BDSMST -Chapter 38 Orders from the Capital

The news that the Old Marquis was going to Qingshi Town spread through the Marquisate like wildfire. But before he could set out, another unexpected development interrupted his plans.

Early the next morning, the stewards of several top-ranking noble households in the capital—Zhenguo Duke’s mansion, Anyuan Marquisate, Dingbei Count’s estate…—all arrived at the door, each bearing gifts.

What was remarkable was that their purpose was unusually consistent.

In the Pine Crane Hall, the head steward of the Zhenguo Duke’s household bowed politely before the Old Marquis.

“Old Marquis, I hope I am not being presumptuous by visiting today, but I have a matter to request. I heard that your young heir, along with my young master, are both currently at the estate in Woniu Village, Qingshi Town?”

“That is correct,” the Old Marquis replied calmly, sipping his tea. He wanted to see what they were really after.

“Well,” the Duke’s steward smiled, “my good-for-nothing son sent word a few days ago, saying he was doing very well at the estate and had grown stronger. He also sent back a few sweet potatoes he supposedly grew himself. We tried them, and the taste… tsk, tsk.”

His face lit up with a look of lingering delight.

“To be honest, our old Duke is usually extremely picky. But he ate two of those sweet potatoes in one sitting and even said he wanted sweet potato porridge tomorrow. So, he instructed me to ask if the produce from your Woniu Village estate… these ‘miraculous vegetables and fruits’—might be shared with us? Price is no concern; we would never let you suffer a loss!”

No sooner had he finished than the steward from Anyuan Marquisate hurriedly jumped in.

“Yes, yes, Old Marquis! Our Duoduo has also grown stronger, physically and in spirit, much more than when he was in the capital running errands and playing at noble games! The other day, he brought back half a winter melon; after our cooks made a soup, our Marquis said he had never tasted anything so fresh in his life! Please, we beg you, sell some to us as well!”

For a moment, the entire Pine Crane Hall became a “farmers’ market for nobles.”

These top-tier noble families, who could shake the floor by stomping their feet in the capital, were now humbled, groveling politely for a few pounds of vegetables and a handful of sweet potatoes.

Listening to their frantic pleas, the Old Marquis felt a storm rising in his mind.

He had thought he alone had discovered the vegetables’ secret power. But these seasoned schemers—each of them astute and clever—had figured it out too!

He set down his teacup calmly, his mind racing through calculations.

He had never personally visited Jiang Suisui’s estate and didn’t know the exact scale or yield. In the letter, Xuan’er mentioned they had reclaimed a good amount of land. But surely, that couldn’t supply all these noble households in the capital.

Scarcity creates value.

This was a principle he understood better than anyone.

“I appreciate your kind intentions,” the Old Marquis said slowly, and the room fell silent. “However, the estate is no longer under my management. It is merely my daughter-in-law, Lady Jiang, playing around with Xuan’er. The scale is small, and the output is limited—just enough to feed the ten or so people living there.”

His words were half-truth, half-lie—enough to set the tone: the produce is good, but in short supply.

The nobles’ faces fell in disappointment.

“However,” he continued, “since you have asked, I cannot refuse the courtesy. I will send someone to inquire at the estate. If there is any surplus, we will supply each household at market price—no, at triple the market price—to let you taste it. But the quantity will be limited.”

The nobles immediately brightened, hope restored.

“Thank you, Old Marquis!”

“Your generosity is unmatched, Old Marquis!”

After dismissing the stewards, the Old Marquis called for Uncle Fu immediately.

“You will go to Woniu Village yourself,” he said with a serious expression. “Take generous gifts, along with the estate’s best agricultural experts.”

“Tell Lady Jiang she is doing an excellent job. The Marquisate is very pleased,” he added—a gesture of both approval and authority.

“Also tell her that from today onward, all expenses for the estate will be covered by the Marquisate. Any help or supplies needed, just ask. We have only one requirement.”

His eyes gleamed with resolve.

“Expand production! Expand it without counting costs! Everything the estate produces, aside from what they need for themselves and for Yue Lai Ju, will be purchased in full by the Marquisate!”

He could already foresee the ripple these seemingly ordinary vegetables and fruits would create in the capital. This wasn’t just about taste—it was about health, social influence, and a brand-new top-tier resource under the control of the Yongning Marquisate.

Uncle Fu took the orders and prepared immediately. He knew the Old Marquis was serious this time.

Meanwhile, at the Woniu Village estate, Jiang Suisui was receiving another group of “guests.”

It was the steward from Wei Ziqian’s household, arriving with two large carts at the estate entrance.

“Madam!” Steward Wei greeted Jiang Suisui with a beaming smile. “On behalf of our Duke, I am here to thank you for taking care of our young master. This is a small token of appreciation—please do accept it.”

With a wave of his hand, servants unloaded several large boxes. Opening them revealed top-quality silk, precious medicinal herbs, and a box filled with shining silver ingots.

“Also,” Steward Wei took a silver note from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Suisui, “our Duke wishes to place an order for a batch of vegetables. This is a deposit of five hundred taels. From now on, please give our household first priority whenever the estate produces. The price is yours to set!”

The display left the young men working in the yard dumbfounded.

When had they ever seen their usually arrogant stewards kowtow so completely to a merchant-born stepmadam, even proactively offering money?

Wei Ziqian’s face burned red with embarrassment. What was his father doing? Trying to compensate him for the perceived grievances he might face here with money?

Jiang Suisui glanced at the boxes, then at the silver note, her expression calm.

She did not take it, simply saying, “Steward Wei, you are too polite. Ziqian is here as Xuan’er’s friend; it’s only natural that they look out for each other. As for buying vegetables, the estate’s output is limited. Aside from our own use, we already have a contract with Yue Lai Ju. I’m afraid… there isn’t any surplus.”

With that, she deftly kicked the ball back.