After changing his clothes, Duan Pingchang boarded a carriage to the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau. As soon as he saw Xu Donglin, he stepped forward to pay his respects. “This humble citizen greets my lord.”
“Oh, Brother Duan, please sit down. No need to be so formal.” Xu Donglin personally helped him up.
Duan Pingchang’s heart skipped a beat. Oh dear, this must be something serious. That little rascal had even told him just to agree to whatever was asked.
After exchanging a few pleasantries and inviting Xu Donglin to take a seat, Duan Pingchang sat down sideways.
Xu Donglin looked at him. “This heavy snowfall has made the weather unbearably cold this year.”
“Indeed. It’s rare to see snow so early in winter. It’s been freezing.” Duan Pingchang nodded. “But no matter how cold it gets outside, as long as my lord is here, the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau won’t be affected.”
Xu Donglin’s gaze sharpened. “This morning, the head steward of the Imperial Kitchens came to chat with me. Because of the cold weather, many vegetables in the imperial estates have been damaged. And with the Crown Prince’s wedding approaching, fresh produce is a top priority.”
Hearing this, Duan Pingchang immediately understood.
The officials of the Imperial Kitchens were notoriously corrupt—used to throwing their weight around, embezzling funds, and deceiving their superiors for personal gain. They had likely pocketed much of the allocated silver, which led to shortages in the imperial estates.
In previous years, the weather hadn’t been this cold, so the supply was barely manageable.
But this year, a heavy snowfall had arrived at the start of winter, dropping the temperatures suddenly—and coinciding with the Crown Prince’s wedding, when the demand for fresh produce skyrocketed.
The Imperial Kitchens were now facing a massive shortfall, one they couldn’t possibly cover. So, naturally, they had their eyes on Mingxi’s hot spring vegetables.
But those b*stards wouldn’t dare offend Duan Wang, so they couldn’t force Mingxi to hand over the produce.
Instead, they turned to the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau—since Duan Pingchang had dealings with them, he would be easier to pressure.
Recalling his daughter’s words, Duan Pingchang suppressed his frustration. Mingxi must have anticipated this and wanted him to use this situation to curry favor with Xu Donglin. He also thought of how Mingxi had promised to help Second Master Duan before, and his mind settled.
“My lord has shown me great kindness. Since the Imperial Kitchens have approached you, I certainly can’t let this matter trouble you. Rest assured, I’ll handle it.” Duan Pingchang patted his chest confidently.
Xu Donglin had expected him to agree, but he hadn’t anticipated such a swift and decisive response. He was quite satisfied but still asked, “Shouldn’t you discuss this with Miss Duan first?”
“If it weren’t for your help back then, I wouldn’t have secured my position in the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau. You gave me a foothold in the capital, a favor I will never forget. But to be honest, my lord, the hot spring estate doesn’t belong to my daughter—it belongs to the Marquis family. Second Master Duan has always been in charge there. Mingxi only helps sell the produce.”
Xu Donglin immediately grasped the implication and smiled. “Since Second Master Duan manages the estate, if Miss Duan is willing to supply vegetables to the Imperial Kitchens, all related matters can be handled by Second Master Duan.”
Duan Pingchang scratched his head. “Will that work?”
“Why not? But how far he can take this opportunity—that will depend on his own ability.” Xu Donglin said. He was merely opening a door; it was up to Second Master Duan to walk through it.
“That’s more than enough! If you ever need anything, just say the word.” Duan Pingchang grinned.
Xu Donglin chuckled leisurely. “We’ll be working together for a long time.”
He neither aligned with the Crown Prince nor with Duan Wang, but it was always beneficial to maintain good relationships. Who knew when they might come in handy?
After leaving the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, Duan Pingchang immediately sent word to Mingxi.
When Mingxi received the message, she braved the cold winds and went straight to the estate to find Second Master Duan.
Second Master Duan was utterly shocked. No wonder Mingxi had ordered him a few days ago to keep all the greenhouse vegetables untouched.
So she had foreseen this.
“You want me to go directly to the Imperial Kitchens?” Second Master Duan asked. “Will that really work?”
“Second Uncle, don’t you want to become an official? The Imperial Kitchens seem like a pretty good starting point to me.”
Second Master Duan nearly choked, “What did you just say?”
“The Imperial Kitchen—that’s not a place I could ever get into!”
“Second Uncle, are you afraid? Haven’t you always wanted to be an official? Here’s your chance.”
He had always wanted to be an official, but he’d never imagined Mingxi would suddenly thrust him into the Imperial Kitchen.
The imperial kitchen wasn’t like the Stables Bureau; it oversaw the royal palace’s food and drink. Getting in was as hard as reaching the heavens.
And she was asking if he dared?
Of course, he hadn’t even dared dream of it.
“Do you think it’s possible?” Second Master Duan asked cautiously.
“Second Uncle, you’ve worked tirelessly on this estate for months. Now you’re telling me you can’t handle it? That would make all your hard work a waste. And wasted effort is the least of it—miss this chance now, and who knows if another will come along?”
“Did you foresee this happening? What, can you read the stars or something?” Second Master Duan asked, bewildered.
Mingxi smiled. “What do you think?”
What could he say to that?
“The Imperial Kitchen has a spot for every person, like a radish snug in its hole. Which radish would willingly make way for me?” Second Master Duan frowned.
“Second Uncle, that will depend on your own ability,” Mingxi replied.
Second Master Duan: …
What abilities?
All he’d ever wanted was a small, manageable position.
Seeing his hesitation, Mingxi pressed, “Second Uncle, think about my older brother. Where he started and where he is now. Would you have thought he could become a Langzhong in the Military Selection Division?”
Mingxi paused, then added, “I think you’re capable, Second Uncle. You’ve managed the estate impeccably. The Imperial Kitchen is just about rice, grains, vegetables, meats, and fruits. Haven’t you been doing this for six months already?”
Second Master Duan considered her words. It seemed true enough.
So Mingxi had sent him to the estate to prepare him?
Thinking about Mingxi’s older brother, Second Master Duan felt a competitive spark ignite. He couldn’t lose to him. Back then, Duan Yu wasn’t even as promising as he had been!
“You’re right,” Second Master Duan said with newfound resolve. He’d spent these past months learning what to plant and when, how to grow, water, and harvest each crop, and how to fertilize them properly. He knew it all by heart now.
“Tomorrow morning, take a basket of fresh vegetables and present yourself at the Imperial Kitchen,” Mingxi instructed.
“Got it,” Second Master Duan said, nodding.
This was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to waste. Losing to a younger generation would be humiliating.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince had caught wind of the matter.
“Does the Imperial Kitchen have a solution for the vegetable shortage?” he asked Chen Chang.
Chen Chang stiffened under the prince’s gaze, glanced at him, and replied, “The chief eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen reported that they’ve found a solution. Your Majesty need not worry.”
“And what is their solution?” the Crown Prince sneered. If it weren’t for those corrupt scoundrels lining their own pockets and ruining the imperial farm’s crops, he wouldn’t have to deal with this mess.
Chen Chang carefully explained, “They turned to Xu Donglin, who negotiated with the Dingyuan Marquise to supply their hot spring vegetables to the Imperial Kitchen as an emergency measure.”
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. “And Duan Mingxi agreed to this?”
