Contrary to her seemingly kind and naive nature, Liu Ruhua actually used the money given to her by the Liu family to tip the servants and gather information about the household. She didn't really need to do this, as while it might win people over, it would also offend some.
Green Spirit was originally a slave girl, and now that she's been elevated to a concubine, her background is even worse than Ruan Yu Mu's. The general hasn't visited her courtyard since returning to the manor, and he just goes crazy in his room all the time. Luckily, the two maids living in her little side courtyard are honest, otherwise they would definitely be in trouble.
The monthly allowance for the Qi family was ten taels of silver for the madam, eight taels for the concubine, five taels for the maidservant, and three taels for the maidservant, just like a servant. In addition, there was a small amount of clothing and fabric. All the food, clothing, housing and transportation were provided according to the rank and grade.
Most of the women in the manor above the rank of concubine don't rely on this money for survival; only the maids and servants depend on it. If one is weak, it's common for their allowance to be withheld. Zi Ling went to the old lady's courtyard and almost got into a fight with the servants there. The commotion was quite loud. It turned out that Ruan Yu Mu had been sick for the past few days and hadn't been given good food, but the old lady kept withholding it, citing a mistake.
Seeing Zi Ling return looking dejected, she must have gotten a cold shoulder again.
Seeing this, Ruan Yumu took out a silver ingot and handed it to Ziling. "Ziling, you have suffered with me. You were beaten a few days ago. If it weren't for you protecting me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be in this world now. This is a reward for you."
"Miss, I dare not think that way. You have taken care of me in this stable since I was a child. We have a deep bond. How could I not help you when you are in trouble? Please take it back. I am grateful to have followed you." Zi Ling looked terrified, afraid that Ruan Yu Mu was planning to abandon her.
"Get up and speak, don't kneel all the time." She quickly pulled Zi Ling up. Back when she fell in love with Ruan Yu Mu at the horse farm, it was Zi Ling who often spoke up for her. Now, he's the one who's become her sister.
“I have no one to rely on in this manor. My only father can't help me much. I was born into a poor family and my life is full of difficulties and harsh treatment. Ziling, you are the only one I depend on now. Tomorrow, when you leave the manor, take two ingots of gold to my father. The winters in Jiang Kingdom are very cold. It seems we have to find a way to make a living ourselves. Also, prepare some food and we will cook for ourselves.”
Upon hearing this, Zi Ling burst into tears, feeling that her young lady's life was truly too bitter. "This servant understands, and will definitely support you through thick and thin from now on."
Ruan Yumu smiled. These past few days she had finally understood that no one would believe she was the general, and that to survive in this inner quarters, one had to find a way to live.
Early in the morning, Jiang Meng packed her things and waited for the general's orders to set off.
Jiang Meng was in a good mood and sat in the carriage all the way.
Upon arriving at the gate of the Duke of Jing's mansion, the Duke and Duchess of Jing were already waiting at the entrance. Princess Jiang hurriedly came out to greet her daughter, "Oh dear, I've missed you so much these past few days. Come on, let's have a private chat."
Prince Jiang naturally pulled Qi Jingxuan into the study. Men, after all, talk about nothing more than matters of state and war.
Consort Jiang approached with a smile, and Jiang Meng felt nauseous at the sight of her protruding belly. She had found an orphan girl at the temple fair, but now she was being used as a vile woman to compete for the emperor's favor with her mother. "Wait a minute, don't hurt our little prince."
The Duke of Jing's family had few connections, with only Jiang Mengyi and his older brother Jiang Congzhi as his children. Now that they were both grown up, the Duke of Jing was not obsessed with women and spent his days fighting wars. Unexpectedly, just as his children were about to get married, he found love again.
"Yu'er, I have done you a favor, so please be more mindful of your behavior."
"Tch, you stubbornly insisted on marrying a fourth-rank general, and now that you're back in your mansion, you're still showing off to your family. I really don't know how your mother raised you."
“Mother, don’t worry about him, let’s go. Let’s see how long he can keep up his arrogance. You are a second-rank noblewoman, don’t stoop to the level of these people.”
"Meng'er, I don't take it to heart, don't worry. Besides, men have multiple wives and concubines. As the head of the household, it's not a big problem to sell her off if we want to. As long as we have control of the household, none of that matters."
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