Chapter 16: Right of Management

Chapter 16: Stewardship

Su Qingwan raised an eyebrow. Lu Feng was a man of great tact and handsome appearance, and having passed the imperial examinations, he possessed genuine talent. With the matter already a fait accompli, the Earl’s family could not easily make a scene. If they wanted Li Xueying to live well, they would even have to promote Lu Feng. Noble families valued their reputation; they would rather bury the secret of a premarital pregnancy for a lifetime than let it be known. They had no choice but to settle the matter quietly.

Late at night, the maids took turns on duty. Lüzhu arranged for one person to keep watch while the others returned to their rooms to rest. Su Qingwan was reviewing account books, using an abacus as she read; the inner chamber was filled with the sound of clicking beads. Lüzhu entered carrying a vase of vibrant Yao Huang peonies, her expression excited.

Su Qingwan was struck by their beauty. "Where did you find these?"

Lüzhu sat on the heated couch and placed the vase on the windowsill. The evening breeze wafted the scent of peonies into the room. Su Qingwan admired the premium flowers, a rare hint of a smile appearing on her face.

She loved peonies dearly. Many years ago, in the Huainan Prince’s mansion, there had been a peony garden with yellow, white, red, and pink varieties. Whenever the flowers were in bloom, the mansion would host flower-viewing banquets where the young ladies would adorn their hair with blossoms and play, full of joy.

In the Southwest, there were fewer varieties of peonies. She had planted a patch at her villa to soothe her longing. In those long, arduous years, it had been her only spiritual sustenance, aside from her hatred and bitterness.

"I had nothing to do today, so I wandered around the Lu estate. I actually discovered a courtyard filled with peonies—they were so colorful and beautiful. Since no one was in that courtyard, I thought you would like them, so I secretly picked a few branches to bring back for you to enjoy," Lüzhu said, blinking her eyes cleverly.

The two sat before the heated couch with the windows wide open. The early summer weather was sultry, and a crescent moon hung high in the sky, with stars flowing like a river, making the peonies appear even more vivid and dazzling.

Su Qingwan recalled the lively, happy times playing with her sister in the peony garden during her childhood. Now that they were separated by life and death, she could not help but feel sorrowful.

Lüzhu said, "Miss, the Meilan Courtyard is empty and looks so desolate. Since you like peonies, why don't we plant a patch?"

Su Qingwan suppressed her emotions and said softly, "We won't be staying in the Lu family for long. We will be gone before the next blooming season, so there is no need to go through the trouble."

Lüzhu thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's true. Then we won't bother. I'll just pick a few branches for you to enjoy every other day."

Su Qingwan continued with the accounts, her fingers flying across the abacus. Lüzhu was lively and clever, getting along well with the other maids in the estate, and was very well-informed. She smiled and said, "The people the Lu family sent out to purchase supplies today all hit a wall. The shopkeepers worked together; when the Lu family's buyers tried to use Lu Shaoqing’s name to pressure them, the shopkeepers retorted, insisting on payment upon delivery and refusing to let them get anything for free. A crowd gathered in front of the shops, pointing and whispering. The man returned crestfallen and reported it to Madam Lin. Madam Lin flew into a rage in her courtyard, cursing you for being narrow-minded, vengeful, and using your money to bully others."

"Lu Shaoqing’s salary, when converted to silver, is less than a hundred taels. A single set of summer clothes and a head full of jewelry for Lu Yunxiu costs a hundred taels, not to mention the family’s daily expenses, monthly allowances, and the upkeep of eighty servants. Money flows like water every day. Furthermore, she has adopted the airs of the marquises and nobles in the capital, enjoying hosting various banquets and climbing the social ladder. Of course, she wants me to continue funding their wealthy and extravagant lifestyle," Su Qingwan mocked.

"Even rural farmers wouldn't be so shameless as to use their daughter-in-law's dowry. The Lu family claims to be a scholarly household and prides itself on being noble, yet they have been living off a daughter-in-law's dowry for years. They are as greedy as snakes; they have truly lost all sense of shame," Lüzhu cursed.

"I am not as easy to bully as my sister. Whatever they have greedily taken, I will make them spit it all back out!" Su Qingwan’s tone was indifferent. She said softly, "Blow out the lamp and sleep. Tomorrow, there will be a good show to watch."

The next morning, just after Su Qingwan finished breakfast, Madam Lin sent someone to invite her over, her tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude. Su Qingwan remained indifferent and did not bicker with the maid. Lüzhu grabbed the account books and followed her to Madam Lin’s courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, they ran into Li Xueying and Lu Feng. Li Xueying was wearing a water-red jacket and skirt, looking radiant and charming as a flower. Standing side by side with Lu Feng, they looked like a perfect pair—newlyweds, affectionate and inseparable. Li Xueying even glanced triumphantly at Su Qingwan, clinging to Lu Feng even more intimately.

Su Qingwan’s reaction was cold, while Lüzhu looked indignant.

Lu Feng led Li Xueying inside, with Su Qingwan walking behind at a leisurely pace. Lu Feng did not even spare a glance for his legal wife. When they reached the hall, Madam Lin was sitting there looking sickly and listless. Lu Feng offered a few words of concern, and Madam Lin replied that she had caught a draft and had a headache.

Lu Feng felt sorry for his mother and turned to reprimand Su Qingwan, "Zhaolan, Mother is ill. Why did you not come to attend to her? You show none of the qualities of a daughter-in-law."

Su Qingwan said coolly, "Mother does not only have one daughter-in-law."

Madam Lin coughed a few times. Li Xueying covered her face and frowned, unable to hide her disdain. How could she possibly serve Madam Lin? She still held a grudge because Madam Lin had told Xie Zhaolan about her pregnancy.

"Mother is ill, but you have always been the one to serve her. I am with child and do not wish to catch her illness." Li Xueying had already had friction with Madam Lin and spoke quite bluntly.

Madam Lin knew that by marrying a daughter-in-law from a high-ranking family, she could not act like a typical mother-in-law, but she had not expected Li Xueying to show such disdain to her face. She felt very uncomfortable.

Lu Feng naturally protected Li Xueying, his face darkening as he said, "Zhaolan, from today on, you will serve in Mother’s courtyard until she recovers."

Su Qingwan sneered, noncommittal. It was hard to say whether Madam Lin was truly ill or just faking it.

"Enough. I just caught a draft and have a headache. What is the point of all this noise? I called you here today because there is a serious matter to discuss. Everyone, sit down." Madam Lin coughed again. Nanny Chen comforted her from the side, telling her not to worry and to take care of her health, and Lu Feng echoed her, a picture of filial piety.

Su Qingwan did not even touch her teacup; she sat lost in thought and did not take the initiative to speak.

Lu Feng asked, "Mother, what matter did you call us here to discuss?"

Madam Lin could hardly tell Lu Feng that the Xie family’s business was no longer willing to provide for their daily needs and had cut off their funds. Lu Feng was a scholar who did not understand the cost of rice and salt. The four treasures of the study, the iced drinks provided daily in midsummer, and his social obligations in officialdom all required vast amounts of silver. He only knew how to reach out his hand for money; how could he understand where it came from?

Madam Lin rubbed her forehead in pain, a look of suffering on her face. She said softly, "Ever since Zhaolan married into our family, she has been the one managing the household affairs and the finances, and I have never had to worry about a thing. It was only this past year, while Zhaolan was away, that I began to manage the household chores myself. For Feng’er’s wedding, I worked day and night, and now that I am ill, I truly cannot manage anymore. Zhaolan, since you are back, I will return the stewardship of the household to you."

Su Qingwan had long anticipated what Madam Lin would say. She looked at Li Xueying opposite her, whose expression had indeed changed. Whoever held the power of stewardship represented the mistress of the house, the one relied upon by the parents. Li Xueying had been competing with her at every turn; she would certainly fight for it.

"Mother, how can the stewardship be handed to Xie Zhaolan?" Li Xueying said, displeased. The stewardship of the Earl’s mansion was in her mother’s hands. She was a young lady raised in a noble clan and had also learned how to manage a household. Before marrying into the Lu family, her mother had instructed her to assist her mother-in-law and obtain the stewardship, as that was the only way to truly control a family.

In her eyes, Xie Zhaolan was of lowly status; how was she fit to manage the household? If Xie Zhaolan were in charge, everything would have to be done according to her arrangements. Li Xueying felt sick at the thought.