Chapter 1093: Chapter 1093

Chapter 1093: Chapter 1092: All in the Same Boat

To manage these servants, you must use both kindness and authority. It means giving a stick and a sweet date, to keep them in line and prevent betrayal.

Sure enough, as soon as she said this, not only the newly bought Old Hu and maid Xiao Mei, but even Old Wu and her three companions couldn’t help but shiver.

They all stood up straight and lowered their heads, saying they wouldn’t dare.

Seeing them all subdued, Old Granny Zhang didn’t say much more, but waved them off, instructing them to tidy up their own things to avoid chaos later.

After leaving the second gate, Old Hu and Xiao Mei finally let out a sigh of relief.

Old Hu smiled and said, “Quickly go back and tell your elder and second brother this good news. This is a rare and excellent task. Your mother must remind them to serve the master well.”

Xiao Mei, standing beside her, pouted unhappily, “Mother, why didn’t you let me go with the madam to the other mansion? I’ve heard Qing Niao sister say that in such large estates, the personal maids of the masters are of higher status than even some of the lower-ranking masters. Their food and clothing are almost the same as the masters.”

“There are even several little maids serving them, and they eat things we’ve never seen before. Every so often, the masters give out rewards, and in a year, you can save at least dozens of taels of silver! Why didn’t you let me go for such a good thing?”

“That Gu Yu is just a village girl; she just joined the master’s side earlier than me. How am I any worse than her?”

Old Hu’s face changed, quickly looking around to make sure no one was nearby before giving a slap, “Ignorant creature! Just a few words from Qing Niao and you’ve forgotten your identity? Qing Niao says this, Qing Niao says that; why don’t you recognize Qing Niao as your mother?”

“You’ve only seen the thief eating meat, not the thief being beaten! If what Qing Niao says is so great, why did she end up in such a predicament? You should be more cautious.”

“Haven’t you thought about the fact that the master’s family has only just been recognized back, and we still don’t know the situation in that mansion? We don’t even know if they’ll be favored or not! If they’re favored, then once the master’s family has a firm footing, with the help of your two brothers, what do we have to worry about?”

“But if they’re not favored, your two brothers will be fine, working outside; it won’t affect them. But if you follow them in, you know very well that masters who aren’t favored are even less worth than their maids in the rear courtyard. Wouldn’t you, as a maid, be trampled into the mud by others? Have you forgotten how Qing Niao died?”

“Quickly put away those thoughts and stay honestly with your mother here. Isn’t it better to live steadily? I’m telling you, don’t think about these things, if I find out, you’ll pay, understand?”

Xiao Mei’s face turned pale, whether from recalling Qing Niao’s death or being scared by Old Hu’s words, she lowered her head timidly and said nothing more.

As for Song Chongjin, since it had been decided to go to the Duke’s Mansion, at the very least, he needed to inform Gu Zikai, Ninth Master Lee, and his classmates from Jing County.

Initially, he had arranged for his classmates from Jing County to come to this courtyard to celebrate the New Year. Now, it could only be canceled. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by N0velFire.ɴet

Gu Zikai and Ninth Master Lee, upon hearing of an invitation from the Song Family, even though they didn’t know what it was about, understood that with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s character, they wouldn’t invite them for trivial matters.

Although there was much to do at the end of the year, they still managed to find time to come over.

After hearing Song Chongjin casually recount his lineage, saying he would likely move into the Duke’s Mansion soon, even Gu Zikai was taken aback, let alone Ninth Master Lee.

After a while, Ninth Master Lee exclaimed, pointing at Song Chongjin, “You… you’re the one they’ve been talking about these days, the child the Song Family is reclaiming?”

In recent days, he had vaguely heard that the Duke Weiguo had a child lost outside many years ago and had finally been found. They were talking about recognizing their ancestry by the year’s end.

His father had even mentioned this to him and his brothers, saying that since the Duke Weiguo acknowledged them and made such a commotion, it signaled the Duke’s attitude. They would meet frequently in the Capital City in the future, and they would need to interact.

So his father wanted them to befriend the child the Song Family reclaimed.

He and his brothers joked about it, wondering if the sudden emergence of the Duke Weiguo’s bloodline would turn out to be round or flat.

And now it turns out that this round-or-flat person happens to be someone he knows?

Ninth Master Lee really didn’t want to admit it. Previously, he could overlook it, but now that he knew, looking at Song Chongjin’s features, although not very much like the Song Family, there were indeed some similarities to Duke Weiguo.

Gu Zikai was momentarily out of sorts, but quickly regained composure. His first reaction was not congratulations, but concern.

The Duke Weiguo Residence was currently at the height of its power and favor with the Emperor, yet the Lady of Duke Weiguo had no sons, and although Duke Weiguo had five sons, they were all born to concubines.

These five sons—the eldest was married with a daughter, while the youngest was only seven. Duke Weiguo was said to be quite fond of this youngest son.

The other sons had quite a bit of dissatisfaction; while things appeared brotherly, rumors of dirty tricks and backstabbing were not uncommon.

Presently, while Duke Weiguo was still in his prime and able to maintain control, things remained calm.

However, perceptive people had already noticed: if something were to happen to Duke Weiguo, without a successor established, chaos will likely ensue.

Already a deep, murky pool, Song Chongjin’s return could very well stir up trouble.

But it was inappropriate to speak of this directly; he vaguely asked, “Do you know the situation in the Duke’s Mansion?”

Song Chongjin understood Gu Zikai’s worries and nodded meaningfully, “I know everything!”

Gu Zikai understood, realizing Song Chongjin likely had his own considerations, and so nodded, saying only, “If you need anything, just ask.”

These words, spoken now, carried significant weight.

Ninth Master Lee, standing by, sighed. Gu Zikai, that sly one—what was he doing today? The affairs of the Duke’s Mansion were not matters for them to meddle in.

Clenching his teeth, he also spoke, “The affairs of the Duke’s Mansion—I cannot and do not wish to meddle in such large matters. But for small things like needing some silver, connecting some relations, I can lend a hand.”

What else could he do? The cosmetics and powder business still needed to be done with Yongzhu, and that Auspicious Dye Workshop depended on Yongzhu for new products.

In the eyes of others, they were already in the same boat, inseparable.

So he might as well go all in; his father wanted him to befriend this newfound blood of the Duke anyway. Isn’t this befriending enough?

Song Chongjin naturally understood their intentions.

But still not at ease, Ninth Master Lee, since he had already thrown caution to the wind, couldn’t resist advising, “The Duke’s Mansion is unlike an ordinary household. With Duke Weiguo protecting you upfront, that’s fine, but Yongzhu as a weak woman—”

At this point, he even found himself unable to utter the word ‘weak woman’.