The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, returned to Songbaiyuan with a tired look on her face.
The old man makes a fuss every few days, and as his daughter-in-law, she has to suffer a little.
After returning to the room and sitting down, she asked the maid Shaoyao, "Have the people in the second house been settled?"
Shaoyao bowed and said, "Madam, the second room has been settled. Also, one of the second young lady's luggage is missing."
Zhang was puzzled. "The luggage is lost? What happened?"
Shaoyao said, "One piece of the luggage that the old woman sent to Zhilan Courtyard is missing for no apparent reason. I've searched everywhere but haven't found it. It might have been lost along the way."
"What's in the luggage? Is it valuable?"
Shaoyao said, "They're not expensive, just some ornaments. I heard they're not worth much."
Zhang frowned slightly, "Did the Second Madam say anything?"
Shaoyao shook her head. "The Second Madam didn't say anything. From what I can see, she doesn't want to make a big deal out of this. The maidservants down below said she even sent someone to Zhilan Courtyard to tell the Second Young Lady not to make a big fuss about looking for her luggage."
Zhang suddenly laughed, "It's rare that she can actually be quiet and not make a fuss sometimes."
Zhang's tone was filled with contempt and disdain. She clearly looked down on Xie.
No one would be happy to be a sister-in-law to a woman who was promoted from a concubine to a wife. It would be shameful and a loss of status.
I don’t know if the second master, Lord Gu, was out of his mind at the time. It would be better to marry a concubine as a second wife than to make her his wife.
Shaoyao asked, "Madam, do you want someone to help look for the luggage?"
Zhang said, "Of course I have to help find her. As the stepmother, the Second Madam doesn't care about Xiaojiu. As the eldest aunt, I can't help but care.
Poor Xiaojiu, who lost her mother just a few months ago and has been living under the care of her stepmother. Now her luggage is lost, and her stepmother won't help her find it, but as her aunt, I can't just stand by and watch.
Go arrange for someone to search for the luggage with great fanfare. I want to see how the Xie family can face people."
Shaoyao immediately laughed, "Madam is wise. The Second Madam will be embarrassed."
Zhang Shi laughed, "It's not the first time she's embarrassed herself."
After a pause, Zhang continued, "If I don't kill her arrogance, she still thinks she can be on equal footing with me. Humph, Xie is going to make trouble sooner or later. Just for the right to manage the house, she will definitely compete with me."
Shaoyao asked hurriedly, "What should we do then? If the Second Madam really fights with Madam for the right to manage the household, this matter will be difficult to handle in my opinion."
Zhang sneered, "Xie wants the power of housekeeper, she's dreaming. If she dares to reach out, I won't be polite and will directly slap her hand back."
And judging by Mrs. Xie's expression, she wants to marry her precious daughter off to a rich man. It's easy and hard for girls to get married. Just wait and see, she'll have her troubles."
Shaoyao said, "Madam is still thinking long-term. Besides, the Marquis' Mansion learned that the second wife had returned and sent people over."
Zhang said, "Tell the people in the Marquis' Mansion that I will go there with the Second House family to pay my respects tomorrow."
"I know."
Shaoyao went out and did what Zhang instructed.
…
Zhilan Courtyard was almost packed up, with only a few boxes of books left to be put away.
Gu Jiu brought the maids to classify the books according to their contents and arranged them separately.
Wang Erya, no, Wang Erya has changed her name to Wang Yi.
Wang Yi followed Gu Jiu and arrived in the capital smoothly.
She was curious about everything, but fortunately she remembered all of Aunt Gui's teachings, followed Gu Jiu, and worked diligently.
Wang Yi was tall, so Gu Jiu asked her to help arrange the books.
Wang Yi said, "The girl has so many books."
Gu Jiu smiled and asked, "Do you want to learn to read and write? I'll teach you."
Wang Yi hurriedly said, "How dare I ask the young lady to teach me? I am too stupid to learn. I will be satisfied if I can recognize a few words from Sister Qingmei."
The corners of Gu Jiu's mouth twitched.
Qingmei, that poor student, actually taught Wang Yi to read and write. I wonder how effective it is for a poor student to teach.
Qingzhu came in from outside, "My dear lady, Sister Shaoyao from the eldest lady's side is here."
Gu Jiu heard this and said, "Please invite Sister Shaoyao in."
Shaoyao was invited into the study and bowed to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu asked, "Sister Shaoyao, come here, but does Auntie have any instructions?"
Shaoyao smiled and said, "My wife was very worried when she learned that the second young lady had lost a piece of luggage. She asked me to come and ask if there were any characteristics of the lost luggage.
My wife said that the second young lady’s lost luggage must be found no matter what. The young lady’s luggage must not be picked up by anyone else, as it would ruin the second young lady’s reputation.”
Huh?
Gu Jiu was surprised.
Before this, Mrs. Xie had specially sent someone to remind her not to make a big fuss about looking for the luggage.
Why did her aunt do the opposite? It seemed like she was going to help her find her lost luggage in a big way.
As Gu Jiu pondered the matter, he said, "It's just a trivial matter. How can I let my aunt worry about it?"
"Second Miss, please don't say that. My wife is very kind-hearted. Second Miss, losing your luggage is no small matter."
Gu Jiu has already figured out the key points.
Before in the flower hall, she had already noticed that her aunt Zhang and aunt Xie did not get along, and there was obviously something dirty between the two sisters-in-law.
Xie did not allow her to search for the luggage in a high-profile manner. When her aunt Zhang found out, she decided to go against Xie, clearly intending to embarrass Xie.
Gu Jiu smiled. She didn't expect that as soon as she returned to the capital, she became a pawn in the battle between the two ladies.
Does she want to be this pawn?
Gu Ji pursed her lips and smiled. She was happy to see Xie's embarrassment.
And Shaoyao said something very right, that things used by a girl must not be picked up by others, otherwise her reputation will be ruined.
Since her aunt was so eager to help, why should she refuse other people's kindness?
As for the Xie family, Gu Jiu didn't consider it.
If Xie wants to fight, her aunt Zhang will fight with her.
Gu Jiu said, "Thank you for the trouble Sister Shaoyao has made. Please tell my aunt that I am very grateful. Qingmei, please discuss this matter with Sister Shaoyao about the characteristics of the lost luggage."
Qingmei and Shaoyao said, "My daughter's lost luggage is a reddish-brown wooden box. There's a missing piece in the upper left corner of the box. Also, there are two scratches on the copper lock, forming a human shape."
Shaoyao nodded and noted the characteristics of the lost luggage. Then she said, "Don't worry, Miss. My wife will definitely send someone to help you find your luggage."
"Thank you, Auntie, and thank you, Sister Shaoyao."
"You are so polite, Miss. Please take a rest. I will take my leave now."
"Qingmei, please send Sister Shaoyao off for me."
Qingmei responded and sent Shaoyao out of the hospital gate. She also gave Shaoyao some local specialties she brought from the northwest.
Shaoyao gladly accepted it. After leaving Zhilan Courtyard, she opened the box and saw that along with the local specialties there was a purse, and inside the purse were two silver notes worth one tael each.
Shaoyao immediately laughed and thought to herself that the second young lady was quite good at dealing with people and was very generous.
Since the second young lady is so good at dealing with people, from now on, as long as the matter is not too difficult, she will do it for her as long as the second young lady asks her for help.
Although Xie had just arrived in the capital, she could not hide the news about the eldest wife Zhang.
When Xie learned that Zhang had made a big fuss to help Gu Jiu find his lost luggage, she gritted her teeth in anger.
"She's such a good sister-in-law to me. What on earth is she trying to do? Is she trying to embarrass me, or is she trying to challenge me? This is simply going too far."
Xie slammed the table in anger.
Chun He asked cautiously, "Madam, what should we do now? Should we send someone to look for the second young lady's luggage?"
Mrs. Xie gritted her teeth. "I didn't want to cause trouble, but Mrs. Zhang insisted on putting her foot down and deliberately picking a fight with me. How can I let this matter go? Go, take a few people with you, and work with the people from the first house to find the second girl's lost luggage. We must find it."
Chun He bowed and accepted the order, "I will take people there right away."
Xie was unwilling to accept this.
She had originally sent someone to inform Gu Jiu not to make a big fuss about looking for the luggage, but now Zhang was putting her in a difficult position and she had no choice but to go back on her word, thus slapping herself in the face.
Xie was so angry that her heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys all started to ache.
Zhang is so shameless.
The affairs of the second house are none of her business. It's her fault for having such long-range interests.
Xie gritted her teeth and thought of a way to push back Zhang's outstretched hand. She had to let Zhang know that she was not so easy to manipulate and that it was not her turn to have the final say in the affairs of the Second House.
The first and second wives worked together.
There is strength in numbers, and Gu Jiu’s lost luggage was finally found.
The luggage was still in the carriage and had not been taken down at all.
However, because the carriage was borrowed from the Imperial Household Department and had already been returned to the Imperial Household Department, they had to send someone to the Imperial Household Department to retrieve the luggage.
Shaoyao brought people and personally delivered the luggage to Zhilanyuan.
"Second Miss, look, is this your lost luggage?"
There was a missing corner in the upper left corner of the box, and there was a scratch in the shape of a human on the copper lock.
Qingmei said excitedly: "Girl, this is the lost luggage."
Shaoyao smiled and said, "It's good that the luggage is found. My wife has prepared a banquet, and the second young lady must attend tonight."
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "I will definitely go to the banquet tonight. Thank you, Sister Shaoyao, for not only helping me find my luggage but also delivering it to me."
Shaoyao smiled and said, "This servant is only doing what my wife ordered. If you want to thank someone, please thank my wife."
Gu Jiu said, "Of course I have to thank my aunt. If she hadn't stepped in, this luggage would still be lost."
Shaoyao chatted for a while and then bowed and said goodbye.
When I was leaving the hospital, I happened to run into Chunhe.
Chunhe was ordered to meet Gu Jiu.
Both of them were the head maids and most trusted confidants of their respective wives, so it was inevitable that they would compare themselves with each other.
Shaoyao smiled, "Sister Chunhe is here. I have already delivered the luggage to the second young lady."
Chun He snorted inwardly, "Sister Shaoyao, you've worked hard. Sister Shaoyao is twenty years old this year, right? I wonder how the eldest wife plans to arrange Sister Shaoyao's lifelong affairs?"
Shaoyao's eyebrows moved slightly, but she still smiled, "Sister Chunhe is really a worrywart. Could it be that the Second Madam has already arranged Sister Chunhe's lifelong event?
Let me guess, Sister Chunhe is so beautiful, is she going to be the second master's concubine? Or is she going to marry a servant and become a housekeeper in the future?
Chun He's expression changed slightly. He stared at Shao Yao and sneered, "Don't bother Sister Shao Yao with my affairs."
Shaoyao covered her mouth and smiled, "That's what I wanted to say. Sister Chunhe, you're busy, I'll leave first."
Shaoyao led the maids away, her lips curled up slightly, full of sarcasm. Chunhe was still a little too young to fight her.
The second wife is really bold. She wants to compete with the first wife on the first day after returning to the capital. She is really overestimating her own abilities.
Shaoyao was full of confidence in the first wife, Zhang, and was sure that she could defeat the second wife, Xie, without leaving a single piece of armor.
Chunhe watched Shaoyao leave and his face fell.
snort!
The eldest wife just relies on the advantage of living in the capital for many years, what's so great about that?
After a few days, when the Madam becomes familiar with the situation in the mansion, I don’t believe that the eldest wife will still be able to laugh.
Gu Jiu had just sent away Shaoyao from the eldest wife, and then welcomed Chunhe from Xie's side.
"Sister Chunhe is here, please take a seat."
No matter how much Gu Jiu disliked Xie in his heart, at least on the surface, he was polite to her.
She also gave enough face to the maids around Xie.
This way, others won't be able to find any fault.
Chun He bowed slightly and said, "Madam knew that the second young lady had lost her luggage and has been very worried. Now that the luggage has been found, Madam specially ordered this servant to come and take a look.
The wife said that although the second wife and the first wife are one family, it is better not to trouble the first wife with the second wife’s affairs.
If you have any difficulties, please tell Madam. Madam will help you solve them."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, fearing that Xie was still angry.
Aunt Zhang had embarrassed Mrs. Xie by taking advantage of the luggage search, and how could Mrs. Xie be willing to accept this?
Gu Jiu said to Chun He, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Please tell Madam that I'm fine and there's nothing wrong with me. I know in my heart that I belong to the Second House, and naturally, the Second House's affairs cannot be left to the First House to handle."
Chun He laughed, "Since the Second Miss thinks so, Madam is relieved. There will be a banquet tonight, and Madam asked me to remind the Second Miss to dress festively."
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile, "I understand."
After seeing Chunhe off, Gu Jiu was finally able to have a good rest.
Qingmei and Qingzhu opened the luggage, counted the items inside, and placed them one by one in the study.
Qingzhu said, "At least the girl's luggage was found. Luckily, it wasn't picked up by someone else."
Qingmei said, "It seems that the wife and the eldest wife have started a fight. Miss, what should we do?"
Today, Xie's fight with the eldest wife started because of Zhilan Courtyard. Qingmei was worried that Xie would take her anger out on Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu said: "We don't need to do anything, just wait and see."
She didn't participate in the fight between the two ladies. She just sat aside and watched the show.
Qing Zhu said, "I never thought the two ladies would get along so badly. It's only the first day back home and they're already fighting. What will happen in the future?"
Gu Jiu nodded, agreeing deeply. I'm afraid these two ladies will fight to the death in the future.
After all, the first and second wives did not separate.
As for who is the manager, who is in charge, and who manages the money, how could Xie let her aunt Zhang be the only one to take charge?
You have to step forward and fight for it.
Gu Jiu asked, "Qingmei, do you know what's going on between Madam and my aunt?"
Qingmei said, "I heard from Madam Gui that because the Madam was promoted from a concubine, the First Madam looks down on her.
I feel it is too embarrassing to be a sister-in-law with my wife.
"I also heard that when the master wanted to make his wife his wife, the eldest wife opposed it. She pointed at his nose and questioned him, saying, 'What qualifications does this woman have to become his wife?' She said the Gu family has lost all face."
It had gotten so bad that it was practically a falling out. Gu Jiu was secretly shocked.
My aunt was so bold that she even dared to question my father in front of him.
My father must have been visibly distraught at the time. He must have been embarrassed to be questioned by his own sister-in-law.
This incident alone was enough to create an irreconcilable feud between the Xie and Zhang families.
No wonder Aunt Zhang and Aunt Xie started fighting on the first day back in Beijing. She didn't give Aunt Xie any face at all.
Aunt Zhang was not only suppressing Xie's arrogance, but also reminding Xie, "Don't think that just because you are the legal wife, I will be polite to you. A concubine is a concubine, even if you are the legal wife, in my eyes, she is still a concubine."
Gu Jiu asked again: "How is the relationship between my aunt and mother?"
The mother that Gu Jiu mentioned was naturally the deceased Su.
Qingmei thought for a moment and said, "Madam Gui has said very little about this matter. I only heard that when Madam was still alive, she and the First Madam got along quite well. Madam is kind and generous, so she probably didn't have many conflicts with the First Madam."
Gu Jiu nodded, thinking so.
Aunt Zhang was so rude to Xie, probably because she felt sorry for Su.
As the original wife, Aunt Zhang watched helplessly as Su passed away and Xie was promoted to the position of wife. It was inevitable that she would feel a pity for her own kind.
A concubine was actually promoted to the main wife.
If she dies one day, will the concubine in the family be promoted to the main wife?
Xie's promotion to the position of wife clearly set a very bad example for the concubines in the family.
Zhang was naturally unhappy and displeased with Xie.
Is a concubine worthy of being her sister-in-law?
hehe!
Since Xie made her unhappy, she would make Xie doubly unhappy.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Here's the second update. Sorry it's late today.
Will update on time tomorrow.
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