Chapter 80, Chat
After a busy day, everyone in the Yan family was exhausted. After seeing everyone off, everyone gathered in Old Lady Yan's yard.
The old lady also had a hard time today. The Yan family was short of manpower, and the old lady had been watching over the kitchen, fearing that the food would go wrong and make others laugh at the Yan family.
Seeing that the old lady looked tired, Daohua walked behind her and said with a smile, "Grandma, let me massage you." After that, she put her hands on the old lady's shoulders and began to massage them little by little.
Old Mrs. Yan accepted it with a look of satisfaction. Although she was in good health, she had to accept her age. After being busy for most of the day, her body could not take it anymore.
Madam Li looked at the old lady apologetically and said, "I'm sorry for the trouble. After this period of time is over, I will start looking for someone else right away."
Yan Zhigao put down the teacup in his hand and nodded, saying, "We do have a shortage of servants. It wasn't noticeable when I was working at the county government office, but after arriving in Xingzhou, with more people coming and going, we're starting to feel stretched. Madam, it's best to buy more servants this time."
Hearing this, Daohua raised her eyes and glanced at her cheap father who only knew how to give orders.
Buy more people?
Does he know that it takes money to support servants?
Daohua was about to say something when she saw Mrs. Li shaking her head at her.
Then, Madam Li smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."
Yan Zhigao was satisfied and began to talk about the banquet: "Everyone looked very happy when they left. This banquet was a great success."
Yan Zhiyuan immediately added, "This is all thanks to my elder brother and his wife who coordinated everything. Otherwise, we would all be running around like headless flies."
Yan Zhigao waved his hand and said with a smile, "I know you've all worked hard this time. Wait for your sister-in-law to buy servants, and next time you won't have to do everything yourself."
"Well," Yan Zhigao pondered for a moment, then looked at Madam Li and said, "Madam, everyone needs people around them. I think we should hire at least two people for the master this time. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Daohua endured it again and again, but when she could no longer bear it, she asked her cheap father, "Father, can our family afford to support so many servants?"
She was afraid that if she didn't ask, her mother would have to take it on anyway, and then if she was short of money, she would have to use her dowry to make up for it.
There are 18 people in the three branches of the Yan family, including masters and deans. Each of them has two servants, which makes 36 people in total.
36 people, need monthly salary, food and clothing, this is not a small expense!
Yan Zhigao was stunned when these words were spoken.
Ever since Madam Li married him, he had hardly ever worried about money. In the past, if he needed money for anything, as long as he asked, Madam Li would prepare it immediately.
When it came to buying people, he hadn't really considered the possibility of not being able to support them.
Everyone else in the room looked at Daohua, then at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li. After all, buying people was to make things convenient for them, so they naturally wanted this to succeed.
Yan Zhigao looked at Madam Li, as if asking a question.
Madam Li was silent for a moment, then finally said, "Master, our family is indeed not well off. How about this: we have two companions for the men who are out and about, and as for the women in the backyard, we won't add anyone for now."
Before Yan Zhigao could say anything, Old Lady Yan made the final decision: "It's settled. Men need help when they're out and about, so we should bring in more people. But women stay in the backyard, never leaving the main gate or the secondary gate, so why would we need so many people?"
After the old lady spoke, Yan Zhigao didn't say anything more.
Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Daohua smiled and asked Old Lady Yan, "Grandma, I asked Man'er to prepare some sweet soup. Would you like a bowl?"
Old Madam Yan nodded. "Give me a bowl! Dining with those wives of officials, I'm worried about being impolite and being laughed at for my rude behavior. I didn't eat enough at lunch or dinner. Hurry and give me a bowl." After that, she looked at the others and said, "Would you like to have a bowl too?"
Yan Wenkai quickly jumped out and ran to the old lady: "Of course, grandma, you don't know, your grandson is not full either. Big sister's sweet soup came just in time, let's take it as a midnight snack."
A few of the younger ones also expressed their desire to eat, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Soon, the sweet soup was served and everyone ate and talked, as if the previous awkwardness had never happened.
After finishing the sweet soup, Old Lady Yan said to everyone, "Okay, you are all tired today, go back and rest."
Each room went their own way.
During this period, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin wanted to take Yan Zhigao to Shuangxinyuan, but as soon as the old lady ordered them to disperse, he left side by side with Madam Li, and the two did not even have a chance to speak to him.
Main courtyard.
Madam Li glanced at Yan Zhigao's face and saw that he looked fine, so she said, "Master, please don't be angry with Daohua. That girl is straightforward and doesn't mince words. She has no intention of disobeying you."
Yan Zhigao patted Madam Li's hand and said, "I know. There's no need for you to come over and explain. I didn't think carefully about buying the servant. I should have discussed it with you privately first."
Madam Li smiled and said, "Master shouldn't have to worry about household matters. It's my fault. I haven't accumulated any property for the Yan family over the years."
Yan Zhigao shook his head and sighed, "This isn't your fault, it's me. I didn't do my job as the head of the family well."
Madam Li said hurriedly, "Master, you should be busy working for the benefit of the people. I should take care of the household affairs. Don't worry, Master. I'm here to take care of the family. Money is a little tight right now, but once we have a firm foothold in Xingzhou, life will get better."
Yan Zhigao took Madam Li's hand and said apologetically, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam!"
Madam Li smiled and said, "I am the master's wife. Managing the household is my job. How can I say it's hard work?"
Yan Zhigao nodded, then as if he had thought of something, he smiled and said, "Wenxiu and Daohua performed really well today. I was worried that Daohua wouldn't be able to handle the girls from other families, but I didn't expect that this girl would be just as good as Wenxiu in terms of dealing with people."
Mrs. Li's smile immediately brightened: "The old lady taught me well."
Yan Zhigao nodded: "It's just that her personality is a little exposed. It's okay at home, but it's not good when she goes out. She can't hide her secrets. You have to hurry up and find good tutors for the girls."
Madam Li said seriously, "I'll find out."
Shuangxinyuan.
Aunt Lin was very disappointed when she saw that Yan Zhigao did not come with Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin.
The Yan family held a banquet today and everyone attended except her, because she was a concubine and was not qualified to go out and meet guests.
There has never been a moment when Aunt Lin cared so much about her status as a concubine.
In the past, when she was in Linyi County, even though she was a concubine, the official's wife was on good terms with her; but now that she had come to Xingzhou, she realized for the first time so clearly the difference between a wife and a concubine.
During the day, Yan Yishuang suffered injustice from the young ladies of other families and immediately came back to cry to her.
Only then did she truly understand the sorrow of being a concubine. Not only did she have no face, but even the children she gave birth to were inferior to those of others.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
