108 Housekeeping Spirit
The young misses in the residence were all raised in their own courtyards, so most of the matters in the city would not reach their ears.
Even the mistress of the household might not necessarily know about the prices outside, so she was fooled.
Yu Youyao said, “Nanny Xu asked me to find out about the prices outside from time to time. She said that the change in prices is related to the internal residence and the state affairs. By understanding the prices, I can notice the movements of the various residences in the capital and even the royal court.”
Old Madam Yu really admired Nanny Xu now. “Nanny Xu is right.”
Her master was a sensible person, so the subordinates naturally did not dare to fool her easily. Just this point alone was already better than most people. If they had more experience, they would really become “housekeepers”.
This was just like Madam Xie.
Old Madam Yu asked again, “When the people from the manor enter the residence, how do you plan to deal with this matter? I can see that the situation inside is very complicated.”
Yu Youyao stuck out her tongue slightly and turned to Chun Xiao. “Mother is sick, and Grandmother is old. I’m helping to manage the household now. You’re the first maidservant I need, so I have to rely on you a little. Mother Yang is a responsible and capable person. You have to follow her around and see how she does things. Learn more, and you’ll be able to help me.”
When Chun Xiao heard this, she nodded. “Young Miss, I understand. I’ll go find Mother Yang now.”
Old Madam Yu was amused again. “I think I’ve underestimated you. Since you can even think of this, I’ll probably go back and rest.”
Nanny Liu helped Old Madam Yu back to her room and poured a cup of medicinal tea.
Old Madam Yu held her cup and took a sip. “I was originally worried that Yao Yao was still young and wouldn’t be able to control others. I was still thinking of finding a way to support her, but I didn’t expect her to be so capable.”
Nanny Liu added, “That’s right. Eldest Miss’s first sentence just now shocked me too.”
Old Madam Yu put down her cup and smiled. “A master doesn’t need a reason to punish any servant. She can do it at will. The key is to establish your authority and convince the public. You also have to abide by the rules. Look at Madam Yang. She’s been in charge of the family for so long. She’s good at bribing people, but she made everyone in the residence respect her. Everyone has to follow her instructions and deceive their superiors.”
Nanny Liu agreed wholeheartedly.
Old Madam’s methods of managing the household were as clear as a mirror, so she had asked her to help First Madam manage the household. Now that First Madam had some considerations, she also restrained herself a little.
Old Madam Yu continued, “On the first day, Butler Yao wanted to attack the Yang family’s people to establish her authority. She wanted to let the people in the residence know that the Yang family wasn’t the only one in the Yu Residence. It was also for the sake of convincing the public. Yao Yao knows how to read accounts and settle accounts. She’s also proficient in common affairs and knows how to reward and punish clearly. Naturally, the servants were convinced and didn’t dare to act rashly.”
Nanny Liu smiled and said, “Since Eldest Miss knows how to manage the household, Old Madam can rest easy in the future.”
Old Madam Yu also smiled and said, “That’s right.”
At this moment, Chun Xiao also caught up with Mother Yang, who was about to go to the main courtyard to look for First Madam. She asked with a smile, “Mother Yang, why are you leaving in such a hurry?”
She took a step forward and stood in front of Mother Yang. She finally understood why her young mistress had asked her to look for Mother Yang. She thought to herself, “Young Miss is really good at predicting things!”
Mother Yang was burning with anxiety. When she saw Chun Xiao standing in front of her, her expression stiffened.
If it had been any other maidservant in the residence, she would have slapped her and scolded her. However, Chun Xiao was Eldest Miss’s personal maidservant and had an extraordinary status. Even if she was angry, she had to hold it in. Not only did she have to hold it in, but she also had to greet her with a smile. She could not offend her.
Mother Yang forced a smile. “Didn’t Eldest Miss want to see the person in charge of the manor? I’m in a hurry to ask the people below when they will arrive so that I can get confirmation. I can’t keep Eldest Miss waiting.”
Chun Xiao nodded. “Mother Yang is indeed capable.”
Mother Yang quickly changed the topic and said, “Miss Chun Xiao, what a coincidence. We actually bumped into each other here. Where are you going?”
“Unfortunately.” Chun Xiao looked at Mother Yang with a smile. She didn’t miss the flash of panic in Mother Yang’s eyes when she said those words. Her smile became even brighter. “Young Miss ordered me to specially come to look for Mother Yang.”
Mrs. Yang’s vision turned black and she almost fainted on the spot. This time, she couldn’t even smile. Instead, she said in fear and trepidation, “Does Eldest Miss have any instructions?”
In the past, she had never taken Eldest Miss seriously. She had always felt that Eldest Miss was the one in charge but she had her ways of fooling her. After all, she was also someone who had been in the residence for a long time. She could even fool Eldest Madam Yang, so why should she be afraid of a young girl?
But now, she truly understood how powerful Eldest Miss was.
Just now, in the side courtyard of the An Shou Hall, Eldest Miss had chosen her without ordering anyone else, precisely because she wanted her to establish her might.
At first glance, the questions she asked seemed to be ordinary questions. In the past, Eldest Madam Yang would often ask about the prices of items and the accounts. Even Old Madam used to be like this in the past. Unknowingly, people would let down their guard.
However, Eldest Miss had gone deeper and had managed to trap her.
The question in the ledger had fooled her.
Eldest Miss did not get angry. Instead, she turned around and asked about the crops.
At this moment, she realized that something was amiss and hurriedly brought up First Madam’s name, thinking that Eldest Miss was her stepdaughter after all. She couldn’t possibly surpass First Madam.
As expected, when she heard that First Madam also knew about the selling of vegetables, Eldest Miss did not continue asking.
She was relieved.
However, immediately after, Eldest Miss asked to see the person in charge.
Mother Yang was already a little flustered. She was also worried that the manor would shift the blame to her, so she planned to go to the main courtyard to meet First Madam and let her make a decision.
Unexpectedly, she was stopped by Eldest Miss’s maidservant.
Chun Xiao shook her head. “Mother Yang is the most capable person by First Madam’s side. It’s said that she wouldn’t mind doing something out of consideration for someone else. How can Young Miss order Mother Yang around? It’s just that Young Miss wants to manage the family in the future and feels that I’m not of much use. She asked me to follow Mother Yang and watch and learn more, in case anything goes wrong.”
Mother Yang’s face immediately turned ashen, and her mouth trembled. “Eldest Miss is really too kind.”
She was probably afraid she wouldn’t get First Madam’s approval.
With such a person by her side often, there was nothing she could do. She could only wait obediently for the person in charge of the manor to enter.