Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Upon receiving the news, Lord Wang's steward was struck dumb with astonishment, much like the majority of others. "They actually expelled her?"

The servant nodded. "She was indeed expelled. Nurse Jia cried until her voice grew hoarse."

The chief steward, Wang, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling an eerie chill permeating the room.

Zhang, the steward who was also expelled, stood equally dumbfounded. If even Granny Jia and her family were turned out, what hope did he have left? How could he ever return to the Marquis's residence to enjoy the good life again?

Wang Nainai was also dumbfounded. "Dearest, the person you arranged hasn't spoken yet, right? How did Second Madam know about this? And in such detail, even down to the three hundred taels of silver she's trying to evade?"

The head steward, Wang, stared blankly at the servant boy, "Yes, how did Second Madam know?"

The servant shrugged helplessly. "Oh, my lord, Second Lady is a wealthy woman. If she sends someone to scatter a bit of silver at the gambling den entrance, those people would be willing to reveal their ancestors' eighteen generations just to please her. There's no piece of information they couldn't dig out!"

Finally, Lord Manager Wang regained his composure. Indeed, this Second Lady of their Marquis household was a living goddess of wealth, holding a mountain of silver in her hands. There was nothing she couldn't accomplish.

Manager Zhang looked at Head Steward Wang and asked, "Brother-in-law, what should we do now?"

The head steward pondered for a moment before turning to his wife. "We mustn't provoke any conflict right now. With the Jia family in such dire straits, even Old Lady Jia's plea didn't work. It must be related to Jia Yi's gambling escapades yesterday. You should avoid leaving the estate as much as possible and refrain from contacting your brother. If someone were to catch wind of it and report you, I might not be able to protect you, and we could both end up implicated."

Madame Wang parted her lips, casting a glance at her younger brother. "Second Lady is being far too arrogant, dismissing people without an ounce of consideration for sentiment. Lady Hui, too, lacks backbone, standing idly by as First Lady and Second Lady flex their authority without so much as a murmur. Just wait until she realizes that she has no part in managing the household affairs – then we'll see how she reacts!"

Village Chief Wang: "Lady Hui was originally from Master Two's side, so the matter of managing the household doesn't really concern her. Moreover, I've heard that Lord Hui is planning to seek an external position, he intends to guard the border."

Madam Wang paused, "The border is a perilous place. War could break out at any moment."

Head Steward Wang remarked, "It also depends on the identity one enters with and the position they hold. Backed by the power of the Marquis's residence, his life may be tough, but his safety would undoubtedly be assured. Rather than pinning hopes on Lady Hui and Lady Two engaging in a power struggle, it would be wiser to anticipate the arrival of Lady Three, who is married to the eldest son of the family."

Madam Wang spoke listlessly, "Third Master is a concubine-born son. How could a wife of a concubine-born son ever compare with the wife of a legitimate son?"

Manager Zhang suddenly chuckled. "Sis, Third Madam might not dare to compete with Second Madam, but it's different with First Madam. What background does First Madam have? She's just the daughter of a merchant. But Third Madam's grandfather is the Right Vice Minister of the Military Affairs Department, and she herself is a legitimate daughter. Her family status surpasses First Madam's by a mile. I don't believe she would be content to live in someone else's shadow."

Madam Wang pondered for a moment before a smile appeared on her face. "That's true."

More anxious about himself, Manager Zhang asked, "Brother-in-law, what should I do now?"

Head Steward Wang's expression turned grim. "I'll rent a small courtyard for you in the neighboring county. You should leave the capital to avoid any trouble for now. Once the masters' anger subsides, I'll find a way to get you back to the estate first."

"Ai."

The Chief Steward Wang added, "You mustn't gamble anymore. Quit this vile habit right now."

Manager Zhang hastily vowed, "How could I continue to gamble? Back then, it was just out of curiosity. I thought it would be fun to play a few rounds when I had nothing to do. If I had known that I would lose my job, I wouldn't have set foot in a gambling den even if you killed me. I also know that there are others from our estate who have been there. Should we report them?"

Chief Steward Wang pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I reckon that the rest will confess tomorrow. Second Madam's investigation is too meticulous; they won't dare to harbor any hopes of getting away with it."

As it turned out, Chief Steward Wang's ability to hold his position was well-deserved. The following day, just as Wen Shi and Meng Die had taken their seats at the Nourishing Essence Pavilion, four people knelt outside its entrance. They had come to confess.

The reason these individuals didn't confess at first was that they had only recently fallen prey to gambling and hadn't visited the casinos often, nor had they lost significant amounts of silver. They were all harboring the naive hope that their indulgence wouldn't be discovered.

Now they truly regret it to the core. If they had known that Second Grandma possessed such capabilities, they would have confessed everything on the first day. They could have gone to the manor and then figured out a way to return later. But if they were to be expelled...

Fears often materialize, and so it was with Meng Die's voice piercing the air, "Each of you has lost but a meager sum; had you confessed within the first three days, by the rules, you would have been sent to manage the estate. Yet, you chose otherwise, feigning innocence. Nevertheless, as you've come forward of your own volition, I permit you to take with you the fortunes accumulated over these years and make your own exit from the Marquis's residence."

"Second Lady, I realize my mistake. Please don't expel me; instead, assign me any task on the estate, however menial."

"Madam Second, I've served in this household for generations. I humbly beg for your mercy, to assign me to the manor where I can tend to the fields."

"Second Lady..."

With great pleading, none of them wished to be sent away. Although they were officially considered servants with lowly status in the Marquis household, their lives were actually quite comfortable. They held positions as managers, earning at least five taels of silver each month, along with fifty catties of rice allowance. They also received seasonal clothing sets for the four seasons, and additional rewards during festive occasions. Such a lifestyle was not only envied by other servants within the Marquis residence but would also be fiercely contested by many honest citizens outside if given the chance.

Meng Die remained silent, merely waving her hand. Immediately, burly attendants dragged the four away.

The stewardesses simultaneously shrank their necks, at this moment clearly realizing the determination of the two matrons to rectify gambling, as well as their stance on visiting gambling houses. It was understood that within this mansion, aside from diligently working and serving their masters well, gambling houses were absolutely off-limits. They also profoundly realized that the times in the marquis's residence had changed! No one, regardless of their seniority, could take advantage of their standing to act arrogantly. Although the second matron usually smiled, she was ruthless at heart.

Having cracked down on gambling, Meng Die swiftly followed up with a kind gesture: "During the New Year, I was blessed by His Majesty's generosity with an estate. I believe you're all aware of that. It's also no secret that I'm in need of more help there. With the spring plowing season almost upon us, I plan to recruit some additional staff."

The mistresses in charge all had glittering eyes as they looked at Meng Die with anticipation.

Mama Xia promptly inquired, "May I ask what kind of person Madam Second is in need of?"

Meng Die smiled, "In my estate, I only intend to cultivate wheat and rice; thus, the personnel I require are quite straightforward – individuals who are skilled in cultivating these grains. The wages for farming will be settled according to the norms of a Marquis's residence."

All the household managers were flabbergasted. Nurse Xia gasped, "Second Madam only plants wheat and rice?"

Meng Die nodded and said, "Those who are willing to participate should register with Mother Fan directly."

When Wen Shi, Meng Die, and Jin Shi departed from the Jingyu Pavilion, the housekeepers and matrons swiftly gathered to engage in animated discussion.

"One Lady Wen is quite peculiar, isn't she? Planning to cultivate only wheat and rice on such an extensive estate?"

"How could one possibly cultivate only those two crops? It's not child's play."

"Just imagine the increased yield if they sowed sesame, cotton, various beans, sweet potatoes, and yams. The annual income would skyrocket."

"Indeed, they might miss out on a thousand taels or more by doing it her way."

"Thousands? Madam Second's manor has over four thousand mu of fertile land. A rough estimate puts the annual shortfall at no less than three thousand taels of silver."

...

Amidst the chorus of voices:

"Nanny Xia, Madam Second is young and might not understand these matters yet. Perhaps you could explain it to her?"

"Yes, Nanny Xia, isn't it our duty as servants to consider the interests of our masters?"

Nanny Xia chuckled. "You want me to speak up? How imaginative of you. I hold no sway with Second Lady."

"Aiyoh, you're the head nanny of our household. You can speak your mind not only to Second Lady but to any master here."

"Stop being so modest, Nanny Xia. Who else could handle this matter besides you?"

Nanny Xia waved them off. "Don't try to butter me up. Instead of wasting time talking to me, you should seek out Miss Lu Wei or Nanny Fan. They are part of Second Lady's dowry, and their word carries ten times more weight than mine."

The group paused. They had indeed considered these two, but Lu Wei had embarrassed them last time, and Nanny Fan was rarely in the mansion, leaving them with no opportunity to approach her. Now, how could they possibly bring it up?

Nanny Xia could tell what they were thinking just by looking at them. "Or you can wait and see. If you're thinking of your mistress, others might not be. Especially those in Second Aunt's courtyard – they will surely be more loyal."

The group laughed wistfully, exchanging knowing glances. They all understood Nanny Xia's message.

Among the servants in Meng Die's courtyard, only Lu Wei, Xing Huang, and Xue Qing were from her original household. The other servants were born into the family and included four rough-handed maids who usually didn't enter the main house. They certainly wouldn't have any influence. Meihong, Hulu, Mei'er, Ying'er, Tao'er, Li'er, and Liu'er, the newly promoted, had more sway. Among them, only Hulu and Ying'er came from slightly better backgrounds.

Hulu's father was one of the warehouse supervisors, specifically in charge of various unused jade decorations. Her mother, also a supervisor, oversaw this as well. Precious jade items were seldom moved or replaced, so there wasn't much profit to be made. However, with their monthly stipends and rations, the family lived comfortably. Hulu's siblings were diligent, and despite not holding prominent positions as maids or personal attendants, each had their own tasks to fulfill.

Ying'er's family was also well-off. Her father had woodworking skills and was often called upon to repair simple items around the estate. Although not a supervisor, his monthly stipend and rations were comparable to a minor supervisor's. Occasionally, he would receive a small portion of discarded items to sell, supplementing the family's income. Ying'er's mother didn't hold an official position, but like Hulu's siblings, all her brothers and sisters, excluding the youngest, had their own duties to attend to.

Meihong's family was in a sorry state. Logically, her father had a knack for repairing jewelry, so their life should have been comfortable, perhaps even better than Ying'er's. However, her father was an alcoholic, spending his days either drinking or on his way to do so. When her mother was pregnant with her sister, the constant laborious activities caused a premature birth, resulting in a tragic loss of both lives.

Her brother, on the other hand, was a good man and treated Meihong kindly. He would always prioritize her needs before his own. If not for this brother, Meihong might not have survived. Unfortunately, he was clumsy with his hands, unable to fix even the simplest of jewelry. Without any specialized skills, he could only rely on physical labor. But within the household, there weren't many such tasks. He was also simple-minded and unable to ingratiate himself with others, which meant no steady job without a patron. Thus, the siblings' life was once unbearably difficult.

Later, when Meng Die's courtyard needed staff, Meihong had already earned a substantial amount of money. The positions in the courtyard became highly sought after. If not for Meihong's exceptional hairdressing skills and the fact that Meng Die only wanted two assistants under the watchful eye of her personal maid, most wouldn't dare harbor any ill intentions. It was a fierce competition, but upon securing the position, the siblings were ecstatic, finally ensuring they wouldn't go hungry again.

As for Mei'er and Li'er, their situations were self-evident. Mei'er's family was lazy and overly ambitious, filled with cunning schemes, making it impossible for them to live comfortably. Li'er's family lacked skills and support, and they weren't particularly industrious, leading to a rather ordinary life.

Tao'er's father was similar to Meihong's brother, only capable of manual labor with no stable job. How much could he earn? She also had two younger brothers and a sister, and she was a stepdaughter. Though her stepmother had a kind heart, she naturally prioritized her biological children, a reality Tao'er understood. Despite their decent relationship, poverty was indeed a fact of life for Tao'er's family.

Let alone Liu'er and the others; if their parents had any capabilities, they wouldn't have ended up as servants in Meng Die's courtyard when she first married in. Back then, Meng Die was holding a losing hand; not only were the high-ranking managers in the household dismissive of her, but even the low-ranking ones did not take her seriously. It was fortunate that Madam Cui intervened with her dramatic entrance, allowing Meng Die to chase the disrespectful ones away and establish herself as someone not to be trifled with. Who would have thought highly of the chores in her courtyard?

So, it made perfect sense for them to focus on her now.

Ever since Meng Die mentioned hiring farm laborers, most families had their thoughts set on the opportunity, except for Hulu and Ying'er's. Mei Hong's brother was straightforward and sincere: "Sis, I want to work for Second Lady on her farm. Can you put in a good word for me?"

Mei Hong beamed: "You think it's like our family's manor? On the manor, you'd have to pay tribute to the minor manager, but not for Second Lady. Just sign up normally. And I've heard another piece of news—Second Lady said that each person will get an equal-sized plot of land. Whoever harvests the best crop will receive a reward."

Mei Hong's brother rubbed his hands together in delight: "That would be fantastic! Not only will we get meals provided while working on the manor according to the household rules, but we'll also earn eight hundred cash coins per month and receive fifty catties of rice every month."

Meihong was equally delighted. "Yes, farming may not be a year-round job, but from spring plowing to autumn harvest, it keeps one busy for at least seven months. The surplus grain will suffice during idle times, and with some earnings, a few coins can be saved. I have some money saved up too. Perhaps by the end of the year, my brother might bring home a sister-in-law."

"I don't need your money," her brother replied.

Meihong lowered her voice. "I've received substantial tips for grooming Second Grandma. I've had enough to marry off a sister-in-law for quite some time now. I just dare not reveal it, fearing that if Father finds out I earn extra money, he'll boast about it and pressure me into buying alcohol. When you work on the farm, claim the earnings as your own. You're much stronger than him now; he wouldn't dare confront you directly."

Her brother finally understood. No wonder the maidservants in Second Grandma's courtyard were rewarded with enough silver to buy jewelry while his own sister, who served indoors, had never received any significant tips. He thought Meihong was well-provided for without additional rewards, but it turned out she had been secretly saving them. Clever girl, he thought.

Tao'er's family situation was similar, and her husband and eldest brother were also willing to join. Even her married sister's family expressed their eagerness to go when Tao'er mentioned they wouldn't have to bribe the head of the farm. They were overjoyed at the prospect of no tribute and didn't give a second thought to managing affairs.

Li'er's family, initially eager to take on the role of managers, lost their enthusiasm when they realized there was no guarantee of success. Nevertheless, her parents still registered their interest. Her brother, tired of farming, initially refused to join, but after being scolded by their father, he reluctantly signed up as well.

Mei'er's family was in a panic. Her father hurriedly sent her mother to the estate to fetch Mei'er back home. The gatekeeper, unaware of the situation at Mei'er's house, allowed them entry without question. However, just as You Shi arrived at Meng Die's quarters, she was stopped by the courtyard gatekeeper.

Assuming it would be like any other visit, You Shi said, "I'm here to collect our Mei'er."

Wenchao's expression turned sharp. "Your Mei'er? Don't you fear that the wind might twist your tongue? What is 'your family'? Do you even deserve to have one?"

You Shi was startled and immediately called out, "Mei'er, Mei'er..."

Widow Zhao pushed her without hesitation, saying as she did so, "What are you shouting about? Disturbing the master's peace and quiet will get you thrown out directly."

You Shi instinctively prepared to retaliate. Widow Wang rushed out from the ante room to assist Widow Zhao, "Do you dare to hit someone? Come, let's find Nurse Xia."

"You were the ones who pushed me first," You Shi retorted defiantly.

Widow Zhao snorted coldly, "So what if I pushed you? You were trying to barge into the master's courtyard. Should I have let you in instead?"

You Shi replied, "When did I ever want to barge into the master's courtyard? I just wanted to take my Mei'er home for a visit."

Nanny Zhao scoffed, "Pah! Your Mei'er? How can she be yours? Every blade of grass, every brick and tile in this residence, even all the servants, belong to our master. Mei'er is to serve by her side; you think you can just take her back as you please?"

Nanny Wang wore a mocking smile as she whispered, "Let me tell you straight, forget about Miss Mei'er. After committing such an unforgivable and immoral act, do you really expect everything to be swept under the rug? Miss Lu Wei has made it clear that every time you come here, you'll be met with a beating."

You Shi's eyes widened in shock. She had imagined Mei'er coming home to cry and create a scene, and she had thought about how she would apologize, blaming everything on Jia Yi. After all, they were all going to be expelled from the residence; who could refute her then? She was, after all, Mei'er's biological mother, the one who gave birth to and raised her. Could she truly be forgotten so easily?

The more confident she had been when she arrived, the angrier she was when she left. Upon returning home, Qian Xi and Qian Youyu, father and son, both asked simultaneously, "Where's Mei'er?"

"Mei'er?" You Shi erupted in a tirade, "That ungrateful wretch! We've raised her all these years for nothing, and now that she's grown, she doesn't acknowledge us anymore."

Qian Youyu's brows knitted with fury. "What do you mean she doesn't recognize us?"

You Shi gritted her teeth. "She refuses to come out of the courtyard, saying she has no parents."

Qian Youyu snapped, "This ungrateful wretch! I'll go fetch her back myself."

"You stay here!" Qian Xi grabbed his son, his face dark as he stared at his wife. "Did she really say that? That she won't return home and doesn't acknowledge us? Didn't you try reasoning with her properly?"

You Shi sneered. "Reason with her? I didn't even get past the front gate before they threw me out, saying they'd beat me every time they saw me. This ungrateful wolf, may she be cursed, how I wish I had strangled her when she was a child..."

Slap! A resounding slap left Jia Yi's cheek instantly swollen.

You Shi's curses ceased as she stared at Qian Xi in shock.

Qian Xi suppressed her anger. "Did you not say a single kind word? Last time, when we were drugged by that bastard Jia Yi, didn't you hear her voice when it first started? Didn't you talk to her then?"

Tears welled up in You Shi's eyes. "I would have spoken if I had the chance! That little vixen didn't even show her face. The two gatekeepers, taking advantage of their power, just shoved me out. I fell hard, but instead of blaming that little wench, you hit me. I'll fight you!" You Shi lunged at Qian Xi in a frenzy.

Qian Xi kicked You Shi, sending her sprawling on the ground. Immediately, You Shi wailed loudly, "You heartless one, our daughter doesn't acknowledge you, and you hit me...!"

The commotion was so loud that neighbors from both sides of the street emerged from their homes. Some climbed over walls, while others opened their windows; those who considered themselves on friendly terms simply entered through the wide-open courtyard gate. "What's going on here?"

Wailing bitterly, You Shi cried, "I might as well die – my daughter doesn't acknowledge me, and my husband beats me. What's the point in living anymore…?"

Someone tried to reason with Qian Xi, "The children are still here, why not discuss this privately?"

"Whatever happened? Didn't you buy meat today?"

Another woman approached to console You Shi. "What's all this about? Didn't you say you were going to pick up Mei'er?"

"Mei'er?" Lady You stopped her wailing. "She's prosperous now and doesn't acknowledge me."

The woman was greatly astonished. "How can that be? Mei'er is usually so filial. She even made you a pair of silver bracelets last year."

Lady You paused, instinctively touching the bracelet on her wrist. "This is my fault too. That boy Jia Yi recently sent a matchmaker to propose to our Mei'er. We didn't know about his questionable reputation back then, and her father agreed without thinking. When she returned, I tried to discuss it with her, but it turned out she had already found a better prospect and had her sights set higher than Jia Yi. I scolded her a bit, and now she holds a grudge against me."

The woman responded, "Thankfully she didn't agree to marry him back then."

Lady You was taken aback. This wasn't how she expected the conversation to go. Shouldn't the woman be scolding Mei'er for having high aspirations and blaming her parents?

Another woman advised, "Jia Yi has just been involved in a scandal; she must be feeling miserable right now. She'll get over it in a few days. As her mother, can't you rise above and not take it personally? When the anger subsides, Mei'er might still show filial piety and even gift you with silver hairpins."

You Shi's body stiffened. After that chaotic day, she had found a silver hairpin in her room that matched her bracelet perfectly. It must have been a token from Mei'er.

After some superficial comforting words from the surrounding people, they dispersed. Qian Xi's face was as dark as water, while Qian Youyu appeared visibly indignant. "Father, this good-for-nothing probably holds a grudge against us. What should we do?"

Qian Xi snorted coldly. "She is, after all, my flesh and blood. Does she think she can avoid meeting me if she wants to? Spread the word about how she's disowning her parents recently. I want to see if someone of such low character can still serve in Second Madam's courtyard. If she wishes to keep her position, she'd better come back obediently on her own accord."

Qian Youyu paused. "What if she really gets expelled?"

Qian Xi: "If they really kick her out, just marry her off immediately." Qian Xi was confident: "She'll come back."

But events didn't unfold as they had planned. They thought that by complaining about Mei'er's disobedience, everyone would sympathize with them. Instead, people praised Mei'er as the most filial and kind-hearted girl, advising them to reconcile once her anger subsided.

Upon hearing this, Meng Die smiled faintly and told Lu Wei, "Try to assign any errands around the households to Mei'er lately."

"Alright," Lu Wei replied, beaming with delight.

Xing Huang pouted, her face clouded with displeasure. "They should just be sent away directly. Why bother with their nonsense? Even if they don't live in the estate, they'd still be an eyesore." Xing Huang glanced at Meng Die and Lu Wei, only to find that neither of them responded. This made her even more unhappy, for she was thoroughly dissatisfied with how the situation was handled.