Chapter 414 Forced to Surrender
Madam Zhou Er and Madam Zhou San hadn't hesitated to come to any conclusion when they heard the Duke's wife sigh again: "I'm just being lazy and trying to save trouble. I'm not afraid of being laughed at by my second and third sisters-in-law. If they insist on not agreeing and insist on checking the accounts, then that's fine. I'll let the head butler—"
"No!" Mrs. Zhou Er interrupted her hastily. Seeing her looking at her with some surprise, Mrs. Zhou Er looked away with a guilty conscience and stammered, "Uh, sister-in-law, sister-in-law is right. It's been a hassle to check the accounts for so many years. We are family, why bother with it so much?"
He was filled with shame, anger and embarrassment when he spoke.
They actually did a good job with the accounts. They smoothed out what needed to be smoothed out and used all the tricks that needed to be used.
But what if?
Who wouldn’t be afraid of what might happen if they do something bad?
If the Duke's wife really wants to find someone to check the accounts, with her and the Duke's status, she can invite the best accountant in the capital.
Mrs. Zhou Er didn't think the accounts prepared by her two sisters-in-law would withstand scrutiny.
Seeing her third sister-in-law calm and composed, she knew that both of them had benefited, but she was the only one left embarrassed and humiliated. She immediately felt angry and said to herself, "Forget it, let it be! Why should I be the only one to speak up?"
Mrs. Zhou Er also shut up.
The Duke's wife smiled faintly. "In that case, then it's settled. Nanny Lian, take someone to get the keys and account books from the two ladies."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Nanny Lian bowed and agreed, looking at Madam Zhou Er and Madam Zhou San: "Madam Er, Madam San, please come in."
Although Mrs. Zhou Er was blaming Mrs. Zhou San and getting angry with her, she couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, shouldn't we tell the old lady about this?"
"That's not necessary. The old lady is already old, she should just enjoy her retirement. Don't bother her with these trivial matters! Otherwise, wouldn't that be unfilial?"
Mrs. Tuesday: “.”
She acted like an elder in front of Zhao Liya and Zhou Hansheng, and all she could say were the words "unfilial" and "rules". She never expected that one day someone would say the same thing back at her, which really made her angry.
Seeing that they could no longer change the situation, the two had no choice but to ask Nanny Lian to take people to get the keys and account books.
When they came out of the house and saw the housekeepers standing all over the yard, their hearts skipped a beat. They didn't dare to say anything and left in a hurry.
As soon as they left, the Duke's wife relaxed, put her hand on her forehead, and fell back softly.
Liyun, Lihe and the two maids were so frightened that they hurriedly supported him.
Zhao Liya cried out in surprise, "Mom!" and hurried forward.
Liyun and Lihe were obviously used to it. Although they were panicked, they were not confused. One of them helped the Lady of the Duke to lie down steadily and helped her to breathe smoothly. The other one quickly poured her a warm and healthy herbal tea and fed her mouthful by mouthful.
The Duke's wife drank half a cup of medicinal tea in small sips from Lihe's hand, and Zhao Liya hurriedly brought warm water for her to rinse her mouth.
The Duke's wife looked up at her, smiled, and did not refuse.
After a long while, the Duke's wife finally caught her breath. Still lying there, she smiled and said to Zhao Liya, "Ya'er, the rest is up to you. Fix what needs to be fixed in this mansion, change the rules if necessary, and don't worry about anything. I will support you in whatever you do. If the second or third house causes you trouble, just tell someone to tell me. As for the old accounts, forget about them. There's no need to check them."
The second and third wives have been in charge of the household for more than ten years, which is too long. It is tedious and troublesome to go through old accounts, and there are not many benefits, so it is unnecessary.
"Yes, Mom, I understand!"
Zhao Liya nodded.
How can a boss not make money? It's just a matter of how much.
What my mother-in-law said meant that the second and third houses did not make much money and would not damage the foundation of the Duke Ji's Mansion.
But the second and third wives would not be very happy about what she was going to do next.
Nanny Bai took the things back and gave a speech on behalf of the Duke's wife. She accompanied Zhao Liya to meet the ladies in charge.
"From now on, the Duke's wife will be the housekeeper, and the Crown Prince's wife will handle some of the trivial matters for the Duke's wife. You can report to the Crown Prince's wife for your daily communications, and the Crown Prince's wife will naturally report back to the Duke's wife. For the time being, you will take charge of your current responsibilities and do your part well. If there are any adjustments later, you will be reassigned accordingly."
"Madam has said that if anyone dares to disobey us and plot behind our backs, don't blame her for being ruthless! The Duke's Mansion has always been kind and generous. The Duke and Madam have never wronged you over the years. You better take care of yourselves and don't let the end of you end badly!"
The ladies in charge were filled with shock and all bowed their heads in agreement.
They had already privately speculated whether things would change in the mansion after the Crown Prince's wife came into the house.
After all, if the Duke's wife is in poor health, the Crown Prince's wife must be in good health too!
The Crown Prince's wife is the legitimate second-generation mistress of the Duke's Mansion, so it is only natural for her to be the housekeeper.
The Duke and Duchess would certainly prefer to let her take charge of the household.
She is just a new daughter-in-law, how many tricks can she have?
How long will it take to take over after entering the door?
Some guessed two or three years, some half a year, some a year. But no one could have imagined it would happen now.
However, it seems that this cannot be said.
Because Nanny Lian always said that the Duke's wife was the housekeeper, and the Crown Prince's wife was just helping the Duke's wife.
Even the wife of the prince herself said so
Naturally, the housekeepers did not dare to fight with the Duke's wife who held power. After responding politely and listening to the lecture from the Crown Prince's wife, they left in an orderly manner.
The Duke's wife did not show up. She was exhausted recently and was angered by her two sisters-in-law today. She still felt a dull pain in her heart!
When Zhao Liya entered the room to reply, the Duke's wife smiled and said before she could say anything, "I heard everything. Go ahead. For the next few days, familiarize yourself with the accounts, daily affairs, and the various managers in the mansion. You can take care of the rest yourself. I'm exhausted and need to rest well."
Zhao Liya couldn't help but feel sympathy. Her mother-in-law's body was like a candle in the wind, making people nervous all the time.
"I'll be leaving now. Mother, don't worry and rest. I'll take care of it. But, could you please ask Madam Lian to help me tomorrow?"
The Duke's wife and Nanny Lian looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
The Duke's wife nodded, and Lian Ma smiled and said, "Madam, just now Madam told me to go to the Madam's place on time tomorrow to support her. If there are any traitors, I will hand them over to me!"
(End of this chapter)
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