Chapter 32 Chapter 32 I was really blind in my previous life

Chapter 32 Chapter 32 I was really blind in my previous life

I asked for water twice this night.

Only after Cheng Yian repeatedly begged for mercy did the situation stop.

The snow fell heavily all night, and the snow piled up two inches high in front of Lu's house. Fortunately, the servants and the soldiers of the military department worked together to clean up the place, and Lu Xusheng went out before dawn as usual.

Cheng Yian sat up dazedly behind the curtains, and heard voices outside. Then she remembered that she was now the head lady of the Lu family, and it must be the steward outside who was questioning her.

Ruhui was waiting outside early. As soon as the curtain was opened, she immediately leaned over to look at Cheng Yian.

Most of her hair was loose and lazily piled on her chest. Her bright almond-shaped eyes were red and still full of charm. Her face was clean and white without any marks. She didn't look injured, so Ruhui felt relieved.

Cheng Yian felt embarrassed when she looked at him, so he cleared his throat and said,

"I'm fine, nothing's wrong, what's the commotion outside?"

Ruhui asked the little girl to come forward with a copper basin, and told her to wash and comb her hair. She was busy as she went back.

"Early this morning, Rulan went to question Qiu Qing, asking him if he had filed a complaint. Qiu Qing said no, and Rulan was worried about you, so she scolded him without knowing the truth. Now, Qiu Qing has begged the steward to pass on a message, saying that he kowtowed to you and that he was not the one who reported yesterday's incident."

Cheng Yian still has great faith in these tough guys on the battlefield. "Ru Lan is really bold. He even dares to scold Qiu Qing."

Ruhui smiled and said, "That's right. Such a mighty man was scolded by Rulan like a turtle grandson. His face turned red and he stammered, unable to explain himself..."

Cheng Yian smiled and said nothing.

After a while, she got out of bed, dressed neatly, and went to sit in the east room. Nanny Li led four maids to serve breakfast.

As usual, a bowl of red ginseng porridge to replenish energy and refresh the mind, a plate of spring rolls, a plate of barley cakes, a bowl of fish ball and shrimp soup, and a small bowl of duck vermicelli soup.

Cheng Yian couldn't finish it, so he called Rulan to come in and eat with Ruhui.

Madam Li then replied to the steward outside.

"Today is your first time as a director. No one dares to make a move.

I'm waiting in the living room, waiting for your instructions, grandma."

Nanny Li wanted to say that it was late, but seeing Cheng Yian's calm demeanor, she thought that she was trying to intimidate the stewards and said nothing.

Cheng Yian planned to wait until Ruhui and Rulan finished their meal and then take them there together. Seeing that Nanny Li seemed to be hesitant to speak, she asked her,

"Mammy, what do you want to say?"

Madam Li said worriedly, "Madam, you are young and don't know how deep the Lu family is. Even though the Second Master showed off his power yesterday and it seems like he has paved the way for you, it is not easy to manage those monsters and demons under you. We are new here and don't know where to go. Should we use those people? I'm worried. You don't even know if they are working together to plot against you. If we don't use them, where can we find so many trustworthy people?"

"Grandma, I am so happy for you now that you are in charge of the family, but I am also so worried about you that I didn't sleep all night."

Cheng Yian looked at the wrinkled corners of Li Ma's eyes and laughed, "There will always be a way out when you reach the mountain, don't worry, Ma'am."

Besides this, Nanny Li actually had something else on her mind, but she didn't dare to say it in front of Cheng Yian.

Even though Nanny Li is Cheng Yian's foster nanny, she has to stand back in Ningji Hall because of the old lady's incident.

Nanny Li was determined to rely on Cheng Yian, the big tree, and the old lady had completely given up. The old lady also understood and released Nanny Li's daughter and son-in-law without Cheng Yian asking. Some time ago, the daughter and son-in-law came to her and asked her to help them find a job in the Lu Mansion.

Now, Cheng Yian has become the head of the family. This is a great opportunity.

But Nanny Li didn't dare to speak, after all, she was no longer the same as before.

Ruhui and the other two didn't dare to ask Cheng Yian to wait, so they hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls and stood up. Cheng Yian just glared at them and said, "I'm not waiting for you. I'm thinking about something. Eat some more."

After a while, the master and his four servants came to the meeting room, accompanied by maids and servants.

The meeting room of the Lu Mansion is inside the Chuihua Gate. To the west of the Chuihua Gate is the flower hall. To the east next to the side door is a small courtyard, which is the meeting room of the mistress of the Lu Mansion.

The second wife did not get up on a snowy day and was spared the morning and evening visits. The old lady was ill and no one was allowed to disturb her, so Cheng Yian went straight to the meeting room.

As expected, the place was packed with people.

There were first-class stewards, second-class stewards and third-class stewards, a total of one hundred people, who crowded the medium-sized meeting room to the limit.

Everyone was whispering to each other, but when they heard the maid at the door call out "The young mistress is here", they immediately became respectful and greeted Cheng Yian one after another.

Cheng Yian sat down on the long couch in the living room.

The steward had already prepared the stove. Ruhui personally spread a mink mattress she brought with her and let Cheng Yian sit on it, and put a leopard-skin satin mattress on her to keep her warm. Rulan, with the little maid, put down the tea set that Cheng Yian usually used, and asked someone to make tea.

The snow had stopped and the accumulated snow in the yard had been cleared to the corners. Hundreds of people stood silently below, quietly looking at Cheng Yian.

The demure beauty was sitting on the couch, her face as white as jade surrounded by a tuft of fine rabbit hair. She looked extremely graceful and wealthy, but after all, she was too young.

Being young has its advantages, it is easier to fool people.

Cheng Yian knew the details of these managers too well.

No matter how capable Lu Xusheng is, he can't stay at home every day. After all, the stewards are also watching whether this young lady will succeed.

This is one of them.

Secondly, the Lu Mansion is a huge Duke's Mansion. Even if it is not as long-established as the Cheng Family, it is still the best in the capital. There are more than ten major events and hundreds of minor events every day, including those on the stove, in the kitchen, purchasing in the inner courtyard, purchasing in the outer courtyard, the tea room, the banquet hall, the warehouse, those who keep watch at the gate, those who manage the garden, not to mention the maids and old women around the wives and grandmothers. Just these require dozens of managers.

How many people did she bring into the mansion?

There were two capable maids who came with the dowry and two chambermaids, and even if they were put to full use, they could only take care of the affairs of two or three stalls.

Ultimately, Cheng Yian still has to use people from the Lu Mansion.

Since we have to use them, we will naturally feel confident.

Which person in the room is not a smart one?

Seeing her difficulty, the Second Madam sent several of her maids and maids over. Do you dare not give face to your mother-in-law?

The old lady and the first lady's people are all here. Although the first lady's people know that the situation is more dangerous than good, the old lady's people are confident. Why, do you dare not respect your elders?

Even the Third Wife, who had always been like a bodhisattva, sent a few people over.

Instead of using the eldest son's people, you might as well use my people. It is the lesser of two evils.

Not to mention those outside, doesn’t Nanny Li beside her also want to force her daughter and son-in-law in?

Everyone has his own ideas.

Having many ideas is not a bad thing.

Cheng Yian scanned them one by one without changing his expression, took the tea handed to him by Rulan, and drank it slowly.

Of course these people need to be used and must be used.

The managing maids here are either the maids of the ladies or the servants of the Lu family. All of them have been in the Lu Mansion for many years, have complex network of relationships, and have many connections outside. Once they are abandoned, the Lu Mansion will fall into paralysis, which will not only cause trouble to others, but also to Cheng Yian himself.

Of course, not everyone can use it.

The old lady's people are useless, isn't it uncomfortable to have an ancestor suppressing you?

The second wife’s people cannot be used either.

She saw clearly yesterday that this mother-in-law intended to take over the feeding.

Maybe these old women are playing some tricks secretly to embarrass her.

Even if the rest of them are capable, they cannot easily satisfy their wishes.

It is human nature that if something is obtained too easily, they will not cherish it.

Just drive out the old lady and the second wife’s people?

Of course she could, she could deal with them all swiftly and violently.

But this is not the way to go.

Firstly, she would be known as a person who is disrespectful to elders. Secondly, these people would be dissatisfied and might do something malicious behind closed doors. Thirdly, why would she be directed all the hatred towards her alone?

Cheng Yian’s intention now is very simple, he wants to use people, and he has to use them conveniently.

What to do?

She took a few sips of tea and finally put the cup down.

First, she removed the eldest lady's companion room as expected.

This is to tell everyone that those who covet public property will be severely punished and will not be loaned.

Later, Ming's wife and her husband were appointed as managers of the treasury, in charge of disbursing silver. As for the chief steward of the general manager's office, it was given to Lu Xusheng's confidant, Steward Hang. With this old steward around, it was like a magic needle that stabilized the sea and prevented any major chaos.

As for the rest of the servants, Cheng Yian's expression eased and he said with a smile,

"Madams, I am young and I just took over today. I am not familiar with the affairs yet. I also need to take a closer look at the temperaments of the maids. How about this? The rest of the staff will remain the same. I will take a look first."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the managers breathed a sigh of relief and showed joy on their faces.

I have long seen that this young lady is a person with a very good temper.

You are only seventeen years old, and you want to be the head of the Duke's Mansion. It's a bit too arrogant.

The maids in charge laughed and knelt down to express their gratitude, "Young Madam has a kind heart. It is a blessing for our Lu family."

Cheng Yian did not move the old lady's staff, but instead placed the nanny sent by the second wife in the warehouse, purchasing, and human relations.

After this arrangement, everyone understood.

The young mistress was very cautious and did not dare to fail to give face to the old lady and the second wife.

Of course, those stewards who were waiting to climb up the ladder were inevitably a little disappointed, but it was no wonder. Who told them not to go to Ningjitang on weekdays? It was also normal that the young lady did not dare to use them easily.

Cheng Yian sent the man away and went into the warm room inside the meeting room to look at the account books of various places.

At this time, a woman came in.

Nanny Li knew him and went to Cheng Yian to ask for instructions.

"Second Madam, it's Madam Yao, the second wife's maid."

Nanny Yao came in with a smile on her face and bowed happily to Cheng Yian.

"Greetings, Grandma."

Cheng Yian looked at her very gently, "Madam, please sit down."

This Madam Yao is the first person on the Second Wife's side besides Madam Wang, her personal attendant. In other words, Madam Yao is the leader sent by the Second Wife.

Perhaps because of Cheng Yian's gentleness, Aunt Yao was so arrogant that she sat down in front of her.

Nanny Li, who was standing aside, looked at her deeply and curled the corners of her lips in contempt.

Cheng Yian put down the account book and asked her, "What's the matter, Madam Yao?"

Madam Yao had just taken over the management of the warehouse from the eldest lady. She had come with a plan.

"Grandma treats me like her own child and has entrusted me with such an important task. I am very grateful. I am afraid that since you have just married, you may not be familiar with the affairs of the mansion. I can't help but make plans for you."

Cheng Yian smiled, "Madam, please feel free to tell me what you want to say."

Yao Ma said, "In my opinion, you cannot use the old lady's people."

Cheng Yian smiled bitterly and said, "I know what you said, but

I cannot move anyone who is in front of me."

Aunt Yao was not surprised at all when she heard this. "I know that Madam is kind-hearted. Since Madam treats me as a person, I have no choice but to be a bad person and help Madam get rid of this thorn in her side."

Aunt Yao came to help Cheng Yi'an on the orders of her second wife. How could she tolerate someone above her being tyrannical?

Cheng Yian smiled but said nothing.

Aunt Yao didn't say much. She knew that these grandmas were thin-skinned and wouldn't easily give instructions. She took the initiative to ask for the reins today, and when things were done in the future, how could Cheng Yian not be relieved?

However, the fact that Nanny Yao stayed behind alone and entered the warm hall was not hidden from the old lady's side.

They all went about their duties during the day, and at night, the stewards returned to the surrounding courtyards of the Lu Mansion. Dozens of small courtyards, large and small, surrounded the Lu Mansion in a half circle, where lived some of the mansion's relatives and relatives who came to collect money from the mansion, as well as the stewards.

Several stewards from the old lady's side gathered quietly in Nanny Duan's yard to talk.

In the past, Nanny Duan was in charge of purchasing together with the eldest lady's people. This was the place with the most money, so Nanny Duan was reluctant to give it up.

"Look at that old hag's smug look, she must have come up with some bad idea."

"That's right. What can she do? She can only help the Second Madam to deal with us."

"We can't let her succeed."

"I didn't want to argue with her. Since she wants to harm us, don't blame us for taking the initiative."

Nanny Yao was in charge of the warehouse. A few days ago, in order to prepare for the old lady's birthday banquet, she took out a lot of good things from the warehouse and set them up. Now that the birthday banquet has not been held, the old lady is in a bad mood and has ordered people to move the things back.

Madam Yao led a few people to summon several servants and maids to the old lady's yard to help with the moving.

He moved a twelve-page inlaid rosewood screen with birds, pearls and shells, and several pairs of blue and white porcelain plum vases with double handles back to the warehouse. After taking care of the old lady, he went to the banquet hall and moved the ten huanghuali eight-immortal tables that had been stored there back to the warehouse.

It was her first time on duty, so Nanny Yao was extremely cautious. She was afraid of offending her master with any bumps or scratches, so she did everything herself and even called in several stewards from the Second Madam's office to help keep an eye on things. She finally moved the things back to the warehouse in the evening. She was so tired that her waist and legs were sore, so she went back to the yard to rest. As a result, she saw a group of people holding torches coming towards her yard at midnight.

The person in the lead was Nanny Duan who was beside the old lady.

"Madam Yao, you are so bold! You just got a good job and you can't wait to fill your pockets."

When Aunt Yao saw that it was her old rival Aunt Duan, she held her waist and drank over.

"What kind of madness did you go through, woman? You dare to splash dirty water on me? I've been so tired today, just doing my job. I'm nothing like you, who took advantage of the purchases to make so much money."

Nanny Duan did not argue with her and pointed in the direction of the meeting room.

"Mammy, grandma has asked you to follow me to the meeting room."

Only then did Aunt Yao's face change slightly, "What do you mean?"

Madam Duan said, "You moved some things back to the storeroom today, but you moved the wrong thing. When the old lady woke up, she was thinking about the multicolored plum vase that was leaning against the window, so she sent people to look for it in the storeroom. But they couldn't find it. So the old lady got furious and blamed the young lady. The young lady called you over for questioning."

Nanny Yao's heart was pounding. She pushed Nanny Duan aside and quickly went to the storeroom.

When I arrived at the courtyard in the northeast corner of the Lu residence, I saw Li Ma Ma standing on the corridor with a serious expression.

Aunt Yao immediately stepped forward to explain, "Sister, please don't panic. Let me take a look at what's going on."

Madam Yao first led people into the storeroom with a light. She remembered that she had indeed brought in a very small multicolored plum vase today, but now she couldn't find it. After searching for a long time, she suddenly realized what was going on. She suspected that Madam Duan and others were plotting against her, so she jumped out immediately.

He shouted at Nanny Duan and others who followed.

"You old thief, this warehouse was managed by your people in the past. I'm sure you secretly made a key and stole something to frame me." She pointed at Madam Duan and Madam Li and said,

"Old sister, today's incident cannot be easily exposed. You know, I am the Second Wife's man. This mansion will belong to our prince from now on. How can I embarrass our prince? This old woman must be afraid that I will squeeze them out, so she deliberately made trouble."

"Madame Li, listen to me. Send a group of people to search them one by one. I don't believe that we can't find them."

Madam Duan was really afraid that Madam Li would listen to Madam Yao's words and go to the skirt room to search for things. They were all thousand-year-old goblins, and who could guarantee that their hands were clean? She immediately rushed over and grabbed Madam Yao's hand.

"What do you mean by your people or our people? We are just servants, following the orders of our master. You lost the old lady's things today, so come with me to report to her no matter what."

Nanny Li pretended to step forward to stop them, but unfortunately Nanny Duan was more powerful and had been prepared. She and her group of people quickly dragged Nanny Yao and others to the old lady's yard.

Later, the small plum vase was found in Aunt Yao's duty room.

Will the old lady listen to a servant's explanation?

She was angry because the eldest master had been locked up for two days and had not returned. She took it out on the second wife and had several of her capable men exiled.

Yao Ma and others were beaten with twenty boards, lost their jobs, and were carried back in disgrace.

The second wife was so angry that her face turned blue.

Nanny Wang, her trusted confidant, gave her some advice.

"The old lady is so hateful. She is deliberately making things difficult for us. Miss, we can't just stand by and watch them being so arrogant."

The Second Wife hadn't thought that it was Cheng Yian who was causing the trouble. She looked at her coldly and asked, "Madam, what do you think?"

Nanny Wang snorted, "Just wait. It doesn't matter if she has a shame or not. Since she won't let our people do it, she won't get any good results."

The middle of the month was the death anniversary of the second grandfather, so the second wife made a shopping list and asked the purchasing department to prepare it.

In the past, the purchasing office was managed by the old lady and the first lady's people. After the first lady's people were sent away, Cheng Yian replaced them with a nanny from the second lady, who was the only first-class manager left by the second lady.

Nanny Duan had learned her lesson this time. Fearing that the Second Madam's people would find fault with her, she handed the matter over to the Second Madam's Nanny Xuan.

Nanny Xuan was usually a kind person, so she quietly gave Nanny Duan a tael of silver.

"Mammy, I just took over and I really don't know the way. Mammy, please show me the way so that I can have a clear goal."

Madam Duan glanced at the silver and didn't take it. "It's just some incense paper and candles. Just go to the street below the drum tower and buy them."

Madam Xuan smiled bitterly, "If it was incense paper and candles, it would be simple, but the Second Madam asked to buy ten rolls of silk, five boxes of ink tablets, a box of rice paper, and a box of brushes..."

The second wife came from a scholarly family and loved writing.

Nanny Duan was shocked when she heard this.

"You're buying so much? Did the young mistress approve it?"

Nanny Xuan smiled and said, "How can I not approve my mother-in-law's affairs?"

Nanny Duan understood immediately.

The second wife wanted to get money from the public.

She had helped the first wife do this kind of thing in the past.

What does it mean?

First, they would write out an order and have it approved by the general accounting office. Then they would go to the bank to withdraw money and use the money to go shopping. The goods that originally cost five taels only cost two taels of silver, and the extra three taels went into the hands of the wives. Of course, the manager would also get a share of it, but the wives took the lion's share.

No matter how proud and arrogant the Second Wife is, she cannot resist the fact that her younger son needs financial support. Her younger daughter hasn't even married yet, and even the Second Aunt above her wants to get a piece of the pie from her parents' side. How can the Second Wife not want some ways to get in?

Nanny Duan has been doing shopping all year round and knows the details very well. She took the list, took a look at it, and after a quick calculation, she realized that the expenses were five hundred taels.

I could earn at least fifty taels from this trip.

Nanny Duan was moved.

But I wasn't completely moved.

She was determined not to steal the second wife's money, so as not to lose money herself.

Aunt Xuan saw her concern and said earnestly,

"I just want you to recommend me a good place, where I can get a few taels of silver. You know my wife is about to give birth, and it's time to spend money. Don't worry, I will definitely thank you in the future."

After all, this was the first time that Nanny Xuan was in charge of purchasing, so it was understandable that she didn't know the way around it.

Madam Duan pondered and said, "You don't need to thank me heavily. You know I'm a straightforward person who never touches meat and fish. I won't take anything that I shouldn't take. But since you asked me for help, I have to help you. There is a shopkeeper named Qian in the Thirteenth Square of Gulou Street. His calligraphy is excellent and his price is fair. You can go there."

"As for silk, go to the third intersection in East Market and go west to the store with the sign 'Jiangnan Cloth Shop'. The silk they sell is of good quality and low price. You can try it."

Nanny Duan thought to herself that as long as she stayed out of everything, the Second Wife wouldn't be able to rely on her, but on the other hand, she could get some kickbacks from these two families, thus having the best of both worlds.

Nanny Xuan left, but Nanny Duan didn't take it seriously.

She was on duty in the meeting room today, but in the evening, someone from the steward's office came and took her to the backyard.

It turned out that Nanny Xuan met with the shopkeeper under the name of Nanny Duan, and got a lot of private affairs out of him. She threatened to report him to the police, and frightened the shopkeeper into betraying Nanny Duan. Not only Nanny Duan, but all the maids in the mansion who had received benefits from him were exposed.

Now you've disturbed a hornet's nest.

Of course the second wife would not miss the opportunity to squeeze the old lady. She blamed the old lady's subordinates for being dishonest, making the old lady extremely embarrassed.

When the list was handed to Cheng Yian, all the people on the old lady's side were wiped out, but there were naturally still many people left.

Cheng Yian did not have an attack.

If the water is too clear, there will be no fish.

The most careful one will have no followers.

Cheng Yian called the remaining managers in one by one, and gave them a beating when necessary and tamped them down when necessary. With this handle in hand, these people who were not hers became hers, and they were all grateful and regarded her as their master.

By using both kindness and force in this way, and using the opponent's strength to counteract the opponent's, all those old-fashioned people who relied on their seniority were sent away. The rest, if not all of them obedient, were almost there.

When they went to the meeting room on the fourth day, everyone looked at this young lady and no longer dared to look down on her.

When Lu Xusheng returned home, he heard about this from Butler Hang and was a little stunned.

Although she looks gentle and virtuous, I didn't expect that she is also quite cunning and scheming.

Recalling the messy backyard in the previous life, and then looking at Cheng Yian now, he is smart and capable, both talented and beautiful.

This is all a man should do when seeking a wife.

Which eye was blind in his previous life that he let her go?