There was something hidden in Madam Wen's words, which surprised Eleventh Lady.

Instead of mentioning the Xu and Wen families, she mentioned the Luo and Wen families... Thinking back to the first time she met Yuanniang, she suggested that Wu Xiaoquan go to Yangzhou to visit the Wen family, and she also said, "The people of the Wen family will definitely treat him with courtesy." She also thought back to the day when she reconciled the accounts, and that Yuanniang made a lot of money in the last five or six years. Although she didn't lose money before, she didn't make as much money as she did later. Besides, looking at Lu Yonggui's age, he was only a dozen years old when he was married. Without a left shoulder and right arm, how could he achieve the current status? At that time, the Xu family couldn't take care of themselves, and even if they had the power to help, it was limited. Thinking back to Yuanniang's attitude towards the Wen family... Eleventh Lady vaguely thought that Yuanniang had made a lot of money through the Wen family in the past few years.

She and Yuanniang had different ideas.

A gentleman loves money, but he gets it in a proper way.

If he had to rely on the Wen family to make money, how could he speak with his head held high in front of Madam Wen?

Eleventh Lady smiled and sipped her tea, saying, "I have been very busy these days. I appreciate Grandma Wen San's kindness. Let's meet again when we have a chance!"

He clearly rejected Madam Wen.

Aunt Wen turned pale when she heard this, and said with a forced smile: "Sister, Grandma Wen San wants to see you because she brought you a gift from Yangzhou..."

Eleventh Lady smiled and called to Amber, "Please send her away! I still need to go to the Madam to pay my respects."

Madam Wen's face suddenly became very embarrassed, but she still smiled and said, "Sister, these are the rubies and lapis lazuli that the Third Master of the Wen family brought from the West. Each one is the size of a pigeon egg, and there are several pairs of three-foot-high corals..."

This reminds Shiyi Niang of those excellent salespeople - they never give up until the very end.

But she understood one thing better.

He who eats someone else's food should be grateful; he who takes someone else's food should be grateful.

Without even a pause, she stood up and went into the inner room.

Amber pretended not to see it and said to Aunt Wen with a smile: "Aunt, it's getting late. I'll send the maid to take you back!"

Madam Wen stood there, quietly looking at Eleventh Lady's back, frowned slightly, bent her knees to salute, and retreated.

Amber sent her to the east corner gate and then turned back.

Qiuhong helped Madam Wen to her room.

On the way, I met Xiu Yuan. She was smiling like a flower, whispering with Mrs. Lu at the door of her house. When she saw Aunt Wen, she nodded from a distance and continued to talk with Mrs. Lu.

Qiu Hong's face changed when she saw this, and she said, "Aunt, this Aunt Qiao is too arrogant..."

Madam Wen smiled indifferently and said, "She is just arrogant, what can we do? I heard that the Marquis stayed in her room again yesterday..."

Qiu Hong couldn't help biting her lip after hearing this: "Auntie, while the Third Master is in Beijing, why not send two skinny horses from Yangzhou..."

Madam Wen smiled bitterly and said, "Instead of sending a skinny horse from Yangzhou, it would be better to persuade Uncle San to not have his nails so dark. I'm afraid it will be more effective."

As they were talking, the two of them entered their own yard.

There were three main rooms with side rooms, and only one wing room on the east side. There was a rockery made of Taihu stones in the middle, and a row of holly trees in the corner of the courtyard. The courtyard was quiet, there was no maid standing in front of the door to open the curtain, only a mother who answered the door.

When the mother saw Aunt Wen, her face immediately filled with smiles: "Aunt is back!"

Madam Wen nodded expressionlessly and went into the west room of the main house. Another maid, Donghong, was doing needlework and hurried over when she heard the noise.

After taking off her cloak, Madam Wen leaned on the large pillow with a serious expression.

Donghong saw that her face looked strange, so she carefully changed her shoes and brought her some hot water to help her wash her face.

Madam Wen looked dazed. When she was washing her face, she asked Qiuhong, "Is the Second Steward Wen still waiting in the gatehouse?"

Qiu Hong put away her cloak and whispered, "She should still be waiting for news from Auntie."

Madam Wen was stunned for a while, then told Donghong: "Go and tell the second steward Wen that the mistress has to serve the dowager today and will be busy. Tell him to go back first and wait for my news."

Donghong left immediately.

Qiuhong brought up some hot tea and whispered, "Aunt, if Madam doesn't change her mind..."

"Let's wait a few days. Maybe there will be a turn for the better in the next few days!"

Qiuhong listened and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Madam Wen laughed and said, "You stupid maid, what can't you say?" She then said, "Is there something going on at home that you need to borrow money for? Your aunt has nothing but money. How much money do you want?" Her tone was inevitably a little melancholy.

Qiu Hong listened and said angrily, "When did I say that something happened at home?" As she spoke, her eyes became wet. "I feel bad seeing you working so hard but not pleasing anyone." She took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "Speaking of which, the money you have is enough for you to spend for the rest of your life. I think you might as well pretend to be deaf and dumb and enjoy a peaceful life."

"There is no such thing as a peaceful life in this world." Aunt Wen smiled helplessly, "You think I don't want it. But I have to be that lucky. I can let these ladies, maids and old women look at me more in the Xu family. After all, it's just a few dollars. Without the Wen family, the money is dead. It can only support a few years if it is kept at home and eaten up. With the Wen family, the money is alive. Money can make money, and we have mountains of gold and silver to use. I don't care about the Wen family's affairs. If I don't rely on the Wen family, can I rely on the Marquis?"

Qiuhong was speechless.

Ever since the year when my aunt helped the family win the weaving business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Marquis and my aunt have become estranged. But compared to the Wen family, she felt that it was more reliable to rely on the Marquis. After all, my aunt is now a concubine of the Xu family.

She advised Madam Wen: "Sister Zhen will be married in two years. She is not as close to you as the maidservants around you..."

Madam Wen's eyes widened as she listened.

In the past, Zhen Jie'er was also raised by her. She told Zhen Jie'er to recite the "six six formulas" of using an abacus, and the lady heard it. She immediately kept Zhen Jie'er in her room and never let her come back. At that time, Zhen Jie'er was only one and a half years old...

She couldn't help but lower her voice: "I know, it's not a big deal. As long as she lives a good life, pleases the Madam, and finds a husband to marry in the future, what does it have to do with me or not. Besides, I'm a concubine, how can I be decent if I tell others about it? We can all go our separate ways and live in peace." There was a gleam of tears in the corners of her eyes.

The sons and daughters of the Wen family can recite the "Six Six Formula" as soon as they can speak. Although Zhen Jie'er is the eldest daughter of the Marquis, she still has to eat whole grains. Learning some accounting skills will make it easier for her to manage the family. Even the second wife can calculate the accounts faster than the old steward who has been in the office for decades. This is how she can intimidate those people. When the Marquis is not around, the stewards in the family dare not have second thoughts... She doesn't understand, what's wrong with her teaching Zhen Jie'er the formula. In the final analysis, it's just that she is born in a low family and is not worthy of the identity of the mother of the eldest daughter of the Yongping Marquis's mansion... But she didn't marry into the Xu family voluntarily...

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but close her eyes.

A crystal teardrop fell on the snow-white cheek.

* * * * * *

When Eleventh Lady saw the amber that had been brought back, she breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, Madam Wen has been sent away!"

Amber covered her mouth and smiled: "I saw that your attitude just now was very firm."

"If you hesitate for a moment, a person like Madam Wen will immediately become arrogant and may even follow you into the inner room. Can I still call the maid to beat her out?"

Amber laughed softly at this.

"By the way, have you sent someone to report Wan Daxian's matter?"

"Yes." Amber smiled, "I also gave the blueprint of the 'magic cube' you asked me to make yesterday to Chief Butler Bai."

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "When I was little, I could never turn all six sides neatly." Then, she blinked her eyes and said, "I'll embarrass others this time!"

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Hubo became happy too. She helped her change her clothes, and accompanied Luyun and Shiyi Niang to the old lady's place.

Wei Zi winked at Amber.

Amber nodded slightly, escorted Eleventh Lady into the house, and went to the side room - maids like them were not allowed to go in to see the lady without any reason.

Qiu Ling, who was beside the Third Madam, was also there, and Amber called her "Sister Qiu Ling" affectionately.

Qiu Ling smiled and nodded at her, but there was no usual smile on her face, and she seemed to be in deep thought.

Amber was wondering what Wei Zi wanted to talk to her about, so she told Qiu Ling something vaguely and ran to the corridor where the bird cages were hung to feed the birds with the little maid.

After a while, Wei Zi came out and said with a smile: "What are you doing here? It's so cold, be careful not to catch a cold. It's New Year's Day, if you get sick and are sent to another courtyard to recuperate, your wife will be in a mess."

After hearing this, Amber took Wei Zi's arm and said with a smile, "Sister Wei Zi is so considerate. No wonder the lady can't leave her alone for a moment."

As they talked, they went to the ear room.

Wei Zi whispered, "The Second Madam asked her steward to send a servant named Xiao Luzi here, saying that he was her chambermaid. He looked smart and could read a few words. It would be a pity to keep him with her. So she asked the Marquis to arrange a job for him. The Marquis arranged him in the Second Young Master's room, saying that he would be his attendant. The letter is still in the hands of Steward Bai!"

Amber was shocked when she heard this, but she didn't dare to show it on her face, for fear that Wei Zi would see it and think that Eleventh Lady couldn't tolerate the Second Young Master. But she couldn't help but thank her for her kindness. She just smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Wei Zi. I'll tell our wife as soon as I get back."

After a few words, the two arrived at the door of the ear room. Amber went to the ear room, and Wei Zi took the hot tea from the maid and went into the house.

The Fourth Lady was talking to the Grand Lady: "...I don't have much to do. I eat and sleep every day. It would be great if I could help the Third Lady. But I'm stupid. If there's anything I do wrong, please feel free to give me some advice." After saying that, she stood up and bowed to the Third Lady.

The third wife smiled and took the fourth wife up: "I am a dozen years older than the fourth sister-in-law. Although I call you my sister-in-law, I treat you like my niece. Don't worry, I will teach you carefully. Nothing will happen!"

The fourth lady smiled and thanked the third lady.

Wei Zi took the opportunity to change the tea.

But she was muttering in her heart: What happened to the Third Madam? Why did she suddenly ask the Fourth Madam to help with the housekeeping? Didn't she hate others interfering in her affairs the most?