Chapter Fifteen

Upon hearing her words, Chen Jiao couldn’t help but smile. Wu Danniu waited in the front hall, looking proud as if presenting a treasure.

Soon, Chen Jiao and Madam Xu arrived. Wu Danniu saluted and said excitedly, “Young lady, the green-molded mustard you sought really exists!”

He then lifted the jar’s lid, releasing a pungent sour stench that was unbearable.

Madam Xu grimaced, “It truly stinks terribly.”

Chen Jiao covered her nose and stepped forward to inspect. Inside the jar, there was indeed a great deal of grayish-green mold.

Fearing she might not see clearly, she instructed Wu Danniu to carry the jar outside.

In the ample daylight, the contents were visible with perfect clarity.

It was unmistakably the blue mold she had been searching for.

Overjoyed, Chen Jiao asked, “How did you come across this?”

Wu Danniu promptly explained the entire situation in detail.

Chen Jiao ordered him to summon the Wang couple for questioning.

After he left, the jar of green-molded mustard was carefully carried into the room by Dingxiang and others.

Madam Xu followed behind, clicking her tongue in astonishment, asking, “Son, don’t keep it to yourself. What use is this rotten mustard?”

Chen Jiao replied, “Mother, please don’t ask. Only after I’ve tested it can I draw any conclusions.”

She then looked at Dingxiang and instructed, “Go and ask Madam Jiang if she’s willing to try this medicine. If not, I’ll find someone else.”

Dingxiang sighed and went to the servants’ quarters separated from the main house.

Chen Jiao sent someone to fetch a clean spoon, rolled up her sleeves, and dipped it into the jar to scoop some salted brine.

After years of fermentation, the mustard juice had darkened, and some leaves had decayed, blending into the brine.

As she stirred the mold in the jar, a thought struck her.

Yeast in old dough helps bread rise and become fluffy.

Could this jar of moldy mustard brine serve as a starter culture, deliberately spreading the mold to other pickled mustards to cultivate the mold?

Chen Jiao thought it was worth trying.

The Wang couple, waiting anxiously in the gatehouse, finally saw Wu Danniu arrive.

Hearing that Young Lady Chen wanted to see them, they immediately grew nervous.

Wu Danniu said, “Don’t be afraid. Our young lady has a good temper and highly values the mustard you brought.”

Wang’s heart eased somewhat, and she cautiously asked, “When can we receive the reward?”

Wu Danniu replied, “She wants to question you first; come with me.”

Their anxiety returned at once.

Wu Danniu reassured, “After the questioning, you’ll get the reward.”

So, the two followed him trembling all the way to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

The intricate carvings, painted beams, pavilions, and towers were magnificent, leaving the couple speechless.

They had never seen such luxury in their lives, especially when passing by the well-dressed servants, who all looked enviable compared to their own tattered, shabby clothes.

Being a servant meant no freedom.

In this chaotic era of warlords, ordinary people were lucky just to have a full meal, let alone rely on a noble household.

Even if selling their children, they hoped to enter a household as beasts of burden—still better than being like ants or grass outside, their lives worthless.

Upon arrival at the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, a maid informed that the Wang couple was led to a side hall.

Chen Jiao knelt on the couch as the couple nervously greeted her.

She ordered seats to be arranged.

Wang discreetly glanced at the young lady on the couch—so young, dressed in fine clothes, and strikingly beautiful.

Chen Jiao kindly inquired about the mustard they had brought.

Jiang Dalang, timid and wanting the reward but fearing trouble, hurriedly said, “To be honest, that rotten mustard brine didn’t originally belong to us.”

Chen Jiao curiously asked, “Explain.”

Wang then carefully recounted its origin.

Chen Jiao understood fully—it must have been a careless oversight to discover such a jar.

Since the couple had bravely brought it here, she couldn’t let them leave empty-handed and immediately sent someone to reward them with money.

A cloth bag was handed to Madam Wang by a maid.

Chen Jiao said, “Madam Wang, you braved the cold to bring this mustard brine. This is a small token of our gratitude from the estate. Please accept it.”

Wang suppressed her joy and shyly replied, “Thank you, young lady, for the reward.”

She took the bag with both hands, weighing it secretly and couldn’t help but smile—it was quite heavy!

The Huang family, who also provided mustard, received a reward as well. Chen Jiao, eager to investigate further, sent Wu Danniu personally to Huang’s home.

The purpose was twofold: to deliver the reward and to see if they had any aged pickled mustard at home, even if not moldy.

After sending them off, Chen Jiao personally took a small red clay stove to simmer the mustard brine.

Once it boiled, she poured the broth into a medicine container.

Dingxiang came in, and Chen Jiao asked her to let it cool before delivering it to Madam Jiang and the others for consumption.

Currently, there were three patients for testing; fearing allergic reactions, they were to try only a small amount at first.

If no adverse effects occurred, they would continue taking it—three spoonfuls each time, three times daily.

She patiently explained many instructions. Dingxiang listened carefully and asked curiously, “Does this rotten mustard brine really work?”

Chen Jiao said, “It’s a last-ditch effort. You’ll know if it works after trying.”

Dingxiang took the container to the servants’ quarters.

By then, Madam Jiang was showing symptoms of phlegm congestion and toxic heat.

She suffered from recurring high fevers, chest pain, and labored breathing; medication had little effect, causing great suffering.

One room-mate was in the early stage of illness; another was in the abscess formation stage like Madam Jiang.

They coughed back and forth, symptoms waxing and waning.

Thanks to Chen Jiao’s concern, had they been servants elsewhere, they might have been disposed of long ago, their fates left to heaven.

Dingxiang dared not enter, placing the container at the door and relaying Chen Jiao’s instructions word for word.

Madam Jiang asked Hu Sanniang, who did heavy chores in the courtyard, to open the door and fetch the medicine.

She was the least ill, broad-shouldered and agile.

Hu Sanniang carried the container inside.

Outside, Dingxiang lingered, cautioning, “The young lady said each person should taste a little first in case of mishaps.”

Hearing this, Hu Sanniang hesitated.

Curious, she lifted the lid and stared at the strange broth, which smelled odd.

“What is this? Will it kill someone?”

Dingxiang didn’t know how to explain, saying only, “To be blunt, epidemic medicines often fail; it’s a last-ditch effort.”

Madam Jiang coughed, “I’m old; death is inevitable. I’ll try it first.”

Hu Sanniang quickly scooped a small amount and fed it to her.

As the tip of her tongue touched the mustard brine, Madam Jiang exclaimed, “Ouch!”

Hu Sanniang asked anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

Madam Jiang’s face wrinkled, “Too salty.”

Hu Sanniang was puzzled.

Outside, Dingxiang stifled a laugh.

Madam Jiang pondered and frowned, “Miss Dingxiang, what exactly is this medicine? It’s salty, sour, and stinks.”

Dingxiang replied, “Don’t worry, Madam Jiang. If it works, our young lady is a living saint.”

Inside, Hu Sanniang and Wei also looked to Madam Jiang, asking if she felt anything unusual.

Madam Jiang shook her head and said, “Give me more.”

Hu Sanniang fed her the required three spoonfuls. Due to the intense saltiness, Madam Jiang sipped it sparingly each time.

Seeing no adverse effects, Wei eagerly said, “I want some too.”

Hu Sanniang reminded her, “The young lady said to try a little first.”

But Wei, terrified of death, ignored caution and swallowed three spoonfuls at once, finding it unbearably salty.

The three took their doses one after another, each finding the taste strange.

That same day, Chen Jiao personally prepared two more doses of the aged mustard brine for the three women.

They not only took the brine but continued their usual medicines.

The next day, three doses were prepared and delivered by Dingxiang.

By late afternoon, the least ill, Hu Sanniang, realized she no longer had a high fever.

Previously, she would always have a persistent fever by this time, accompanied by restlessness and dry mouth.

Later, when Dingxiang returned with the brine, she inquired about their conditions.

Hu Sanniang was somewhat excited, saying, “It’s amazing—I didn’t have a fever today. Though I still cough, I feel much better.”

Dingxiang was surprised, “Madam Hu, don’t fool me.”

Hu Sanniang hurriedly assured, “I’m telling the truth. I feel much more comfortable today.”

Dingxiang then asked Madam Jiang and Wei.

Their symptoms were more severe, but whether by psychological effect or otherwise, both felt somewhat improved.

Dingxiang reported their conditions to Chen Jiao.

Chen Jiao was heartened, saying, “If Madam Hu doesn’t have a fever tomorrow, it will prove the mustard brine is effective.”

Madam Xu, wide-eyed in disbelief, joyfully said, “Son, if that rotten mustard is truly so powerful, could we be rich soon?!”

Chen Jiao was speechless.

Indeed, great fortune awaited.

On the third day of taking the brine, Hu Sanniang’s health noticeably improved.

She not only avoided further fevers but her coughing eased considerably.

Madam Jiang’s fever was controlled; earlier chest pains had subsided, breathing was smoother, and though she still coughed phlegm, she could lie down comfortably.

Wei, younger than Madam Jiang, showed even better recovery.

Chen Jiao sent for Doctor You to examine them.

When Doctor You heard of their improvement, he came with skepticism.

Chen Jiao waited outside, her face masked.

Doctor You examined Hu Sanniang first. After a thorough inspection, he was astonished.

He assumed she was a young woman who had barely escaped death.

He then examined Wei, growing more doubtful.

Finally, he saw Madam Jiang, whose condition, though serious, no longer included fever or chest pain; her breathing was smooth, and her spirit much improved.

This was clearly a sign of recovery.

Doctor You emerged, puzzled, and eyed the young girl strangely before suddenly bowing.

Chen Jiao quickly returned the bow.

Doctor You solemnly said, “Please, young lady, enlighten this old man’s doubts.”

Chen Jiao motioned him to follow and explained patiently the miraculous use of the aged mustard brine.

News of the servants’ improvement in Pear Fragrance Courtyard soon spread throughout the Wang Estate, stirring a great commotion.

All eyes turned to this matter.

Prince Huai’an of Bihua Hall had just developed pulmonary abscess, coughing incessantly day and night.

Upon hearing Gao Zhan’s report about Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Chen En refused to believe it.

He blurted, “A mere yellow-haired girl—how could she have such power?!”

Gao Zhan was excited, pointing outside, “It’s absolutely true! Doctor You has already examined them. Madam Jiang and the others took the young lady’s medicine and truly no longer have fevers—they’re improving!”

Chen En coughed violently, his head numb from coughing, unable to tolerate it.

“Go quickly and beg that ancestor. Whatever she wants, I, this old man, will give! Everything, all of it!”