Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 537 - 540: Injured (Part 2)

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and looked at her. Nanny Zhang shifted her gaze and explained, "Even when Second Madam was managing the household, she didn’t demand it."

"So that’s how it is." Xiqiu nodded with a smile, "Since Nanny Zhang says Second Sister-in-law didn’t demand it either, and it’s an old practice, there’s no blame if it’s not listed." Nanny Zhang’s expression relaxed, a hint of smugness flashed in her eyes, but Xiqiu changed her tone, "But now that I’m managing the household on behalf of Second Sister-in-law, with all the inside and outside affairs, I’m inexperienced and unaware. That’s precisely why I need to be meticulous, so when I return the accounts to Second Sister-in-law, I won’t be unable to explain myself..." She paused and added, "Nanny Zhang, don’t you agree?"

She knew that regarding the purchases for the residence, the discrepancy in accounting the numbers, the profit margins were substantial. These women thought of her as a newcomer and harbored disdain, planning to seize the opportunity for personal gain. She also understood that if no benefit was allowed, their efforts might slacken, but if the reins were too loose, their greed would have no bounds.

Sure enough, Nanny Zhang fell silent, her expression froze, and she glanced covertly at Nanny Li.

Nanny Li stood with her eyes downcast and hands clasped behind Xiqiu, silent and unmovable, startling Nanny Zhang, who replied, "Madam is right, but this has always been the custom in the residence. If Madam wants me to do it now, I truly don’t know how to account for these petty expenses, and there’s no precedent in the household to follow..."

While she outwardly accepted it, her implicit meaning was one of defiance.

If Nanny Zhang felt this way, who knows how many other women harbored the same thoughts?

Xiqiu’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall, a cold smile in her heart, but she replied calmly, "Let’s do it this way; in the future, if there’s another situation of old practices being hard to follow or accounts you can’t start recording, introduce the suppliers to me. You have many tasks, and I won’t burden you further. Just have the suppliers bring their account books for me to review!"

Everyone’s expressions tensed. If external account books were truly compared with the household’s, there were very few among them who would come out unscathed.

Nanny Li, too, was taken aback. Second Madam’s methods were a blend of strength and kindness, with severe penalties and generous rewards.

Fourth Madam, however, was gentle on the outside but firm inside, not mentioning punishment but subtly insinuating...

Everyone looked towards Nanny Zhang.

Nanny Zhang understood the implications and had no choice but to step forward, saying with a stiff smile, "Madam, this is inappropriate. How could we allow external items to offend your eyes? If Madam truly wishes to see them, I will start recording the accounts from today." She finally conceded!

That’s enough; these are all seasoned members of the household, and some dignity must be preserved.

Besides, she was merely stepping in for someone else, hoping nothing would go wrong under her management. The rest would be left for Second Madam to judge and handle.

"If that’s settled, then let it be."

Everyone agreed, saluted, and left the courtyard. Nanny Li and Nanny Guan stayed behind, with Nanny Li saying, "I’ll accompany Nanny Guan to look; she has been managing the storeroom, it should be simpler with her around."

Nanny Guan forced a smile and added, "Indeed, indeed."

Both glanced at Xiqiu, secretly assessing her reaction.

Xiqiu neither affirmed nor denied, giving Nanny Li a meaningful look, nodding, "Thank you, Nanny."

Nanny Li responded hastily, not daring to delay, and left the courtyard with Nanny Guan.

No sooner had they left, Chunliu’s face darkened, "Do they take us for pushovers? They can’t handle Second Madam, so they come here to show off and take advantage? Unthinkable!" Saying this, she looked at Xiqiu, "Madam, I noticed these people are all looking to gain benefits."

Who wouldn’t want benefits? Xiqiu laughed and stood up, "Go see if Min has returned yet!"

Chunliu was about to leave when she suddenly stopped, shouting, "Young Master Min!" She hurried to the door in a few steps.

Erquan had not yet returned at this hour, and Min was carried through the doorway by his nanny.

Xiqiu was startled and turned to look. On the nanny’s shoulder lay Min, in a straight green outfit, with bright red bloodstains on the hem. Her eyes sharpened as she asked coldly, "What happened?" She was already moving towards Min.

The nanny, her face ashen and her legs trembling with each step, replied shakily, "Young Master Min... tripped while running."

Hearing Xiqiu’s voice, Min raised his head from the nanny’s shoulder, his small brows furrowed. His previously tight-set little face suddenly softened, "Mother!" His tears fell rapidly, full of grievance!

If Min acted like this, he must have been seriously hurt.

"Go call the Imperial Physician," Xiqiu instructed Chunliu, then turned to the nanny, "Carry him into the room." Tenderly stroking Min’s head, she continued, "Be good, Min, let’s go inside and let Mother see where you’re hurt."

Min was laid on a thinly covered mat, and Xiqiu removed his trousers, revealing a bleeding spot on his knee.

The size of half a cup, the skin was scraped, the flesh turned outward, and blood continued to ooze out. Xiqiu’s face turned ice-cold as she asked, "How did he fall like this? Where did it happen?"

Min pouted, grimacing in pain. The nanny cautiously replied from behind, "He fell in front of the Plum Garden. There was originally a small pile of pebbles, left by Fifth Young Master for paving the garden. Today, they somehow scattered on the path, catching us off guard..."

Xiqiu froze for a moment. How did the stones end up scattered on the path? She was about to inquire further when Min tugged on her sleeve, his voice low and anxious, "Mother! It was my carelessness, please don’t be angry."

Heartbroken, Xiqiu hugged him, instructing everyone, "Heat some water, add some salt, and bring a clean cloth." Pausing, she turned to Bihuai, "There’s a bottle of external medicine in the room; fetch it!"

Everyone agreed and went about their tasks.

Xiqiu couldn’t help but sigh; Min had always been steady, yet in just two months, he’d been hurt twice.

After cleaning the wound, she hesitated about applying the medicine when the Imperial Physician arrived. Xiqiu couldn’t afford to observe propriety and immediately had Min examined. The Imperial Physician reassured her, "The bone isn’t hurt, Madam cleaned the wound well, just apply some medicine." He instructed his assistant to bring out a bottle of ointment, personally applying it to Min’s injury.

"Thank you so much!" Xiqiu had Chunliu see the Imperial Physician out.

The Grand Dowager arrived, calling out as she entered, "Where’s Min? Where is he hurt?" She pulled back the curtain with the help of the nanny and entered. Min’s eyes were swollen from crying, but seeing the Grand Dowager, he blinked and softly called out, "Grandmother!"

Xiqiu stood up too, greeting, "Mother." The Grand Dowager didn’t look at Xiqiu, swiftly going to Min’s side and holding him tenderly, "Let Grandmother see how badly you’re hurt." She examined his knee, her eyes immediately reddening, "How did this happen to you, my child..."