Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 67 - 17: Restructuring

"In my heart, regardless of legitimacy, they are all my grandchildren." After the Old Madam finished speaking, the younger generation, who previously had expressionless faces, secretly reddened their eyes. Especially the Third Miss with concerns, turned to wipe her tears. Seeing her brother looking at her with concern, she quietly shook her head and smiled.

The Old Madam stared at the Second Madam, her eyes full of undisguised ridicule: "Not distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate naturally isn’t right. The palace has already divided them; how much you parents privately add is your own business."

The Second Miss saw her grandmother and uncle both with cold faces, hurriedly grabbed her mother and told her not to speak anymore, and the atmosphere suddenly became a bit cold. It was Lady Yue, holding the Eighth Young Master, who stepped forward and said, "The Old Madam cares for her grandchildren. Qing Liu, quickly kowtow to your grandmother. Your grandmother is saving silver for you to marry!"

The Eighth Young Master was indeed clever; he immediately knelt down and kowtowed to the Old Madam, seriously saying, "Thank you, grandmother, for getting me a wife!" This sentence amused everyone, causing them to chuckle. The Old Madam quickly asked someone to help him up, laughing as she said, "My good grandson, when the time comes, grandmother will surely find you a good wife."

After finishing her sentence, the Old Madam glanced at Lady Yue and remarked, "You are good, properly teach Xiao Ba." Lady Yue, who seldom received a good look and a "good" from the Old Madam over the years, reddened her eyes slightly and respectfully said, "I will follow the Old Madam’s teachings."

Over the years, Lady Yue had come to realize that the First Madam was a scatterbrain. While the master had some true feelings for her, men can’t control their desires. In the future, when someone younger and prettier comes along, what standing does she have? Relying on the Old Madam and properly raising her son is the best plan!

The Old Madam wasn’t aware that nowadays, she had gained some invisible support, and it was quite strong.

After sending down the grandchildren, she kept the master and the two daughters-in-law and said, "You must have realized that during this period, I will be handling family affairs for now. It is time to organize things within the family, lest I embarrass myself in front of my daughter-in-law once Qing He gets married."

Upon hearing this, the two madams’ expressions changed, but then the Old Madam continued, "The account books, keys, and tokens from all areas, when you return, send someone to bring them to me. After Qing He’s marriage, it’s Second Miss who will wed, followed by Second Son, Third Miss, Third Son, and Fourth Miss within the next two to three years. The household expenses are too large and there’s no surplus money left. Now that the properties have been divided among three branches, it is inappropriate for the main family’s money to continue covering living expenses. From now on, the main family’s money will only cover the monthly salary for masters and servants and seasonal clothing and jewelry, while meals will be provided by each branch itself. Since everyone has their own small kitchen, the main kitchen will be cut back, and cooks and servants will be reassigned."

The First Lady and Second Lady’s expressions were already quite unpleasant, but even if dissatisfied, they dared not openly oppose, especially since the main family’s funds still covered essential expenses like monthly salary and clothing accessories. Despite their sour faces, they remained silent. After being mothers-in-law with the Old Madam for so many years, they understood well that though she was kind, it depended on the person, so they had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Once the two daughters-in-law left, the Old Madam turned to the master and said, "Our family lacks foundation; the rules can’t compare to noble families, and one can’t blame others for mocking us as nouveau riche. The Qi Family governs the nation, and if you don’t start well, how can others trust us? Servants must be disciplined; never allow them to grow into parasitic rats."

These words made the master feel deeply ashamed, and that night, he instructed Yang Liu’s father to raid several servants’ homes overnight, binding those who needed binding and selling ones who needed selling. These people included long-serving domestic offspring and attendants from the First and Second Lady’s dowries. The raided possessions were not only jewelry and playthings but also over a hundred thousand taels of silver, as well as land, houses, servants, and workers. Outside, these people carried themselves like masters.

As for why things were handled so swiftly, it turned out the master had long been investigating thoroughly, just waiting for the daughter-in-law to enter the house and deal with it to set an example. But after hearing what his own mother said, he knew he had underestimated.

No matter how good a daughter-in-law is, she is still an outsider. If she inadvertently mentions it to her family, it means Wenchang Marquis Mansion knows about it, and Marquis Wenchang’s daughter-in-law, the Eldest Princess Wu Yue, will inevitably find out, and then the Royal Family will know.

Thinking of this, the master broke out in a cold sweat. It is one thing to be laughed at, but if the emperor thinks he is incompetent, he will have nowhere to cry.

That’s why they say ginger gets spicier with age; the Old Madam only needed to say a few words, and the next day, the mansion was completely different. The two madams also saw attendants from the dowry bound up and beaten half to death. Dowry attendants are part of the lady’s dowry, and even the husband’s family cannot sell them without her will.

The master sent these servants to First and Second Madams’ courtyards for them to handle. Anyway, the Song Family didn’t want such servants.

Upon hearing this, Lady Yue hurried to instruct her nanny, telling her to keep an eye on the daughter-in-law. It’s fine to garner some benefits, but to act like a bottomless pit is intolerable. This time, it was because the nanny’s sister-in-law was not too greedy, coupled with the master saving face for her. Next time, it would not be handled so leniently.

Since the Old Madam said there would be reorganization, it naturally wasn’t just about raiding a few servants’ homes.

The various Misses along with Nanny Qin, Yang Liu, and Susu were all assigned tasks: The Third Miss went to the embroidery room, the Fourth Miss and Yang Liu went to the purchasing department, Nanny Qin and the Fifth Miss managed the small kitchen at Sui’an Hall, whereas the Sixth Miss and Susu were sent by the Old Madam to the main family treasury, ostensibly to pick out the two boxes of items promised to the Princely Heir yesterday.

In reality, everyone knew. The housekeeper of the main family treasury was part of the First Madam’s dowry. Since they moved to the Capital, the main family’s treasury became the First Madam’s invisible private treasury, with access as free as entering nobody’s land. Fortunately, the key to the silver treasury was tightly held by the master.

The main family’s treasury was set between the central and eastern routes of the mansion, right next to the third branch’s courtyard. Inside the courtyard, there were only a few scattered ordinary servants, making it surprisingly quiet.

The treasury is a key area in the mansion, with access restricted except for the maids and old women guarding it. Yet today, the item list, entry and exit ledger, and keys were in Susu’s hands.

Sixth Miss usually does not care for such mundane affairs, and wondered why her grandmother called upon her specifically. If it weren’t for accompanying Susu, she wouldn’t have come, and even though she did, her enthusiasm was lacking.

Susu naturally saw her unwilling attitude and laughed, "The Old Madam is aware of this, which is why she called you here. Some things can be left undone, but they should not be unknown. Miss, take this opportunity to learn the doorway in the treasury, so you won’t be fooled in the future."

Susu brought Ning Xiang, Wu Tong, and some rough handmaids, while the Sixth Miss was accompanied by only one maid, named Xiang Yu, who was given by the Third Madam during the trip to Shangjing. Xiang Yu, not only possessing bright teeth and good looks, but also having a tight mouth and careful mind, quickly managed all of the Sixth Miss’s private affairs and soon became her favorite.

Upon hearing Susu’s words, Xiang Yu knew the Old Madam wanted Susu to guide the Sixth Miss and felt pleased for her. Before departure, the Third Madam had said that Susu was good, and for matters concerning the Sixth Miss’s room, she could consult with Susu on things beyond her control, so Xiang Yu also advised, "In the service of the Lady, I’ve learned some things. The treasury holds great knowledge; Miss will definitely not be bored."