Chapter 358: The Concubines Assist in Managing the Marquis’s Mansion

Chapter 358: The Concubines Assist in Managing the Marquis's Mansion

After Lu Kuan happily finalized the matter, Lu Lingyun began shuttling between the Tong Family, the Lu Family, and the Marquis's Mansion.

The day-to-day tasks of the mansion were temporarily assigned to Qiu Ling and Ling Long, who could handle household matters at any time and report back to Lu Lingyun afterward.

For major decisions they were uncertain about, they could first inform Aunt An, who would then notify Lu Lingyun for a final decision.

The day before the big wedding, Lu Lingyun left the mansion early to visit the Tong Family to check Tong Nanyuan's wedding dress and make sure everything was set for the next day's ceremony. All the mansion's affairs were left in the hands of Qiu Ling and Ling Long.

In Qiu Xiang Courtyard, Qiu Ling and Ling Long met up, listening to the stewards report on various tasks and arrangements.

In such a large Marquis's Mansion, issues of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation were endless.

For example, during the change of seasons, new outfits had to be prepared for the masters and concubines, the servants' clothing allowances needed to be handled, the kitchen's menu required updating, supplies that were worn out or damaged needed replacing, and certain courtyards or pavilions required repairs. All these tasks needed someone to decide.

Qiu Ling and Ling Long paid close attention to the stewards' reports and then instructed, "Just follow the usual procedures, as set by the young mistress."

Qiu Ling and Ling Long might not grasp every detail or have an answer for every issue, but they knew to follow the established rules.

By sticking to Lu Lingyun's standards, they might not shine, but they wouldn't mess up!

Nowadays, doing things well wasn't the goal; as long as no mistakes were made, it was good enough.

"Yes," the stewards responded one by one and then left their courtyard.

Of course, account books and other key documents weren't sent to them. Lu Lingyun had only asked them to assist with day-to-day tasks; the essential matters were still sent to Lu Lingyun's courtyard.

Once the stewards left, Qiu Ling and Ling Long sighed in relief.

They exchanged looks that showed how tough managing a household was.

"The young mistress really struggles managing the whole Marquis's Mansion by herself."

"Yeah, I didn't get it before, but now that I hear all this chaos every day, it really makes my head spin," Ling Long said.

Just then, a young maid in their room spoke up, "Aunt Qiu, Aunt Ling, Concubine Li is here to see you."

Hearing Li Bihan had arrived, they both perked up and glanced at each other.

"Invite her in."

"Yes."

Soon, Li Bihan followed someone in.

Qiu Ling greeted her, "Oh, what wind has blown Concubine Li here?"

"Concubine Qiu," Li Bihan smiled ingratiatingly at her, "How have you been lately?"

"Not bad, but the young mistress has asked Ling Long and me to help share her burden, and managing the miscellaneous affairs of the rear courtyard is quite tiring. I never realized before how busy the young mistress is every day," Qiu Ling said with a smile.

"Indeed, if someone else could step up and help share the young mistress's burden, having one more person to work with would make things so much easier," Ling Long added, looking meaningfully at Li Bihan.

A few months ago, when Lu Lingyun first delegated authority, both she and Qiu Ling completed all the tasks Lu Lingyun assigned.

This time, Lu Lingyun granted them even greater authority, and everyone in the Marquis's Mansion could see it—it was well-deserved!

They were capable of handling it!

Upon hearing this, a shadow of ambiguity flickered in Li Bihan's eyes.

Wasn’t this a subtle jab at her!

Saying she couldn’t do this or that back then.

Hmph! If Lu Lingyun had given her tasks like theirs, she could’ve handled them just as well!

Suppressing the shadow in her eyes, Li Bihan smiled at Ling Long, "Li Bihan is dull-witted, how could I compare to you two sisters? How could I manage this household?"

"Stop calling us sisters. Everyone knows you’re much older than us, making us seem even older," Ling Long continued to mock.

Hearing Ling Long mock her most sensitive concerns—age and appearance—Li Bihan clenched her back teeth.

That little harlot from the brothel, just you wait!

At this moment, Qiu Ling spoke up, "Alright, Concubine Li, you wouldn’t come here without a reason. If you’ve got something to say, spit it out."

Hearing this, Li Bihan quickly suppressed her anger and looked pitifully at Qiu Ling, "Aunt Qiu, Li Bihan indeed has come to ask for your help. Since the third young master was taken to the young mistress's courtyard, he hasn’t been eating well. I’m genuinely worried. He’s still young, and I’ve raised him since he was a baby. He’s not used to the new environment."

"Oh, come on, Concubine Li, it sounds like you’re saying our young mistress is mistreating the third young master!"

"Aunt Ling, Li Bihan would never dare say such a thing. Even though I’m lowly, the third young master is my own flesh and blood. How could a mother not be heartbroken?"

"Who are you trying to mock with that? Just because you can have kids, you think you’re the only one who can be a mother?" Ling Long glared.

In the entire Marquis's Mansion, she was the only concubine without a child, even though she had entered the mansion earlier than Li Bihan.

Over the years, Ling Long had been anxious, as having a child made a significant difference.

Who wouldn’t want their own child, to have hope for the future?

"Aunt Ling, I truly didn’t mean it that way. You see, Li Bihan is just clumsy with words..." Li Bihan pleaded for mercy, but inwardly she was thrilled.

Stabbing this barren wretch right in the heart!

Let her stay smug. What does she have to be smug about? Without even one child, she’ll get kicked out eventually!

"Enough," Qiu Ling cut her off and looked at her, "Concubine Li, I understand your motherly concern, but regarding the third young master, we can’t make decisions. Wait for the young mistress to come back and beg her."

Ever since Cheng Bingzhi was brought to Lu Lingyun’s courtyard, Lu Lingyun had been teaching him manners and some lessons.

The workload wasn’t heavy—it was actually quite light, but Cheng Bingzhi refused to learn.

He even pulled the same stunts he used on his teachers at the academy, procrastinating and refusing to eat until he finished his tasks.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyun cut back on the workload. Cheng Bingzhi, seeing this worked, pushed even harder, refusing to learn and using his refusal to eat as a way to resist her.

As days went by, Li Bihan, seeing this, felt Lu Lingyun was mistreating him.

She couldn’t take it anymore.

Li Bihan hurriedly looked at Qiu Ling, "Aunt Qiu, I’m not here to ask you to release the third young master. The young mistress previously said I could plead with the Crown Prince. I’m asking you to let me out of the mansion today! I saw the third young master didn’t eat breakfast properly, and who knows when the young mistress will return. Please let me go out, I’ll plead with the Crown Prince myself."

Hearing this, Qiu Ling and Ling Long exchanged glances.

Qiu Ling turned and looked deeply at Li Bihan. As a mother herself, she could understand Li Bihan’s feelings. She sighed, "Concubine Li, jade needs to be carved to become a treasure. Entrusting the third young master to the young mistress’s care won’t be wrong."