The outer courtyard had an accounting office and a protocol office. Jinger pointed to the protocol office in the western wing and said, "It's a manager there. He wears a straight gown of the color of autumn fragrance and has a small mustache."

Behind him, Brother Chen said excitedly, "Should we go find him and beat him up?"

Hongwen felt as if his back was sweaty again.

She smiled softly and said, "We are not guards, why would we beat anyone? It would be so disrespectful. Let's go find Butler Bai and let him deal with him."

Jinger nodded and went to a two-room wing on the west side of the main hall. Because of Xu Siyu's marriage, Chief Steward Bai was temporarily there to handle all the affairs of the Xu Mansion. Stewards came and went from time to time. When they saw Jinger, they bowed and called him "Sixth Young Master" and "Seventh Young Master" with a smile, and their attitudes were very cordial and friendly.

Another steward said to Jin Ge'er, "Sixth Young Master, do you still remember me? Last time in Fourth Young Master's room, I followed Steward Zhao's orders to deliver a letter to Fourth Young Master. It started to rain, so I carried you to the door of Chuihua Gate!"

Jing'er looked at the manager blankly, obviously having no impression of him at all.

The steward immediately said, "My name is Wang Erhu."

"Oh," Jing'er responded casually and stepped forward.

The manager couldn't help but reveal a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

When they walked under the eaves, a young man with fair skin and handsome appearance, wearing a steward's blue silk robe, came out of the wing room. The man was startled when he saw Jin Ge'er, and hurried forward to bow to Jin Ge'er: "Sixth Young Master, I haven't seen you for a while. Are you okay? Is the Fourth Madam in good health? My wife and I have been thinking about the Fourth Madam and the Sixth Young Master."

Jing'er turned around and looked at Hongwen and asked her, "Who is this?"

Hong Wen smiled and said, "This is Cao An, the manager. He works in the storehouse. His family name is Yan Rong. She used to serve the lady, but after she got married, she was released."

Jin Ge'er looked at Cao An twice more and said, "Mom is fine. I am fine too." Then he ordered Hong Wen, "Reward him two taels of silver!"

Hong Wen hurriedly took out two silver ingots from her purse.

Cao An had seen two taels of silver before. But this was a reward from Jing'er, so it was naturally different. He took the silver respectfully, thanked Jing'er gratefully, and then asked Jing'er carefully: "Are you looking for Manager Bai?"

Brother Jing nodded.

Cao An said, "I'm here to look for Chief Steward Bai as well. Chief Steward Bai just went to the office, and a servant has already gone to call him back. He should be back soon." He stood aside with his hands hanging down, "How about the Sixth Young Master come in and sit for a while?" He glanced at Hong Wen, "Miss Hong Wen can also serve on the side."

Hongwen nodded at him gratefully.

This was the outer courtyard, and all the people coming and going were men. As she walked along, everyone stared at her, and she was already a little overwhelmed.

"Thank you, Manager Cao!" Hongwen followed him into the room.

There were several people who looked like managers standing around talking. When they heard the noise, they looked over and saw that it was Jing'er. They all came forward to pay their respects. Some saw that Jing'er was dirty and personally fetched water for Hongwen so that Hongwen could help Jing'er and Chen'er wash their hands and faces. Some also helped Jing'er to find the chief steward Bai. After the cleaning was done, they served tea, snacks, and chatted with him. It was very lively.

Cao An asked Hong Wen thoughtfully, "I heard that after the summer, Madam Gu went back. Which madam is serving the Sixth Young Master now?"

Hong Wen smiled and said, "There has been no suitable one. Madam is in charge of Sixth Young Master's affairs personally!" Although she said that, she was thinking about the candidates recommended to Fourth Madam by Second Madam, Fifth Madam and Third Madam from Sanjing Hutong these days.

If someone acts gently, the Fourth Madam says he is too weak and she is afraid that he cannot control the Sixth Young Master; if someone acts strictly, the Fourth Madam says he is too cold and she is afraid that he will make the Fourth Young Master stupid... I don't know what kind of person is suitable!

"Then it will be hard for you! You have to shoulder everything." Cao An talked to Hong Wen with a smile, but his eyes would occasionally glance at the stewards who were flattering in front of Jin Ge'er.

Ever since the Sixth Young Master grew up safely to the age of five, the atmosphere in the mansion has become somewhat different. Many people want to get close to the Fourth Young Master, and many people also want to get close to the Sixth Young Master. However, the Sixth Young Master is young and raised in the inner courtyard. The Fourth Madam keeps a close eye on the Sixth Young Master, so those people can't find a chance. Even so, there are still people who come to him and Wan Daxian to get close to them.

When he told this to his wife Yanrong, Yanrong warned him: "Don't think you can show off just because you are the Fourth Madam's man. The young lady of the Jiang family hasn't even married yet. The Sixth Young Master still has a long way to go. At this time, we have to be more careful and not cause any trouble that people can catch, otherwise it will implicate the Fourth Madam and the Sixth Young Master. You should learn from Wan Daxian, do your job well and ignore everything else. Find a way to be promoted to the second-class steward, the first-class steward, and the chief steward. Only then can you really help the Sixth Young Master, and we can live a good life."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile slightly, and all his attention was focused on greeting Hong Wen.

Butler Bai walked in quickly.

"Sixth Young Master! Seventh Young Master!" He greeted Jing'er and Shen'er with a smile.

Hong Wen stood up quickly: "Butler Bai, our Sixth Young Master has something to say to you!"

The steward didn't give the Sixth Young Master firecrackers because he was afraid that the Sixth Young Master would explode his hands. It was a good intention. If the Sixth Young Master reported the steward in front of so many people, no one would dare to say anything when the Sixth Young Master did something wrong in the future. This is not helping the Sixth Young Master, but harming him. She is someone close to the Sixth Young Master, and they will prosper together and suffer together. Naturally, she can't let the Sixth Young Master do such a thing.

After listening to this, Manager Bai glanced at the stewards in the room.

Those managers were all shrewd men and they immediately bowed and retreated.

Jinger angrily told the steward Bai what had happened: "...help me get some firecrackers, and then teach that steward a lesson."

While he was talking, Hong Wen kept winking at Manager Bai, meaning that he should just give Jin Ge'er a perfunctory response.

Manager Bai understood it clearly.

He had also heard a lot about the inner courtyard. There had never been a capable mother in Jing'er's room. It wasn't that the Xu family didn't have such a person, but Shiyi Niang's attitude was ambiguous, and it was difficult to recommend or arrange. Jing'er was raised by her personally. She had put so much thought into him, so naturally she had many expectations for him.

But expectations alone are not enough. Jin Ge'er is the youngest son, and if he wants to stand out, he can only work on his reputation. This kind of thing of teaching the housekeeper a lesson for a disagreement will only make Jin Ge'er have a bad reputation for being unreasonable and domineering, which is probably what Shiyi Niang is most unwilling to see.

He knew that many people in the mansion had their own thoughts. But he also had his own thoughts. After serving the Marquis for so many years, the Marquis was not confused at all. The Marquis just liked to keep everything in his heart. If he had any tricks, with the Marquis's shrewdness, he would definitely not be able to hide them from the Marquis, which would only disappoint the Marquis. Rather than losing his integrity in his later years, it would be better to serve the Marquis as always and loyally. He would do whatever the Marquis said. He could also get a reputation for loyalty.

As the thought flashed through his mind, Chief Steward Bai recalled what Xu Lingyi had said to him a few days ago: "...Jin'er will start his initiation at the beginning of spring tomorrow. Ask Steward Zhao to ask a few generals on my behalf to recommend a master who knows martial arts."

The Marquis has high hopes for this youngest son, so he naturally wants to protect the Sixth Young Master's reputation.

Thinking of this, Manager Bai smiled and nodded to Hong Wen, and said softly, "Don't worry, Sixth Young Master. Let me find the steward you mentioned first, and then I'll get back to you. As for the firecrackers, you don't know that there are many people in our house, and there are quotas for everything. In this way, those stewards and servants dare not take things carelessly. Otherwise, why would those servants pick up the unlit firecrackers on the ground and set them off?" As he spoke, he looked up at the sky and said, "It's almost noon. According to the rules of the house, what should we collect? The things are registered on the first day, and no one is allowed to open the door of the storehouse after the third hour. Unless there is a card from the Marquis. Of course, if it is the Sixth Young Master who wants to collect the things, the Marquis will definitely give a card. But today is special, the Second Young Madam's dowry is about to arrive, even if the Marquis has a card, I am afraid that the people in the storehouse will run to watch the excitement and can't find anyone. "After saying that, he called "Sixth Young Master" very sincerely, "How about I make a register for you tonight, and personally deliver it to you tomorrow morning after I get the firecrackers?"

Although he had a quota and a routine on his right, Jing'er was not confused at all.

What Manager Bai said was exactly the same thing.

It was impossible to call the manager to give him a lecture, and it was also impossible to get firecrackers from him.

He was so angry that his face turned red, and he stood up suddenly: "Isn't it just my father's pair of cards? I'll go and get it!" After saying that, he strode out.

Brother Chen looked at him and said, "Let's go find Fourth Uncle to ask for it," and ran out.

"Thank you, Manager Bai." Hong Wen hurriedly thanked Manager Bai, "There's nothing I can do. If the Sixth Young Master gets blown up by firecrackers, even if I die a thousand times it won't be enough!" As she said that, she trotted after him.

Xu Lingyi was sitting and talking with Lord Liang, Lord Dou, Wang Li and others when a servant came in and reported that the Sixth Young Master was here. A warm smile immediately appeared in his eyes.

Although Liang Ge Lao and the others remained calm, some drinking tea, some talking, but they all glanced at the door out of the corner of their eyes.

Jing Ge'er walked in calmly and saluted respectfully. Xu Lingyi called him over and asked, "Why are you here? Where's your mother?"

"Mother is talking to my aunt and the other sisters." He said in a loud voice, "I want to set off firecrackers, but Manager Bai said I need your permission. So I came to find you." He pouted and looked at Xu Lingyi, "Dad, I want to set off firecrackers!"

Xu Lingyi heard his tone, it seemed that he had found many people, and none of them gave him firecrackers. Although he didn't understand the process, his son was so young, he could find him all the way, in front of so many people, and he could clearly and loudly state his request... He suddenly thought of Xu Sizhun... and sighed in his heart.

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There will be more updates for everyone to read tomorrow!

PS: It’s the last day of July and the first day of August, and I’m asking for pink votes!

O(∩_∩)O~