After the dinner, Concubine Jiang lay lazily in the room, the palace maid gently massaging her legs. She half-opened her eyes and told the nanny:
"Go to each courtyard and tell them to come and pay their respects to me morning and evening, starting tomorrow. Whether it's the eldest sister or the empress, they must all follow this etiquette, humph!"
Mammy thought for a moment and asked cautiously:
"My Lady, are the concubines coming too?"
Jiangpin didn't even think about it and answered decisively:
"Come, come! Before I return to the palace, I will persuade them, or force them, to pay me tribute every month."
Mammy looked troubled and whispered softly:
"My Lady, those concubines are already short of money, I'm afraid they won't be able to come up with much."
Jiangpin's eyes glared, like bells, and she said sternly, "Can't come up with it? That's their problem! If they can't, tell them to sell their jewelry. Anyway, I'm going to take the money."
Jiangpin slowly and patiently persuaded her:
"Madam, Jin's family is incredibly wealthy, and the newspaper she runs in partnership with His Majesty is raking in a fortune. The monthly dividends she sends to the palace have earned His Majesty endless praise, calling her a business prodigy. Cao's family is a marquisate, so they're certainly well-off. We need to find a way to benefit from them both."
The nanny didn't dare to persuade her anymore, and agreed meekly, then turned around and hurried to the various courtyards to pass on the message.
Second room Zhiyuanju
The couple from the second room sat at the two ends of the Luohan bed, concentrating on playing chess, while the couple from the third room were eating the fried chicken made by Jin Linlin's servants opposite with relish.
Holding the white chess piece, Jin Linlin glanced contemptuously at Jiang Pin's nanny who was chattering in front of them, and snorted in her heart.
She gently placed a chess piece down and said slowly, "Madam, please go back and tell Concubine Jiang that I will go to visit her morning and evening. However, as for the money, as the head of the household, I have so many expenses and it's hard to find any extra money."
Cao Jiao also echoed from the side: "Yes, Ma'am, although my mansion has some wealth, it is now in need of money everywhere, and I really can't give much."
Upon hearing this, the nanny became anxious: "My two masters, the Queen means that we must pay tribute no matter what. If we can't afford it, we have to sell our jewelry to make up the money."
Jin Linlin's face turned cold. "Madam, my Jin family is also well-known. If I were to sell my jewelry, what would happen if the news got out? If the queen insists on doing this, I'm afraid it would be a bit inhumane."
Cao Jiao also nodded in agreement. Seeing the two's stubborn attitude, the nanny dared not say anything more and had to hurriedly say goodbye and return to report to Concubine Jiang.
After watching the nanny leave, Jin Linlin said disdainfully:
"I've really opened my eyes. This is a disguised way of asking for money. Are there so many places in the palace that need money?"
Cao Jiao was also speechless:
"It probably takes a lot of money to survive in the palace."
Jin Linlin sneered, "Even if she needs money, she shouldn't come here to plunder us. She doesn't even consider that none of us have families behind us. She's not afraid of offending anyone by acting this way."
Cao Jiao said worriedly, "That being said, she is the Empress of the Palace after all. If we offend her, I'm afraid we will suffer the consequences in the future."
Jin Linlin said confidently, "What are we afraid of? If she dares to make things difficult for us, we will report this to His Majesty and accuse her of bullying and robbing others by force."
Cao Jiao's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. I remember you send dividends to the palace every month. It won't be difficult to talk to His Majesty about it. His Majesty has always been wise and will surely not favor her."
Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan looked at each other. These two people wanted to solve everything by themselves and just forgot about them. It seemed that they had to go talk to Concubine Jiang and ask her to behave herself and not make the mansion a mess.
After the couple from the third room left, Jin Linlin and Jiang Zhixu lay on the bed, her head resting on his arm:
"Have father and his family returned to their hometown? Have they received any letters?"
Jiang Zhixu put his arms around her waist:
"She probably had some fun on the way. Don't worry, she'll be here in a few days. The beauties the emperor gifted us need to be kept under close watch, as they might be up to no good. As for Concubine Jiang, she'll only be in the mansion for three days at most."
Jin Linlin nodded. "Yes, I will arrange it. But since Concubine Jiang suddenly did this, there must be a back-up plan. We have to make plans early."
Jiang Zhixu gently stroked her hair. "Don't worry, I'm here and won't let her succeed easily. Oh, and among those beauties, there's one named Yuyao. She looks smart. If we can use her, she might be of great help."
Jin Linlin rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Then I'll find an excuse tomorrow to call her over and feel out her feelings."
Jiang Zhixu smiled slightly: "My wife is smart. But as for Concubine Jiang, I'm going to meet her and see what she's up to."
Jin Linlin was a little worried: "Would it be bad for you to go? She is the Empress of the Palace."
Jiang Zhixu patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. If she is reasonable, we can discuss it; if she is unreasonable, I'm not afraid of her." The two of them pondered for a while how to deal with it.
Jiang Zhixu reached out and hugged his wife into his arms. Jin Linlin shyly pushed him away gently: "Stop it, we haven't finished talking about business yet."
Jiang Zhixu did not give up and whispered in her ear: "This is also a serious matter to promote the relationship between husband and wife." Jin Linlin was amused by him and giggled. The two of them tossed and turned sweetly until midnight.
Jiang Shiwei is in a terrible situation. This Nanny Li is a big trouble. She was sent by the Queen Mother to teach her rules and etiquette.
Nanny Li put her hands on her hips and said sternly, "Second Miss, your sitting posture is too ungraceful. Keep your back straight and your knees together. You can't be so casual."
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