The takeover of Slot went smoothly. Felix toured the new territory, met with the serfs, and got a general understanding of the situation. Once they knew who their new lord was, the matter was settled.
According to the original plan, they would stay here for a few days. Although the lack of suitable accommodations was indeed a bit of a hassle, since even Wei Wei didn't mind sleeping in the carriage, the others naturally cared even less.
On the first day of their arrival in Slot, the men chose a campsite. The knights and soldiers were accustomed to sleeping outdoors—they could even curl up by a bonfire for the night without any shelter if necessary. This time, they had brought felt blankets and animal hides to set up tents. After cutting suitable branches for frames and tying the blankets and hides to them, a sturdy tent that could block wind and rain was quickly assembled.
Wei Wei was quite curious about this kind of tent life, but since the group consisted of only her and two maids, Penny and Kama, it wasn't appropriate for three women to stay among a crowd of men. In the end, they still chose to rest in the carriage.
The reason they stayed after meeting the serfs was that Felix needed to lead the knights on a hunt in Slot. Though Slot bordered the sea, it also had plenty of woodland. Without a lord for three years, no one had been there to drive away wild beasts. The serfs did hunt on their own, but their equipment was rudimentary, limiting them to small game like rabbits and pheasants. They couldn't even hunt deer or roe deer, let alone wild boars and other dangerous beasts.
With no one controlling the wild animals in Slot, their numbers had grown over the years, making the woods more dangerous. The serfs no longer dared to hunt alone and had to form groups of at least a dozen before venturing in.
But this spring, someone reported seeing traces of a bear in the forest, and others claimed to have heard its growls. After that, no one dared to go deep into the woods.
Felix had brought so many knights precisely to hunt down the rumored bear and other dangerous beasts, preventing them from harming people.
This had been part of the plan since they received the news, so before coming to Slot, Wei Wei had prepared a riding outfit for herself, intending to ride Jade Lion and join Felix on the hunt.
Felix had initially been reluctant to bring her. Hunting was traditionally a man's activity, and Wei Wei had never shown any related skills. He was worried she might encounter danger during the hunt.
However after Wei Wei demonstrated her strength and archery skills, he finally agreed.
Felix had always known that Wei Wei, despite her delicate appearance, was incredibly strong. However, her proficiency in archery took him by surprise.
What puzzled him even more was that while Wei Wei's archery was accurate and her posture impeccable, there was still a faint sense of unfamiliarity about her—a contradiction.
The reason for this contradiction was simple: Wei Wei herself had never learned archery, but her body was different.
In the mobile game she had played in her past life, there were no weapon restrictions. Her female physician character's default weapon was a horsetail whisk, but she could use any weapon—swords, spears, bows, staffs, zithers, or fans—regardless of class. The only difference was whether the weapon provided suitable attack bonuses.
Though the system hadn't given her the game's combat skills, it had preserved her physical stats. Thus, she was strong enough, and weapons like bows felt natural in her hands. But since she had never actually trained in them, a trace of amateurishness inevitably showed.
Wei Wei argued that in her homeland, women also participated in hunts. With that reasoning—and considering her riding and archery skills seemed solid—Felix had no choice but to agree.
Besides, while it was rare for women to join hunts, it wasn't unheard of. It was usually a way for noblemen to flatter noblewomen, though the prey in those cases was harmless, unlike their current target: a bear.
Given the high danger of this hunt, Felix had brought a full team of knights, and Wei Wei had made ample preparations.
After resting in camp for a day, they set out early the next morning.
Wei Wei, already dressed in her riding outfit, mounted Jade Lion, ready to go. Her outfit wasn't the later European-style riding habit but a modified version of the Tang Dynasty's Hu-style clothing, adapted from old garments. The dark brown top had a folded collar, narrow sleeves, and reached her knees, revealing a pair of trousers underneath. A belt cinched her waist, and leather riding boots completed the look—perfect for movement.
Of course, being a modified design, it differed significantly from authentic Hu clothing. But others didn't know that. To them, her attire was distinctly foreign, assumed to be traditional Si Kingdom riding wear for women. Seeing her dressed like this, no one questioned her riding astride like a man, simply assuming that women from the Si Kingdom rode differently.
It had to be said that the reputation of the Far East was incredibly useful at this time. The Great Mongol Empire had once nearly devastated all of Europe, leaving everyone in fear. Now, news had spread across European kingdoms that the distant Si Kingdom had pushed the Mongols back, and soon, the Great Mongol Empire might cease to exist.
The nightmare that had once loomed over them was being defeated by an even greater power, and that victor was now regarded with even deeper awe.
As tales of the Far East spread through Europe, people's impression of the Si Kingdom grew stronger. It was no longer just a land of silk and wealth but also a symbol of immense power.
With the changes Wei Wei had brought, it became clear that the Far Eastern kingdom possessed far more than just silk—they had countless treasures, backed by the strength to protect them.
Naturally, people held Wei Wei, a noblewoman from the Si Kingdom, in even higher regard.
Fully prepared, Wei Wei left her two maids behind and followed Felix into the woods.
The knights hunted during the day, returning before nightfall, repeating this for three days until the mission was complete.
For this hunt, the knights had brought hunting dogs. The dogs tracked the scent of the bear—a creature that had just emerged from hibernation, thinner than in other seasons but still extremely dangerous. Worse, bears at this time were desperately searching for food, making them even more aggressive.
Facing such a beast head-on was unthinkable. Instead, they surrounded the bear's den, lit a fire at the entrance to smoke it out, and made loud noises to startle the resting bear. When the panicked bear rushed out, the soldiers lying in ambush swarmed it, killing it with their spears.
Though Wei Wei had joined the knights, she wasn't allowed near the bear hunt. Instead, she was kept at a safe distance, watching as Felix and the others demonstrated their skills. Felix shot out both of the bear's eyes with two arrows, giving the soldiers a better chance.
The scene was bloody and inhumane—something that would have drawn fierce condemnation from animal rights groups in her past life. But in this era, animals were a food source, and large beasts were a threat to humans. Once discovered, they had to be killed.
The bear's body was riddled with spear wounds, ruining its pelt. The blood would attract other predators, but their large group deterred any lurking beasts from approaching.
Before capturing the bear, they had already hunted plenty of other game, mostly wild boars. While a lone male boar could be fierce, it was still less dangerous than a bear. The herds, consisting of sows and piglets, were even less threatening in spring, as many sows were still pregnant and the piglets were young. Felix took no risks, having the knights work together to minimize danger.
During the hunt, Wei Wei even managed to shoot a thin sow with her bow.
Aside from that boar, Wei Wei also bagged several pheasants, rabbits, and even a roe deer over the three days. They had encountered a herd of deer but chose to let them go. The roe deer she shot had stumbled into her path—she hadn't even intended to draw her bow, but her reflexes took over.
If someone as well-protected and essentially just sightseeing as Wei Wei could bag so much game, the others naturally did even better. The total haul from the hunt was enough to form a small mountain—over a hundred animals of various sizes, many still alive, particularly the wild boar piglets, rabbits, and pheasants. Knowing of the Countess's recent interest in pig farming, the knights had deliberately captured the harmless piglets alive.
The accumulated game was sent back to camp, where the two maids directed the serfs in processing them. Blood was collected on the spot, pelts were skinned for tanning, meat was salted for preservation, and bones were gathered. Edible offal was kept, while toxic parts were discarded.
The serfs worked diligently. The Count had hunted the beasts that threatened them and even shared part of the spoils. For serfs who had long survived on fish, this was a rare luxury.
When the bear's corpse—covered in wounds—was finally hauled out, the serfs grew even more excited. This bear had been one of the reasons they feared entering the woods. Now that it was dead, they could gather firewood, forage, and even graze livestock in the forest again.
Of all the games, Wei Wei was most interested in the bear—specifically, its paws.
Bear paws were one of the "Eight Delicacies" of ancient times, something she could never have tasted in her modern life. With the ingredients right in front of her, she was eager to try cooking them.
With the hunt over and so much game to transport back to Sardinson, along with pending administrative matters, they didn't linger. They set off with carts laden with prey, returning to Sardinson Castle in a grand procession.
The serfs were reluctant to see them go. Though Felix had mentioned sending someone to manage their affairs, he hadn't elaborated, leaving them uncertain about the future.
Fortunately, this uncertainty didn't last long. A few days after the Count's party departed, several stewards from Sardinson Castle arrived in Slot, taking charge of fishing, farming, construction, and salt pan repairs.
Most importantly, they brought not only tools but also carts of grain. As long as the serfs worked diligently, they would have full bellies. The stewards didn't whip them, either. With food, safety, and fair treatment, the serfs' lives visibly improved. Before long, they were no longer skin and bones.
Back at the castle, Wei Wei took the still-fresh bear paws, removed the fur, and followed a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast recipe to prepare two steamed bear paws, inviting Felix and Dolores to share the meal.
Though bear paws weren't something they'd normally eat, they wouldn't refuse Wei Wei's cooking—especially when the dish smelled so enticing and looked so appealing. After exchanging glances, the siblings picked up their knives and forks and dug in.
The taste lived up to its reputation as one of the Eight Delicacies. It was so good that Felix briefly considered specializing in bear hunting—until he remembered how rare bears were in Sardinson County and how dangerous they were. Better not risk it for mere culinary indulgence.
Wei Wei had no intention of encouraging such risks either. She had only tried it because the opportunity presented itself. While delicious, bear paw wasn't irreplaceable—to someone like her, who had experienced the culinary wonders of the modern world, it couldn't compare to the allure of hot pot.
Midway through the meal, she suddenly said, "Next time, let's have hot pot."
It had been over a year since she'd last had hot pot. Winter would have been the perfect time, but she'd been in the capital then, without any chili peppers. The stress of royal life had also left little room for culinary cravings.
This year, once the new batch of chilies ripened and seeds were saved, there would be enough peppers for the entire castle to enjoy for months. When winter came, gathering around the stove for hot pot sounded like pure bliss.
After the bear paw feast, Wei Wei threw herself back into work.
The essential oil factory, previously just a foundation, was now fully built. The original distillers from the castle, along with a newly commissioned batch, were all moved to the factory. The new workers were all honest, hardworking serfs relocated from various villages. They no longer farmed but lived in factory dormitories, working ten-hour days with only two days off per month. They signed contracts forbidding them from disclosing production secrets—violators faced execution for their entire family.
In this era, lives—especially those of serfs—were cheap. As property of the lord, disobedience meant the lord could do as he pleased.
The factory was surrounded by high walls, barred to outsiders, and patrolled day and night by guards. The distillers, assembled from parts forged separately by blacksmiths, were massive and structurally distinct from alchemists' equipment. Unless disassembled, their design couldn't be copied.
With these precautions, their monopoly on the business could last a long time.
Moreover, their essential oils wouldn't remain static. Varieties would expand, and the perfumes blended from them would diversify. Once a solid foundation was established, they could develop more complex scents—Wei Wei had countless classic recipes to draw from.
In the future, once their perfume palette is rich enough, they could even cultivate talented perfumers to create entirely new fragrances, ensuring the business's longevity.
By April, flowers were blooming everywhere. This year, with the rise of essential oils and perfumes, many suspected their floral origins, leading to increased flower prices and more dried flowers being sent to Sardinson.
Several neighboring noble estates began large-scale flower cultivation under agreements with Felix. He dictated the varieties and purchased all yields at prices based on quality.
They also signed wheat purchase agreements with other territories. Previously, remote locations suffered from low grain prices due to exploitative merchants. Now, Sardinson offers better rates, making it an attractive alternative.
With the new flower shipments arriving, Wei Wei finally began making cosmetics.
If she didn't produce a batch soon, the letters from the capital would drown her—especially those from Countess Nelson, who relentlessly urged her, terrified that her niece might run out of makeup.
But Wei Wei thought she was overreacting. Miss Daisy had also written, expressing longing for new cosmetics but not pressuring her. She even shared that her relationship with her fiancé was going well—he had once seen her without makeup and hadn't been disappointed, treating her just the same.
Miss Daisy credited Wei Wei for this, as her freckles had faded significantly thanks to Wei Wei's advice on skincare and lifestyle adjustments.
Wei Wei remained noncommittal. While her tips might have helped, only the fiancé knew his true feelings—she had never met him and couldn't judge his character.
Still, in her reply, she suggested that perhaps he truly loved her, hence his indifference to minor flaws. From what she'd seen, the couple had seemed genuinely sweet together.
Under such relentless letter bombardment, Wei Wei could no longer procrastinate.
With countless cosmetic types, she couldn't produce everything at once. She prioritized rouge, foundation, lipstick, and eyeshadow.
Rouge, made from flowers, was time-consuming but timeless—its appeal to women was undeniable. Once the method was perfected, mass production wouldn't be difficult.
Foundation wasn't strictly necessary, as women already used it. But knowing traditional lead-based powders were harmful, Wei Wei felt compelled to create safer alternatives, even marketing them as pregnancy-safe for maternal and fetal health.
Originally, she made foundation using rice powder, following ancient recipes. The batch she took to the capital used rice from last year's meager harvest, which pained her to waste. Before leaving, she had experimented with wheat flour—and upon returning, found it worked. Now, she could spare the scarce rice and use flour instead, though the homemade process required lengthy sedimentation, making it the most time-consuming of the three.
Lipstick mainly required coloring powder. With daily sugar production at the castle, beetroots were plentiful. Some could be ground into red pigment for lipsticks, which were quick to produce—large batches could be finished in a day, making them ideal as flagship products.
Similarly, eyeshadow—another quick product—was also a flagship. Previously, lacking mica powder in Sardinson, Wei Wei had to rush production in the capital. Now, simply spreading the word ensured merchants delivered ample mica ore, eliminating material shortages.
The real problem remained manpower.
Cosmetic recipes had to stay secret. The rooms vacated by the distillers in the castle could be used for production, and trusted slaves could handle the work. But tasks like grinding mica into powder required strength—where could she find laborers when all able-bodied men were farming, road-building, or constructing houses?
Slaves were too few, serfs too busy, and freemen too untrustworthy. With so many outsiders eyeing their business, caution was paramount.
But Wei Wei's luck held. Just as she fretted over manpower shortages—even assigning beetroot grinding to children while staring helplessly at piles of mica—someone delivered the solution.
During their time in the capital, Felix had told slave traders to send suitable slaves to Sardinson. Now, a slave merchant was en route with a large group of slaves.