Steward Li arrived at the estate before dark, and Steward Wang quickly made arrangements for his lodgings.
"Manager Wang, how are things on the estate? Is there enough manure?"
When I arrived, my wife specifically mentioned that watermelons should continue to be grown on the farm in the county town next year, and that there must be enough manure.
"Don't worry, Steward Li, there are livestock farms on the estate, so there's plenty of manure."
Wang Hu cherished this opportunity because Jiang Shuhe had gone to another place, which gave him the chance to take the position of manager.
The year's wages, along with other bonuses, amounted to a considerable sum.
His children are all attending school, which costs a lot of money.
"That's good. If there's anything you're unsure about regarding the estate, just send a message to the prefectural city. Madam said that people from the prefectural city will come over from time to time to check on things."
The meaning behind Steward Li's words was very clear: Madam would not leave the estate unattended and would send people over from time to time.
"I understand, I know what the boss means."
Wang Hu was clear-headed. They used to be neighbors with Shu Yun's family. Now, he was here to work, not to visit relatives.
Jiang Shuhe did a great job; he learned by imitation and was able to understand it.
Steward Li was also tired and wanted to rest early. He planned to visit Steward Jiang's house tomorrow, pick up the account books and letter, and then return to the prefectural city.
After speaking with Steward Li, Wang Hu inspected the estate again before returning.
"Honey, you're back. I need to tell you something."
"What's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"
"Jiang Shuhe's third brother's wife is here again, this time with her child, saying she's not leaving."
Wang Hu's wife, Li Yueniang, used to get along well with Mu Yi'an.
Since Yi'an went to the prefectural city, we haven't had a chance to meet.
"Not leaving? Why aren't you leaving?"
Wang Hu was a little confused. As far as he knew, Jiang Shuhe and his family had already separated.
"Jiang Shuhe's third brother's wife said that they were having a hard time and were about to run out of food. As the elder brother and sister-in-law, she couldn't watch her brother's family starve to death."
Li Yueniang overheard some of it. The woman was throwing a tantrum, and Jiang Shuhe's wife was an honest woman who couldn't argue with her sister-in-law at all.
"That's ridiculous, they've already separated the family. Isn't Jiang Shuhe's brother-in-law here keeping his sister company?"
"He hasn't come these past few days. It seems like something happened at home and he went back. I don't know if they're digging a canal or a reservoir in their village, but I haven't seen him these past few days."
Wang Hu remembered that nearby villages were hiring menial workers to clean up irrigation ditches and waterways.
"It's too late today, let's do it tomorrow. Butler Li is here; he's going to visit Jiang Shuhe's family, as instructed by the master."
Now, Jiang Shuhe's younger siblings are in trouble.
Wang Hu looked down on Jiang Shuhe's other brothers. His eldest brother was alright; he had been renting paddy fields from his employer and lived with his parents. He was also quite capable.
However, the remaining two brothers were not very good and were used to relying on others.
Fortunately, Jiang Shuhe is clear-headed and doesn't spoil his family at all.
It's his wife; she's a bit soft-hearted and can't handle things well.
The moon has finished its work, and the sun has taken over.
After Butler Li finished breakfast, Wang Hu told him about Jiang Shuhe's family.
"What? Manager Jiang's sister-in-law came over to bully people while Manager Jiang was away?"
"That's what my wife said. I got home too late last night, so I didn't feel comfortable asking her."
"Isn't Butler Li going to Steward Jiang's house later? Let's go check on him together."
“Okay, when I came here, Madam specifically asked me to go to Steward Jiang’s house to see if there were any difficulties.”
Wang Hu led the way, with Steward Li and the guards following, as they walked towards the house where the farmhands lived.
"Second sister-in-law, we are guests, how can you eat this?"
"My second brother earns so much money in a year, you wouldn't have given it all back to your parents' home, would you?"
“No, sister-in-law, although you are a guest, you should have heard the saying, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ I am the host.”
Jiang Shuhe's wife was forced into a corner, which is why she spoke up in rebuttal.
"Oh dear, I'm just an illiterate village girl, I can't understand any of your fancy words."
I knew it. As your elder brother and sister-in-law, you don't care about your own brothers and sisters. You only think about living your own good lives.
Don't think I'm the only one who thinks this way; my sister-in-law, my younger sister, and my second younger sister all think the same way.
You earn so much money every year, yet you don't think about helping your brothers and sisters at home. It's truly disheartening.
Butler Li and the others listened outside the door for a while, and found it truly unreasonable to argue.
"Manager Wang, send someone to drive a carriage to Jiangjia Village and bring over the Third Master, Manager Jiang's parents, elder brother and sister-in-law, and brothers."
Butler Li thought it best to use this incident as a warning to others.
The master and mistress are rarely in the county town. After Steward Jiang returns from the Northwest, he will also be going to the prefectural city. There is only Steward Wang on the estate in the county town, which is not enough to manage the situation.
After all, Manager Wang's surname is Wang.
Butler Li asked Steward Wang's wife to knock on the door, and they followed behind.
"Lan Niang, open the door, I am your sister-in-law Wang."
Li Yueniang called out from the doorway, and the arguing in the courtyard stopped.
"Sister-in-law Wang, please come in."
Lan Niang kept her head down and didn't notice Steward Li and his group behind her.
"Lan Niang, the master is worried about you taking care of the child alone, so he specially sent Steward Li to come and check on you."
Shuhe is away on business; the employer doesn't want him to worry about you three.
Li Yueniang knew a little about Yi'an and knew she was kind-hearted. Otherwise, how could her large family stay here in peace?
"Thank you, boss. Thank you, butler Li."
After hearing what Sister Wang said, Lan Niang looked up at the group of people not far away and bowed.
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