Chapter 148 The Steward of the East Mansion
"Let's meet in the front hall in half an hour! Also, ask the eldest sister-in-law and Keqing to come over, and ask the young lady as well. If they are interested, they can come together, and if they are bored, they can play by themselves. Also, ask Lu Feng to bring a team of personal soldiers over and wait outside the front hall."
Not long after, Youshi and Keqing arrived first! When they saw Jia Cong, their faces turned slightly red. They had let everyone go yesterday, and they had really let themselves go. It wasn't obvious when they were drinking yesterday, but now that they were sober, they were really embarrassed.
They were asked to sit down, and Xiaoqueer and the others served tea. Keqing then curiously took Xiangling's hand and looked her up and down. "I heard from my second sister-in-law that Xiangling, who is with my third uncle, is somewhat similar to me. Now that I see her, isn't it true?"
"When you are bored in the future, come to my room and talk. This is our fate!"
Xiangling looked at Jia Cong and then nodded vigorously!
After a few words, a group of girls came chattering. After the girls sat down, Xiao Xichun ran directly to Jia Cong, leaned against him and said, "Third brother, my yard is so nice. Last night, my third sister, sister Yun and I played for half the night before we went to sleep."
Jia Cong smiled and nodded, "Sister-in-law, the fourth sister is a girl from our mansion. Whether she lives in the East Palace or not, she must have everything she needs. Now the fourth sister only has Ruhua by her side, which is not enough . We are looking for a well-behaved maid and a loyal old woman to follow her at all times. If the fourth sister goes to the East Palace, it doesn't matter whether she follows her or not, but she must be there."
"It's the same with my second and third sisters!" Although Tanchun's relationship was a little distant, it didn't matter if she wasn't given a yard. If she was short of one or two people, she would definitely think too much. Moreover, Jia Cong was indeed happy with this resolute and smart third sister.
Tanchun's temperament and methods are stronger than those of the men in the mansion, but unfortunately she is a concubine. She can see the situation in the mansion more clearly than anyone else. In the original novel, when Fengjie was seriously ill and Tanchun was in charge of the family, she also wanted to make some changes in the mansion, but it was too late.
She herself once said: If I were a man and could go out, I would have left long ago and established a career. I would have my own reasons at that time. But I am a girl, and I have no right to say anything.
How can one not feel sorry for a daughter like this?
Tanchun's final fate is to marry far away in the sea. What good can a delicate girl like Tanchun gain from marrying far away from home in such a barbarian land, and the court is trying to pacify the sea? Perhaps, such an ending is not as good as dying at home, at least it is more painful.
Yu Shi hurriedly laughed and said, "It's as it should be!"
"Thank you, Third Brother, but I can't come to the East Palace to live often, so forget it! Whenever I come, I will go with my second sister or fourth sister, so why should Third Brother worry about it!"
Although she said this, Tanchun was extremely happy and grateful for Jia Cong's arrangement!
"What? Now that I'm in the East Palace, I'm no longer your third brother? In my heart, you are the same as your second sister and fourth sister. I originally wanted to give you a courtyard, but I was afraid that the old lady and the second wife would think too much. A few more hands won't hurt!"
"I'll take charge of this matter. All the maids and old women in the mansion will be here soon. Sisters, take a look and ask the eldest sister- one you like to your side. The third sister's person will be placed in the second sister or the fourth sister's room later."
"Third sister, why don't you hurry up and agree!" Xiangyun said happily, "Look, third brother hasn't given me what I want yet!"
"It's not easy for Miss Yun to want it. As long as Miss Yun asks, I will personally choose and arrange a room for you, okay?"
Yu's words immediately put Xiangyun out of her temper. Jia Cong assigned a few people to Yingchun, and no one dared to say anything. It was just a show of care for the sisters, but it was different for a girl from another family. Unless she married into the East Palace...
"Hahaha, it's okay to make the arrangement. I'm just afraid that if I make the arrangement today, my two uncles will come looking for me with sticks tomorrow." Jia Cong laughed.
As he was talking, Yindie walked in, "Master, everyone is already waiting in the front yard!"
So, everyone left Ningzheng Hall and headed towards the front hall.
Passing through the Neisai Gate, Neiyi Gate, Nei San Gate, and Nei Hall, we arrived at the main hall ! Jia Cong sat in the main seat in the middle, Youshi and Keqing sat on the left, and a group of girls sat at the back on the right side with a curtain drawn.
Xiao Que'er and others stood on Jia Cong's left and right!
"Let a few housekeepers come in first, and then the servants, old women, and maids come in one by one!"
Yindie agreed and then went out the door!
Not long after, four people walked in!
"The servant greets the master!"
"I am Lai Sheng, a servant. I am honored by the old lady's kindness and appointed as the chief steward of the East Palace!"
As soon as Lai Sheng opened his mouth, Jia Cong sneered in his heart. Was he telling him where he came from? To make him a little more afraid? It was a pity that even the old lady couldn't stop him from killing the person he wanted to kill.
Lai Sheng is the son of Nanny Lai, an old nanny who serves Lady Jia. She has been with the old lady all her life. Although she is a servant, the old lady treats her like an old sister. Therefore, this old woman has more respect than ordinary masters in the mansion!
She has two sons. Lai Da is the chief steward of the West Palace, and Lai Sheng is Lai Da's younger brother, who controls the East Palace.
It's no wonder that the Lai family can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the two Jia mansions, most of the power is controlled by the Lai family. They have done countless things, including deceiving their superiors and subordinates, and even forcing people to death. It's rare for a house-born child to reach this point.
Even Lai Shangrong, the son of Lai Da, was not only expelled from the government, but also passed the imperial examination and used the power of the Jia family to seek the position of county magistrate. What does the emperor think of this? Your servants in the Jia family can become county magistrates, and are more glorious than my servants? What does the Jia family want to do?
"Your servant Yu Lu will temporarily take charge of the treasury's accounts!"
"I am Zhang Cai, your servant, and I will be temporarily responsible for collecting rent from the manors outside the capital!"
"Your servant Quan Wu is temporarily in charge of the mansion's storehouse!"
Jia Cong thought for a moment, and then said to Youshi, "Sister-in-law, since you are in charge of our palace, you should work harder. You should also be in charge of the accounts of the treasury!"
"My niece, I am too busy to take care of the household. My eldest sister-in-law is in charge of the overall situation. You help manage the storehouse in the mansion."
Yu Lu and Quan Wu's expressions changed drastically. They hurriedly looked at Lai Sheng, and Lai Sheng's expression also changed. These two were his right-hand men in controlling the East Palace. If they were replaced, it might not be as convenient as before...
"Master, Yu Lu and Quan Wu have always been loyal and hardworking, and have always been trusted by the previous master. If they are replaced rashly, not to mention what others will say, it will probably be bad for the master's reputation! It is better to let the two of them take over first, and then the master will find suitable candidates after a while and replace them!" Lai Sheng said respectfully.
