When Wang Xifeng saw Yuan Chun shake her head, a hint of barely perceptible smugness flashed in her eyes.
She sighed with feigned concern and said, "It's understandable that you're encountering such a difficult situation, as you're new to managing the household. I have an idea, but I'm not sure if I should share it?"
Yuan Chun looked up at her: "Sister Feng, please speak."
Wang Xifeng gently touched her temple and said slowly, "Our household has been spending a lot of money these past few years, while our income has been decreasing. Now that we need to make up for the deficit, why not cut some expenses first? Halve the monthly allowances for each household, and dismiss some of the maids and servants. If we do this, we can save at least ten thousand taels of silver a year."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wang waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "How can that be? The old lady will definitely not agree!"
Wang Xifeng gave Yuan Chun a meaningful look: "The old lady dotes on you the most, sister. If you go and speak to her, perhaps..."
Yuan Chun's fingertips trembled slightly as she suddenly understood Wang Xifeng's intention: she was to be made to play the villain!
If this plan is followed, the entire household will be filled with resentment. Having just taken over the family's power, he will offend everyone and how will he stand firm in the future?
"Sister Feng," Yuan Chun looked directly at Wang Xifeng, her voice soft yet clear, "cutting expenses is just a drop in the ocean."
In my opinion, it would be better to thoroughly investigate the estate's accounts and recover the embezzled silver.
Wang Xifeng's smile froze, then she sighed, "Sister, you don't know, those estate managers all have powerful backers. The year before last, when Zhou Rui went to audit the accounts, they ganged up on him and took him to the yamen, accusing him of extortion. In the end, it took Master Lian a considerable sum of money to settle the matter..."
Just then, they heard a commotion outside.
Ping'er lifted the curtain and entered, her face beaming with joy: "Madam, Grandmother, Eldest Miss, Miss Lin is back! Just now, the Governor-General's Office of Jiangnan sent a letter saying that Miss Lin has arrived in Jinling. She came with the Young Master, and the day after tomorrow she will come with the Young Master to pay her respects to the Old Madam, Madam, and all the sisters."
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes: "Yu'er is back? That's wonderful!"
She turned to look at Yuan Chun, only to see that the other woman's expression was complicated, seemingly joyful yet also somewhat melancholy.
Yuan Chun quickly composed herself and smiled, "Sister Lin has been gone for several years. Now that she's back, she must be eager to reunite with her uncle. I just didn't expect the young master to come along too. It seems this marriage is a done deal."
Wang Xifeng nodded: "It is Yu'er's good fortune to have found such a good match."
She paused, then suddenly remembered something and added, "Sister Yuanchun, you said that Sister Lin's status is different now. If we could ask her to put in a good word for us with the Empress, perhaps we could solve the immediate crisis in our household?"
Yuan Chun's eyes flashed with a sharp light, then she shook her head: "Sister, you're thinking too simply. What kind of person is the Empress? Would she let personal matters interfere with public duty? Besides, Lin Daiyu has just returned to Jinling; if we rush to ask her for favors, it would only make us seem opportunistic."
Wang Xifeng blushed at her words and said in a low voice, "Sister is right; I misunderstood."
Yuan Chun's tone softened: "Sister, you mean well. However, with Lin Daiyu returning, we should indeed make proper preparations. She is now the future Crown Prince's wife and the Empress's adopted daughter; we must not neglect our duties."
Wang Xifeng nodded in agreement: "Sister is absolutely right. I'll go and inform the Old Madam immediately so we can make arrangements for the welcoming feast as soon as possible."
Yuan Chun smiled slightly: "Sister, go ahead and get busy. I still have some accounts to sort out, so I won't accompany you."
Meanwhile, inside the Governor-General's Mansion in Jiangnan, Lin Ruhai met with Daiyu and Hongtun, and they had a very pleasant conversation.
Lin Ruhai said, "I will accompany you to the Jia Mansion the day after tomorrow."
A hint of surprise flashed in Daiyu's eyes: "Father is busy with state affairs, you don't need to worry about me. With the young master by my side, that's enough."
Lin Ruhai shook his head: "The Jia family is, after all, your maternal family. I haven't been there for many years, so it's time for me to visit them." His tone was calm, but his eyes held a deeper meaning.
Daiyu was intelligent and immediately understood that her father wanted to personally support her, which warmed her heart.
She said softly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Father."
At this moment, Hongtun came in from outside, holding a brocade box in his hands, and said with a smile, "Yu'er, this is a gift I brought from the capital, just in time to give to the old lady and the ladies of the Jia family."
Daiyu took the brocade box, opened it, and found several boxes of top-quality donkey-hide gelatin and ginseng inside, all of which were valuable items.
She looked up at Hongtun, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Your Highness has gone to so much trouble."
Hongtun said gently, "Your family is my family, why be so polite?"
Seeing Hongtun's thoughtfulness, Lin Ruhai was even more pleased. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Highness is very kind. The old lady of the Jia family dotes on Yu'er the most; she will surely be delighted to see these gifts."
The three talked for a while longer, and as it got dark, they each went back to their rooms to rest.
The two days passed in the blink of an eye.
That morning, everyone in the Jia household was already busy.
Early in the morning, Grandmother Jia ordered people to clean Rongxi Hall until it was sparkling clean, and she personally checked the banquet menu to ensure that it was perfect.
Lady Wang also dressed up early, putting on her most presentable clothes, and waited in Rongxi Hall with Yuan Chun, Tan Chun, Xi Chun and others.
Baochai was unwell and did not appear, while Baoyu was strictly ordered by Jia Zheng to stay in his room and not to come out to see guests.
Wang Xifeng arrived the latest, yet she was the most eye-catching.
She wore a crimson satin jacket and skirt with gold brocade, and a ruby headdress, making her radiant.
Seeing her dressed like this, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but laugh and said, "Feng'er, you look radiant today! Anyone who didn't know better would think you were meeting your son-in-law!"
Everyone laughed at this, but Wang Xifeng wasn't annoyed. She smiled and said, "Grandmother is joking. Lin Daiyu is now the future Princess Consort. If I don't dress properly, wouldn't I be disgracing the Jia family?"
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