jin of grains, 40 jin of vegetables, and 4 jin of meat, along with 10 eggs each month. This will start in April. For the remaining days in March, I’ll provide each of you with a subsidy of 50 wen. What do you think?”

Kun Shi replied, “We have no objections.”

This arrangement was beneficial; with wives at home, they could cook for themselves.

The other guards expressed their agreement as well.

Yang Haiyan smiled with satisfaction. “Great! Tomorrow morning, come by to pick up next month’s supplies. Vegetables and meat will be distributed weekly, while the grains will be given all at once. We don’t want the vegetables and meat to spoil.”

The guards nodded, “Understood.”

Dinner that night was a joyful affair for both the masters and the servants.

The families of the private guards were especially happy, each receiving a bowl of braised rabbit meat and a bowl of chicken soup.

While the portions of rabbit meat were limited—about five or six pieces each—the bowls of chicken soup were generous.

Even though it was mostly broth, it was delicious.

For the single guards, these portions were certainly enough.

After dinner, the kitchen sent over the roe deer meat.

Each household of the private guards received two jin, a fair share considering that Qin Fang had led them all in the hunt.

Kun Zhang received the roe deer meat and asked Kun Shi, puzzled, “Why did the kitchen send meat over?”

Kun Shi recalled that he hadn’t yet explained about Madam’s plan regarding the rations, so he replied, “Madam said that starting tomorrow, the kitchen won’t send us cooked food anymore. Instead, we’ll receive a monthly subsidy of forty pounds of grain, forty pounds of vegetables, four pounds of meat, and ten eggs. For the remaining days of this month, we’ll get fifty wen.” He thought this was quite good, as it would allow her to choose food according to her taste.

“Forty pounds of grain each month, along with meat and eggs, is indeed a considerable amount,” Kun Zhang said. “This arrangement is much better.”

Kun Shi added, “Madam said we would pick up the grain in one lump sum tomorrow, and the vegetables and meat every seven days.”

Kun Zhang understood, “Collecting the vegetables once a week is just right; that way, they won’t spoil. When I have some free time, I can also go to the mountains to forage for wild vegetables and mushrooms. By the way, we went to pay our respects to Madam this afternoon, and she asked us what our plans were…”

She recounted what happened that afternoon. “What do you think I should look for in terms of work?”

Kun Shi pondered and said, “Madam has a snack shop. Before Madam Han became pregnant, she often went to that shop to buy snacks and sell them in the county. I saw her go frequently, so it should be a good business. What do you think?”

Others might not have known that Yang Dahua purchased snacks from Yang Haiyan’s shop, but Kun Shi did.

He was always with Qin Fang and recalled a conversation where Han Zhen mentioned Yang Dahua buying snacks to sell in the county while she was pregnant.

Kun Zhang expressed concern, “But won’t that be competing with Madam Han’s business? If it is, that wouldn’t be good, especially since she is the wife of a hundred-man.”

Kun Shi laughed, “No worries. First, Madam Han is pregnant and cannot go to the county for business. Secondly, the county is large enough that even if Madam Han could sell there, as long as you’re not in the same street, it won’t affect her. However, you should visit Madam tomorrow and hear her thoughts on it.”

Kun Zhang replied, “Alright. What if Huang Huzi’s family or Meng Ping’s family ask about it? If they find out I’m selling snacks in the county, wouldn’t they also approach Madam about it?”

Kun Shi said, “That can’t be avoided, and the county is big. You can just sell in different places. There’s more than enough space for everyone to do business.”

Kun Zhang said, “Got it, I understand now.”

While the Kun couple was discussing these matters, the Meng family was having a similar conversation.

In the Meng household, Meng Ping and his wife shared one room, while Meng An and Meng Qiu shared another.

It wasn’t late yet, and everyone had just finished dinner and was sitting together to discuss their plans.

Meng Ping’s wife said, “Dear, Madam said we should find work ourselves. Meng An mentioned that people in town need laundry done and that we can also gather firewood. Which do you think is better?”

After thinking for a moment, Meng Ping replied, “Let’s gather firewood. Washing clothes requires sitting for long periods, which isn’t good for the back, especially for Meng An since she’s a girl. Washing men’s clothes would also lead to rumors. Gathering firewood, on the other hand, you three can go together, and it won’t harm Meng An’s reputation. Plus, this area is quite safe.”

Meng Ping’s wife agreed, “Then I’ll listen to you.”

Meng An chimed in, “I’ll also listen to my brother.”

Meng Ping turned to his sister, “What do you think of Chen Dashu and Tao Shan?”

He had considered these two when he brought his sister along and discussed it with their parents, which was why he brought her.

He believed that even though his sister’s reputation had been tarnished, she would still marry in the future, and he wanted her to marry someone he was familiar with and trusted.

Meng Ping thought of Chen Dashu and Tao Shan, who were still unmarried.

They were all personal guards serving together, so they had a brotherly bond.

If his sister married one of them, he would be able to take care of her.

Moreover, being with the lord’s guards was certainly better than working in the countryside.

After discussing this with his family, they agreed that it was a good idea to bring Meng An along.

Of course, they hadn’t told Meng An about this plan before; she might feel uncomfortable considering a new suitor given her recent circumstances.

Meng An was quite perceptive.

Though she hadn’t known about her brother’s plans initially, now that he had mentioned it, she understood his intentions.

She had met both Chen Dashu and Tao Shan before, and while she didn’t know their character well, at least they were associated with the lord, which meant they likely had promising futures.

After thinking it over, she answered cautiously, “They seem good.”

Hearing this, Meng Ping felt hopeful. “Then shall I introduce you to them? Which one do you like? Meng An, let me be frank. That scoundrel isn’t worth thinking about anymore. Chen Dashu and Tao Shan are both like me, loyal to the lord. If the lord does well in the future, we will too. Plus, they each earn three hundred wen a month, and their meals are covered by the manor. They’ll be able to save money, ensuring a good future for us. I mentioned this to our parents when I brought you along, and they agreed it’s a good idea. What do you think?”

Meng An hadn’t had a passionate romance with her previous fiancé.

They were engaged, and given the conservative nature of women in ancient times, she remained loyal and faithful, not allowing herself to think of other men.

She had once wholeheartedly wanted to marry her fiancé and build a life together.