Chapter 299: Seeking Yin Fei's Help
Yun Chu took a sip of tea.
Her gaze fell upon Er Momo.
Though Er Momo kept her head lowered, she could feel that stare.
She didn't know what Yun Chu intended to do, but she had her own confidence.
She was the prince's wet nurse, having raised him single-handedly. No matter what, the prince would grant her the respect she deserved.
Moreover, in the eleven years since the prince established his manor, she had personally selected every steward for each major courtyard—they could essentially be considered her people.
There was no issue with the Princess Consort wanting to take charge of the household management, but bringing it up now was still too hasty.
"Which of you are the steward maids under Er Momo?" Yun Chu spoke slowly. "Step forward."
Four or five maidservants stepped out from the crowd with their heads bowed.
She looked at the eldest among them: "How many years have you been following Er Momo?"
"Replying to the Princess Consort, over ten years."
"After more than ten years, you still can't handle major responsibilities." Yun Chu shook her head with a smile. "Is it because you're too foolish, or because Er Momo doesn't know how to discipline properly?"
The maidservant's face stiffened.
She very much wanted to say she wasn't foolish.
Starting about five or six years ago, Er Momo had handed all matters over to her to manage—she only needed to report on major issues.
In fact, even before the Princess Consort entered the manor, Er Momo had gradually begun enjoying her retirement.
But recently, Er Momo suddenly started managing the rear courtyard affairs again. She understood that Er Momo was unwilling to hand over the household authority to the Princess Consort.
Keeping her head lowered, she said: "It is entirely this servant's foolishness."
Yun Chu set down her teacup: "If it were just you alone being foolish, that might be understandable. But among four or five of you, not a single one can handle major responsibilities. I'm wondering if perhaps Er Momo is too kind-hearted and doesn't know how to properly discipline her subordinates."
Er Momo was momentarily stunned.
When she said her maidservants were useless, she intended to show the Princess Consort that these matters could only be handled by her—that no one in the prince's manor could replace her position.
But the Princess Consort had turned the tables, leaving her speechless.
She took a deep breath and said: "The Princess Consort speaks rightly. It is this old servant's failure in discipline. I beg the Princess Consort for guidance."
The Princess Consort was a daughter of the Yun family, the legitimate eldest daughter from a prominent noble clan—she certainly knew how to manage household affairs. But the prince's manor was different from other residences; it needed to coordinate with the imperial palace.
All matters of coordination between the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor and the Imperial Household Department were handled by people she instructed. Those in the palace only recognized her—if replaced by others, it wouldn't work unless the Princess Consort handled it personally... but doing so would be beneath her status.
If the Princess Consort sent her chief maidservant to handle it, then the Imperial Household Department would treat people according to their status. The silks, fine horses, medicinal meals, festival gifts... and other items delivered would definitely be inferior to those sent to other princes' manors. When the prince eventually held someone accountable, the Princess Consort would have a hard time explaining.
"You are a veteran of the prince's manor, Er Momo. How could I possibly offer guidance?" Yun Chu paused before continuing. "However, since Er Momo requests guidance, I shall enter the palace to seek a favor from Mother Consort—to invite Granny Guo to stay at the manor for a few days."
Er Momo was stunned once again.
When she first became the prince's wet nurse, it was Granny Guo who taught her the rules. Granny Guo was very strict—she still remembered the fear she felt back then.
She didn't understand why the Princess Consort would ask for the old matron from Yin Fei's side to come assist with managing the manor's affairs. Wouldn't this make Yin Fei think the Princess Consort lacked the ability to manage household matters?
Wasn't the Princess Consort afraid of becoming completely worthless in Yin Fei's eyes?Yun Chu set down her teacup. "It's about time. Everyone may return to your duties. Dismissed."
The next morning, Yun Chu brought Changsheng into the palace to pay respects to Yin Fei. Now that she was considered a member of the imperial family, entering the palace had become much more convenient than before.
Mother and daughter soon arrived at Everlasting Autumn Palace, where Yin Fei had just returned from paying respects to the Empress, her face adorned with a smile.
"Changsheng is here!" Yin Fei bent down to pick up the child. "Chu'er, the Empress just gifted some palace flowers. See if there are any you like and take them back to wear for fun."
"Thank you, Mother Consort." Yun Chu followed her inside. "Mother Consort seems to be in excellent spirits."
Yin Fei's smile widened. "The second prince repeatedly made mistakes and was stripped of his official position. All his previous efforts in the Ministry of Revenue have come to nothing. This morning, Hui Fei fell ill as well. Don't you think this is truly worth celebrating?"
Yun Chu massaged her forehead.
Although it was indeed cause for celebration, there was no need to display such joy so openly.
She changed the subject. "Since I've just entered the prince's residence, there are many internal affairs I'm unsure how to manage. Could Mother Consort spare Granny Guo to assist me for a while?"
Yin Fei appeared surprised.
In her view, Yun Chu was intelligent and a noble lady with pride. Even when facing difficulties, she wouldn't seek help from others—much like Yi'er.
Yun Chu lowered her head.
Her main reason for approaching Yin Fei was that Er Momo had originally been sought out by Yin Fei to serve as Chu Yi's wet nurse.
She and Chu Yi were considered the younger generation.
Without Granny Guo keeping watch, if anything were to happen, it would be difficult to clarify matters.
Moreover, regarding the coordination between the prince's residence and the palace, there were indeed aspects she didn't understand and needed Granny Guo's guidance.
"You're a good child, not pretending to understand what you don't." Yin Fei smiled as she spoke. "Granny Guo, accompany her to the prince's residence and stay for a while."
It was rare for a daughter-in-law to actively request someone from her mother-in-law rather than fear her mother-in-law planting spies.
She increasingly felt that this daughter-in-law was straightforward—sincere toward the child and unguarded toward her, the mother-in-law.
Granny Guo, now over sixty years old, was delighted to still be of use and immediately nodded. "Yes, this old servant will go pack right away."
Yun Chu bowed. "Thank you, Mother Consort."
Yin Fei kept Yun Chu and Changsheng for lunch before allowing them to leave the palace, with Granny Guo accompanying them.
Upon returning to the prince's residence, Yun Chu immediately had a large courtyard prepared specifically for Granny Guo.
With no Side Princess Consorts or low-ranking imperial concubines in the prince's residence, there were plenty of empty courtyards. No sooner had Granny Guo settled in than Er Momo came to pay her respects.
Granny Guo sat steadily in her chair, unhurriedly drinking half a cup of tea before speaking. "Logically speaking, with you here in the prince's residence, no matter what happens, the Princess Consort shouldn't need to seek help from Consort Yin. What exactly has occurred?"
Er Momo lowered her head. "Granny Guo, you know my daughter's fate has been unfortunate. She lost her husband before even marrying, becoming a widow at the gate. Since she grew up serving in the prince's residence, I thought to have her return to serve the Princess Consort. Perhaps this action offended the Princess Consort, which is why... Heaven knows, if I had any such intentions, I certainly wouldn't have sought a match for Ding Dong. I don't know how the Princess Consort misunderstood..."
Granny Guo frowned.
On the second day after the wedding, Qinghua Princess had brought up the matter of taking a Side Princess Consort. Er Momo's actions did indeed seem to carry such implications.
She said calmly, "Speaking of which, it's been many years since I last saw Ding Dong. Have her come here so I may see her."Er Momo was about to lower her head and withdraw to fetch her daughter when Granny Guo glanced at the young maid behind her and said, "You go and summon Ding Dong."
"Yes."
The young maid immediately went to fetch her.
Er Momo clenched her fingers tightly. She had originally intended to give Ding Dong a few words of advice, but now there was no chance...
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