When Zhong Muyu arrived at the front hall, he saw Uncle Qiu standing there respectfully. Not only that, but a servant was following behind him, carrying stacks of account books.
Zhong Muyu quickly asked Qiao'er to offer Uncle Qiu a seat. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Uncle Qiu had someone place the food in front of Zhong Muyu.
"This is?"
Zhong Muyu picked one up at random; it read "Roster".
Uncle Qiu said, "Before you returned, the Prince instructed that the management of the household affairs should be handed over to you, so this old servant brought all the matters of the household here today for your review."
Zhong Muyu opened the roster in her hand and saw that it recorded the names, identities, duties, and kinship of all the servants in the Prince's Mansion.
In addition, there are daily festivals, the preparation of banquets and the expenses, the income from shops and fields outside... all sorts of things, big and small.
Zhong Muyu felt a headache just looking at it.
She couldn't help but ask, "Am I supposed to manage all of this?"
"That's what the prince said."
"It seems this Lu Ziyuan is trying to work me to death! I knew it wouldn't be that simple."
Uncle Qiu explained, "Princess, please don't worry. The Prince is doing this for your own good."
Zhong Muyu did not refute. In this era, being able to wield such great power as a steward was something many people could only dream of.
However, Zhong Muyu has always disliked trouble. The relationships between those servants were a headache just to look at. How could she possibly mediate them?
“I know, but Uncle Qiu, I’m still a newcomer, and there are many things I need your help with.”
"Of course, His Highness knows that you are bound to be overwhelmed by the sudden change in management, so he has given this old servant permission to help out as much as possible."
"That's great. I'll leave all the messy affairs of the Prince's mansion to you. As for banquets... does the Prince's mansion often host banquets for guests?"
Uncle Qiu thought for a moment: "When the Dowager Consort was alive, there were banquets often. Later, the Prince only hosted a few banquets for the soldiers. After that, he never held banquets except for special holidays."
"Then let's skip the banquet, since we're not going to hold it anyway."
Seeing Zhong Muyu throw down the banquet ledger, Uncle Qiu hurriedly said, "But now that you're back, you should frequently host banquets for the ladies and young women in the city to strengthen your relationships with them!"
"It was fine if I didn't get to know them better before! I don't like crowds, and I don't want to get to know them, so I don't need them."
She'd heard of all this talk about deepening relationships before; it was just some people trying to curry favor or get their daughters involved.
Is it because there aren't enough people in this prince's mansion?
After getting rid of all the miscellaneous matters in the manor, Zhong Muyu finally turned her attention to the assets of the royal manor that she cared about most.
She was really curious about how many shops Lu Ziyuan owned; perhaps she could even pick one up and develop it.
Seeing Zhong Muyu pick up the income and expenditure ledgers of those shops, Uncle Qiu said, "Your Highness, these shops are all properties of the Prince's Mansion. Most of them are well-run. The monthly income is used for the daily expenses of the Prince's Mansion and the monthly wages of the servants. You can take a look at this."
Uncle Qiu handed her another ledger.
"Hmm, no rush."
Uncle Qiu found it strange. Even if the princess saw how these shops were being run, it wouldn't be of much use, would it?
Zhong Muyu browsed through the list and was surprised to find that Lu Ziyuan's businesses were quite diverse. She wouldn't get involved in the inn or restaurant business, since she already had one, but she could give the garment workshop a try.
Among all the shops, this clothing workshop had relatively low income. After all, most women in this era knew how to embroider and make clothes, and there were clothing shops in every place. The barriers to entry were low, the competition was fierce, and it was not easy to stand out.
Zhong Muyu asked, "Uncle Qiu, where is this garment workshop?"
"It's just around the south corner of the main street. Why is the princess asking this?"
"Nothing, I'm just quite interested."
“This garment workshop doesn’t generate much income, and we’re planning to replace it now…”
"No! Don't change it! Maybe it can still come back to life?"
Zhong Muyu immediately interrupted him.
"Your Highness, this..."
"Trust me! Never mind, I'll talk to Lu Ziyuan later. Anyway, that's all, right? Everything that needed to be arranged has been arranged, Uncle Qiu, thank you for your hard work!"
Seeing Zhong Muyu like this, Uncle Qiu could only sigh helplessly.
The concubine is unreliable, the princess is unreliable, the prince is so pitiful, he married two women who are not good at managing the household.
After Uncle Qiu left, Qiao'er asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why did you decline the affairs of the Prince's Mansion?"
"Hmm, why?"
Zhong Muyu smiled mysteriously, not bothering to explain the reason to them, since they wouldn't understand anyway.
Upon arriving at the Prince's mansion, Zhong Muyu instantly transformed from a busy man into a lazy bum, spending his time eating and playing, leading a truly boring life.
When Lu Ziyuan returned after dealing with matters outside, Uncle Qiu actually went to Xiuyu House first to complain!
Upon hearing Qiao'er's report, Zhong Muyu found it both amusing and speechless.
Just how afraid was Uncle Qiu of this Prince's mansion being squandered?
However, his fear is understandable, since the bankruptcy of the Prince's Mansion would not benefit him either.
Upon hearing Uncle Qiu's report, Lu Ziyuan, who was in the study, was not angry at all; instead, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Your Highness, this..."
"It's nothing, I just feel that this is indeed her style."
Uncle Qiu said, "In this old servant's opinion, if the Princess continues like this, it will be of no benefit to the Prince's Mansion!"
"Not necessarily. Besides, didn't you manage all the affairs of the Prince's Mansion before? I think Uncle Qiu managed it quite well, there's no need to trouble the Princess."
Uncle Qiu still didn't intend to give up: "But the principal wife is in charge of the household, which is a long-standing rule. Even if the princess can't manage it well, she can still learn."
"If she's willing to take charge, then let her. If she's not, then don't force her. Uncle Qiu, don't mess with her. My queen is a formidable woman; you've seen it for yourself."
"this……"
Thinking of Zhong Muyu's impulsive and impulsive personality, Uncle Qiu was indeed still a little scared.
Just then, someone came to report: "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has arrived."
Lu Ziyuan laughed and said, "See? She must be upset because she found out you came to complain. You should leave now, and just leave things at the Prince's residence as they are."
Having said all that, Uncle Qiu had no choice but to back down. However, he truly couldn't understand how the Prince could be so indulgent towards someone. Even towards the Dowager Consort, he had never been so lenient.
When Uncle Qiu left, he bumped into Zhong Muyu, but Zhong Muyu was not angry.
Placing the food box on the table, Zhong Muyu leaned closer mysteriously and asked, "Did Uncle Qiu come to complain?"
He looked very troubled.
Zhong Muyu asked knowingly, "Then what should we do?"
"Don't worry, I've already sent him away. From now on, you can do as you please in the Prince's Mansion. Since you've come back to live here, how could I let you be uncomfortable?"
Lu Ziyuan's eyes were full of doting affection, which made Zhong Muyu even more unable to resist.
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