Chapter 390: Chapter 30: Human Nature (Second Update)
After Sister An finished her lunch, Mrs. Qin instructed Xuan to personally escort her back to her marital home.
Once Sister An left, Sister Zhen, observing her mother’s inexplicable expression, spoke up, "Mother, why don’t you just tell Sister that those two women have already been caught?"
As Sister Zhen spoke, her face still showed a lingering fear. Who would have thought that those responsible for such acts were the servants of her late father’s first wife?
If it weren’t for the Hidden Guard from the Qin Family by her mother’s side, no one would have guessed that those two crude women, who had been with the Liu Family for over a decade, diligently working, were actually taking orders from her half-sister’s aunt, always looking for opportunities to harm her mother!
However, that woman underestimated the status of a noble lady from the Qin Family and couldn’t predict that her crude brother-in-law would act so passionately. Even though she had always coveted her mother’s status as the Commander’s Wife, she never dared to make a move until now.
It wasn’t until her father went to war, her mother became pregnant, and affairs at home were left to her, coupled with the news of her cousin’s suicide, that chaos ensued in the mansion, giving those two women the chance to exploit the situation.
Mrs. Qin, seeing her daughter looking pale, understood that she shared a deep bond with Sister An, unable to fathom that her sister’s aunt would harm her own mother.
Sister Zhen managed to keep a calm demeanor in front of Sister An, which was enough to surprise Mrs. Qin. Yet, instead of feeling joy, she felt a pang of sourness in her heart.
With her husband away and being pregnant herself, this child was especially troublesome, and coupled with her age, her pregnancy hadn’t been smooth, requiring her to rest for most of the time.
Though the household had loyal servants and capable stewards, they weren’t the masters; some matters required her two young children to step forward.
Within a year, these two children had become much more composed, distinct from their previous innocent and carefree natures.
If it were possible, she wished her children would never grow up, living a carefree existence.
But that was just a beautiful wish. If growing up was the only way to ensure her children’s safe and long life, so be it!
"What should I say? It would only make her uneasy. Your sister grew up outside the family and came to me at four or five years old. She grew up under the tutelage of your aunt, maturing early.
Though she is grateful to your aunt, respects and loves me very much, and has developed a mother-daughter relationship with me, in her heart, her mother’s family remains a bit closer."
Mrs. Qin sighed at this point; every family has its own troubles.
Seeing her daughter still somewhat frustrated, Mrs. Qin patted her hand, "Her aunt is her aunt, and she is herself. Don’t become estranged from your sister."
Sister Zhen nodded, "Of course, I know that! But just letting that woman off! If Mother had believed those things about Cousin’s suicide and really was affected by it..." She couldn’t even bear to think of the consequences.
Mrs. Qin laughed mockingly, "If I just let her off, she’d think I’m soft and easy to bully! You know, she is indeed determined, willing to risk everything for wealth and status."
A 25-year-old unmarried woman was rare in Great Chu.
But just because she can take risks doesn’t mean others can.
"Sister An’s grandfather has three sons, each with three or four children. With such an aunt, getting marriage leave will become tricky in the future!"
Hearing this, Sister Zhen slapped the table and laughed, "Mother, you are indeed capable; this is a strategy as clear as daylight. My sister’s three aunts usually seem like scholarly housewives, but when it concerns their children’s reputations, they might tear that woman apart!"
Mrs. Qin waved her hand, "Each path is one’s own; if she falls into a pit, she can’t blame others. Alright, let’s not discuss these unpleasant things. Your Sister Su wrote that she’ll visit in a few days. Another year has passed so quickly!"
Sister Zhen ignored her mother’s remark about "time passing like water," immersing herself in the good news of Sister Su’s arrival.
"Sister Su is coming, that’s wonderful! Last time, she promised to have Qi Qiao’s mother embroider a dress for me; it should be ready just in time for the New Year."
Mrs. Qin tapped her daughter’s nose gently, "When Sister Su arrives, don’t say that; it’ll hurt her feelings. Are you thinking of Sister Su or the dress she promised you?"
Sister Zhen, unabashed, laughed, "Both."
Sister Su, who had been mentioned by Mrs. Qin and her daughter, naturally received the news, feeling both surprised and pleased, not expecting the Tartars to surrender so quickly.
But what was this about Qin Miao self-immolating? It sounded too fake; was that girl the type to commit suicide?
Nonetheless, she feared Mrs. Qin might be too close to the situation to see clearly. So, she quickly wrote a letter of reassurance and prepared to visit the Northwest Governor Mansion personally, especially since Aunt Qin was pregnant!
But before that, she needed to arrange matters at home.
In the mansion, with her son and loyal maids by her side, Sister Su was listening to Housekeeper Zhao’s report.
"Madam, the New Year goods prepared for the military households have all been purchased. Please take a look."
Sister Su waved her hand, "I trust Uncle Zhao’s work entirely. Just tell me what each family will receive and the amount of silver used, and I’ll consider any additions or reductions."
"Yes!" Zhao Youshen, moved, quickly responded, "Following the usual New Year goods given by Madam, we’ve added thirty percent more this year.
Each family will receive twenty catties of refined flour, ten catties of rice, five catties of pork, five catties of mutton, two fish, two catties of pastries, one catty of candies, and two bolts of fine cloth.
Families with elderly or children receive an additional catty of dried shrimp, a pack of seaweed, and fifty eggs; those with pregnant women receive two additional catties of dried shrimp and two catties of brown sugar.
If there’s a fallen soldier in the family, they receive an additional five taels of silver; those who followed the master on expedition receive two additional taels of silver.
The grains and meats given are produced on our estate, saving half the silver.
As for the rest, the merchants, knowing our mansion was purchasing, only charged cost price, totaling two thousand taels of silver, mainly attributed to over a thousand taels given to the military households."
At this point, Zhao Youshen, both housekeeper and accountant, felt genuinely distressed.
Each year, the total of goods and silver given to the military households under the master’s command could reach over eighteen thousand taels, earning the title of a "conscientious superior." Yet, there were still those who spoke ill of their Madam, which was intolerable.
Fortunately, his daughter and the maids were not easily bullied. Now, those gossiping women landed in trouble and hadn’t the face to come out and criticize again, making the air in Hami feel much fresher.
If not for those women’s husbands being sensible enough to bring gifts and apologize to Madam, he would rather persuade Madam to feed these goods to dogs than send them to their homes.
Listening to Zhao Youshen’s comprehensive arrangements, Sister Su nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Thanks to Uncle Zhao, I wouldn’t be able to spare time to go to the Ningxia Guard otherwise.
Shuimo, I remember there are a few jade pipes in the box of trinkets your master brought back. Have your father pick one and also take two jars of fine Huadiao wine for him."
Shuimo, hearing this, laughed, "Madam, you’ve gifted something right to father’s heart." Then she spread her hands to her father, "You better think of how to bribe me; otherwise, if I tell mother, you know the outcome!"
Zhao Youshen couldn’t help laughing and crying, "Such a grown girl and still not behaving in front of Madam. It’s only because Madam is kind that she indulges you all!"
Sister Su laughed, "That’s my oversight, didn’t think of that. Just say it’s my gift when you go back; Aunt Zhao surely won’t make you kneel on the washboard!"
