It had been less than ten days since they left, but the children felt as if they had been separated from Hong Xiaoduo for half a century. This meal was the most noisy they had ever eaten, as they eagerly told her about the things that had happened in the past few days, what the neighbors had brought, and how the family in front of them had argued because they had overcooked their peanuts.
Quan Jinghuai held his wine cup and looked at the children at the table. In the days since Hong Xiaoduo left, their mouths had become as if they had been sewn shut. Now, they were like sparrows in the tree, chattering incessantly.
When Hong Xiaoduo finished eating and put down her chopsticks, Tian Shu asked if she needed a carriage. Hong Xiaoduo didn't say that she was going to the Jiang residence, but only said that she didn't need a carriage and would stay in town.
"Tianxuan, the snack recipe book in the carriage is for you. Take a look at how to make candied hawthorns, and help them process the hawthorns. Get ready. If I come back early, we can make them together." When they arrived at the courtyard gate, seeing a row of little ones staring at her expectantly, Hong Xiaoduo remembered this and tried to distract them.
This was also a way of reassuring them that he would be back soon.
After saying that, Hong Xiaoduo walked away with her hands behind her back.
"Big brother, you went out with Mother, you know what it was about, right?" Tianquan asked in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the others also looked towards Tian Shu.
Tian Shu didn't say whether he knew or not: "Don't ask. If it's something we can know, we'll tell you naturally."
Huh? After hearing what Tian Shu said, the children looked at each other and then looked at Tian Shu. Judging from what he said, it seemed that their eldest brother was also unaware of the matter.
How could that be? Didn't she take him with her? With her personality, she would never leave him alone to do things by herself!
“Alright, Big Brother is right. Let’s go take a look at the recipe,” Tianxuan added.
When Hong Xiaoduo arrived outside the Jiang residence, she asked the gatekeeper to go in and inform Master Jiang.
The last time she came to the Jiang residence, this servant had seen her before and immediately replied that the young lady would be a little later. However, just as he turned around to go into the residence to announce her arrival, Steward Wu happened to come out.
"What's going on?" Manager Wu asked the servant after glancing at Hong Xiaoduo.
"Steward, Miss Hong wishes to see the master. I was just about to go in and announce her," the servant replied quickly.
Upon hearing this, Steward Wu immediately spoke up and reprimanded in a low voice, "Have you seen how busy the master is at the end of the year?" Then he looked at Hong Xiaoduo.
“Miss Hong, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were coming to our mansion again. Is there something important you need to tell me? Or perhaps you could come again after Master has finished his work?” Steward Wu said with a forced smile.
Upon hearing his tone and demeanor, Hong Xiaoduo immediately understood that this guy clearly didn't want her to see Master Jiang!
It seems that last time you came here, you deliberately said that Jiang Baicheng's eyebrows and eyes were very similar to Pang's, making them panic because they felt guilty and became wary of you.
Upon hearing the steward's words, the servant who had intended to go in and announce the news was at a loss. All the servants in the mansion knew that the master valued this young lady.
But the manager wanted to stop him, and the servant dared not offend him!
The master of this Jiang family is indeed the most important person, but these servants are all under the control of this steward. The master trusts and values the steward very much. What should we do?
The servant knew in his heart that the matter was simple in itself; since the manager had spoken, he could just listen to him.
Anyway, it was said in front of this young lady, and she saw it. It wasn't that she didn't want to go in and announce it; it was the steward who spoke.
Even if the master finds out later, he won't be able to blame me.
But this young lady is a distinguished guest of the master, so why is the steward acting this way? The servant was very puzzled.
"Manager Wu, thank you." Hong Xiaoduo said to the manager with a smile.
Steward Wu was taken aback. She was smart enough not to understand why he had stopped her from entering the mansion to see the master. The reason he dared to stop her was because he was certain that they were only staying there for the New Year and would leave afterward.
At most, it will only take about half a month. Try to block it once if you can.
I refuse to believe she can keep coming like this.
If we fail to stop it one time, we can just deal with it as the situation dictates.
“I am the steward of the Jiang family. I receive my master’s monthly salary, so it is only natural that I should share his burdens. It is only right that I convey your message on behalf of the young lady. There is no need for thanks,” Steward Wu said, standing upright on the steps.
Hong Xiaoduo smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, no, Manager Wu, you misunderstood me. When I said thank you, I meant to thank you for letting me understand something firsthand, that's why I thanked you."
Upon hearing this, Steward Wu had a vague feeling that what she was referring to was not something good, but he still braced himself and asked, "I wonder what the young lady has come to understand?"
"Before, I always heard people say, 'It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.' I never really understood what that meant until just now, when I suddenly understood it."
Hong Xiaoduo finished speaking with a smile, and before the other party could change his expression, she added, "No, no, you are a manager, not a little devil. The so-called little devil should be him. But he is not difficult to deal with. As soon as I came to say something, he agreed to go in and announce my arrival."
"Young lady, you should think before you speak at such a young age. When you came to our manor last time, we treated you with hospitality because our master was kind to people, but you shouldn't really think of yourself as an honored guest. One should know one's place."
"If you're short on cash while renting a place in this town for the New Year, I can accommodate you for a few taels or tens of taels. I hope you won't be too greedy and try to curry favor with our master to demand more." Even the seasoned Steward Wu couldn't save face after being mocked by a young woman, and said coldly.
"Oh my, Steward Wu, you're quite generous. But you stopped me from seeing Master Jiang. Those who know you will say it's out of loyalty to your master, but those who don't will think you have some other purpose."
No matter what my purpose is in meeting Master Jiang, even if I know he is wealthy and I am deliberately trying to swindle him out of his money, if I succeed, that is my skill. However, you shouldn't be like this. Your master has built such a large fortune. Do you think he is the kind of person who would be easily swindled out of his money?
In your eyes, is Mr. Jiang really that despicable?
Don't be so hasty. I'm telling you right now, I'm definitely going to get through this door today, and I'm definitely going to see Master Jiang.
"The duty of a steward is to serve the master and share his burdens, not to be self-righteous and act on his own initiative." Hong Xiaoduo's words were merciless, making Steward Wu so angry that his face turned pale...
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