The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 197

When greeting Mrs. Tai the next day, the corners of Qin Niangzi's lips couldn't help showing a slight smile.

Mrs. Tai saw it and couldn't help being startled.

For a while, her thoughts drifted away. She didn't hear the words of the fifth young master very clearly, but she couldn't help but glanced at the fifth young lady.

Fifth Young Madam's brows were calm, she didn't seem to have any worries, instead, she waited for the fifth young master to finish talking about the interesting things about the capital, and then took the initiative to ask Mrs. Tai. "I heard that there was a letter from the Fan family yesterday..."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Yu Qiao, and there were countless smiles in the eyes of the brothers and sisters-in-law.Even Yu Ping and Yu An couldn't help smiling slightly.

Fan's letter, of course, is about marriage.

Mrs. Tai put aside her troubles for a while, looked at Yu Qiao with a kind smile, nodded and said, "The letter is for your father. He came in to see me last night and told me about the marriage. Your mother thinks it's good, too. Grandma thinks it's a good marriage, too!"

Yu Qiao trembled all over, bit her lower lip firmly, glanced at Mrs. Fifth, then lowered her head again, her eyelashes trembling, and refused to raise her head again.Everyone laughed and said, "Usually they are sharp-tongued, but now they know how to be ashamed!"

The family has an important hall, and the marriage of several daughters' families, the elder brother and sister-in-law are indeed unable to say a word. Only now does Seventh Lady know that Yu Qiao's marriage has been settled. She sighed in her heart and looked at Yu Qiao. He glanced up, then moved his eyes back, looked at the golden brick floor in front of him, and suppressed the smile on his lips.

She is not a savior, and there are many things that she cannot help. There are countless people in this world who are suffering because of social injustice, and Yu Qiao is actually one of the luckier ones.

Having said that, Qin Niangzi's heart is still heavy.Fifth Lady's voice seemed to resound in my mind, "How many times have I said that I will not marry, if I do not marry, I will not marry!"

There is also Liu Niangzi's calm analysis, "Marrying into the Li family is also an insult! It's better..."

Mrs. Tai glanced at Seventh Lady again, then smiled and pressed it with her hands, "Okay, don't tease her anymore, after all, the girl is young, so give her some face."

Then he changed the subject and asked Qin Niangzi, "How is it? How is the bill?"

Her tone was kind, as if she was only concerned about the progress of Qin Niangzi's taking over the housework, and only a person like Qin Niangzi who was so careful and used to winking could hear the slightest hesitation in Mrs. Tai's words.

She smiled, took a deep look at Mrs. Wu Shao, and then replied briskly, "Xiaoqi doesn't understand these things, so I just look around and get acquainted with how the family's accounts are kept. When the time comes, I have to pay the bills." I want to invite the accountant mother at home to make a plate."

At that time, if everyone was a lady, who could really understand an account book, she would be laughed at. Like Qin Niangzi, there were very few noble ladies who wanted to understand how the account book was written.The fourth young lady's expression suddenly showed a little sarcasm, but it disappeared in a flash, and was replaced by a friendly joke. "The mistress is different. You have to worry about everything, such as firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and tea. The sixth sister-in-law is such an out-of-the-world person. When it comes to housekeeping, she also seems to be vulgar."

Although the words were spoken by the seventh lady in the village, they were very affectionate in the village, and there was such a playful joke. Starting from the eldest young master, the fifth young master, Xu Fengjia, the seventh young master, the eighth young master and several concubines all laughed, and the seventh lady also laughed. Said, "I'm a big vulgar person, even if I don't look at the accounts, I'm vulgar!"

These words even made Mrs. Tai laugh, and even the young lady had a slight smile on her lips.These noble ladies in the capital with their eyes above the top seem to have forgotten their usual nobility at this moment, and let go of Qin Niangzi's tricks, and did not ridicule her any more on this vulgar word.

The Fifth Young Madam glanced at the Fourth Young Madam, then glanced at the Eldest Young Madam, also showing a sympathetic smile.

This Seventh Lady, in less than a year, not to mention being affectionate with her eldest sister-in-law, even the fourth sister-in-law, a stick with eyes higher than her head, treats her differently...

She couldn't help casting a glance at Qin Niangzi: Qin Niangzi was talking to Xu Fengjia in a low voice, and the heads of the young couple were leaning against each other affectionately, revealing such intimacy.The sixth younger brother, who was usually the most serious, had a gentle smile on the corners of his eyes and brows.

In less than a year, she just took over the housework in this way. The mother-in-law in Qingpingyuan looked at her differently, the aunt in the Forbidden City looked at her differently, and the sisters-in-law looked at her differently.

Even the husband treats her differently, spoiling her so much...

In other words, grandma is still on my side!
Thinking of Mrs. Cai Tai's question, the subtle temptation, and the brilliance that flashed in Qin Niangzi's eyes, Fifth Young Madam lowered her eyes and said with a soft smile, "It's a good person like the sixth younger brother and sister. It’s common to make people laugh. If we are such common people, we have to avoid this word even more, and we dare not even mention it, for fear of provoking people to think: ‘Oh, that’s right, it turns out She's a big layman!"'"

Suddenly there was a new wave of laughter in the room. Mrs. Tai laughed so hard that she pointed at Mrs. Wu and laughed loudly, "This Mrs. Zhang has such a sharp mouth, she is not inferior to Mrs. Mo at all!"

The Fourth Young Madam was not willing to let her down, she pouted, "The old lady is so eccentric! She doesn't have much ability, and she just relies on this mouth to make a living, and you don't appreciate it at all, and give the compliment of the mouth to the mouth." Zhang!"

Mrs. Tai laughed for a while, "Stupid child, good mouth is a compliment? Do you think your five younger siblings have ever looked happy?"

The crowd immediately laughed and laughed, and said witty words one after another, which aroused the joy of Mrs. Tai.

#
Because Mrs. Xu is going to live in Xiaotangshan today, the Eldest Young Master, Xu Fengjia, and the Fifth Young Master's three sons will come forward to escort them out of the Leshan residence. The Fifth Young Madam is busy arranging for Mrs. Xu to go out. The sisters-in-law would naturally go to Qingpingyuan to help Mrs. Xu pack her bags - this is also the rule that a daughter-in-law should follow.

Perhaps it was because it was difficult to go out for many years, Madam Xu was in a very high mood during this vacation, and there was a blush on her sallow cheeks all the year round. She smiled and folded her hands, standing by the window, looking at several The daughters-in-law took their maidservants to pack their clothes inside and out, and told Seventh Lady, "I also bring two pieces of big wool clothes. Although I can't do it, I will come back at that time. Just in case, isn't it? I heard that the hot springs in Xiaotangshan are the most It’s for raising people, Dr. Zhong heard that I was going there to recuperate, and he kept applauding...It’s a pity that Zhuangzi has been tidying up for more than ten years, and usually it’s just men entertaining guests, and none of our female relatives have gone to soak in it!”

Yu An was quite reluctant to leave, standing beside Mrs. Xu, whispering softly, "Although my mother is going to recuperate, the family cannot live without your care..."

She glanced at Qiniangzi, bit her lower lip, and did not continue speaking.

Mrs. Xu and Qiniangzi were startled, they met each other's eyes and couldn't help but smile.

Yu An was worried that Qi Niangzi would not be able to control the situation in the mansion by herself, so she tried to persuade Mrs. Xu to stay, but she didn't dare to speak out, lest Qi Niangzi mistakenly think that she was questioning her ability—this little concubine Girl, she is kind of sincere towards Qin Niangzi.

The Fourth Young Madam entered the house and asked Mrs. Xu, "Should I also bring the fragrant jade pillow that my mother usually sleeps on to Xiaotangshan..."

The female relatives put down the conversation as if nothing had happened, Madam Xu smiled and waved her hands, "That one is for summer, but I have to take those two buckwheat husk, mung bean and rose pillows with me."

In a hurry, several daughters-in-law organized people inside and outside to pack several large boxes for Mrs. Xu, and sent her to the door. The young lady said to herself, "I should follow and take care of my mother."

After saying this, the Fourth Young Madam's expression became a little bit wrong: the eldest young lady has to take care of several children, so of course she can't leave, but she has no children, and her husband is not in Beijing. You should volunteer to go to Xiaotangshan to serve Mrs. Xu.

Before she could speak, Yu Qiao stood up and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law's words reminded me—"

Seventh Lady hastily interrupted her, "Second sister doesn't know, mother's illness is most afraid of not being able to sleep well, it's inconvenient for anyone to follow her to take care of her, and she has to get up early...it's better to live alone , it’s up to me when to start.”

Mrs. Xu nodded with a smile, and said, "That's right, you don't have to follow. I'm just going to hide!"

Saying these words finally blocked the loyalty of Yu An and the Fourth Young Madam, everyone was polite again, Xu Fengjia came over to ask Mrs. Xu to get on the sedan chair, and the daughters-in-law followed behind the sedan chair and personally sent them to the second gate , Waiting for Mrs. Xu's sedan chair to disappear, they turned around and dispersed.

Qin Niangzi took Yu An to Mingde Hall for tea, "It's been a long time since I came to the door, I don't know, I thought you annoyed me. Your brother is not at home today, you can have dinner with me."

Yu An blushed, "Thinking that my sister-in-law is always busy..." In the end, she followed Seventh Lady into the west room of Mingde Hall and embroidered together.

Although Xiaotangshan is not far away, the young masters definitely didn't send Mrs. Xu to the land and then went back home. No matter what, they had to stay in Xiaotangshan for one night and settle down for Mrs. Xu before rushing back. The male host's voice was missing in the scene, and it suddenly appeared a little quiet.Throughout the morning, no one came in or out.

The more Yu An watched, the more flustered he became. When the two of them stopped to drink tea before lunch, they finally couldn't help asking Qin Niangzi. "I thought my sister-in-law must be too busy now—"

Seventh Lady smiled slightly and said softly, "In the future, when you go out and become a mistress, you must remember it. People like us have to do everything by themselves, and it will be exhausting. As a mistress, you still have to learn how to employ people so that you can trust them." People are busy for you, don't you just relax?"

Although she didn't speak loudly, but between words and deeds, she naturally showed a sense of confidence, which made Yu An realize something, nodded and drank tea without saying a word.Instead, Qin Niangzi asked her with a smile, "Is Yu Qiao still very reluctant to marry the Fan family?"

The three concubines live together in Lutianyin, even though they don't communicate very frequently with each other and hear the sound of chickens and dogs, of course Yu An knows about Qiao's matter.She smiled wryly, and said in a low voice, "Yu Qiao has been pretty since she was a child. Even if the young master of the Fan family is good in everything, she will feel wronged no matter what she looks like."

The matter of Yu Qiao has become a foregone conclusion, but Qin Niangzi no longer cares about it anymore. She hummed, stared at Yu An and asked, "Then... what about you? Fifth sister, do you love talents, money, or family status?" , or looks?"

Yu An was taken aback, his face was covered with blush, he murmured speechlessly, lowered his head for a while, then raised his head bravely, glanced at Qiniangzi, and said in a voice like a gnat, "Sister-in-law ,I……"

"If you don't tell me, I don't know, and if I don't know, it's even harder to mention it to Mother." Seventh Lady simply made the words clearer for her.

A concubine like Yu An is always careful in her life, and she has no serious thoughts. She talks to her in an ambiguous manner. She will spend a few sleepless nights thinking about the details of this conversation when she goes back——Seventh Lady I have come here like this, so why don't I know how to understand Yu An's difficulties?

Sure enough, these words made it clear that although the red glow on the little girl's face suddenly bloomed a few more, Yu An did not lower her head, but looked at Qin Niangzi bravely, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Sister-in-law..."

"Yu Ping and Yu Qiao both have biological brothers and sisters-in-law." Seventh Lady said softly. "I don't have much to say about their marriage. You are the only one who has a hard life. I am also born as a concubine. If I can take care of one, I will be one."

Tears welled up in Yu An's eyes. "Sister-in-law is a compassionate person!"

She choked up for a moment, then tilted her head and wiped her eye circles, "Yu An, it's not quite the same as what my sisters think."

She smiled with tears in her eyes, "Second sister loves beauty, and she only hopes to marry a handsome man. The third sister loves money since she was a child, and she only wants to live a life of spending money happily. I... all I want is to find a simple girl. There are not so many aunts and maidservants in my family, who are safe and secure, guarding their own family business for a lifetime, that's all."

Seventh Lady was a little suffocated.

Isn't this the day she once dreamed of?Isn't this the life in the Peach Blossom Land that she once lingered in her dreams, but was still unattainable in the end?A simple family, an honest husband, a life that is almost boring...

"Okay." She nodded without hesitation. "Although your marriage is still decided by your mother and grandmother, but what you mean, I will definitely bring it for you."

Why not marry?Someone spread a message for Yu An, and Mrs. Xu was naturally happy to be a favor - besides, in the future, when the family affairs were handed over to Seventh Lady, it was only logical that she would come forward to find a marriage for Yu An.Although Qin Niangzi was dissatisfied with what she said, anyone could feel the solidity of this promise.

Yu An's tears came up again, and while she was wiping, the crystal tears fell down one after another.

"Sister-in-law!" she whispered, "I...I...I will always be in love with you!"

Qin Niangzi laughed, "Why are you crying, come out of Mingde Hall with red eyes, people who don't know, think I'm bullying you!"

With tears in his eyes, Yu An let out a charming smile.

After lunch, Yu An said goodbye and went back, "I usually have the habit of taking a nap."

Her attitude towards Seventh Lady is much more intimate invisibly. Although she is still cautious, she no longer takes care of every step. Everything is at the disposal of Seventh Lady. She is afraid that if she makes a mistake in one word or one thing, it will provoke her. disgusted.

Qin Niangzi sent Yu An away, and took a nap herself, to comfort her waist that was aching when she got up this morning. By the time she got up, it was already mid-afternoon.She was lazy in doing things, even lazy in thinking, she just leaned on the pillow and chatted with Li Xia.

"My mother-in-law is quite straightforward. If she says she doesn't worry about it, she doesn't worry about it at all. Fortunately, she is willing to leave the old mother to me."

Mrs. Xu deliberately chose to go out to recuperate for a few days when she took over the housework, just to avoid trouble. If she was at home, she would be the mistress in name anyway. The madam avoids going out specially, just to hide a clean ear.

Li Xia smiled slightly, "It's only because you have this ability that Madam can feel relieved." She stood up and looked through the window, looking at the scene in the East Wing, and said, "The two female gentlemen seem to have finished watching it!"

A few household accounts are in the hands of a female accountant who came out of the salt merchant's house. What else can't be read?Although there are a lot of books in the past few years, the two of them read them quickly. Qin Niangzi sent someone to ask, and she said that she would definitely be able to read them today. I didn't expect that I didn't even eat dinner, and it was almost the end.Seventh Lady couldn't help cheering up, she raised her body and said with a smile, "Okay, you pay attention, when they finish reading, please come in and talk to me."

She thought back to Mrs. Tai's question this morning, and smiled again. "I don't believe it anymore. In this account, there won't be a single mistake or omission that can't be found."

Li Xia responded, stood up again, and said with a smile, "Oh, I've finished reading the room, lock the cabinet now, I'm afraid I'll come in later to see you—Young Madam, change clothes?"

Qin Niangzi straightened up, armed again with all her energy, she nodded. "Just come in!"

(End of this chapter)