Chapter 134 Taking Over Xiaoxiang Courtyard
Not only Aunt Zhang, but also Miss Xiu was terrified by the shocking change in Xiaoxiang Courtyard. Sitting there listening to Bingxin's report, she broke out in a cold sweat:
"Is the good Concubine Li gone just like that?"
"Yes, Miss. I heard that the young master was murdered by Aunt Li a year ago. The young master's biological mother, Second Aunt Wang, also went completely crazy on the night of Aunt Li's death. The body was found in the dry well behind the Orchid Garden yesterday morning. The Second Master and the Old Lady were informed. The Second Master went to see it in person and stayed by the body for a long time. He then ordered a grand burial and gave a lot of silver to Second Aunt Li's family. The Second Master is really a man who values friendship. I heard that the Second Master has been very silent these past two days. Every day when he returns to the mansion, he stays alone in the study."
"My second aunt is gone too! This is such a huge blow to my cousin. He just suffered the betrayal of Aunt Li, and now two aunts have died in succession. No one can bear it. My cousin needs me the most right now. No, I have to go see my cousin!"
As Miss Xiu spoke, she stood up. Bing Xin and Yu Xin saw this and felt helpless. Bing Xin hurried forward and said:
"Young lady, you can't do that. Not to mention that you've been under house arrest, the Second Master hasn't seen anyone these past few days. I heard that Concubine Cui and Concubine Zhang knelt outside the study for several hours, begging to see the Second Master, but they were both driven away by the Second Master. Yesterday, the three concubines and Hongyu knelt for a long time again, but the Second Master still sent them away. The First Madam couldn't stand it anymore, so she sent Baozhu to invite the Second Master to come over for dinner, but she was rejected. It seems like the Second Master has changed his ways this time."
"I won't see anyone, but my cousin can't always be like this. Someone needs to enlighten him. I can't invite my aunt to come. How can I see my cousin?"
"Miss, why don't you send someone to keep an eye on the area around Xiaoxiang Courtyard? I heard that the Second Master occasionally goes to the Orchid Garden and the Chrysanthemum Garden. Then you can pretend to run into the Second Master by chance and go up to him to talk him over."
"Why don't you send someone over now!"
"Yes, I'll send someone over right away," Bing Xin responded and walked out.
Miss Xiu looked at Yu Xin who was standing aside and continued to ask:
" What's going on in the East Wing these past two days? Didn't she go and try to persuade her cousin?"
"Miss, the Second Mistress is the coldest person. From the day of the accident until now, she has been acting as if nothing happened. She continues to do what she should do every day. On that day, Concubine Cui and Concubine Zhang couldn't stand it anymore and went to kneel outside the study to beg the Second Mistress, but the Second Mistress acted as if nothing had happened. She didn't even leave the room, let alone persuade the Second Mistress."
After Yu Xin finished speaking, she saw that the young lady was silent, so she thought for a moment and continued:
"This time, when Aunt Li got into trouble, it benefited Second Madam. I heard that the old lady had let her take over the affairs of Xiaoxiang Courtyard and established her authority. In Xiaoxiang Courtyard, in front of Second Master and the servants, she scolded several concubines, saying that they were spoiled by Second Master and had no law, and even forgot to pay their respects to the mistress. She strictly ordered them to pay their respects to Second Madam on time in the future, and not to be negligent, let alone break the rules. Second Master, who was sitting on the side, also echoed and scolded them a few words. Originally, the concubines had stopped paying their respects to the main room a few days ago, but these days they are eager to pay their respects again. Now Second Madam is in Xiaoxiang Courtyard, and she can get whatever she wants."
"What! The old lady established her authority over my cousin's wife, and my cousin not only did not stop her, but also agreed with the old lady. Does it mean that my cousin also doesn't want to divorce my cousin's wife? Then my cousin's wife's position will become more and more secure. How can this be possible!"
After hearing this, Miss Xiu stood up suddenly and began to walk back and forth in the room.
"Tell me, what should I do? The old lady must be grateful to my cousin for saving the two young ladies this time, so she did this. We can't let that vixen get away with it. Let's think of a solution quickly. What should we do next?"
Miss Xiu stopped and looked at Yuxin. They stared at each other. Yuxin lowered her head in shame. Miss Xiu was so angry that she threw her handkerchief:
"Useless things, I feed you all delicious food and drinks every day, but it's all in vain. You can't even help me when I need you most..."
After scolding for a long time, Yu Xin finally came to her senses and stepped forward and said:
"Don't worry, young lady. I think the old lady got angry after seeing the concubines in the backyard fighting with each other and finally hurting her own flesh and blood. She wanted to use the master to suppress the second master's backyard to prevent the servants from bullying the master in the future. She doesn't really like the second lady. If it were someone else, the old lady would have established her authority. Young lady, you should start with the old lady first. As long as the old lady likes you, we don't need to use any means, and the old lady will divorce the second lady."
Xiu'er's eyes lit up when she heard this. Yes, my aunt can't make the decision on this matter, otherwise she would have married me long ago. The affairs of the Xiao Mansion's backyard are still decided by the old lady. The old lady's birthday is coming soon, and this is a good opportunity Thinking of this, she turned around and instructed Yuxin:
"Find someone to send a letter to mother, telling her that the old lady's birthday is coming soon, and asking her to make some preparations and come over early to discuss important matters."
"Cousin, I just don't believe that you can compare with me in terms of family background!"
…
"The old lady's birthday is coming soon. The eldest lady has sent people over to dispatch some servants to clean the guest rooms and prepare to welcome the guests. This is a routine, and it happens every year. Second Madam, what do you think..."
At this time, the eldest aunt was in the hall talking to the second mistress.
Mengxi had already taken over the affairs of Xiaoxiangyuan in the past two days, but she did not work as hard as the eldest aunt. Instead, she used the art of modern leadership to the fullest, focusing on a few key links and spending half an hour every day listening to the eldest aunt's report and giving her advice. The rest of the procedures and specific implementation continued to be taken care of by the eldest aunt. The eldest aunt was also willing to work for her. Within a few days, Mengxi not only took over all the affairs of Xiaoxiangyuan, but also abolished some unreasonable regulations, and managed it in an orderly manner.
For the first time, the eldest aunt discovered that managing a backyard could be so easy. The things that she used to do, having to get up early and work late and get exhausted, became extremely simple in the hands of the second grandmother with just a little guidance.
The eldest aunt has been in charge of the affairs of Xiaoxiangyuan for so many years, and of course she has a lot of experience. She originally thought that the second madam was too young to handle these things, and she was determined to help her so as not to let the people in other rooms, especially the eldest wife, laugh at her. However, all the preparations were not used. The second madam handled it better than her. Not only did she admire the second madam from the bottom of her heart, she also did not look down on her at all. She wholeheartedly became a die-hard fan of the second madam. At this time, when it comes to loyalty to the second madam, if Zhiqiu is first in this courtyard, then the eldest aunt is second.
Mengxi listened to what the aunt said, thought for a while, nodded and said:
"Since it's a regular practice, you can arrange how many people the eldest wife needs. Draw up a list first. Oh, and don't send anyone out from the east wing."
"Yes, I will arrange it right away. It is already autumn, and it is time to order autumn clothes. It is better to send them out early. Others have set rules in previous years, but yours, grandma..."
