Because the management of the Sheng household’s internal affairs had been handed over to Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing, Huang Xianjing would come to Haitang Court every day, and the two of them would handle the daily chores together.
Servants coming and going would report on all kinds of routine matters, big and small, which would take them at least an hour or so.
After that came checking the accounts. Since they had just taken over the account books, they both personally reviewed them, and on top of that, it was the beginning of the month.
Checking the accounts would take at least two hours, so when they got busy, it would take up the entire morning.
The head cook of the main kitchen, Manager Fang, had been feeling very uneasy ever since she entered the room.
Sixth Miss had been in a bad mood last month and would often order all sorts of unusual dishes.
Later, she’d feel nauseous whenever she ate meat dishes, but the amount of food she wanted didn’t decrease at all, and she still gave the kitchen maids a hard time.
There were also the bird’s nests, ginseng and pigeon soup, and other things she usually took for health and beauty.
Sixth Miss consumed these more frequently than before as well. The monthly allowance for Furong Court simply wasn’t enough to cover the costs.
In the past, First Young Master and Fifth Young Master had said that if Furong Court went over its allowance, they would deduct the difference from their share…
At first, Madam didn’t agree, but after the Master also put in a good word for Furong Court, Madam decided to turn a blind eye.
First Young Master had even said that if the deductions from their allowances weren’t enough, they would supplement the main kitchen with more money…
But now that Seventh Miss is managing the household, who doesn’t know that Seventh Miss and Sixth Miss don’t get along?
Sixth Miss’s good days are probably coming to an end.
Just as she was thinking this, she heard Seventh Miss’s cold voice.
“The allowance for Furong Court has been overspent by double. What’s going on?”
Manager Fang felt terribly bitter inside. She nimbly knelt on the ground and, steeling herself, relayed what First Young Master and Fifth Young Master had said.
Huang Yaning let out a cold laugh.
Her wonderful “dear sons” indeed!
Those two would usually pay extra out of their own pockets whenever they asked the main kitchen for more things themselves. Who would have thought they’d let Furong Court use their leftover allowances!
Minmin had long revoked their right to freely draw their monthly allowance. It just meant that Sheng Yong had been subsidizing them privately quite a bit.
Sheng Yong had been holding onto the property belonging to Xianjie’er from the Huang family, and over the years, he had made a fortune.
Huang Yaning had wanted to take back what belonged to Xianjie’er from Sheng Yong’s hands for a while now!
But having been married to him for many years in her previous life, she understood Sheng Yong.
Last time, when she made such a fuss over Sheng Mingjian and the other two, ruining their reputations and making the Sheng family a laughingstock among the common people, even then Sheng Yong only wanted to give her a severe lesson.
But if she tried to make Sheng Yong give up those things, he would definitely develop murderous intentions.
Because those things had become Sheng Yong’s lifeline.
Either don’t make a move, but if you do, it must be a knockout blow!
Otherwise, if you alert the enemy by rash action, both Xianjie’er and she would be in danger.
This matter still needed long-term consideration…
The more Huang Yaning thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Had her head been slammed in a door back then? Agreeing to let Sheng Yong look after the Huang family’s property?
But then again, since Sheng Yong had the money to subsidize those few people, she wouldn’t waste the household’s public funds.
“I’ve looked at the household’s income and expenses. There’s really not much left over. Since Eldest Brother and Fifth Brother can’t even use up their monthly allowances every month, that means the allowance amount is set too high!
“Therefore, starting this month, the food expenses and monthly allowances for the direct line of descent will be cut in half!
“If they can’t use it all, that’s fine—it saves the household money. If they go over, they can subsidize it themselves!”
Huang Yaning was also part of the direct line. By making this cut, she was lowering her own treatment too, so no one could complain.
“This old servant understands!” Manager Fang said.
Huang Yaning also took the opportunity to increase the treatment for several of the concubines in the back courtyard.
In her previous life, she was infatuated with Sheng Yong and couldn’t stand those few concubines in the back courtyard.
Although she never actively made things difficult for them, she knew that servants are experts at currying favor with whoever is in power.
So, apart from the two most favored concubines, the other three didn’t have an easy time.
In this life, Minmin was in her body.
Minmin treated those few people well, and she was even more caring and attentive towards Xianjie’er.
Minmin earned their genuine respect and affection.
So, after she tormented Sheng Mingjian and the other two and then hid away in the Eldest Princess’s manor, Sheng Yong stormed over to Peony Court in a rage.
Although she knew Minmin definitely had ways to protect herself, Sheng Mingli, Sheng Mingshu, as well as Concubine Fu, Concubine Shui, and Concubine Ruan from the back courtyard all went to help Minmin.
Sheng Mingli and Sheng Mingshu each got a kick from Sheng Yong and were in pain for several days.
If it had been her previous life and Sheng Yong wanted to punish her, none of these people would have helped.
Last time, when she was unconscious, she also owed her life to Xianjie’er, Sheng Mingshu, and the princess.
Therefore, Huang Yaning was very grateful to them.
She gave Xianjie’er a painting by Master Song, along with some supplements and jewelry.
The most important thing was actually that painting—it would be invaluable in the future.
She also secretly gave gifts to Sheng Mingli and Sheng Mingshu. She knew that since they were studying at the academy, they inevitably had to deal with rich young masters.
So she didn’t give anything flashy or fancy. She simply and directly gave each of them a roll of banknotes.
Now, wanting to repay the several concubines, after thinking it over, Huang Yaning felt that the best repayment was to let them live healthy lives.
So she found a reason and sent someone to invite a doctor from Benevolent Heart Hall outside to come and examine the three of them.
The doctor quickly reached his conclusions.
Concubine Fu and Concubine Shui had severe internal deficiencies.
Concubine Ruan had problems with her lungs.
The bodies of these three women would need at least one or two years of careful nursing with good medicine. The cost wasn’t small, but Huang Yaning generously approved the funds.
She also increased the three concubines’ allowances for ice in summer and charcoal in winter.
This was her small token of gratitude to them.
Soon, Huang Yaning’s decisions spread throughout the Sheng Mansion.
Sheng Mingjian, Sheng Mingbo, and Sheng Mingzhu, having experienced the terrifying crackdown last time, didn’t dare to say anything.
Sheng Mingyi had no objections either. He was taking more medicine than eating meals now, and food cost him very little anyway. Cutting it in half was still enough for him.
The concubines who benefited were extremely grateful to Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing, and they subsequently sent various thank-you gifts.
They weren’t valuable items, but they came from the heart.
As for Sheng Mingli and Sheng Mingshu, their attitude towards Huang Yaning had changed significantly.
Before, they were closer to Huang Xianjing and mostly looked after Huang Yaning out of respect for their mother.
But this time, Huang Yaning gave them money and also took care of their birth mothers. They were both incredibly grateful to her, and their feelings for her held more genuine affection.
They thought to themselves that if they achieved success in the future, they would definitely not forget this younger sister.
In the back courtyard, Concubine Hong and Concubine Bai didn’t get any benefits at all.
Concubine Hong was secretly one of Sheng Minmin’s people, so naturally, she wouldn’t oppose Huang Yaning.
Concubine Bai did think about making a fuss, but seeing that Concubine Hong wasn’t moving, and the young masters didn’t say anything either.
Besides, Seventh Miss had given her reasons: Concubine Fu had the most seniority and had served the Old Madam; Concubine Shui and Concubine Ruan had borne children and expanded the family’s branches.
Concubine Bai had neither served the deceased Old Madam nor borne Sheng Yong any children.
If she made a fuss alone, it would just be an embarrassment. So she could only shut her mouth and swallow her pride.
When the servants saw how authoritative Seventh Miss was in the mansion.
Moreover, Seventh Miss acted very methodically in her daily affairs, rewarding and punishing with clarity.
She was also exceptionally skilled at checking accounts, as if she had piercing, sharp eyes.
The servants then put away all their little schemes, dared not be careless, and were happy to share their master’s burdens.
As a result, the workload for Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing became increasingly lighter.
One morning, after they had finished their work, Huang Xianjing suddenly looked a bit shy and wanted to ask Huang Yaning for a favor.
“Sister Cuckoo has taken care of me since I was little. She reached the age for finding a match several years ago, but she couldn’t bear to leave me… so she’s put it off until now.
“Originally, I wanted to ask our aunt (the Eldest Princess) to help her find someone, but Aunt is currently recuperating and shouldn’t be disturbed…
“Cousin, you’re such a good judge of character. Could you help find a husband for Sister Cuckoo…”
Huang Yaning then understood that Xianjie’er wanted to find a match for Du Juan.
Du Juan was actually the granddaughter of Old Nanny Du, who had been the wet nurse to Xianjie’er’s biological mother.
The bond between a wet nurse and her mistress in a wealthy family is extraordinary, and Du Juan had taken care of Xianjie’er since she was small.
Xianjie’er was also a loyal and caring person. To her, Du Juan was probably like her own half-sister.
“Have you asked Du Juan what kind of family she’s looking for?”
“Sister Cuckoo says she wants to stay by my side forever, but I don’t want to hold her back any longer…
“I asked Nanny Du. Nanny says as long as the person has good character, no bad habits, and is capable, that’s enough—
“If possible, it would be best if they live nearby and have a smaller, simpler family.”
Huang Yaning nodded after hearing this. “Mother has quite a few stewards managing her farms and shops, and they’re all capable.
“I’ll invite Qingying and Qingzhu over in a bit and ask them about those stewards’ situations…
“Then we can find opportunities to call the suitable ones into the mansion and let Du Juan meet them.
“If she finds a good match, that’ll be a happy event. If not, no problem—we can take our time looking.
“She’s your trusted aide, so of course we need to find her a good home…”
Huang Xianjing’s eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips lifted high. She stood up and gave a bow.
“Thank you, cousin.”
