It was already the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the Lunar New Year was fast approaching! Preparations for the New Year were underway at the Fourth Prince's residence. Lanqin was incredibly busy, as if countless things awaited her attention every morning. Although Cui Niang, Nianxue, and Lanqi had each shielded her from many troubles, unexpected things always happened during the New Year, making it much busier than usual. For example, the harvests from the Fourth Prince's several estates and the list of exempted New Year's gifts needed to be personally reviewed by Lanqin.

As soon as Lanqin got up, she saw the housekeeper, Uncle Ma, and several other people waiting outside for her to receive them. There were also several thick volumes of books placed on her heated tatami table.

"Cui Niang, why are there so many things to do during the New Year? This doesn't even include having to go to the palace during the New Year. The Emperor is said to be on his way back." Lanqin pouted, letting Si Hua fuss over her head. She had to make herself look like a concubine when she met people, otherwise she would be embarrassing the Fourth Prince. In any case, she couldn't just wear a few flowers.

"My lady! This is what it's like to be in charge. Every year around the New Year, everything inside and out has to be tidied up. The income from the estates, the distribution of New Year's gifts and monthly wages, and the collection of rent from the tenants all have to go through the process." Cui Niang picked out a more dignified brocade robe for Lanqin. It was made of blue trim, peach-colored brocade with gold thread. This was one of the eight outfits Lanqin had made this winter, all of which were made according to the standards of a concubine. Each piece was exceptionally beautiful, perfectly showcasing the elegance and wealth of a prince's wife!

"Si Hua, have pity on my fragile neck!" Lan Qin felt as if the weight on her head was so heavy she could barely support herself.

Si Hua could only regretfully remove a gold hairpin from Lan Qin's hair. Today, all the hairpins she had given Lan Qin were solid gold or pearl flowers made of rubies and sapphires. After finally tidying up and putting them away, the voices of Song Shi and Geng Shi came from outside. It turned out that Lan Qin had asked them to come and help. She felt that having Song Shi and Geng Shi help would not only bring the three of them closer but also lighten her burden—why not? She wouldn't be like the Fujin, trying to handle everything herself, exhausting herself only to gain nothing! In Lan Qin's view, the Fujin, holding all the power in the inner quarters, managing the household like a free civil servant, often offended people and felt resentful, so she couldn't help but cause trouble. Now that she was in charge, she wouldn't do anything that wouldn't be appreciated.

"My sister looks so majestic today!" Madam Song saw Lanqin walk out of the house. She was wearing a plum-red satin robe with three layers of sleeves trimmed with darker silk threads, which made the clothes both delicate and beautiful, yet also solemn, which was very suitable for Lanqin's current status.

"My head feels so heavy, like there are several big bricks on top of it," Lanqin complained.

“Yes, that’s how a concubine should look!” said Madam Song.

"Several people outside are already impatient to pay their respects to you, their concubine. Let them come in quickly," Madam Geng said with a smile.

"Alright, Cui Niang, go and let them in!" Lanqin walked to her seat and sat down. Song Shi and Geng Shi sat down on the guest seats to her left and right, respectively.

A moment later, Steward Ma, who oversaw the affairs of the estates on behalf of the Fourth Master, entered with four people. The four were men and women, but their weathered faces revealed them to be farmers. They were accustomed to coming here in previous years, but usually to report to the Princess Consort. This year, however, they were in a different place, looking around somewhat uneasily, wondering whether their new master would be easy to talk to.

"Greetings to the concubine, greetings to all the princesses!" Steward Ma stepped forward briskly to bow and pay his respects, since it was just a matter of paying respects to a different master.

"Greetings to the concubine, greetings to all the princesses!" Now, the people behind Steward Ma quickly followed his example and repeated the greetings.

"Manager Ma, please introduce these ladies to Consort Lanqin. Who are they?" Lanqin asked.

"Reporting to Consort Lanqin, this is Uncle Niu from our Prince's estate in Fengtai; this is Master Fan from our Prince's estate in Sanlitun; this is Aunt Gu from our estate in Changping; and this is Granny Zhao from our Prince's estate at the foot of Xishan Mountain," Steward Ma introduced them to Lanqin one by one. Each person then bowed deeply to Lanqin in turn. Looking at these farmers, who were older than her own parents, Lanqin felt a little guilty.

"Get up quickly, Cui Niang, please have a seat! Don't all stand!" Lanqin hurriedly gestured to Cui Niang, thinking to herself: Fourth Master is quite wealthy; the annual income from these estates must be considerable!

The people standing there all felt an initial sense of goodwill towards the new leader, whereas in the past they had always stood while answering questions.

Cui Niang and several maids brought them round stools, and the group sat down one by one.

Lanqin then ordered tea to be served to them, which made them even happier.

Manager Ma began reporting to Lanqin, Song, and Geng about the profits from the four estates that year. According to the terms of the landlord and tenant farmers, 70% of the profits from these estates went to the landlord each year. Only 30% was left for them, leaving very little for so many people.

Lanqin suddenly remembered a chapter in Dream of the Red Chamber where tenants came to deliver New Year's gifts to the Jia family. In addition to the harvest, they also gave extra gifts to their master!

"Consort, the list I submitted yesterday shows the harvest figures for the four estates. Have you reviewed it?" Steward Ma asked.

Lanqin was caught off guard by this question and was completely dumbfounded! She hadn't even looked at it! But she didn't know what to say!

Seeing Lanqin's expression, Madam Song quickly smoothed things over, saying, "There are so many. It's only the first year that Consort Lanqin has been in charge of the household, so she hasn't seen it all yet."

Manager Ma said a few "ohs" and quickly changed the subject, saying to the women, "Tell us what you've presented to the master from your respective estates!"

Upon hearing this, Lanqin immediately understood. Just like in Dream of the Red Chamber, this meant that the formalities were to be waived.

Uncle Niu from Fengtai first took out a piece of white paper from his pocket, which was covered with densely written small characters.

"60 camphor trees, 3 wild boars, 6 sika deer..."

Lanqin listened so long that her mind started to go blank, but Uncle Niu hadn't finished reading yet, and this was just one village; there were three more to come!

Lanqin suddenly realized that being a housekeeper was not an easy job. She had to remember the faces of so many people in charge, look at a lot of account books, and find out what was wrong with them. Then she had to start assigning tasks.

Lanqin tried her best to concentrate and listen carefully to their report!