Chapter 327: Li Biyi’s Frustrations

Chapter 327: Li Biyi's Frustrations

"Don't deny it! Just look at these rotten seedlings you've bought. How many of them are actually good?" Qiu Ling said, her arms crossed, glaring daggers at her.

Li Biyi had her reasons. Although she was responsible for the purchases, as a concubine of the mansion, she couldn't easily leave the residence.

The actual task of buying was assigned to those under her; she merely relayed the instructions.

With such an arrangement, it was difficult for her to ensure quality!

"I can't leave the mansion either. The servants go out to buy these things, and I don't know exactly what they look like," Li Biyi explained.

As her words fell, Ling Long snorted coldly beside her, "Tch! Concubine Li, you're really good at making excuses for yourself!"

"I'm not making excuses!" Li Biyi looked at them with a pitiful expression. "I clearly told those errand-runners what to buy, explaining everything in detail. But in the end, they handed these things to me. I can't do anything about it."

"Concubine Li, if that's not an excuse, then what is?" Qiu Ling looked at her. "There are so many stewardesses and head purchasers in the mansion who also don't leave the residence, so how come they can get things done properly? Why can't you?"

"Exactly," Ling Long said, hands on her hips. "You can't even keep the servants in line; that shows a lack of capability. Using these things to fool us is simply irresponsible. In your mouth, it's as if everyone is bullying you!"

Li Biyi listened, unable to argue, and finally had to agree, feeling wronged, "Aunt Qiu, Aunt Ling, it's my fault this time. I didn't do well. I'll make sure to do a better job next time."

Hearing this, Qiu Ling and Ling Long exchanged a glance. "Alright. You better get it done soon, or we'll have to go to the young mistress."

"Yes, if we fall behind because of you, and the young mistress blames us for not getting things done, we'll really be the ones in the wrong!"

After saying their piece, Qiu Ling and Ling Long looked at the submissive Li Biyi and left.

Once they were gone, Li Biyi, head lowered, clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

A fierce look flashed in her gentle and obedient eyes. Qiu Ling and Ling Long were clearly bullying her!

Qiu Ling, a long-time servant of the mansion, had parents who were both slaves of the mansion. Once she was involved in managing the Marquis's Mansion, she could easily mobilize most of the servants.

That her purchasing was ineffective was likely because Qiu Ling had said something to those servants behind her back.

As for her, she had no foundation in the mansion at all. On a daily basis, relying on Cheng Yunshuo's affection for her and their two children, the servants of the mansion were only superficially respectful. Trying to mobilize the servants to work for her or follow her instructions was simply impossible!

Managing the household wasn't easy; every step required a solid foundation!

This time, she had been thoroughly dealt with by Qiu Ling and Ling Long.

Seething with anger, Li Biyi knew she couldn't let this continue. If she did, she would end up being walked all over by them and eventually get a tongue-lashing from Lu Lingyun.

She needed to find someone to back her up!

But now, that good-for-nothing Qin Shaojing had been expelled, and Li Biyi had to turn to Cheng Yunshuo again.

Looking at the criticized dry and thin flower seedlings in front of her, she viciously grabbed a handful of thorny roses.

That evening, Cheng Yunshuo returned.

"Master, you're back," Li Biyi greeted him with a tender, affectionate smile, stepping forward to help him take off his outer robe.

"Hmm," Cheng Yunshuo responded absentmindedly.

As she undid his robe, Li Biyi let out a sharp hiss of pain, "Ah!" It was as if a thorn had pricked her hand. She quickly pulled her hand back in response.

"What happened?" Cheng Yunshuo noticed her movement and asked.

"It's nothing serious." Li Bihan quickly hid her hand, not wanting to worry him.

Just then, Cheng Lanying ran out of the room, saying, "Father! Mother is injured!"

"Oh? How did you get injured?" Cheng Yunshuo asked with concern.

Li Bihan hid her hand behind her back. "My lord, don't listen to Lan Ying's exaggeration. It's not important."

"Show me your hand!" Cheng Yunshuo demanded.

Only after he insisted did Li Bihan extend her hand.

Her fair palm had several deep cuts.

"How did you get these?" Cheng Yunshuo asked.

Li Bihan stayed quiet, but her daughter, Cheng Lanying, took a few steps forward and reported, "Mother has had a hard time these past few days. The young mistress put her in charge of the purchasing duties, and every day, Mother carefully inspects every seedling they deliver! But no matter how hard she tries, those other concubines still find fault with her! They're just picking on her!"

"Lan Ying, don't say such things. Elder Sister Qiu and Elder Sister Ling are just being strict for the sake of the household," Li Bihan scolded.

"Mother, they're clearly picking on you even though your hand is injured from all the purchasing work. They're bullying you!"

Cheng Lanying insisted.

"If you keep talking like that, I'll have to punish you!" Li Bihan warned.

At that point, Cheng Yunshuo intervened, "Enough!"

Seeing Li Bihan's injured hand, Cheng Yunshuo frowned and said, "You're injured. You shouldn't continue with this task."

"My lord, I can't just stop," Li Bihan said gently. "The young mistress put us in charge of helping manage the household. I feel even more ashamed because I used to handle purchasing in the palace, but now I can't even manage the mansion's purchases. I can't stop, or the young mistress will be even more disappointed!"

She didn't say she couldn't do it, just that she wasn't doing it well. And she framed it as something that would disappoint Lu Lingyun if she stopped. Her words clearly hinted that she wanted to switch to another task.

Sure enough, hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo immediately said, "If you can't handle this, then switch to something else!"

"But what can I do..." Li Bihan looked up with a pitiful expression.

"Why not? I'll talk to Lingyun about it tomorrow," Cheng Yunshuo said.

Hearing this, Li Bihan felt a wave of joy, though she kept her expression gentle and submissive. "Would that be too much..."

"What's wrong with that?" Cheng Yunshuo cut her off. Looking at Cheng Lanying, he said, "You should be like Lan Ying. If you have something on your mind, tell me directly, and I'll help you resolve it."

Hearing this, Cheng Lanying laughed and jumped into Cheng Yunshuo's arms. "Father is the best! I knew Father loves me and Mother the most!"

Cheng Yunshuo lifted Cheng Lanying, gently rubbing her nose in a loving gesture.

Seeing this, Li Bihan's lips lightly curled up.

The next day, before Cheng Yunshuo went to his duties, he visited Lu Lingyun's courtyard and discussed the matter with her.

Lu Lingyun listened and agreed without any further comments.

After he left, she called for Li Bihan.

"Concubine Li, I heard that your recent purchasing duties have not been going smoothly?" Lu Lingyun asked with a faint smile, looking at Li Bihan who stood before her.