In early summer, the heat gradually rises.
With the final martial arts test approaching, Song Yu temporarily put aside his duties at the military camp and stayed home to prepare for the final competition.
Song Ziyu, on the other hand, got busy and was away from home for several days in a row.
Jiang Wan sent someone to inquire and found out that a somewhat famous itinerant doctor had come to the capital, specializing in men's health. Song Ziyu drank a few doses of the medicine and felt that it was quite effective, so he has been going out frequently to see the itinerant doctor recently.
"What kind of doctor?" Jiang Wan asked.
The butterfly said a name.
Jiang Wan frowned and thought for a moment. She knew many famous doctors in the martial arts world, but she had never heard of this name.
"Find a way to get a portion of the dregs from the medicine."
Cai Die agreed. She was cheerful all day long, had good interpersonal relationships, and got along well with many maids and servants in the mansion, so others were not wary of her.
So on this day, taking advantage of the old woman's laziness in preparing the medicine, she successfully brought back a dose of medicine dregs.
Jiang Wan took a light sniff; they were common tonic herbs, except for a peculiar smell—cinnabar.
Using cinnabar in medicine can make a person appear strong in the short term, but in reality it will accelerate the decline of the body and shorten lifespan.
No wonder Song Ziyu felt good; he even stayed out overnight the night before.
He drank this medicine for seven or eight days straight, without stopping.
A cold smile played on Jiang Wan's lips as she asked, "How has Song Lin been these past few days?"
“As before, I’m in the study learning how to handle official business from General Song,” Cai Die said.
The servants all said that after what happened with Aunt Ru, Song Lin changed a lot. He never threw a tantrum again and was always amiable, as if he had become a different person.
"lady."
Biluo stepped in and announced, "Steward Zhao requests an audience."
Cai Die raised her eyebrows: "That's strange. This old fox used to avoid our lady like the plague, but now he dares to come to our door on his own initiative!"
Jiang Wan put down the book in her hand and said in a clear voice, "Let him in."
Steward Zhao is an old man in the General's Mansion. Over the years, he has been managing all the affairs of the mansion. He is over seventy years old and has watched Song Ziyu grow up. The Song family trusts him quite a bit.
Having worked as a housekeeper for half my life, I've long since become a shrewd and calculating person.
Steward Zhao had long noticed that she and Song Ziyu were growing apart. In order to show his loyalty to the Song family, he rarely came to Xingzhi Courtyard in person and usually sent his servants to deliver his messages.
Today, however, he took the initiative to visit her and even bowed respectfully to her.
"I hope you are well, Madam."
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow, looked up at the gray-haired old man, and carefully examined his eyes.
Song Ziyu had two wives. To distinguish her from Gu Yurong and to avoid confusion about their social status, the servants all called her "Madam Jiang," while only the servants in the Xingzhi Courtyard would call her "Madam."
They were all her confidants, demonstrating that they were devoted to her alone.
Jiang Wan looked at him calmly.
"What brings Steward Zhao here in person?"
Steward Zhao replied, "This morning, someone from the main courtyard came to report that Madam Gu said that since the beginning of summer, her courtyard has been short of staff and she wants to allocate some money to hire a few more maids."
After Jiang Wan returned to the mansion after the New Year, the matriarch of the family handed over the power of managing the household back to her.
This was a last resort.
Just the fact that Gu Yurong inadvertently sold the Empress's dowry is enough to make it impossible for the General's Mansion to let her continue managing the household affairs; otherwise, wouldn't that be displeasing the royal family?
Zhou was also useless. The misfortunes that Song Shuling and Song Tingyue suffered one after another had already exhausted her both physically and mentally. Since Song Ziyu ruined his health with alcoholism, she was even more devastated. After the New Year, she stayed in bed in the courtyard to recuperate and rarely went out.
Now, all sorts of trivial matters in the backyard require her permission.
Jiang Wan remained expressionless: "Then let's follow the rules of the manor and buy people from human brokers to send to the main courtyard."
Butler Zhao bowed his head and said, "Madam Gu said that she wants to choose these two people herself."
Jiang Wan turned her head to look at him.
Butler Zhao smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because most of the servants serving Madam Gu are nannies these days, and she wants to choose some young and pretty maids."
"I see."
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes, but a smile appeared on her face.
"It's not a big deal, just let her be. It's just that a maid with good qualities will be priced higher."
She spoke softly to Butler Zhao.
"It doesn't matter if it's a bit more expensive. The General's Mansion isn't short of money. The important thing is to please Madam Gu."
Steward Zhao was stunned for only a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand what Madam means."
Jiang Wan then instructed, "Biluo, go and get the key to the storeroom. In a little while, go with Steward Zhao to the accounting office to withdraw the silver. After you're done, bring the account books back with you. The rewards from the palace last time need to be put into the storeroom, and I want to check them myself."
"Butler Zhao, is there anything inconvenient?"
The general's accountant was Zhao's confidant. In the past, when she asked for the account books, she would always run into a snag and be given the runaround.
By the time they actually received the documents, the accounts had been altered beyond recognition.
"Madam is too kind. As the mistress of the inner quarters, it is only natural for you to review the accounts," Butler Zhao said with a smile. "In the past, the servants were not efficient enough, and there may have been some ambiguities in the accounts. But with this old servant here today, I guarantee that you will not have any trouble."
Jiang Wan raised her lips and instructed Cai Die to serve tea.
"Steward Zhao, please have a seat and wait while you drink some tea."
Only then did Steward Zhao raise his head, accept the teacup with both hands, and respectfully express his gratitude.
"This is a medicinal tea that I made myself. It can strengthen bones, nourish the body, and prevent aging."
Jiang Wan's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying a faint smile.
"You are getting on in years, so please don't overwork yourself. I always keep this tea on hand. If you have any free time in the future, you are welcome to come and sit at Xingzhi Courtyard."
Steward Zhao, his body hunched over, repeatedly agreed.
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