MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 15

Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, reborn. Wife of the Marquis.

· Marquis of Dingbei: Gu Jinghui, Qin Yuan's husband.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Zhao Niangzi: The woman brought back by the Marquis from the battlefield.

· Old Madame Gu: Gu Jinghui's mother.

· Madame Cui: Qin Yuan's stepmother, the primary wife of Chancellor Qin.

· Rong Mama: A senior maidservant attending Old Madame Gu.

· Sixth Madame Gu: The wife of the sixth son, currently managing the household.

· Steward Zhang: The chief steward of the Marquis's residence.

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Chapter 15: The Marquis Will Surely Be Unhappy When He Finds Out

With Rong Mama taking charge, things proceeded smoothly.

The several dozen staff of Wutong Yuan assembled in the courtyard, reporting their names one by one, their duties, their supervisors, and who issued their monthly allowances.

Cuiming and Hongye, one recording in writing, the other checking the roster against the actual people.

Qin Yuan sat in the master's chair, silently memorizing each person, observing their temperaments and expressions to judge their usefulness.

With Rong Mama standing behind Qin Yuan, no one dared act out of line.

Steward Zhang and Sixth Madame Gu were also invited.

Upon learning Qin Yuan was taking over Wutong Yuan, Sixth Madame Gu's face flashed with surprise, quickly concealed.

That Gu Jinghui had been frequenting Fengxuan Pavilion these past two days was known to all. Not only had Qin Yuan not made a fuss, she had instead gained Old Madame Gu's support.

Sixth Madame Gu was somewhat uncertain.

Was this new sister-in-law deeply shrewd, or simply soft-natured, having begged Old Madame Gu for help?

Sixth Madame Gu smiled and handed a ledger to Qin Yuan. "This is the allowance ledger for Third Sister-in-Law's courtyard. It records the staffing quota for the courtyard, which positions are filled, the allowance amounts. If there's anything you don't understand, Third Sister-in-Law, just ask me. The personnel, funds, and items in the courtyard are allocated according to the residence's conventions. If you need to add anything, just tell me in advance, and we'll create an entry in the accounts office."

Rong Mama glanced at the ledger and asked, "Sixth Madame, who assigned the people in this courtyard?"

"Most were arranged by Steward Zhang and me together. The Marquis also glanced over it."

Rong Mama said nothing.

The Marquis paid no attention to the inner household; his glance meant nothing.

But Sixth Madame Gu was currently managing the household. She handled the Marquis's wedding; arranging Wutong Yuan was also logical.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "I've troubled you, Sister-in-Law. I'll keep this ledger to review slowly. I've heard the Marquis's residence mostly employs family retainers' children, serving for generations. I'd like to know the relatives and connections of the people in Wutong Yuan, where they hold positions. Who should I ask about this?"

This was asking for the relationship map. If she investigated the courtyard staff accordingly, she would quickly know who was usable and who was placed by outsiders.

Sixth Madame Gu was momentarily stunned before saying, "Perhaps you need to ask the steward about that."

Qin Yuan looked at Steward Zhang.

Steward Zhang said, "There are some this old servant probably doesn't remember too clearly either."

Rong Mama chuckled. "No matter, there's still me."

Steward Zhang nodded. "Yes, yes. Rong Mama has always helped the Old Madame manage the household. She's familiar with everyone in the residence."

Qin Yuan was delighted. She took Rong Mama's hand and said softly, "No wonder Mother sent Rong Mama to help me. With Mama here, what do I have to fear?"

Rong Mama looked pleased.

But she still had to be modest verbally: "You flatter this old servant, Madame. This old servant doesn't know much, just has been in the residence a long time, so knows a bit more."

Sixth Madame Gu could barely maintain her smile.

The new sister-in-law might not have the Marquis's favor, but she seemed to have won the Old Madame's affection.

If this continued, she would likely establish herself in the residence quickly.

Sixth Madame Gu claimed to have many tasks and left after sitting for a short while.

Once outside Wutong Yuan, she said to her maid, "I never expected the new sister-in-law, so young, to be quite capable, actually winning the Old Madame's favor, even getting Rong Mama to help her."

The maid, well aware of her mistress's thoughts, said, "The Marquis has been staying at Fengxuan Pavilion watching those two children these past two days. If this continues, the two of them will drift apart sooner or later. From what I've observed coldly, Zhao Niangzi wishes she could cling to the Marquis and enter the household right after her mourning ends."

Sixth Madame Gu curled her lip disdainfully. "Only the Marquis is foolish enough not to see Zhao Niangzi's little schemes. Their situation is fine. Unless the Marquise is a turtle, she won't be able to endure it. I don't believe she won't make a scene. Didn't she go to the Old Madame for reinforcements today?"

The maid smiled. "The Marquis will surely be unhappy when he finds out."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Sixth Madame Gu covered her face with her round fan and chuckled lightly. "Exactly."

With Rong Mama's guidance, Qin Yuan quickly grasped the situation in the Marquis's residence. However, she didn't plan to show too much. She just followed Rong Mama's advice to overhaul Wutong Yuan.

Especially the matrons at the gate and the maids and young male servants guarding the corridors were singled out for special handling.

Those unsuitable were sent back to the steward, and new personnel were requested.

Those sent back lost face.

Those who remained each received a reward of one tael of silver.

With both rewards and penalties, the Marquise's authority was established.

Qin Yuan kept Rong Mama to talk, had someone order a feast from the kitchen, and wanted to invite Rong Mama to dine together. But Rong Mama firmly declined. Qin Yuan also felt she shouldn't rush things and didn't insist. She had Cuiming take out the sandalwood and borneol pills she had made herself, put them in a scented pouch, and gave it to Rong Mama.

"Rong Mama, I dabbled in making these for fun at my parental home. They can calm the nerves and soothe the mind. They're also suitable for lighting while chanting Buddha's name."

Qin Yuan knew Rong Mama was a valued senior servant by Old Madame Gu's side. Noble families had a rule: even the cats and dogs from an elder's rooms had to be respected by the younger generations. For someone like Rong Mama, no amount of respect was excessive.

Rong Mama was experienced and worldly; ordinary favors wouldn't catch her eye. So Qin Yuan simply offered her self-made incense pills.

Not valuable, but winning points for originality.

Sure enough, Rong Mama accepted it happily. "The Madame has such an elegant hobby. This old servant will show the Old Madame later."

As one ages, it's easy to feel irritable and restless. These would be perfect for that.

Moreover, Old Madame Gu had a Buddhist shrine in her inner chamber and performed her devotions there daily, chanting scriptures for a while.

Qin Yuan said softly, "I'm glad Mama likes them. It would be even better if the Old Madame likes them too. I was just worried about how to show my filial devotion. I loved tinkering with incense pills, incense tablets, and perfumes at home."

Rong Mama was even more pleased. Returning, she told Old Madame Gu, "Although the Marquise is young, her temperament is steady, neither impatient nor restless. Her speech is appropriate, and she shows great aptitude for household management. This old servant asked her maids; the Marquise never learned these things at her parental home. The Marquis is fortunate."

Old Madame Gu was also very pleased. She sent Qiuju to Wutong Yuan to have Qin Yuan and the Marquis review the list of return gifts and see if anything needed adding.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The moment Gu Jinghui stepped into Wutong Yuan, he felt it was different from before.

The matrons at the gate, the maids and young male servants guarding the corridors were all new faces, cautious in their movements. The servants in the courtyard went about their business hurriedly, no longer gossiping in corners or behaving lazily.

He remembered his promise to Qin Yuan to accompany her during the handover of Wutong Yuan. His steps faltered, and he asked Gu Shiliu, "Go find out what the Madame did this afternoon."

Soon, Gu Shiliu reported back: "The Madame went to the Old Madame's place. The Old Madame sent Rong Mama to help the Madame overhaul Wutong Yuan. Now Sixth Madame and the steward have handed all the Wutong Yuan ledgers to the Madame. Some of the courtyard servants have been replaced..."

Gu Jinghui's brows furrowed tightly, his handsome face clouded over.

(End of Chapter)

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