The first thing a newly married couple will do on the second night is, of course, to count money.
The first day was really tiring as she still had to complete the tasks in the bridal chamber. The second day was much more relaxing. She rested for a few hours in the afternoon. As soon as the sun went down, Mi Niang started to take out the booklet herself to register.
She said to Fang Weiyan, "Now that we are married, we should not let our wives worry about us anymore. Write down the gifts people give us. Next time we give back something, we can just look through the booklet and see at a glance what to give."
"That makes sense." Fang Weiyan looked at her money-obsessed look and found her adorable.
Zi Su brought the gifts from everyone to Mi Niang for her to review, and while she was talking she also reported: "The red envelope from my uncle's family is worth two hundred taels of silver, and there are also teacups with ten kinds of brocade from an old kiln. The red envelope from my eldest aunt is also worth two hundred taels, and there is also a set of chrysanthemum-petal jade teacups. The red envelope from my aunt Jin is worth two hundred taels, and there is also a pair of ivory combs. The red envelope from my youngest aunt is worth five taels of gold..."
Even Fang Weiyan, who had such a shady face, couldn't help but asked, "My young aunt only gave me five taels of gold?"
She was a wealthy woman. Most of Mrs. Weng's money was given to her, and only a small portion was set aside for her cousin Ye Jiayin. On her birthday last year, although Xu didn't like her, she still collected several dozen taels of gold from her private pocket to hold a banquet for her, not to mention that the five taels of gold were gold ingots, the kind that elders gave to others during the New Year.
Mi Niang just smiled and said: "No matter how much they give, it's all from their heart. How can we be picky about it?"
These words were not spoken sincerely. Fang Weiyan thought to himself that this person was such a person that no one could find fault with him no matter what he said or did. Even though he had a fight with his aunt today, he only said nice things.
But he said, "It's not that. I just think it's impolite."
"It's her business if she's impolite. We just do what we should do. It's none of our business if others know about it." Mi Niang was too lazy to take care of Fang Furong.
Whatever secret this mansion had come from, she told it in front of several maids. Especially Bishang Shuxiang and several other maids who had once worked for Fang Weiyan were present, so there was no guarantee that the secret would not spread.
It would not be good if word got out that the person who was embarrassed was Fang Furong.
Bichang was actually in a very complicated mood. They served here, but because they were not Fourth Grandma's people, Fourth Grandma didn't ask them to do anything else except serving tea and water. Also, she heard that Lian's mother was going to hand over the yard to her, and it was Fourth Master who ordered it personally, so they would be under her control in the future, so she was a little scared.
They still don't know what the temper of this Fourth Madam is like. She didn't establish her authority as soon as she entered the house like the First Madam Shen did. Only ugly maids can survive under her. The appearance of the prince's concubine is not even pretty. The prince will go to that maid's room whenever the First Madam is not feeling well.
She had no children for so many years. Although Shen gave her enough allowance, she still had to humble herself and serve him. Her life was very depressing.
There were even rumors that every time the prince visited her, the grandmother would send him a bowl of contraceptive soup.
It's chilling to think about it. Contraceptive soup is not a good thing. When Bichang was a child, she served Concubine Fang who was by the side of the Marquis. She has seen Concubine Fang drinking contraceptive soup, and she felt excruciating pain every time after drinking it.
I heard before that the prince's superior sent a beautiful maid, and later I heard that she stole something and was sold to the kiln.
Therefore, Bichang wondered if the Fourth Grandma was the same as the First Grandma, how would the people under them survive?
"Okay, the registration is finally done. You can bring water in and wash up and rest early." Mi Niang always does things quickly and never drags others along.
Chuntao took the servants out and came back to fetch water for Fang Weiyan and Mi Niang to wash. They felt extremely comfortable soaking in the bathtub. The bath beans and utensils used by the Fang family were all exquisite items.
After getting up, Mi Niang changed into her pajamas and yawned.
Fang Weiyan, who had been sitting by the bed reading a book, was surprised: "What's wrong, are you sleepy again?"
Mi Niang said embarrassingly, "It's much cooler at your home. It's easier to rest when the weather is cool." This was the truth. She often couldn't sleep at home because of the heat. The biggest reason was that there was not enough ice. She was not blaming her home, but this was the situation herself.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "That's good. I was worried that you wouldn't be able to sleep in your new bed. This is a good thing."
"Other people have the problem of choosing their beds, but I don't. I moved several times when I was young. If I choose my bed like this, I'm afraid I will never be safe anywhere."
This was a commonplace remark, but Fang Weiyan could sense the sadness behind it.
However, Mi Niang did not want to say more, but said: "I think Aunt Jin is very generous, she is very kind."
Fang Weiyan nodded: "Although the head of the Jin family is gone recently, the loyal old servant is still here. Although the business has suffered some losses, it is not bad. As long as the brother of the Jin family is sensible, he will be able to start his own business after he gets married."
"That's true, but the most important thing for them now is the marriage of the daughter of the Jin family." Mi Niang found that Jin Shuqin was two years older than her and was almost eighteen years old. Which girl would stay so long? She didn't know if the daughter of the Jin family had other arrangements.
The Jin family and her mother-in-law are sisters. She can ignore Fang Furong because they have different positions. Even if she begs for mercy from Fang Furong, she will not get any benefits. But the Jin family keeps their daughter. If she doesn't marry Fang Weiyan, I wonder if she will marry Fang Weijun?
It's not surprising that Mi Niang thinks this way. Normally, a girl would marry at the age of 15, and marriage plans would start at the age of 11 or 12. If it was because of mourning or other reasons, it would be rare for a girl to be over 18 years old.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "This has nothing to do with us anyway."
Aunt Jin's purpose of living here is of course to let her daughter marry a nobleman. Originally, she was the best candidate, but now that he is married, it will naturally not be him again. But if she wants to marry a good one, it is not so easy.
But this is at least something that Xu should consider. Fang Weiyan also said to Mi Niang: "The Jin family always lives far away, and we don't have much contact with them on weekdays. You don't have to worry too much."
This means that the Jin family does not need to take it to heart. Mi Niang understood what he said. If Xu really did not want to spare any effort to help her sister, then Jin Shuqin should marry Fang Weiyan instead of picking her from outside.
The two chatted for a few more words. Mi Niang couldn't stop dozing off. Fang Wei Yan was still wondering why the person next to him didn't respond. Then, looking at the girl sleeping soundly, he smiled, got out of bed, blew out the candles, and fell asleep after a while.
The next day, Fang Weiyan took Mi Niang to Xu's place. They had to go back early and before noon, and could not miss the time.
Xu earnestly instructed Mi Niang to ask her to say hello to Second Madam Ruan Jiadingding on her behalf, and also prepared a generous return gift, and then the two of them left.
As soon as they left the Dong'an Marquis' Mansion, Fang Weiyan was riding a horse outside, and she was sitting in the carriage with her maids.
Xia Lian was very emotional: "We have only been in the Marquis' Mansion for a few days, but it feels like many days have passed."
Not only her, but Chuntao and the others felt the same way. Mi Niang said with a smile, "Everything is difficult at the beginning. We are new here, so we are not used to it and think everything is difficult. The more difficult it is, the harder it will be to endure. Once things go smoothly in the future, everything will be fine."
Chun Tao nodded quickly: "Miss, no, what Fourth Grandma said makes sense."
Xia Lian said happily, "Today, our mother has to hand over the power. From now on, Fourth Grandma will be in charge of the yard. We won't talk about other things. In our own yard, it is our grandma who is in charge."
"It's just about taking care of our own yard. Besides, the wife is still in charge of the house. It's too early to talk about the housekeeper now. Don't be too happy." Even if Xu was gone, there was still Shen.
Xia Lian was still a little unhappy after hearing this, Mi Niang laughed and said, "Look at your talkative mouth. It's not that easy to be a housekeeper. There are so many people in the family, and you are going to be the housekeeper without knowing anything. You will definitely offend people. It's only been a few days."
After returning home, Mi Niang told this to Second Madam Ding, who agreed: "You are a rare sensible person. People should not be too ambitious. Your aunt values you, but he is a man. You will go to the government office every day in the future. You will still have to deal with your sisters-in-law, your mother-in-law, and your sister-in-law in the mansion. Being a housekeeper is an offensive job."
"That is to say, people may not be able to see others clearly, but they should see themselves clearly. My aunt is pursuing a career in the imperial examinations, and she will not inherit the title, so she will have to move out sooner or later. This mansion has nothing to do with you anyway, so just ignore it and don't bother with it. Why bother with this matter?"
Aunt Ding was different from other parents. Others cared about how she got along with her husband, but she cared about her daughter's situation in her husband's family.
As for not asking how her daughter and son-in-law get along, it's because she already knows that the aunt treats her daughter very well.
Mi Niang smiled and said, "You're right." After she finished speaking, she told her about Fang Furong's embarrassment to her, and she was a little bit unbelievable: "I really didn't expect that there would be such an unruly person in the Marquis' Mansion. She said that I was coquettish, and that I made eye contact with Wei Yan without paying attention to others, but I was obviously not like that. Even if she wanted to deal with me, she shouldn't have done so. Really, although she was mad at me and left, and it was embarrassing, if I had reacted slower, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stay in the Fang family. I definitely don't want to let her go easily."
The Second Mistress must have understood her daughter's character to some extent. She was afraid that she would do something drastic, so she couldn't help but say, "Whatever you want to do, you have to see if it's worth it first. Don't lose sight of the main point. Aunt is the most important thing. She's a widow and unemployed person. Why are you competing with her?"
Mi Niang shook her head: "I'm afraid the tree wants to be still but the wind won't stop."
Of course, after Mi Niang finished talking about these important things, she began to hug Ding Er Niang and act coquettishly: "My daughter wants to live at home and accompany mother every day."
"Oh, my, I don't need you to accompany me. Your two younger brothers are now studying, and I am happy at home. I will be sad if you, this devil, come back." Grandma Ding poked her daughter's forehead with her finger.
Mi Niang knew that her mother had finally gotten her reward after all the hardship she had endured, and she was happy for her. Her younger brothers were making progress in their studies, her father was a fifth-rank official, and there were not many people in the backyard, so she could finally take a break.
However, she took out eight hundred taels from her sleeve and handed it to her mother, "Please take it. My family has almost lost everything because of me. I have everything I need now, but you, my father, and my brothers need money. Take it. You may have to borrow money from the bank in the future. Since I can afford this little money, please don't be polite."
Mrs. Ding, who had wanted to refuse, accepted the gift after hearing what her daughter said.
She said, "Someone from your hometown has come to our house to attend your wedding. They brought a lot of local products. We can't eat much, so you can take some back. Also, I see your mother-in-law likes exquisite things. Your fourth uncle gave me a thorny wood fragrance chrysanthemum light silk lotus fan, but I don't even like the cattail leaf fan. You can take it back and give it to your mother-in-law."
"Mom, you are telling the truth." She was really dying of laughter.
It's hard to imagine her mother-in-law using a big cattail leaf fan.
The mother and daughter talked excitedly, and Aunt Ding felt reluctant to leave her daughter, but she still had to prepare tea and snacks for her daughter and son-in-law to return home, and she couldn't be as free as her daughter used to be at home.
Fang Weiyan and the Ruan family got along very well. Ruan Jiading, needless to say, was a warm-hearted person, very easy-going and very easy to get along with. Moreover, both the father-in-law and the son-in-law were Jinshi from the same imperial examinations, and both served as officials in Beijing. Ruan Jiading was only a dozen years older than Fang Weiyan, and he still had the look of a young man who refused to admit defeat, so he could talk to Fang Weiyan very well.
Not to mention Ruan Shiyi and Uncle Long Er are both scholars, and Uncle Shang Si is a businessman who is very good at dealing with people.
Fang Weiyan even felt that he was quite relaxed at his wife's house. There were fewer people and fewer things to do. What everyone talked about most was how to get the job done and what the weather was like. There weren't a lot of messy things.
But no matter how good it was, she had to go back to her own house. Mi Niang was the same. She liked to stay at her parents' house, but she had to go back. Second Madam Ding cruelly pulled down her sleeves, and she choked up a little and said to Fang Weiyan: "Aunt, our sister is in your hands."
"Mi Niang, let's go back. We'll come back to see our parents next time." Fang Wei Yan bent down and spoke patiently to Mi Niang.
Mi Niang looked at her parents reluctantly, and Mrs. Ding waved to her. Only then did Fang Wei Yan help her get into the carriage.
On the way back, Mi Niang realized that she was truly married to Fang Wei Yan. Things would be different when she came back in the future. She would have a husband's family and her own small family in the future. Just like her mother, she could live a comfortable life by taking care of her husband and children.
The sun was scorching at noon, but she suddenly smiled with beautiful hopes.
In this life, her parents are still alive. They sent her off for marriage and bought her such a beautiful dowry. Her mother-in-law likes her, her husband treats her well, and she is also ambitious. This is a good life that she could never have dreamed of in her previous life.
The curtain of the carriage was blown up by the wind. Mi Niang looked out with a smile. At this time, the carriage had passed a study. She glanced in surprise and exchanged glances with a young man. She was instantly shocked and quickly lowered the curtain.
Over the years, she was afraid whenever she thought of this person.
It was not until they got off the carriage that Mi Niang saw Fang Weiyan and she returned to normal. Fang Weiyan was very attentive and noticed that Mi Niang looked downcast. He thought she was homesick and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely bring you back if I have time."
Mi Niang smiled sweetly: "I see, thank you very much."
The couple went back to see Xu first. Mi Niang gave her the fan that Ding Er Niang had asked her to give to Xu: "My mother said that this fan is just right for you."
When Xu saw him, she really liked him, but she said shyly, "It's hard for your mother to think of me for everything."
Seeing that Mi Niang and Fang Wei Yan both looked a little tired, she didn't say much and let them go back and rest.
After returning to the courtyard, Lian's mother came over quickly. Mi Niang smiled and said, "You are too impatient."
Being in charge of the courtyard was very lucrative. Fang Weiyan was in the government office most of the time, so his share was endless. There were so many good things. Even her mother and the maids like Pixiu Bishang were all very greasy. But she also knew to stop while she was ahead. Fang Weiyan had already spoken. The fourth lady had given her so many benefits. If she still insisted, she was afraid that the first person to punish her would be the wife.
Although she said this, Mi Niang took over without hesitation. There were more than ten maids including hers and Fang Weiyan's maids. She was not the kind of person who liked to be scolded, so after Lian's mother gathered everyone, she just sat there and looked at everyone.
"Now that the Fourth Master is married, it has always been the case that men are responsible for the outside affairs and women for the inside affairs. The entire mansion is managed by the Madam, but since I am the Fourth Madam, I cannot shirk my responsibilities for the affairs in our courtyard. I will not blame you for what you did in the past, but now that we are all in the same courtyard, I only have one wish, and that everything is safe and sound."
Lian's mother hurriedly followed suit and said, "Fourth Grandma is really magnanimous."
Bichang snorted coldly in her heart and secretly cursed the old fox.
Mi Niang smiled and said, "Now I will personally take the flower list and match it with the people. Let's get to know them first."
She took a long look at every person who answered her, and then wrote down in a notebook how old she was, what she was good at, what she was doing now, and who in her family worked in the house almost the moment she spoke.
Everyone was frightened by her look and hardly dared to move.
But Mi Niang didn't care. She looked at Pi Xiu and said, "You are good at sewing, and Chun Tao and Xia Lian beside me are also good at sewing. This would be overlapping. How about this? You just take care of the tea first. If there are guests, you just pour tea."
This is an easy job, and it's also what Fourth Grandma said. If we have so many people doing needlework, who will do other things?
The girl with the sleeves hasn't even been defeated yet. Now she is most afraid that the fourth grandmother will deal with her. Unexpectedly, she got a good job. She smiled and said, "Thank you, grandmother. Thank you, grandmother."
"You're welcome. You will be in charge of the tea room in the future, and other matters will have nothing to do with you. If there are few people, you can take a rest. If there are many people, I will trouble you to work harder." Mi Niang and Pi Xiu Bi Shang did not have any hatred. Besides, it was normal for maids like them to be sent to serve Fang Wei Yan, so they must have some thoughts.
There are many young maids in the mansion, but few young masters, and even fewer young masters with promising prospects. It is better to be a concubine than to go out. If she is promised a good marriage outside, it will be fine. If she goes out, she will be sold again by her parents, or she will be sent away for no reason because she has no chance of giving birth to children in the mansion. She will lose all her dignity and will have to marry a widower or become the concubine of an old man like a marquis. That's the end of her.
Then Fang Weiyan is the only choice.
Although it is understandable, it does not mean that she will give up her husband. This is impossible.
But you can't just marry off the maid who has served you for many years right away. That would be too obvious. Besides, there are some promising girls who can be kept by your side and serve as your arms.
Therefore, move it far away first.
The second one is Bichang, a thorny girl with a famous violent temper, but she is really beautiful, her appearance is better than Feixiu. If Feixiu is a gentle and eloquent flower, then Bichang is a rose with thorns.
If you suppress such a troublemaker too much, it will cause a big uproar, which is not good. Besides, Bichang was not disrespectful to her face. Mi Niang smiled and said, "Zi Su and Bai Zhi are my dowry. They are young and don't know much about the rules of the Marquis' Mansion. You should teach them first."
Bichang knew very well that the new grandmother was trying to divide the old people because she was afraid that they would collude with each other.
But what else could she do? She had to agree. Besides, letting her teach the girl around her grandmother was also giving her honor, so she had to thank him obediently.
Feixiu looked at Bichang gratefully. Fortunately, she did not make a scene at this time. Otherwise, although the new grandmother was young, she was the master. Moreover, when they were newly married, the Fourth Master would surely support her. She just had a bad reputation, but she was a grandmother who was brought into the family in a grand sedan chair. They still had to make a living under the care of the Fourth Grandmother.
Shuxiang Moxiang was transferred to serve her as a third-class maid and was allowed to enter the house to serve her on weekdays.
Shuxiang Moxiang was overjoyed when he heard this.
If there are other people, the matter won’t be that big of a deal, and everything will just follow the rules.
Mi Niang also asked Lian's mother about the rules of the family. Lian's mother did not dare to hide anything. It was not until dark that Mi Niang said, "Look at me, I'm so embarrassed. Mom, please stay and have dinner with me and your son today."
Mother Lian smiled and said, "If it were any other time, I would be willing to stay, but you and the Fourth Master are newly married, so I'm afraid that won't work."
"Okay, I'll invite mom over later. Moxiang, please see the guests off for me, and Shuxiang, go find your sister Chuntao and give some of the local products I brought from my mother's home to Mom Lian."
With the fragrance of books and ink being by Fourth Grandma's side, she is able to focus on performance and is much more efficient in her work.
When Mo Xiang sent Lian's mother out, Lian's mother kindly said to her, "You little girls usually slack off with that little bitch Bi Shang, but the Fourth Master is away from home all year round. Even when he is at home, he only comes back to rest at night. I naturally can't say anything, but now the Fourth Madam is not the kind of person who will let you do whatever you want. If you slack off and get sent away, I, an old woman, will not speak for you."
"Don't worry, Mom. Sister Xia Lian just told us that Fourth Grandma likes people who are quick and conscientious in their work. As long as they work conscientiously, she won't make things difficult for others."
"Just so you know."
It was night, Mi Niang was lying on Fang Weiyan's chest, poking his chest, Fang Weiyan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Little housekeeper, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just want to be intimate with you." Mi Niang buried her head in his chest and smiled.
Fang Weiyan coughed several times, and the sound from his chest almost deafened Mi Niang's ears, "You little witch..."
"Hehe." Just as Mi Niang was about to crawl forward, she heard someone knocking on the door anxiously.
Fang Weiyan thought to himself, who is ruining the atmosphere so much? So he asked loudly, "What's the matter?"
"Third Master, something bad has happened. The old lady is seriously ill and has passed out." The person who brought the message was very anxious.
Mi Niang immediately sat up and looked at the stunned Fang Weiyan: "What's wrong?"
He looked at Mi Niang who was concerned, and shook his head and said, "It's okay."
But although he said that he was fine, he knew very well in his heart that many things in his previous life started when Old Madam Weng became seriously ill. The happiness of the past few days made him forget that the infighting in the Marquis's Mansion started from that time.
Many things seem to have changed, but also seem to have returned to the starting point.
No, it will never go back to square one.
He hugged Mi Niang tightly. Mi Niang was confused by his passionate hug and patted his back: "Wei Yan, let's go to Songhe Hall to see grandma. She must be fine."
She thought Fang Weiyan was most worried about Old Madam Weng, after all, she was his grandmother.
But she didn't expect Fang Weiyan to hug her and say, "I don't want anything to happen to you."
This is the biggest variable after his rebirth. Even though his writing is excellent, he is still squeezed out by the joint champion. Apart from the variable of Mi Niang, he feels that there will be no change in his life.
He didn't want to be like in his previous life, where even though he held a high position of power, he was still alone.
In this life, he was a bit greedy. He wanted to have a family and also wanted to be a minister.
But Mi Niang didn't understand. She thought that her relationship with Fang Wei Yan was not that deep, so why did he cherish her so much, as if he was afraid that something might happen to her.
She doesn't understand.
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