Granny Li had already spotted Cheng Kai and Xu Gao not far away. Looking at the children nearby, Xu Bai had Tuan Ge'er on his shoulders, and standing next to him was another boy who looked handsome and refined, around ten years old. The young lady was looking at her with excitement.
Granny Li knew her in-laws' youngest son, the seventh young master. Despite his small stature, he was incredibly cunning. A few years ago, he single-handedly caused a scene at the Qingping Earl's mansion, and Granny Li had never forgotten it.
I never expected to see the seventh young master of the Xu family again in Liaodong. With a fawning smile, Li Mama stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Seventh Uncle, Eldest Young Master, this old servant has come to Liaodong on the orders of our old lady. Our old lady was worried about the eldest young master and the eldest madam here, so she sent this old servant with a few trustworthy people."
Upon hearing what Granny Li said, Xu Bai exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, my eldest sister and brother-in-law have been living here for many years now, and only now does your household realize you're worried about them here?"
Granny Li was speechless after hearing Xu Bai's words, but Xu Yao's eyes lit up after hearing them, and he felt that his brother was really capable.
Xu Bai put Tuan Ge'er down, looked at Cheng Kai and Xu Gao who were following behind, sighed to Granny Li, and said, "You old granny, how can you be so clueless at your age? Putting aside everything else, just look at your esteemed lady, she is a well-known virtuous woman in the capital. How could she do something like putting people in her son's courtyard? Look at the two people you brought with you, dressed so extravagantly, looking so worldly. Are they here to serve people?"
Upon hearing Xu Bai's words, Granny Li's face turned red, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. Seeing Xu Gao approaching, Xu Bai said, "Eldest sister, your family isn't very large. I see that the people doing the laundry in the kitchen are all hired from outside. Since you have people to serve you, you should dismiss those hired from outside and let these two sisters start by doing the laundry and cooking. After all, for a family to live on, food and clothing are the most important things."
The two women behind Granny Li turned pale. Cheng Kai looked at Granny Li and said to Xu Gao, "Madam, you are in charge of all the affairs in this household. Please arrange things as you see fit."
Xu Gao felt as if a heavy stone weighing over a thousand pounds had been lifted from his heart, and he felt incredibly relieved.
However, we still have to give Li Mama face. Not to mention Cui Liu, Yan Hong has to call Li Mama her godmother, so we have to give our mother-in-law some face. We can't just send these two girls to work in the kitchen.
Xu Gao smiled and said to Granny Li, "Granny, although I have the final say on the personnel arrangements in this household, I still have to respect the wishes of my two elder sisters, don't I? If they want to stay, they can try working in the laundry room first. If they don't want to stay and are willing to return to the capital with Granny Li, then they can go back to the capital with Granny Li. After all, my two elder sisters are of marriageable age, and they can't stay and delay their future, can they?"
As soon as Xu Gao finished speaking, Yan Hong and Cui Liu stared expectantly at Granny Li.
Li Mama was in a terrible predicament. She had originally thought that since she was sent by Xu Gao's mother-in-law and had come from so far away, she should at least be treated with the utmost respect and hospitality. Since her mother-in-law had placed these two maids in her courtyard, she should simply let them stay. Who knew that such a mishap would occur? Li Mama felt that all the face she had earned in front of her master over the years had been completely lost in an instant.
He had originally thought this would be a good job—to deliver the person and, incidentally, give the former eldest daughter-in-law, now the first wife, a good talking-to. But the person didn't stay. His planned reprimands were now just a formality.
As for how to exonerate herself after returning to the manor, Granny Li had already thought it through. The fact that the Third Master of the Xu family was coming to take up his post with his entire family was originally a sure thing, but because of the interference of the Xu family, there was no result. As a servant of her master, she could only slink back in disgrace.
Having already prepared a way out for herself, Granny Li was naturally not flustered. Looking at Yan Hong and Cui Liu, who were terrified upon hearing that they were to be sent to the laundry room, Granny Li realized that choosing these two as her companions was a mistake. So what if they were sent to the laundry room? Not to mention Cui Liu, Yan Hong and Cheng Kai had been friends since childhood. After working in the laundry room for two years, she could easily win Cheng Kai's favor and get into his courtyard.
While pondering the situation, Granny Li spoke kindly to Xu Gao, her main point being that she had been there for quite some time and saw that Cheng Kai and Xu Gao were doing well, so she should hurry back to the capital to report to Lady Qingping.
Xu Gao remained silent, simply listening to Granny Li speak with a smile.
After Li Mama finished speaking, Xu Gao smiled and said, "Mama, I was thinking that I'm young and ignorant. It's not easy for my mother-in-law to send someone as old as you over. My husband and I were discussing writing a letter to my mother-in-law asking you to stay, so that someone can remind me in my daily life, right?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Li turned green with anger and repeatedly declined, saying that she had only come to visit Cheng Kai and Xu Gao on the orders of the lady of the mansion, and that she had already stayed for quite some time, so she should hurry back.
Cheng Kai said somewhat impatiently, "Since you're leaving, then hurry up and leave. It's not that we don't have rice to feed you at home, but things are different here compared to the capital. My wife has to manage the household affairs and help with military supplies at home. She doesn't have time to serve you."
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