Min Yueqing waved her hand to dismiss the others, leaving only the two maids in the main room.
As Min Yueqing walked toward the main house, she instructed, "Go and fetch hot water, and then tell the kitchen to prepare dinner. If there are no ingredients, have the servant come and collect the money. Go and buy them now."
The maidservant responded and left.
Min Yueqing then said to Shi Tou, "Amei and Azhu aren't here. If you need anything, just tell me. Or if you see those two maids from earlier, you can tell them too."
Shi Tou quickly replied, "Master, don't worry about me, I'm already familiar with this place."
Shi Tou is outgoing and self-reliant. After entering Hejing Courtyard, he can take care of himself without anyone having to look after him. However, Amei and the other woman have always taken special care of him and treated him like a child, which is why they always send him things.
Despite his seemingly carefree demeanor, Shi Tou is incredibly shrewd. He knows perfectly well who in the Jingyuan Courtyard is genuinely kind to him, who is just trying to curry favor, and who smiles at him to his face while gossiping behind his back.
A moment later, a maid brought water, and the three of them took a bath and changed their clothes. Min Yueqing came out all dressed, and then heard the maid come back and say, "Manager Liu has arrived and is waiting in the hall."
Min Yueqing immediately walked towards the main hall. As soon as she entered, Steward Liu hurriedly came forward to greet her and asked, "Madam, why did you suddenly return? Was the service at the estate inadequate?"
Min Yueqing waved her hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and said with a smile, "No, that's not true. The whole family in the village is very nice. I came back this time because of an urgent matter, and I also have something to ask you to do."
Upon hearing this, Steward Liu quickly replied, "Please give your instructions, Madam, and I will certainly do as you say."
Min Yueqing briefly explained their departure plan: "The most important thing now is to purchase the necessary items. Here is the list. Buy according to the list, load the goods into the car, and then I will take the car with me. If you encounter any difficulties, tell me now so I can make other plans."
Manager Liu respectfully took the list, glanced at it, and assured everyone, "These things are all fine. Some of them we have in our own shop, and for the ones we don't have, I have connections to find someone to buy them."
He paused, then hesitated before speaking, "Madam, aren't you going to inform the household?"
This mansion is no longer the Earl's Mansion, but the Min Mansion. Steward Liu was originally an old servant in the Min Mansion. Because the father of Min was worried about his daughter and feared that she would be bullied after marriage, he assigned him to manage her affairs.
Even in the capital, she couldn't rest easy. If Min's father knew that his daughter was going to such a far place alone, who knows how worried he would be.
Min Yueqing had naturally considered this as well, but given that Jia Ren, that annoying fly, was still active in the capital and had so many lackeys under his command, she absolutely could not swagger home to say goodbye.
Before leaving, Min Yueqing planned to secretly send someone to deliver a message. The most likely candidate would be Manager Liu, who managed numerous shops and had many unfamiliar faces among his subordinates, making his mission less conspicuous.
When Min Yueqing mentioned this plan, Steward Liu immediately looked distressed. He could already imagine the master's sour face, but he couldn't refuse either. His young lady's ideas were getting bigger and bigger, and he dared not refuse.
Manager Liu left with a resentful look on his face.
Min Yueqing was busy at the moment and had no time to care about the poor Manager Liu's feelings. She was thinking that she couldn't put all the tasks on Manager Liu's shoulders. She would have to disguise herself and go out tomorrow, and buy some things to put directly into her space.
In fact, the less stuff you leave out, the better. Too much luggage is very conspicuous and can easily attract petty thieves.
Although she was confident in her martial arts skills, she didn't want to engage in a series of fierce battles. It was too noisy. Besides, it's easy to dodge a spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. There was no need to create trouble for herself.
Not to mention the items she buys herself tomorrow, even those prepared by Steward Liu, she will put a large portion of them into her spatial storage, especially the valuables. She will just leave some inexpensive boxes outside to avoid suspicion and make it easier to explain the origin of the items.
As Min Yueqing was pondering, Pei Ji came running over and called to her, "Mother, it's time for dinner."
Seeing that he was panting and sweating, Min Yueqing asked, "What were you doing just now?"
As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. Pei Ji obediently tilted his head back and replied, "I'm running laps with Shi Tou. I've been sitting in the car all day and haven't run yet."
Min Yueqing smiled and said, "That's right, you need this kind of perseverance to practice martial arts."
It has to be said that taking care of such youngsters and apprentices is so worry-free. You don't have to worry about them being lazy or not putting in their effort. As long as you assign a task, they remember it better than you do and will find a way to complete it.
The two chatted and laughed as they walked toward the east wing.
Shi Tou didn't waste any time. He squatted in the courtyard in a horse stance. When he saw them coming, he stood up straight and followed them into the east wing.
After dinner, since it was still early, the two children continued their exercise, while Min Yueqing went to her private treasury to reassess her savings.
Speaking of which, the original owner was quite wealthy. The dowry prepared for her by the Min family was exceptionally generous, a rare find among noble families in this era. After the marriage, Pei Han also gave her a considerable amount, reportedly from his birth mother, her own mother-in-law, who had requested it for Pei Han while the old lady was still alive.
Just by looking at the jewelry left by her mother-in-law, you can tell that she definitely came from a very wealthy and noble family.
Min Yueqing personally found all the precious jewelry, gold and silver gems, and antiques, including calligraphy and paintings by famous artists and rare and unique books, sorted them into categories, and put them into her space. As for the silver notes, she could use some of them when she went out tomorrow.
In remote mountain villages, banknotes have little effect; it's better to exchange them all for physical goods, which won't spoil or be damaged by insects or rodents.
By the time all of this was done, it was almost midnight.
Min Yueqing tiptoed into the bedroom. The little boy was already asleep. The maid was guarding the outer room. When she saw her come in, she replied softly, "Madam, the young master took a bath after returning and has been sleeping for more than an hour."
Min Yueqing nodded and told her to fetch hot water. After tidying up so much stuff, her previous bath was a waste of time.
Min Yueqing went into the inner room and checked on the little one. The little one probably knew she had things to do today, so he didn't look for her before going to sleep. He was so smart and well-behaved. Min Yueqing kissed him on the forehead affectionately.
Thinking about what she needed to do the next day, Min Yueqing finished tidying up and went to bed to sleep with the little one.
The next day, Min Yueqing got up at dawn. The little one was probably tired from last night and hadn't woken up yet. Min Yueqing quietly left the room. The maid was dozing off. When she saw her come out, she quickly prepared toiletries and clothes.
Min Yueqing did not wear the clothes she had brought. After washing up, she told the maid to go back first, and that she would send someone to call her if needed.
The maidservant felt a little strange, but she didn't dare to ask and just went to do as she was told.
Min Yueqing changed into the men's clothing she had worn when she went out last time, and then quickly changed her appearance. Before leaving, she left a note for Pei Ji and placed it on the bedside table. Then she left the mansion without anyone noticing.
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