She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 323 - 322 A Brief Understanding

Chapter 323: Chapter 322 A Brief Understanding

Zhao Gang indeed finished his meal quickly, and not long after Ye Xinyan had sat down, Zhao Gang tidied up and came out of the dining hall to signal that they could leave.

As Ye Xinyan came out of the main house, she complained, "It’s my fault for not reminding Uncle Zhao to slow down. We’re not in any rush, you really ate that meal too quickly."

Zhao Gang walked with her, saying, "Our meals can be hurried or leisurely. When there’s no rush, enjoying some drinks and small dishes can last all day. But if we’re in a hurry, we can gulp down a few bites to fill up. All this is no trouble; as long as it doesn’t delay Ye Zi’s work, it’s fine."

When Zhao Gang and his group had arrived yesterday, it was still no early hour, and he had only swept a glance over the northern construction from afar, without a detailed look. Now as they gradually approached the cow farm, he was just as shocked as anyone seeing such a large-scale cow farm for the first time at the method of penning livestock.

Pointing to the expansive range of the cow farm, Zhao Gang asked Ye Xinyan, "Your cow farm operates with such strict separation in animal breeding? And it’s so clean. Hiring so many cleaners must cost quite a bit, right?" What Zhao Gang thought of were the cavalry horses, whose breeding was certainly not confined all day like this. Even common livestock breeding among the people wasn’t done this way.

Ye Xinyan knew what Zhao Gang meant, but their farm mainly focused on breeding oxen for farming, and besides breeding, the most significant function of the cows was to produce milk, so naturally, they couldn’t be let out to frolic in the wilderness.

Ye Xinyan smiled and said, "If it’s just raising one or two cows, it wouldn’t matter too much whether their surroundings are clean or not. But if there are dozens or even hundreds or thousands of animals, the cowsheds and pens need to be kept clean. It’s not just about cleaning them, but everyday the waste grass and manure produced in a day are cleared out, and we even spray with ash or lime water to prevent the spread of disease transmission among them."

Seeing that Zhao Gang was listening attentively, Ye Xinyan continued, "This place is for breeding calves and raising dairy cows, so we need the cow’s milk they produce, which requires more attention so that the milk stored doesn’t spoil easily."

Now in winter, although the cow pens were being cleaned, there was no pungent smell. There weren’t many people working in the cow farm, but they each had their duties, and the workers only stood up to greet Ye Xinyan when they saw her, then continued with their work, undisturbed by Ye Xinyan and her servants or Zhao Gang’s arrival.

After walking a bit further, Fan Zhengyuan came to meet them.

Ye Xinyan briefly introduced Fan Zhengyuan and Zhao Gang to each other and said to Fan Zhengyuan, "Go ahead with your work, I’m fine here, I’m just casually showing Master Zhao around."

Throughout the tour, Zhao Gang noticed how respectful everyone was towards Ye Xinyan when they addressed her, which made him very curious about her status here. A woman receiving such sincere respect from so many people seemed to indicate that she truly had something special, maybe even surpassing men in ability to achieve such effects.

Zhao Gang followed Ye Xinyan around and listened to her explain the various rules, regulations, and preventive measures for operating the cow farm. As someone who rose through the ranks with General Zhenyuan by doing work, he understood the benefits and effectiveness of strict control, and Ye Xinyan’s explanations made him continuously nod in agreement.

In the military camp, if soldiers or horses fell ill, they also emphasized separate treatment. Especially during outbreaks of colds, the military physician would require ensuring the cleanliness of the soldiers’ water, food, and environment. It could be said that this cow farm in a small mountain village employed very effective measures in livestock breeding and executed these controls very well.

After a full tour of the cow farm, Zhao Gang remarked sentimentally, "Miss Cousin... Ye Zi is truly capable, to raise over a hundred cows like this, she’s competent, not inferior to men."

Ye Xinyan laughed and said, "Uncle Zhao is praising me too early, we’ve hardly gotten started. Just like places that raise war horses, they rear thousands, even tens of thousands of horses—that’s true capability."

Zhao Gang sighed in admiration and nodded, without dwelling on the topic. He then asked Ye Xinyan, "I’ve heard from Guan He that the rules of your Dairy Products Store are even stricter. Is it okay for outsiders to visit and watch?"

Ye Xinyan gestured and led Zhao Gang to the Dairy Products Workshop nearby while playfully chiding, "You’re being too formal, Uncle Zhao. You’ve come all the way from the capital, no one can stop you; naturally, you can see as much as you like."

The previous day at the dining table, Guan He had praised the Dairy Products Store’s cheeses for their unique taste and the rich, enduring flavor they offered.

Then, Guan He specifically mentioned that the Dairy Products Store was very strict, and ordinary people were simply not allowed near the cheese-making workshop. He said this was to prevent the hustle and bustle of visitors from bringing in unseen particles of dirt and debris that could spoil the dairy products.

Zhao Gang had thought he would have some difficulty entering the workshop; if he truly couldn’t get in, then he would have to walk around outside, take a look at the general contours and return, which would suffice to answer Great Aunt’s detailed inquiries. Unexpectedly, Miss Cousin readily agreed.

While conducting her own inspection and inquiring with the person in charge of each workshop, Ye Xinyan introduced Zhao Gang to the various steps in cheese-making. They finally arrived at the fermentation workshop.

Ye Xinyan said outside the fermentation workshop, "This is the final step in the cheese-making process. Uncle Zhao must remember to keep it a secret. Sixth Master and I are counting on this method to make a big profit in silver."

Upon hearing what Ye Xinyan said, Zhao Gang hesitated. If this place was so critical, perhaps he should not enter?

Ye Xinyan noticed Zhao Gang’s hesitation and, with a smile, said, "I am aware of, and trust, Uncle Zhao’s integrity and discretion. The reason for my additional reminder is merely a precaution against inadvertently mentioning it while chatting with others. I’m not mistrusting Uncle Zhao, nor am I advising you."

Zhao Gang paused but couldn’t resist his curiosity. He put on shoe covers and followed Ye Xinyan into the fermentation workshop.

It was still Zhang Baokui bustling about in the fermentation workshop. Upon seeing Ye Xinyan and her servant, escorted by a robust middle-aged man, he hastened forward to greet Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan gave them a brief introduction and then followed Zhang Baokui as he inspected each piece of cheese that had been placed there a few days earlier, listening to his report on the fermentation process.

As soon as Zhao Gang entered the fermentation workshop, he saw the chunky shelves filled with items. Finding an empty space, he pointed to the rows of shelves and asked Ye Xinyan, "Yesterday, Guan He told me about the cheese you make here, calling it exceptionally delicious with a rich taste, lingering fragrance, and worthy of savoring. Is this what he was referring to?"

Ye Xinyan nodded and said, "Yes, this is the fermented cheese. However, Big Brother Guan exaggerated a bit. Uncle Wan, Sixth Master’s steward, transported a batch to the capital a few days ago, which is probably en route as we speak.

We call this type of cheese flavored cheese. Fresh cheese, after fermentation, has a significantly different taste and odor. Although it’s rich and mellow, it also acquires a peculiar lingering scent. Many first-time consumers are not accustomed to this smell. It may take some effort to get people to accept this food."

Zhao Gang was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Guan He didn’t mention yesterday that he was initially uncomfortable with the taste of the cheese. Could it be that Guan He particularly likes this type of flavor?"

Ye Xinyan thought of the cheese Guan He had stolen on his first try but didn’t think it appropriate to reveal his shortcomings in front of Zhao Gang, so she vaguely said, "Perhaps Big Brother Guan has traveled all over the place, staying for a while in the nomadic regions of the Northern Barbarians. He may be more accepting of cheese."

Zhao Gang nodded, seeming to accept Ye Xinyan’s explanation. A person like Guan He, with his skills, had the freedom to go wherever he wished.

After their visit to the fermentation workshop, before leaving, Ye Xinyan asked Zhang Baokui to take down a small piece of cheese that had been fermenting for a longer period. She handed it to the maid Jiu Yue to hold, and then she and Zhao Gang returned to their quarters.

Ye Xinyan pointed to the cheese in Jiu Yue’s hand and, with a mischievous smile, said to Zhao Gang, "Let’s try the cheese now. I will make sure you come to love this flavor before you leave Clear Water Village." Then, during the long wait in the capital, you will rejoice receiving the festival and annual gifts I send.

Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion sent someone to visit Ye Xinyan, and Jinrong received the message that very evening. Early the next day, he casually made his way to the rear hall of Qingyuan County’s county government office and sent for Jiang Yifan to come over for a leisurely chat.

After hearing it was Zhao Gang who had come, Jiang Yifan pondered for a moment and then said to Jinrong, "Zhao Gang has been cleaning up the messes caused by Ye Xinyan since she was little, and they have a close relationship. It seems that Marquis Zhongyong and General Zhenyuan sent him because he is quite familiar with Ye Xinyan, to inquire about her recent circumstances.

Although Zhao Gang is a personal attendant of General Zhenyuan, he also holds a military post. I believe that since Sixth Master is an imperial prince outside the capital, it’s better to avoid those from the military ranks. Let’s not disturb him and pretend we don’t know he’s here. Does that sound good to you, Sixth Master?"