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The warm glow of sunlight beamed softly against the wooden walls as Wu Meifen meticulously pored over the scrolls and ledgers spread out before her. The scent of sandalwood incense wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of ink and parchment.
With a furrowed brow, Wu Meifen diligently conducted her monthly inventory check, her delicate fingers tracing the entries that detailed the quantity and quality of the wood harvested by Dragon's Edge Woodcutters.
The Wu family's Dragon's Edge Woodcutters (Lóng Biān Fámù Zhě) is renowned throughout Longcheng Province, particularly in the northern village of Fenghuang, for its exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality wood products.
As she tallied the numbers and assessed the stockpiles of timber, a voice drifted through the paper-screen window of her study. Wu Meifen recognized the familiar voice of her cousin, Zhang Mingyu, from the front courtyard outside.
"Meifen! Wu Meifen! We have a problem!" Zhang Mingyu exclaimed as she hurriedly entered the study, her voice tinged with urgency.
Wu Meifen was engrossed in her calculations, the ledger open before her. Just as she completed an entry and set the brush aside, she looked up, eyebrows raised, as Zhang Mingyu's urgent report disrupted the tranquility of the room.
The room itself was a modest yet well-organized study, adorned with neatly stacked ledgers and scrolls. Shelves along the walls held various records, a low table for tea in the corner and a large wooden desk occupied the center, cluttered with abacuses, ink pots, and parchment at which Wu Meifen sat. Traditional scrolls with exquisite calligraphy hung on the walls, adding a touch of elegance to the space. A window behind the desk offered a view of the back courtyard, where the gentle swaying of bamboo could be seen.
One of their patrons had suddenly requested a large order. The magistrate wanted to renovate a section of his estate as some important officials were planning to visit their province.
"But the summer rains will start soon. Our stock is good, but it won't be enough. Some of our ready-made materials and wood are suitable only for the common market," Zhang Mingyu said, concerned, her breath still quickening from the hurried entrance.
Wu Meifen listened intently, her fingers tapping on the table as she pondered a solution. The officials from the capital were expected to arrive in two months, and such renovations usually took about a month and a half if rushed, considering the situation.
"I understand, Cousin," Wu Meifen replied after listening to Zhang Mingyu's other reports. She fell silent, contemplating their situation for a few moments.
Zhang Mingyu, Wu Meifen's cousin, serves as the Sales Manager for the Dragon's Edge Woodcutters Shop. In this role, she oversees sales activities, manages customer relationships, and spearheads market expansion for the company's wood products.
If the customer desired a steady supply, their company needed to provide the first batch of stock promptly, allowing the renovation to start early and avoid delays due to the rains.
Wu Meifen could consider requesting a postponement for non-urgent orders from other patrons.
The challenge lay in the second batch. With the renovation starting earlier than planned, their company would need to source materials sooner than anticipated.
'I need to discuss this with Uncle,' Wu Meifen decided.
Noticing her cousin's composure, Zhang Mingyu's eyes widened with a mixture of concern and hope. "So, you have a solution? We are not going to reject this absurd request?"
"How could we, when it is from the Magistrate's household?" Wu Meifen replied, her tone even.
It was common knowledge that large-scale construction during this time of year was rare due to the rains. Their business typically slowed to selling materials at the market with their existing stock, catering to commoners.
"It would be dangerous to gather woods from the mountains or nearby forests now," Mingyu remarked.
Although Wu Meifen agreed that the request was unreasonable, it's impossible to decline, "I shall inform Uncle. You must convey to Mr. Liu that the first batch is to be expected soon," Meifen said, standing up. She planned to continue her inventory check later that evening.
After the two exited the study, Wu Meifen first went to the west side of the main hall and checked the second floor room above her bedchamber where her infant son was being cared for by Mrs. Tang, an elderly midwife. Gently, she pushed the door ajar to steal a glance inside. Mrs. Tang was cradling the seven month-old boy, swaying carefully to lull him into a deep sleep. Deciding not to disturb them, Wu Meifen quietly closed the door.
While Zhang Mingyu waited at the entrance's threshold of the residence, Wu Meifen took a quick detour through the back courtyard. There, she saw Ah Ping, the household cook and housekeeper, instructing Xiao Li, the only errand boy of the Wu residence, to take out logs from the shed to be chopped into firewood.
"Ah Ping, Xiao Li," Meifen called softly, "I shall be making a brief visit to Uncle's residence. Please inform Mrs. Tang, in any case she looks for me."
It was early afternoon, the courtyard was muddy from the previous day's rain, and even a short walk around the courtyard would accumulate mud under their shoes. The two parted ways as they left Wu Meifen's residence.
Wu Meifen's home was a typical traditional Chinese two-story residence, characterized by its wooden beams and tiled roofs. The entrance opened into a spacious front courtyard surrounded by a series of interconnected rooms. The courtyard was meticulously maintained, with a stone path, slightly worn from years of use, meandering through the courtyard, connecting the rooms and leading from the entrance to the main hall.
In the center, a small pond, bordered by carefully arranged rocks and lush green plants, housed a few koi fish that glided gracefully beneath the water's surface. A stone lantern stood nearby, its weathered surface telling tales of many years gone by. This area served as a peaceful retreat for Meifen, where she could gather her thoughts and find solace amid the demands of her responsibilities.
At the far end of the courtyard, a covered veranda provided a shaded space for relaxation. Here, a few cushioned chairs and a low table invited occupants to sit and enjoy tea while admiring the tranquil surroundings. The veranda's roof was supported by intricately carved wooden pillars, each depicting scenes from nature and traditional Chinese folklore.
The main hall, where Meifen often entertained guests and conducted business, was adorned with ornate wooden furniture, intricately carved with floral and geometric patterns. The walls were decorated with delicate silk paintings depicting scenes from nature—mountains, rivers, and forests—highlighting the family's appreciation for beauty and artistry.
To the right of the main hall was Meifen's study, a quiet retreat filled with shelves of scrolls and ledgers, a large desk, and a window that offered a view of the back courtyard. This was where Meifen managed her business affairs and contemplated important decisions.
To the left of the main hall were the bedchambers. Meifen's room was spacious and elegantly furnished, with a large wooden bed, intricately carved dressers, and a small altar for ancestral worship. Adjacent to her room was a guest bedchamber, similarly furnished but slightly smaller, intended for visiting family members or important guests.
On the opposite side of the main hall, a corridor led to the back courtyard. This area was more utilitarian, with the kitchen located on the left, where Ah Ping prepared meals for the household. The kitchen was well-equipped with clay stoves, wooden countertops, and shelves stocked with various herbs and spices.
Next to the kitchen was the woodshed, where firewood was stored and chopped. Beyond the woodshed, the outhouse was discreetly situated behind a screen of bamboo for privacy.
The back courtyard also housed the side rooms for the servants. Ah Ping and Xiao Li had modest but comfortable quarters, each with a small bed, a wooden chest for personal belongings, and a window that allowed for natural light. Mrs. Tang's room was adjacent to theirs, slightly larger to accommodate her responsibilities as the midwife and caretaker.
Little Yu-er's cradle room was located on the second floor, above Meifen's bedchamber. It was a cozy and warm space, filled with the soft glow of paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The room had a small bed with silk bedding, trinkets, and a rocking chair for Mrs. Tang to use when putting the child to sleep.
In the back courtyard, a small bamboo grove swayed gently in the breeze, its rustling leaves adding to the serene ambiance. The air was filled with the refreshing scent of wet earth and fresh bamboo, mingled with the delicate fragrance of blooming jasmine vines that climbed the wooden trellises along the walls.
Despite the recent rain, which had left the ground slightly muddy, the courtyards exuded a serene and calming atmosphere. Raindrops clung to the leaves of the bamboo, glistening like tiny pearls, and the soft rustle of the foliage in the gentle breeze added a soothing melody to the scene.
Every element of Wu residence, from the architectural details to the natural landscape, was designed to promote a sense of peace and harmony, a sanctuary from the bustling world outside. It was a place where one could find solace and inspiration, a perfect setting for contemplation and the management of the family's business affairs.