Chapter 103: A Lesson Learned
The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Lu Yunzhang sighed and said to Steward Lu, "In that case, let's go ask our aunt."
The two brothers originally intended to go directly to Songbai Hall to find Old Madam Ning, but after muttering a few words on the way, they turned back to the West Courtyard to find the Second Master and Second Madam.
Upon hearing this, the second master and his wife could no longer sit still and hurriedly got up and headed to Songbai Hall.
This time, the servants of Songbai Hall didn't stop them from going in.
However, Madam Ning and Yu Qingci were busy in the adjacent council hall and had no time to see them. Granny Wang led them into the main hall to wait, ordered a maid to bring hot tea, and then left them alone. The group knew that Songbai Hall was not what it used to be, so they had no choice but to wait patiently.
After waiting for nearly an hour, the old lady Ning, Yu Qingci, and Lu Yunchu finally returned. Only then did the second master angrily step forward to question them.
After sitting down, Madam Ning spoke slowly and deliberately: "Didn't we make everything clear yesterday? Why didn't Second Brother's wife pass on the message to Second Brother?"
Madam Wei: “Sister-in-law, I naturally explained everything to my husband and children yesterday without missing a single word. But sister-in-law, you didn’t say that people couldn’t go out. Yunzhang has to take care of the household affairs outside, and Yunbo also holds a public office in the Court of Judicial Review. How can they just not go?”
Lu Yunzhang stepped forward and said, "Yes, Aunt, I just reminded the steward that with the New Year approaching, there are more and more affairs outside. Many things need to be kept in mind personally. We also need to meet with the managers and shopkeepers outside and watch them do their accounting. These things cannot be delayed, otherwise our General's Mansion will suffer."
Yu Qingci smiled and said, "Second Aunt, don't worry, eldest cousin, everything outside has been arranged. Since it's a time of mourning, eldest and second cousins, as father-in-law's nephews, should naturally set an example."
As for the general affairs that my eldest cousin used to manage, Mother personally instructed yesterday that they all be handed over to Steward Lu. General affairs outside were originally Steward Lu's job anyway, so why should my eldest cousin compete with the servants for work?
Lu Yunzhang was speechless upon hearing this.
Yu Qingci: "Furthermore, as a court official, you should abide by the law. When an elder passes away, the nephews and nieces who have not yet divided the family property should observe a one-year mourning period. For the sake of your official reputation, you should have reported this long ago. Therefore, this mourning period is reasonable and the officials of the Dali Temple will not make things difficult for you."
After saying this, Yu Qingci thought disdainfully to herself, "My second cousin's position as a seventh-rank servant in the Dali Temple is actually not even qualified to apply for mourning leave. He only needs to send someone to say it, just to make it look good on the surface."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wei nearly jumped up: "How can this be? Without the mourning period for your eldest branch, do you really expect our second branch to also keep vigil? This isn't just for a day or two. Yunbo is working at the Dali Temple. If he loses his job because of this mourning period, can you afford to compensate him, niece-in-law?"
Yu Qingci said calmly, "A minor official of the seventh rank in the Court of Judicial Review. It's rare that Second Aunt values this position so much. Could it be that this job is more important than letting Second Cousin fulfill his filial duties?"
Besides, what does "mourning period for the eldest son's family" even mean? Is Second Aunt implying this matter has nothing to do with your second son's family? Then what's the meaning of your family living in this General's Mansion?
"you……"
Before Madam Wei could say anything more, the Second Master coughed, signaling her to shut up.
Second Master: "Your second aunt doesn't know how to speak, so just take it as her ramblings."
"It's just observing mourning for your father-in-law, it doesn't need to be so strict. Even high-ranking officials in the court have a 'dismissal of mourning' order when there's a death in the family. Although Yun Bo's official rank is low, he's currently the only one with an official position left in our entire General's Mansion. We should be cautious in everything we do."
Even Granny Wang, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but curl her lips at these words: "How dare he utter the words 'seizure of mourning'? A mere seventh-rank official of the Court of Judicial Review dares to ask the court to 'seize the mourning' for him and keep his position? If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off."
Madam Ning: "Second brother, you're talking nonsense. Yun Bo is the General's nephew. We haven't separated our family yet. According to the rules of our dynasty, nephews should observe a full year of mourning. Let's not talk about the past. Now, we're asking him to come back for mourning, which is only for a few months. What, second brother, are you still not satisfied?"
Lu Yunbo stared at Yu Qingci's cool and delicate face, and stepped forward to speak, but Yu Qingci raised her voice and said:
"There's also the matter of reforming the rules of the mansion. Mother wasn't just talking about it casually yesterday. Soon, Steward Lu and Granny Wang will lead the servants to check each courtyard. Anything that is inappropriate for the mourning period will be confiscated."
"Since Second Uncle and Second Aunt have time to sit and chat here, why don't they go back and check on things further, so that there won't be any unpleasantness if Granny Wang and the others come over later?"
Upon hearing this, Wei became anxious and, without having time to argue further, hurriedly turned and walked outside.
Seeing this, the second master knew that further words were pointless, so he angrily flung his sleeves and followed him away.
The brothers Lu Yunzhang and Lu Yunbo looked at each other, and seeing that the old lady Ning, who was sitting at the head of the table, had already picked up her teacup and started drinking tea, they had no choice but to say goodbye and leave together.
Lu Yun Chu sat there quietly watching, and once everyone had left, she felt much more relaxed, a cheerful smile on her face as she said:
"Sister-in-law is really amazing. She got rid of them with just a few words. I was worried that Uncle would get angry with us."
Yu Qingci smiled gently: "Now it's up to Steward Lu and Granny Wang."
In the courtyard of Songbai Hall, more than twenty upright and well-trained servants, along with a dozen or so burly old women, stood in neat rows.
Steward Lu and Granny Wang stood at the front of the procession, their faces solemn. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were going to the battlefield.
These people were all carefully selected by Steward Lu and Granny Wang, and they were absolutely trustworthy. Old Madam Ning and Yu Qingci were secretly satisfied.
Butler Lu's eyes revealed a cold sternness as he bowed slightly and reported to Old Madam Ning:
"Please rest assured, Madam, I will certainly follow your instructions and guard the General's Mansion well."
He had long disliked those worthless bastards. Over the years, the second and fourth branches of the family, relying on being the general's younger brothers, had been clinging to the eldest branch like leeches, sucking their blood, and the whole family, young and old, had been enjoying the general's mansion's support without a care in the world.
But now that the general is gone, they are unwilling to even do the most basic mourning. They are truly a bunch of ungrateful wretches. They deserve to be punished no matter what!
Granny Wang stepped forward and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I've made all the arrangements here. I guarantee they won't have a chance to reason with me."
After saying this, the two led their respective groups away.
Standing on the veranda, watching the group leave, Old Madam Ning still felt uneasy. She looked at Yu Qingci with a troubled expression and asked:
"Is this really okay? Aren't we going a bit too far in treating our second and fourth brothers like this?"
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