Wealth and glory seek stability

"Yes, it feels very strange. Auntie is also half a master, why is she still so respectful when meeting Sister Jixiang in the Second Madam's room? It's really puzzling."

"This is a long story." Caisang kept the question in suspense.

Jian Xi only regretted that there were no melon seeds now. She poured the tea, grabbed a handful of dates, and got ready: "I'm all ears."

Caiyun and Lai Xi also put down the work in their hands and sat in a row. The three little kids greatly satisfied Caisang's desire to talk.

Cai Sang took the tea from Jian Xi's hands, took a sip, and then continued, "You all know that the Second Madam is from a famous family. It was for the sake of the Madam and the late Prince that Lord Qian was willing to marry his daughter to the Second Master who had just passed the imperial examination. The Second Master was amorous and would never refuse any maid in the mansion who threw herself at him. That Aunt Ru was the one who served in the Madam's room before."

Cai Sang took into consideration the inexperience of the young maids and spoke more tactfully, "At that time, Ru'er, the concubine you have seen, used some tricks to make the Second Master take her as his concubine. The Madam was furious and sent several older maids out of the house and married them off. When the family was divided, the Madam gave all the property of the Second House to the Second Madam.

She also said that if the Second Master didn't make progress, she would just pretend that she didn't have this son. After giving birth to two sons, the Second Lady didn't care much about the Second Master's affairs. Apart from the monthly quota, she let them fend for themselves. The concubines in Jifang Garden had a worse life than the second-class maids in our Yulan Courtyard.

The status of a maid who serves the master personally is naturally different. As for Aunt Ru, she is probably obedient now. When she was in Yulan Courtyard, she was a head taller than Qiangwei and always insisted on being strong. She has probably lost her temper in the past few years."

Jian Xi sighed, so that's how it is! There is such a story behind this.

"If it were me, I wouldn't be like Ruyi's mother. It would be so comfortable in the lady's room. Why would I have to be someone else's concubine?" Jian Xi was puzzled.

Aunt Ru's train of thought was too strange. As far as she knew, not to mention Qiangwei's current status in the palace, the usual rewards and exchanges were all considerable sums.

Apart from the money she earned from writing books, she also received several thousand taels of silver in rewards in less than half a year at Magnolia Courtyard. She went from being a poor girl with nothing to a wealthy woman with a bulging belly, not to mention Qiangwei, who got more, not less, than her.

Cai Sang glanced at Jian Xi and said, "Do you think everyone has the same good luck as you? After you came here, you have received more rewards than those of us who have served in Yulan Court for more than ten years."

Jian Xi smiled awkwardly and changed the subject, "Sister, please don't make fun of me. Every time I get a reward, I always use some of it to buy delicious food for everyone. This is all the kindness of the masters.

I still can't figure it out, why would Aunt Ru give up her good life and want to be the Second Master's concubine? "

Cai Sang disagreed, "Some people are just too stubborn, thinking that with the Second Master's favor, they will surely enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future. The Madam finds families for the people in the room, either honest farmers or managers of the farms below. Their lives will definitely not be as comfortable as in the mansion. There is nothing wrong with her doing this, at least there are people to serve her in the mansion."

Jian Xi ate a date, fed two to Caiyun and Lai Xi, spit out the pit and said, "Too clever is foolish. The Madam is smart. She cut off the financial power of the Second House and handed it over to the Second Madam. In this way, even the Second Master has to get the Second Madam's approval for any spending, not to mention the concubines who depend on the Second Master for their livelihood."

The older you get, the wiser you become. Xia, who looked kind-hearted, knew that she had to strike the snake at its most vulnerable part. Now, I'm afraid that Aunt Ru must be regretting it to death.

When she first entered the Magnolia Courtyard, Qiangwei's overt and covert probing finally gave a reasonable explanation: Xia was afraid that there would be another maid like Ruer in the room.

Thinking of the concubines who were all humble and submissive, Jian Xi felt emotional. Everyone has their own aspirations, and it was not easy for her to say anything.

Cai Sang took a sip of herbal tea, flipped the dates in her hand and said, "That's right. Ever since the incident with Aunt Ru, the Madam Tai felt that she owed the Second Madam a lot. She always thought of the Second Madam when she got something good. She said to others that she understood the hardship of a woman raising two children. But I think the Second Madam is quite happy."

Jian Xi complained in her heart, how could she not be happy? With a son by her side, a powerful family as a backer, and her only mother-in-law also clearly standing on her side, holding the financial power of the family in her hands, she is simply a winner in life.

Every day, I study rouge and powder, arrange flowers, taste tea and mix perfumes. Whatever clothes I want to wear, one of the best embroiderers in the capital will tailor them for me...

He is good at everything from food to clothing to housing and transportation. His subordinates are all good people, and their words are even better...

I can’t think about it anymore, or I’ll cry.

People are more mad than people.

Who said that women in ancient times were conservative? In her opinion, Qian was completely open-minded. She also had her own social activities and her economic and emotional values ​​were at their maximum.

The white fungus in the clay pot was bubbling. Lai Xi stood up, walked to the clay pot, and opened the lid. "Sister Jian Xi, the white fungus seems to be cooked."

Jian Xi threw the date pit in her hand into the stove, clapped her hands and stood up, "Let me see."

"It's indeed ready. Cut the pear into pieces and put them in. Stir constantly and simmer for another quarter of an hour until the Tremella produces gelatin. It will taste better when it cools down."

"it is good!"

Cai Sang was dissatisfied with Jian Xi's reaction and asked, "Little girl, don't you want to be a master and enjoy wealth and glory?"

Jian Xi helped Lai Xi cut the pears without stopping. She said without hesitation, "I just want to do my job well, learn more and do more, without thinking too much."

Caisang curled her lips and muttered, "What a boring little girl." She no longer wanted to continue chatting and continued to pack up the untied tea leaves.

Just like the people around you, when encountering something, you will always try to test other people's bottom line to the greatest extent and speculate on it. This question is a trap. If Jian Xi says she wants to, there will definitely be rumors afterwards. If she says she doesn't want to, it is obvious that she is saying one thing and thinking another. Unfortunately, the person Cai Sang asked is Jian Xi, who is in her twenties with a psychological age and rich social experience.

When it comes to practicing Tai Chi, ambiguity is a required course for experienced professionals in the workplace, and Jian Xi is well versed in the essence of this.

After the Tremella soup was ready, Jian Xi went to the kitchen to find a few small bowls. She first gave a small bowl to each of the maids who usually took care of her in the Magnolia Courtyard, and then distributed the rest to the people in the tea room.

Jian Xi is a person who is grateful for what he has received and is grateful for what he has received. She is doing very well in the Magnolia Courtyard.