Chapter Fourteen

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An epidemic was spreading throughout the city, leaving the entire Zhangling Commandery in a state of frantic activity. Prince Huai’an was so worried that his hair had turned noticeably gray.

At this late hour—just past the ninth watch—the candlelight in the Bihua Hall still flickered steadily. This outbreak had claimed many lives. For the common folk, winter was already harsh enough, and with the epidemic ravaging everywhere, the outcome was predictable.

In theory, with the primitive transportation of ancient times and the sparse population, an epidemic shouldn’t have spread so rapidly. The real problem was that the Minzhou region had fallen into chaos, with refugees fleeing in all directions, many carrying the disease, allowing the pestilence to spread uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a maidservant reported that Chen Jiao had come seeking an audience. Chen En looked up from a pile of official documents, irritated: “So late at night, what does she want?”

The maid replied, “The young lady wishes to ask the lord to assign people to assist her in combating the epidemic.”

Chen En was stunned, then snapped, “A mere yellow-haired girl—don’t let her bother me.”

Outside, Chen Jiao’s voice rang out: “Father, why not let Aying have a try?”

Chen En paused, then made a gesture. Soon, Chen Jiao was invited into the study. Inside, a brazier burned warmly, a relief after her long, cold run outside that had left her face numb from the chill.

Chen En looked at her and asked, “So late at night, in this cold and windy weather, why aren’t you resting? What are you running around for?”

Chen Jiao bowed respectfully and replied, “These days the household serves mustard greens soup every meal, and it suddenly reminded me of something.”

Chen En blinked in confusion.

Chen Jiao continued solemnly, “Earlier, I went to consult Doctor You about the symptoms of the epidemic. He said mustard greens can clear the lungs and dissolve phlegm. It reminded me of an old story.

“When I was in Tongzhou with Mother, I worked in the local administration office and overheard a merchant’s idle tale.

“The merchant said that while transporting goods, he encountered a mother and her son.

“The woman recounted that when her son was four, he had a high fever that wouldn’t subside and a relentless cough. They had seen many doctors but none could cure him.

“She thought he wouldn’t survive, until by chance they met an old mendicant monk from Tianning Temple.

“The monk gave her a secret recipe, instructing her to feed the boy a special brine made from aged mustard greens, which miraculously cured him.

“The woman was skeptical at first, but following the monk’s instructions, the boy recovered—truly a remarkable story.”

Chen En didn’t believe a word, retorting, “Nonsense. If aged mustard greens brine were truly effective, our household would be using it every day. Why then has there been no improvement?”

Chen Jiao smiled knowingly and said, “The monk said it was a secret recipe, definitely not ordinary aged mustard greens brine.”

Chen En said nothing.

Chen Jiao pressed on, “Doctor You said mustard greens have medicinal effects on the lungs, so the merchant’s story can’t be entirely made up.”

Chen En pointed at her, “And what do you intend to do, young lady?”

Chen Jiao hurried to explain, “I wish to ask Father to assign me some men to search the city for aged mustard greens brine and to uncover its hidden secrets.

“Since the current epidemic is difficult to overcome, Father, please allow me to try. Regardless of the outcome, it will do no harm.”

Chen En stroked his beard thoughtfully. “The streets are full of the sick. Do you not care for your life?”

Chen Jiao replied, “Father, just let me try. I will be cautious and take every precaution.”

Chen En scoffed, “Foolishness.”

Chen Jiao pouted, “Father…”

To persuade him, she employed the coquettish charm her mother had taught her, gently shaking his arm and speaking sweetly, “I hear Father has been up late every night attending to the city’s affairs. As your daughter, I want to ease your burden and do my filial duty.

“Please grant me this wish, so I may contribute and fulfill my filial piety.”

Her coaxing and appeals to filial duty wore him down, and Chen En finally relented.

Chen Jiao was overjoyed.

The next day, the household dispatched over a dozen servants under her command.

They gathered in the courtyard as Chen Jiao addressed them from beneath the eaves.

“The aged mustard greens brine I seek must be pickled for over three years, and the jars must bear green mold.”

A curious servant asked, “If it’s moldy, wouldn’t it be spoiled? Why does the young lady want such a thing?”

Chen Jiao answered, hands behind her back, “That is none of your concern. Just find the brine that has been aged the longest. No jars without green mold are to be brought, understood?”

The group chorused, “Understood!”

She continued, “If anyone dares to cause trouble under the guise of the Huai’an Prince’s household and tarnishes Chen Jiao’s name, they will be punished severely. Consider this well.”

The servants all replied in unison, “We dare not.”

Chen Jiao then patiently instructed them on the search for aged mustard greens brine.

Hefty rewards awaited anyone who found the moldy brine.

Though they did not understand why she sought such an item, the promise of a rich reward invigorated them all.

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Thus, the dozen or so servants set out from the mansion to search for the mustard greens brine.

After they had dispersed, Chen Jiao entered the house.

Xu Shi, puzzled, asked, “What could my child want with spoiled mustard greens brine?”

Chen Jiao coyly replied, “Mother will know in time.”

Xu Shi teased, “Still keeping secrets, are you?”

Chen Jiao just smiled and said, “The coaxing methods Mother taught me are quite effective; I must practice them well.”

Xu Shi laughed and chided, “Such a promising child!”

Mustard greens had a long history in our dynasty and were a common household item, much like pickled radishes.

The servants went door to door for several days, inquiring after the moldy mustard greens brine Chen Jiao described.

Normally, people would never purposely let mustard greens spoil; they would consume them within a year or two and then pickle fresh batches.

If the brine bore mold, it was either spoiled or forgotten for a long time.

Such brine was rare and difficult to find.

After several days without success, a servant named Wu Daniu got lucky.

A woman named Wang, living in a narrow alley on West Street, had overheard the rumors in the rice shop. She returned home and joked with her husband that the powerful Huai’an Prince’s household was seeking spoiled mustard greens brine from the common market.

Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Zou, lying in bed, asked curiously, “Where did you hear such a thing?”

Wang replied, “I heard it at the rice shop. They said the ninth young lady of the Prince’s household loves spoiled mustard greens brine and has sent people to find it.”

Her husband, Jiang Dalang, didn’t believe it and said as he worked, “Don’t talk nonsense. How could they eat spoiled things, especially the ladies of the household?”

“But the shopkeeper said the Prince’s servants came asking yesterday, so it seems true,” Wang insisted.

Mrs. Zou clicked her tongue and teased, “Maybe they’re so used to rich food that they want something unusual?”

The couple laughed.

Fortunate as they were, they had yet to be stricken by the epidemic, though unlucky neighbors had lost several family members.

When the authorities learned of deaths, they would immediately come to collect the bodies, burning them all together.

Anyone causing trouble was often beaten to death.

The city’s guards were fierce and masked; commoners dared not provoke them.

The three overheard this strange gossip.

Next door, Widow Huang heard their voices and came over.

The three thought she had urgent news, but she hesitated and finally said she had a jar of spoiled mustard greens brine at home.

They were all stunned.

Wang teased, “Widow Huang, you don’t really think bringing spoiled brine will earn you favor at the Prince’s household, do you?”

Huang scratched her head awkwardly.

Her husband had died two years prior, and with no children, she and her mother-in-law lived alone.

The elder woman’s memory was poor and often forgetful, and the spoiled brine was her doing.

Jiang Dalang didn’t believe the rumors either and said, “Spoiled food is inedible. If someone dies from eating it, who would bear responsibility?”

Widow Huang was hopeful. “What if there really is a reward?”

Wang seemed to read her mind and said, “If Widow Huang wants to try, she can. We don’t have the courage to provoke the Prince’s household. One misstep and losing your life would be a true injustice.”

Mrs. Zou agreed, “Yes, they are officials. Bringing spoiled things is unreasonable. Getting beaten would be a bad bargain.”

Common folk like them would run at the sight of officials; they preferred to avoid contact.

Widow Huang, as a widow, naturally lacked the courage to claim the reward herself and turned to Jiang Dalang.

“I’ve heard the Prince’s household wants brine with green mold. Mine has that, no doubt.

“I’m just a weak woman and afraid to go ask for the reward. If you’re willing to take the risk, we’ll split the money.”

Jiang Dalang refused. “Don’t try to trick me.”

Huang said, “I’ve thought it through. Since we all know spoiled brine can’t be eaten, surely the Prince’s household knows as well.

“They must have a purpose for seeking it. I just worry no one dares go for them. After all, it’s the Prince’s mansion, and ordinary people dare not enter.”

Her reasoning held some weight.

Wang asked, “Does brine really grow green mold?”

Huang nodded. “Yes. If you don’t believe me, come see.”

Wang’s greed was piqued. She eagerly went with Huang to see the moldy brine.

Huang’s home was sparse and drafty.

She brought out the earthenware jar from a corner and uncovered it.

A pungent, fermented stench hit them, forcing them to step back.

No one knew how long the brine had been there; the smell was truly overwhelming.

Wang covered her nose and peered inside, seeing grayish-green mold clearly marring the mustard greens.

Jiang Dalang looked as well and grimaced, “Who knows how long this has been pickled?”

Huang said, “I don’t know either. I asked my mother, but she can’t remember.”

She carefully resealed the jar and continued, “I heard the Prince’s household specifically wants brine with green mold. This should be it.”

Wang glanced at Jiang Dalang.

Jiang shook his head, “Don’t look at me. I don’t have the guts to claim the reward.”

Wang said, “What if we really get the money? Isn’t that better than your labor?”

Jiang retorted, “Labor doesn’t get you beaten or killed.”

Wang fell silent.

Yet her greed was stirred, and she winked at Huang.

That night, after much persuasion, Jiang called her crazy for being so poor. They argued, but Wang eventually agreed to go with him to the Huai’an Prince’s mansion for courage, and he reluctantly consented.

The next day, they brought a large basket. Huang cleaned the dust off the jar and wrapped it carefully.

The jar was not large but heavy, weighing several dozen jin.

Jiang slung the basket on his back, and the couple left their alley.

Approaching the Prince’s mansion, they saw the gates firmly shut, even the side doors closed.

They were intimidated.

Jiang set the basket down at a distance, afraid to inquire further.

Wang, confident when they left home, was now as timid as a quail before the imposing gates.

The power of the elite weighed heavily on them.

They hesitated in the cold wind for some time, seeing servants come and go but not daring to speak.

Wu Daniu, returning from outside, noticed their ragged clothes and hunched posture, curious.

He casually asked them a question.

Jiang was close to giving up and turning back, his tongue tied and stammering.

Wang, bolder, said the basket held spoiled mustard greens brine.

Wu Daniu glanced at the basket, already doubtful.

He stepped forward, unwrapped the burlap, and opened the jar.

The sour stench hit him like a blast, forcing him to step back.

But when he looked closely—hey! There really was green mold!

Wu Daniu was incredulous.

He pinched his nose and examined again: indeed, patches of gray-green mold covered the brine.

He had thought Chen Jiao was fooling them, but the moldy brine was real!

Wu Daniu quickly asked, “Is this pickled mustard greens inside?”

Wang nodded vigorously, “Yes, pickled mustard greens, spoiled and moldy.”

Wu Daniu grinned, “You two are about to get rich!”

Wang’s spirits lifted.

Jiang hurriedly resealed the jar, acting as if it contained gold nuggets.

Outsiders were forbidden from entering the inner courtyard, so Wu Daniu told the couple to wait at the gatehouse while he carried the basket to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

“Wait here to receive your reward. Don’t run off.”

The couple beamed with happiness.

Inside the annex, Chen Jiao was speaking with Xu Shi when the maid Dingxiang reported that a servant had found the moldy mustard greens brine.

Chen Jiao, having seen many spoiled batches but never moldy green ones, was skeptical: “Have you verified it?”

Dingxiang nodded repeatedly, “There are indeed many patches of gray-green mold, very pungent!”

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