Chapter 124

Chapter 126: Handling (Part 1)

Upon hearing Eleven Miss's question, Wan Xiang's gaze was intense. "Madam, there's a common saying. Good people are often taken advantage of, just as gentle horses are ridden more. Speaking of which, no one in this household is more rightful than you. But now, the household matters are managed by the third madam, and Chun Ge's affairs are overseen by the elder madam. They say Qiao Lianfang has been unwell for days. She comes to pay her respects when she wants to and neglects them when she doesn't, showing that she barely acknowledges your position. Ultimately, it's all because you are too kind-hearted. For example, this is an opportunity—the third madam has handed over a pretext on a silver platter. If you don't seize it properly, you'll truly be missing out on a chance..."

There really aren't any secrets in this household!

Eleven Miss, watching Wan Xiang's lips move, felt both amused and perplexed.

Being young and newly married into the family, she hadn't yet sorted out the household hierarchy. As a concubine's daughter, she hadn't learned to manage household affairs from her elders. Having hastily taken charge of the household's central affairs, she lacked confidence, and even the elder madam wouldn't dare take such a risk. As for Chun Ge, he was the future hope of the marquis's house, and the responsibility of his education was significant. How could the elder madam entrust such an important task to someone she barely knew? The rumors about Qiao Lianfang were even more absurd. She had agreed that Qiao Lianfang didn't need to pay morning respects, but rumors were spreading that Qiao Lianfang was being arrogant and negligent... Thinking of this, Eleven Miss's heart stirred.

Could such rumors really be circulating in the household?

Or was Wan Xiang actually egging her on to challenge the third madam?

"Who has been spreading these lies?" Eleven Miss interrupted Wan Xiang's words with a smile. "Qiao Lianfang is excused from morning greetings due to her poor health!"

"Madam, this news has spread throughout the household," Wan Xiang's eyes flickered. "If you don't put a stop to this, people will say you're not managing the household strictly enough!"

Eleven Miss grew more certain of Wan Xiang's motives.

The fact that Wan Xiang could gather such detailed information about the third madam and use it so effectively showed she had both courage and cunning. However, her personal agenda was too prominent, and her lack of impartiality made her seem petty and unsuited for greater responsibilities.

"I understand what you're saying," she smiled. "You don't need to spread this further. I'll take care of it."

Having spoken for so long without any reaction from Eleven Miss, Wan Xiang felt a sense of foreboding.

If this matter isn't reported to Lord Xu, even if the elder madam finds out, she'll likely cover for the third madam to save face. Once the third madam had room to maneuver, it would only be a matter of time before they discovered who had exposed this. By then, even if the eldest young miss came back from the dead, she wouldn't be able to clear her name.

For a moment, she regretted reporting the matter and felt frustrated that Eleven Miss wasn't stepping in... Her face turned alternately green and red.

"Please listen to me," she fidgeted, feeling she had to speak before the opportunity was lost. "This matter must be reported to Lord Xu. The third madam was appointed by the elder madam herself. With such an incident, they'll surely cover for each other. I'm taking this risk entirely for your benefit..."

Eleven Miss silently shook her head.

Everyone has personal interests, but when they exceed a limit, it becomes irritating.

"I'll consider it carefully," she nodded with an unchanged expression and then shifted the topic. "As for your duties, I'd like to hear your thoughts. That way, I can make plans for you."

Wan Xiang felt deeply disappointed.

But at this point, with Eleven Miss showing neither anger nor frustration, she had no better option.

"Madam," she said, looking dejected. "I still wish to serve in the kitchen."

Eleven Miss nodded. "I understand. I'll take care of it." She then offered tea.

Wan Xiang rose reluctantly to leave.

Eleven Miss called Hong Xiu. "Go to the entrance and inform me as soon as Lord Xu returns."

Seeing Eleven Miss's serious expression, Hong Xiu didn't dare to be negligent and left immediately.

Eleven Miss sat by the large window holding a cup of hot tea, pondering for a long while.

When Lord Xu returned and saw Hong Xiu waiting for him at Eleven Miss's residence, he raised an eyebrow.

Though they had only been married for two months, Eleven Miss had always been steady in her actions. For her to have someone waiting for him like this...

He spoke gravely, "What's happened?"

Lord Xu was naturally imposing even when not angry, and even more so with his solemn expression at that time.

Hong Xiu shuddered in fear and stammered, "The lady asked me to report to her as soon as you returned, my lord!" Lord Xu nodded and strode towards the main house.

As the curtain was lifted, he entered, bringing a strong chill with him.

Sensing a cold draft, Eleven Miss knew without looking that Lord Xu had returned.

"My lord, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you!" she said, stepping down from the kang to help Lord Xu remove his cloak, while motioning the attendants to leave.

Seeing the anxious look in her eyes, Lord Xu's expression softened. "Sit down and tell me," he said.

She nodded, brewed tea for Lord Xu, and sat down with him by the window. She relayed Lady Wen's words to him.

As Lord Xu listened, his expression grew colder, and he rose to his feet. "I'll go take a look!"

It was better to resolve this matter sooner rather than later.

Eleven Miss took his cloak and helped him put it back on. "If you're not going to dine at elder madam's place, what excuse should I use?"

A flicker of confusion crossed Lord Xu's eyes.

"Just tell her the emperor has asked me to patrol the city with the Five Cities Military Guard. I'll be back later."

"Yes," Eleven Miss gently nodded and accompanied Lord Xu to the door.

No wall is without cracks; Third Sister-in-law's schemes would eventually come to light. Whether she's caught in the act sooner or becomes the subject of gossip later, either outcome would harm the Xu family. As a daughter-in-law of the Xu family now, her fate was tied to theirs. She didn't want to be a moth drawn to a flame, but she couldn't stand aside either. If the disaster victims suffered or the Xu family encountered trouble, it would reflect badly on her. The best course of action was for Lord Xu to handle it. If even he couldn't resolve it, then she would have no choice but to accept her misfortune.

As she watched the snowflakes gently falling on Lord Xu's tall and upright figure, she couldn't help but call out, "My lord!"

Lord Xu turned back. Seeing Eleven Miss standing under the eaves, her red cloak like a wild cloud chasing the snowflakes, he couldn't help but return. "What is it?"

Eleven Miss watched as he stopped about five steps away from her. "My lord," she said, "this porridge relief effort can be a big or small issue. On a large scale, it's disaster relief for the common people. On a smaller scale, it's charity, earning virtue for the Xu family. Besides, our family's porridge kitchen is located right next to Marquis Wei Bei's. Even if you're extremely angry, please wait until this is over before addressing it."

Lord Xu, finding her overly cautious, nodded perfunctorily. "I know."

Seeing his dismissive attitude, Eleven Miss knew he hadn't understood her meaning and had to explain further. "The porridge kitchens have been operating for some time now. Switching the rice at this point would be as obvious as claiming there's no silver here. My lord, you might want to have the older women cooking the porridge rinse the rice a few more times and add some vinegar while boiling it, just to be safe. If anyone suspects anything, you can say you think they've been negligent in their duties. Once this meal is over, you can arrange to switch the rice again."

As she finished speaking, she saw a fleeting smile in Lord Xu's eyes.

Eleven Miss was momentarily startled.

Lord Xu said lightly, "It's just moldy rice. I've eaten it before during military campaigns; it's not a big deal. Don't worry too much. Just make sure elder madam doesn't suspect anything."

Eleven Miss, at a loss for words, remembered that Lord Xu would be staying with Lady Wen that night. "I'll ask Lady Wen to keep your door open for you," she said.

Lord Xu nodded and left.

Eleven Miss went to see elder madam.

Due to the continuous heavy snow, and with most of the paths in the rear garden paved with stone, elder madam, fearing that Fifth Lady might slip, had earlier ordered that her morning and evening greetings be excused. She also allowed Xu Lingkuan to skip his greetings and accompany Fifth Lady instead. Meanwhile, Third Young Master and his wife were busy with the porridge kitchen and wouldn't be seen until meal times.

When Eleven Miss arrived, it was just past the hour of Shen (3-5 PM). Zhenjie and Chun Ge were jumping rope in the hall, attended by several maids.

Upon seeing Eleven Miss enter, Zhenjie quickly led Chun Ge in greeting her.

Maybe because she had always kept her distance from Chun Ge, he no longer looked at her with the same wariness as when she first arrived.

Eleven Miss was obviously pleased to see this. She stood five steps away and greeted the two children casually, "What is grandmother doing?"

Zhenjie smiled and replied, "She and Madam Du are playing leaf cards together! She says it’s no fun!"

Eleven Miss smiled at them and turned to go into the inner room.

"Why didn't Father come with you?"

A soft, small voice suddenly came from behind her.

Eleven Miss turned around to see Chun Ge nervously tugging at Zhenjie's sleeve, his expression a bit uneasy as he looked at her.

"Your father is leading the soldiers of the Five City Patrol to inspect the city tonight," she said gently, with the same warm smile, "He can’t come over to have dinner with grandmother today."

Both Zhenjie and Chun Ge looked disappointed.

A father and child’s bond is natural. Despite Lord Xu’s strictness with his children, they still adored and missed him...

Eleven Miss couldn't help but feel a little envious.

When the elder madam heard that Lord Xu couldn’t return for dinner, she couldn’t hide her disappointment either.

Madam Du consoled the elder madam, "You should think of it as if the Marquis is out at a dinner engagement!"

The elder madam gazed out at the swirling snowflakes outside the window, her voice filled with reluctance, "At least a banquet would be lively... But look at this wind and heavy snow..."

Eleven Miss's lips quirked slightly upward.