As noon approached, the sun grew increasingly bright.
Min Yueqing stepped on the ball that rolled over again and waved to the little one.
Pei Ji immediately jogged over. After running around for a while, his little face was flushed and covered in fine beads of sweat, but his eyes were bright and sparkling, clearly still wanting more.
He ran to Min Yueqing, took her hand with his soft little hand, and asked, "Mommy, aren't you done playing?"
Min Yueqing wasn't going to spoil the fun and answered him seriously, "Let's continue playing tomorrow."
As she spoke, she took out a silk handkerchief and carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead and face. Then she made him look up and wiped the sweat from his neck as well, before leading the child back to the room.
Inside the room, Amei had already neatly placed a set of Pei Ji's clothes on the couch. Seeing them enter the room, she came forward and said to Min Yueqing, "Miss, the young master's clothes must be wet. Should we change him?"
Min Yueqing nodded, let go of the little boy's hand, and then Amei took Pei Ji to change his clothes.
Just as Min Yueqing picked up her teacup and took a sip, she saw Azhu coming over angrily.
Last year, the young lady was not in good health, and the head of the household cut back on their expenses. They kept this from her, not daring to let her know, lest she suffer another worry, which would worsen her health.
Now that Miss is fully recovered and has personally gone to the main courtyard to formally acknowledge her arrival, everyone thought the main courtyard would give up. Unexpectedly, the items she just retrieved are still substandard, and those scoundrels from the main courtyard are still acting all high and mighty, saying a lot of sarcastic things.
Ah Zhu couldn't hold back any longer and blurted it all out in front of Min Yueqing.
“Miss, the main courtyard is getting more and more outrageous. Today they gave us a lot of rotten vegetable leaves, and the meat wasn’t fresh either. It looked like it was leftovers from yesterday. They’re addicted to bullying people. Since we didn’t complain before, they’re getting more and more perfunctory.”
Min Yueqing found it unbelievable that the main courtyard's move was too low-level; even ordinary families wouldn't resort to such a tactic.
In her opinion, this trick was too easy to crack and didn't cause any serious harm. If they skimped on the vegetables and meat, how much money would they have to spend if they went out to buy them themselves?
This is one of Min Yueqing's misconceptions.
The young ladies of this era are governed by many rules and have a thin sense of face. If the matriarch of the household were to use such underhanded tactics, she could indeed easily control them. After all, if they brought up the squabbles in the inner quarters openly, those who didn't know the situation would just think they were being fussy and pretentious.
Moreover, the prerequisite for going out to buy things is being able to leave the mansion. It's not so easy for servants to leave the mansion; they have to get permission from their master.
Min Yueqing rolled her eyes and came up with a really disgusting "good idea".
If you cut back on my allowance, then I'll take advantage of you and your family, and we'll see who can outlast whom.
Yes, if she sent people out to buy it herself, of course there would be no problem. The original owner was not short of money, and the dowry she brought had not been touched much. She herself was not short of money either, but wasn't that in line with Liu's wishes?
That won't do.
The suffering the original owner endured should not have been in vain.
Min Yueqing made up her mind and calmly said, "Azhu, go and call everyone in the courtyard over. Let them wait outside. We won't cook today; we'll eat together in the main courtyard."
Ah Zhu was initially taken aback, but then she realized what was happening. With a look of wanting to laugh but not daring to, she quickly ran to call for help.
After everyone had gathered, Min Yueqing came out and said only one sentence, "Madam has invited us to have lunch in the main courtyard. Please don't stand on ceremony when you get there, lest Madam misunderstand that you have a problem with her."
After saying that, he led the way towards the main courtyard.
Everyone naturally followed happily. Recently, their courtyard had been targeted, and even the servants' meals had deteriorated significantly. After all, the masters' meals used to be better, and the leftovers naturally went to the servants.
Upon arriving at the main courtyard, Min Yueqing, as usual, pushed aside all those blocking her way. Her movements were so casual that the servants following behind didn't even realize they had barged in; it was as if the main courtyard had sent an invitation to them.
Without being notified, everyone rushed into the courtyard.
After entering, everyone split into two groups. Min Yueqing led the baby to the dining hall, while Amei led the servants straight to the kitchen in the main courtyard.
Min Yueqing was too fast and her attitude was too self-righteous. When the other maids in the main courtyard saw her, they all subconsciously fell silent and watched as her large group of people walked in.
Just as Liu sat down at the dining table, she saw Min Yueqing walk in leisurely again.
This time, she was numb.
From now on, no matter where she eats, she'll probably have to look up first to see if another Min Yueqing is coming.
Min Yueqing walked to the table and sat down, then casually instructed the maid standing beside her, "Put a stool next to me."
Unfortunately, this little maid was the one who obediently served the dishes this morning.
The maidservant felt the familiar domineering aura return. She quickly glanced at Liu Shi and, seeing that Liu Shi did not speak, she deftly brought over a soft stool and placed it neatly next to Min Yueqing.
Pei Ji sighed inwardly. It seemed he wouldn't be able to sit on his mother's lap this time, but being able to lean against her was still good enough.
He took Min Yueqing's outstretched hand and obediently climbed onto the soft stool to sit down.
As soon as I sat down, I heard my mother speak, "I heard things have been tough in the household lately, but it seems it's not so bad. Isn't it the same as before?"
His tone carried a genuine sense of doubt, yet the sarcasm was not hard to detect.
There were three people having lunch. Dozens of plates, dishes, and small soup pots were laid out on the table, with delicacies from land and sea and seasonal vegetables. It was indeed hard-won.
Upon hearing this, Pei Qian asked doubtfully, "Is your family facing difficulties lately? Sister-in-law, did you mishear me? Perhaps it's just the servants gossiping."
As a noble family, not to mention the annual supplies from the imperial court, the amount of land, estates, and shops under their name is not small. If even they are struggling, how can ordinary people make a living?
Min Yueqing chuckled inwardly; this was indeed an honest person, a rare find.
Liu's face showed signs of turning green again, and she forced a smile: "My son is right. The servants are ignorant and sometimes talk nonsense."
Min Yueqing continued, "That's strange. Why are all the things sent to Hejing Courtyard rotten meat and vegetable leaves? I thought something had happened in the manor, which is why I came here to help Madam."
Looking into her sincere eyes, Liu felt a lump in her throat. Seeing her foolish son about to speak, she quickly interrupted, "Such a thing must have happened. The servants who handled it must have been careless. They should be given a good talking-to."
Pei Qian nodded in deep agreement and echoed, "Mother is right. There are such treacherous servants who deceive their superiors and subordinates. They should be sold off immediately."
Pei Yun looked at her foolish younger brother, who was siding with outsiders, with disbelief and had no desire to respond.
Min Yueqing seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "I knew that Madam was the kindest and gentlest person, and she could never bear to see people go hungry. It must be the servants who are up to something. The food that was sent over was really inedible, so I brought the servants from the courtyard with me uninvited. I hope you don't mind."
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