He finally had some free time to deal with matters in the manor, but after having breakfast in the morning, half an hour had passed and the steward of the manor had not come to report.
Qin Sheng was puzzled and asked Qiao'er to find out what was going on.
Qiao'er ran back in no time.
"Madam, something terrible has happened! The old lady...she said...she said that you've been busy with the renovation of the clan school lately, so..."
"Have some tea and talk slowly." Qin Sheng handed her a cup of tea.
Qiao'er ran back, panting and thirsty. She drank two cups of tea before she finally recovered.
"The old lady said that she will take charge of all the affairs of the household during this period, with Aunt Ye assisting her. You should focus on the renovation of the clan school first."
"..."
Even Qin Sheng was taken aback by the old lady's unexpected move.
After a moment, she smiled again, "Interesting, she can't stay idle after only a few days of this comfortable life."
"That's right!" Qiao'er said indignantly, "What kind of person is that Aunt Ye? The old lady made her help manage the household, isn't she afraid of ruining the family!"
Qin Sheng sighed, "How can you say such things? Watch your tongue."
Qiao'er belatedly realized what was happening and quickly stuck out her tongue, but her little face was still indignant.
Qin Sheng let them do whatever they wanted. Taking a rare break, she found a storybook and curled up on the couch to read.
Not long after, Caiyue rushed in to report: "Madam, the old lady has sent someone over."
This time, it wasn't Granny Shi who came, but an old woman with a somewhat fierce-looking face, who was accompanied by two maids.
Qin Sheng got up from the couch and raised her hand to tidy her hair.
The old woman had already entered with her maid, and she bowed to Qin Sheng politely: "Greetings, Madam."
The old woman said, "The old lady said there are some unclear points in the household accounts, and she would like to ask you to come and explain them."
"Okay." Qin Sheng nodded. "Let's go then."
“Madam…” Qiao’er was worried and subconsciously tried to grab the lady’s sleeve.
That day, people from the clan came to the mansion to make trouble for the old lady. The old lady must have been holding a grudge against the lady and wanted to make things difficult for her.
The old woman urged them on, and Qin Sheng followed them out. Qiao'er lagged behind and, in desperation, said to Emerald, "Why don't we go and inform the Lord?"
Lord Earl is on leave today and is at home.
"What do you want with the Earl?" Emerald glared at her. "Are you out of your mind? Can the Earl help Madam?"
It's good enough if they don't kick someone when they're down.
Emerald grabbed her arm: "Don't say any more, let's hurry up and follow them."
They soon arrived at the Pine and Willow Courtyard.
There were about ten account books on the table, along with some purchase orders for the household's daily needs, which looked rather messy.
"They're here."
Madam Yin glanced at Qin Sheng and said in a nonchalant tone, "Perfect, take a look at this." She then instructed a maid to hand Qin Sheng a form.
This was Qin Sheng's order approving the expansion of the spice shop, and it bore Qin Sheng's seal.
Old Madam Yin retorted, "Qin Sheng, you've only been married into the family for a few months, and you didn't even tell me about such a big thing. Don't you even respect me as your mother-in-law?"
Ye Jiaoniang stood beside Old Madam Yin with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
"But didn't you say that from now on, this family would be in my hands, and I would be in charge of everything?"
Qin Sheng said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Besides, I've made so many decisions about big and small matters in this mansion, why are you singled out this one?"
"you……"
Madam Yin looked angry again and raised her hand to cover her chest.
"How can you speak like that, Madam?" Ye Jiaoniang said as if she had mustered up her courage, and then turned to gently pat Madam Yin's back.
"If Mother thinks I'm not managing the household well, you can just say so." Qin Sheng said with a forced smile, "Being a housekeeper is so easy. Why don't you let Aunt Ye manage it from now on, and I'll just be a hands-off manager."
"Alright!" Seeing that she was getting more and more outrageous, Old Madam Yin quickly looked over and said, "You are now a member of the Yin family. Is this how your Qin family teaches you to talk back to your mother-in-law?"
He raised his voice a little, and Yin Wenxiao, who was just entering the room, heard him.
Yin Wenxiao's face darkened, and he strode over, shouting at Qin Sheng without a word, "What did you say to upset Mother again? Qin Sheng, look at yourself now, where is the slightest bit of a proper young lady?"
He even began to wonder if Qin Sheng had been possessed by a ghost during this period.
Otherwise, how could their behavior be getting more and more outrageous? Now they even dare to openly talk back to their mother-in-law!
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense, and both of the maids, Emerald and Qiao'er, were sweating profusely.
"At least I'm upright and honest."
Qin Sheng was unafraid. Her gaze fell indifferently on Yin Wenxiao, then turned to Ye Jiaoniang, and suddenly a mocking smile appeared on her face.
"Lord, do you dare swear by the ancestors of the Yin family that Aunt Ye is really your distant cousin?"
"..."
Yin Wenxiao was taken aback when she suddenly asked this question, his body stiffened instantly, and his eyes widened slightly.
Ye Jiaoniang, who was standing next to Madam Yin, was also startled.
In order to gain Qin Sheng's sympathy and soften his heart, they did make up some lies, claiming that Ye Jiaoniang was a relative of Old Madam Yin's family.
Since it just so happens that Madam Yin's maternal family is also from Hushan, this explanation is not easy to arouse suspicion.
"Qin Sheng!"
Before Yin Wenxiao could speak, Old Madam Yin preemptively struck, angrily saying, "You scoundrel! What are you doing, forcing your husband to joke about our ancestors?"
Qin Sheng remained calm: "Speaking of coercion, didn't you start it from the beginning?"
Now that the truth has been revealed, she will no longer indulge them.
Qin Sheng said, "Doesn't the old lady know what the situation is like in the mansion? She's unwilling to spend money but wants to show off. She makes it sound so easy for me to think of a way when she says she doesn't have enough money. She just thinks that I still have a dowry in the end, so it's not unreasonable to take some out of the dowry, right?"
These words struck a nerve with Old Madam Yin.
She was speechless, looking extremely angry, muttering, "What a tragedy, what a tragedy! How could I have let my son marry someone like you..."
With a loud "slap," the sound of a resounding slap echoed throughout the room.
No one expected Yin Wenxiao to make a move. Qin Sheng's bright and beautiful face suddenly became red and swollen on one side.
"lady!!!"
Qiao'er was the first to react. She and Emerald were both standing at the door. She immediately rushed over and shoved Yin Wenxiao aside with her body.
Yin Wenxiao was a scholar, unlike Qiao'er who was naturally strong. He was actually knocked off balance by Qiao'er.
"How are you, Madam?"
Qiao'er cried uncontrollably, pulling her mistress towards the door, "This servant will go and fetch a doctor for you..."
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