The Exiled Villainess and Her Shopping Dimension

Yueqian couldn’t help but smirk. She wasn’t sure if this was due to their own bad luck or if someone had intentionally planned it, but one thing was certain: whoever devised this plan must think she was a fool!

There was no need to use high-quality rice from the market. Food didn’t necessarily have to be made from rice, did it?

“If there’s no rice, then buy as many potatoes from the villagers as possible,” Yueqian told Rui Beng and Yang Ji. However, Yang Ji shook her head.

“Furen, this isn’t quite right. If we use cassavas for cooking while the other nobles use rice, they might accuse us later of not genuinely wanting to help the people. This action will surely displease the higher-ups.”

Yang Ji warned. It was true as she mentioned. If only the Mu family refrained from spending money on expensive rice and bought cheap cassava instead, it would surely be seen as uncharitable.

However, Yang Ji didn’t know that Yueqian had no intention of saving money. Besides, many delicious and energy-giving dishes could be made from cassava flour. For example, clear soup with boiled entrails and vegetables, stir-fried rice noodle with gravy, stewed fish maw in red sauce, garlic chives cakes, deep-fried oyster pancakes, various deep-fried vegetables coated in flour, fried fish-paste balls, fried shrimp-paste balls, and even turning the flour into noodles for different types of Teochew noodle soup.

There were also countless desserts made from cassava flour. Nevertheless, before explaining these methods, her people needed to gather other ingredients to ensure readiness.

“Don’t worry, those cassavas will be turned into flour later. We have plenty of soldiers to help grind the cassava into flour. For now, we should buy as many ingredients as possible. In the meantime, try to buy rice as well. There are many hundreds of people in our manor. If they allow us to buy 1 jin of rice per person, then let the soldiers take turns buying it. From one shop to another, we’ll gather enough to diversify the meals.”

“Also, buy as many vegetables and meats as you can, focusing on corn. Meanwhile, start growing bean sprouts. The more vegetables we have, the better it will be for our household. Don’t forget chicken and duck eggs as well. If you can buy them, get as many as possible,” Yueqian said, sharing her ideas.

Although Yang Ji and the others didn’t fully understand their mistress’s thoughts, they knew that this furen had a talent for cooking. Yang Ji, Rui Beng, and the rest were unaware that their Furen Mu was also highly skilled in cultivation and food transformation. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have survived in the Red Earth City.

Yang Ji’s worry stemmed from her fear that their furen might fall into a trap. From the current situation, it seemed that no other noble household was in distress, only Mu manor was facing difficulties. Looking around, there was no one to help. Was this not an act of bullying?

The answer came a few days later. While the Mu manor was gathering produce, an invitation arrived two days later from Noble Consort Wei for a tea party at the manor. This party was quite grand.

The purpose was to thank everyone who was wholeheartedly welcoming the refugees. The invitation extended to the furens to discuss the ongoing calamities in the Bai Region. With benevolence, Noble Consort Wei wanted to show gratitude in advance to the madams who would be working hard afterward, as it was her own frivolous request.

It was essentially a public announcement of her own achievements. Many allied families praised her abilities, and it became evident how much the emperor valued this noble consort, even issuing an imperial decree to fulfill her ideas. Although it was a good idea, it demonstrated a level of attentiveness.

The Wei family gained significant prestige from this. Several nobles praised and credited the Wei family for helping the refugees, leading to tax reductions for them in the coming year. They had also hoarded food that was near spoiling, which wouldn’t sell for much. Wouldn’t it be better to use it for this purpose? It could be said that it was truly beneficial.

There were some who didn’t support the Wei family and were envious of their gained prestige, but they didn’t obstruct the effort. After all, it benefited everyone more.

Furen Mu, as an ally of the Second Prince, couldn’t avoid the invitation. Many from the Second Prince’s faction were present, along with some from the Crown Prince’s faction. Noble Consort Wei was trying to show herself as neutral, earning another point of admiration from the emperor for her foresight.

The Emperor even allowed her to host the event in the inner palace garden, supporting the organization of this event, which left Yueqian unable to refuse the invitation.

“No wonder Noble Consort Wei came up with this idea,” Wan Gui sighed.

The old woman, holding the bright-faced baby in her arms, made a snide comment about the woman who climbed to such a high position despite being slighted by their master. It seemed now that she was starting a war with the Mu family.

“This idea benefits the Wei family. It’s no surprise she proposed it.”

“It benefits the Wei family and brings trouble to the Mu family, doesn’t it?” Wan Gui continued.

Yueqian shook her head slightly. Regardless, they had already started gathering more supplies. They would manage for several days in welcoming the refugees. Unfortunately, she hadn’t thought far enough ahead regarding this matter. What Noble Consort Wei had prepared for her was not merely the difficulty of procuring supplies.

“If we know we’re being targeted, we must be extra cautious. Alright then, please take good care of Xihao. I’ll leave a bit earlier today.” Yueqian, who was elegantly dressed, stood up. She gently pinched the baby’s cheeks with affection, her loving gaze making the little one feel happy.

“Yes, Furen. I will take good care of the young master,” Wan Gui responded.

She was a skilled and knowledgeable wet nurse, entrusted with caring for the young master more than anyone else. Accompanying Furen Mu to the palace today was Fan Yu, a quiet but clever young woman.

Today, the beautiful lady wore a light yellow dress. It wasn’t overly striking but looked fresh and pleasant. It was a rather rare image for her. Her hair was adorned with simple but expensive pearls, a gift from the Emperor. Although she didn’t seek to stand out, her status as the First Ranked Furen made her appear distinguished and elegant regardless.

It didn’t take long to reach the palace. The venue was grand and magnificent, maintained by numerous eunuchs. Palace court ladies bustled about. Without delay, someone came to greet Yueqian at the entrance. Even though this event was hosted by Noble Consort Wei, Yueqian, with her high rank, couldn’t be overlooked.

“Furen Mu, please come inside,” a palace court lady welcomed her. The court lady’s face was exquisite, with a prominent mole next to her cheek, which did not detract from her beauty at all.

The young girl, quick and agile, led Yueqian and gradually increased the distance between them. She didn’t even glance back to see if Yueqian was keeping up. This made Yueqian, a guest at the event, take a slight interest in the situation.

The young woman slowed her pace, not matching the court lady’s hurried steps. Fan Yu walked beside her, holding her arm. Although Yueqian had just given birth to her son, her wounds had been treated by a divine doctor. There was no way she would still be in pain or not fully recovered.

In the Mu manor, Yueqian could already run around, let alone walk quickly. However, both Yueqian and Fan Yu understood the court lady’s intention, so Yueqian’s slower pace did not make them feel awkward. Instead... Fan Yu continued her duties well and smoothly, talking to her mistress as if they were merely strolling through a garden.

“The flowers over there seem to be the same type as those in our manor, don’t they, Miss?” Fan Yu wasn’t a talkative person, but she didn’t want to put her mistress in an awkward situation.

Understanding Fan Yu’s intent, Yueqian felt grateful and more pleased with her maid. The beautiful woman even stopped to look at the flower bushes.

“Yes, because our manor used to be the Cold Jade Palace, the decorations are somewhat similar to the palace,”  the beautiful woman explained calmly. The two people, the mistress and maid, lingered to admire the flowers, not following the court lady who was leading them. This made the lower-ranked palace court lady feel a bit annoyed.

“Furen Mu, the event is about to start. I’m afraid...” The young court lady wanted to scold and hurry them along, but before she could finish, Yueqian smiled sweetly when she looked at her.

“Is this banquet in such a hurry? If it is, you should go and hurry the other young misses and consorts who are on their way. I saw many carriages coming. I can walk in slowly.”

Yueqian replied courteously, without criticizing the ignorant court lady, merely offering a gentle suggestion. However, the court lady knew that her face was metaphorically slapped by this woman.

Her intent was easily seen through. In her heart, she had been ordered to make things difficult for Furen Mu. Since she had just given birth, hurrying her to come inside might cause some pain. However, what she didn’t expect was that Furen Mu was even more formidable than the rumors. Not only did she not fear the noble consort’s authority, but she also openly revealed her own intentions.

It seemed that the warnings about this fearsome woman from the noble consort were indeed true!

“Furen Mu, since it’s my duty to welcome you first, I cannot attend to others. Therefore, could you please quicken your pace?” The court lady calmed herself.

She spoke again with polite words, though her true intention was just to make things difficult for Yueqian. Of course, how could a villainess like Yueqian easily follow along? Wasn’t that humbly accepting the bullying?

“I didn’t realize a court lady would rush guests like this. Just getting me to walk faster is enough, right? Or perhaps you never wanted to welcome me at all? Or maybe your mistress didn’t want to welcome me from the start?” Yueqian gave a slight smile.

Her tone was warm and gentle, but without hearing her exact words, it was impossible to understand her true intent. Compared to the actual meaning of her words, this level of severity was something the young court lady couldn’t truly handle.

“F-Furen Mu, why speak so harshly? I would never dare think that. Moreover, the noble consort specifically sent the invitation to you, recognizing your abilities and kind heart. Please don’t misunderstand her intentions.”The young court lady acted fearful, though her eyes sparkled with cunning. It was clear her words were meant to damage her reputation. Yueqian chuckled lightly, unconcerned.

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