Chapter 10: They Say the Marchioness Has an Ace Up Her Sleeve

Su Yunting gave Jing Niang no chance to argue; she finished her outburst and bolted.

The crowd had arrived in a massive swell and departed just as noisily.

In the main courtyard, only Gu Nanxi, Su Yunyan, Su Xuanming, and Jing Niang remained.

Jing Niang stood with her back straight and her chin tilted high; from her hair to her toes, she exuded pure stubbornness.

"Madam, you did this on purpose, didn't you? You called them all here to pressure me, hoping I would realize the difficulty and back down?"

Jing Niang walked slowly toward Gu Nanxi, her clear eyes shining with the confidence of someone who believed she had "seen through the conspiracy."

"Madam, I am not one to fear difficulties. I was able to stand out among a crowd of brothers despite the pressure, so naturally, I do not fear the affairs of this Marquis Mansion!"

"From this day forward, I will take full responsibility for the food and servant expenses of the Marquis Mansion! Even if I have to exhaust my entire family fortune, I will not give up easily!"

As if a general heading into battle, Jing Niang strode out of the main courtyard.

Su Xuanming, who adored her decisive and resolute temperament, naturally followed after her.

Left behind, Su Yunyan leaned worriedly against Gu Nanxi's knees. "Mother, what should we do? Jing Niang is about to turn the tables!"

Gu Nanxi closed her eyes and took a light sip of the dried papaya soup. The original owner's body was frail; even after giving birth to a daughter and two sons, certain areas remained as flat as an airfield.

*Drink some papaya soup; it's good for nourishment.*

"Persisting in the wrong direction is what people commonly call 'refusing to turn back until one hits a wall,'" Gu Nanxi spoke leisurely.

Perseverance is a virtue, but perseverance lacking correct perception is a stumbling block on the path of life.

There was once a boy in Gu Nanxi's class who was brilliantly talented in literature, scoring full marks in history and politics, but single digits in physics and chemistry.

However, he firmly believed that men should study the sciences, and that as long as he buried his head in hard study, he would surely improve his science grades.

Unfortunately, reality taught him a lesson.

Had he studied the humanities, he would have certainly entered the Top 10; instead, because he insisted on the sciences, he couldn't even reach the threshold for a first-tier university.

Jing Niang was just like that boy—diving headfirst into this mess without even understanding the situation within the Marquis Mansion.

Su Yunyan opened her eyes wide with innocence, looking at Gu Nanxi trustingly. "Mother must have a hidden move. I don't believe Jing Niang can escape your grasp!"

Gu Nanxi affectionately stroked Su Yunyan's hair. This child's head was filled with the tropes of household infighting, yet she lacked the actual intelligence for it.

*What hidden move could I possibly have?*

*I'm just lying flat and letting things rot.*

In any case, the Yongchang Marquis Mansion was a sinking ship. What harm could there be in letting Jing Niang wreak a little havoc?

Jing Niang's decisive actions triggered a strong backlash from the servants of the mansion.

In an instant, the Yongchang Marquis Mansion once again topped the capital's gossip lists, becoming the laughingstock of teahouses, taverns, and high-society gatherings.

"Oh, it's absolutely ridiculous. Yesterday, the Yongchang Marquis came to buy eggs from me. He didn't want the fresh ones; he insisted on the ones that were almost rotten."

Inside a teahouse, a group of merchants were engaged in a tea competition, and they couldn't help but discuss the trending Yongchang Marquis Mansion.

"Isn't that just saving you from disaster? That batch of expired goods of yours was almost ready to be made into salted eggs."

The merchant who started the conversation chuckled. "Exactly. One wen per egg, and they were all sold to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion. By the way, what is going on with the Marchioness? Years ago, her dowry was so grand it shocked the entire capital. Why is she being so stingy now?"

His friend handed him a cup of tea. "You went out looking for goods and missed several major dramas. The eldest son of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion is obsessed with that 'Medicinal Beauty,' causing all sorts of jokes. The Marchioness, having no other choice, actually handed over the power of household management to the Medicinal Beauty."

The chubby merchant was so shocked he accidentally dropped his teacup on the floor. "Absurd! Did they ever hire a matchmaker, exchange calling cards, or discuss a marriage proposal?"

"Not at all."

The chubby merchant clicked his tongue. "Even an ordinary family wouldn't be this improper."

"Exactly. Once that Medicinal Beauty took over management, she brought her shop's management style straight into the mansion."

The chubby merchant understood. "No wonder the servants of the Yongchang Mansion rejected perfectly good eggs for rotten ones. The Medicinal Beauty set the egg procurement price at two wen; the servants, wanting to pocket kickbacks, naturally chose the cheapest ones."

"Although the Yongchang Marquis Mansion is not as prosperous as it once was, it has lasted for several generations. The servants are mostly born into the household. The Medicinal Beauty's actions have bred resentment, which is why the news of the mansion's affairs is spreading like wildfire."

The chubby merchant sighed. "Tsk tsk, a noble house with leaks like a sieve—there's only one like this."

The merchants' voices were not small, and their conversation was overheard by the guests in the private rooms upstairs.

One of those rooms was filled entirely with women.

The young lady of the Duke of Cheng's house picked up a Sichuan milk-sugar lion, popped it into her mouth, and only after swallowing did she speak slowly.

"I don't think the Marchioness of Yongchang is as strategic as you all say. Now, she has lost the power of management, the mansion has lost its reputation, and yet those two haven't even separated."

Lady Niu, the wife of the General of the State, lay lazily on a soft couch and spoke calmly, "Just watch. The Marchioness must have a hidden move."

The young lady of the Duke of Ji's house took a sip of tea. "My mother-in-law analyzed it all for me last night. Gu Nanxi has always thought ten steps ahead; this matter certainly won't end just like this."

However, the young lady of the Duke of Cheng's house did not believe it. "What other hidden move could there be? That Jing Niang has skin as thick as a city wall. Even if the whole city is gossiping, it won't stop her from lunging at this massive wealth. If the Marchioness intends to make her back down, I'm afraid her plan will fail."

Lady Niu stuffed a milk-sugar lion into her hand and said coquettishly, "Let's just enjoy the show. In any case, this Yongchang Marquis Mansion doesn't belong to us."

Next to the women's private room was a group of scholars from the Songshan Academy.

"Brother Xuanming, I heard that your 'partner' is running your household now. I imagine your hands are much freer?" A dashing scholar waved his fan, glancing sideways at Su Xuanming.

"Brother Shaoyan, well, that... the family has changed the rules, so I might..." Su Xuanming stammered, not daring to speak plainly.

A tall, sturdy scholar threw an arm around Su Xuanming. "Brother Xuanming, you really love to joke. It's just a merchant's daughter; could she really have such skill to target the entire Marquis Mansion? There must be your hand in this, Xuanming. Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"

The surrounding scholars began to jeer, and someone called a waiter to order. "Ten clams, five bowls of quail soup. Bring one of every specialty dish you have."

The waiter bowed and whispered a reminder, "Young masters, at this time of year, clams cost a thousand wen each. A bowl of quail soup requires dozens of quails, so the price is also quite high."

Hearing the waiter's words, cold sweat poured down Su Xuanming's face. "Brother Shaoyan, Brother Fatian, there are only a few of us; we can't eat all that. Should we order less?"

Li Shaoyan said nothing, closing his eyes for a nap.

The tall Wu Fatian raised an eyebrow. "This is what befits Brother Xuanming's status! Waiter, serve the food!"

"Right away, honored guests!" The waiter scurried downstairs, leaving Su Xuanming clutching his purse, wanting to cry but unable to.