Li Geng’s wife couldn’t help feeling anxious—she managed the purchasing for the small kitchens in each courtyard, which was quite a lucrative position. For Seventh Miss to control her would be effortless. Usually relying on being an old servant of the mansion, thinking she treated Fifth Young Madam with similar indifference, she hadn’t particularly flattered Seventh Miss. Now, intimidated by Seventh Miss’s display of authority, she was the first to be cowed by the imposing manner. Her courage weakened by three parts compared to usual. Looking at Seventh Miss’s bland expression, she felt even more uncertain deep inside. Thinking of her own actions over the years, no matter how she looked at them, they were full of holes. She simply couldn’t raise her head.
She stood on the floor with a slight bend at the waist, respectfully watching Seventh Miss slowly drink a cup of tea. Finally unable to bear it, she asked, “Young Madam… do you have instructions for this servant?”
Seventh Miss raised her eyes, as if only just remembering Li Geng’s wife. She smiled faintly and waved her hand casually. “Sit.”
Lixia and Shangyuan immediately clapped their hands, and a middle-aged matron brought in a small table, placed it beside Li Geng’s wife, then withdrew soundlessly. Li Geng’s wife sat trembling on the small table, raised her head to look earnestly at Seventh Miss, and wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve.
Seeing she had established her authority, Seventh Miss stopped putting on airs. “I just wanted to ask you—when our family hosts banquets and meals, which establishments do we use for the courses?”
Lixia crisply explained to Li Geng’s wife, “Tomorrow Grand Madam wants the family’s female members to dine together. Young Madam is asking whether on such occasions we usually prepare at home or order courses brought in from outside.”
Hearing it wasn’t a reprimand, Li Geng’s wife immediately brightened. Like grasping a lifeline, she immediately spoke without reservation. “For ordinary celebrations when the family hosts grand banquets for guests, we definitely choose from Fushou Hall, Zhongxin Hall, Qinghe Hall, or Tonghe Hall. When the household’s female members have small gatherings, if they’re tired of home cooking, Grand Madam likes to order some Jiangnan dishes from Yuhua Terrace or Chunhua Tower to supplement the courses. But most often we just prepare extra dishes at home. Hearing Young Madam’s meaning, it’s because of a celebration and you want everyone to sit together and eat and enjoy themselves. Then in this servant’s opinion, order Emerald-Covered Shark’s Fin and Date Paste Squares from Chunhua Tower—both dishes Grand Madam loves. Add whatever else suits, we’ll prepare another ten or so dishes ourselves. Not excessively extravagant, yet presentable to the eye, and the expense won’t be great. If Young Madam approves, this servant will go arrange it.”
She usually managed the little maids passing and serving dishes during celebrations, arranging for cooks from outside restaurants to set up stoves and cook. Naturally she was most familiar with formal household banquets. Seeing Seventh Miss had successfully intimidated her, Li Geng’s wife not only didn’t put on airs but answered quite readily. She cited many examples from previous years for Seventh Miss to know. Seventh Miss listened with satisfaction and smiled. “In the future, I think I’ll just assign such matters directly to you. You can draft the menu and just let me review it.”
Li Geng’s wife was flattered, yet forced herself to suppress her joy and decline modestly. “Young Madam overpraises. This servant wouldn’t dare decide such matters alone. Young Madam must oversee for peace of mind. This servant just offers suggestions from the side!”
Seventh Miss looked at her with a smile but said nothing more. Instead she asked, “By the way, how many people do you manage?”
After asking some details about Li Geng’s wife’s usual work, she said, “About those records I mentioned earlier—notebooks will be sent to everyone shortly. Matron Li, be more attentive. Write a work report for me to see, introduce your usual work content, and write files on each of your subordinates, describing their abilities, personalities… Write it well. I’m going to use it as an example for the other matrons.”
Li Geng’s wife was practically stunned—such an honor could fall to her?
In normal times, she probably wouldn’t feel flattered but rather annoyed—after all, for these managing matrons who only knew a few hundred characters, writing a report was no light task. But after Seventh Miss’s intimidation, coldness, and praise, Li Geng’s wife had already become a puddle of mud. As soon as Seventh Miss finished speaking, she eagerly nodded. “Young Madam, rest assured. This servant will certainly work diligently and won’t disappoint Young Madam’s favor!”
Seventh Miss smiled and said a few more words of encouragement before dismissing her. “Go to your work. Give me this report within three days. Write carefully, don’t rush.”
Watching her leave the room, she dispatched Zhongyuan. “Go give notice to Peng Hu’s wife, Lin Shan’s wife, Shengjin’s wife, and Lei Xianqing’s wife. Peng Hu’s wife needs to purchase extra fruits and vegetables—have her discuss with Li Geng’s wife. Send the drafted menu to Old Matron for review. If Old Matron approves, proceed accordingly. Lin Shan’s wife should prepare gold and silver bowls and dishes. Shengjin’s wife should arrange the maids properly. Lei Xianqing’s wife should inform the outside stewards and settle accounts with Chunhua Tower.”
In great households, just gathering to eat one meal involved so much ceremony, so many trivial matters. No wonder Fifth Young Madam said managing gave her a headache. Household affairs were like this—one thing after another, trivial yet vexing.
But for Seventh Miss, she only needed to speak—subordinates naturally handled the rest. So she didn’t find it tiresome. After casually issuing instructions and urging Shangyuan to distribute the notebooks, she brought Lixia back to the west secondary room and called for refreshments.
As Lixia poured tea for Seventh Miss, she pursed her lips. “Grand Madam is really…”
Unlike Duanwu and Zhongyuan, she was always steady and rarely spoke ill of the masters. Today she seemed truly unable to bear it, saying this half-sentence before stopping. Seventh Miss looked at her with a smile and said softly, “Actually, this is a good thing.”
Lixia glanced at Seventh Miss, wanting to ask but holding back. She turned and left the room to arrange refreshments for Seventh Miss.
Seventh Miss felt somewhat gratified—this girl now knew propriety very well.
Xu Fengjia wasn’t very busy today. After paying respects to Grand Madam in the morning, he went to the government office. By noon, he actually slipped back home for lunch.
“After Second Brother-in-law departed, there hasn’t been much for me to do lately.” He discussed work matters with Seventh Miss. “Besides, the northern frontier has been very quiet recently… Last winter was cold. If there’s a good harvest this year, the Beirong themselves don’t want war internally—they’d rather pasture their herds well.”
Though he had killed many Beirong, when mentioning these barbarians, Xu Fengjia showed no contempt. Seventh Miss was somewhat curious. “I thought you couldn’t wait to kill all these barbarians…”
Xu Fengjia snorted through his nose and said coldly, “How could killing ever finish them? To tell you the truth, the Beirong are also just common people struggling to survive. Those who want war have always been the people above.”
Bringing up this topic seemed to put him in a poor mood. He just waved his hand and roughly changed the subject. “Though I knew Grandmother never much liked you, I never knew she disliked you to this extent.”
Seventh Miss smiled cheerfully and showed him the gold ring on her hand, laughing. “She dislikes me wearing this thing. How is that disliking me?”
Seeing Xu Fengjia unconvinced, she thought about it and couldn’t help admitting, “Alright, she truly doesn’t like me much. How could my birth enter Grandmother’s eyes?”
Mentioning Seventh Miss’s origins made Xu Fengjia even more uncomfortable. He carefully observed Seventh Miss’s expression before saying, “Fortunately, Father is still reasonable and didn’t make you arrange a banquet immediately upon taking over household duties… Grandmother’s move was somewhat petty.”
Seventh Miss had just taken over household management—she definitely needed time to get accustomed. At such times, any sensible masters would naturally minimize complications and allow a smooth transition of power. But Grand Madam did the opposite—as soon as household duties were transferred, she had Seventh Miss organize a small banquet. This was clearly meant to create difficulties for Seventh Miss.
Everyone could see Grand Madam’s intention. Duke Pingguo naturally could see it too. So he used Fourth Young Master’s birthday as an excuse to give Seventh Miss an extra day of preparation time. The twists and turns here—several people understood clearly.
“Grandmother is afraid I’m too idle and wants to give me something to do.” Seventh Miss’s eyes sparkled like they’d captured a bit of starlight from the night sky. “Believe it or not, even after this banquet, she’ll continue arranging troublesome matters to keep me busier.”
Xu Fengjia had already eaten two bowls of rice. Seeing Seventh Miss put down her chopsticks after eating barely half a bowl, he couldn’t help frowning and urging, “At least eat more. I’ve seen you eat a full bowl at dinner sometimes. Why is your appetite so small today?”
Seventh Miss was somewhat embarrassed. “I didn’t know you’d come home for lunch. Close to mealtime I ate two turnip pastries and was already full.”
Xu Fengjia frowned even more tightly. He turned and called, “Lixia, Shangyuan, come in!”
The two maids had been talking outside the west secondary room. Hearing the heir’s summons, they immediately pushed open the door and entered, saying in unison, “What are the Heir’s instructions?”
Xu Fengjia pointed at Seventh Miss. “In the future near mealtimes, don’t let your mistress eat snacks lest they interfere with proper meals. Long-term, this will ruin her appetite. Understood?”
Ignoring Seventh Miss’s slight frown, both little maids looked respectful, bowing and responding, “The Heir instructs correctly. This servant has noted it.” They stepped forward to change bone dishes and pour hot tea before withdrawing from the room.
Seventh Miss was rather resentful. “These are still my dowry servants, aren’t they? Why do they listen to you more diligently than to me?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she received a glare from Xu Fengjia. “I used to think you were very clever, but now I find you quite foolish. No one is as careless about self-care as you… In household matters, I listen to you, that’s true. But in other things, you must listen to me.”
This carried some of the young general’s domineering manner.
“I’m not your little dog.” Seventh Miss gave Xu Fengjia a withering look and turned her head away. “Why should I do whatever you say?”
Xu Fengjia’s voice carried amusement. “Your whole person belongs to me. Whatever I tell you to do, you must do.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d said this, but this time when he spoke, Seventh Miss’s state of mind was already vastly different from before.
She bit her lower lip, forcibly suppressing her smile, lowering her head to look at the exquisite bowls and dishes without responding.
#
The next day, Li Geng’s wife delivered both reports to Mingde Hall.
The managing matrons hadn’t all assembled yet when Li Geng’s wife stuffed two thick stacks of papers into Lixia’s hands, modestly saying, “Written hastily, not very detailed. Miss, please be understanding when transcribing.”
This action made the managing matrons who hadn’t yet lined up in formation stop in their tracks, looking half-puzzled at Lixia and Li Geng’s wife.
Seventh Miss hid a smile at her lips.
Not suffering from scarcity but from inequality—this was universal human nature.
If she asked everyone to write such materials, these managing matrons would probably feel it excessive labor and inevitably complain privately.
But now Li Geng’s wife looked delighted, handing these thick stacks of materials to Lixia. They couldn’t help wondering: What is this? Why does Li Geng’s wife have to write it while I don’t? Why does she have this honor while I don’t?
She amiably praised Li Geng’s wife. “Matron truly works diligently! In the future there will certainly be more matters to entrust to your care.”
Li Geng’s wife couldn’t hide her joy. “It’s Young Madam’s favor!”
When everyone assembled and household trivialities were assigned, she eagerly reported work progress to Seventh Miss. “Arrangements are made with Chunhua Tower—two tables, ten major dishes each, delivered on time tonight. Our own small kitchens will prepare other dishes. Grand Madam chose this morning to hold the banquet at Liushang Pavilion…”
Shengjin’s wife stepped forward. “The little maids are scheduled to gather outside Liushang Pavilion when the chiming clock strikes five…”
Several managing matrons also stepped forward to report, naturally following the rules Seventh Miss had established, rehearsing the entire family banquet.
Seventh Miss listened with a smile and amiably praised everyone. “Indeed you’re all veterans of generations. Handling matters puts one’s mind at ease.”
After dismissal, Old Matron specifically stayed behind to talk with her.
“Though Li Geng’s wife has capable methods, her temperament has always been proud…” Old Matron praised Seventh Miss. “Only Young Madam has such means—in less than a day, you’ve won over her nature.”
Though praising, her manner still contained a trace of puzzlement: among so many managing matrons from Lady Xu’s direct line, why did Seventh Miss choose Li Geng’s wife who sided with neither…
This was the disadvantage of managing in a century-old aristocratic family. Having risen to position with Lady Xu’s support, when benefits came, naturally Lady Xu’s direct subordinates couldn’t be forgotten.
Seventh Miss smiled and explained to Old Matron. “Now that I’m in charge, if I haven’t guessed wrong, Grandmother probably won’t rest for a while. To torment me, the best method isn’t just drinking wine?”
And Li Geng’s wife usually managed serving and passing dishes at banquets, liaising with outside master chefs to purchase courses—if Seventh Miss didn’t cultivate her, whom should she cultivate?
Old Matron immediately understood, admiringly praising Seventh Miss. “Such thoughtfulness is truly seasoned!”
She grew somewhat curious. “But why would Grand Madam want to—to torment you…”
After all, Grand Madam’s status was noble. Gossiping about her in private made Old Matron blush.
Seventh Miss smiled without directly answering. “It’s just my speculation. Whether it’s true depends on how Grandmother acts in the future.”
She urged Old Matron. “You should go to the accounting office. With you not watching, who knows what the two accountants might say privately…”
But Old Matron smiled confidently. “Young Madam, rest assured. The few little maids serving in the accounting office have all been replaced with our people. Even where the two matrons live, we’ve placed several hands. If they communicate privately, I’ll certainly receive the news.”
“Old Matron handles matters—I’m reassured.” Seventh Miss appreciatively patted Old Matron’s shoulder. “In the coming months, there will be much to rely on you for! Even Mother’s old helpers from years past—we’ll probably need to invite several out of retirement to support the scene.”
Old Matron immediately smiled happily. She rose to take her leave. “Though we’ve placed people, it’s still more reassuring if I watch personally.”
After Old Matron left the room, Lixia followed Seventh Miss into the west secondary room and praised her. “I really don’t know how your heart is made! I always feel that compared to Shang Dynasty’s Bigan, you have one more aperture of understanding!”
Seventh Miss couldn’t help laughing heartily. “Managing a household relies on the skill of speaking human words to humans and ghost words to ghosts!”
She grew thoughtful. “I wonder if Grandmother truly intends to torment me.”
Seventh Miss guessed correctly. Grand Madam indeed wouldn’t rest. That very evening after the wine banquet, the next day she complained of stomach discomfort and criticized Dr. Zhong’s treatment, demanding Seventh Miss find another physician. For a time, Seventh Miss was quite rushed off her feet.