Chapter 344: Sugar Mountain

"Sugar mountain is here," Hong Ye called out cheerfully to Xiao Dong, "The kitchen made two servings, let the young lady have hers with you. I made sure your portion has extra honey and winter melon."

Xiao Dong’s mouth watered upon seeing it; the shimmering ice slush accompanied by milky, soft cheese was piled atop the winter melon mountain, with bright yellow honey drizzled over.

"It already looks delicious," Xiao Dong couldn’t help but exclaim, making a difficult decision soon after, "I’ll eat this portion and then go back to focus on painting."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Eat more if you find it tasty. I can’t finish all this, so let Hong Ye and Cui Ming share some."

Hong Ye and Cui Ming took small bowls to divide it, sitting on little stools to savor it delicately.

Xiao Dong felt some unease, saying, "I should share mine with the two sisters too."

Qin Yuan stopped him, "They’re here with me, not lacking in these things. You don’t come often, and even if you did, you might not get this. If Master wasn’t old and unable to eat cold things, I’d let you take some back."

Hong Ye and Cui Ming both assured him they had enough, encouraging Xiao Dong to enjoy his own portion.

While happily tasting the delicacies, Xiao Dong sighed contentedly.

Observing him, Qin Yuan commented with a smile, "Many people love sugar mountain; a man named Yang Wanli even composed a poem after eating it, which many praised."

"What poem?"

Xiao Dong lifted his head from the bowl, his bright eyes fixed on Qin Yuan.

"As greasy becomes refreshing, just condensed yet about to float. Jade shatters at the plate’s base, snow melts at the mouth’s edge," Qin Yuan recited, then asked, "Is it apt?"

"It fits," Xiao Dong nodded thoughtfully.

Qin Yuan continued, "That’s why Sixth Master Gu loves writing poems; such short verses draw much admiration, and whenever people eat sugar mountain, they remember this poem. Isn’t that clever?"

Finishing his meal, Xiao Dong stood up and said, "Elder sister, I’m off to practice painting; I’ll come visit when I have time."

"Alright, go on then. When the sticky rice pumpkin porridge is ready, I’ll have someone send it to Master. Just focus on your work."

Xiao Dong grinned gratefully and said, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Elder sister, rest assured I won’t let your efforts go to waste."

"Hmm," Qin Yuan nodded, instructing Hong Ye to see him out.

Upon returning, Hong Ye asked, "Miss, why didn’t you invite Xiao Dong to stay for dinner today?"

"King Jin is visiting today, and the Marquis will likely have much to discuss upon returning for dinner. Xiao Dong wouldn’t be comfortable here. Also, charging ahead leads to fading enthusiasm and eventual exhaustion. If he stayed too long, his eagerness to learn might diminish; better to let him return early to his painting."

Hong Ye, deeply impressed by this reasoning, remarked.

However, Hong Ye didn’t quite understand, "Xiao Dong is studying medicine under Doctor Li, destined to inherit Renhe Hall when grown up, backed by the Marquis Mansion. Why the rush?"

Qin Yuan explained, "His resolve and talent deserve fulfillment. Doctor Li doesn’t wish him to join the Imperial Hospital, so this is all I can do for him. Who knows what the future holds? More skills are never a burden; his success would mean good things for us too, like rising tides lift all boats."

Seeing Hong Ye and Cui Ming in contemplation, Qin Yuan added, "If Qin Heng had that ability, I’d push him too. Unfortunately, he lacks ambition and talent, and is the one reliant on others. Luckily, Si Yuan is a scholar with great potential for a successful official career, ensuring the Qin Family’s connections among scholars won’t go to waste."

Cui Ming sighed, "If only young master Si Yuan could find a good marriage alliance, his future would be promising, and you would have more support from your birth family."

Realization dawned upon Hong Ye, "Ah, so that’s the reason."

Qin Yuan chuckled.

Hong Ye pledged, "Miss, we will work hard to be your backing in the Marquis Mansion."

"Good, I’ll be watching," Qin Yuan said with amusement, "Think more about how to help me with useful information. Hong Mian is right; the positions of Housekeeper Zhang and Sun Accountant need filling, with many eyes watching, so I’ll need to arrange for people to replace them."

Hong Ye immediately asked, "What did Hong Mian say?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "She didn’t say much, just reminded me that many have unsettled thoughts, trying to curry favor with Wutong Garden. I thought she might have personal motives for speaking well of someone but underestimated her insight; she suggested I consult Nanny Rong."

Hong Ye exclaimed, stamping her feet, "This little girl really knows how to navigate situations; she’s clever. If things continue, I might be surpassed."

Cui Ming laughed, "You like clever people better. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t catch your eye. Just see yourself as acting as a talent scout for Miss, and there won’t be any resentment."

Hong Ye slapped her thigh and laughed, "After following Miss for so long, I’m no fool. Once I bring Xiao Hong back, let them both battle with their cleverness, while I sit aside munching melon seeds, you’ll know then how skillful I am."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Your strategies rival Zhuge. I’m talking serious matters, yet you digress."

"Miss, I’m listening."

With a straight face, Qin Yuan said, "These two positions are crucial. I have shallow roots in the mansion, not many trusted aides, and the maidservants I brought haven’t firmly settled in. The only competent one, Shen Changle, I need him to handle external affairs. I must find two capable individuals for peace of mind. Help me consider who would be suitable; finding the right people for management is vital because if the personnel is right, everything else falls into place."

"I never thought my position was so vital," Hong Ye exclaimed in surprise, "I’ll find ways to investigate and secure several promising candidates for you."

Qin Yuan nodded, "That’s better; once we have a prospect, I’ll bring it up with the Old Madam and the Marquis to see if anyone is suitable."

Embracing her responsibility, Hong Ye was suddenly filled with vigor, already forgetting about Hong Mian’s attempts to impress.

Qin Yuan tasked Cui Ming with reviewing past accounting ledgers and preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival guest list, eventually saying, "I’ll entrust Mid-Autumn planning to you. Think about how we should prepare and arrange things; the festival involves numerous tasks and interactions, much more intricate than yesterday’s banquet. Luckily, we have some time, so planning now will be timely."

Cui Ming chuckled, "Miss, you assigned Hong Ye a light task while handing me a heavy one; that’s not fair."

"Once she’s done with hers, she’ll assist you with yours. I wouldn’t trust just one person either."

Cui Ming laughed, "As long as you say that, I’m satisfied."

For a moment, everyone was busy with tasks while Qin Yuan moved to her desk to further contemplate poetic verses.

Composing poetry requires both ambiance and mindset to create beautiful expressions; for now, it involved refining and polishing.

After only writing a few lines, Gu Jinghui burst in energetically, carrying a small jade box and handing it to Mo Zhu by the door, loudly complaining, "How is life going?"