The mistress of the Hou family went crazy after doting on concubines and killing their wives.

Chapter 84 Looking for an official media
Dongqing hadn't seen Lu Wan for several days, so she simply sent the other maids to sleep and served Lu Wan herself.

Lu Wan was worried that Li Yuyi would be deceived, so she let Zhiruo Dongqing bathe and dress her up, change into small clothes and get under the quilt.

But he didn't want to sleep at all, so he took the two maids to chat.

"By the way, you two, help me think about it. Is there anyone in the fifth or sixth grade official family in Beijing who is over 20 years old and is unmarried but hates getting married?"

The two people tilted their heads and racked their brains. After thinking about it for a while, Dongqing's eyes suddenly lit up: "Yes."

"Whose family?" Lu Wan was excited.

"Bianjing has just transferred a young minister from Sinong Temple from Jiangning Prefecture, who is the fifth rank. He is in charge of the wharf and is appointed as Xisi. He has 500 loading and unloading workers. I heard that he has a daughter who is very noble and quite old. , not married yet, but looks pretty good."

"How do you know so clearly? Even the young minister of Sinong Temple knows how many grades he has and how many people he oversees." Lu Wan was surprised.

Dongqing was a little embarrassed, "My brother gave me a book of official positions and asked me to memorize it. This man happened to be in charge of our cargo ship that sold grain, and the deputy shopkeeper took me to deal with him. I looked for one on the dock. Ask someone you know."

"Well, not bad, there is progress." Lu Wan gave a thumbs up.

"I want to be the first female shopkeeper of the big girl." Dongqing raised her head proudly.

"Then you try to get her portrait."

"What does the big girl want to do?" Dongqing was curious.

"I want to be a matchmaker. The man is a widower and his family has a difficult concubine. He must find an older step-wife who can be calmed down."

Dongqing immediately said: "Wouldn't it be better to find an official mediator? They know best. Besides, we can't come forward to speak out even if we find someone."

"That's right." Lu Wan patted Dongqing on the shoulder, "Dongqing, that's up to you. Find two reliable official media and find out. At the same time, find two more. The appearance should be passable, and it doesn't matter whether they can have a baby. important."

"Ah?" Dongqing was surprised.

Who are you looking for a wife for?

Lu Wan felt that this idea was reliable and was very happy.

Her grandmother, if she saw a suitable daughter-in-law who could become her father's wife, how could she leave a place for Zhao Ruyi?
"What is the big girl going to do?" Holly was so curious that she couldn't bear it.

"The eldest girl wants to find a stepmother." Zhiruo said with a smile.

"Ah!" Dongqing was startled: "What stepmother? Could the eldest girl be forced by Mr. Hou and his wife?"

Lu Wan slapped her on the forehead, "Is your lady easily persecuted?"

Dongqing rubbed her forehead, "Then why are you causing trouble for yourself?"

"I'm just causing trouble for others. Let their rotten Lu Mansion be more chaotic."

The next day.

As soon as Lu Wan got up, she found that the sky and the earth had turned into a vast expanse of white.

"Oh my god, it's such a heavy snow." Lu Wan looked out the window and was shocked.

"No, it's very cold today. We have never seen such heavy snowfall in early winter in the past ten years in Bianjing." Zhiruo was wearing a quilted jacket and used tongs to adjust the charcoal fire. There were a few oranges placed around the stove.

"Mammy, why are you here with such heavy snow?" Xi Yan came over just in time, saw her holding something as she entered the yard, and hurriedly went up to take the things from her hand.

Lu Wan was happy, and there was almost no sign of her grandmother, who had been busy.

Lu Wan was eating the roasted oranges Zhiruo had peeled for her. When she saw her coming in through the curtain, she quickly sat her down on the heated kang and handed her a slice of orange.

"Mommy, it's so sweet to eat oranges."

"Young lady, you can eat it yourself." Aunt Ling's face was calm and she handed over a stack of paper filled with words: "This is a testimony. All three of them are willing to testify."

Lu Wan hurriedly put down the orange, took it and opened it to look at.

The two copies were about when Zhao Ruyi pawned her mother's dowry and deceived her stupid father into pawning her life into death, and how she colluded with loan sharks to make money.

There is also a section dedicated to purchasing spices for Zhao Ruyi. The name of the spice shop and the name and quantity of each spice are clearly stated.

"You can ask people from Zuiyue Tower to help check this spice shop. There is no detailed list of the fragrance you mentioned, but the name of the original source may be different, or it may be the name after blending."

Lu Wan nodded, this is very good information.

"I asked Dongqing to find people from Zuiyue Tower to conduct a secret investigation."

This matter cannot be taken lightly.

It's not difficult to deal with just one Zhao Ruyi, but she doesn't want to let go of the entire Lu family.

Aunt Ling nodded: "Okay, these two people were in charge of purchasing for the Lu Mansion before, and Madam helped them before her death, so I agreed to help us when I approached them."

Lu Wan took a look and found that a few items matched those sent by the Treasure Pavilion. He also knew the whereabouts of the other items and would look for them again when the opportunity arises.

Nanny Ling brought over two books of accounts: "Miss, the accounts on both sides are completely separated. However, the money in the public account of the Hou Mansion cannot last for a few months. If there are large expenditures, they will still be paid out of the girl's account. Miss, you can Any ideas?"

"It just so happens that grandma suffered a bit of cold yesterday. She was said to be a little serious and was bedridden. Grandma Wu told someone last night that she wanted me to come over this morning. I'll go and see what she wants to do."

Lu Wan sneered and patted the account book: "I am too lazy to take care of the Lu family's account. Someone wants to take care of it."

"Zhiruo, help me change my clothes. I'll go pay my respects to my grandmother."

The snow fell suddenly, and the servants were caught off guard.

Before many roads were cleared, the servants saw Lu Wan approaching and rushed over to clear the path she was going to take.

Lu Wan and Zhiruo both wore lambskin boots with lambskin inside, which were warm and not afraid of getting wet.

Wrapped in a thick black fox cloak, a small face was exposed, and the tip of his nose was a little red from the cold.

When we arrived at Yishou Hall, Aunt Liu, Mrs. Liangfang and the ladies were all there. Zhao Ruyi and Yu Churong were also there.

Lu Wan was the last one to arrive.

Zhao Ruyi was diligently wiping the old lady's face with a hot cloth. When she saw Lu Wan coming, she bent over her.

Yu Churong was supported by the maid and gave her a respectful half-squatting salute.

Learn well.

Lu Wan nodded, not bothering to save face, and blessed the second and third ladies. Without waiting for the sisters to greet her, she went straight to Mrs. Lu's bed.

Holding her hand, he looked anxious: "Grandma, why are you sick? Are you cold?"

"It suddenly snowed heavily last night. The slaves were unprepared. The old lady got up late at night and was freezing. It's all the slaves' fault, which made the old lady suffer." Aunt Wu looked apologetic.

"I don't blame you." Mrs. Lu's voice was lowered and her words were weak. "My whole body is sore and the joints between my bones are soft. Hey, I am old and useless."

Lu Wan's eyes were red, "Grandma is not old at all."

"Good child." Mrs. Lu patted her hand, "I called you here today because I have something to tell you."

"Grandma, please tell me. My granddaughter will definitely obey your orders." Lu Wan choked with sobs.

"I'm sick and don't have the energy to take care of the house. There are many people and things in the house. If I don't care for a day, it's time for the servants to go to work. So, I want to..."

"Okay, I have no objection." Lu Wan immediately stopped talking, "I also think that the power of running the house can be handed over to my cousin first. She used to help you manage the house. Firstly, she is familiar with it, and secondly, she is already Now that she is my father’s equal wife, she should also share in the affairs of the house.”

"You can't say that." Mrs. Lu's second wife, Mrs. Bao, immediately objected, "She has not yet become a married woman, and besides, there is no difference between a married woman and a concubine. How can a concubine be in charge of such a huge Hou Mansion? Third brother and sister, do you think so?"

Mrs. Cao, the third wife of Lu, did not expect the fire to reach her.

He hesitated twice: "Daughter-in-law, please follow the old lady's arrangements."

Mr. Bao glared at her, saying it was useless.

Previously, Zhao Ruyi helped the old lady manage the house as her cousin, and was quite harsh on their two bedrooms. If she was allowed to officially manage the house, that would be okay.

Mrs. Bao argued with reason: "Mother, Zhao Ruyi made usury loans to embezzle money, and also stole the eldest lady's dowry. How can he run the family again with such bad deeds?"

How could Zhao Ruyi let go of such a good opportunity? She knelt down beside the bed and said: "Old madam, in the past, I used to pay for the expenses of the Marquis's mansion and the Marquis' career, and nothing fell into my pocket. Madam. Those ornaments were all brought out by the Marquis, after all, the Marquis often goes to my yard."

Mrs. Bao's eyes widened: "Zhao Ruyi, are you still shameless! Was the Marquis your man at that time!"

"Okay." Mrs. Lu didn't want to hear the scandal between Zhao Ruyi and his son at all, so she scolded him angrily, using too much force, causing a fit of coughing.

Lu Wan quickly stroked her back and fed her some warm water.

"Grandma, I brought you a thousand-year-old ginseng and asked Aunt Wu to stew chicken soup for you to replenish your health."

Mrs. Lu looked at Lu Wan and asked directly, regardless of her changing the subject, "You don't want to take care of the house?"

Lu Wan nodded: "My granddaughter is getting married soon. I have to embroider the wedding dress and make other preparations. My granddaughter is young and cannot be in charge of a marquis's house. My cousin has done it before, practice makes perfect. Besides, she already enjoys the treatment of an equal wife. , she should be able to contribute to the Hou Mansion. Grandma should also give her a chance to correct herself."

Mrs. Lu will definitely not use the second and third bedrooms. After all, Aunt Liu was born as a slave and she can't lift her up no matter what.

Lu Wan declined, so she could only use Zhao Ruyi.

She herself has been exhausted mentally and physically recently and is really unable to do what she wants.

Mrs. Lu sighed and hoped that Lu Wan would not embarrass the Hou Mansion, otherwise, she would not be lenient.

Zhao Ru was overjoyed and kowtowed hurriedly: "Mother, I will do my best to share the worries of mother and Lord Hou."

Mrs. Lu felt heartbroken when she saw her.

But her son favored her and could only use her.

"Okay. During my illness, Zhao Ruyi will be in charge of the public accounts of the Hou Mansion. Aunt Liu is also helping me take care of it these days, so you can continue to assist Zhao Ruyi."

Aunt Liu was overjoyed and hurriedly stood up to say blessing: "I obey my command."

Zhao Ruyi, who was lying on the ground, felt a little unhappy. When he raised his head, the unhappiness had dissipated: "Thank you, mother, for trusting me."

The second and third bedrooms lost their temper and were extremely angry.

Lu Wan spoke slowly: "Grandma, it's not appropriate to call me cousin in the future, and it's even more inappropriate to call me cousin in the house. It's impossible for our prince's house to follow the example of merchants and call them wives directly. How about calling me Mrs. Side?"

Zhao Ruyi was so angry.

The ordinary wife of a merchant family is called "Madam" directly, and just adds her surname, which is different from the first wife.

Lu Wan deliberately made her a side wife and put her down.

"Okay." Old Madam Lu was originally resentful of her doing this in the name of her mother's family.

Zhao Ruyi took the account books and warehouse keys handed over by Grandma Wu, feeling happy and uneasy at the same time.

She had suffered from Lu Wan and felt that Lu Wan had made her housekeeper uneasy, but this was the best opportunity. She wanted to use her own abilities to impress the Marquis.

Mrs. Bao, who was very dissatisfied, was the first to attack: "It snowed heavily last night. Shouldn't the charcoal fire in our house be divided?"

In the entire Lu Mansion, only Lu Wan, the old lady and the Marquis had charcoal stoves in their houses a month earlier. Zhao Ruyi's courtyard was given to her by the Marquis.

The other two families have always dared to be angry but dare not speak out.

This chapter is 3 words long, and I really don’t want to cut it off, so I’ll leave it at that.

I just got discharged from the hospital for cervical spondylosis today, so let’s start with a chapter. It can be back to normal tomorrow.