She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 289 - 288: A Bigger Garden

Chapter 289: Chapter 288: A Bigger Garden

Jinrong had long considered this matter and said, "There’s no need to worry about this. I plan to promote cheese in the capital before the New Year. Counting the journey, it’ll take more than a month, which is enough time for them to produce another batch of cheese. After the autumn harvest, we brought over fifty cows, many of which are in milk, and a few are pregnant with calves. As long as there’s enough cow’s milk, cheese production will naturally continue uninterrupted."

When Jiang Yifan brought up delivering cheese to the capital before the New Year, he asked, "When do you plan to return to the capital? Before the New Year?" As far as he knew, when Jinrong left, he had promised His Majesty that he would visit his fief and return by year’s end.

With a sly smile, Jinrong said, "If I were idling around with nothing important, of course I’d have to go back before the New Year. But now it’s different. Sixth Master is occupied with serious business—I need to prioritize trading and, even more so, building my estate. In a few days, I plan to send Wan Yan on a trip to personally deliver cheese to the shops in the capital and bring a message to Imperial Father."

Jiang Yifan laughed as well, "I suspect there’s more to your plan. You’ve been away for so long, His Majesty probably won’t mind, but I fear the reactions of the other princes. I imagine Sixth Master hasn’t forgotten the principle that rumors can become perceived truths."With Guan He now in the Qi Family Courtyard, Jiang Yifan was much more at ease speaking his mind, and he could be more open about matters that couldn’t be mentioned freely in the past.

"Yuanfan, you know me well," Jinrong said proudly. "I had someone replicate the courtyard layout of Wong Qiao, and I’m having it drawn. It’s currently being painted and will be finished in seven or eight days. The painter has praised the beauty of this courtyard. I plan to send this scenic painting to Imperial Father to let him know I’m busy—not only with trade but also with renovating the courtyard, and I won’t be able to return in a short time."

Jiang Yifan was stunned. "By making such impressive renovations to your other residence in Yuyuan Prefecture, aren’t you indicating to His Majesty that you plan to reside in Yuyuan long-term? Sixth Master, you’re so pleased that you’re muddled. This is a taboo."

Jinrong tapped him lightly, "You’ve been too anxious lately, not even noticing something so obvious. Have you not seen what my courtyard is like? It embodies the harmony of nature, understand? This courtyard, in every aspect, reveals a life of tranquility and detachment. This is telling Imperial Father and my brothers that Sixth Master is about to transcend the mundane and no longer concerns himself with worldly matters."

Jiang Yifan’s astonishment turned to mockery, "For a mere garden to inspire Sixth Master with such profound philosophy, that’s not easy. I fear the other princes lack Sixth Master’s cultivation and won’t be able to discern so much from a painting."

Jinrong waved his hand dismissively, "No matter, lost in their thirst for power, they naturally fail to see the bigger picture. But don’t they have their Guest Elders, advisors, and Old Pedants? Let those people interpret for them. It’ll be an opportunity for them to broaden their horizons as well, to realize that life isn’t just about power but can also include the enjoyment of deeper things.

"I’ll even make it clear to them; in Sixth Master’s case, this is just a trial run here to see how this garden turns out. If this scenic beauty is deemed worthwhile, I will return to the capital immediately and completely renovate my Prince Yu’s Mansion, to recreate a larger version of this garden’s essence. Self-cultivation reflects one’s aspirations, after all; it’s the best indicator of a person’s inner state. Perhaps they might really believe that Sixth Master has lost interest in power."

Suddenly, Jinrong felt this was an excellent idea, "Hey, Yuanfan, what do you think—if my garden in the capital becomes unique and astonishes the entire capital’s nobility, and if the garden’s legacy endures, wouldn’t that also count as a kind of alternative achievement? Comparable to any other prestigious position?"

Jiang Yifan looked at him in amazement for a long moment, then sighed and said, "It’s over, Your Highness is getting more and more incorrigible. Just from eating a few slices of cheese, Your Highness has become deliriously proud."

The idea seemed somewhat improper. "Is it because of the cheese?" Jinrong asked, eyes widening in confusion.

Although Jiang Yifan said this, he very much agreed with Jinrong’s idea, "The concept of building a prince’s mansion garden can indeed be realized. A natural and understated garden where people can take a walk and feel the Sixth Master’s mood is a good approach, an example of influence by subtle means."

Jinrong clapped his hands and said, "This doesn’t bother the second in command. Other construction businesses might not be able to create a garden with this temperament, so this task must fall to the Qi family. We’ll go to discuss it with Old Master Qi right away to hear his thoughts. The main issue is that the Qi Family Construction Business might be too small; I’m not sure if it can take on this project."

No sooner said than done, just as Qi Younian stepped out of Guan He’s room, he was greeted by Hongzhi’s request.

After listening to Jinrong briefly outline the idea, Qi Younian was stunned. He did not comment on whether he had the capacity to undertake the project, but expressed his confusion: "Sixth Master, shouldn’t we build the garden first and observe the results before considering others? If the garden in Yuyuan Prefecture is not satisfactory, and the planning for the huge garden in Beijing has already started, should construction stop?"

Jinrong replied, "Old gentleman needn’t worry about this. The garden you create here will certainly not be wrong, a scene that is naturally perfect. As long as you think you can do it, that’s fine. Call over Ye Zi and Wong Qiao, and let’s talk about this. Also, about the cattle farm and the Dairy Products Store, I have some matters to discuss."

When Wong Qiao heard that they were going to build an even larger garden, his eyes immediately lit up. This meant that the Sixth Master was extremely satisfied with the garden they had built, so much so that it would stand out even in the wealthy circles of Beijing.

What thrilled him more was that after completing this large project, there was an even larger one awaiting them. Their future in the construction industry seemed incredibly bright.

This project also made Wong Qiao question Jinrong’s identity even more. Although he had made many speculations about this Sixth Master Rong before, this project that was twice the size of the one in Yuyuan Prefecture overturned all his previous estimates. Causing this much disturbance in Beijing was clearly not the work of an ordinary aristocratic family.

As Ye Xinyan listened to Jinrong, she couldn’t help but curl her lips. Jinrong, this fellow, was really not content with just being, always quick-witted. It seemed that he and Jiang Yifan had discussed something, and on the spur of the moment came up with this idea, finding an excuse for his prolonged stay in Yuyuan Prefecture. On top of that, he intended to use a garden focused on leisurely and plain style as a pretense that he possessed a detached disposition.

Jinrong asked Ye Xinyan, "What do you think, Ye Zi? Can this be done?"

Ye Xinyan nodded, "It’s possible. For my grandfather, having a project naturally means earning silver; of course, it’s good news. My suggestion is, if possible, avoid major construction. It would be best for Sixth Master to provide a detailed map of your current garden. We can make modifications based on the existing landscape, which not only saves on silver costs and shortens the construction period but also provides us with a reference to work from."

Jinrong readily agreed, "That’s simple; my mansion already has existing plans. A copy, with some piecing together, will suffice."

Seeing Qi Younian had not spoken, Jiang Yifan asked, "When the weather warms up next year, the construction of the garden in Yuyuan Prefecture will begin. This is also a large project; how well-prepared is the old master with manpower?"