Chapter 221: Demotion
She quickly knelt on the ground. "Madam, you flatter me. It was Xu Xing who broke the rules in the first place. How could you lower yourself to visit a mere servant... Since you've said so, this servant will summon him tomorrow. Whatever important matters he's busy with, you can question him directly!"
Gu Jinzhao didn’t even glance at Mama Wang kneeling on the floor. Instead, she turned to Wen Laowu. "Since you're in charge of the mountainous land, tell me clearly what fruit trees are planted there and what the annual harvest is like."
Wen Laowu flushed red and stammered, "M-Madam, I... I stutter."
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly. "That’s alright. Speak slowly. Just focus on the key points—I don’t need to know how many deals were made in a year or which wealthy families you’ve befriended. Stick to matters related to the Villa."
Hu Cheng, standing nearby, flushed with embarrassment. Earlier, when Gu Jinzhao had questioned him, he had boasted endlessly about his connections as the estate manager.
Wen Laowu was an honest man. Despite his stutter, he succinctly explained the situation of the Villa. Out of a thousand mu of mountainous land, only eight hundred mu were arable, while the remaining two hundred were used for poultry. They grew apples, pears, and grapes. In a good year, the profits could reach five to six hundred taels of silver.
For mountainous land, this was already an excellent yield.
After listening, Gu Jinzhao nodded before turning to Hu Cheng. "Manager Hu, you seem like a clever man. There’s an art to answering questions—you should learn from Wen Laowu. Among the five Villas I brought as dowry, the smallest is five hundred mu in Xuanwu. I imagine it’s not much different from yours. That estate earns seven to eight hundred taels annually, growing Indian Corn, wheat, and peanuts. I wonder how yours compares?"
Hu Cheng broke into a cold sweat at her words and couldn’t help but glance at Mama Wang.
She was still kneeling on the ground, and the madam hadn’t told her to rise.
Hadn’t Mama Wang said the new madam was young and easy to fool, that they could just muddle through? What young lady from a boudoir knew anything about farming? And five dowry Villas at that? She spoke with such precision—how was this "easy to fool"?
A five-hundred-mu estate earning eight hundred taels? His six-hundred-mu one barely made five hundred at best!
Hu Cheng’s voice wavered. "B-But the planting season for Indian Corn clashes with peanuts... How could it possibly yield seven to eight hundred taels? This humble one isn’t capable. At most, it’s five hundred taels a year!"
The weak fear the strong, and the strong fear the ruthless. She simply hadn’t wanted to make a fuss. Did Mama Wang really think she was easy to bully?
Gu Jinzhao smiled. "I wouldn’t know about that. When the manager from Xuanwu arrives, I’ll have him explain it to you." With that, she turned to Qingpu and instructed her to reward the two men with a bag of silver bullion before escorting them to the back rooms for tea.
Mama Wang’s knees ached from kneeling, but without Gu Jinzhao’s permission, she couldn’t stand up on her own—that would be too improper.
When Gu Jinzhao felt it was enough, she finally spoke coolly. "I was originally the maternal granddaughter of the Ji family’s Old Madam. I’ve been exposed to these matters since childhood, Mama Wang. Don’t think you can deceive me here. Jiang Jiejie’s dowry will eventually go to Xi Jie'er. If you truly care for Xi Jie'er, don’t incite others to make trouble for me. I have capable people under me, and I’ll manage Jiang Jiejie’s possessions properly. Do you understand?"Mama Wang hastily kowtowed. "Madam has misunderstood this servant. I wouldn't dare sow discord no matter how bold I might be." If this accusation were confirmed, no matter whose retainer she was, she would be driven out of the Chen Family.
Of course, she dared not admit it.
Gu Jinzhao, however, knew exactly what kind of person Mama Wang was. She was old and inflexible in her thinking, stubbornly clinging to her convictions. To Jiang Shi, she was undoubtedly a loyal servant, but to Gu Jinzhao, she was nothing but a headache. The best course was to leave her be and pay her no mind.
Gu Jinzhao said, "Today, Tai Furen sent Granny Sun from the sewing room to attend to me. From now on, she will manage affairs in my quarters. You will oversee the three concubines and the kitchen provisions. What do you think?"
This was effectively a demotion, though nominally she remained a stewardess. Managing household affairs and managing the kitchen were two entirely different matters. Mama Wang was incredulous—after all, she was Jiang Shi's appointee! She kowtowed heavily again. "This servant naturally obeys Madam's orders. However, having assisted the late Madam in managing the household for many years without a single misstep... I don't fear hardship in the kitchen, but I worry others might gossip about Madam..."
She had done nothing wrong, yet Gu Jinzhao was reassigning her to the kitchen. The other ladies of the household would surely talk. Moreover, she had been specifically left behind by Madam Chen. For Gu Jinzhao to disregard her would be seen as disrespectful to Madam Chen.
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly. "A new ruler brings new ministers—this is common knowledge. Now that I sit here, anyone in my position would do the same. What does it matter if people gossip?" She paused, then added slowly, "What I fear more is knives in my back."
Besides, she had no intention of expelling Mama Wang—merely relocating her responsibilities out of sight.
Mama Wang flushed but could say nothing in response.
After bowing and retreating from the hall, she still felt dazed. Hu Cheng hurried over to tug at her sleeve. "Mama Wang, what do we do now...?"
The maids had taken him and Wen Laowu to the back rooms for tea, and later the kitchen had sent over wine and cured goose. Hu Cheng had no appetite and had slipped away to find Mama Wang when no one was watching. "You said we shouldn't be too deferential to the new Madam. But if we anger her, our lives won't be any easier!" Since Mama Wang had started this, she was the one to turn to.
Mama Wang's expression darkened further. "Who am I supposed to ask? When did I ever say such things...?"
She had only hinted at it. Pulling her sleeve free, she said coldly, "If you've angered Madam, figure it out yourself. Why ask me?" In any case, she wouldn't be managing the retinue anymore. With that, Mama Wang headed toward the back rooms.
Hu Cheng cursed her under his breath but didn't dare stop her again.
Had Mama Wang not overstepped, Gu Jinzhao wouldn't have dismissed her so directly. Gossip? Since when had she cared about gossip? And who would dare gossip over such a trivial matter? Did they really think her some naive young girl?
Gu Jinzhao instructed the maids to see Wen Laowu and Hu Cheng out. Shortly after, Chen Xi arrived with Qiutang for her embroidery lesson.
Jinchao had someone set up a large embroidery frame beneath the corridor.Children's interests come and go quickly. After just a few days of learning needlework, Chen Xi had already lost interest, especially since embroidery wasn't an easy task. She sat restlessly on the embroidery stool, slowly splitting threads, her attention soon drifting to the newly bloomed poppies in the courtyard.
Seeing her lack of focus, Gu Jinzhao simply had the maids put away the supplies and asked Qingpu to fetch some gold foil paper. Smiling, she said to Chen Xi, "How about I teach you to make floral appliqués?" After all, she was just a child—forcing her every day would only breed resentment.
Chen Xi was startled but her eyes sparkled with excitement.
When Qingpu returned with the gold foil, Jinzhao helped Chen Xi make over a dozen golden floral appliqués.
That afternoon, Chen Xi proudly carried the small box to show Madam Chen. "...Mother made all these for me. Aren't they pretty?"
Madam Chen smiled as she examined them. Little girls always adored delicate trinkets. She teased Chen Xi, "Xi Jie'er learned to make floral appliqués with your mother, but you must also master embroidery. Someday you'll make me an antique-themed screen."
Chen Xi nodded earnestly, counting on her tiny fingers. "Mother taught me fifteen patterns. I can embroider them all."
After An Momo took Chen Xi out to play, Madam Chen said to Jinzhao, "When she was younger, I made her practice plum blossom seal script for two hours daily until she cried. Now she won't even touch a brush unless reminded... She's easily distracted—you'll need patience."
Jinzhao smiled gently. "All children are like that."
Madam Chen nodded. When Granny Zheng came to ask about dinner arrangements, Jinzhao offered to assist with the meal, but Madam Chen waved her off. "...Third Master came by this morning and seemed troubled. You should return early today. Your second sister-in-law can attend to me."
Had he been upset when leaving this morning too? Jinzhao felt she hadn't been attentive enough. Back at Osmanthus Hall, she personally prepared several light dishes, but Third Master Chen didn't return.
Two candles flickered in the room. The neighboring Fourth Household's courtyard made the night exceptionally quiet, their distant conversations audible.
Jinzhao took a copy of The Book of Changes from Third Master Chen's study and drowsily read it on the arhat bed. Soon, she was gently shaken awake by Granny Sun. "Madam, perhaps you should dine first. When Third Master attends court, delayed returns are common..."
Closing the book without comment—Chen Yanyun had never failed to return since their marriage—she shook her head. "Keep the dishes warm in the steamer. I've no appetite."
Granny Sun smiled knowingly and soon brought her a bowl of silver ear soup.
Sipping the soup while reading, Jinzhao soon heard a maid's announcement. His steady footsteps entered the room. Setting the book aside, she greeted him and helped remove his cloak. "You're back very late today. Have you dined?"
Chen Yanyun studied her calm expression. Handing the cloak to Caifu, he smiled. "If not, I'll have the meal served." He didn't explain his lateness.
With a sigh, he asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Just some silver ear soup. No appetite."
"Then don't trouble yourself." He nodded and entered the bathing chamber.Then did he eat or not? Gu Jinzhao couldn't be bothered to guess with him. She walked outside and indeed saw Chen Yi standing guard. Chen Yi was startled and stammered out, "Madam." Only after she asked did he reply, "...Third Master has been discussing matters with Grand Secretary Liang all day. He barely touched his lunch, and the dinner sent in came out untouched."
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