Chapter 444: Managing the Manor
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Mingzhu’s attitude was very kind and polite, but her tone and demeanor were unquestionable. Mr. Meng still had some opinions about her, but he just returned her a courtesy and said nothing more. Zhou Shuyi and Jing Song exchanged a glance and both responded in unison, “Yes! Please rest assured, if anyone from the South Garden makes a mistake, we will report to you!”
Mingzhu’s gaze slowly swept over the three of them, finally settling on Mr. Meng: “I don’t want you to report to me, His Highness trusts and values you, and before he left, he asked me to take care of you. I have never dealt with these mundane matters before, but it’s a long and arduous task. In order not to let His Highness down, I have a request. When you three need to go out, please remember to inform me in advance. In this way, if someone tries to cause trouble, I won’t be clueless about where to go for help.”
This statement was soft with a hint of firmness. If they were willing to listen to her, report their comings and goings, then naturally everyone would be happy; but if anyone dared to disrespect her, treating her as nothing more than an ignorant woman, then she wouldn’t hesitate to wield her authority and put them in their place.
Zhou Shuyi and Jing Song held official positions, so they were more self-disciplined and wouldn’t disobey Mingzhu’s orders. It was only Mr. Meng, sharp and opinionated, who didn’t see her as the mistress of the house. Therefore, this statement was mainly directed at Mr. Meng.
All three of them understood. Jing Song was the first to respond, “Rest assured, Your Highness, we will remember your words.”
Zhou Shuyi also expressed his agreement, saying he would manage the South Garden well. Only Mr. Meng, who was still leaning on the boy serving him due to his lingering illness, looked at Mingzhu vigilantly without speaking.
Mingzhu knew what he was worried about. He was afraid that she would hold a grudge and take advantage of Yuwen Chu’s absence to deal with him. Mingzhu glanced at the old man with a hint of disdain, whispered softly, “Mr. Meng, rest assured, I am pregnant enough to support a boat!”
Without saying anything more, she turned and walked away with her head held high.
Mr. Meng, usually eloquent, was momentarily speechless. Seeing Zhou Shuyi and Jing Song teasingly looking at him, he angrily waved his sleeve and said, “What are you looking at? Don’t you recognize me?”
Zhou Shuyi humorously said, “I wonder if Her Highness just now guessed what was on Mr. Meng’s mind?”
Mr. Meng was full of momentum and said, “She dares! I’m not the kind of person who uses lust to manipulate. His Highness respects and values me, so he won’t allow her to act recklessly.”
Jing Song coldly added, “So what Mr. Meng means is that Her Highness is someone who uses lust to manipulate, and His Highness only loves and cherishes her, not respects and values her? She even has the private seal, what else does she want?”
Mr. Meng was momentarily at a loss for words, and with his neck stiff, he said, “In short, unless she does a few beautiful things for me to see, otherwise I won’t easily change my opinion of her!”
Zhou Shuyi smiled and asked Jing Song, “Wangfei just had someone send me two jars of good wine, it’s been at least ten years. Do you have time to come to my place and have a drink?”
Jing Song replied, “Perfect timing. Wangfei just had someone send me some good dishes, warming them over a water bath. I’ll have them brought over, and we can have a good chat.”
Mr. Meng was so angry his face turned red, “You said nothing would happen, why do you have wine and food while I have nothing? She is deliberately isolating me! It’s a strike against me!”
Zhou Shuyi said, “Mr. Meng, don’t be hasty. You’re still taking medicine for your illness, aren’t you? You should avoid alcohol. Wangfei is doing this for your own good.”
Jing Song added, “Yes, Tang Chunlai mentioned the other day that your diet should be light, right? Those dishes are heavy with oil and meat. You’re overthinking.”
The two of them walked inside with their arms around each other, while Mr. Meng stamped his foot in anger, “His Highness is in danger, and you two are here joking and drinking!”
Those two didn’t even pay attention to him, waving him off from afar, “Mr. Meng, hurry back and take care of yourself. Don’t worsen your condition and make Wangfei worry about you.”
“That’s outrageous!” Mr. Meng stood in place, complaining angrily, while the servant boy advised, “Why argue with Wangfei? She’s Wangfei, and she and His Highness are husband and wife. Does Mr. Meng want to compete with her to see who is closer to His Highness? In a family, isn’t harmony between husband and wife the key to prosperity? It’s never heard of anything good coming from marital discord.”
Mr. Meng was stunned for a moment, then slapped the boy’s head hard, scolding, “You’re getting bolder and bolder, daring to lecture me!” But he didn’t get angry anymore, instead, he walked with the boy back to his residence, muttering under his breath, “His Highness just left and understands the importance of closing the doors and windows. It’s not stupid at all. Forget it, forget it, I won’t argue with her.”
Someone passed Mr. Meng’s words to Mingzhu’s ears, and Mingzhu just smiled faintly. She had the patience and determination to make these people look at her with new eyes.
After dark, Yuwen Chu indeed did not return. Mingzhu was prepared in her heart, although she was worried, she didn’t lose her composure. She knew she couldn’t panic. Once she did, the people in the manor would start to become restless.
In the night, Su Lan, afraid that Mingzhu couldn’t sleep because of worry, volunteered to sleep on the floor next to her bed. After some consideration, Mingzhu agreed. It was good to have someone accompany her in this troubled time. Therefore, she instructed, “Forget about the floor, have them bring in the bed and place it over there. Also, bring Donghui here. You two can accompany me together.”
Once everything was arranged, she also asked Zheng Momo to sit down, and they played cards together. She maintained a dignified and steady demeanor, laughing or scolding as usual.
Several groups of servants came to inquire about the situation, and after learning about the situation in Yinghui Hall, they all calmed down.
Towards the third watch of the night, Li Quanxin came to report, “All is calm in the manor now. I’ve also checked on the South Garden. All the gentlemen are fine, and the staff at Tingxue Building are all doing their duties properly. The night patrols haven’t slacked off either. Please rest assured, Your Highness.”
Mingzhu achieved her goal and then stood up to instruct everyone, “You can all disperse and rest early.” Although she was still worried about Yuwen Chu, she tried her best to relax and sleep. As a motherly figure, with Yuwen Chu absent, everyone in the manor was her responsibility. Therefore, she had to eat well, drink well, and sleep well in order to have the energy to take care of them.
The night passed peacefully without any unexpected incidents. The next day, Mingzhu got up early, unusually industrious. She first went to the Dezhang Hall to check on things, and then, to set an example, she punished several late stewards with a beating, while praising those who performed well. She took full control of the mundane affairs in the manor, and no one dared to object.
By noon, she estimated that the first group of palace maids on duty should have been relieved to have lunch. Only then did she instruct Li Quanxin, “Take some good things and go talk to your old brothers.”
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