For dinner, they stewed a pot of mutton and ate it with flatbread. After dinner, as they went to bed, Wang Yan and her sister discussed the monthly allowances from various places with great interest.
She and Wang Ying shared a room, with a bed on each side and a curtain in between. Now, the curtain was drawn back, bringing the two beds closer together. Each of them, under their own blankets, chatted in the night.
It turns out that the monthly allowance for maids varied depending on the master's status.
The first-class maids in the old lady's and madam's courtyards received a monthly allowance of one and a half taels of silver, the second-class maids received one tael, and the third-class maids received five hundred coins.
The second mistress and several of her legitimate daughters' courtyards paid one tael of silver for first-class maids, eight hundred coins for second-class maids, and four hundred coins for third-class maids.
The daughters born out of wedlock received 800 coins for the first class, 600 coins for the second class, and 300 coins for the third class.
The monthly allowances for the maids in the young master's courtyard followed the standards set by the madam.
The servants were different; the rewards went down to two taels, one tael, and eight hundred coins. This was because they had to go out and run errands more often, but the rewards they received were also quite substantial.
The monthly allowance for maids of legitimate sons and legitimate daughters was the same. However, the monthly allowance for servants was one and a half taels, nine hundred coins, or seven hundred coins.
Finally, for the third young master, the maids were paid 800 coins for first class, 600 coins for second class, and 200 coins for third class.
There are only two servants, and their monthly allowance is one tael.
The second-class maids received only slightly more monthly allowance than the third-class maids in the madam's courtyard.
"The difference is that big?"
What do you think?
Even Liu Xiang'er, who served as a concubine, only received one tael of silver a month, less than the head maidservant by the madam's side.
"So little?" Wang Yan's voice rose several octaves!
Wang Ying clicked her tongue. Why was her little sister making such a fuss? "It's just that Aunt Yang only gets four taels of silver a month."
This only applies to those who have given birth to sons and daughters; other concubines who haven't given birth receive two taels of silver. This applies uniformly throughout the household, regardless of whether the concubine is legitimate or illegitimate.
"Then why are there so many maids vying to become concubines? The head maids around the madam are already quite well paid," Wang Yan asked again.
"If you receive a lot of rewards, it will indirectly increase your monthly allowance."
How many first-class maids have you seen become concubines? They have neither lack of money nor lack of rewards.
Being a first-class maid isn't easy. You have to be literate, good at accounting, loyal, clever, and know how to handle things. They're trained from a young age; only the unruly ones would be willing to become concubines.
Why are the first-class maids in the Madam's courtyard only twelve or thirteen years old? They're younger than Zhimo and Zhiruo, and that's the reason.
Although he was young, he had been under observation at the second level for several years before being promoted.
Those who are too foolish to take on the responsibility will remain at fifteen or sixteen, waiting in their twenties.
Most of these first-class maids were assigned to stewards, and after they got married, they would continue to serve in the same household or go to work in the outer courtyard. Those who were promoted were all those who had been selected and trained for several years in advance.
Those others had no choice but to scramble and scheme. Take Liu Xiang'er for example; before she became a concubine, she received two hundred coins a month. Now, even disregarding her monthly allowance, the young master's rewards add up to several taels of silver a month. Even a concubine's son receives twenty taels of silver a month from the young master.”
After a moment of silence, she added, "The head maid in the Third Young Master's courtyard will definitely come back in the future. Manjing is stable and can rise in rank."
My sister doesn't really want to be promoted in the Third Young Master's courtyard; she just wants to be able to change positions, even if it's just to be a flower-watering maid in the outer courtyard.
However, you still have a chance. The First Madam's courtyard is quiet. If you work diligently, being promoted to a second-class maid is not a problem.
Moreover, Zhimo and Zhiruo in the courtyard have reached the required age and will be released for marriage next year. This is an opportunity.
"When I become a second-class citizen, my monthly allowance will increase significantly, and I'll also have the chance to receive rewards! Saving money won't be so easy anymore."
Wang Yan completely ignored what she said; she was thinking about how these maids and servants earned quite a bit of money, especially in the courtyard where she worked.
The two sisters chatted for a while longer before finally falling into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Wang Yan pestered her father to make her Ruyi cake, which is the modern version of Tiao Tou Gao (条头糕).
Fatty Wang agreed in a good-natured manner, and even promised her that he would do his best when he returned to the manor that night.
When they arrived at the main kitchen, they paid twenty yuan out of their own pockets to buy a bowl of glutinous rice flour and a bowl of starch.
I scooped up some milk that had just been delivered that morning and took some white sugar.
These things are definitely worth more than 20 coins, but the purchasing manager certainly wouldn't care about that much.
Mix glutinous rice flour, cornstarch, milk, and sugar together. Stir vigorously until smooth and free of lumps.
Pour the mixture into a deep bowl and steam it over water for 25 minutes. Then remove it and cut it into strips.
Fatty Wang cut the Ruyi cake into evenly sized strips. The remaining scraps were shared among everyone in the kitchen. They were soft, chewy, sweet, and delicious.
The Ruyi cake was divided into two portions and placed aside to cool. Although there were two people on Wang Ying's side, her portion was smaller, as there were fewer people in the Third Young Master's courtyard.
At 6 PM, Wang Yan finished dinner at home and came to the main kitchen with her sister.
Fatty Wang wasn't cooking, so he had nothing to do. He took two lotus leaves and wrapped the pastries in them, making them look quite appealing.
After carrying the pastries back to the lady's courtyard, Chunxi, who had just finished her shift, arrived impatiently.
Upon tasting the sweet and chewy cake, Chunxi's eyes narrowed into slits.
"That greedy hussy was easily bribed and appeased with just a few pieces of cake."
Several people were happily sharing a cake when a sudden shout broke the harmony.
Peeking out, they saw it was Chunlan again. Seeing them looking over, she gave a disdainful snort and raised an eyebrow.
"What I said is wrong. You're so easily swayed. You can be bought off with a few pieces of cake today. Who knows what kind of shady dealings you'll take to harm people in the future!"
Wang Yan frowned, realizing that this was directed at her. "Why are you being so fierce, sister? Not to mention that I brought these pastries from the main kitchen with my own money, so they are perfectly clean."
She snorted coldly, "And sister, don't think too highly of yourself. Even if you harm others, you'll still have to pay a few taels of silver."
After looking her over again, he thought, "I'm afraid my sister isn't worth it!"
Chunlan blushed when she was treated with such contempt and looked like she was about to rush over and grab her.
Unexpectedly, even spring rain and spring snow chimed in, coldly saying,
"Granny Hua needs constant care, and Sisters Zhixuan and Zhihan should be heading over soon!"
If we really miss the time and my two older sisters are caught slacking off, they'll definitely get a few lashes!
Unwilling to accept defeat, he stomped his foot and yelled, "You little bitches, just you wait!"
Then he stormed off.
"Who's afraid of you! You just wait and see!" Wang Yan shouted from behind her, her temper flaring up as well.
Having lived in the 21st century for so many years, I was taught that everyone is equal and born free!
Having been reborn and living as a slave, she was already feeling uncomfortable. Now, she was being provoked and harassed for no reason. Ever since she entered the manor, she couldn't suppress the nameless anger she had been harboring ever since!
Startled, Chunxi stuck out her tongue and quietly slipped away.
Seeing that she was really upset, Chunxue and Chunyu quickly came over to comfort her, "Chunyan, don't be too angry. She wasn't only targeting you."
Finally, she recounted how Chunlan had asked the two of them to do the laundry that afternoon, but they had been thrown back at her instead.
"Perhaps it was because Chunlan's request wasn't granted this afternoon that she got angry and came to cause trouble," Chunxue explained carefully.
Chunyu retorted indignantly, "But why? It's our duty to wash Qingqian and Qingmei's clothes."
If we actually helped her wash, it would be a slap in the face to the nanny and the older girls.
In the end, we'll be the ones who suffer the consequences!
As they were talking, Chunye returned from her shift.
When Wang Yan saw her, she suppressed her anger, forced a smile, and offered her some auspicious cakes.
The group started eating pastries again, and Chunxue and the other person started chatting about other topics, which gradually improved the atmosphere.
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