Chapter 7: Calamity from the South

  Su Ying suddenly had an idea and ordered Lu Hui: "During my illness, several concubines have also worked hard. There are new silk fabrics in the warehouse, reward four pieces to Liu Shi and Wei Shi, and two pieces to Li Yue."

  As for Ruiyue, Su Ying couldn't help but scold the foolishness of the Su family. Among Fu Yeyang's several concubines, Wei Shi was originally a second-class maid in front of Old Lady Fu, and was Fu Yeyang's first woman; Liu Shi used to serve the ancestors, that is, Fu Yeyang's grandmother. Although the ancestors are no longer there, Fu Yeyang grew up in front of his grandmother, and although Liu Shi is not as favored as Wei Shi, she still has some face.

  But Lih Yue was actually chosen by the Su family to compete with the Wei and Liu families, from among the second-class maids who served them. Unfortunately, she never gained Fu Ye's favor, being dull and weak in character, perhaps because the Su family had deliberately chosen her for this very reason.

  In Su Ying's opinion, whether it's true or fake humility is still uncertain. Moreover, choosing a favorite from among the people around her is the most undesirable thing to do. Thinking that holding someone's life in one's hands means being carefree? Ha!

  Have Fu Yiyang's several concubines searched, Su Ying had an idea and instructed: "Also select some of the best medicinal materials from the warehouse and pack them in a box for Wei Shi. Tell her to take good care of Big Miss, no matter what Big Miss is now the only young master of our Hou Mansion, naturally precious."

  This is another bad debt.

  Everyone has rules: before the legitimate wife gives birth to a child, they cannot have children with concubines. The age difference between the child of the legitimate wife and the child of the concubine must be at least three years. Look, the eldest daughter of the concubine is already three years old now, and there must be an old lady among them who is making trouble.

  Although the old ancestor was seriously ill at that time, Wei's family was pregnant with a child, and they came up with the name of "Rushing Joy", but in the end, the old ancestor passed away, and the eldest daughter was born.

  No matter what, Fu Yiyang, who has always been self-proclaimed to be strict and rule-abiding, has never been enthusiastic about his eldest daughter, but after all, she is now his only child, and Wei Shi has always been spoiled, relying on her not being scolded.

  In short, Dagu's existence is a thorn in Su's heart, and she has to pretend to be a good stepmother every day, who knows how much she wants to vomit.

  "Wei's been taking care of the eldest miss day and night, this thought is clear to both Master and me, so it's not good to trouble her with such trivial matters as managing the household." Su Ying thought for a moment, then delegated some of the household management authority to Liu Shi and Li Yue.

  Gu Yan's mother had been wanting to speak but hesitated, Su Ying smiled reassuringly at her, "Mom, I know what you're thinking in your heart. Rather than letting Old Lady Gu take the household authority away from me, it's better to let Liu Shi and Li Yu help support me."

  Su Ying lowered her eyelids and said in a low voice: "Now, what's most important is not the right to manage the household."

  "Alright then," said Gu's mother with a sigh, "since you've made up your mind, that settles it."

  Suddenly hearing a commotion outside the door, Gui's expression turned stern as she looked at Su Ying who was resting with her eyes closed and said: "I'll go take a look."

  Outside the main house, Zi Su was scolding Xiao Yuhuan Cui Zhu: "You're not new to serving in the main house, how come you don't know the rules and recklessly ran outside?"

  Cui Zhu scrunched up her face, almost crying. Before she could explain, the newly renamed Cui Hua (formerly Bai Ling) smiled at Zi Su and said, "It's not her fault, I was careless. I hope this sister won't blame her."

  Zisu seemed to have just recognized Baoling, and grasping Baoling's hand, smiled: "It was the old lady who pitied our wife that especially bestowed on us the green flower sister, it's all because of our several clumsy mouths and tongues occupying the position of the senior maid, and not being able to exceed the rules, so you were wronged into coming to the small kitchen to help me."

  Baoling's face turned bright red, and Zisu patted her own forehead again, blaming herself: "Look at my memory, Yu Cuixi had served the old lady before, and she was good at etiquette, how could she deliberately make mistakes?"

  "I'm afraid you don't understand the rules of the main house, Cui Zhu. You should have a good talk with her, if she offends Master, it won't be good." Zi Su and Cui Zhu sang in harmony, making Bai Ling's face turn red and white alternately.

  At this time, Gui's mother came out and scolded: "What are you yelling about? Disturbing the mistress' rest. It's also because of the mistress' kindness that she indulges these maids."

  "Mother Gui, please forgive us this time. It's not a big deal, and there's no other reason for it. Cuihua is new here and doesn't understand the rules of our main house, so she rashly ran to the door of the main house. I scolded her a couple of times, and next time she definitely won't make the same mistake again. Please forgive us this time, Mother Gui."

  Madam Gui gave Bailian a sideways glance, then glared at Zisu, "You're the only one who knows how to speak. Our mistress has always been lenient with her servants, and since it's the first time, she can be forgiven. But you should have told her about these things."

  Zisu and Cuizhu hastily agreed, and Cuizhu also nudged Bailian, who was blushing with a red face. She lightly bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears as she thanked Gui's mother in a wronged tone, allowing Cuizhu to pull her away.

  After she left, Gui's mother hummed coldly: "Another restless one, no wonder she came from the same place as that other woman." She nodded her chin towards Wei's wife's courtyard in the south and turned back to the main house, telling Su Ying about it.

  Su Ying said "oh" and smiled lightly: "Since that's the case, they must have gotten along well. She's wasted on me, anyway. Since she's good at making medicine, why not let her serve Big Sister? That way, we can fulfill Old Lady's kind intentions."

  "Then what about Old Lady Gu?"

  "If the old lady asks, I have my own explanation." Su Ying picked up the tea cup with a light blue glaze, and took a sip. If you want to persuade someone, you should say it directly, this kind of implicit rule is really not understood by others.

  Moreover, she wasn't without opportunities either. Compared to being in the main house, Cuihua going to the south wing might have even more chances to hook up with Fu Yeyang, and still be able to make the most of it, why not?

  She's really a good person.

  The system didn't spit out any complaints this time, and Su Ying was delighted, feeling carefree.

  Let's not mention the twisted expression of Wei Niang in the South Courtyard when she heard Lu Hui convey Su Ying's instructions, but seeing Cui Hua, who followed with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, young and lively, how could her heart be happy? But Lu Hui was still watching, so Wei Niang could only grit her teeth and squeeze out a smile, "Is there anything else the lady would like to instruct?"

  Lü Huì smiled and said, "I was just about to go to Madame Liu and Li Yuè's place. Besides giving them gifts, the mistress also instructed me to ask for their help in managing the household."

  "Tube, tube home?" Wei's aunt's heart moved, "Really?"

  "How dare I, a humble servant, pretend to be the mistress? It's just that the mistress appreciates your kindness in taking care of Big Sister and doesn't want to trouble you with trivial household matters again," said Luhui, bowing deeply. "I'll take my leave now."

  Wei Yiniang was about to vomit, she had been thinking of the steward's power all along, but not only did she not get it, but also brought in a sly fox spirit. However, she didn't dare to openly bully Bailin - the rules of the Hou Mansion were that even the cats and dogs in the old lady's room had to be treated with respect. She could only pretend not to see or hear anything, and after a few words to dismiss Bailin, she returned to her room to think of a countermeasure.

  Fu Yiyang had returned to his mansion in the afternoon and was diligently attending to official business in the study of the front courtyard.

  Su Ying took out the map - her current map could only show the entire Hou Mansion, and then she looked at the successive maids of Wei Niangniang and Liu Niangniang passing through the hanging flower gate, should be sending a thousand miles to send a message to the evening waiting for the visit, the old routine, really some nostalgia.

  "Girl, are you ready?" The system's voice suddenly came out, startling Su Ying. "Ready for what?"

  Ha ha, of course! Wishing you a prosperous opening here!

  "I thank you and your whole family," Su Ying rolled her eyes, "Do you think it will succeed this time according to the old routine?"

  "It's up to you, don't you want to know what the first reward is?" The system rendered it out in a flat and toneless voice, creating an atmosphere of "guess guess guess", but unfortunately, Su Ying didn't even bother with it. "I don't want to know at all."

  Su Ying wanted to say something, but Mint cautiously glanced at her expression and said: "Madam, it's almost dinner time, the master might be coming, do you want to get dressed?"

  The system spoke in a gentle and soothing tone: "A woman's beauty is for the one she loves, her beautiful legs and fragrant shoulders are revealed, her slender waist twists and turns, I've got my eyes on you."

  Su Ying's face fell, and she looked up at the expectant faces of Bao He and Lu Hui. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Gui Yatou came in with a disappointed look on her face and said: "The master has sent someone over to deliver a message saying that he won't be able to come for dinner after all, and asking the mistress to go ahead and eat first."

  After finishing, she secretly glanced at Su Ying's face and comforted her: "Perhaps the old master is busy with official business, and besides, the old master specially sent someone over to show that he misses his wife in his heart. If Madam wants to eat something, just let the small kitchen make it."

  Several maids nodded in agreement, each thinking that Su Ying's heart was as fragile as glass. She twitched the corner of her mouth and, not wanting to waste their efforts, forced a smile. "Have the small kitchen prepare something light, and bring me a bowl of almond milk porridge in the morning too."

  After dinner, Su Ying had a bath and lay on the kang to flip through her account book for a while. Fu Daoren still hadn't arrived.

  Su Ying was not in a hurry, but the several maids who were waiting on her had started to get anxious. Gui Yatou outside was also getting anxious and quietly sent Xiao Yuhuan to investigate, while casting a resentful glance at the south, fearing that they would be intercepted by the South House again!

  The little girl who went to pry hadn't come back yet, and Su Ying was impatiently waiting again, lying on the kang with an account book in her hand that she hadn't turned the page for a long time.

  Lü Huai was also anxious, and made an excuse to change the tea and went out to consult with Gui Yatou. Mint also poked her head out of the door. At this time, a small maid who had gone to investigate Fu Ye's whereabouts returned panting and said: "The master is probably still in the outer study, and there was no movement in other courtyards."

  Su Ying was speechless due to the cautious expressions of several big servant girls, she really wasn't a fragile heart! Letting Tonghe serve her, she took off the moon-white embroidered jade lan thin shirt that was draped outside and got into the warm quilt, soon falling asleep.

  Just as Meng Zhen and Bai Qi were about to rest for the night, Fu Xian suddenly arrived.