During the ten-day Lunar New Year holiday, when all officials were in seclusion, Gu Tingye was able to rest for a few days. Aside from necessary trips out to pay New Year's greetings, he stayed at home, chatting and laughing. Even when he wasn't talking, he could still gaze at Minglan's still-flat belly for hours. But the pile of documents piled up, making it impossible to put them down. The cold and desolate study was no match for the cozy warmth of his inner room, so Gu Tingye simply moved the manuscripts into the inner room. Inside, the fireplace glowed, and laughter filled the air. He truly forgot the toil of paperwork and was reluctant to leave.
Gongsun Baishi couldn't help but sigh about the love between young men and women and the shortness of breath of heroes. He wished he could roll up his sleeves and write a poem, but the weather was cold and the water outside turned into ice. Well, he decided not to show his arms, so as not to get a cold arm.
Gu Tingye was absorbed in reading a document at the other end of the desk. Minglan was leaning against the couch, reading a book, wrapped in a thick, soft blanket. When he looked up, he saw her frowning slightly, as if she were sighing. He stood up and sat beside her, whispering, "Do you think the New Year's Eve is quiet?" He imagined that when she was at her parents' home, her parents, brothers, and sisters would all gather, making it a lively occasion.
Minglan nodded: "At this time of year in previous years, my sisters and I would be playing cards with our grandmother." Gu Tingye couldn't imagine the solemn and dignified Mrs. Sheng playing cards. He thought it was funny and asked casually: "How are you doing?" Minglan answered fluently: "Except for Mama Fang and, there are almost no rivals in the family." If Molan didn't pretend and Rulan didn't cheat.
Gu Tingye laughed: "You play leaf cards well?" Minglan shook her head: "Not bad, but not the best."
"So what's your best game, backgammon? Chess?"
"Pai Gow." Minglan said with a certain amount of pride. If she were to play Pai Gow, she could win all of Rulan's pants.
Gu Tingye stared at her for a moment, his gaze strange. Minglan felt uneasy, and whispered, "My grandmother always taught me to practice needlework. I'm not really into gambling." God knows, she's always had a soft spot for the gambling industry.
Gu Tingye stood up and returned to his desk. He pulled out a small compartment under his bookcase, pulling out something. He casually poured the remaining tea from the teacup into his brushwasher and walked over to sit down in front of Minglan. Before Minglan could understand what was happening, he held the porcelain bowl flat in his left hand and raised his right. There was a crisp sound of bone porcelain clashing, and three large dice rolled in the teacup. When the dice stopped, they had three six-points facing up, a perfect match!
"How is it?" Gu Tingye gracefully retracted his wrist and gently smoothed his cuffs.
Minglan's mouth dropped open, momentarily stunned. She slowly shifted her gaze towards the man, her eyes filled with admiration and respect. He was, after all, the tyrant of the capital back then, a reputation well earned! She wanted to yell, "Second Uncle, I'll follow you from now on."
"How, how did you roll it?" Minglan hesitated, unable to contain her excitement as she grabbed the dice and gently weighed them in her palm, her heart pounding. Gu Tingye leaned closer to her face, slowly picked up three dice, and whispered, "Madam, are you interested in learning?" Minglan nodded vigorously, thinking that many skills are always a disadvantage. Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye's face suddenly turned stern, and his voice was flat: "No." He stood up and walked back to his desk, "Aren't you afraid of teaching the child bad things?"
Minglan watched him hide the dice back in the corner, unwillingly protesting: "Then why do you hide the dice with you?" Maybe you take it out every now and then to practice. Gu Tingye glanced at Minglan, took out another dice and placed it on the desk, turning the dotted side towards Minglan: "It looks good, so I wanted to give it to you to play with."
The dice were slightly larger than ordinary bone dice, made of white jade inlaid with gold corners and dotted with cinnabar. They were extremely delicate and beautiful, looking like a treasure to be enjoyed rather than a gambling tool. Especially because the dot was inlaid with a ruby the size of a mung bean. Minglan stared blankly at the bright red dot, as if a thought came to her. Her heart was as sweet as honey, and tenderness filled her heart. After a while, she lowered her head and whispered, "...Me too." She felt quite embarrassed, her ears burning, but she still finished the words, "Every time you go out, I think the same thing."
The man at the desk paused with his pen in hand and looked sideways at Minglan. He saw her loose hair half hanging down, her hair half draped over her face, and her charming pair of crescent-shaped eyes made him feel warm. His smile softened unconsciously, but he couldn't help but condense the ink under his pen. The ink had already melted on the white jade paper, and a light ink-colored heart flower appeared on the paper with flower and bird patterns.
After the Lantern Festival, the emperor began to exert his power. The court was in turmoil, with impeachment petitions flying everywhere and gossip flowing everywhere. Gu Tingye was so busy that he and Minglan hadn't eaten a single meal in several days. Mr. Gongsun was unable to sleep all night, and he lost weight due to exhaustion and lost a lot of hair. Minglan felt sorry for the old man who was almost bald. She quickly stewed all the supplements she had consumed and sent them to the outer study. Ms. Ruomei, a lover of culture, naturally asked to run errands.
"Can fetal health supplements and brain health supplements be the same?" Danju said softly. She was cautious by nature.
"Even a baby can be mended, let alone an old man." Minglan was very excited that Xiaotao could actually use the word "er".
The princess's residence came to discuss the wedding date with the Dowager. Since both of them were not young anymore, it was better to get married sooner rather than later. They decided to hold the wedding in early March. A few days later, after the first month of the lunar year, the Dowager wanted to hand over the household accounts to Minglan. She smiled and said, "You are pregnant, and it was not easy to entrust this burden to you. But the imperial physicians have been to see you recently, and they say you are doing well. Now that your sister has something to do, I am afraid I will be too busy to handle it..."
The kind, flashing smile made Minglan's eyelids twitch. She calculated the days and found she was past the first trimester. The pain was completely over, her belly was slightly swollen, she could eat and sleep well, and she was healthy, with a rosy complexion. All the imperial physicians who came to examine her said the pregnancy was excellent, with strong and active fetal pulses. Minglan, seeing it was almost time, smiled and agreed. She asked Danju to take the matching copper spoon and Xiaotao to bring over the box of account books for the past three years.
Minglan quickly uttered a few nice words, something to the effect of 'You've worked so hard over the past few decades, and it's all thanks to you that the family is in such good order. Now you can think about your peaceful life and playing with your grandchildren.' She spoke at length and ended with a final question: "...Uh, are the deeds of all the people in the mansion here?" She pointed to a large black wooden box on the table.
The old lady had been feeling a bit dazed and sleepy from what she had heard. Hearing this, she suddenly became alert, but her smile remained unchanged. "In recent years, I haven't been very involved." Then she turned to Shao, "What do you think?"
Shao was stunned and quickly said, "I don't know about my daughter-in-law and the others, but when my father passed away that year, except for you, me, and my brother-in-law's concubines, the indentures of everyone else in the mansion were all here." She paused, and seeing Minglan smiling at her, she mustered a little courage and added, "The concubines I brought with me, if they were working in the government, also left their indentures here."
The lady glanced at her sideways.
Minglan smiled and said to a maid standing below, "You are from Pengshou's family." The maid quickly replied, "To answer the Second Madam, it is me." The maid was about forty, with a clean-cut face and a smile that gave her a certain look of good fortune. Minglan raised her voice again, "Is Steward Mo here?" A respectful middle-aged man's voice echoed from outside the room: "At Madam's command."
Minglan nodded, straightening her lazy body slightly. "That's all for today. Go and do your own things. I'll come back to see you two if there's anything else." Manager Mo responded and took his leave. But Peng Shou's wife stepped on tiptoe and then stopped. She glanced at the lady and said with a smile, "Well... Madam, it's just after the New Year, and there are a lot of things to do at home. I need your advice on how to proceed now."
"You are the one in charge, so you have the final say." Minglan said nonchalantly with a tired look on her face.
When these words came out, not only the Madam and Shao were stunned, but also the several wives, mothers, and maids standing in the room were all surprised. Mrs. Peng Shou was stunned for a moment, then laughed awkwardly and said, "This... How can I make a decision?"
"It's just the end of the New Year, so I don't think anything big is happening at home." Minglan said lazily.
Mrs. Peng Shou stuttered: "No, no...it's just some trivial things. I'm just afraid of making mistakes...Oh no, I'm afraid of not doing it to Madam's liking. Madam's body is precious. If I make Madam unhappy, wouldn't it be my fault? I have never served Madam before, so...I shouldn't be presumptuous." After all, she had been in charge for many years, and she became more fluent as she spoke.
"In a family like ours, we have so many years of rules. When have matters in the mansion ever been determined by anyone's whims? Don't we have any family rules?" Minglan asked, glancing at the Dowager. Danju, standing by, cheered quietly. This glance from their young lady was now pure and proper. It was precisely here that silence spoke louder than words.
The Madam was indeed restless, her face displeased. Mrs. Pengshou quickly said, "That's not the case. It's all because of my poor tongue. I said the wrong thing. I was afraid that without your guidance, if I did something inappropriate..." She hesitated and dragged out the end of her words. Unexpectedly, Minglan didn't refuse and took over neatly, "Any merit should be rewarded, and any mistake should be punished."
Mrs. Peng's expression immediately changed. Before she could say anything, Minglan interrupted her and smiled at her, "Sister-in-law Peng, you are the most respected mother in the inner house. You earn more monthly wages than others, have more authority than others, and are respected more than others. Even when you are in front of outsiders, you are as respectable as your master. I am young, and I am speaking arrogantly. Since this is the case, you will have to endure some grievances, figure out some things on your own, and bear the blame yourself. Otherwise..."
Minglan pointed at Xiaotao beside her and said with a smile, "This silly girl of mine has lived with me for quite some time now, and yet she's only willing to take care of two strings and a pot. If I were like her, I'd be happy and worry-free. Don't you agree?"
Sweat beads broke out on Peng Shoujia's forehead. In a wealthy family, the mistress of the house did not have to take care of everything. Everything was assigned layer by layer. She just wanted to test the waters and feel out the new master's background, but she ended up being frightened.
Minglan felt sleepy again. She spoke with little strength, saying lightly, "I've heard for many years that the Peng family's sister-in-law is an experienced worker. Since you were able to satisfy people in the past, I think you won't take advantage of my youth and will satisfy me in the future."
Minglan's face was full of amiable joy, but Peng Shou's wife felt a pang of unease. She opened her mouth, but couldn't get the words out. This was a problem. From now on, if she did her job well, it would be her due. If she didn't, it would be considered intentional neglect of her new master. She couldn't just do it right; she had to do it to her new master's satisfaction. That way, things would be dicey. It seemed this lady wasn't someone to be trifled with. If she had known, she wouldn't have bothered with her. She wouldn't have gotten herself into trouble.
She didn't dare say anything more, bowing her head and taking her leave. The Lady Tai didn't say anything, just smiled and watched. After a few more words, Minglan and Shao stood up to say goodbye. As she watched them walk out side by side, she could hear voices outside the door, gradually becoming lighter and heavier.
"Sister-in-law, I've been staying at home all day lately and I'm so lazy."
"We should go for a walk, but the snow hasn't melted yet, and it's cold outside. Be careful not to catch a cold." Shao Shi seemed to have grown accustomed to the coquettish tone of her younger sister-in-law, and her response was surprisingly natural. Ever since marrying her frail husband, she'd long been accustomed to caring for others, but her daughter, independent and precocious, didn't present much for her to worry about. Minglan, on the other hand, was a bit of an octopus, having long been flirting with Old Madam Sheng. Seeing this kind of nanny-like person, she naturally reacted. They matched each other, their rhythm perfectly.
"But I still want to take a walk. My bones are sore from being bored."
"Well...how about we take a walk down the corridor..."
The Madam's face was gloomy as she sat quietly on the bed, not saying a word. She winked at her mother and the two maids nearby, who quickly lowered the thick brocade curtain and left. "The Pengshou family is such a loser! They were scared off by just a few words!" she whispered to her mother. The Madam remained silent.
"Have you...really handed over all the debts?" Xiang Mama asked again, "I don't think the Second Madam is in any hurry at all."
The Madam slammed the bedside table and said in a deep voice, "Of course she's not in a hurry. You have to hit the snake at its weakest point. Her husband took back all the promising businesses in the mansion before the New Year, and now the household funds are in his hands. Humph, I won't pay. If I don't pay, after this New Year, the cash flow in the account will be almost gone. If the other party doesn't pay, do you think I should pay?!"
Xiang Mama was silent for a while before she said, "Do you think the Second Madam will check the old accounts?"
The old lady then revealed a murky smile: "I wish she would investigate, and find out something. In a family like ours, there are always some tricks, not to mention that when the fourth and fifth sons were around, the money in the account could never be explained."
He reminded his mother, "But I just saw that the Second Madam doesn't seem to care about those account books. Instead, she's been focusing on those personal deeds. These past few days, she's just been repeatedly checking the population of the mansion."
"Sheng Minglan is so sly and calm. Over the past few times, when have you ever seen her suffer a loss? She hasn't even gotten angry, and lives a happy life." The lady leaned back slowly on the pillow. "Although I don't know what she's going to do, I don't think it's going to be simple. Have we packed up our people?" "Don't worry, they've already been cleared."
The wedding date was set, and the appointed coordinator, Madam Xuan, was busy. Meanwhile, the Grand Madam was busy preparing Tingcan's dowry. It had been prepared long ago, but after a certain loving mother increased it dramatically, it was forced to be drastically reduced, and she had to sort it out again. Madam Xuan had to go to the Marquis's residence every few days to arrange tables, chairs, teacups, and guests. After she had presided over Gu Tingyu's funeral last time, her ability was recognized by the Grand Madam. This time, it was a big event for her precious daughter. Any maid who dared to refuse to obey the assignment was really tired of living. With the Grand Madam in charge, Madam Xuan was able to do things smoothly and with satisfaction. Moreover, she knew what was going on. After exercising her authority, she would come to have tea and snacks with Minglan, and sometimes drag Shao Shi along to chat and laugh together.
Since taking over the family power, Minglan rarely read idle books and worked seriously. She asked two accountants from Chengyuan to check the account books she got from the lady, and carefully looked through a box full of deeds. Then, she summoned a group of people after dinner every day according to their level. She asked them a few questions casually with a kind smile, which made the servants, who were originally worried, feel more at ease (relaxed their vigilance). Then, as usual, she asked Luzhi Ruomei and others to record their personal files.
Three generations of the investigation had their own objections, and the first to be affected was Steward Mo's mother, known throughout the palace as Aunt Mo. In her youth, she had served in Tingye's grandmother's household, a position she held somewhat respectably. When she reached adulthood, she was assigned to a servant position within the palace. Because of her eloquence and good manners, she secured a position for her youngest son. Steward Mo was diligent and willing to learn, slowly climbing the ranks to become a minor steward. A few years after the old marquis returned to the capital from his border garrison duty, the old steward retired. Seeing his thoughtfulness and steadiness, Gu Yankai appointed him his successor.
"I'm already old, and I've worked hard for the Gu family my whole life. Even when I was serving the old lady, I was never treated so badly! You little bastards are taking advantage of your power and rushing here to question me!" Aunt Mo's cheeks flushed, as if she had drunk two glasses of wine. She became more and more wanton and shouted loudly in the garden of Jiaxiju. Xia He and the others couldn't stop her. "Don't even mention Madam, even Madam Tai, Madam, and the fourth and fifth old ladies. Considering the dignity of the elderly in front of the old lady, everyone treated me politely. Now I'm being ridiculed like this..."
Danju, who was serving in the inner room, was shaking with anger and whispered, "Madam, let me go out and stop her!" Luzhi gritted her teeth and was about to go out, but Minglan sat upright at the desk, writing a large calligraphy piece steadily, her brows not changing at all.
"Green Branch, have her mouth gagged, her hands and feet bound, and then forked into the side room."
Lvzhi excitedly responded and left. Several sturdy servants were already waiting outside. Aunt Mo was in the middle of a scolding when they suddenly rushed over, bound her hands and feet with cotton ropes. Her mouth stank, and she couldn't tell what was blocking it. Then they dragged her into a room. There was a heating system inside, so she wasn't freezing, but there was nothing inside except four walls.
There were already quite a few wives and servants standing in the corridor, watching the fun. Aunt Mo was known for her domineering ways. No one dared to offend her in the mansion, even the master was somewhat polite, because of the respect shown to her by the housekeeper Mo. Now, at whose request, no one knew, she had dared to offend the new wife. Even a few words exchanged with such a scoundrel would be a joke. Everyone huddled together, whispering, wondering how Minglan would handle it.
Who knew Minglan wouldn't even show her face, and she rudely started tying people up. But in a moment, Jiaxi Residence was peaceful and quiet again. The maids in the garden didn't seem to panic. Aside from a row of messy footprints on the snow, it was as if nothing had happened. Before anyone could get alarmed, a round-faced maid in a pink brocade jacket appeared and stood under the eaves. With a bright smile, she said in a clear voice, "Ladies and mothers, if you're feeling cold, come to the water room and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself. You can go back after I've finished my questions."
Everyone was stunned and looked at each other, not knowing how to deal with the matter.
The fire in the room was burning brightly, making everyone feel warm. Minglan looked calm, holding the pen steadily, and muttered to herself: "They found an old woman in her seventies to cause trouble. They can't beat her, scold her, or punish her. It takes a lot of effort for them..." She was fine, but Danju beside her was furious.
In the Sheng family, no matter how turbulent the masters were, such instances of servants bullying their masters were rare. Old Madam Sheng ran the household with sternness, and no servant dared to interfere. When Wang came into the family, she delegated all authority, and Wang managed to clean things up inside and out. Then, with Concubine Lin taking the reins, the wives and concubines began to fight openly and covertly, a scene of intense conflict. Sheng Hong was so annoyed that he could only take his anger out on them. Many of the housekeepers and servants were made cannon fodder, and most of the remaining servants were sensible and understanding, so no one dared to take the spotlight. When Hai came into the family, the family's atmosphere became even more orderly.
"Such a wicked slave! If Fang Mama saw him, she would definitely..." Danju, a kindhearted woman, thought for a long time but couldn't come up with any harsh words strong enough to shock her. Minglan smiled and put down her pen, not really angry. She wasn't a stubborn person, and if someone didn't obey her, what could she do? She had to... uh, teach him a lesson.
About half an hour later, Manager Mo received the news and immediately rushed to kneel in front of Jiaxiju, kowtowed repeatedly to apologize. He was not afraid of anything else. A new emperor changes his ministers. Even if this job could not be done, he hoped that the master would give him some dignity and not take him hostage. He was just afraid that Minglan would report it to Gu Tingye. He knew the temper of that young master very well. No matter if you were the king of the world, if you offended him, he would do anything. Minglan's voice came through the door curtain, soft and gentle: "Manager Mo, don't blame yourself. It has always been the mother who disciplines the son, how can the son discipline the mother? I will see to it. You stand up."
These words were neither light nor heavy. Manager Mo was confused for a moment and was urged to leave by the maid. He thought that the lady was probably going to punish his mother, which would be nothing more than starving her for two meals and locking her up for a night. As long as no one else was implicated, it would be considered a light punishment.
The next morning, he hurried to Jiaxiju to wait for word. A beautifully dressed maid emerged from the room. Her expression was cold, and her words were eloquent. She spoke in front of everyone in the garden, "Mrs. Mo was quite capable yesterday. She kept talking about respect and decorum, forgetting the duties of master and servant. With such brazen nonsense, weren't you afraid of disturbing the mistress?!"
Manager Mo was anxious and was about to step forward to argue, but the maid calmed down and said, "I know that Madam has had two cups of wine and is talking without restraint. I should have known I would have to go to the master to answer, but she still dared to drink! There are family rules in our family. If you make a mistake, you will be punished..." Manager Mo's heart was hanging in the air. The maid continued, "But Madam is kind. Firstly, she remembers that Madam has served the old lady, and secondly, she is not young anymore. It is not easy to punish her or scold her for fear of hurting their relationship..."
The murmurs of the maids in the garden grew louder, thinking that the new wife was also a timid person, and would probably pick up things with ease. Rumei, expressionless, pronounced the verdict directly, "But the young lady's temper is truly troublesome. How dare she contradict her master like this? As a son, Steward Mo, I can't control her, so Madam will take care of her for you. Yesterday, the young lady was sent to Luosong Temple, and she was asked to observe vegetarianism and chant Buddhist scriptures on behalf of the deceased old lady, seeking blessings."
As soon as these words fell, Steward Mo was stunned, and so were the servants. What kind of punishment was this? No beating, no scolding. Steward Mo had no way to plead for mercy. As a slave, it was not allowed to talk about filial piety to the master. Didn't Madam Mo love to talk about the old lady all day long? Now she was asked to pray for the old lady, how could she say no?
Luosong Temple was very similar to Tongchu Temple, housing women from respectable families who had committed crimes, but with lower standards and stricter regulations. Going there, one had to untie their hair and practice like a monk, eating simple meals, cleaning and chopping wood, and even helping with the porridge and rice when they had time. Aunt Mo, accustomed to a life of extravagant meals, waited on by her youngest son, and beaten and scolded, how could she endure such austerity?
The nuns in the nunnery never treated the old woman in her sixties too harshly, but they did not allow anyone to say a word to her. If she threw a tantrum, she would be locked up to cool down. Aunt Mo felt uncomfortable as if she was being tormented by a hundred claws. She was greedy, lonely, and had no one to vent her anger on. However, in just three or four days, she regretted it so much that she almost knelt down in front of Minglan and begged for mercy.
Seven or eight days later, Manager Mo took my mother home. The people living on the street were astonished. Madam Mo looked like a completely different person. She had lost a lot of weight, and her greasy complexion had vanished. She was in good spirits, but her speech and manners were very reserved. When she entered the mansion, she knelt in the corridor at Minglan's door and kowtowed several times. She spoke in a stammering voice, not daring to breathe.
Minglan spoke softly through the door curtain, "Auntie, please don't be so polite. You're an elder in the mansion. How can I bear this? I've been thinking about going to a quiet temple or monastery to offer a long-burning lamp and burn some incense for my grandparents, father and mother. It would be best if someone could always watch over them. Elderly people are the best at serving you..."
Madam Mo was so frightened that her soul was about to be blown away. She never wanted to go back to that deserted place again. She only kowtowed even more vigorously: "It was all because of my own greed that I asked others to instigate a few words and offended Madam. I deserve to die. I will never dare to do it again. Madam, please forgive me this time...!" The Madam inside seemed to smile and spoke very kindly: "Madam, you are a sensible person. There are many more sensible people in this palace and outside. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your children and grandchildren."
Manager Mo thanked me profusely and took me home. After repeated admonitions, Aunt Mo said in despair, "Son, you said Madam wouldn't bear a grudge and try to torture us." Manager Mo said, "This time, Madam only punished you. She didn't touch Erya and Gou'er, my eldest brother, and me, who were working in there. She just wanted to save our lives. Mother, don't listen to others' instigation in the future. You've suffered a lot this time!" Aunt Mo said angrily, "I'll go back and settle the score with those filthy wives!"
Not long after, news came that Aunt Mo rushed towards the neighbors and had a fierce fight with several old women and wives who were on good terms with her and often drank with her. Aunt Mo, who was strong and good at fighting, smashed a lot of pots and pans, and many people had blood on their faces.
After hearing this, Minglan just smiled and passed it off, not mentioning it again - the world is difficult, and it's a good trick to sneak attack people. If she goes easy on them this time, she won't be able to convince them, and it will be difficult to get others to obey her in the future. If she goes too hard, Aunt Mo's age and qualifications are there, and no matter whether she beats her, scolds her, or makes her kneel, or dismisses the Mo family from their job, some righteous people will jump out and make a fuss.
Things like, "Even cats and dogs in front of grandma are more respectable than ordinary people," "He's only been in charge for two days and he doesn't even take the elderly around our ancestors seriously," and "The Mo family has always been loyal and diligent. Wouldn't this chill the hearts of their loyal servants?" It goes on and on. Even if the damage isn't great, it's still disgusting enough. If rumors spread, it'll be even more exciting.
For the first time, she truly felt that Gu Tingye's past life was not easy, and it was impossible to guard against such a hidden attack.
Perhaps Minglan's words, "Old servants are always better at serving," had a powerful impact. The subsequent document search went much more smoothly, and the old servants, who had served for generations, all obeyed orders obediently. The only worry was that the new wife would take a liking to someone and invite someone to see the eternal lamp. The Marquis's mansion had been around for several generations, and the number of servants had multiplied. Furthermore, the relationships within the mansion were complex, with intermarriages between members, and even those marrying outside. Due to the overwhelming workload, it took nearly two weeks of hard work to finally compile a rough outline.
Minglan wasn't in a rush, taking a leisurely stroll each day. If the weather was good, she'd stroll along the corridor; if not, she'd walk around the main house a few times. She didn't dwell on past grievances, and everything continued as normal. As time went on, the servants of the old mansion didn't experience any major changes from the new official. Seeing Minglan's amiable nature, and her careful inspection of the new accounts, without making things difficult for them, they gradually settled down. As for restrictions and controls, before Tingcan's marriage, the Dowager had forbidden any late-night drinking, gambling, or other practices that would damage the family's morals. With the pressure from the guardian chaplain above, Minglan happily shirked her duties.
"Madam, those accounts..." Danju bit her tongue hard. There were some things she knew she couldn't say. "Are you just going to let it go?" After being busy these past few days, she also knew that there was something wrong with the old accounts. If this happened in the Sheng family, not to mention that Old Madam Sheng would not tolerate any injustice, Madam Fang was full of tricks, and Wang alone could skin those termites alive!
"How is that possible?" Minglan rolled her eyes. There was definitely corruption, it was just a matter of large or small corruption, but... that wasn't the problem. "Teach me to think about it again. Either don't do it, or think it through carefully before doing it. It's best to hit the target with one strike and put it to rest. Otherwise... well, we're from the same family after all, and it's not a good thing to have trouble every other day."
"Then why do you take on the job so early? Why don't you take a break for a while?" Danju said sullenly.
"If something goes wrong when I can't move anymore, that would be fatal." Minglan sighed, "Why not take advantage of the strength I still have now? The Marquis is in a difficult situation right now, and I can't cause him any trouble..."
As she got to know more about the situation in the old mansion, she had a clearer and clearer picture of it. In order to get things done more efficiently, she asked Gu Tingye for a few people who could investigate and run errands outside.
The Tu brothers were indeed acclaimed figures in the underworld, their intelligence gathering skills were truly top-notch. With their help, Minglan was able to achieve twice the result with half the effort, and she couldn't help but think it was a waste of talent to call them her bodyguards. After a full month of gathering information, Minglan's belly had bulged like a small dustpan. To exercise both her brain and her body, she would often pace around the house, stroking her belly. Once she had some ideas, she would quickly sit down to write a summary plan that, to others, looked like a scribbled sketch.
"The Ningyuan Marquis's mansion has a total of 136 indentured slaves. Of these, 78 are family-born slaves, both men and women. Five of these households have been hereditary servants for more than three generations, while the rest have been bred into slavery for one or two generations. Twelve of the slaves purchased from outside have no connection to their families, and there are still..."
"Those who have established businesses outside the home include...those who have properties under the names of relatives include... The land is located in...these places, and the shops are located in...these places. We cannot rule out the possibility that some of them have purchased properties for their masters..."
"Among their relatives, some...are minor officials, some...are businessmen, and some...have relatives who are slaves in Beppu."
After writing for a long time, Minglan bit her pen and pondered. One must have a clear goal in mind when doing things. What outcome did she want? To wipe out all those who had coveted her master's money, or to make a show of force by killing them, or to launch a major purge and replace them with her own people? Was there a trap here? Was she being tricked?
Minglan pulled her hair, feeling extremely headache. She was not a talent for domestic fighting. Her biggest career plan in her previous life was to be able to majestically slam the gavel and decide cases one day, instead of racking her brains to figure out how to crack down on corruption and bring people down. If she had this ability, she would have joined the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the Procuratorate long ago.
Danju whispered beside him, "Madam, take a break. Don't get too tired."
Minglan couldn't help laughing: "How can you be so delicate?"
So far, she's been doing very well, with only occasional calf cramps and no other pregnancy symptoms. Gu Tingye, rather presumptuously, believes this child will be a sensible and filial child. According to the elders in the mansion, when Mrs. Bai was pregnant with this devil, she was healthy and well, but the birth of this child was so irritating that her father would be furious and punish her every five days.
After hearing this, Gu Tingye pondered for a long time, and suddenly asked: "If your children are disobedient in the future, will you..."
"Beating? That's a must." Minglan didn't even think twice. A naughty kid needed a spanking to learn his lesson. Yao Yiyi and her brother were just that young, and they'd been spanked and slapped, but they hadn't suffered from any mental illness. They were both doing well in school and finding jobs. As long as the beatings weren't harsh, and the education was entertaining, and the limits were right, it would be fine. She added, "Don't they say a good son is made under the stick?"
The man immediately turned hostile: "Why are you hitting me? You were so playful when you were little, fishing in the water and catching birds in the trees. Did this old lady ever touch you? If a child doesn't behave, you should teach him slowly. You have to beat him every time he opens his mouth. You think being a parent is so easy!"
After saying this, he turned away without even drinking the tea after dinner, leaving Minglan, who was still holding the teacup, shocked and stunned.
Zhu's condition worsened, and on the first day of March, she gave birth to a daughter the following day. While Taifu was slightly disappointed, the maids beside her were full of congratulations, saying, "A son and a daughter is a perfect combination." She then let go of her granddaughter, holding her and fondling her with joy. She named her Jingjie'er. For some reason, the baby girl looked unhealthy, thin and frail, her arms and legs as delicate as paper. Minglan was terrified, afraid to even touch her. After saying many auspicious words, she quickly sent her some nourishing herbs, for which Zhu was deeply grateful.
This was probably a time for a daughter to be born. A few days later, the Sheng family sent someone to bring the news that Rulan had also given birth to a daughter. Minglan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "How is Fifth Sister?"
The one who came to report the news was Liu Kun's family. She bowed and said, "In reply to Sixth Aunt, both mother and daughter are fine." Compared to when Minglan first came here, she was obviously much fatter. She smiled and talked about how white, plump and strong Rulan's daughter was, and how her crying shook the roof.
"It's good that you are healthy. I have prepared some small gold and silver items and soft satin. I will ask mother to send them to Fifth Sister later. But... Fifth Sister, don't cry, I hope." Minglan pointed to the stool beside her and asked Liu Kunjia to sit down. Xiaotao brought the teacup and covered her knees with a blanket warmed in the steamer.
Going out in the winter was a torture in itself, but with such warm hospitality, Liu Kunjia felt comfortable. Knowing that Minglan and Rulan were used to joking and laughing since childhood, he spoke without restraint and said with a smile, "Look at what aunt said. The old lady said that flowers bloom first and then fruits bear. No matter whether it is our lady or the eldest aunt, they all gave birth to girls first and then boys. What's the big deal? Health is the most important thing." The implication was that Rulan and Wang were indeed a little disappointed.
Minglan smiled inwardly and said, "Grandma, you're right. I've been through a lot on this trip, Mom." She handed her the heater to keep her warm and said softly, "It's a pity I can't go out right now. I can't go to my niece's full moon or hundredth day celebrations. Please ask Mom to apologize to the Madam on my behalf."
Liu Kun's wife held onto the hand warmer, smiling broadly, "Sixth Aunt is too reserved. We are all family, why are you apologizing? When Aunt gives birth to a boy, wouldn't it be more wonderful for us to be reunited? It's a pity that Aunt couldn't come to Third Master Feng's wedding."
"Oh, Third Brother's wedding date has been set."
"It's settled." Liu Kun's wife took a sip of tea carefully and said leisurely, "Because our Third Grandmother, who hasn't married yet, is the eldest daughter of this generation of the Liu family, she has been raised by her grandparents since she was a child. I heard that she is always the favorite of Old Master Liu and Old Madam Liu. Now, the two elders have insisted on coming from their hometown to see their granddaughter get married. It has been dragging on and on, so we have to set it for the middle of this month. Alas, Third Master is really lucky. I wonder how our eldest master is doing outside? Every time he writes back, he only says good things, which makes our wife worried."
Changfeng was already a good-looking man, and with Sheng Hong's prior warnings and training, he was very careful in every aspect of the Liu family. His face flushed as soon as he saw the women of the Liu family. His handsome, fair face was shy and he answered politely and gently, which pleased everyone in the Liu family. As for Madam Liu, the mother-in-law, she liked her son-in-law more and more. The Liu family had made a lot of fuss about the dowry, from the small betrothal gifts to the large betrothal gifts and even the annual gifts. It seemed that the new daughter-in-law must be very wealthy. Wang Shi couldn't help but feel sad when she saw it, and she was even more angry when she saw Sheng Hong, the father-in-law, smiling so happily, almost happier than the groom.
Minglan understood the implication of her words and smiled slightly. "The Marquis has received a report from the imperial court a while ago, saying that my elder brother is diligent in his work and cares for the people in the local area. He has built bridges and roads, and encouraged agriculture and sericulture. He is deeply loved by the people and has received frequent praise from his superiors. He will surely have a bright future. Madam, you can rest assured."
I don't know what's going on with Liu Kun's family. Changbai's future is certainly better than Changfeng's. It's just that Wang is narrow-minded and can't let go. After chatting for a while, Minglan mentioned that Jiuer was getting married soon. After so many years of love, it would be a good idea to add some dowry. She asked Danju to bring out a pair of red gold bracelets wrapped in red silk.
When Liu Kun's wife saw the gold bracelet, which weighed at least three or four taels and was inlaid with large pearls, she was overjoyed: "I didn't expect that my aunt still remembered my girl. Thanks to my aunt's blessing, the madam showed mercy and released her from the household registration last year, and arranged for her to marry into a farming family."
Xiao Tao's inquisitiveness was undeniable. Before the Lunar New Year, she had accompanied the family to the Sheng residence to deliver New Year's gifts, bringing back a wealth of gossip that greatly entertained Minglan during her pregnancy. The son-in-law chosen by the Sheng family's chief steward was no ordinary farmer. However, over the years, Liu Kun's family had been fairly honest and fair in managing all matters within the inner chambers, distributing food, clothing, and other household expenses, and managing the maids, without causing any trouble. Minglan remembered her kindness and was happy to add to it.
In early spring in March, after countless bricks flew, the emperor finally decided on the candidate for the Salt Inspector.
It's said that during this period, Qi Heng's father, Lord Qi, through numerous recommendations from the Shen family, made several appearances at the palace, presenting the salt administration regulations in detail to the emperor and several important ministers, even cooperating fully in revealing the root causes of many flaws. The emperor was deeply pleased and commended him. After many years, Princess Pingning was summoned again, along with her daughter-in-law, Lady Shen, to meet with the Empress Dowagers and the Empress.
Gu Tingye sighed and said, "That old fox is really good at finding in-laws. He can squeeze water out of even a stone without cracks." After a pause, he turned to look at Minglan, "The princess is quite capable of finding a daughter-in-law. I think Qi Heng's future career will be good."
Minglan said calmly, "His career is good, but his luck with his wife is a little off." She was cuckolded. But the man in front of her was really hateful. Every time he mentioned Qi Heng, he was sarcastic. He knew it all along, but now he was going crazy.
Gu Tingye curled his lips: "Everyone in the palace says that Shen is virtuous, gentle, knowledgeable, and a good wife who brings prosperity to her husband and children." Minglan said with a sour taste: "I just went there once, and I saw so much. The people in the palace really have sharp eyes." Gu Tingye deliberately found fault, "Who in the palace, big or small,
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