in spring

Chapter 259
Mrs. An, the wife of the Hou Mansion, sent someone to invite Zhuo, the second wife, to tea, and she has invited her several times.Because Zhuo had just returned to Beijing and was busy at home, and didn't want to get involved in the troubles of the Hou Mansion, she pushed and pushed again and again, but her mother-in-law spoke, and she thought that she and An were sisters-in-law after all, so she couldn't be too shameless What's more, An's is the mistress of the Hou's mansion, and there are a few things that should be informed, so she sorted out the affairs at hand, took a few maids and women, loaded the car and went to the Hou's mansion.

After entering the main courtyard of the Hou Mansion, Zhuo saw Liang walking towards him.She recognized the other party as the second daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion, and nodded with a slight smile, but who knew that the other party glanced at the flowers outside the corridor with an arrogant look, and called in a neutral tone: "Hello, Auntie." She walked past without stopping. up.Zhuo Shi was stunned, but also a little angry, and after a while, he raised his foot and continued to walk forward.

As soon as An heard that Zhuo was coming, she immediately asked someone to come in, put on her make-up hastily, and greeted her with a pale and haggard face.Mrs. Zhuo responded lightly, but after some gossip, after a few pleasantries, Mrs. An couldn't wait to talk about her misfortune: "No matter how angry Master Hou is, he didn't step on the face of my wife in the mud. The truth. Now that I have no place to stand in this mansion! Seeing that I was sick, those goblins didn’t even set up rules. They said they didn’t dare to disturb my recovery, but they didn’t care I put it in my eyes! They surrounded Lord Hou to flatter me all day, and when they saw me, one or two deliberately pretended to be virtuous, and they didn’t know how to curse me behind their backs! The second daughter-in-law came over every day, saying that she was saying hello, but she was actually talking deliberately Stabbing me, I can't even stop it! The eldest daughter-in-law is also ignorant, and she even holds them, and provides them with daily expenses. They are all good. After all, I didn't raise them, so they are so unfilial and deliberately angry at me! "

Zhuo frowned as she listened all the way, and glanced at the door, seeing An's two big maids guarding, and there was no one else outside the door, so she glanced at Fengming, her close maid.Feng Ming took the two little girls out knowingly.

An's was crying, seeing Zhuo's sending the girl away, she realized that she was too careless, but also felt sad.It is obviously my own yard, my own house, surrounded by my own people, and I still have to be so cautious. If it wasn't because I lost power now, how could I get to this point?She was so wronged.

Zhuo slowly persuaded: "Sister-in-law, please don't be sad. Logically, you made too much trouble that day. Even if you want to arrange your own people to important positions, can't you take your time? Besides, the selection of people is also difficult. Pay more attention, don't listen to a few good words from others, think that he is capable, and leave the big things in his hands. Sister-in-law was never so confused before, why is she acting more and more out of tune now?!"

She is the first wife of the second room, but she has not been married for a long time, so she has no friendship with Hou Yeyuan's first wife Fan, but has more contacts with An.Although I often don't like what An's doing, but because they are separated from each other, there is no conflict of interest. In the past, I occasionally mentioned a few words about An's. Alienated.Now that the other party is acting more and more stupidly, she really doesn't want to pay attention to it, but when she thinks of the loss she has suffered, she can't help but want to stab her.

An Shi was embarrassed, knowing that she was wrong, wiped away her tears uncomfortably, and said dryly: "I didn't expect those scumbags to be so hateful..." After a pause, he flattened his mouth again: "Even if I really know people I don’t know, just a few lessons from Lord Hou, why take away my power of housekeeper? Now that I’m the main wife, but those little ones step on my head, even the girls in the second room dare to stand behind me Just talking nonsense. My younger siblings are in the same situation as me, and I’m not less angry with my concubine at home, so why don’t you understand what’s on my mind?”

Zhuo's face darkened slightly, and she endured it, and said: "Even if my sister-in-law doesn't care about the family, she is still the main family. The concubines and maidservants in the family are dishonest, and those who need to be taught a lesson, as long as they are reasonable, the Marquis will not say anything. Sister-in-law has lost her temper and gave in, so who can blame?! If she is really afraid that Lord Hou will blame her, sister-in-law will tell brother Jing and daughter-in-law about the bad behavior of those concubines and servants, and let her deal with it!"

Speaking of this matter, An Shi became even more uncomfortable: "What does the eldest daughter-in-law know? How many major events has she experienced? The affairs of her own family are still unclear. How can she manage such a big Hou's mansion?! I called her to give some important instructions, but she only knew how to persuade me to rest, but ignored my words! How dare I ask her to deal with it?!"

Zhuo picked up the tea bowl, slowly turned the lid of the bowl, took a sip, and did not answer.An Shi wiped her eyes, saw that she didn't answer, swallowed, and said again: "Siblings..."

"Sister-in-law is also reasonable." Zhuo suddenly interrupted her, seeing the other party showing a happy face, she just said what she wanted to say lightly, "Brother Jing and his wife have already separated, and they have housework to do." Cooking, it’s really too hard to come here every day to manage the housekeeping. In the past, because our family was an official in other places, the farm shop at home was handed over to my brother and sister-in-law to help take care of it. Now I think I have to respect my brother and daughter-in-law. ? Anyway, I have already returned. Looking at the current situation, our family is going to live in Beijing for a long time. Why don't we take advantage of the situation and hand it back, and don't make Brother Jing's daughter-in-law too tired. What do you think, sister-in-law?"

An's was stunned, but he still hadn't come to his senses: "Huh?"

Zhuo gave her a faint smile, and continued: "However, those who manage the property may not be able to return to my brother and sister-in-law, please forgive me. After all, we have left those things for a long time, and it will take some time to get them back. If the affairs are cleared up and the management is changed suddenly, we will definitely be in a hurry. But sister-in-law, don't worry, all the monthly money, silver and rice for these people will be paid by our family. how?"

"This..." An Shi slowly realized, why did she forget?The property of the second bedroom was originally in her hands!She has also benefited a lot from it these years, I don't know if Zhuo will notice it?She also wanted this younger brother and sister to help her say a few good words so that she could take back the power of housekeeper.She heard some rumors from her husband, knowing that the Hou Mansion doesn't have much real power in the court now, and the second uncle became a frontier official, which is a great help. If the siblings intercede for her, the husband should listen, right?It's just the matter of the property, I'm afraid it's a bit troublesome... Then again, this second sibling has always been a bit smart, so she must have noticed her actions a long time ago, and seeing that she wanted something from him, she took the opportunity to ask for the property back, right?

An looked at Zhuo seriously, and saw that the other was calm, as if he had just said a trivial matter, and his thoughts were shaken again.If the other party wanted to take back the property, why did they keep their own people?Presumably she was overthinking.Forget it, the most important thing for her now is to get back the power of the housekeeper. Although the property of the second room is good, the main owner has come back, so no matter what, she can't keep it. How much was deducted, so she wouldn't take advantage of them!
So she responded readily: "This is also the truth, you can tell the eldest daughter-in-law, if she doesn't agree, I will teach her a lesson for you!" Then brought up the topic: "Just now..."

Zhuo smiled, and interrupted her again: "By the way, there is one more thing. My sister-in-law knows that our mansion is much less manpower than yours. Now that our master has been promoted, we have all the things we should have." I want to add. Many of the people around us bought them from outside. Even if they are born at home, they have not been in Beijing for many years. The relatives can’t recognize them all, and they don’t know the way. Therefore, I have to be cheeky and ask my sister-in-law for a few The Fang family. I told Brother Jing’s daughter-in-law the other day, but she was careful, and went to the old lady’s place to ask, and then asked her sister-in-law. Although she agreed, she seemed a bit embarrassed. Could it be her sister-in-law? Not happy? I always pick idle people, how about I make up for the price?"

When Mrs. An heard this, she couldn't help thinking of what happened the day before yesterday. When Mrs. Jing came to ask that day, she was angry because Lord Hou spent the night in Aunt Hua's house the night before, so she didn't listen carefully, thinking that she was asking Mrs. Zhuo. Sometimes, she would be willing to give the other party whatever they wanted. Seeing that there were twenty or thirty names in the roster, both male and female, old and young, Jing still read them one by one, how could she be impatient?He scolded him and kicked him out.Is this what Zhuo is talking about now?

She hurriedly smiled at Mrs. Zhuo and said, "What's your worth? It's just a few families, and there are many idlers in our family. I don't work and eat rice all day. I still want to get rid of it. Brothers and sisters can take all they want! Boss The daughter-in-law is really outrageous, what is there to embarrass about such a trivial matter? After all, it will not be on the stage!" Then I wanted to get back to the topic: "I just said..."

This time Zhuo didn't interrupt her again, just listened quietly to her complaints and temptations, and when two-thirds of the tea in the tea bowl was gone, she said slowly: "Liao Li, this is your family's chores." , I shouldn't care about it, but listening to my sister-in-law, why do I feel that there is something wrong with brother Chang's daughter-in-law? If she just made a fuss with sister-in-law, now she is looking for faults with brother Jing and daughter-in-law every day, what's going on?" Not to mention that this family property does not fall into the hands of the couple, Li Jing and his wife are already separated, and there is no conflict of interest between the sisters-in-law, so what's the trouble?Could it be that Mrs. Liang deliberately ran on Mrs. Jing so that he could be kicked out of power in an attempt to take over the power of the butler?The Li and Liang families were rivals. If she really got her hands, the entire Li family would suffer.

But An Shi didn't take it seriously: "If the eldest daughter-in-law is smart, how could she have made so many mistakes and omissions? I said earlier, she can't control it, but she still wants to show off and embarrass me!"

Seeing that she was just greedy for power, Zhuo didn't bother to remind her, so he said, "Aside from Brother Jing and his daughter-in-law, who else can take care of the house now? The old lady is old and weak..." Seeing that Anshi was about to speak, he said Said first, "Master Hou ordered his sister-in-law to rest. You can't go against Master Hou's wishes, right? Brother You hasn't married yet..."

Mrs. An was a little annoyed: "Master Hou is confused, why are my siblings also confused?! I am so old, and I have been a housekeeper for 20 years, and I made a mistake just once! I have been raising these days, isn't it enough?! Brother Jing My daughter-in-law is young and ignorant, and she is called a housekeeper, what kind of mess is it now?! One or two are lawless, no matter how big my mistake is, can it be compared with this?!"

Seeing that she was angry, Zhuo's tone slowed down: "I also know what's on my sister's mind, but I'm afraid that Lord Hou is still angry. Now that I've offended him, it will be even more difficult for my sister-in-law! I have an idea, my sister-in-law might as well listen to it." Listen to it. Now Jing Ge's daughter-in-law is the housekeeper, everything else is fine, even the young juniors can't hold back, let alone those aunts, even Brother Chang's daughter-in-law dares to challenge her. This is all bullying and she can't accept it For the sake of everyone. My sister-in-law might as well go to the old lady and ask for one of the girls from my aunt's side to help Jing brother and daughter-in-law cook..."

"How can this be done?!" An yelled without waiting for Zhuo to finish, "Eldest daughter-in-law can't convince everyone, what's the use of a girl?! Why don't I go by myself!"

Zhuo couldn't bear it any longer, and still said with a good temper: "Where did you call the girl to take care of the house? It's just in the name of my aunt. If Brother Chang's daughter-in-law makes trouble again, she won't be able to make trouble if someone from my aunt is watching. Come on! What's more, brother Jing's daughter-in-law is young, and if there is something she doesn't understand, let that girl ask her aunt, and she will know. I advise my sister-in-law not to think about housework all the time, and take better care of it. It's not easy for you these years. Wait for your health After raising it, I will carefully search for a virtuous wife for Brother You, and let the daughter-in-law take care of the house. Wouldn’t it be justified? In the future, when the sister-in-law has a grandson in her arms, how many blessings are waiting for you to enjoy? Why bother to be idle here. "

An's felt a little embarrassed when she heard this: "My siblings are still thoughtful. It's just that I've been worrying about it for so many years. How can I let it go?"

Zhuo didn't go on, just chatted some gossip with her, and then said that there was still something to do at home, so she got up to leave, and An hurriedly escorted her to the door.Zhuo Shi went out and saw Feng Ming holding Shao Yao talking, suddenly remembered something, and asked: "I remember that Shao Yao in sister-in-law's house is four years older than Feng Ming, how come you haven't married yet?!" An Shi replied: "I really can't leave this girl, so I have to keep her for a few more years."

Zhuo didn't think so.When dealing with a capable girl, one should arrange a good marriage and let her come in to serve after she is married.Wouldn't it delay the other party's life by procrastinating like this?The girl can only work in the inner courtyard, but the daughter-in-law can go out to do errands, sometimes more useful than the girl.Seeing that the four big girls beside An Shi still had the same four faces that she saw when she returned to Beijing, she couldn't help but secretly sighed, thinking that this sister-in-law should not keep her cronies as enemies.

I don't know if the second wife Zhuo Shi's advice worked, An Shi really didn't bother her husband to take back the power of housekeeper, but just begged for grace in front of the old lady to let Manao help Jing Shi with housework.But at the same time, she also sent Shaoyao there, claiming that it was to help her eldest daughter-in-law familiarize herself with housework, and then conveyed her instructions through Shaoyao every day, ordering Jing Shi to take care of the housework according to her wishes.

It is already very difficult for the Jing family to be a housekeeper and at the same time take care of her own family.Now that she has two assistants, she should be more relaxed, but she didn't expect her mother-in-law's order to make it very difficult for her.If she listened to her mother-in-law's wishes, the father-in-law's concubine Ji and the people in the second uncle's courtyard would definitely make a fuss, and then the mother-in-law and father-in-law would only blame her for her inappropriate handling.However, if she doesn't obey her mother-in-law's instructions, she will be called to scold her for a long time.Although the mother-in-law has lost the power of the family, she is still a mother-in-law. She cannot charge her husband as unfilial.

After suffering like this, within half a month, Jing collapsed from exhaustion.Li Jing felt sorry for his wife, deliberately exaggerated her illness ten times, and resigned from the post of housekeeper.Now the Hou Mansion is bustling again.Li Chang seized the opportunity to recommend his wife to his grandmother, and repeatedly assured that she would be absolutely loyal to her husband's family.

The old lady didn't intervene, and Master Hou ignored Aunt Hua's explicit hints, but ordered someone to invite his younger brother and sister Zhuo to come over to the house, and discussed for an entire hour.

(End of this chapter)