When Madam Qin returned to the Second Household, the sky had already darkened, and her three daughters-in-law came to pay their respects.
Madam Zhuang respectfully served her tea before slowly sitting back on her stool and saying, “This daughter-in-law has heard that Grandmother intends to entrust the reception room and kitchen affairs to Third Aunt’s management…”
Madam Sun, patting her daughter to sleep, remarked casually, “Let her manage it then. The account review is coming up, and I see that Mother can’t handle everything herself. It’s not a big deal. Third Aunt’s management won’t reduce our food and drink. Why is the Second Sister-in-law so concerned about this?”
Madam Qin remained silent, but Madam Zhuang laughed and said, “Those who don’t know might think Sister-in-law is Third Aunt’s daughter-in-law, always speaking up for her. You might as well speak this way in front of Third Aunt and see if she’ll even glance at you.”
Madam Sun gave a cold laugh and retorted, “I speak my mind, unlike Second Sister-in-law who has nine twists in her intestines, turning everything over several times in her stomach. Even when your household lacks silver, you have to use young master Zheng’s mouth to say it!”
Madam Zhuang, struck at a sore point and being well-mannered with thin skin, blushed involuntarily: “What are you saying, Sister-in-law? Even if I were… I would never side against my own family!”
Listening to their ceaseless bickering, Madam Qin felt her temples throbbing: “Enough, both of you shut up!”
Hearing Madam Qin speak, Madam Zhuang and Madam Sun were immediately frightened into silence.
Madam Qin rubbed her brow and looked coldly at Madam Sun, saying darkly, “If you want to follow her, you might as well tell me directly, and I’ll have Third Son divorce you. Then you can go by Gu’s maid.” Just because she gave birth to a daughter, she thought she was untouchable! Putting on airs in front of her.
Hearing Madam Qin favor Madam Zhuang again, Madam Sun pouted with dissatisfaction but dared not talk back. The little Miss Yu in her arms was frightened and burst into loud tears. She hurriedly patted her back to comfort the child.
Madam Shen, who had been silent all along, stood up and bowed with courtesy, saying gently, “Mother’s actions are all for the sake of our Second Household, and I understand and appreciate Mother’s concerns. Without saying more, whatever you need me to do, please just command…”
At least one of them was sensible.
Madam Qin’s anger subsided slightly, and she instructed, “Go find Manager Liu from the reception room and Manager Wei from the kitchen for me. I have something to tell them.”
Madam Shen smiled faintly, acknowledged the order, and went to find them. Madam Zhuang and Madam Sun stood up to take their leave.
The two managers were quickly located. Manager Liu was a very thin and small man, but his eyes were alert. Manager Wei had been a cook previously, was plump and fair, wearing an ill-fitting Hangzhou straight robe that was too tight, causing his belly to bulge out.
Both men bowed respectfully to Madam Qin.
Madam Qin drank her tea in silence, leaving the two men looking at each other, unsure of what to say.
Summer had arrived, and the nights were becoming hot. The room had neither ice blocks nor open windows for ventilation. The two men were soon covered in fine sweat. However, Madam Qin had Han Zhen beside her, holding a zongzhu golden fan with a Canaan pendant on the handle, slowly fanning cool air for her.
“Do you two managers know why I’ve called for you?” Madam Qin finally asked coolly.
Manager Liu responded quicker, nodding with a smile: “In the evening, the Old Madam spoke with us. She said that from now on, the Third Madam would first manage the outer courtyard affairs. This humble one discussed it with Manager Wei afterward.”
Only then did Madam Qin smile slightly, putting down her teacup and having a maid bring stools for the two to sit.
Manager Liu and Manager Wei finally dared to wipe the sweat from their foreheads.
Madam Qin continued, “Third Madam has never managed a household before and doesn’t know the hardships of being in charge. You two have followed me for many years and are considered senior servants in the mansion. I have never mistreated you.” Her gaze slowly swept over the two men before her. “Do you know what to do?”
Manager Wei smiled repeatedly: “This humble one knows! It’s nothing more than making Third Madam labor a bit. Third Madam is still young, and she will become intimidated and unwilling to continue in the future.”
Madam Qin shook her head.
“What is there to fear about difficulties? As they say, nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it. So not only should you not make Third Madam feel exhausted, but you should also do everything to the best of your ability, without giving Third Madam any worries. This way, no one can say that my management is not strict or that I mistreated my sister-in-law. Do you understand?”
Manager Wei was somewhat confused. What did Second Madam mean? Why would she help Third Madam manage the household? If Third Madam managed well during her tenure, wouldn’t that give her more credit? Manager Liu also didn’t fully understand Madam Qin’s meaning, but his mind worked quickly. In any case, following Second Madam’s instructions was never wrong, so he stood up before Manager Wei, cupping his hands and saying, “We will naturally follow Second Madam’s wishes.”
Madam Qin didn’t explain to them, merely smiling faintly and saying, “It’s good that you understand. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter, just do as I say.”
The two men acknowledged and withdrew, planning to adjust their approach accordingly.
…
Gu Jin Chao had managed a household in her previous life, though at that time she had Madam Wang to help her. Madam Wang had assisted Madam Jiang with household management in earlier years and was familiar with all affairs of the Chen family. Later, when Gu Jin Chao was truly capable of managing, she handled the inner courtyard’s various chambers, the outer courtyard’s eight departments, and workshops for weaving, dyeing, papermaking, and the like without any issues. Now with only two departments under her charge, she wasn’t anxious.
The next day, Gu Jin Chao rose at her usual time, having her maid arrange her hair in a neat bun, adorned only with a sapphire-clustered jeweled knot and a white jade rabbit pendant. She wore a water-red patterned padded jacket with vajra motifs and a plain white eight-panel pleated skirt. She looked clean and efficient.
When the managers arrived, she had tea set up in the flower hall and sat in an armchair.
She was gracious, first having stools brought for them to sit. Upon seeing these two men, she had impressions of them in her mind. After all, Madam Qin had managed the Chen household for years, and her people in the outer courtyard were numerous. If not for Old Madam Chen’s insistence, Gu Jin Chao would not have been able to command these people.
Gu Jin Chao smiled first and said, “On the day of the Seventh Young Master’s wedding, I met Manager Wei. Does Manager Wei remember?”
Manager Wei hurriedly replied, “That day, this humble one was at a distance and didn’t see clearly…”
Gu Jin Chao nodded and continued, “That’s understandable. Let’s not dwell on other matters. I am just beginning to manage affairs, and there are many things I’m not familiar with. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, you two can certainly point it out… Since this is our first meeting, just explain the general situation. In the future, the kitchen’s major accounts and the reception room’s social interactions and expenditures should also be shown to me.”
The two managers bowed with smiles. Manager Liu said, “Of course, this humble one will certainly arrange everything properly for you. Second Madam has also instructed us on this.”
After talking with the two managers in the flower hall for a while, Gu Jin Chao dismissed them.
When she returned to the west side room, Chen Xuan Yue had already arrived.
He immediately put down what he was playing with and implored Gu Jin Chao to see little Chang Suo: “…Has my little brother grown bigger?”
Gu Jin Chao smiled and patted his head, saying, “Little brother is sleeping now. Can we see him when he wakes up?”
Chen Xuan Yue seemed disappointed but then seemed to remember something. He pulled at Gu Jin Chao’s arm and asked, “Auntie, that paper crane! Did you fly the paper crane?”
Gu Jin Chao hadn’t expected him to remember and comforted him: “I flew it for little brother to see.”
“Did little brother like it?”
Gu Jin Chao nodded, and he became happy. He took his Luban lock and went to play by himself.
Sun Mama spoke to Gu Jin Chao about managing the household: “This servant feels that these two managers are quite willing to be diligent…”
Gu Jin Chao didn’t respond. Madam Qin certainly hoped things would go smoothly for her; otherwise, if she reported to the elder mother, it would certainly be Madam Qin’s responsibility for the lax management of subordinates.
At this moment, a young maid reported from beyond the curtain that Fourth Master Chen had arrived.
Fourth Master Chen had come? Why would he come to Muxi Hall?
Gu Jin Chao thought of the Yongchang Trading Company affair, and thinking of Fourth Master Chen’s effeminate face, she felt this person was too scheming.
She instructed Cai Fu to bring a cup of tea.
After entering, Fourth Master Chen first smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. He wore a cloud-patterned Hangzhou straight robe, without a trace of the copper stench of a merchant. Instead, he was tall and thin, with delicate, handsome features. The fine gold-sprinkled fan in his hand, hanging with a Hetian jade pendant, made him look even more refined and handsome. “Greetings, Third Sister-in-law.”
Gu Jin Chao smiled and invited him to sit: “Fourth Brother, no need for formalities. It’s rare to see you come to my place. Is there something you need?”
Fourth Master Chen nodded: “I should have come earlier. However, my Third Sister-in-law was in convalescence, and I didn’t want to disturb you. Only now do I have the chance to visit.” He paused and continued, “Recently, Third Brother mentioned to me that you inquired about my Yongchang Trading Company. Yongchang Trading Company was established with partners several years ago. I heard that my Third Sister-in-law also has shops in the silk business that have been somewhat affected. We are one family and shouldn’t speak as if we’re two. Whichever shops have been affected, your Third Sister-in-law only needs to say the word, and Yongchang Trading Company will accommodate you in the future.”
So he came for this matter.
Gu Jin Chao couldn’t accept this favor and smiled, saying, “That won’t be necessary! Things should proceed as they are. Those shops are my private property, and I cannot allow them to affect your business for my sake. Third Master’s words were just casual remarks, don’t take them seriously.”
Fourth Master Chen lowered his head with a smile: “It’s not troublesome. I heard that my Third Sister-in-law has begun managing the household. When my Second Sister-in-law was managing before, I also accommodated her. Family businesses should certainly be looked after. How about this… when the Third Sister-in-law’s shops need to sell silk, they can come to Yongchang Trading Company for goods. I’ll calculate it at seventy percent of the market price for you. For others, it’s eighty percent, which is cheaper than if you transport it from elsewhere.”
Unable to refuse further, Gu Jin Chao had to agree first. However, in her heart, she was calculating: what kind of accommodation did Fourth Master Chen provide to Madam Qin? Both were in charge of the Chen family, one of the internal affairs and one of the external affairs; there must be some connection…
Fourth Master Chen smiled and said, “Then it’s settled. I’ll speak to Yongchang’s manager tomorrow. In the future, if there’s anything you need, just say the word… I have people waiting for me, so I won’t say more.”
Gu Jin Chao nodded and had Cai Fu escort Fourth Master Chen out.
As she lowered her head to drink tea, she noticed Chen Xuan Yue looking in the direction Fourth Master Chen had departed, his gaze appearing very strange.