Chapter 63 Ingratiation

Yu Qingci actually felt the same way. Looking at the account books, the amount of money spent supporting the eldest and second wives over the years was much more than the money subsidized for the estate.

We still need to find a way to separate these two families and let them live separately. It seems we can't count on Old Madam Ning for this. We might as well think of a solution ourselves. If all else fails, we can bring out our father, the Earl of Nanping, for help.

After the three of them talked for a while, Wang Mama, who couldn't wait any longer, came in to report: "Madam, Young Madam, you must be tired after a long day. Let's have breakfast first."

Madam Ning then realized that they hadn't had breakfast yet because they were so focused on talking. She quickly smiled and said, "Look at me, so forgetful. I didn't even realize I was hungry and forgot about you two. Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Come with me to have breakfast."

Yu Qingci and Lu Yunchu also composed themselves and helped Old Madam Ning move to the main room.

After the family reunion banquet that day, the general's mansion began to have each household eat three meals a day separately in their own courtyards. All meals were prepared by the main kitchen and then packed into food boxes by servants and delivered to each household.

The eldest branch of the family consisted of only three women, so the two sisters-in-law would come to Songbai Hall every day for breakfast and lunch to accompany Old Madam Ning.

After finishing their work around noon, the two women were about to take their leave when they heard a maid outside announce that their master had arrived.

The little girl had barely finished speaking when Lu Yunzhang lifted the curtain and walked in.

Yu Qingci frowned but said nothing.

"Nephew greets Aunt."

After entering, Lu Yunzhang first respectfully greeted Madam Ning, then exchanged greetings with Yu Qingci and Yun Chu, before stepping forward with a respectful expression to stand in front of Madam Ning.

Lu Yunzhang: "On my way back today, I passed by the Shiyanzhai restaurant and saw that the master chef there had just finished making Yunnan ham and hibiscus pastries. Knowing that my aunt loves the pastries from this restaurant, I quickly bought some to give to her. They're still warm, so please have a taste."

As he spoke, he handed the oil paper package in his hand to the maidservant who was serving him.

Madam Ning had just finished lunch and didn't want to eat anymore, but seeing Lu Yunzhang looking at her expectantly, she picked up a piece of hibiscus pastry and took a couple of bites. As she ate, she nodded and said, "This fresh hibiscus pastry tastes so different. Yunzhang is so thoughtful. Have you had lunch yet?"

Mo Yunzhang smiled and said, "I was so eager to bring the hibiscus pastry back to my aunt that I haven't had a chance to eat it yet. But don't worry, aunt, I'll go back to my mother's for dinner later."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingci couldn't help but glance at him. This eldest cousin was truly thoughtful. He rushed to the eldest branch of the family as soon as he returned, without even having lunch, putting his own mother behind him. Who wouldn't praise his eldest cousin for his kindness and righteousness?

As Lu Yunzhang watched as Old Madam Ning finished a piece of hibiscus cake, his smile grew even warmer. He then turned and invited Yu Qingci and Lu Yunchu to try some as well.

He added, "By the way, I heard from Yun Chu's maid a few days ago that you were looking for a copy of 'Travels in the Western Regions,' so I kept an eye out for it for you. Today, the bookstores outside finally had it in stock, so I bought it for you."

As he spoke, he pulled out a beautifully packaged book from his pocket and handed it over.

When Yun Chu heard that it was bought for her, she reached out and took it. Her eyes lit up when she saw that it was indeed the "Travels in the Western Regions" that she had always wanted.

Holding the book in her hand and flipping through a few pages, Yun Chu's face lit up with excitement: "This is exactly the book I've been looking for. I asked people to look in several bookstores before, but I couldn't find it. Thank you so much, elder brother."

Lu Yunzhang smiled kindly: "It's nothing. If you want to read any books in the future, just tell me. It will be convenient for me when I'm out and about buying things."

After sitting down, Mo Yunzhang said to Yu Qingci, "Third sister-in-law, I heard from my mother that Qian-ge'er and Wei-ge'er are naughty and ruined the green plants you carefully cultivated in your room. I am really sorry, and I apologize to you on their behalf."

Yu Qingci: "Big brother, you're too kind. It's just a potted plant, nothing much. Luckily, Qian-ge and Wei-ge are alright, otherwise I would be worried."

Lu Yunzhang smiled gratefully: "Sister-in-law is concerned about those two naughty monkeys, but I can't pretend nothing happened, so I specially went to the flower market today to buy two new pots. They may not be as good as the ones you have, but they are my token of affection. I just had them delivered to Guanlan Courtyard."

Yu Qingci had no choice but to thank him again.

After saying this, Lu Yunzhang looked at Madam Ning and said, "Aunt, I went to the estate to inspect it today. Winter is approaching, and the people in the estate still haven't prepared the charcoal and winter clothes they need. I think I should buy all the necessary winter supplies in the next few days and send them over."

Madam Ning nodded slightly: "Yes, that's how it should be. Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Yunzhang: "I did a rough calculation. It got cold early this year, and charcoal and cotton are more expensive than in previous years. The two estates together will cost at least five hundred taels."

Madam Ning: "It is a bit more expensive than in previous years, but we still have to buy what we need."

Lu Yunzhang: "Then what about the silver?"

Madam Ning looked at her head maid, Su Jin, and said, "Go and get the token for the silver."

Yu Qingci's heart stirred again. She looked at Lu Yun Chu, who was sitting quietly beside her. Her sister-in-law's expression was very normal, as if she had become accustomed to it.

Lu Yunzhang's smile grew even brighter as he received the winning tile. Yu Qingci, looking bewildered, asked, "Why do we need to buy winter supplies for the estate? Although I grew up away from home, my family owns several estates. Every year, I've only ever seen the estate managers hand over grain and harvest to their masters, never the masters who have to manage the charcoal and cotton used on the estates. Is this the custom in the capital?"

Lu Yunzhang's smile froze instantly, his expression awkward as he didn't know what to say.

Lu Yun Chu eagerly said, "I'm also curious about how other wealthy families in the capital manage their estates. I've occasionally heard about their estates when I attended banquets hosted by the daughters of various families. I've only heard how much the estates earned in a year, but I've never heard of them having to spend money to support them."

Sigh, it seems our family is different from others.

Madam Ning glared at her daughter and said, "Don't talk nonsense. It's just providing some clothes for the old and weak people on the estate so they can get through the winter. How is that supporting them?"

Yu Qingci: "These past few days, while looking at the account books, I couldn't help but think of the two estates my family owned in Youyang. The estates, which were only a few hundred acres in size, received countless fruits, vegetables, livestock, poultry, wild animals, medicinal herbs, and dried goods every year, in addition to the income from grain.

Our family owns two large estates, each a thousand acres in size, which are prime farmland on the outskirts of the capital. Yet, the annual income is pitifully small. Now, my eldest cousin wants to purchase five hundred taels of silver for the estates all at once, which truly surprises me. No wonder the accounts for the estates are so difficult to keep track of.”

The two women, sister-in-law and aunt, kept talking back and forth, causing Lu Yunzhang's face to change color constantly, alternating between pale and flushed.