Chapter 32 The Power of the Steward
The weather in July is unpredictable. One morning it's sunny and clear, but by noon, dark clouds are looming overhead and rumbling thunder is heard.
Su Wanrou had just woken up from her afternoon nap and was sitting by the window reading the articles by several tutors that Gu Zhong had sent when suddenly the outside of the window lit up, followed by a thunderclap, and large raindrops began to pelt down, instantly forming a curtain of rain. The flowers and plants in the courtyard swayed incessantly in the wind and rain.
"This rain is really coming down hard." Yunbin quickly stepped forward and closed the window a little, leaving only a crack for ventilation.
"Summer rain comes quickly and goes quickly." Su Wanrou put down her writing, her gaze falling on the banana leaves outside the window, which were even greener from the rain, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Gu Yangui had been urgently summoned to the palace by His Majesty early this morning, and she wondered what it was for. In this weather, had he brought any rain gear?
Just then, a commotion came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with the greetings of maids and servants. It was Gu Yangui returning.
Su Wanrou hurriedly got up and went out to greet him. She saw Gu Yangui striding through the covered corridor and heading towards the main house. He was wearing a purple court robe, his shoulders and cuffs were soaked with dark rain, and his hair was damp. There was a hint of fatigue between his brows, but his posture was still upright.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou stepped forward and naturally took the wet cloak he had taken off. It was icy cold to the touch. "Quickly dry yourself off and change into some dry clothes so you don't catch a cold." She handed the cloak to Yunbin and then wrung out a hot towel and handed it to her.
Gu Yangui took the handkerchief and wiped his face and hands; the warmth dispelled some of the chill of the rain. He looked down at his wife, who was dressed in a simple light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), without any makeup, looking up at him with undisguised concern in her eyes. The slight annoyance brought by the court intrigue seemed to dissipate somewhat in that gentle gaze.
"It's alright, the rain isn't heavy." He softened his voice as he followed her into the inner room.
Su Wanrou helped him change into his everyday clothes, and then had a maid bring over the ginger and jujube tea that had been prepared that morning: "Husband, have some hot tea to ward off the cold. Is there any urgent matter at court?" she asked softly, handing him the teacup.
Gu Yangui sat down on the couch by the window, took the teacup, and the rising steam blurred his cold, hard features. He took a sip, and the sweet, slightly spicy tea slid down his throat, spreading warmth throughout his body.
"There's been some unusual activity in the Northern Border, and His Majesty has summoned his ministers for a meeting." He spoke concisely, not elaborating on court secrets, but Su Wanrou sensed from his slightly furrowed brow and brief words that the situation was far from calm. She recalled the Northern Border war she had vaguely heard about in her past life, and her heart tightened. Knowing this was no small matter, she refrained from asking further questions, and simply said softly, "My husband has worked hard. What would you like for dinner? I'll have the kitchen prepare something light and palatable."
Gu Yangui put down his teacup, his gaze falling on the articles she had just been reading, and then asked, "How is the selection of the tutor coming along?"
Seeing that he had changed the subject, Su Wanrou knew he didn't want to talk about court affairs, so she went along with him and replied, "I was just about to ask my husband for his opinion. These gentlemen each have their strengths. Dr. Zhang is very knowledgeable, Scholar Li is quick-witted, and there is also Mr. Chen, who, although only a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar), is proficient in mathematics and miscellaneous studies. I think they might be beneficial to broaden Mingxuan's horizons." She explained her considerations to Gu Yangui in detail, clearly and logically, not just echoing what others said.
Gu Yangui listened, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. His young wife, though young, possessed remarkable insight and wasn't bound by conventional views. He picked up the articles again, pondered for a moment, and said, "Mingxuan's education requires a solid foundation. Dr. Zhang is upright and knowledgeable, making him a suitable mentor. Once his foundation is firm, we can invite Scholar Li to teach him the imperial examinations, and Mr. Chen to impart miscellaneous knowledge, drawing on the strengths of many. What do you think?"
Su Wanrou's eyes lit up, and she smiled and said, "My husband is very thoughtful. This arrangement is excellent! It emphasizes the foundation while being unconventional. It is a blessing for Mingxuan."
Seeing her genuine concern for Mingxuan, her eyes crinkling with a smile, devoid of any selfish motives, Gu Yangui's heart stirred slightly. He suddenly recalled that earlier that day in the palace, His Majesty had inquired about the well-being of his household, implying that he had heard his second wife was too young to shoulder the responsibilities of the Duke's wife. At the time, he hadn't said much, only replying, "My wife is virtuous, and everything is well at home." Now, looking into Su Wanrou's clear and intelligent eyes, and recalling how she had managed the household affairs so well over the past few months, her harmonious relationship with Mingxuan, and even her subtle defusing of the previous rumors, Gu Yangui had already made his decision.
It's time to truly give her the right to take charge of the household affairs.
two
The rain gradually subsided, and water droplets dripped intermittently from the eaves, tapping on the stone steps with a crisp sound.
At dinner time, Gu Yangui did not eat in his study as usual, but went to the main hall. Mingxuan was also brought over by his wet nurse. The little guy had been praised by his teacher at school today, and his face was full of excitement. He chattered non-stop at the dinner table. Su Wanrou listened with a smile and occasionally put food on his plate. Although Gu Yangui did not say much, his expression was gentle, and the atmosphere was unusually warm.
After dinner, the wet nurse took Mingxuan back to rest. The maids cleared away the dishes and served him tea.
Gu Yangui did not get up. He took a sip of tea and said to Gu Zhong, who was standing to the side, "Go and fetch the token from the mansion."
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhong's body trembled slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, this old servant will go right away." After saying that, he withdrew.
Su Wanrou was washing her hands when she heard this and paused, her heart skipping a beat. A card game? The butler playing cards? She instinctively looked at Gu Yangui, only to see him calm, as if he had just said something completely ordinary.
A short while later, Gu Zhong returned, carrying a sandalwood tray with both hands. On it were neatly arranged two strings of bronze plaques tied with silk ribbons of different colors, and next to them were several thick account books. The bronze plaques gleamed with a cold, eerie luster under the lamplight, representing the authority to manage the internal affairs of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Gu Yangui gestured for Gu Zhong to place the tray on the table, then said to Su Wanrou, "Come here."
Su Wanrou approached as instructed, her heart pounding like a drum.
Gu Yangui's gaze swept over the tokens on the tray, and he said in a deep voice, "How well have you managed the affairs of the manor these past few months? Mingxuan has also become close to you." He paused, looked up at her, his gaze deep and solemn, "From today onwards, the general affairs of the manor will be officially handed over to you. These are tokens for the inner courtyard storeroom and daily expenses; please keep them safe."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight, clearly reaching the ears of everyone in the hall. The maids standing beside him, such as Yunbin and Yuebai, all wore expressions of joy, while the old steward, Gu Zhong, kept his eyes down, his expression unreadable.
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement and a hint of fear. She knew what accepting the pair of cards meant. It wasn't just power, but also a heavy responsibility, and Gu Yangui's complete trust in her.
She reached out her hands, her fingertips trembling slightly with nervousness, but her movements were unusually firm as she removed the two strings of cold bronze plaques from the tray. The plaques felt heavy in her hands, the patterns on them digging into her palms, bringing a strange sense of realism.
"I... will certainly not fail my husband's trust." She raised her head to meet Gu Yangui's gaze, her voice clear and bright, each word distinct. There were no excessive promises, nor any timid refusals, only a weighty commitment.
Gu Yangui nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He then looked at Gu Zhong: "Gu Zhong, you are an elder in the household. From now on, all internal affairs of the household must be reported to the Madam for decision. You must assist her wholeheartedly and make no mistakes."
Gu Zhong stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "This old servant will obey the Duke's orders. I will do my utmost to assist the lady in managing the affairs of the household. Please rest assured, Duke and Lady." His attitude was extremely respectful, without a single fault.
Gu Yangui then gave Su Wanrou a few more instructions, basically saying that if she had any difficult decisions, she could consult Gu Zhong or ask him directly. Su Wanrou agreed to everything.
"It's getting late, you may all leave." Gu Yangui waved his hand.
Gu Zhong led the servants out silently, leaving only the couple in the flower hall. The lamplight crackled and popped.
Su Wanrou looked down at the pair of cards in her hand, still somewhat dazed. So… she'd officially taken over the housekeeping duties?
"Are you scared?" Gu Yangui's voice sounded above him, sounding a little gentler than usual.
Su Wanrou raised her head, shook it, then nodded gently, "A little. I'm afraid I won't do well and will let my husband down." This was her true feeling. The relationships within the Duke's Mansion were incredibly complex, far surpassing those of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion. This power of managing the household was both an opportunity and a challenge.
Looking at her honest expression, Gu Yangui's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile: "There's a first time for everything. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask. Gu Zhong is familiar with all the rules and precedents of the household." He paused, then added, "Since I've given it to you, it means I trust you. Just go ahead and do it."
"Hmm!" His brief words carried immense weight, instantly soothing the last trace of unease in Su Wanrou's heart. She gripped the pair of cards in her hand tightly and nodded vigorously.
three
The news that the Duke of Zhenguo had officially handed over the inner courtyard stewardship to his new wife spread like wildfire throughout the Duke's mansion overnight.
The following morning, Su Wanrou sat upright in the main hall and began to officially handle household affairs as the mistress of the house. The head maids who came to report were noticeably more respectful than usual, and their eyes showed not only awe but also a more cautious scrutiny.
Su Wanrou knew perfectly well what was going on, but she showed no sign of it. As usual, she listened carefully to the reports, occasionally asking questions, handling matters in a clear and orderly manner, and rewarding and punishing appropriately. She did not immediately make drastic changes to the old rules just because she had won the right card, but chose to follow the existing rules first to stabilize the situation.
However, beneath the surface calm, undercurrents are surging ever more fiercely.
In the west courtyard, Aunt Zhou heard her trusted maid Xing'er's report and angrily threw the golden scissors she was using to prune the flowers onto the table. A pot of jasmine in full bloom was swept to the ground, the flowerpot shattered, and dirt was scattered everywhere.
"She actually... the Duke actually gave her the winning tile!" Aunt Zhou's chest heaved violently, her face turning ashen. "She's only been married a few days? Less than half a year at most! Why! Why!"
Xing'er was so frightened that she dared not breathe, and said cautiously, "Auntie, please calm down... perhaps... perhaps the Duke is only acting temporarily..."
"What?!" Aunt Zhou turned her head sharply, her gaze as sharp as a knife. "Didn't you hear? The Duke personally handed the token to her in front of Gu Zhong and the servants! This is clearly telling the whole mansion that from now on, Su Wanrou is the one who calls the shots in this inner courtyard!"
The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became, her nails digging deep into her palms: "When the late Madam was alive, how hard did the steward work? I followed the late Madam for many years, and even if I didn't achieve anything, I certainly put in a lot of effort! And now, a mere young girl has ridden over her! What does she know? Does she know where these old customs of the manor came from? Does she know the relationships between the different families? She knows nothing, yet she dared to take on this challenge! The Duke is truly... truly blinded by greed!"
"Auntie, be careful what you say!" Xing'er hurriedly reminded her.
Aunt Zhou knew she had spoken out of turn, and suppressed her anger, pacing anxiously around the room. Handing the management token to Su Wanrou meant that it would be much more difficult for her to use her position to do favors or curry favor with the managers as before! Her days were truly going to be tough!
"Is there any movement from Aunt Liu's side?" she suddenly stopped and asked.
"Aunt Liu... Aunt Liu's place is very quiet. I heard that the new madam rewarded her with two bolts of fine fabric yesterday, and she went to make new clothes early this morning," Xing'er whispered.
"Useless thing! A few bolts of fabric and she's done with it!" Aunt Zhou cursed, her eyes flashing with a sinister glint. "She knows how to fawn over everyone! Does she think she can have a good life just by sucking up to the new madam? Dream on! Once that girl has gained her footing, the first one to deal with this useless brat will be her!"
She pondered for a moment, then sneered, "Fine! The trouble will be gone with the tokens! I'd like to see just how capable this new lady is at managing to sort this out! How many eyes are watching this mansion? Which of those long-serving servants is easy to deal with? And what about all the social obligations outside... Hmph, she'll have her day!"
She refused to believe that a fifteen-year-old girl could truly keep this vast Duke's mansion in check! If she made a mistake, lost the Duke's favor, or even caused a major upheaval... then it was hard to say whether she would still be able to hold onto this pair of cards!
Four
Just as Aunt Zhou had predicted, Su Wanrou faced a series of challenges after officially taking over the team.
First were several long-time stewards. They appeared respectful, but when they answered, they would often say things like, "When the late madam was alive, the old rules were like this and that," with a subtle hint of disdain in their words, as if to say, "You're young and don't understand, it's safer to follow the old rules."
That day, the manager of the office came to report on the purchase of summer medicinal herbs. The list and budget he provided were nearly 30% higher than in previous years.
Looking at the list, Su Wanrou asked calmly, "Manager Qian, why have the prices of medicinal herbs increased so much this year?"
Steward Qian bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Reporting to Madam, the weather this year has been unusual, and the harvest of several medicinal herbs in their producing areas has been poor, so the market prices have naturally risen. Furthermore, the herbs used in the manor are all top-quality, which are naturally more expensive than ordinary ones. When the late Madam was alive, she valued the health of the masters in the manor most and was never stingy in this regard." His words were impeccable, and he even mentioned the late Madam.
In the past, Su Wanrou might have considered the matter more carefully, but now that she had the right to use her power, she wouldn't allow him to fool her like this. She wasn't angry, but simply said, "Oh? Is that the reason? Although I'm young, I remember when my family was young, we used to buy medicinal herbs, but I didn't know the price increases were so astonishing. Here's what we'll do: bring me the detailed accounts of the medicinal herb purchases over the past three summers, along with this year's price lists from several major pharmacies. If that's true, we'll buy at the actual price, and there won't be any shortage of supplies for the household."
Manager Qian's smile froze. He hadn't expected the new madam to be so meticulous, wanting to check three years' worth of old accounts and compare prices! He stammered, "This... Madam, the account books from previous years are numerous and quite time-consuming to organize. I'm afraid it will delay the purchasing schedule..."
"It's alright." Su Wanrou picked up her teacup and gently skimmed off the foam. "The medicinal herbs are important, but a day or two won't make a difference. We can't waste money and then be seen as inconsiderate of our servants. Go and prepare them. I'll hear from you again at this time tomorrow."
Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. Manager Qian broke out in a cold sweat, daring not to say another word, and could only repeatedly reply "Yes," before leaving.
Standing behind Su Wanrou, Gu Zhong observed everything, a complex emotion flashing in his lowered eyes. This new lady, though young, possessed formidable skills. Instead of directly refuting precedents, she demanded to see evidence, her arguments logical and well-founded, leaving no room for criticism and instead demonstrating her fairness and meticulousness.
Sure enough, when Manager Qian returned the next day, the budget had returned to the level of previous years, only slightly higher by 10%. He explained that the previous calculation error by his subordinates had been severely punished. Su Wanrou did not investigate further, only giving a few words of advice to "be careful in the future," before approving the order.
After this incident, those managers who had initially held a contemptuous attitude immediately became much more restrained and became more cautious in their responses and actions.
five
Besides the old servants in the manor, troubles from outside also came knocking.
That day, the gatekeeper came to report that the second wife of the Marquis of Anyuan's family, the sister-in-law of the late Madam Qin, was coming to visit.
Su Wanrou knew the visitor was up to no good, but she couldn't be impolite, so she quickly ordered someone to invite her to the flower hall for tea. She tidied her clothes and went out to meet him.
Madam Qin, around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, wore a crimson-purple jacket embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, and a red-gold headdress, dressed very lavishly. When she saw Su Wanrou, she did not get up, but only nodded slightly, with a perfectly measured smile on her face, but her eyes held a scrutinizing look.
"Greetings to the Second Madam." Su Wanrou curtsied respectfully.
"Madam Gu, please rise. You are now a first-rank noblewoman, and I cannot accept your courtesy." Madam Qin the Second offered a slight gesture of support, her tone polite but carrying a hint of sourness.
The two women sat down as host and guest, and a maidservant served tea and refreshments. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Qin Er got down to business, sighing, "To be honest, Madam Gu, I've come today because there's something on my mind that's bothering me, and I had no choice but to come and bother you."
"Please speak, Second Madam." Su Wanrou was wary, but still maintained a polite smile on her face.
"It's because of my sister-in-law, the two concubines left behind by the late Duchess." Madam Qin picked up a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears. "I heard that a few days ago, when the manor distributed summer ice, they only gave three catties as usual? In this sweltering heat, what use is three catties of ice? Caiping and Xiaoluan, those two children, have been by my poor sister-in-law's side since they were little. They are the most sensible and polite. After my sister-in-law passed away, they were always well-behaved in the manor... Now, isn't this heartbreaking? Those who know say it's just following the rules, but those who don't know think that since our Qin family's daughter is gone, those left behind are left to be mistreated!"
This heavy accusation would have thrown an ordinary newlywed into a panic. Su Wanrou, however, listened quietly until she finished speaking before calmly replying, "Second Madam, I truly dare not accept such praise. All expenses in the household are governed by established precedents, not arbitrary decisions by me. The allowances for the concubines are also distributed according to the rules, treating everyone equally without any deductions. If three catties of ice are insufficient, may I ask, Second Madam, how much is sufficient for the allowances of concubines in other residences in the capital?"
Madam Qin was taken aback by the question. How would she know exactly how much ice other concubines used? She stammered, "Well... other families are other families. Does our Duke's mansion lack such a small amount of supplies?"
Su Wanrou smiled slightly, her tone still gentle, yet sharp: "The Duke's mansion is certainly not short of supplies, but without rules, there can be no order. My late sister was strict in managing the household and valued rules above all else. I suppose that's how she operated, which is why the mansion was so well-organized. I, Wanrou, am not capable, but I can only abide by the rules set by my late sister in order to live up to the Duke's expectations and manage this household well. If we arbitrarily increase the rations because we pity someone—three catties today, five catties tomorrow, and what about the day after? If hundreds of people in the mansion all followed suit, where would the rules be? I'm afraid my late sister in heaven wouldn't want to see the mansion lose sight of the bigger picture and fall into chaos because of small things, wouldn't she?"
Her words were all reasonable. She pointed out that she was acting in accordance with the rules of her "elder sister" and also brought up the "entrustment of the Duke" and the "overall situation of the manor". She completely refuted Madam Qin's accusations and made it seem as if the other party was being unreasonable and disregarding the overall situation.
Madam Qin Er had not expected her to be so sharp-tongued, and for a moment she could not find the words to refute her, her face turning pale and then red.
Seeing that things were going well, Su Wanrou softened her tone and said, "However, I deeply appreciate Second Madam's care for the people left behind by my late sister. Please rest assured, Second Madam, as long as Aunt Zhou and Aunt Liu behave themselves and abide by the rules of the manor, I will certainly act impartially and will never let them suffer any injustice. The Duke is also aware of this."
By bringing up Gu Yangui, she completely silenced Madam Qin. Madam Qin had come today intending to use this as an excuse to give Su Wanrou a hard time and to support Aunt Zhou, but she hadn't expected to be met with a lukewarm response. Instead of achieving her goal, she was left feeling angry but unable to vent her frustration. She could only sit there awkwardly for a while before making an excuse that she had business to attend to at home and taking her leave.
After seeing off Madam Qin the Second, Yunbin looked at her mistress with admiration: "Madam, you were truly amazing just now! Every word you said made sense, leaving Madam Qin the Second speechless!"
Su Wanrou sighed softly and rubbed her temples. She didn't want to antagonize the Qin family, but some people would only push further if you backed down. This power of managing the household was indeed a hot potato; she had gotten rid of Madam Qin today, but who knew what awaited her tomorrow?
But she didn't regret it. Now that she had taken on this responsibility, she had to uphold it and never allow anyone to challenge her authority as the matriarch, nor could she betray Gu Yangui's heavy trust.
The storm may have only just begun. But she is no longer the delicate young girl who, upon first entering the household, needed to seek protection under her husband's wings.
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