Chapter 93

Chapter 95: The Dowry (Part 2)

Madam Tao entered with a smile, carrying a stack of account books.

She curtsied to Eleven Miss, "Madam!" Her expression was calm and composed.

Eleven Miss nodded and asked a young maid to bring a small stool for her.

Madam Tao sat down, and a young maid brought her tea. She then handed the account books to Eleven Miss, "These are the account books that the elder madam left in my care after the passing of Eldest Miss. Now that you are here, naturally, they should be handed over to you. Please take a look."

Eleven Miss did not take the account books and smiled, "Since the elder madam has left them in your care, you can continue to manage them for now."

Madam Tao was taken aback but soon understood Eleven Miss's intention.

She did not want to interfere with Chun Ge's affairs.

Madam Tao's face turned red with anger, and her body shook with anger. However, she didn’t dare to confront her openly and instead spoke politely, "Madam, after all, I am just a servant. Managing the things left behind by Eldest Miss is not proper, and my words carry little weight. Unlike you, who are the mistress. One word from you carries more weight than ten of ours..."

It had been over a year since Eldest Miss had passed away, and now that Eleven Miss had married into the family, she had already suspected that Madam Tao could no longer control the people below. Hearing her tone, she became even more certain.

She simply smiled and asked, "Is there someone spreading rumors? Or is there someone who is not convinced?"

Madam Tao was startled and looked at Eleven Miss.

Didn’t the matriarch say that she was young and didn’t know anything, and that she just needed to coax her with sweet words? How does it seem that she knows everything? Or is there someone by her side teaching her? That can't be right. The matriarch, to prevent any older women from exploiting their age and knowledge to influence Eleven Miss, did not arrange for any wet nurses to accompany her... Could it be that the matriarch misjudged her?

Her thoughts were racing, but she saw Eleven Miss pick up her teacup and take a slow sip.

Although her posture was graceful and her expression relaxed, Madam Tao became even more anxious.

Eleven Miss clearly intended to drag things out—it seemed she must have learned something!

But the current situation left her no time to wait. Eleven Miss could take over Eldest Miss's affairs at any time. After all, the items were in her hands, and any issues would be her responsibility. She, however, could not afford to wait... That wretched maid Wanxiang was pressing her relentlessly, and the people below were joining in the uproar. If this dragged on, it would be a small matter if it alarmed the elder madam, but if Third Lady found out, being laughed at would be the least of her worries. She might use this incident to target those who had previously followed Eldest Miss.

No matter what, Eleven Miss still had the matriarch’s support...

The thought flashed through her mind, and Madam Tao quickly made up her mind.

"Madam, you truly have keen insight."

Her smile carried a hint of flattery, "You have just arrived, and by rights, I should not bother you with these trivial matters so soon. But I am truly out of options with that little wretch Wanxiang pressing me. I had no choice but to come to you for help."

That's more like it.

Eleven Miss nodded inwardly.

Before her marriage, she had found out that when Eldest Miss married into the family, she brought four maids, two wet nurses, four dowry families, two courtyards, and two manors. The four maids had all married long ago, one of whom was Wanxiang, who was most favored by Eldest Miss. She married a servant from the Xu family named Chen Xu, who had no parents, and the couple managed the kitchen—Chen Xu was responsible for purchasing, and Wanxiang oversaw the operations. Of the two wet nurses, one was Madam Tao, who was Eldest Miss's wet nurse, and the other had passed away ten years ago. The two courtyards were both three-section, one located in Sitiao Hutong and the other in Shibei Hutong, both near the Six Ministries, and could generate over two hundred taels in rent annually. The two manors were both in Daxing County, one with six thousand mu and the other with two thousand mu. The six-thousand-mu manor was managed by Madam Tao's son, Tao Cheng, while the two-thousand-mu manor was managed by another dowry family member, Gao Nian.

From this, it seemed that Wanxiang and Gao Nian were dissatisfied with Madam Tao and her son managing Eldest Miss's assets without sharing the benefits with them!

She maintained a calm expression, "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"

Madam Tao then detailed the events to Eleven Miss.

As Eleven Miss had guessed, since Third Lady took over the household, she first used the incident with the sturgeon to replace Chen Xu, and then, citing the lack of candles during Eldest Miss's funeral, she dismissed Gao Nian's eldest son, Gao Pan, from his position in the purchasing office. As for others, such as the gatekeepers, night watchmen, and garden caretakers, many more had been dismissed... but Madam Tao and her son remained untouched. Wanxiang had joined forces with these people and was constantly clamoring to see Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss smiled, "Since they want to see me, let them come!"

Madam Tao smiled, "By rights, they should come to pay their respects to you. But there are a few things I need to discuss with you first, to prevent you from being taken advantage of."

"Please go ahead, Madam," Eleven Miss said with a smile.

"I believe Wanxiang, Gao Pan, and their group are likely determined to have you help them secure positions. You must firmly refuse their requests."

Madam Tao's words took Eleven Miss slightly by surprise. She had expected Madam Tao to try to persuade her to support these people.

"Most of the income from Eldest Miss's dowry comes from the estate managed by Tao Cheng. No matter how much those people stir up trouble, they can't achieve much. Since you've just entered the household and elder madam hasn't given any instructions, it's unwise to compete with Third Lady over these matters. If you win, people will consider it only natural, given that you are the marquis's wife. But if you lose, it would be a great embarrassment." Then, realizing she might have spoken out of turn, she smiled and added, "I'm not saying you would lose, but without the marquis's support and elder madam's approval, your chances are slim."

"Madam has a good point."

"So, your priority now is to serve the marquis and elder madam well. Other matters can be addressed later."

Truly the most capable maid in Eldest Miss's service, her thoughts are very meticulous and considerate!

A hint of appreciation flashed in Eleven Miss's eyes: "Then let's proceed as Madam suggests!"

She noticed that Madam Tao relaxed completely: "Then I'll have Wanxiang and the others come to pay their respects to you!"

Eleven Miss nodded in agreement.

Madam Tao left the account books: "These are the accounts of the people from Eldest Miss's side and the accounts I've managed for you over the past year."

Eleven Miss had a young maid summon Amber and flipped through the account books herself.

The handwriting was consistent, clearly a newly copied version.

As Amber entered, she handed the account books to her: "Take a careful look, note down the names and their relationships. See if there's anyone capable of taking on significant responsibilities."

Amber acknowledged and accepted the account books.

Eleven Miss rested her elbow and began to ponder.

To be fair, Eldest Miss had managed the household exceptionally well over the years. The dowry had expanded, marrying into or marrying off to some of the more senior steward families of the Xu family. The most lucrative positions were all held by her people, and she had even placed two people in the accounting office... Even if she were to take over, she might not do better!

After a while, Madam Tao brought over five or six women and two men.

She introduced a sharp-eyed woman: "This is Chen Xu's wife, her maiden name is Wanxiang, now managing the kitchen." Then she pointed to a tall, thin man, "This is Gao Pan. He used to oversee incense, candles, and charcoal in the procurement office."

In other words, he currently has no position!

Eleven Miss pondered.

Madam Tao then introduced the others. They were all once in charge of various tasks but are now idle at home.

After paying their respects to Eleven Miss, Gao Pan couldn't wait to speak: "Madam, you must stand up for us. We've been with the Luo family for a lifetime, and now we've been replaced by the third branch. This is not only a slap to the late Eldest Miss but also to you."

The others also chimed in, all very agitated.

Eleven Miss noticed that a man named Yang Huizu and a woman referred to as Wei Lu's wife remained silent. According to Madam Tao's earlier introduction, Yang Huizu had followed Eldest Miss to the Xu family in his teens, originally in charge of the maids' cosmetics and seasonal clothing in the procurement office, while Wei Lu's wife was in charge of night shifts at the inner gates.

Eleven Miss comforted them, saying she had just entered the household and was not yet clear on some matters. She would look into the situation and then decide, before sending them away.

Disappointment was evident on their faces.

Eleven Miss then went with Madam Tao to Eldest Miss's courtyard.

It was as if she were still there, everything kept in its original state.

It must be thanks to Madam Tao!

She had Amber verify the list provided by Madam Tao.

There were four senior maids: Yanhong, Lü'e, Jiangzi, and Baolan; four second-tier maids: Meiqin, Zhuxiu, Guifen, and Shuizhi; and over twenty third and fourth-tier maids, including Fangfei and Taorui, along with about ten older women, making a total of over forty people.

Eleven Miss consulted with Madam Tao: "Let's help the senior maids like Yanhong find good matches! We'll keep a few capable ones to help manage the courtyard, so it doesn't fall into disrepair."

Madam Tao nodded, tears welling up in her eyes as she remembered the late Eldest Miss.

Noticing that it was getting late, Eleven Miss went to see the elder madam.

Both Third Lady and Fifth Lady were present.

One was setting the table with the maids, while the other was chatting warmly with the elder madam on the heated bed.

When Eleven Miss entered, they both greeted her, and the elder madam pointed to the opposite heated bed: "I heard you've been busy all morning; you must be tired. Come and rest."

Heard... from whom?

Eleven Miss noticed Third Lady smiling faintly.

She smiled and paid her respects to the elder madam, then sat on the heated bed and shared her plans: "...Like Yanhong and Lü'e, they're not young anymore. I came to seek your advice to see if this is feasible?"

"That's a good idea!" the elder madam laughed. "Let's proceed with that!"

Eleven Miss agreed, and by then, Third Lady had finished arranging the table.

The elder madam didn't insist on formalities and had Sister Yao summon Chun Ge and Zhenjie. After paying their respects to the elders, they all sat together for lunch.

After the elder madam and the children went for their afternoon nap, the three ladies stepped out.

Fifth Lady took Eleven Miss's arm: "Shall we come back to the elder madam's place to play cards this afternoon?"

The elder madam had mentioned playing cards together in the morning; it seemed she often gathered people to play cards in the afternoon...

Eleven Miss pondered and smiled, "I just don't know how."

Third Lady, however, politely declined: "I don't have such luck; there's still a lot of work waiting for me!"

Fifth Lady smiled at Eleven Miss: "No worries, I'll teach you."

Eleven Miss smiled and agreed, and they all went their separate ways.

On the way, Eleven Miss instructed Amber: "When you have time, visit Madam Tao more often and see what those people are up to. It's a good opportunity to assess their character. Especially, find out what Yang Huizu and Sister Wei Lu have been doing since they left us?"

Amber nodded and took note.