Volume 1 Chapter 129 Harvest (Part 1)

  The eleventh girl saw that Xu Lingyi attached great importance to this matter, and she quickly explained in detail the meaning of selecting a maid for Xu Ling to review before sending her to serve.

  Xu Lingyi quietly listened to her finish speaking, then said: "Why bother Mother, you can just make your own decision!"

  Her expression was calm and her tone somewhat careless, but her gaze was brighter than usual.

  The eleventh girl's heart skipped a beat as she immediately realized that Xu Lingyi was probing her...

  Her heart was racing wildly.

  Is it to gain Xu Lingyi's trust and thus obtain greater freedom, more respect, and a firmer foundation, or to become a wife with a vague face in Xu Lingyi's mind - this is an opportunity!

  The eleventh girl took a deep breath and smiled quietly: "I'm young and inexperienced, so I have to rely on your experience. As the eldest son of our house, Brother Yu must set an example for his younger brothers in terms of virtue, learning, and conduct. Now that he's older and lives separately in the outer courtyard, it's not convenient for me to visit him often. Only by being served by attendants day and night can I avoid even a slight mistake. Please help Brother Yu choose a concubine, so I can learn from it too. Next time something like this happens, I'll have some experience and won't be as flustered as I am now."

  She said as she observed Xu Lingyi's expression.

  Bright eyes gradually became warm, and the chin also nodded slightly twice.

  The eleventh girl let out a sigh of relief.

  Looks like it passed!

  Her mood became cheerful and her smile was radiant.

  Xu Lingyi looked at the joy in Shiyi Niang's eyes and felt somewhat uneasy, thinking that he was "measuring a gentleman with the heart of a petty person".

  It seems I misunderstood myself!

  He thought that Shiyi Niang was trying to take this opportunity to probe his attitude. After all, she married over to protect her brother's interests, and the more useless her brother was, the more advantageous it would be for him. Just like how Yuan Niang doted on her brother in the past. If not for Er Sao stepping out later, her brother would probably have been even more useless than Shiyi Niang.

  Thinking of this, Xu Lingyi couldn't help but look up and size up Shiyi Niang.

  She sat quietly opposite him, her delicate eyebrows and eyes expression serene, a gentle smile gracious and composed.

  For a moment, he was somewhat bewildered.

  The person in front of me... feels familiar yet strange!

  The eleventh girl opposite discovered that Xu Lingyi's gaze was slightly afloat as he stared at her, and she smiled faintly.

  Or perhaps because of the great disparity in their relationship, Xu Lingyi didn't bother to restrain his emotions in front of her, and he would often reveal some very genuine emotions, which she gradually became more aware of.

  Xu Lingyi is a typical feudal scholar-official. He adheres to the "men rule outside, women rule inside" principle, so he won't mention his own affairs with Mei Mi. Just like how he lets himself be received by Old Lady Qiao without interfering, each has their own responsibilities.

  Despite this, Shíyī Niáng still couldn't guess why Xú Lìng Yí looked somewhat dazed.

  He could stay still, but she didn't want to sit with him like this.

  The eleventh girl smiled and pretended to pour water into his tea cup.

  Xu Lingyi snapped back to reality and smiled: "You've thought this through very thoroughly. Let's just go with your plan then!"

  The eleventh girl smiled and said "yes", then asked for Xu Lingyi's opinion: "Should we call Chunmo to help the prince change his clothes? It's almost time for dinner."

  Remind him to go to Mrs. Tai's place for dinner.

  Xu Lingyi looked at her obedient appearance and made a decision.

  He glanced at the grandfather clock in the western-style room and found that it was still early, so he told her: "Sit for a while longer!"

  The eleventh girl naturally did not raise any objections and sat down opposite Xu Lingyi in obedience.

  Xu Lingyi suddenly said: "The thing about Mei Mi involves some officials. I'm having a headache now."

  She had guessed this result a long time ago, and she had been writing a draft in her stomach all night yesterday, thinking that if Xu Lingyi asked herself, she must be able to answer clearly and logically, so that she could add a few more points in Xu Lingyi's mind.

  But the answer was too smooth and exposed all of his own strength...

  At this moment, Xu Lingyi asked her, she whispered: "Just as I guessed!"

  Xu Lingyi's eyebrows slightly raised in surprise upon hearing her response: "You guessed it?"

  The eleventh girl nodded and said seriously: "The lord is very strict, and the matter of distributing porridge is also very important. Without the support of those with status and prestige, how could the lower people have such great audacity?"

  Xu Lingyi's face turned red with sweat.

  It's really hard to imagine that such a thing would happen again... But he has always been "suspicious of those who are not suspicious, and does not use those who are suspicious", yet forgets that "human hearts are insufficient". As time goes on, coupled with the current prosperous situation in the Xu household, those who think they have a good reputation in front of him can't help but become arrogant.

  He said in a low voice: "What do you think we should do about this?"

  It's not a tone of negotiation, nor is it a tone of consultation, but simply stating a fact.

  The eleventh girl guessed that he had already made up his mind, and now just wanted to hear how she would say it. But she didn't want to cater to him. The days of the two getting along in the future were still long, guessing Xu Lian's thoughts on everything, pondering his meaning on everything, and slowly losing herself. What was the significance of freedom gained at such a cost?

  The eleventh girl's face showed a thoughtful expression. After a while, she said: "I'll just say it, Master Hou, see if it makes sense."

  "You said!" Xu Lingyi's expression was very casual.

  "According to my opinion, it's better to take advantage of this New Year's opportunity when all the officials will return to Yanjing to pay their respects. After the New Year, we can swap out some of the officials' duties and settle accounts in a legitimate manner. As for which officials have problems, I'm sure Master Hou already has an idea. We can keep an eye on those officials and there will surely be discrepancies in the accounts. When the time comes, we can use this as an excuse to replace them. Even if it gets out, it's just that the officials were not clean-handed, and it has nothing to do with Master Shi's porridge. This way, the reputation of the Hou estate will be preserved."

  Xu Lingyi's eyes gradually revealed a serious expression.

  Unexpectedly, she actually said that she had fallen in love...

  Looking at his young wife who still had a hint of green apple-like naivety in front of him, his voice became low and husky: "Is it just going to end like this?"

  Politics is all about compromise. Someone who can apply politics with ease, actually showed a look of wanting to pursue it further, asking her "Is that just the end of it?"... Eleven maiden found it quite amusing.

  But her expression was very serious.

  "Master Hou, you are a fine porcelain, while those people are just broken tiles. We don't need to lower ourselves to their level. As the saying goes, one rat turd can spoil a whole pot of porridge. Spare them the trouble and let them lose their rice bowls - they're already good-for-nothings who aren't afraid of being punished. And with our family's wealth and status, it's inevitable that we'll have some ungrateful descendants. When the time comes, if we can find any excuse to take revenge, we won't let go. Let's show mercy where we can!"

  "But did you know that this matter also involves Third Master?"

  This was also something that Shiyi felt vaguely about.

  There's no one like San Ye who can make those cunning and treacherous officials obey orders or turn a blind eye!

  "Master Hou, I'm afraid there's been some misunderstanding!" Thinking that San Ye was Xu Lingyi's brother, even if he had made a thousand mistakes, it wasn't her place as his sister-in-law to say anything, she advised insincerely, "San Ye has been in charge of the family business for so many years, if he wanted to embezzle, he would have done so long ago. Besides, the amount of moldy rice is not much, and the silver is not a lot, it's really not worth it. Master Hou should reconsider!"

  Xu Lingyi listened and a hint of discontent appeared in his eyes: "He admitted it himself?"

  The eleventh girl had some understanding in her heart.

  I'm afraid it's just for Third Madame to save face... husband and wife are one body, hitting Third Madame in the face is equivalent to hitting Third Master in the face.

  "Master Hou, Auntie Qiao just had a bowl of congee yesterday morning!"

  Xu Lingyi was stunned.

  He didn't understand why Shiyi suddenly mentioned this.

  Eleventh Girl, however, did it on purpose, using this matter as a metaphor to give Xu Lingyi a preventive shot - and even if Xu Lingyi suspected something, as a woman with limited vision, she could only use the people and things around her as metaphors!

  "If someone says that I am so sweet and kind to Auntie Qiao, but actually I'm making her angry to the point where she can't even eat her meals. What would Master Hou say?"

  Xu Lingyi's expression became clear.

  "Whether it's true or false, I am still the wife of the Marquis. In front of outsiders, you naturally have to maintain my dignity. Even in front of your own brother, it should be the same. Third Madame may not be right, but she is still the wife of Third Master. With something like this happening, Third Master will probably feel ashamed and humiliated, blaming himself for not being strict enough in managing his household. Where would he have the mind to make excuses?"

  That's what she really thinks.

  She didn't believe Xu Lingning would do such a thing for that little money. After all, he was in charge of tens of thousands of gold!

  Xu Lingyi did not make a sound, nor did she speak out in opposition.

  The eleventh girl knew she had hit his heart, and decided to continue advising him a few more sentences along with his intentions.

  "Speaking of which, since Third Aunt took over the household, everyone has been praising her for being capable and efficient. And with Third Uncle helping out with managing the household these past few years, it's even more so. Whether good or bad, you, Lord Hou, know best in your heart. Nowadays, Mother is enjoying a peaceful life, also thanks to the harmony and stability of our family. Not to mention that we are now the outer relatives of the imperial prince, we must set an example. If possible, we should not divide the household. Even if we have to divide it, we cannot do so with resentment. As for the matter of the millet, Third Aunt is being too hasty - I don't know whether it's for the sake of saving face or for money. Whatever the reason, you, Lord Hou, must discuss this openly and honestly with Third Uncle. Let's see what they really think. If it's about money, forgive me for saying something unpleasant. There are many people outside who have risen to power and wealth by relying on your influence - shouldn't we take care of our own brothers? If it's about saving face, once everyone has spoken their minds, this resentment will slowly dissipate. In short, the most important thing is for us to live in harmony as a family. What's more, there are also Diligent and Frugal, two young masters - whatever discomfort the older generation may have, we must not let it affect the younger generation. This resentment will only accumulate and make outsiders laugh at us. As the saying goes, 'A husband and wife who do not get along will be ridiculed by their neighbors.' For a family like ours, we cannot afford to lose face in this matter. Mother has experienced many things - why would she willingly play the fool? Perhaps it's also because of this idea. You, Lord Hou, must be even more cautious."

  Xu Lingyi stared at Shiyi Niang, his face full of shock.

  At this moment, San Ye Xu Lengning looked at his wife Gan Shi, also with a shocked face.

  "You still have the face to admit it?" As he spoke, he raised his hand and slapped his wife's face with a loud "slap".

  Gan covered his face, his eyes full of shock: "You, you hit me..."

  Xu Lingning looked at the red marks gradually appearing on his wife's face, feeling regretful, angry, ashamed and disheartened.