After spending a night at the Marquis's residence, Granny Lu went out early and returned late every day. No one knew who she met or what she said. After several days of this, it was a clear and crisp autumn day. Seeing that the weather was nice, Granny Lu asked the old lady if she would like to go with her to see that small hot spring resort in the outskirts of the capital.
Normally, the old lady wouldn't go, but considering that it was a gift that Xu Di had earned himself to give to his mother, she was a little curious and wanted to see what the estate was like. In addition, the weather was neither too hot nor too cold now, and in a few days, when it got cold, she wouldn't be able to go anywhere, so she agreed.
When the old lady went out, there were not only her own carriage, but also the carriages of the maids and servants who served her, as well as carriages carrying the old lady's daily necessities. In total, there were five or six carriages following her.
The old lady pulled Lu Mama to sit in her carriage and whispered, "I don't want to come out. Look, coming out will only disturb so many people. It's going to make people annoyed."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu smiled reproachfully and said, "Look at what you're saying. You're the matriarch of the household, and you've raised so many children. Do you have to be mindful of others' opinions when you want to do what you want?"
The old lady sighed and said, "I don't need to be mindful of others' feelings. Don't I dislike causing trouble for others? Even if others don't say anything, how can the steward not complain? Every step of this business costs money, don't you know that?"
Granny Lu sighed and said, "You, when you were young you were such a decisive and efficient person, how come you've become so indecisive in your old age? How much money did you spend on this trip? Back when you were in charge, you multiplied the wealth of the Yongning Marquis's mansion several times over. Now that you're old, can't you even enjoy yourself?"
The old lady smiled and said, "It's not that I can't do it anymore, it's just that I don't want to be so extravagant anymore. When I was young, I wanted to have the best of everything, but now that I'm old, I feel that those things are really nothing. Whether I eat well or not, I live the same life every day. I sleep in the same bed. What's the use of fighting for so many things? As long as my children and grandchildren are successful, I will be content."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu asked with a smile, "So tell me, are you satisfied now?"
The old lady sighed and said, "If it weren't for Rao'er, I feel like my life would just be so-so. Now that I have Rao'er and Di Ge'er is so capable, I feel full of energy and have more motivation to live."
They walked and talked, and before noon they arrived at the hot spring resort on the outskirts of Beijing.
The original owner was a wealthy family with a vast fortune. They built the small estate into an exquisite and cozy place. Because it was sold to the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Jingbei's family, and the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Jingbei's family did not try to bargain at all, she also wanted to be on good terms with the Marquis of Jingbei's family. Before handing over the property, the wealthy family renovated the estate again, so people could move in directly after arriving.
Although the land deed for the estate had been given, the estate had not yet been formally handed over. So the wealthy family left a servant in the estate to wait for the Xu family to complete the handover before leaving.
Granny Lu came to hand over the estate and arrange things on the estate afterwards. The old lady gave her a maid from her past life. The old couple, along with their son's family of seven, were there. The eldest son had a son who was over ten years old, and the youngest son and daughter were not yet married, but were both sixteen or seventeen years old. The old lady's youngest son, daughter, and grandson could all help with the work.
This family used to be farmers on the estate. They were honest and skilled at tending crops. The old lady felt that although there were only a dozen acres of land on the estate suitable for growing crops, the estate had hot springs and might become a place that Xu Rao's family would frequently visit in the future. Therefore, the people on the estate had to be absolutely loyal.
The old lady was shrewd and experienced. Although she hadn't been involved in household affairs for many years, she was still methodical and efficient in her work. Since she was going to give people away, she would choose the best ones, which could also be seen as finding a way out for these people from the old Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion.
This family were servants of the Marquis of Zhongyong's household. Like the old lady, they were surnamed Li. After receiving the carriage sent by the old lady to pick them up at the estate, they packed up all their belongings and moved them here with the carriage. When the old lady arrived, the Li family had already settled in a small courtyard with three rooms next to the main courtyard.
When the old lady arrived, Old Li and his family all came over to kowtow.
The old lady smiled and gave Old Li a few purses, saying, "Your father was the old Marquis's personal guard back then. He was wounded on the battlefield while saving the old Marquis. I have always remembered your family's kindness. I brought your family here to find you a good future. I'm old, and I might pass away one day. I won't feel at ease if I don't find you a good place to settle down. This is our Third Master's estate. His family is currently helping to guard the border in Hexi. They're all there. They won't be able to manage this estate properly. From now on, this place will be in your hands. I'll double your monthly wages and have the steward of the manor send them to you every month. As for the land on this estate, you can cultivate it first. Plant whatever you want. When his family comes back from Hexi, we'll follow their arrangements. What do you think?"
There's nothing wrong with it. Back then, after the old lady settled the people of the Marquis of Zhongyong's manor on the estate, although their daily lives were guaranteed, some of them were unwilling to live such an ordinary life. They always wanted to do something, but they didn't have any good opportunities. They could only endure the days on that small estate. Some of the older people in the Marquis of Zhongyong's manor were unwilling to live like this, so they led the younger generation to practice martial arts and exercise. Don't underestimate Old Li's family just because they are farmers. If they were sent to the battlefield now, they could really take on ten men.
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