Chapter 233 Li Wan Asks for Advice
"I heard that Mr. Yuan is here, so I came to say a few words to him."
Li Wan walked over.
It was truly a rare sight; this was the first time Yuan Hongqu had ever seen Li Wan smile at her.
Since Daiyu's first day at school last year, Zhong Fang, who was recommended by Li Wan, was expelled from the Rongguo Mansion because of them.
When Li Wan saw the Lin family again, she was quite displeased with them.
Yuan Hongqu didn't indulge her either. They didn't make any mistakes in matters of etiquette, and she shouldn't even think about doing anything more.
Li Wan's presence was already extremely weak, and with Yuan Hongqu ignoring her like this, she was almost forgotten.
Upon seeing the two of them, Yuan Hongqu suddenly remembered that the maid Li Wan had been gossiping and talking about her, which had caused some arguments.
How come this girl is still following Li Wan perfectly well?
Wang Xifeng was also surprised. Su Yun had already been demoted to a third-class maid, yet Li Wan still treated her like a head maid and took her around everywhere. Was this a slap in her face?
"Mr. Yuan, it's been a while since I've seen you here? The academy must be quite busy," Li Wan said warmly, as if the two were very familiar with each other.
Yuan Hongqu sneered inwardly, but said with a faint smile, "The academy is closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Madam's politeness today is quite overwhelming."
Li Wan sensed the sarcasm in the words, her face stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered.
"Mr. Yuan, please don't tease me. I've come here today to ask you some questions."
Yuan Hongqu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I dare not accept that. The scholars in your second master's study are all extremely learned. You might as well have someone ask them. If that's inconvenient, Madam, your father's scholarship is unparalleled throughout history, so it would be more convenient to consult him."
Yuan Hongqu clearly didn't want to have anything to do with Li Wan. Since things had come to this point, Li Wan, being sensible, shouldn't have said anything more.
However, Li Wan was clearly not a tactful person. She chuckled twice and said, "Mr. Yuan, what I want to ask is not about academic matters, but about the management of the girls' academy."
Yuan Hongqu glanced at Wang Xifeng with a puzzled look, and Wang Xifeng also looked surprised:
Why did Li Wan have to bring up something she shouldn't have asked about? Why ask what the academy's management is all about?
Does she have to go back to her parents' home to learn for her father?
The Imperial College and the Girls' Academy are completely different things. If we were to apply the model of the Girls' Academy, things would really go into chaos!
“Mr. Yuan, the girls’ academy has over a thousand students. As the head of the academy, you have managed it so well that I admire you and have come here to learn from you.”
Yuan Hongqu thought to herself, "Li Wan probably has ulterior motives."
However, she still said slowly, "Madam is joking. The academy has simple interpersonal relationships and pure hearts. The students come here to learn knowledge and skills, so there is no need for management. You have come to ask me for advice, but I really have nothing to teach you. But why did Madam think of asking for advice on this? Could it be that you also want to open an academy?"
Wang Xifeng gave Li Wan a meaningful look, then suddenly laughed, "If Madam were to open an academy, it really might be possible! Madam's family has such strong connections, what kind of academy couldn't they open? If Madam becomes the headmaster, don't forget to help out your own children..."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Li Wan's face, but she forced herself to say, "I have no such intention, nor the ability. You're just talking nonsense."
Wang Xifeng raised an eyebrow and said, "Then why is Madam asking Sister Yuan these questions? Asking about management in front of me, if it's not about opening an academy, then she wants to manage the household?"
Li Wan was taken aback; she really hadn't expected Wang Xifeng to speak so directly.
She did want to, but as a widow, was it something she could even think about?
Li Wan remained silent, and Su Yun became anxious for her. If the second mistress of the housekeeper misunderstood that her own grandmother had such thoughts and thought that her own grandmother wanted to seize the power of housekeeping, with the second mistress's methods, how could they have a good life!
"Second Grandmother, what you're saying is unbelievable. My grandmother has never had such thoughts..."
"Do you even have the right to speak?" Wang Xifeng glanced coldly at Suyun.
"The person is dead, and even this little hussy can criticize me?"
Several wives and servants rushed over to pull Suyun away. Li Wan, startled, quickly shouted,
"Release Suyun! My maid is just speaking up for me, can't even the Second Madam tolerate that?"
“Don’t you have a mouth? Let her speak for you! Why don’t you let her eat for you? If you want to manage the household, it’s very easy. Second Madam only needs to say one word, and I will hand everything over to you without hesitation.” Wang Xifeng said decisively.
Li Wan was momentarily tempted, but quickly suppressed her thoughts. Her mother-in-law had told her to raise Lan Ge'er well, and that she would certainly not mistreat them. She advised her to stay out of the household management business as much as possible, as it was not a good thing...
Li Wan composed herself and forced a smile:
"Why are you in such a hurry, Second Madam? I only wanted to consult with Mr. Yuan about the management of the academy, and I wanted to go back and curry favor with him on my father's birthday. I had no other intentions." After saying this, she looked at Wang Xifeng with great sincerity.
"I apologize for being so blunt. If I had just said it directly, you wouldn't have misunderstood. This huge mansion is all thanks to your talent and courage in managing it. Wouldn't it be so much easier for Lan'er and me to enjoy the benefits?"
Wang Xifeng looked at Li Wan with a half-smile.
"You think I'm joking? I'm serious! If you're willing to take on this housekeeping job, I'll step aside immediately. Who wouldn't want to have everything handed to them every day!"
“Second Madam is still clinging to me,” Li Wan said with a dry laugh. “Why don’t we ask Mr. Yuan to judge this? I never said a word about managing the household.”
The matter of managing the Rongguo Mansion is like a hot potato. Wang Xifeng is currently only supporting the mansion's expenses by swindling money from the Xue family. As for the estate, it is her own private property and what her late mother-in-law left to her and her husband. Even if they don't hand over those properties, no one can find fault with them.
Li Wan wanted to manage the household, so she was allowed to do so, as long as she could afford to put money into it, she could manage it however she wanted!
Wang Xifeng couldn't be happier!
But is it really that simple that Li Wan came to see Sister Yuan today? She just wanted to ask about the management methods of the academy and go back to her parents' home to show her filial piety to her father?
Wang Xifeng always felt that Li Wan had ulterior motives, but she couldn't figure it out for the time being.
Yuan Hongqu's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. She thought to herself, "If Li Wan insists on pestering me today, then she won't hold back."
So he said, "Since you want me to judge this matter, I'll speak my mind. If it's not to your liking, please don't be angry with me."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
