Worrying about the world

  Things were settled quickly, the old lady didn't quite understand things outside, but she remembered her mother-in-law's teachings, a good family must have a surplus of blessings, so doing good deeds and giving porridge was an annual tradition, not for the first time. This time the girls took the initiative to do this, and she was very happy, wanting the children to learn and see poverty, and avoid being ignorant of worldly affairs.

  This time, the three madams helped to support it, and several girls made plans and strategies, each summarizing their own money and efforts. The three madams pointed out one or two things from the side, and the girls were in high spirits.

  After preparing for a day, the three girls and four girls, including Wu Niang, came to the small hall next to Song He Tang with account books in their arms, looking bitter and complaining to their mother, "Why do we have to keep accounts even for a bowl of porridge? It's so troublesome, I'm dizzy from looking at it." They held their heads in distress.

  The third madam glared at her daughter, "This accounting is very necessary, with the account book can see if people are lazy or not! Have you figured it out?" She pinched her daughter's ear and pulled her up.

  The third girl quickly picked up her spirits, "I found six problems, the fourth sister found five problems, the fifth sister discovered two minor issues, and the sixth sister was mainly responsible for checking whether there were any problems with the rice and medicine."

  The three madams' faces slightly cleared up, "What are the problems you have, tell me about them."

  The three girls sat upright in their chairs and replied seriously: "At first, the housekeepers didn't take us seriously and treated us like children. It wasn't until Mother Xu scolded one of them that they became more restrained. There are many problems with this account book, which we sisters have summarized. The servants just want to be lazy and take advantage of the situation to gain some benefits. Sixth sister means to thoroughly rectify the situation while grandfather and grandmother are not around. The men in the family are all working hard outside, and it's time for the household to tighten up, being strict with oneself is the way to go!

  I also think that Liu's sister is right, the other day I found out that the wives have been drinking, playing cards and gambling, and the gatekeeper is not very strict either. The consequences are really terrible to think about, carefully thinking, all the men who can take care of things at home are outside, what if something happens and the whole house is full of women?

  "We have discussed this among ourselves. Taking advantage of this opportunity to offer porridge, we will severely punish a few big offenders as examples, and also warn the lower officials in the government, tightening their skin, so that when refugees come to the capital, they won't dare to commit theft or other filthy crimes."

  The three madams sighed in their hearts, how could they not know these things?! But what can be done? She was only temporarily managing the Hou Mansion, and her words carried no weight. On the surface, everyone agreed with her, but in reality, nothing changed.

  There are many old people who have accumulated in the mansion for years, and some of them were injured when they followed Old Master Hou to the battlefield. Family members also work in the mansion, and their relationships are intertwined, so even the old lady has to give them some face. They can't just punish and kill them, or it will get out that the master is stingy and ungrateful.

  It's a good idea, though. Although it can't completely stop the evil winds in the mansion, it can at least ensure temporary peace and safety. After all, in a peaceful and prosperous world, even if they are just pretending to be obedient, it's already a good thing, and nothing more can be done about them. Those old people will have to wait for the young master and the princess to return before making any decisions. Maybe during the wedding of the young master, some of them will be released, and then some new servants without any background will be brought in, which can change the atmosphere in the mansion a bit.

  This family values the way of balance, especially for a respectable family like theirs. It's best to use thunderous methods sparingly, only at critical moments, otherwise it will inevitably lead to criticism.

  It's a problem with old servants like this. Before the eldest princess got married, they had already let go of a batch of people. Otherwise, there would still be slaves who are more noble than their masters! Now it seems to have this meaning again, and after the young master gets married, the mansion will have its future mistress, so they won't need to worry about managing the household affairs anymore.

  Thinking of these three ladies, they can't help but feel a little downhearted. Having tasted the benefits of being in charge, it's hard for them to let go without feeling some disappointment. But thinking about their son becoming more sensible and having proper work to do, although he isn't a high-ranking official, he has his own friends and colleagues in the imperial court now. Every time he comes back, his face is full of energy and spirit, completely different from before.

  The daughter has also become more sensible and generous, thanks to Zhang's good teaching. Every now and then, there are girls who write letters or post messages asking for her help, which makes the daughter even happier and more spirited. She is no longer like her previous spoiled and attention-seeking self, and just because of this, she is willing to completely give up her household management rights.

  She turned back to sort out her own dowry, and when her daughter got married, the family would give a portion of it. She would add some more, leave a large sum for her son's marriage, and keep a small villa for herself. When her daughter-in-law arrived, she would have finally made it through the tough times. As for Third Master, he could do whatever he wanted, as long as he didn't drag down her children. She had given up on him for life, and now she was just waiting to hold her grandson.

  Several girls got busy, in order to make things perfect, the third girl told several sisters that each girl took turns to check the post, to see if they had any sneaky or deceitful behavior, such as replacing good rice with old rice.

  Yang Lan also ran to Chunhe Hall to ask the doctor, following them to do it together. The old doctor of Chunhe Hall has been treating illnesses for the ladies of the Hou Mansion for many years. Sometimes when it's not convenient to invite a famous doctor or when there's no time to invite a famous doctor, they use him instead.

  This time, Yang Lan specially invited the old doctor to join in. The old doctor was very happy when he heard about it and brought his disciples along for a free clinic. They also brewed some medicinal soup to prevent epidemics. Whoever drank porridge, regardless of age or sex, was given a bowl first. Those who were sick were pulled aside for treatment.

  For several days in a row, she received quite a lot of praise, as the one who showed up was the third madam, and everyone said a few words of praise.

  But things quickly took a turn for the worse, not because of anything else, but because there were more and more refugees, the women couldn't even cook porridge anymore, they were all exhausted and pale.

  Without being told, the clever housekeepers looked at the gate more strictly, and didn't let anyone wander around casually. Yang Lan couldn't help but sigh, no wonder ordinary wealthy families' old servants were unwanted by others! Because they were too clever, the gateways inside the mansion might be even more cunning than their masters! Who would dare to want such a servant?

  It was a joint effort with over ten young ladies, so it wouldn't seem like the Yang family was standing out. The daughters of both civil and military officials all had this, and these past few days have also reflected that there are increasingly more refugees, and the household's gate restrictions were also strict, only allowing people to bring messages over, no one could come out.

  The three madams did not allow the few girls to go out either, fearing that something would go wrong, and for this reason, they also dispatched many more small servants and family members.

  Yang Lan felt that things were subtly out of control, and after a few steps, she arrived at Song He Tang, found the third madam and the old lady, "Grandmother, I have something to discuss with you."

  The three madams also had a worried look, giving out porridge was a good thing, but there were too many people, and they had been doing it for over ten days in a row. The food was not enough, and the grain was almost gone, yet the refugees just kept coming! How could they stop halfway through? Wouldn't that be laughable?!

  "Lin'er has something to say, just speak up, but it seems that someone is slow in responding!" asked the third madam with a gentle tone.

  Yang Lan shook her head, worried and said: "It's not because of this, I've seen more and more refugees coming in, the rice porridge must continue to be distributed. I've already asked the steward to dispatch grain from my mother's estate and also asked the strong men from the estate to send some over to ensure the safety inside the mansion. The gate must be strictly guarded, and if necessary, extreme measures can be taken! There are many women in our household, we absolutely cannot let them tarnish the reputation of our women." As she spoke, a hint of severity flashed in her eyes.

  The three wives heard this and their hearts skipped a beat. They immediately said: "I know, I've been to all the places today, every day for the past few days there have been inspections of the gate guards. I'm well aware of this!" In her heart, she was thinking that tonight might be another surprise inspection, what if something happens and it implicates my daughter?

  Yang Lan nodded, her expression slightly easing. "I need to go into the palace and pay my respects to Princess Ping'an. I'll try to get everyone to work together; otherwise, it would be too embarrassing for the Yang family. Sisters shouldn't go out if there's no good reason. If an invitation comes, please make sure to state the reason clearly and sincerely, so as not to offend anyone."

  The third wife looked at the thirteen-year-old child in front of her, wearing a large red butterfly-embroidered flower-patterned jacket with a two-inch-wide yellow satin edge and a thin silk lining, tied with a crimson waistband embroidered with white jade lily, with a ten-character hairstyle adorned with a white jade hairpin, a gold-inlaid jade hairpin, and a pair of red kingfisher earrings.

  She doesn't look at him much, but her eyebrows and eyes are like a painting, dressed in elegant and dignified attire, with a hint of English air between her eyebrows, making her look even more dignified and noble. Her figure is slender and graceful, her face rosy and her skin white and tender, standing there like a jade statue, the girl's youthful vitality hits him in the face.

  The three wives' eyes couldn't help but become somewhat complicated, not to mention the color was so good, at such a young age, thinking about things already had two sides, and then thinking of her own spoiled daughter, ah!

  "You go! Whatever you need Auntie to do, just speak up. It's not like I can write a single word with my left hand." The third madam said seriously.

  Yang Lan nodded, and after the courtesy, she left with her entourage. She wanted to go to her aunt's palace first, Princess Ping'an, to see if she could persuade her aunt to enter the palace together and get things done, which would only benefit the Yang family without any harm.

  With a cloud of blue clouds and a moon, and a group of guards, they went out in a grand manner. Yang Lan sat in the carriage with her eyes slightly closed, thinking about how to open her mouth when she saw her aunt, how to tell her troubles, and what to do next. She had to have a plan in mind first.

  Things need to be done properly, the Yang family can't be too picky, otherwise good things will also become bad things. It's best to invite all the influential families in Beijing, first we need to go into the palace and get a good result back, otherwise it's impossible to persuade them to give us money!

  If I could also get a good return for Sister Zhou and Sister Mingyu, and at the same time, Third Sister and the others could also receive some rewards, it would be a matter of face. I wonder if Old Madame would be willing to help me?

  "Miss, we've arrived at Princess Ping'an's residence!" Biyun whispered in Yang Lan's ear.

  Yang Lan suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of sharp light quickly swept across, and soon disappeared. However, there was more fear and urgent emotions on her face. She held Bi Yun's hand and got out of the car, slightly adjusting her collar, and said: "Has the note been sent in?"

  "Yes, the person from the princess's residence said that today the old ancestor happened to be free and heard that the young lady had arrived. The princess is very pleased! The one who replied was Qian Mama beside the old ancestor!" Bìyún replied without missing a beat.