As soon as all the Momos received the summon, they immediately gathered at the main courtyard. Without requiring any instructions from anyone, they all lined up in neat rows of three according to their rank respectively. When Yu Miao Qi looked over at them, they took the initiative to report their names and job description. Their behaviours were very respectful.
Yu Miao Qi initially thought that these people would join forces to display their strength. Afterward, she could use this opportunity to conveniently pick out a few troublemakers to deal with them. Subsequently, she would be able to quickly gain a firm foothold in the Marquis manor. But she never expected that they would be so well trained and rule abiding. Could it be that Yu Xiang didn't secretly instruct them to cause trouble for her?
The more thoughts she put in regarding this matter previously, it was equivalent to the frustration she was feeling at this moment, while looking at these disciplined and respectful Momos-in-charge. It was like throwing a heavy punch but only to hit nothing but air, and feeling as if she took courage to pounce but fell flat on the ground. Yu Miao Qi took a sip of the tea and used the opportunity to take a few deep breaths to regain her composure.
Lin Shi didn't think about that much. She just said a few sentences like 'Please cooperate with me, as I will be in charge of the manor in the future'. Then, she turned to her daughter and asked her to bring out the drafted regulations.
This time, Yu Miao Qi was not in a hurry to change the rules that were set by Yu Xiang, and only stated two points: Firstly, there is no need to do spot checks on the memorization of the manor rules every month in the future, as long as everyone knows them by heart. Secondly, if even those who sweep the floor, chop the wood, fetch water and so on have group leaders, then the management staff in the manor would be too redundant. From now on, the team system will be abolished, and everything will still be in the hands of the respective Momos in charge. After her announcement, she asked if they had anything they wanted to say.
Yu Miao Qi had her own reasons when making these two changes. The first one was because she wanted to let everyone put down their guards and to show that the new master was kind and harmonious. Secondly, she wanted to win the hearts of the people, especially the Momos-in-charge, whose authority had suddenly grown. Lastly, it was to save the additional wages given to the team leaders to cut costs.
In order not to lose the hearts of these people, she didn't dare to make any big moves upon her arrival. However, she secretly planned out small steps to accomplish each one at a time.
Naturally, no one objected as it was a good thing they didn't have to memorize the manor rules. Even though the team leaders would receive monthly additional bonuses, they also had to be responsible for the mistakes made by their team members, which placed them under a lot of pressure. Additionally, as their status was not at the level of stewardship, they would not be able to meet the master. Just like 'what lowly people think counts for little', even if they had an opinion, there was nothing they could do about it.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Yu Miao Qi took it as consent. She then said that those who had something to say could speak up, and those who had nothing to say could leave. Naturally, everyone was fine and left one after another after making their bow. This new official's first fire could be considered wordlessly and silently set alight.
Lin Shi was very impressed by her daughter's cleverness and competence. To say it bluntly, she could rest assured that there would definitely be no troubles by entrusting the manor to her daughter. After saying that, she went into the inner hall and continued to reminisce about the past as she looked at the memorial tablet.
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In the West wing courtyard, someone immediately informed Liu Lu of Yu Miao Qi's actions who in turn reported to Yu Xiang.
"There won't be trouble? It's only temporary." Yu Xiang laughed contemptuously as she played with the laozi[1], "I rule the manor like an iron barrel, and there's no place for her to interfere. Thus, she removed the rules that I have made, and then slowly supported her own trusted aides. When I was in charge of the manor, as long as one did their job well, they were treated the same as a servant of the same rank. Those with excellent abilities were given the opportunity to be promoted regardless of their background and connection. She can't be as impartial as I am. If you want the horses to run, you have to give them grass. By feeding her trusted aides, it will naturally cause others to starve. Once one is starving, they will be envious. Envy will lead to jealousy, and jealousy will cause trouble. Sooner or later our manor will be chaotic. It is like a blindfolded donkey, you just have to whip it and it will set its heart on turning the grindstone. However, once you take off the blindfold and let it see the beautiful world outside, how can it still pay attention to you? One can't even pull it back."
Tao Hong was dumbfounded and asked, "Young Miss, are you not going to do something about it? At least give her a heads-up! No one will be pleased if the manor is in chaos!"
Liu Lu scowled at her and mouth the words 'foolish girl'.
Yu Xiang scratched her scalp with the tip of the needle and sneered, "Foolish girl, how can Grandmother not perceive what I was able to perceive? A mistake by Yu Miao Qi is equivalent to a mistake by Lin Shi. Grandmother is just waiting to catch Lin Shi in the act. Think about it, in the 7 rules, how many of them has she already broken? Disobedient to parents[2], doesn't take care of her relatives, not teaching her children, jealous[3] and talking too much[4]. If she was in another family, she would have been divorced long ago. It's because Grandmother is softhearted, and doesn't have time to do anything all these few years, that is why she let her off. Just wait and see if they make a mistake this time, Grandmother will not be lenient. One will be divorced and the other will either be locked up for a few years or married far away.
After Tao Hong heard this, she was rendered speechless and no longer dared to say anything more.
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In the main courtyard, the Old Madam also received the news that Yu Miao Qi didn't make a big move but only rescinded two rules that weren't carrying much weight. She sighed sorrowfully to Ma Momo, "I thought she would be scheming but yet she really lacks the foresight. It is true that the two rescinded rules aren't important, yet she does not give them a second thought: The servants are under constant management, and there is a clear division of labour for their jobs. However, she has now suddenly taken away the power of control, causing the division of labour to become unclear, order would cease to exist as to who should be responsible for matters. Wouldn't that cause people to be uncertain? You push me, I push you. There will be no one to perform the job, and sooner or later there will be chaos in the manor. It's like a horse that is galloping with its belly clenched. When you suddenly release the force that is holding it, it would slacken instantly and inevitably trip over its own hooves. The management of the food and kitchen is also a discipline. The way of which is similar to the governance of the country. The way of ruling the country is clear if the country is strict. If the country is biased, chaos will arise. In the end, Yu Miao Qi can't be compared to Xiang'er!"
Ma Momo agreed in response, "That's natural. Miss Xiang'er was hand-taught by you and the Marquis after all. Ordinary people can't compare."
The Old Madam's mood eased a bit and she said in a soft tone, "After all, the Shen family is a merchant family. They are short-sighted and the children they teach are really not up to standard."
Ma Momo nodded her head in agreement.
The two of them, however, did not know that it wasn't the Shen family which failed to discipline, but it was that they didn't dare to discipline. Just look at Shen Yuan Qi, among thousands of people, he was also extremely outstanding. In the end, Yu Miao Qi was just held too high by the Shen family, and that accidentally caused her to fail due to excessive praise, which explained why she was like this now.
Because Yu Miao Qi's methods were not strict and steady. In addition, she was also secretly looking for trusted aides to support her. In the next half a month, there wasn't any chaos stirred up in the Marquis manor, and she gradually relaxed.
On this day, Yu Si Yu, who had been hiding in the manor, suddenly came to visit and even brought many gifts with her. Yu Miao Qi smiled and let her into the room, but her demeanour was not in the least hostile.
Yu Si Yu exchanged a few pleasantries and spoke expectantly, "Younger sister, it's not that I'm greedy for Mother's dowry. It's really because I can't refuse an elder. If I were to insist on refusing under those circumstances, wouldn't Grandmother be even more angry? I have no choice. Mother doesn't blame me for that, does she?"
How could Lin Shi not blame her? After the event occurred, Yu Miao Qi's heart was also bleeding when she learned about the value of the several shops and land, and how she wished she could eat Yu Si Yu alive.
Yu Miao Qi looked down as she drank her tea and when she spoke again, her tone was indescribably kind and cheerful, "How could Mother blame Elder sister? Mother has been neglecting you all these years, and this time she has done her part to add to your dowry. I will also prepare a generous gift for my elder sister at that time, in order to fulfil our sisterly love."
Yu Si Yu was immensely touched and held her hand in admiration, "Younger sister is still the most caring. Unlike Yu Xiang, who is a cold-hearted person."
Yu Miao Qi smiled with her lips pressed together.
Both of them continued to chat, and only when Yu Si Yu was about to leave did she then say , "I heard that Younger sister is currently in charge of the manor. If I am not too busy, I can still help out. Younger sister also knows that I will be getting married in a year and a half, and I need to learn about the management of food and kitchen."
"Hasn't Elder sister learned that before? Normally daughters of ordinary people would start learning at the age of seven or eight." Yu Miao Qi feigned surprise.
Yu Si Yu's eyes welled up with tears as she pointed to the west wing, and then pointed to the main courtyard, she complained softly, "One is overbearing and rampant, while the other is selfish and biased. I survive in the cracks[1]. How can I learn any real skills? But just toil in vain."
"My good Elder sister. Then, this younger sister will have to rely on you a lot more in the future." Yu Miao Qi immediately agreed. After she saw Yu Si Yu off, her face immediately sank. She dismissed a few maidservant and summoned Jin Momo over.
"Have you received news from the people you sent to Yangzhou? When can we get rid of Yu Si Yu? I think she's really an eyesore." Ever since that scene in the main courtyard, Yu Miao Qi hadn't bothered to act virtuous and gentle anymore. She revealed her crafty temperament she had developed while staying with the Shen family.
Jin Momo didn't feel disappointed, and was happy to see that instead. Madam couldn't be relied on, it would be better if Second Young Miss was a little stronger. She smiled and replied, "Replying to Second Young Miss, I just got the news that the Fang family's mother and son have been persuaded and are on their way to the capital. I'm sure they will be here in another seven or eight days."
"Still need seven or eight days to get here? Don't make any mistakes." Yu Miao Qi pressed her temples.
Jin Momo waved her hand immediately, "There won't be any mistakes. The mother and son are now in a bad state. Let alone a full meal, they don't even have a place to shelter from the rain. They will not be able to survive. How can they not grasp on tightly Yu Si Yu, their life-saving straw? They are even more anxious than we are."
"That's good indeed. I'll reward you heavily when this matter is done. Also, is there any progress on finding some trustworthy servants to assist me?"
"We still need to observe for a while. Don't fret, Young Miss. The full power is in your hands, there is no need for us to bother looking for someone. Someone will naturally come to us."
"That's true."
As the two of them were planning, they heard someone outside the room announcing, "Second Young Miss, Chun Mei and Dong Xue would like to meet you."
Yu Miao Qi looked at Jin Momo inquisitively.
Jin Momo lowered her voice and introduced them, "These two maidservants were originally the tongfang[2]maidservants that the Old Madam had given to the Marquis, but for some reason, the Third Young Miss sent them to the sewing room. It has been almost four years, and they have never even met the Marquis. The Marquis doesn't care and the Old Madam won't speak up on behalf of them. They are here to see you, as you are now the person in charge of the manor, and want to beg you for help. After all, you are a girl who has not been married and you can't really interfere. It would be better for Madam to decide. I told you not to be anxious just now, right? See, they took the initiative to come here."
Yu Miao Qi nodded slightly and after pondering for a moment, she said, "Tell mother to transfer them back to elder brother's courtyard, one would attend to grooming, and the other to attend to grinding of ink. Elder brother has already reached the coming of age[3] and he doesn't even have someone to warm his bed. It would be a joke if It is known to others." It was time to find some beautiful concubines to distract Yu Pin Yan. It would be best to get him married quickly. Once he acquired a few concubines, and several daughters and sons, how would he have the mind to care about Yu Xiang? Even the Old Madam probably wouldn't be able to take care of her by then.
The more she thought about the matter, the more she felt that it was feasible. She stopped Jin Momo who was about to leave and asked, "Is big brother betrothed?"
"Yes." Jin Momo nodded her head. "Before they were born, they already had an arranged betrothal. The other party is the di daughter of Duke Jingguo manor. It's just that she is currently mourning and thus the marriage has been delayed." Jin Momo accompanied Lin Shi all day, so naturally her ears and eyes were not as nimble as they used to be, and she didn't receive the news that the Old Madam and Yu Pin Yan were intending to cancel the engagement.
Let alone her, the majority of the servants were unaware of their master's plan and took it as a sign that Chang Ya Fu was about to enter the manor after removing her mourning attire.
Yu Miao Qi contemplated for a moment and asked again, "How much longer will she be in mourning for?"
"Not for too long, by the end of next month she can remove her mourning attire." Jin Momo counted with her fingers.
"Alright. I understand. Take Chun Mei and Dong Shui to Mother's courtyard." Yu Miao Qi dismissed Jin Momo and smiled with ease. However, her face sank at the thought that there would be a new daughter-in-law joining their household upon marriage, and would be in charge of the management of the manor, and food and kitchen. She contemplated on how to deal with it.
In any case, as long as Lin Shi did not give up the authority, the daughter-in-law would not be able to forcefully snatch it. She could also give Yu Pin Yan a few more beautiful concubines, then that di daughter of Duke Jingguo manor would have no time to mind about this. Yu Miao Qi leaned against the back of the chair as numerous thoughts popped up in her head, and her expression slowly changed from hesitation to determination.
[1] 夹缝中求存(jiāfèng zhōng qiúcún)- surviving in the cracks. This refers to someone living in a difficult life or an unfavourable external environment.
[2] 通房 (tōng fang)- the highest position of a maid but the position is lower than that of a concubine
[3] 加冠(jiāguān)-In historical times, man at the age of 20 years old will take part in a capping ceremony, where their hair would done up and wearing a cap. Credits: Beijing Tourism