A lot of people came to pay their respects on the first day. After Mi Niang rested in the inner room, the monks had already started chanting. She personally came out to greet the female guests who came to pay their respects, especially when she had a small portrait that she had painted for Old Lady Weng when she was alive, which made many people cry.

Fang Wei Yan knew that Mi Niang simply painted one picture every day. Sometimes she didn't know who she was painting, so she just painted people in the family. She often painted Baobao Xian'er, and even he himself was painted. Sometimes he was wearing official uniform, and sometimes he was reading a book. She became more and more proficient in painting.

At this moment, Fang Wei Yan realized that everything you do may seem insignificant at ordinary times, but it will always come in handy, especially for Mi Niang, who draws figures. This is just her hobby. She likes it very much and studies hard. It can also bring her fame. Even if it does not bring these benefits, it is still a good interest for her.

"When I see these little photos, I think of you old ladies. Really, oh..."

Mi Niang comforted the wife of the Marquis of Xinling, saying, "Princess, please don't be sad. Although our old lady died young, she died happily and with a smile on her face. I just hope that she will be rewarded for her good deeds."

As everyone knows, Lady Xinling Hou chewed maggots in front of the Queen Mother, and the relationship between the two families became distant, but Mi Niang remained calm and could still speak to Lady Xinling Hou in this way, so Lady Xinling Hou was relieved.

Seeing the lifelike old lady Weng she painted, it seemed as if she was just listening to operas and tending flowers and plants on a daily basis. Lady Xinling Hou thought to herself that if she passed away in the future, it would be wonderful if such a little image of her were still alive for future generations to remember.

But Ruan's status is different now. Before Fang Weiyan began to observe mourning, she was already a lecturer and a close minister to the emperor. Moreover, although she is young, Lady Xinling Hou cannot see through her.

This woman was neither too close nor too distant to others, and she acted with great discretion. She occasionally talked to every mourner in front of the coffin. Although she was very beautiful, she was not self-conscious about her beauty, did not wear makeup, and was a very decent person.

"Princess, please go sit in the inner room. It's windy outside." Mi Niang made a gesture of invitation, and the wife of Marquis Xinling could not help but nod.

After hurriedly eating a few bites of food at noon, Mi Niang stayed in front of the coffin again and looked around. Even if there were any tricky issues, she asked the servants to deal with them.

As a general manager, you cannot manage everything. You must learn to delegate power and promote people who can set an example and manage things well.

After the shift change in front of the coffin, she selected a small steward and asked him to remember how many candles to light in front of the coffin every day, how much incense oil to add, and how much damage there was.

At night, she personally patrolled, leaving no place unattended. At this time, Xiangjun and Yu had already gone home, and Chang Yuzhu was exhausted. When she heard that Mi Niang was still patrolling at night, she couldn't help but say, "She is too... hardworking."

Zihong also said: "Who says it's not true? After all, she is not the head of this family. She has worked so hard. After the old lady is buried, these rights will be returned to her."

Chang Yuzhu's mother, Madam Chang, also came today. Compared to Chang Yuzhu's youth, Madam Chang was rough but delicate. She quickly took advantage of the time when no one was around to teach her a lesson: "Why are you competing with your fourth sister-in-law? Don't you think about it? You are already the wife of the prince, sitting on the fishing platform, but you still have to compete with a few people who will be separated from the family in the future. Do you think you should do this?"

Mrs. Chang's words really woke her up. Yes, why was she thrown into disarray by the Ruan family? You know, she was the son of the Marquis of Dong'an appointed by the court, and she was superior to others. Even if she did nothing, she was still the wife of the Marquis of Dong'an. Why should she bother with the Ruan family and others?

I am really too young.

When Mi Niang returned to Fengwu Courtyard, she was of course very tired and could not even open her eyes. She even instructed Fang Weiyan, "Bring me a hot towel to put on my eyes. I cried for so long today and my eyes hurt."

Fang Weiyan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "I told you to go back and rest, but you still didn't want to."

"I'll just sign in tomorrow. I'll close my eyes and talk to you." She lay comfortably on Fang Weiyan's legs.

Fang Weiyan said: "After today, your reputation is known to everyone, and that's enough."

"Hey, don't say that. It's better to do things from beginning to end. Whether it's being a person or doing things, you must be cautious and self-disciplined. Only in this way can you teach by example. What if I slack off and the jealous boy sees it?"

"Even if it's not for the sake of jealousy, one still needs perseverance. I don't behave like a person to impress anyone. The main thing is that since I have taken over this matter, I will stick to it until the end."

Seeing her like this, Fang Weiyan thought to himself, how many officials have never had the mindset to be so cautious and self-disciplined, but it is really admirable that a woman like her can do it.

However, while he was massaging her temples, he still said, "You should go to bed early today."

Mi Niang turned over, hugged him tightly and rubbed against him. Fang Wei Yan patted her gently a few times. She was so tired that she fell asleep quickly.

Mi Niang slept very well that night. She got up before dawn. Chun Tao came forward and handed her the account book. Mi Niang nodded slightly and went to Jingchunzhai.

She was the first to arrive, and Chuntao served her breakfast here. She felt sorry for her grandmother. They all said that a big family is good. Everyone will be prosperous and suffer losses. It is best to have someone to help her. She used to agree with this, but now it seems , such a thing is really unfair.

Apart from her status, what else is there that makes Xiangjun better than her own grandmother? She lives in a nice courtyard like Zhenxiayuan, and the housekeeper does not neglect her. Her own grandmother is not greedy. She heard that Xiangjun's servants took back a bag of unused things.

While we were having breakfast, Mrs. Yu came. She was late yesterday, but she didn't dare to be late again today.

Mi Niang called out, "Sister-in-law."

"Are we the only two here?" Yu looked around.

But Mi Niang didn't say anything.

Fortunately, Chang Yuzhu came at this time. She listened to her mother's advice not to be aggressive, so she came late today.

Mi Niang knew that she was the type who tended to start well but end badly, and she also liked to be praised by others. Whenever she did something, it seemed to be going well at first, but ended up in a mess in the end. Yet she felt that she was in a high position and wanted to be praised by others wherever she went.

If a place stops praising her, she will feel bored.

Because of this, although the emperor in his previous life always asked her to perform the silkworm ceremony on behalf of the sick empress, her actual treatment was far worse than that of Mi Niang.

At that time, although Mi Niang was conferred the title of Xianfei, after she became pregnant, she received the share of the imperial concubine, and she was also in charge of the harem.

Considering that she was born into the distinguished Chang family of Lizhou, she was a descendant of noble families, and her father was a high-ranking official. However, she herself was not as capable as Mi Niang. She always talked about her status and how she was from a humble family, but she never thought about whether the princes, generals, and ministers had any kind of talent.

The funniest thing is that she is obviously the most impatient, but she says that only people from poor backgrounds behave ugly, people from noble backgrounds are more calm, poor people are cunning, and people from good backgrounds are the most simple.

This statement naturally has its supporters, but Mi Niang always believes that although people’s backgrounds are different, their character has nothing to do with their backgrounds.

Therefore, Mi Niang didn't think she could achieve anything.

Everyone waited for a while. Xiangjun ate for a while, and the first thing she said was: "Oh, our Min Ge was very noisy this morning."

Mi Niang herself has a son, and she couldn't help but sneer when she heard this. If she can't manage the child well, just let Xian take care of it. She uses the child as an excuse every day.

When Mi Niang saw that everyone had arrived, she said to Xiangjun, "Third sister-in-law, I think I am just in charge temporarily. In this case, my daily account book will be closed at midnight (12 o'clock). This is what I received from you yesterday. Please check it first, is that okay?"

"This..." Xiangjun hasn't even finished her own account book. Yesterday was just the first day and she was exhausted when she got home. How could she have had time to do the accounting?

Chang Yuzhu suddenly had an idea. Among all the sisters-in-law, Yu was not considered important, Xiangjun was not diligent, and only Ruan did everything too quickly, which put pressure on everyone. In this case, it would be better for her to join forces with the other two, and the three of them would do the mess together, and she would do it alone.

She was about to discuss it today, but Ruan suddenly said, "If that's the case, then when the time is over, I will send the account book directly to Madam. If there is any discrepancy, I will not be responsible."

What I mean is that I won't settle accounts with you anymore, but if the accounts are not fair, you can explain it yourself.

The overall situation? What is the overall situation?

Some people work hard, some people enjoy happiness, but why should everyone be the same? What is the basis for this?

If you can't do it, don't do it.

Mi Niang never considers the overall situation. The worst that can happen is that she will smash the pot when the busiest time comes. If the trouble spreads out, who will take responsibility?

Xiangjun hurriedly asked, "Fourth brother's wife, can you please give me a day?"

Mi Niang nodded proudly and said, "It's getting late now. I've been waiting for you for a long time. I'm afraid it's too noisy outside now. I'll go first."

As she left, Chang Yuzhu suddenly said, "Two sisters-in-law, actually each family has its own rules and regulations. Third sister-in-law has children at home, why don't I and the eldest sister-in-law come over later tomorrow, so that the fourth sister-in-law will have nothing to say."

Xiangjun looked at her.

Chang Yuzhu saw that Yu and Xiangjun didn't say anything, and felt that the matter had been done. She thought to herself, you have to work hard and do it yourself. The three of us are doing that, I don't believe you won't follow suit.

There were not as many people coming to pay their respects today as there were yesterday. Mi Niang checked in and went to the side room to rest. She always had a book in her hand and would read when she had nothing to do.

Xian'er is still young and cannot come to places where there are too many people. Mi Niang is not a country girl and she would like to hang the child on her belt all the time. Although she usually takes good care of the child, she hopes that the child can grow up slowly.

"Bai Ying, go back and tell the nurse to watch over Xian'er while he eats, and that he should not go out in the winter when it snows heavily. Bring the coloring book that I usually draw to Xian'er to paint with. If he wants to play, go to my place and get him the toys I bought a few days ago. Don't let him come in contact with strangers."

Bai Ying and Shaoyao were both third-class maids who had been assigned to her side recently, and they were the ones who did all the errands.

The servants all praised Mi Niang for her concern for Xian Ge'er.

Mi Niang spent the whole morning reading or resting, but if an official's wife came, she would be taken directly to the deceased prince's wife.

Chun Tao felt uncomfortable and thought to herself, "She got a good deal."

The "she" here refers to the Crown Prince's wife, Chang Yuzhu.

Mi Niang smiled and said, "The nobles who can come here have already come. I don't think many people will come today. We should be careful when it comes to the first seventy-seventh hour. Doesn't she think she is very powerful? Then I will leave all these people to her."

Chuntao finally understood, isn't this just a wheel battle?

With your eloquence, if you do this every day, what do you think of me?

I'm not very tired, but I just can't exert any strength on the day.

Today's dinner was eaten in Fengwuyuan. Xian Ge'er was so happy to have dinner with his mother. After dinner, Mi Niang moved around a little to keep in shape, and Xian Ge'er also wanted to dance.

People, only if you take good care of your body, can you do good things. Otherwise, even if you eat ginseng and deer antlers every day, you may not live a long life.

When Fang Weiyan came back, he saw both mother and son dancing. Of course, the younger one was just dancing for fun. He hugged the envious boy and said, "Your mother has to go on night patrol later. Daddy will take you to the study to teach you how to read, okay?"

Because Mi Niang said that he didn't take care of his son, Fang Wei Yan specially brought the tracing book himself, but was told that the child was so young that he couldn't even hold the pen, and that he was not paying attention.

Fang Weiyan had no choice but to teach his son to read himself.

Otherwise, after the filial piety is over, the son will begin to be enlightened.

Simply forcing children to study will not work. You must make them interested.

Seeing Fang Weiyan being so self-conscious, Mi Niang couldn't help but say, "I asked him to paint it today. Go and see if the color he painted is correct? Our Xian Ge'er loves his father the most."

Whenever Xian Ge'er heard that he could go out, he was very happy. There was still some distance from Fengwu Courtyard to the academy, and it was not Fang Weiyan's turn to keep vigil today anyway, so he had plenty of time.

However, when the father and son went out, Mi Niang still reminded them: "Come back early."

Because she was on night patrol again today, the maids did not dare to act unruly. However, everyone on night duty would be given melon seeds, peanuts and glutinous rice sticks. These were all paid for by Mi Niang herself and were not worth much money anyway.

But sometimes people enjoy things just for these little benefits.

Naturally, Mother Tang also told Mrs. Xu about what happened today. Although Mrs. Xu had a heartache and needed to rest, as the housekeeper all year round, she felt at ease knowing that she had control over the affairs of the mansion.

"You mean that Mi Niang is the only one on night patrol tonight?"

Mother Tang nodded: "Xiangjun went back the earliest. The eldest grandmother was honest, but she was late that day, so she helped here and there. The wife of the prince also went back early."

Xu frowned, "I remember that the wife of the prince is in charge of the teahouse and the monks. Although it's not good for a woman to go to those men's place, we have to send the steward over, and we have to keep an eye on the women in the mansion, so that nothing bad happens."

From Xu's point of view, He Chan is now considering this new daughter-in-law.

Mother Tang said, "I think the Crown Prince's wife has her own place. She was chosen by you, so she can't be wrong."

Chang Yuzhu had naturally bribed Mother Tang a long time ago, but Mother Tang was Xu's person, so she could only help a little and say a few words, and she couldn't go too far, otherwise Xu would not trust her.

Besides, she could only say a few words on behalf of the Crown Prince's wife, but she could not slander the Fourth Mistress. After all, the Fourth Mistress had been very kind to her.

Besides, the Fourth Grandma is not an ordinary person. She knows exactly how the First Grandma failed in her plan and ended up suffering. And she doesn’t want to offend Fang Furong and others.

Back then, he was able to kill the evil monk to the point of being on the verge of death, let alone an old woman like her.

Xu shook her head: "That being said, I am still far behind Xian'er's mother. Just before the night patrol, Xian'er's mother came to ask me how I was doing. She also said that Xian'er can recite "Three Hundred Tang Poems" now. I know that he taught him sentence by sentence. Xian'er has a good memory and can recite it after reading it a few more times. Even my sister-in-law said the same thing when she came over yesterday."

Even the Marquis of Dong'an wanted her to ask Mi Niang to get a small photo, which was enough to show her intentions.

Speaking of being attentive, Mi Niang is the first to arrive and the last to return. She calculates every penny very carefully, but she also forgives some things that can be forgiven. She is not that kind of pedantic person.

Seeing that Tang's mother remained silent, she continued, "She is so capable. The rest of the people are mediocre in front of her."

Yu is always after virtuous people and so-called considerate of servants. She can actually manage the household well, but she is afraid of taking responsibility. Xiangjun wants fame and also wants to take advantage. As the wife of the Crown Prince, Chang Yuzhu should recruit capable people like Ruan, and encourage Yu to take charge, while at the same time treating everyone equally.

See what she said?

He even wanted to join forces with the first and third wives to fight against the Ruan family.

Isn't this extremely stupid?

Fortunately, Shen died, otherwise, he would have been captured long ago.

What good are the first and third wives? If Fang Weichang becomes the crown prince, what good will they have?

Chang Yuzhu was oblivious to all this, and even said to the people around her, "Wake me up later tomorrow."

Juanbi smiled and said, “Yes.”

Then he praised her again, "Young lady, you have a good idea. We should all work together and tolerate each other. But Ruan likes to be in the limelight the most. If she wants to go out, she will go out alone."

"Okay, don't let the prince hear it." Chang Yuzhu was still quite cautious at home.

Juanbi didn't dare to say anything more and immediately went to guard outside.

But the next morning, Mi Niang got up on time as usual. She always did things on time and never procrastinated. This was a habit she developed in her previous life.

Serving someone with your beauty only works temporarily; if you want their love to last, you need to put in a lot of effort over a long period of time.

Not for the time being, the Dong'an Marquis Mansion will not split up. Chang Yuzhu is not a broad-minded person, so if she wants to survive here, she must have a place for herself.

"Hurry, harness the car for me, I'm going to Jingchunzhai." said Mi Niang.

Chuntao didn't dare to delay.

In Jingchunzhai, Xiangjun was a little nervous. She was late yesterday and didn't have time to compare the accounts with Mi Niang. If everyone else had an account book and it didn't match hers at all, what should she do?

She checked the accounts yesterday evening when she returned home. How could she dare to come late today as Chang Yuzhu said? Chang Yuzhu had just entered the mansion a few days ago, so naturally she didn't know how powerful Ruan was. Even Shen, who was so powerful, was defeated. If she quarreled with her, she would definitely be ruined.

She arrived early in the morning and suddenly heard the door open. She breathed a sigh of relief. If she came, Yu would listen to Chang Yuzhu and not come. Then Ruan would also know her feelings. Unexpectedly, it was Yu who came in.

Xiangjun's tone froze for a moment: "My sister-in-law is here too."

Yu nodded in agreement, but in her heart she thought, you think I don't know you. Although you appeared calm on the surface yesterday, in your heart you wanted to take the initiative.

But Chang Yuzhu was not really asleep in the morning. She even sent someone to get the news, but Zihong came back and said, "It's bad, Madam, the eldest and third madams have already arrived."

Chang Yuzhu couldn't sleep at this moment, she immediately jumped up and said, "Hurry up and change my clothes."

"What are you doing..." Juanbi was totally confused and was about to say it was still too early.

Chang Yuzhu said impatiently, "Put it on for me quickly. I was caught by a conspiracy. If I go too late, the servants will probably gossip about me."