Chapter 30 The Power of Household Management
As dawn broke, the light streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, gold-brick floor.
When Su Wanrou woke up, the bed beside her was empty, leaving only a faint, crisp scent of pine. She reached out and touched the now-cold pillow, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart. This was the first time since their marriage that Gu Yangui had gotten up and left before she woke up.
"Yunbin," she called softly.
Yunbin, who had been waiting outside the door, entered in response to the call, followed by Yuebai, who was carrying a copper basin. Two maids quickly and efficiently helped her get up and wash.
"When did the Duke get up?" Su Wanrou asked casually, but her gaze was fixed on Yunbin's expression through the dressing table.
As she combed her long hair, Yunbin smiled and replied, "Madam, the Duke got up before dawn, saying he was going to practice his sword. He specifically instructed me not to wake you before he left."
Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and softly hummed in agreement.
After washing up, she was about to go to Mingxuan Courtyard to see if the child had woken up when she saw Gu Yangui stride in from outside.
He was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, clearly having just returned from sword practice. Seeing that Su Wanrou was already dressed, he paused slightly: "Did I wake you?"
"No, I just got up too." Su Wanrou stepped forward and naturally took the handkerchief handed to her by Yunbin, personally wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Gu Yangui stiffened for a moment, but did not flinch, letting those soft little hands move across his forehead. The faint scent of jasmine lingered in his nostrils, calming his slightly agitated mind after his morning sword practice.
"Father! Mother!"
Mingxuan's clear voice came from outside the door. The little guy rushed in like a cheerful little bird, bowed respectfully, and then pounced on Gu Yangui's legs, looking up at him and asking, "Father, are you going to the yamen today?"
Gu Yangui bent down and picked up his son: "Today is a day off."
Mingxuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately looked at Su Wanrou: "Mother, can we go to the garden to fly kites together? You promised me last time!"
Su Wanrou smiled and patted his head: "Of course, but we'll have to wait until after breakfast and after you've met your grandmother."
The family of three was talking when the butler, Gu Zhong, came to see them from outside the door.
"Come in." Gu Yangui put Mingxuan down, his expression regaining its usual composure.
Gu Zhong bowed as he entered, and after bowing without looking to the side, he respectfully said, "Lord Duke, Madam, breakfast is ready. Also... Granny Zhang from the storeroom and Mr. Li from the accountant are waiting in the flower hall, saying they have some matters to discuss with you."
Upon hearing this, Su Wanrou subconsciously glanced at Gu Yangui. According to the rules, these internal affairs should have been handled by her as the mistress of the house. However, since she entered the household, although Gu Yangui had allowed her to take on some responsibilities, he had never explicitly delegated authority. Important matters in the mansion were still reported directly to him by Gu Zhong.
Gu Yangui's expression remained unchanged, and he simply said, "I understand. Tell them to wait." After saying that, he naturally took Mingxuan's hand and said to Su Wanrou, "Let's have breakfast first."
The atmosphere at breakfast was warm and cozy. Mingxuan was especially excited because his parents were both there, and he kept talking non-stop. Gu Yangui didn't talk much, but he would respond with a few words and occasionally put a piece of jadeite shumai on Su Wanrou's plate.
Su Wanrou, however, was preoccupied with the stewards waiting in the flower hall, and lost her appetite.
After breakfast, the wet nurse took Mingxuan to play in the garden. Gu Yangui stood up and said to Su Wanrou, "Come with me to the flower hall."
In the main hall, Zhang Mama, the storeroom manager, and Mr. Li, the accountant, had been standing respectfully with their hands at their sides for some time. Upon seeing Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou enter, they quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"What is it?" Gu Yangui sat down at the head of the table and gestured for Su Wanrou to sit beside him.
Granny Zhang spoke first, mentioning the distribution of next month's allowances to each courtyard and how to dispose of a batch of old silk in the storeroom. Mr. Li then reported on several recent large expenditures and the harvest accounts of the estate.
These matters, though neither major nor minor, were crucial to the daily operation of the household. When the two reported back, although nominally they were reporting to the Duke and his wife together, their gazes and words were mostly directed at Gu Yangui.
Su Wanrou listened quietly without interrupting. She knew that Gu Yangui was teaching her and observing her.
After the two finished speaking, Gu Yangui did not make a decision immediately, but turned to Su Wanrou and asked, "What does Madam think?"
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to ask her directly. She pondered for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before speaking slowly, "Next month is approaching the Dragon Boat Festival. The usual allowances for each courtyard can be distributed as before, but could we add an extra portion of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and a portion of mugwort and calamus for warding off evil? As for the old silks in the storeroom, those with outdated patterns can be inventoried and given to the servants in the manor to make summer clothes. This way, there will be no waste, and we can also get something useful. As for the accounts..." She looked at Mr. Li, "I noticed in the accounts that the spring wheat harvest at the farm in the west of the city seems to be half a percent less than in previous years. Do you know why?"
Her voice was gentle, but her reasoning was very clear. She not only answered the manager's questions one by one, but also pointed out the details in the accounts.
Both Granny Zhang and Mr. Li were surprised and couldn't help but steal a glance at the young lady. They had thought that she would just sit and listen, and that the Duke would ultimately make the decision, but they hadn't expected her to be so observant.
A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Gu Yangui's eyes, but his expression remained calm as he looked at the two stewards and said, "Do as Madam says. As for the estate, Accountant Li, go and find out the details before reporting back."
"Yes, we will obey the Duke and Madam's orders." The two bowed and replied, their attitude even more respectful than before.
After dealing with these matters, Gu Yangui did not let Gu Zhong lead the stewards to leave. Instead, he said to Gu Zhong, "Go and summon all the stewards in the mansion, as well as the head matrons of each courtyard."
Gu Zhongxin understood immediately and left.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the flower hall was filled with people. From the head steward in charge of the estates and shops to the head maids of each courtyard, there were more than twenty people in total, filling the originally spacious flower hall to capacity. Everyone stood with their hands at their sides, holding their breath and wondering why the Duke had suddenly summoned everyone.
Gu Yangui's gaze swept calmly over everyone; the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority: "From this day forward, all internal affairs of the manor, regardless of their importance, shall be decided by the Madam. Any reports shall be submitted directly to the Madam. The Madam's words are my words. Do you all understand?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the hall varied; some were surprised, some understood, and some secretly sized up Su Wanrou. But no one dared to raise any objection, and they all replied in unison, "We will obey the Duke's orders!"
Su Wanrou's heart trembled violently, and she abruptly turned to look at Gu Yangui. She hadn't expected that he would, at this moment, in this way, so clearly and formally hand over the power of managing the household affairs of the Duke's mansion to her. This wasn't a test, nor was it about letting her learn slowly; it was a complete and unreserved entrustment.
Gu Yangui did not look at her, but said to everyone, "Come and greet Madam."
Led by Gu Zhong, all the head maids stepped forward and bowed to Su Wanrou, their voices in unison: "Greetings, Madam!"
At this moment, Su Wanrou clearly felt the heavy weight on her shoulders. This was not only power, but also responsibility, and Gu Yangui's complete trust in her.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, straightened her back, and looked calmly at everyone. Her voice was clear and steady: "You are all veterans of the manor, who have worked diligently for the Duke's manor for many years. Thank you for your hard work. In the future, I hope you will continue to do your best. I am young, so if there are any differences, please feel free to speak frankly. Only by working together can we manage the affairs of the manor properly and prevent the Duke from having to worry about family matters."
Her words were neither humble nor arrogant; they affirmed the contributions of the former servants, established the position of the mistress, and highlighted the common goal—to ensure that Gu Yangui would have no worries about the future.
Upon hearing this, regardless of their inner thoughts, all the stewards became even more respectful: "We will follow Madam's instructions!"
Gu Yangui sat to one side, looking at the young woman beside him. Morning light shone through the windowpane, casting a soft glow on her. She still looked as delicate as ever, but her straight back, composed gaze, and proper speech already exuded the air of the mistress of the Duke's mansion.
He recalled Gu Zhonglai's report during his sword practice that morning. Since that day at Ci'en Nunnery, there had been no further news from Princess An, and many of the disparaging rumors circulating in the capital about his new wife had quietly subsided. His young wife was, in her own way, gradually earning respect and establishing herself.
Entrusting her with the full responsibility of managing the household affairs was a decision he made after careful consideration. He trusted his judgment and believed she was capable of shouldering this responsibility.
two
After the stewards left, only the couple remained in the flower hall.
Su Wanrou was still reeling from the shocking scene before her, her emotions unable to settle. She looked at Gu Yangui, her eyes filled with a complex mix of gratitude, trepidation, and determination: "Husband…"
Gu Yangui raised his hand, stopping her from speaking. He stood up, walked to her, and took out a small bronze token from his pocket. The token was engraved with an ancient character "Gu," and its edges had been worn smooth by repeated use.
"These are the keys to the treasury and the card room." He placed the tokens in Su Wanrou's hand, his fingertips inevitably touching her warm palm. "Keep them safe."
The token, still warm from his body, pressed heavily on Su Wanrou's hand, and also on her heart.
"Why do you trust me so much, my husband..." Su Wanrou gripped the token tightly and couldn't help but ask. They had only been married for a few months, and she was still young. Entrusting her with the entire internal affairs of this large Duke's mansion was obviously risky.
Gu Yangui looked down at her, his gaze deep: "You are my lawfully wedded wife, the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. If I don't trust you, who will I trust?"
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty, as if it were a matter of course, requiring no explanation.
Su Wanrou's heart felt as if it had been struck hard by something, a bittersweet ache mixed with a warm current. She recalled her initial trepidation upon entering the manor, her cautiousness when interacting with Mingxuan, and her nervousness when being scrutinized by the servants… At this moment, it seemed that she had found a home and purpose in everything.
She clutched the token tightly in her hand, raised her head, looked at him with unwavering eyes, and said, word by word, "My husband trusts me, and I will not fail your trust."
Gu Yangui nodded slightly: "If you encounter any difficulties, or if someone is dissatisfied, you can seek out Gu Zhong, or you can tell me directly."
"Mmm." Su Wanrou nodded emphatically.
Just then, Mingxuan's cheerful shouts and footsteps came from outside, clearly indicating that he couldn't wait to fly the kite and had come looking for them.
Gu Yangui's expression softened, and he naturally extended his hand to her: "Let's go, don't keep Xuan'er waiting."
Looking at the large, well-defined hand before her, Su Wanrou placed her hand on it without hesitation. His palm was broad and warm, with the roughness of someone who practiced martial arts, yet it gave her an immense sense of security and strength.
The couple walked hand in hand out of the flower hall. Bright sunlight streamed into the courtyard, illuminating every corner of Su Wanrou's heart. She knew that from this moment on, she was no longer a "guest" of the Duke's mansion, but its rightful mistress. The road ahead might still hold challenges, but she was fearless.
three
In the days that followed, Su Wanrou became exceptionally busy.
Taking over the management of the household affairs was not as simple as just receiving a token. The Duke's mansion had numerous properties, including estates, shops, social relationships, and servant management... a myriad of things that she needed to sort out and familiarize herself with step by step.
Every morning, after seeing Gu Yangui off to court and arranging Mingxuan's studies, she would begin handling affairs in the flower hall. She would meet with various stewards, check the accounts, and arrange expenses... often sitting there for half a day.
She was young and inexperienced. Although she had Gu Yangui's explicit authorization, there were inevitably some long-time staff or former employees left by the late Madam who were dissatisfied or intentionally testing her.
That day, the steward in charge of purchasing goods in the mansion came to report the price list of a batch of items to be purchased. Among them, the prices of several seasonal fruits and vegetables were significantly higher than the market price.
Su Wanrou was not angry after hearing this. She simply put down the ledger, picked up her teacup, gently stirred the foam, and asked in a calm tone, "Manager Li, I am young and not very familiar with market prices. I just overheard the maids talking yesterday that the cherries in the West Market seem to be more than 30% cheaper than those listed on your list?"
Steward Li's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected that the madam would even know such minute market prices. He quickly bowed and said, "Madam, the household always selects the best for its purchases. These cherries are the first batch, of tribute grade, hence the slightly higher price..."
"Oh? The best?" Su Wanrou looked up at him, her gaze clear and sharp, without any anger, but with an air of authority. "Then bring me some of the 'tribute-grade' cherries you bought today. Perfect, I'd like to have a taste too."
Manager Li broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn't actually bought any tribute-grade goods; he was simply inflating prices as usual to line his own pocket. Now, exposed to his face, he stammered and couldn't utter a word.
Su Wanrou didn't urge her, but slowly sipped her tea.
After a long while, Steward Li knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Madam, please forgive me! I was confused for a moment and my mind was clouded by greed! Please, Madam, have mercy!"
Su Wanrou put down her teacup, her voice still calm but tinged with coldness: "Steward Li, the Duke entrusted me with the affairs of the manor, which is a sign of his trust in me. I am willing to treat everyone with sincerity as well. But if anyone thinks that I am young and easy to bully, and pretends to comply while secretly disobeying, lining their own pockets, and breaking the rules of the manor, I will not tolerate it."
She paused, then said, "Considering you are a senior member of the household, I will not punish you severely this time. The falsely reported amount of money will be made up, and you will be fined three months' wages. Your position as purchasing manager will be temporarily filled by your deputy. Do you accept this?"
Steward Li had expected to be severely punished or even expelled from the manor, but the punishment was so "light" that he immediately kowtowed, saying, "I accept it! I accept it! Thank you for your mercy, Madam! I will never dare to do it again!"
"Go down." Su Wanrou waved her hand.
The news quickly spread throughout the household. Everyone then realized that this young lady was not naive, but rather quite astute. She was fair and impartial, rarely angered, but certainly not weak or easily bullied. Through a combination of kindness and firmness, those who had initially been hesitant or dismissive became much more cautious and discreet in their actions.
Although Gu Yangui didn't concern himself with the details of the inner quarters, he could naturally sense the changing atmosphere within the mansion. Occasionally, when he returned home early, he would see Su Wanrou diligently checking the accounts under the lamplight, or the silhouette of her discussing matters with Gu Zhong. Under the dim light, her slightly furrowed brows and focused expression often made him stop and watch for a while.
His young wife is growing up at an astonishing pace, managing the affairs of the Duke's mansion with remarkable efficiency. Her intelligence, resilience, and sense of responsibility far exceed his initial expectations.
After dinner that evening, Mingxuan was taken to rest by his wet nurse. Gu Yangui did not go to the study as usual, but said to Su Wanrou, "Come with me for a walk in the garden."
The moonlight, like water, spilled into the quiet courtyard. The early summer evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, refreshing and delightful. The couple walked side by side on the cobblestone path, silent for a moment, yet without any awkwardness.
"Are things going smoothly with the affairs of the household?" Gu Yangui broke the silence.
"It's alright," Su Wanrou replied softly. "With Gu Zhong's help, the managers are much more dedicated now." She paused, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible dependence. "It's just that sometimes when we encounter difficult matters, I'm always afraid of not doing a good job and letting my husband down."
Gu Yangui stopped and turned to look at her. In the moonlight, her upturned face was as white as jade, showing a hint of weariness, yet appearing even more resolute.
“You did very well,” he said in a deep voice, his tone unusually affirmative. “Even better than I expected.”
Su Wanrou was taken aback by his straightforward praise, but then her lips curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling with a smile that was even brighter than the crescent moon in the sky.
Gu Yangui's heart stirred, and as if possessed, he reached out and gently brushed aside a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind from her cheek. His fingertips touched her delicate, warm skin, and both of them trembled slightly.
Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed red, and she hurriedly lowered her eyelashes, her heart pounding like a drum.
Gu Yangui withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back, his fingertips seemingly still retaining that smooth, slippery touch. He looked away and continued walking forward, but his pace slowed considerably.
"You don't need to be perfect in everything, I'm here for you."
A deep voice drifted into her ears on the wind. Su Wanrou looked at the tall and imposing figure in front of her, quickened her pace to catch up, and softly replied, "Mm."
The moonlight stretched their shadows long, intertwining them and making them inseparable.
She knew that this once unfamiliar and even frightening mansion was gradually becoming her home. And the man who gave her boundless trust and support was her greatest reliance and belonging in this life.
The power to manage the household affairs is a responsibility, a challenge, and, more importantly, the most profound sincerity he has given her.
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