Ye Jiaoniang was taken aback.
From her angle, all that could be seen was the maid's profile, but even just that profile was stunning.
It's that new maid who came to serve the old lady!
Although the maids in the Yin household were young, there were very few who were good-looking.
Ye Jiaoniang remembered that her name seemed to be Yu Rou, and that she was Shi Mama's niece, who had just come from the countryside.
His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched unconsciously.
Yin Wenxiao saw her, and he said something to Yu Rou. Yu Rou curtsied and left.
"..."
Ye Jiaoniang slowly relaxed her clenched fist, a smile appearing on her face. She curtsied and greeted him, "Lord."
"Have you come to pay your respects to the old lady?" Yin Wenxiao asked.
Since they were here with the old lady, it wasn't appropriate for him to be too intimate with her. "So, what did the old lady say to you?"
"She didn't say anything." Ye Jiaoniang gestured, "Madam is inside, Lord, please go in quickly." Her tone sounded somewhat sour.
After saying that, he left.
When Yin Wenxiao entered, the old lady was talking to Qin Sheng about the clan's plan to establish a clan school.
Actually, it's not really a formal establishment. The Yin clan school has been running for many years, but in recent years, the number of children in the clan has increased, so the school needs to be renovated and some things need to be added, which inevitably costs money.
When it comes to spending money, Madam Yin feels distressed and has a headache.
Of the Yin family members still serving in the court, besides Yin Wenxiao, there is one of his cousins, and only one uncle who manages miscellaneous affairs in Shuntian Prefecture.
For centuries, the Yin family has been the leader of the entire clan, and all matters, big and small, within the clan require the Yin family to make decisions.
Spending money to renovate the clan school is also an option.
Qin Sheng glanced down at the list she had placed on the table. When she saw Yin Wenxiao come in, she was too lazy to even get up.
Yin Wenxiao didn't pay any attention.
However, it was Old Madam Yin who called him to look at the list Qin Sheng had made, saying, "The clan school needs to be renovated, which will probably cost more than seven thousand taels of silver. Wenxiao, you take a look too."
Yin Wenxiao glanced at it.
It's not that the manor can't come up with seven thousand taels of silver.
However, recently, the capital has been preparing for the return of the Duke of Zhenguo and General Qin, and Yin Wenxiao will inevitably have to spend money to build relationships with his colleagues.
Yin Wenxiao turned to look at Qin Sheng, who was sitting upright, and said, "Can't it be reduced a bit more?"
Qin Sheng shook her head, "This is the list I've compiled after reducing it several times. It only includes renovations and additions, not the cost of hiring a doctor."
Although the Yin family is not as wealthy as before, they should still have enough money to come up with this much.
They were just stingy, thinking that since they didn't have any children in their household, the clan school would only be for the children of other clansmen to study. They couldn't bear to spend that little bit of money, but they wanted to show off in front of their clansmen.
In her previous life, Qin Sheng saw through it but didn't say anything. She silently used her own dowry to fill the gaps, thus saving face for the Yin family and the mother and son.
But she will never be that foolish again in this lifetime.
Madam Yin asked, "I wonder how much it costs to hire a doctor for a year?"
Qin Sheng replied, "Three hundred taels of silver."
Madam Yin nearly vomited blood. "What? What? A teacher costs three hundred taels of silver a year? Has the God of Literature descended to earth?"
"..."
Qin Sheng sneered inwardly, but said aloud, "I've inquired. Nowadays, the tutors hired by noble families and powerful clans are all proud and learned scholars. Three hundred taels is the lowest price. Some good tutors charge more than that, and they also receive a bonus every year."
Qin Sheng then said lightly, "When I went to the Yu residence for a banquet some time ago, I overheard Madam Yu talking about how, starting next year, the Regent intends to select some outstanding students of similar age to the Emperor from among the aristocratic families so that the Emperor can train them himself. In the future, when the Emperor takes over the reins of government, these people will be his right-hand men."
Madam Yin and Yin Wenxiao looked at each other, their expressions mirroring each other.
Recently, there have been similar rumors circulating in Beijing.
If that's the case, then it's no wonder that teachers' annual tuition fees are so high, and those learned teachers would be highly sought after!
If a member of the clan were to be favored by the Regent and enter the palace, wouldn't that be a case of one person achieving enlightenment and all their relatives and friends rising to prominence?
Yin Wenxiao made a quick decision and asked Qin Sheng, "The key to renovating the clan school is to cultivate the next generation of the Yin family. We cannot cut corners on these expenses. If we don't reduce the amount listed by Madam earlier, how much would it cost in total?"
Qin Sheng said, "At least 20,000 taels."
"..."
Twenty thousand taels... I can manage to come up with it if I grit my teeth.
The Pingyin Earl's Mansion owned several thousand acres of farmland, more than a dozen estates of various sizes, as well as more than a dozen shops and several villas both inside and outside the capital.
The total annual income amounted to forty to fifty thousand taels of silver.
In her previous life, she managed the household for three years. Later, she learned that the household's income was roughly divided into three parts each year: one part went into Old Madam Yin's pocket, one part went to Yin Wenxiao, and the rest was used for the household's daily expenses.
Originally, none of this mattered.
Qin Sheng didn't mind that the mother and son always treated her like an outsider; in her past life, she always thought that time would reveal true character.
As long as she treats her husband sincerely, takes good care of her mother-in-law, and manages the household affairs well, one day her husband and mother-in-law will treat her sincerely in return.
Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was in my past life.
What's the point of working yourself to the bone and saving every penny? In the end, it's all just a dowry for someone else.
...
Qin Sheng gave the mother and son time to discuss it, and then got up to take her leave.
On the way back to Zhefang Courtyard, Qiao'er asked in confusion, "Madam, does renovating the clan school really cost that much money?"
Before the lady could answer, she snorted again: "But it doesn't matter how much money it costs. You've been in charge of the household for so long, and all they know is to let you manage all the big and small things in the house. They even keep the income of the mansion a secret and don't let you know everything. Let them keep it a secret and see if they can make something out of it!"
Qin Sheng was amused by her words, "Yes, what's the use of letting them hoard so much money? They might as well use it for charity."
"No matter how hard I work, they always treat me like an outsider."
Whether in the past life or now, it's the same.
Qiao'er snorted, "That's right, rather than letting the Earl hoard the money and give it to Aunt Ye to spend, it would be better to use it to renovate the clan school and do good deeds!"
Qin Sheng smiled and said, "It's just that I reckon the Earl and the Old Madam will be feeling the pinch."
Qiao'er chuckled along. Twenty thousand taels of silver was practically skinning the Earl and the Old Madam alive. Just thinking about how much pain they were in, she felt a surge of satisfaction.
Serves you right!
However, before they returned to Zhefang Courtyard, there were still servants passing by on the way. Qiao'er coughed lightly and quickly resumed her serious expression.
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