Chapter 276

Chapter 281: Household Affairs

Zhenjie stood up with a look of shame. "Mother, you're busy. I'll take my leave first."

Lady Eleven didn’t keep her, smiling as she saw her out. "What have you been busy with these days?"

"Second Aunt is testing me on my lessons!"

"Have you told Second Aunt about the spring banquet? Lessons will need to pause for it."

Zhenjie hesitated briefly. "I'll tell Second Aunt later!" Her voice even held a hint of fear.

Thinking of Second Aunt's cold demeanor, Lady Eleven advised her, "Tell her sooner rather than later. Better she hears it from you than others, or she might take offense."

Zhenjie nodded repeatedly and bid her farewell.

Lady Eleven then went with Amber to the storeroom where her dowry was stored.

Zhuxiang and Yanrong were directing several maids as they tidied up. When they saw her, they all came forward to greet her.

Everything was meticulously inventoried—how many items there were and who was responsible for which.

Seeing everything so well-organized, Lady Eleven nodded slightly. She then inquired about the concubines.

"Lady Qin said she’d move at dawn on the sixth," Amber reported. "Lady Wen said she doesn’t have much to move and will do so whenever there’s time. She even asked if you needed any help. Lady Qiao made no demands—she only asked when you wanted her to move, saying she’d follow your instructions."

Lady Eleven was surprised.

Qiao Lianfang had been unnaturally cooperative lately.

Going from one extreme to another seemed almost eerie.

Hopefully, it was just her overthinking things.

Lady Eleven and Amber turned back toward the house.

On the way, she instructed Amber, "Go personally to Lady Qin’s place. Since she’s moving at dawn, and she has a Bodhisattva Shrine at home with certain customs, take Fangxi ahead of time to sort out the details so there’s no confusion later."

Amber acknowledged and left.

Madam Du, the elder madam’s attendant, came to summon Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven invited Madam Du to sit in the outer room while she changed her clothes, then accompanied her to the elder madam’s quarters. Along the way, she made small talk, avoiding any probing questions.

Madam Du couldn’t help but smile. "The elder madam has something to discuss with you."

Unsure of Madam Du’s implication, Lady Eleven chose a safe reply. "Mother is the elder—there’s no need for discussion. She need only say the word."

This was sincere. Now that she was running the household, any issues naturally fell to her to resolve. Running the household was no easy task—it came with both authority and responsibility.

Madam Du nodded inwardly but said nothing more as she escorted her to the elder madam.

Fifth Aunt was also there, speaking with the elder madam. When Lady Eleven entered, Fifth Aunt stopped mid-conversation and stepped forward to greet her.

The elder madam said to Fifth Aunt, "This matter is yours to decide. However, Abbess Jining is quite close with the Yang family. Some things are best avoided."

Fifth Aunt was overjoyed, curtsying in thanks before exchanging a few pleasantries with Lady Eleven and taking her leave.

The elder madam gestured for Lady Eleven to sit opposite her. "Dan County said that Xin Jieer hasn’t been sleeping well lately. After burning a prayer slip from Jining, she got better. She wants Abbess Jining to come to the residence to conduct rituals for a few days. I agreed."

It seems everyone has kept the matter of Xin Jieer's fright from the elder madam.

Did the elder madam summon me for this?

The thought flashed through Eleven Miss's mind as she smiled and said, "How many days will the ritual last? I think the Dianchun Pavilion is spacious, close to Fifth Sister-in-law's quarters at Chifang, and has side rooms to accommodate the monks conducting the rites. What do you think about having the Abbess from Jining stay there?"

The elder madam nodded repeatedly. "You’ve considered it very thoroughly. Let’s arrange it that way."

As they spoke, a young maid served tea.

The elder madam urged her to try it. "This year’s imperial tribute tea."

Eleven Miss took a sip.

The color was emerald green, and the fragrance was captivating.

It was premium Mingqian West Lake Longjing.

"Excellent tea!" she praised. "Rich aroma, fresh and natural."

The elder madam smiled contentedly and instructed Madam Du, "When the Fourth Madam leaves later, have the young maid bring all this tea back for her."

"This is too generous!"

Eleven Miss quickly declined. "Just sampling it is honor enough."

"I’m old, not like you young people."

The elder madam gestured for Madam Du to fetch the tea. "I do better with post-Qingming tea."

Pre-Qingming tea is strong, while post-Qingming tea is milder.

Indeed, pre-Qingming tea isn’t suitable for the elderly. The elder madam’s reasoning was sound, but Eleven Miss still said, "Shouldn't you keep some for guests? And for Second Sister-in-law and Fifth Sister-in-law—shall I help deliver some to them later?"

The elder madam happily agreed and instructed Madam Du, "Set aside just five taels for guests."

Madam Du acknowledged and left, while the elder madam turned to another matter.

"I heard you haven’t settled on a household manager yet?"

In Eleven Miss’s household, not only was the position undecided, but even the vacancy left by Old Gan had remained unfilled, temporarily covered by his former subordinates.

"Hearsay isn't as trustworthy as firsthand knowledge," she replied. "I don't know the household staff well enough, so it’s hard to decide. I was just about to ask for your advice."

The elder madam didn’t hesitate and smiled. "I summoned you precisely to recommend someone."

"Please tell me!" Eleven Miss trusted the elder madam’s judgment.

"Song Buyer's wife."

The same Song Buyer who helped Eldest Miss obtain cosmetics from the Imperial Household?

Ten Miss showed mild surprise.

The elder madam continued, "Our household has a longstanding custom—wives of outer household stewards cannot serve as managers in the inner household. But this Song Buyer’s wife is the only daughter of the chief steward from your father-in-law’s time. She was bright and capable since girlhood and once served as a senior maid in my quarters. Later, she had Song Buyer marry into the household, and after he took up his duties, she withdrew from service. Having thought it through, I believe she’s the perfect choice!"

Since the elder madam recommended her, she must have considered it carefully. The woman was undoubtedly capable, but the household customs...

Eleven Miss tactfully replied, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. But since Song Buyer serves in the outer household, I'd worry if my needs disrupted the marquis's affairs."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible," the matriarch chuckled. "If you think it's good, then it's settled. I'll speak to Fourth Master about this."

The matriarch’s words made sense.

She didn’t dwell on the matter further, fearing the matriarch might mistake her reluctance for dissatisfaction with the recommended candidate.

Instead, the matriarch inquired about her relocation plans.

"Amber and Lvyun are in charge of my belongings, while Zhuxiang and Yanrong handle the storeroom items. Qin Yi and Lady Wen are assigned to Fangxi and Xiulan. As for Qiao Lianfang, who is still in her postpartum recovery period, I’ve asked Hong Xiu to assist her with the move." Lady Eleven explained the sequence, deadlines, and routes for each residence's move in detail.

Pleased to see everything meticulously arranged without a single flaw, the matriarch smiled warmly and urged her, "Hurry and settle in soon. Let’s host a few feasts and have some lively gatherings."

Lady Eleven agreed cheerfully, exchanged a few more words with the matriarch, then returned to her quarters.

That evening, when Lord Xu returned, she specially brewed the Longjing tea gifted by the matriarch. "She called me over to discuss the head maid matter and rewarded me with this tea. How does it taste, My Lord?"

Lord Xu took a sip. "Excellent. Premium West Lake Longjing—rich in flavor and fragrant." Then he naturally brought up the topic. "Mother spoke to me this afternoon. I also think it’s a good idea. Let’s settle it this way."

Lady Eleven nodded with a smile. "If Mother recommends it and you approve, it must be right. But I worry about breaking the household rules..."

Most would rejoice at such an exception, yet Lord Xu noticed Lady Eleven frowning slightly, her eyes clouded with concern. Without thinking, he pinched her nose teasingly. "Mother and I are bending the rules for you, and you’re still unhappy?"

The moment the words left his mouth, both were startled—one feeling his remark too flippant, the other worrying about the implications.

The former grew awkward, while the latter quickly added, "Rules exist for order. Though this exception stems from your and Mother’s kindness, as the manager of the household, I cannot accept it lightly. Others might follow suit and seek exceptions too." Her tone was gentle yet firm. "My Lord, since you and Mother both favor Song Mama, I truly wish to have her. Could we find another solution?"

"Speaking of which, Steward Song has served in the storeroom for a decade," Lord Xu said seriously. "He’s proven competent. The Nanjing shop lacks a deputy manager—perhaps he could gain experience there. This way, his wife joining your service would be justified. Moreover, promoting him to manager honors both him and his late father-in-law."

"What a brilliant idea, My Lord!" Lady Eleven sighed in relief and suggested a replacement for Steward Song. "Among the late madam’s former staff, there’s one named Yang Zuhui. I’ve entrusted him with purchases before—he’s quite capable. If you haven’t decided yet, perhaps consider him?"

Lord Xu was slightly surprised. Lady Eleven rarely involved herself in outer household affairs, let alone recommended personnel.

"I have no choice," she sighed. "That Wan Xiang has been causing trouble—ganging up and harassing others. It’s getting out of hand." She explained how, after Old Gan’s departure, she had temporarily assigned his former deputy to manage affairs, but Wan Xiang openly disrespected them and even caused difficulties in the kitchen.

"...She used to oversee the kitchen. After Old Gan left, I intended to keep her, but with the transition, I hesitated to make immediate changes. Yet her disobedience challenges my position. She can’t stay, but punishing her might dishearten the late madam’s former staff. If we can handle this properly, I’ll act with more confidence."

"Very well," Lord Xu agreed. "Have that Yang Zuhui present himself to Steward Bai the day after tomorrow." He didn’t mention whether there were other candidates for Steward Song’s vacancy.