"Come, let us go into the kitchen," Liu Ti醤 Q� said as she began to walk forward, tearing the Head Chef out of his daze.

　　"What will the guests be served for breakfast?" Liu Ti醤 Q� asked she walked towards the kitchens.

　　Head Chef Yin finally snapped back to his senses, he stepped out of the way and waved Liu Ti醤 Q� forward gesturing for Liu Ti醤 Q� to precede him into the main kitchens. "We`ve just received word that the guest, excluding Commander Jiang, will be dining together in Mng Ti
n C醝`s courtyard. We`ve made several nourishing soups and porridges that are good for malnutrition. We also make many vegetable dishes which we will serve with rice. I decided to abstain from meat dishes for breakfast." The Head Chef informed Liu Ti醤 Q� as they made their way into the main kitchen.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� decided to personally check out the food that was prepared. The Head Chef breathed a sigh of relief when Liu Ti醤 Q� gave her approval after tasting several dishes. Upon the commands of the Heaf Chef, the food bearers prepared to begin transporting the food to Mng Ti
n C醝`s courtyard under Head Chef Yin`s strict supervision.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� exited the main kitchen and made her way to one of the side kitchens where the baker was waiting for her.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� entered the side kitchen to the smell of baked goods. The smell in the kitchen was delicious. The baker and his helpers immediately came forward and greeted Liu Ti醤 Q�. Liu Ti醤 Q� learned that the baker was surnamed, Gui. Liu Ti醤 Q� immediate began checking out the bake goods of Baker Gui and his helpers. However, Liu Ti醤 Q� became very disappointed. The Tolling Lands were very advanced agriculturally.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� already came across many types of flours, cooking oils, butter, milk, and many surprising foods and ingredients that couldn`t be found in ancient times on earth. Liu Ti醤 Q� wasn`t exactly expecting to see her favorite Steamed Rice Cakes with Sweet Stuffing, or Rolling Donkey, or Fried Wheaten Pancake with Fillings. However, since Liu Ti醤 Q� was informed that her new baker once worked in one of the best bakeries in the Imperial city, she was expecting much better.

　　The nervous baker and his helpers assisted Liu Ti醤 Q� in sampling a taste of each of the snacks they`ve prepared for her. Halfway through the taste tests Baker Gui and his helpers started to look gloomy. They could tell that their baked goods were not up to par with Liu Ti醤 Q�`s standards.

　　After tasting everything, the only thing Liu Ti醤 Q� found passable was the Dim Sum, a version of an Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding, and the Moon Cake. These were just barely passible in Liu Ti醤 Q�`s opinion. Everything else was completely horrible to her, however, instead of criticizing their efforts. Liu Ti醤 Q� praised them for their hard work and encouraged them to work harder.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� then called for a brush, ink, and paper and got to work. She began writing out recipes to snacks she knew, both traditional and non-traditional. Baker Gui grew completely excited as Liu Ti醤 Q� also gave giving them pointers on how to better make the desserts and baked goods they had prepared for her that she considered a disaster.

　　Approximately a half-hour later, a beaming Baker Gui bowed and escorted Liu Ti醤 Q� out of the side kitchen. Liu Ti醤 Q� had given the baker two gold certificates. Each of the certificates was the equivalent of one thousand gold. With the new recipes that Liu Ti醤 Q� had given the Baker, many ingredients that were not in stock in the kitchen pantries would have to be bought. Liu Ti醤 Q� gave the Baker the funds to buy any ingredients he would need and to also stock the side kitchen pantries with all the missing ingredients he would need.

　　Upon leaving the side kitchen, Liu Ti醤 Q� left a word to direct anyone who came looking for her to Manager Kuo. Yesterday Manager Kuo had sent a message requesting to see Liu Ti醤 Q� whenever she had time.

　　The only thing that Liu Ti醤 Q� could think of was that maybe the Lyc閑s and Loquats were ready to be harvest. It was already the end of May that was about the time Lyc閑s and Loquats ripen on earth. Liu Ti醤 Q� wanted to see if this held true for the Northern Lands as well. As Liu Ti醤 Q� strolled through her residence on her way to the Vineyards. She stopped several gardeners to inquire about the location of Manager Kuo.

　　"Manager Kuo is in the back gardens of the residence. He told everyone that when you come to ask for him, we must direct you to meet him there," one of the gardeners that Liu Ti醤 Q� stopped said.

　　"Thank you. You may continue with your work." Liu Ti醤 Q� said, dismissing the gardeners. She then turned and began making her way toward the rear of the residence.

　　Not long after Liu Ti醤 Q� came upon Manager Kuo and several gardeners, they were all prepping the soil in the back gardens of the residence to begin planting.

　　It gladdened Liu Ti醤 Q�`s heart to see her Agriculture manager more lively. When Manager Kuo first came to Liu Residence. He looked so weary of life, oppressed and exhausted. Liu Ti醤 Q� never got a chance to find out the Manager`s life story. However, it was apparent that life had not been kind to him. However, as the manager rushed forward to greet her with his new apprentices trailing behind him. It was apparent that the Manager was in better spirits.

　　The thing was, as the gardener came towards Liu Ti醤 Q� and she got a good look at him. Liu Ti醤 Q� almost burst into a deep belly laughter. She barely stopped herself from laughing.

　　Comically rather than looking like he was gardening. The Manager looked as if he came out on the losing end of an enormous brawl. His hair was a mess, many strands of loose hair had come undone from his top knot, and not in an artistically beautiful way either. Manager Kuo`s top knot shook violently with each step as he hurried towards Liu Ti醤 Q�. It looked as if his top knot would unravel any second.

　　Sweat graced the face of the manager as well as streaks of dirt. It looked as if the manager was using his soil stained hands to wipe the sweat from his face and instead just ended up smearing dirt all over his face. His clothes were soiled with dirt and was in disarray. Although the manager looked like a hot mess, it was obvious he was in better spirits. At the end of the day, that is all that really matters.

　　A naturally dishevel Manager Kuo came to a halt in front of Liu Ti醤 Q� along with his new apprentices. Manager Kuo and the apprentices bowed and greeted Liu Ti醤 Q�. Liu Ti醤 Q� returned their greetings before saying, "Manager Kuo, I hear you were looking for me."

　　"Indeed, Young Master Liu," The Manager said. However, the first thing he did was turn around and dismiss all of his apprentices and the gardeners that were in the back gardens.

　　Although the actions of the Manager puzzled Liu Ti醤 Q�, Liu Ti醤 Q� was sure that there was a reason for the managers` actions. So instead of asking questions, Liu Ti醤 Q� clasped her hands behind her back and waited with the Manager.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

　　The manager waited approximately ten minutes to make sure everyone left. Then Manager Kuo even went in the direction that the apprentices and gardeners departed in. He went to make sure that everyone was completely gone. The actions of Manager Kuo caused Liu Ti醤 Q�`s curiosity illness to exploded.

　　Finally, the Manager hurried back, The disheveled manager stopped in front of Liu Ti醤 Q� once more and said, "There is something I must show you. Please come with me." The manager then hurried pass Liu Ti醤 Q�. A slightly confused Liu Ti醤 Q� turned and followed the manager. They were already in the rear of the Residence. Liu Ti醤 Q� didn`t see anything significant in this part of the Garden Residence when she toured her residence shortly after purchasing it.

　　Manager Kuo hurried towards the high stone wall that surrounded the Garden Residence. A perplexed Liu Ti醤 Q� followed the Manager as he hurried alongside the stone wall of the Garden Residence. After walking alongside the stone wall for several minutes, the manager suddenly stopped, he then took two steps forward and placed his hands on the stone wall. Liu Ti醤 Q� almost collapsed on her butt in shock when she heard a faint rumbling as a small portion of the stone wall began to roll back.

　　Manager Kuo immediately crossed the threshold of the opening that appeared in the wall and beckoned for Liu Ti醤 Q� to follow him. Liu Ti醤 Q� followed the Manager and entered the opening in the stone wall. Immediate Liu Ti醤 Q� was assaulted by an extraordinarily dense energy. It was the energy of knell stones. The energy of the knell stones behind the opening in the stone wall was extraordinary thick. It was many time thicker than even the aura of the inner courtyards that Liu Ti醤 Q� had previously thought was very dense.

　　When Liu Ti醤 Q� stepped into the opening of the stone wall, she entered what appeared to be a huge grove and garden. Looking down, Liu Ti醤 Q� saw large amounts of knell stones of all sizes. They littered the grove and the garden.

　　Along with the thick, intense energy of the knell stones, a distinctive pungent odor also assaulted Liu Ti醤 Q�. This was an odor she was familiar with from her past life.

　　After Liu Ti醤 Q� entered, the Manager once more placed his hands on the wall. Liu Ti醤 Q� once again heard a faint rumbling as the opening in the wall began to close. After closing the wall, the manager quickly began to show Liu Ti醤 Q� around the grove and garden. Liu Ti醤 Q� was having difficulty processing what she was seeing.

　　The Manager saw the look of astonishment and disbelief on Liu Ti醤 Q�`s face. He could tell that Liu Ti醤 Q� was unsettled by what she was seeing. Manager Kuo said, "I too was a bit unsettled when I first saw this grove and garden because what we see here shouldn`t be."

　　Manager Kuo started to escort Liu Ti醤 Q� through the grove to show her what he wanted her to see. In the large grove were many Durian fruit trees, Sugar Apple trees, Persimmon, Peach, and Pear trees. The problem with this was that most of these fruits only grew in a more tropical or subtropical areas.

　　However, the Tolling Lands was not a tropical place. Yet, every tree was thriving. Just by looking at the Durian, Liu Ti醤 Q� could tell that these Durian was a special variety of Durian. Liu Ti醤 Q� could see where some of the Durian had already ripened and was ready to be harvested. However, it was not the season for it to be harvested yet.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� felt deeply uncomfortable and unsettled. Upon seeing something like this, many would be happy and full of joy.Liu Ti醤 Q� was not, instead she saw nothing but trouble, she was not happy at all.

　　In Liu Ti醤 Q�`s past life, her mother`s favorite fruit was Durian. Her mother used to buy a special variety of Durian at auctions in Thai. She would pay an astronomical amount for this special variety of the smelly fruit in auction.

　　They had stopped before a couple of the trees where the fruits were ripe and had fallen from the trees.

　　"In the Tolling Lands Durian is called the fruit of gold," said the manager who couldn`t quite hide his excitement as he looked down at the ripe fruit. "It is the only fruit where the price of one fruit exceeds copper and most times silver and ascends to gold. Durian is just as much in demand in the Tolling Lands as Nadelineian wine is." Manager Kuo explained.

　　The manager was so busy singing the praises of the fruits he never noticed that Liu Ti醤 Q� didn`t exactly look happy, nor did she look like a person that just hit the jackpot instead her face was gloomy as she savagely cursing the Chen Family in her heart, `No wonder! Ah?! Its no wonder they all ended up dead. They weren`t happy killing off people, starting a feud, and betraying their country. No, they weren`t happy at all. They had to stick their hands in every pot! Ah!? Had they quietly sat their asses at home instead of creating hidden enclosures, secret tunnels, and underground barracks, maybe they would still be alive! Ah!?`

　　The oblivious Manager was unaware of his Young Master`s displeasure. He was too busy singing the praises of the fruits. "This variety of Durian is one of the top varieties. Many would pay an astronomical amount of money for this. The sugar apples are also a bit expensive but nowhere in the category of the Durian. You can make a lot of money off of selling Durian." the Manager said Liu Ti醤 Q�.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� listened to the excited manager with a neutral expression on her face, all the while cursing the treasonous Chen`s in her heart. `Now how am I going to harvest all this fruit and still keep the enclosure a secret? Ah!? It`s not like I could transfer everything out of the enclosure. I don`t trust my servants yet. The last thing I need is rumors of hidden enclosures in the new Liu Residence to spread outside. Arggg! Those damn Chens!` Liu Ti醤 Q� inwardly screamed as she threw a baleful look at the manager who was looking up at a Durian Tree. She was starting to get annoyed with the manager who continued on singing the praises of the fruits.

　　"Most of these fruits cannot be bought in the Tolling Lands. These particular fruits were bought to the Tolling Lands from different parts of the Northern Lands. These fruits are not native to the Tolling Lands, nor do they grow well in the Tolling Lands. Contradictorily, they seem to be thriving extremely well here." The Manager said.

　　The annoyed Liu Ti醤 Q� walked away from the manager on the pretense of touring the grove. She was getting so irritated it was either walk away to shut the manager up. Or take a Durian and smash him in the head with it.

　　Seeing Liu Ti醤 Q� walk away, the manager quickly followed behind her and continued showing her through the grove. Liu Ti醤 Q� was extremely careful not to make skin contact with any of the Knell Stones as they walk through the grove. It was okay if she stepped on the Knell Stones with her shoes as a barrier between the knell stones and her skin. It was when the Knell Stones made direct contact with her skin that bad things were proven to happen.

　　After touring the grove, Manager Kuo then escorted Liu Ti醤 Q� over to what appeared to be a tea garden, "This is the most bizarre garden that I have ever seen in my life. It should not exist." Manager Kuo said. Liu Ti醤 Q� took one good look at the garden, and all of Liu Ti醤 Q�`s gloominess and annoyance with the manager fled.

　　It was a tea garden, unlike anything Liu Ti醤 Q� had ever seen in her life. Liu Ti醤 Q� was an avid tea lover, so she knew her teas very well. While Liu Ti醤 Q� was not happy to see the fruit, she became ecstatic when she saw the trees that grew in the tea garden.

　　The fickle Liu Ti醤 Q� almost cried in joy when she saw several special trees that were the exact image of the trees that the best Oolong tea was produced from on earth. Liu Ti醤 Q� felt joy ring in her heart when she saw the many trees, shrubs, bushes and plants in the garden that were top-quality varieties used to make the best of teas.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q�`s gaze happened to fall on one of the many Knell stones that littered the hidden enclosure. Liu Ti醤 Q� froze in her tracks as an idea exploded in her mind. Liu Ti醤 Q� felt as if she got hit by a ton of bricks. Liu Ti醤 Q� sudden understood the anomaly of why things that shouldn`t be growing in her residence were flourishing and blooming.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� was 100% sure it had something to do with the Knell stones. The energy from the Knell Stones was insanely dense in the enclosure. Liu Ti醤 Q� suddenly recalled the conversation she had with Butler Zhou the first day she met him in the Jade Crow Restaurant.

　　According to what Butler Zhou had said. The vineyard on top of the big hill had gone to ruin out of neglect. Liu Ti醤 Q� suddenly thought, what if the vineyard really went to ruin but was revived by the Knell Stones?

　　There were tons of knell stones all over the vineyard and grove of the big hill. That would explain why the vineyard was in such excellent condition even though it was severely overgrown.