The Domineering General and His Post-it Lady

Ever since Hu Lijing moved into the Fan Mansion, she has become a hot topic of conversation in the mansion. It happened that Fan Ziren returned to the military camp these days and would not be back for a few days. Hu Lijing could only wait for Fan Ziren to come back in the Fan Mansion.

Hu Lijing knew that she had no status in the mansion, which caused dissatisfaction among the other ladies. If she wanted to gain a foothold in the Fan Mansion, in addition to gaining the general's favor, she also had to win over a lady and get her support.

Before entering the mansion, Hu Lijing had sent people to inquire about the situations of the ladies. Now the most favored ladies in the Fan Mansion are the first lady Zhao Chunlei and the second lady Ma Xiahe, because both of them have given birth to children.

The first wife, Zhao Chunlei, gave birth to a daughter. She usually helped the old wife to manage household affairs. The distribution of items every month was made by the first wife, so the other wives did not dare to offend her.

Second wife Ma Xiahe was particularly arrogant in the mansion because she gave birth to a son who was one of the candidates for the future head of the Fan mansion, so everyone gave in to her.

After comparison, Hu Lijing decided to win over the first wife Zhao Chunlei. Because if she won over the second wife Ma Xiahe, when she gave birth to a son in the future, he would have to compete with the son of the second wife Ma Xiahe for the position of the head of the Fan Mansion, and they would inevitably be incompatible. Therefore, she could not choose the second wife Ma Xiahe.

The first lady now has a daughter, and it is still unknown whether she will have more children in the future. It is most appropriate to win over the first lady at the moment, so Hu Lijing decided to please the first lady Zhao Chunlei.

Hu Lijing brought her maid Xiaoya to the villa of the first lady Zhao Chunlei, and introduced her name to the gatekeeper. When the servant heard that the beauty in front of him was the Hu Lijing that everyone had been talking about recently, the candidate for the future Seventh Lady, he immediately went to report to the first lady Zhao Chunlei.

The eldest lady thought: This girl, isn't she doing very well in the mansion recently? She is spoiled by the old lady, served by servants and maids, and well fed and well fed. She can even become an immortal and a Buddha, so why does she come to my place? Is she trying to show off?

Madam Zhao Chunlei asked her maid Xiaolan to bring Hu Lijing and her maid Xiaoya in. Hu Lijing came in and saw Madam Zhao Chunlei. She smiled and said, "Jing'er greets Madam!"

Madam Zhao Chunlei said quickly, "Oh, it's Sister Jing'er! I heard that the old lady invited Sister Jing'er to stay in the mansion for a while. Everyone said that Sister Jing'er was as beautiful as a fairy. After seeing her today, it turned out that her reputation was well-deserved. How come Sister Jing'er has time to come and visit her sister today?"

Hu Lijing said, "Sister, please forgive me for making fun of you. Jing'er heard from the old lady that you are now helping her manage the Fan Mansion. Everything is in perfect order. You are truly her right-hand man. You are also the general's most valued wife. I am so envious of you. I want to pay you a visit and learn from you!"

When Madam Zhao Chunlei heard Hu Lijing's praise, she was very happy and thought: You know that I have some places in the mansion and you want to curry favor with me. It seems that you are quite smart.

Madam Zhao Chunlei smiled and said, "How can you compare to Sister Jing'er? She is personally granted an independent courtyard by the Madam, and is served by servants and maids. She eats and wears the same as us ladies. Everyone says that Sister Jing'er is already the general's seventh wife. I am almost the general's outdated wife. What else do you need to learn from me?"

Hu Lijing thought to herself: This eldest lady is still very concerned that my status in the mansion will threaten her. Every word she says is full of thorns. If I am not careful and say something wrong, she will hold me accountable.

Hu Lijing said, "Sister, the old lady just suddenly missed me and invited me to stay in the mansion for a while to chat with her. There is no woman in Beijing who doesn't want to marry the general. I am just an ordinary woman who loves the general, but I dare not marry him. Only a virtuous woman like you can win the general's favor. Of course, I have to learn from you."

Madam Zhao Chunlei thought to herself: You still have some self-awareness and know your own worth.

Madam Zhao Chunlei took a sip of tea and said, "Sister Jing'er, don't be modest. With your looks and elegant manners, you may be able to get the general's attention like your sister in time."

Hu Lijing said happily: "Really? Then I will need your advice from now on so that I can come to your villa more often to learn from you."

Madam Zhao Chunlei said, "Okay, Sister Jing'er is welcome to visit my villa anytime."

In order to win over the first lady Zhao Chunlei, Hu Lijing specially selected a pearl necklace from the jewelry given by Chen Yuanwai's son Chen Cu, and prepared to give it to the first lady Zhao Chunlei. This pearl necklace was brought back from the Northern Territory by Chen Cu at a high price.

Hu Lijing signaled her maid Xiaoya to present the pearl necklace. Hu Lijing held the box and said to Madam Zhao Chunlei, "Sister, this is a little gift I prepared for you on our first meeting. Please accept it!"

Madam Zhao Chunlei took it and opened the box. It was a pearl necklace. Judging from the color, it was worth a lot of silver. Madam Zhao Chunlei said happily, "Oh, sister Jing'er, how can you accept such an expensive gift?"

Hu Lijing said: "As the saying goes: A sword is given to a hero, and a necklace is given to a beauty. Madam, you are such a beauty and have such a noble temperament. This necklace will only show its value when worn on you!"

Madam Zhao Chunlei was so happy with Hu Lijing's coaxing that she held Hu Lijing's hand and said, "Jing'er sister is really good at coaxing people. I will accept it. Thank you for your kindness!"

Hu Lijing thought to herself: Just a necklace can make you happy, it seems I overestimated you!

As Hu Lijing thought about it, she held the hand of the eldest lady Zhao Chunlei and said, "From now on, I will be grateful for your care in the mansion."

Madam Zhao Chunlei nodded enthusiastically.

Hu Lijing and the first wife Zhao Chunlei chatted with each other, seemingly in harmony, but in fact they each had their own ulterior motives and plans in their minds.

After Hu Lijing left, Madam Zhao Chunlei played with the necklace given by Hu Lijing. The more she looked at it, the more she liked it. Hu Lijing could actually take out such a precious pearl necklace. She must be from an extraordinary family.

The maid Xiao Lan said to Madam Zhao Chunlei, "Madam, why did that cousin come over here to show her courtesy? Could it be that she wanted to curry favor with you, Madam?"

Zhao Chunlei said: "It's obvious that she wants to win me over. She knows how to choose people and knew to find me."

The maid Xiao Lan said worriedly, "Madam, this cousin is not simple. She wants to curry favor with you and even gave you such a valuable necklace. I'm afraid she is not a good person. If you make friends with her, there may be hidden dangers in the future."

Zhao Chunlei said thoughtfully, "Even a well-trained dog will bite back one day, let alone a human. I am only on good terms with her on the surface, and I will still cut off my relationship with her when necessary. Now that Ma Xiahe is getting more and more arrogant, if this girl and Ma Xiahe have a dispute, we can just sit back and watch. When they are both hurt, who will be the biggest beneficiary?"

The maid Xiao Lan exclaimed: "Madam, this is brilliant! Madam is really thoughtful!"

Zhao Chunlei said with a smile: "Otherwise, you really think that I was fooled by her. I am not an old lady who was fooled by her. I can't wait to see the fight between this girl and Ma Xiahe!"