Chapter 126: Handling (Part 1)

  "Did you hear that, Eleventh Sister asked her, and Wan Xiang's gaze was piercing: 'Madam, it is often said that good people are bullied, and good horses are ridden. To say the least, who in this household can compare to your integrity? But look now, family matters are managed by Third Madam, and Master Jun's affairs are managed by Old Madam. Even Aunt Qiao, I heard she's been ill every other day, if she wants to ask after you, she'll ask, if not, she won't, basically not putting you in her eyes at all. In the end, it's all because you're too kind to others. Take this time for example, Third Madam handed over a handle herself, if you don't grasp it well, that would truly be a missed opportunity..."

  There's really no secret in this house!

  The eleventh girl gazed at her lips, which were slightly parted, and felt a mix of emotions that was hard to describe.

  At her young age, she had just married into the family and hadn't sorted out the relationships between people yet. As a concubine's daughter, she hadn't followed the elders to learn about managing household chores. She hastily took over the middle courtyard of the Hou Mansion, but even if she didn't have full confidence in herself, would the old madam dare take this risk? As for Jun Ge, he was the future hope of the Hou Mansion, and the responsibility of teaching him was great. How could the old madam entrust the child to someone she didn't understand? The rumors about Qiao Lianfang were even more absurd. It was clear that she had agreed that Qiao Lianfang didn't need to pay respects in the morning, but it was spread out that Qiao Lianfang was arrogant and slow... Thinking of this, her heart moved involuntarily.

  Can it be true that such rumors are circulating in the imperial court?

  Or was it simply Late Fragrance who had taken it upon herself to deal with Third Madame?

  "Who's spouting nonsense there?" 11th Sister interrupted Wan Xiang with a smile, "Auntie Qiao isn't feeling well, that's why she was excused from morning greetings!"

  "Madam, this matter has spread throughout the mansion." Wan Xiang's eyes flickered, "If you don't take action to quell this rumor, people will start saying that you're not strict enough in managing your household!"

  Eleventh girl looked at it and was even more certain of Late Fragrance's thoughts.

  She can grasp the situation of the three ladies exchanging rice so clearly and utilize it so thoroughly, which is also considered to be both brave and strategic. Unfortunately, her personal feelings are too heavy, losing fairness, and inevitably showing a petty air, not suitable for great use...

  "I already know what you said," she smiled and said, "Don't make a sound about this for now, I'll take care of it!"

  Wanxiang saw that she had been talking for half a day, but Shiyi Niang didn't show any excitement, and instead had an attitude of "you don't need to worry about it anymore" as she dismissed her. In her heart, Wanxiang felt that something was not quite right.

  If this matter is not reported to the Marquis, but rather to the Old Lady, for the sake of one's own dignity, it is likely that one will also have to cover up for the Third Lady. As long as the Third Lady has a chance to catch her breath, it will be only a matter of time before she finds out who leaked this information. This kitchen manager, who doesn't have some hidden agenda? At that time, even if you are reborn as a great lady, you won't be able to extricate yourself.

  For a moment, he regretted coming to report this and was annoyed that the eleventh lady did not help him out... his face turned blue and red alternately.

  "Listen to me," she said, feeling anxious and uneasy. There were some things that couldn't be left unsaid, or else there might not be another chance later. "This matter must be told to Master Hou. As the third madam was appointed by the first madam herself, they will definitely cover for each other if something like this happens. I'm taking such a risk solely for your sake, madam..."

  The eleventh girl shook her head secretly.

  Everyone has their own mind, but if it goes too far, it's hard to avoid giving people a bad impression.

  "I'll think carefully about it." She smiled slightly and nodded, then changed the subject: "As for your errand, I'd like to hear your thoughts. That way, I can also make plans for you!"

  Wanxiang was extremely disappointed after hearing it.

  Up till now, Eleven doesn't scold or get angry, she also has no better way.

  "Madam." She looked dejected, "I'd still like to work in the kitchen!"

  The eleventh girl nodded: "I know. I will take care of this matter." Then she picked up her tea.

  She got up with a lingering fragrance and bid farewell.

  The eleventh girl called out to Hong Chou: "Go and guard the door, and report to me as soon as Master Hou returns."

  Hong Chui saw her serious expression and didn't dare to be careless, so she responded and left immediately.

  Eleventh Girl put down her cup of hot tea and sat alone on the windowsill kang, lost in thought for a while.

  Xu Lingyi returned to see Hong Chui waiting for him in Shiyi Niang's house, and raised an eyebrow.

  Although they had been married for only two short months, Shiyi Niang had always been steady and reliable in her actions. At this time, she made people wait for him...

  "What's going on?" he said in a low voice.

  Xu Lingyi was already intimidating without being angry, let alone now with a solemn expression.

  Hong Chou was so frightened that she trembled and stuttered: "Madam had me report to the Duke as soon as he returned!"

  Xu Lingyi nodded and strode into the main house.

  The curtain was lifted, and he walked in with a heavy chill.

  A gust of cold wind blew in, and Eleven didn't need to look up to know that Xu Lingyi was back.

  "Lord Hou, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you!" She helped Xu Lingyi take off his cloak while signaling the servants to withdraw.

  Xu Lingyi saw that she had a few anxious looks between her eyebrows, and her expression became more relaxed: "Sit down and talk!"

  Eleventh girl nodded and poured tea for Xu Lingyi. They sat on the large kang by the window, one to the left and one to the right. She told Xu Lingyi what Wanxiang had said.

  Xu Lingyi's eyes grew colder as he listened, and he stood up saying: "I'll go take a look!"

  The sooner this matter is resolved, the better.

  Eleventh girl took over a cloak from beside and helped Xu Lingyi put it on again: "You won't go to your mother's place for dinner later, find some excuse?"

  Xu Lingyi's eyes flashed with confusion.

  "Third Sister-in-law did something wrong, but after all, she is the daughter-in-law of the Xu family and was appointed by Mother to be in charge. If Old Lady finds out, I don't know how sad she'll be! I think it's better to keep it from her!"

  Xu Lingyi listened with a slightly furrowed brow: "Just tell the Emperor that I'm taking the people from the Five Cities Military Command to patrol the city. I'll be back late!"

  "Uh-huh!" The eleventh girl nodded softly and saw Xu Lingyi off at the door.

  There is no wall that doesn't let wind through, and the methods used by Third Madame will eventually be discovered. If it's early, they'll catch someone in the act; if it's late, people will gossip about it. Either way, it will harm the Xu family - when a nest is overturned, not a single egg remains intact. As the daughter-in-law of the Xu family now, she shares the same breath and roots as them, prospering or declining together. This is indeed one reason why Eleventh Madame doesn't want to make this matter public, but she has even more important concerns.

  It's impossible for the Third Lady, a mere housewife, to accomplish such a huge task of gathering grain on her own. There must be some ulterior motives at play. It's possible that some officials from the outer court are involved, or even some important people from the Xu family... She doesn't want to get entangled in this mess like a moth flying into a spider's web, but she also can't just stand by and let the refugees starve or the Xu family fall into trouble. The best solution would be for Xu Lingyi to step forward and resolve the issue. If even he is unable to do so, then she'll have no choice but to accept her bad luck.

  She naturally had to keep silent before things were settled, lest she stir up trouble and become a victim of false accusations herself.

  When she saw the snowflakes falling on Xu Lingyi's straight and slender body, she couldn't help but call out to him: "Hou Ye!"

  Xu Lingyi turned back. He saw the Eleventh Girl standing under the eaves, her bright red cloak fluttering like a wild cloud chasing after the snowflakes in the air, her eyes shining brightly as she gazed at him... She couldn't help but walk back: "What's wrong?"

  The eleventh girl watched him approach and stop at a distance of five steps away from herself.

  "Lord Hou," she looked at Xu Lingyi, "this matter of distributing porridge can be seen as either big or small. In a larger sense, it's about disaster relief for the common people. In a smaller sense, it's an act of kindness to accumulate virtue for the Xu family. Moreover, our porridge shed is right next to the porridge shed of the Wei Bei Hou House. Even if you're angry, can't you just wait until this matter passes before speaking?"

  Xu Lingyi knew she was reminding herself to be careful later and not let others see any flaws, but she felt it was unnecessary, so she nodded in response: "Got it!"

  The eleventh girl saw his perfunctory attitude and knew that he didn't understand her meaning at all, so she had to explain again: "Each family's congee has been going on for more than a day or two. At this time, changing the rice is no less than having three hundred taels of silver in this place. Master Hou might as well let those cooking gruel women rinse the rice several times and then add some vinegar to it together with the simmering, so as not to cause trouble... If someone raises doubts, just say that you think they are not careful enough when doing their job. After getting through this meal, you can arrange for people to change the rice later..."

  He could have looked up, but saw a fleeting smile in Xu Lingyi's eyes.

  The eleventh daughter was taken aback.

  Xu Lingyi said lightly, "It's just rice mold, that's all. When we were on the march, I ate it too. What's the big deal? Don't worry about it, just take good care of your mother and don't let her get suspicious."

  The eleventh girl couldn't help but be speechless, thinking that he would be staying at Wen Niang's place tonight, said: "I'll instruct Wen Niang to keep the door open for you later!"

  Xu Lingyi nodded and turned to leave.

  Eleventh Young Mistress went to Tai Fu Ren's place.

  Due to the continuous heavy snow, the backyard was mostly paved with bluestone roads. The old lady was afraid that Madame Wu would slip and fall, so she had ordered earlier that Madame Wu didn't need to attend the morning ceremony, and even told Xu Liankuan not to come and pay his respects, just accompany Madame Wu instead. Meanwhile, Third Master and Third Mistress were busy with the rice porridge shed and wouldn't be seen until mealtime.

  She left when it was just past one o'clock. Zhen's sister and her brother were jumping rope in the main hall with several maidservants accompanying them.

  Seeing Shiyi enter, Zhen Jie hurriedly led Rong'er to pay her respects.

  It's possible that he had always kept a certain distance from Jun Ge, but now when he saw Shiyi Niang, he didn't look at her with the same wariness as when she first entered.

  Eleventh Girl looked delighted and stood five steps away from them, calmly greeting the two children: "What is Grandma doing?"

  Zhen Jie'er laughed and said: "Just competing with Du Mama in playing cards! Who says it's not fun!"

  The eleventh girl smiled at them and turned into the inner room.

  "Dad didn't come with you?"

  Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind her.

  Eleventh Sister turned her head and saw Seventh Brother tightly grasping the hem of Jing's clothes, his expression complex as he stared at her.

  "Your father has to take the Wucheng Bingma Si people on a city patrol tonight." She smiled as warmly as before, "Can't come over for dinner with grandma today."

  Zhen Jie and Yun Ge both showed disappointment in their eyes.

  Father and daughter (son) are natural. Xu Lingyi was so strict with the children, but they still liked him and missed him...

  The eleventh girl felt a little envious.

  Madam Tai heard that Xu Lingyi couldn't go home for dinner and couldn't hide her disappointment.

  Madam Du advised Lady Tai: "Just assume that Master Hou has gone out for social engagements!"

  The old lady looked out the window at the dancing snowflakes and said reluctantly, "Going to social events is at least lively. But look at this big wind and heavy snow..." Her tone was full of concern for Xu Lingyi.

  The corners of her mouth slightly curled up.

  But in his mind, he saw the face of his mother from his past life...