Chapter Twenty-Five: Secret Invitation

  But Yu'er retreated to one side, and Madame Yu sat on the couch, with Lan's wife helping her pat her chest, saying in a low voice: "Now it seems that this is aimed at the mistress, getting angry is useless, it's better to think of a way to get through this difficult situation."

  Haitang only then understood that it wasn't because of Ning Fengbi's matter, and was about to retreat back into her room when Yu Shi had already seen her and called out: "You girls are now wild at heart, with your minds completely focused on studying medicine. You've been by her side since you were young, and especially during this time, you must be even more careful, don't let her return to suffer grievances. Now that she's entered the clan school, there are so many sisters surrounding her, when she returns she'll definitely want to relax comfortably."

  This remark is somewhat suspicious, and it also subtly reveals that Ning Fengyi has learned the family's teachings, and she probably won't be happy about it. As for why she won't be happy, do you need to ask? Among the young ladies of the first and second branches of the family, except for Ning Fengmei, who else is not cunning? Even Ning Fengmei is only because her younger sisters are still young and don't have the same level of experience as her. If we're talking about cleverness and schemes, she's a hundred times more skilled than her mother, Qu Fangren.

  So Haitang nodded, and then saw Mrs. Yu take a few more deep breaths, only to realize that she was calming down with these words. She gave Yuer a signal, calling her over as well, and the two of them exited together.

  In the house, only Orchid Aunt and Big Cherry, who was beside Madame Yu, were left. Here, Orchid Aunt worriedly said: "The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, summer clothes must be prepared in advance. The old lady previously handed over the needlework of this room to Third Lady because Second Lady had prepared spring clothes for the maids two days late. Second Lady has been waiting for these days, probably just waiting for this opportunity to slap Madame's face."

  Yu's family has completely calmed down, and he let out a sigh saying: "She is used to being in charge at home, I just wonder how she could so easily hand over the needlework room to me, it turns out she was waiting here. Well, the summer clothing fabric and labor for the masters and servants, she only gave me 100 silver coins, isn't this a joke? 100 silver coins, can barely make the masters' clothes, do the servants want them to wear rags?"

  "Madam, I don't understand," said Lan Yiniang softly. "The needlework room is just a small place, and there's no oil or water to be gained from it. The old lady is only concerned with saving face for the three houses. After all, because you don't manage things, even the housekeeping ladies in the mansion look down on us. How can Second Madam not tolerate this? She still controls half of the household finances now. Apart from personnel matters, which of the places that handle purchases and storage of kitchen supplies isn't under her control? Why does she still want to give you a hard time?"

  Yu Shi sneered, "She's a tiger, of course she wouldn't let anyone pluck even one hair. Whoever dares to try will be met with bared teeth and claws. Moreover, at that time it was because the old lady was dissatisfied in her heart, so she used the excuse of managing the needlework room to deal with me. Isn't this a slap in her face? Do you think the old lady didn't have any idea about those things she usually did? Not to mention other things, just talking about that usury silver, is there anyone in the whole household who doesn't know? It's just that no one says anything, so the old lady turns a blind eye. What she shouldn't have done was not letting go of even the few coins for making clothes for the maids, and instead put them out to earn interest, which finally provoked the old lady."

  Aunt Lan nodded and said: "So it was, but now what should we do?"

  Yu thought for a moment and said softly: "This time, let's just bear with it first. With the remaining silver, take out two pieces of jewelry from my dowry and sell them to make up for it..."

  Before she could finish speaking, Lan Yiniang exclaimed: "Madam, this won't do! If you let it go this time, next time there won't even be a hundred taels left. Your dowry is limited, and besides, your family can't lend any more."

  Yu sighed, thinking of her brother-in-law and sister-in-law's attitude, which really annoyed her. Her sister-in-law had originally been very flattering to her as the daughter-in-law of the Earl's Manor, and was also very enthusiastic when she returned home for a visit. However, after learning that Yu's third branch of the family had no status in the Earl's Manor, her attitude gradually became unpleasant. When Yu went back once, she bought many gifts, but they didn't even give her a return gift, and instead asked her to spend money to buy a return gift to bring back, otherwise they would be afraid of being ridiculed by the first and second branches.

  Now Yu Shi has not returned for three years, and it's even more impossible to mention the other side, she would rather cut off all contact from now on. But her own good sister lives far away, Yu Shi often thinks of her, and can't help but feel a chill in her heart, also don't know if the two sisters will have the chance to see each other again in their lifetime.

  Yu's wife couldn't help but indulge in a flight of fancy, and Madame Lan waited for half a day without Yu's wife saying a word, which made her anxious, so she softly called out to Yu's wife: "Madam, madam..."

  Yu's family finally came back to their senses, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a soft voice: "Don't worry, this is just me giving her some face. If she knows what's good for her, don't do something like this again in the future, everyone will be fine. But if she thinks I'm easy to bully because of this, I won't let her have her way. I'd like to see how the housekeeper can manage things so poorly that even the maids' clothing allowance can't be paid, and what kind of face this second mistress will have then?"

  Banana whispered beside her, "I don't think the second wife is someone who will stop once she's gotten what she wants. If you acknowledge her this time, it'll probably be just like Auntie said - next time there'll be more trouble. This time it's spring and everyone's busy with farming, so we're having trouble getting money to the tenants, but next time it'll probably be summer when it's hot and people are lazy, and all the shops and fields will be losing money."

  After Banana finished speaking, both Yu Shi and Lan Ayi couldn't help but laugh, and Lan Ayi pointed at Banana saying: "Our Banana girl is really something, usually she doesn't say a word, but when she does, her words can pierce people's hearts."

  As she spoke, she saw the nanny leading Sheng Ge into the room, and she hurriedly went to greet him, smiling: "Brother, are you coming from the study? Where's your father?" As soon as her words fell, Ning Shibei also walked in, laughing: "I'm back too. Seeing Tian eating in the study, without even a red sleeve to add some flavor, it's all so dull. Today I'll come and keep the two ladies company for dinner, and incidentally, have a bit of fun. I don't know what to say, I'm just working hard in the study, not like I've become a monk, how is it that every day's food doesn't seem to have much meat?"

  Yu Shi said with a smile, "Isn't it because everyone sees you working hard and is afraid that you'll get overheated, so they specially chose some light dishes to send over? It's killing two birds with one stone, both taking care of you and saving money, isn't it?"

  Ning Shi Bo also smiled and asked Ning Qian Bi, "I heard from my wife that you stayed at San Lao Tai Ye's place for dinner. He nodded and said, "Good, good, she has become more restrained since entering the clan school. This child has a fate with San Shu Fu, and likes to play with those medicinal materials. Let her take advantage of her free time to go to Xing Lin Yuan, it's also good for her to relax, and San Shu doesn't have to be too lonely either."

  Wah wah wah, my collection is increasing so slowly, otz