Chapter 122

Chapter 122

"Uncle Three, it's not that I am unwilling, but in recent years, I have had little money in my hands. I often spend more than I earn at the Imperial Academy and have to use the family's funds. Since Father and Mother left, they haven't given us any income from our hometown, using almost all of it for my sister's marriage and household expenses. Our family only had some surplus this year because we didn't host as many banquets. Last time, Elder Brother Qing took two hundred taels from me, and he hasn't returned it yet. Uncle Three, let me talk to Yao Niang and withdraw two hundred taels from our account for you, since you are our matchmaker." Shen Linfeng was once careless with money, which led to Yao Niang ignoring him for several days, saying he wasn't fit for managing a household.

Lord Shen Three found it hard to believe: "Are your lives really so difficult?"

Shen Linfeng replied, "Living in the capital is no easy feat. If it were easy, the Second and Third Houses wouldn't be lending money at interest."

For daily expenses, it would be enough, but the Shen family's lifestyle was far from ordinary. After discussing with Yao Niang, the couple decided to save dowry for Sister Fu and planned to have another child after Brother Zhi was born. Even with two sons, they still needed to save for their own old age.

Yao Niang also mentioned her long career ahead, uncertain about the future, and the need to prepare for emergencies.

In truth, Shen Linfeng didn't know how much money the family had. He was responsible for bringing money home, while Yao Niang managed everything else, from his clothing and food to social interactions.

However, he couldn't completely ignore Lord Shen Three and decided to give him something.

Lord Shen Three couldn't bring up the topic of money again. Sensing Shen Linfeng's mention of the Third House lending money, he casually spoke a few words and returned to Qingyi Garden.

Despite his calm demeanor, Lord Shen Three, upon returning to the Third House, told Lu Shaner, "I didn't know about these things until now. I only knew that the Second House was lending money at interest."

Lu Shaner thought to herself that the Shen family's spending habits, without any productive activities or economic knowledge, would naturally lead to financial difficulties. It was only logical unless they started being frugal.

She said, "Sir, calm down. I heard they have stopped doing this. What can you really do to them anyway?"

Lu Shaner also detested the practice of lending money at interest. She often saw people in the market borrow small amounts and end up selling their children due to accumulating debts. However, she had no solution, as such practices persisted despite prohibitions.

As a stepmother, she couldn't say much.

Lord Shen Three understood this too. He first called his married sons and scolded them, especially the third son: "I thought you would improve your studies in the capital, but instead, you've become worse and picked up many bad habits."

He felt that after years in his career, his sons were like this, even considering retirement to focus on educating them. However, that was impossible now. Strangely, the three legitimate sons were not doing well, but the fifth son, a concubine's child, showed great talent.

He had to consider the fourth son as well. He told Lu Shaner, "It seems our family will produce a remarkable son."

"That would be wonderful," Lu Shaner smiled.

Unable to borrow money, Shen Linfeng told Yao Niang about it. She responded, "The Third House has almost emptied the Second House. Why even mention buying anything? If we give them the money, they won't return it. Two hundred taels might not be returned, but a house worth over ten thousand taels, if you lend them thousands, it would be like giving it away."

"But I'm afraid the Third House will take over the Second House if they stay there longer. I've seen this happen before in our hometown; initially helping someone watch their house, then it becomes their own."

Or, taking advantage of someone's absence, forging deeds to sell the property, leaving the true owner regretful when they return to find others living there.

Yao Niang nodded, "You think deeper than I do. But if the Second House agrees, we can't say much. The world works this way. As an old saying goes, we should secure our own wealth. We shouldn't carry others' coffins into our own courtyard."

If the Third House oversteps, the Second House might rise and settle scores. These matters were not what Yao Niang wanted to involve herself in, unless both sides sought Shen Linfeng's judgment as the head of the clan.

She added, "If the two houses quarrel in the future, you can intervene then. For now, it's not wise to comment."

"I agree. I'll leave the household matters to you, Yao Niang," Shen Linfeng smiled.

Yao Niang replied, "You are my golden turtle husband. Why say such things? I've been looking at the hired servants. Some want to leave, and I've granted them permission, but many don't wish to go."

"They might be sold again if they return home," Shen Linfeng shook his head.

Yao Niang agreed, "That's what I thought. I plan to reassign the staff. Now that Sister and Brother are born, they can directly serve them."

These times are tough. Yao Niang once intended to release a few women to ensure they could live decently and raise children as free individuals. They refused to leave, with one maid revealing that although her parents treated her well, they might sell her again if she returned.

Life outside the manor is far from what it is inside, where clothes for all four seasons, monthly silver allowances, and delicious meals are provided, and the masters never scold or beat.

Yao Niang hadn’t expected their demands to be so low. She sighed softly and said to Shen Linfeng, "If you ever rule the world, you must improve the lives of the people. Look at my grandfather, who repaired the canals and benefited many. Only when the common people live well can there truly be peace in the world."

"The words of a virtuous wife are indeed precious," Shen Linfeng said. He liked Yao Niang because even when the estate’s harvest was poor or business was bad, and they weren’t as wealthy as before, she never complained. She always said things would get better, which made Shen Linfeng feel happy.

The couple embraced each other.

After Lu Shaner returned, she had been resting to nurture her pregnancy. The senior lady of the main house felt uncomfortable with the addition of a mother-in-law. However, she could only maintain control through power, and there was little else she could do.

But the life of a third-rank minister had many other sources of income. For example, when the weather got hot, people would send ice as a gift. Yao Niang usually had the steward collect the notes and give them to Shen Linfeng, who would return them if necessary.

The couple owned many properties, but Yao Niang managed the household without extravagance.

After Shen Linfeng went to his study, Yao Niang called Qingdai over and said, "The servant named Zhu'er, who serves our son, has been reported by two wet nurses. They say that when asked to take care of him, she often shirks her duties and even steals food, neglecting our son. First, suspend her duties and interrogate her thoroughly. If the wet nurses are lying to exclude her, these two should also be dismissed for their dishonesty. If she is truly guilty, let her parents take her away."

She knew that although Qingdai had a temper, she was fair and impartial, so she entrusted such investigations to her.

The truth was quickly uncovered: the two wet nurses were indeed bullying Zhu'er. Each wet nurse received six strings of cash per month, while Zhu'er received one string. Tired from night feedings, they made Zhu'er hold the baby. Initially, Zhu'er complied, but as time went on, they became more unreasonable and even stole items from the child’s room to sell, which Zhu'er discovered secretly. They then falsely accused her.

Yao Niang would not tolerate such behavior. One of the wet nurses was a family-born servant, and the other was hired from outside. She slammed the table and said, "I have treated you both so well, yet you steal from my home and cause chaos. Bring them down and give them twenty strokes each, then dismiss them. In the future, anyone who does this will not be spared."

The two wet nurses realized the severity of their actions and begged for mercy. The hired wet nurse pleaded, "Madam, my family of ten depends on me for survival. You are the kindest person."

"Since you know how hard it is to find work, you should have worked honestly. Now I only ask you to return the stolen goods and not pay compensation, which is already lenient." Yao Niang coldly snorted.

The servants acted swiftly, and the two wet nurses were disgraced. Zhu'er knelt before Yao Niang and thanked her, "If not for Madam, I would have been framed by them."

Yao Niang looked at her and said, "You are not blameless either. When you saw them stealing, you did not tell me, only thinking of your own safety. Normally, I would have dismissed you according to the rules, but our family is very kind, so I will forgive you this time. You no longer need to serve our son. I will find you another job, tending to the flowers in the garden, as the old gardener is getting old."

Zhu'er, initially fearing dismissal, was relieved to be assigned to the garden and quickly thanked Yao Niang.

After dealing with these three, Yao Niang appointed Hongxiu as the new wet nurse for their son. Hongxiu had married Xiaoqing and was now Gu Mama's daughter-in-law. Steady and reliable, she was perfect for managing the child’s room in the future. As for the other wet nurse, Yao Niang chose Rong An's sister-in-law.

However, Yao Niang warned them, "You know my character. If you do your jobs well, the child will respect you, and you will have a bright future. But if you betray him, I will not show mercy. Not only will you suffer, but your families will too."

Both women replied that they would not dare, and Hongxiu understood that this was a message for Rong An's sister-in-law. She had already been instructed by Yao Niang that the child’s room would eventually be under her management.

Lu Shaner heard about Yao Niang’s decisive actions and found them terrifying, but her servant laughed, "The lady of the main house is truly fair and just. Nothing escapes her eyes. The servants call her 'Lady of Clear Skies' behind her back."

Lu Shaner glanced at her, "The lady has managed the household for so many years and has such a good reputation? It sounds like she is even more respected than our lady."

This servant, newly aligned with Lu Shaner, spoke freely, "You don’t know, our lady is strict and often blames the servants when something goes wrong. She even encourages conflicts among us, waiting to step in and play the hero. The embroidery workshop has been cut, and monthly allowances are often delayed. The main house, however, pays promptly and often sends generous festival gifts."

Lu Shaner remarked, "The main house is still wealthy."

The servant smiled, "Not necessarily. It’s just that the lady of the main house is kind. She even allocates money for the support of widows and the elderly. No one else would do that. The servants of the main house all care deeply for their masters, saying the masters treat them too well and fear the main house might decline."

Lu Shaner thought to herself that Empress Yan’s brainwashing techniques were truly effective; she had never heard of servants caring so much for their masters.