The Marquise: I Earn My Own Worship

Mrs. Lu nodded. After saying these heartfelt words today, she felt that her mother was closer to her than her biological mother.

"I'm old now, and sometimes I want to help you but I'm powerless. No servant in the family will remain loyal forever. You have to understand that people are profit-driven. As long as there are enough benefits in front of them, the master-servant relationship is just empty talk."

"You think you can tie someone down with just a contract of sale..."

Song Shengfu smiled and then shook her head.

"That's too fake. There are always things in this world that are more important than this. Maybe it's big enough interests, maybe it's love, or maybe it's life."

"If it were an ordinary family, we could just manage ourselves. But now the mansion is so big, and there are so many servants. If we don't keep them in check, they might become the source of trouble. A few years ago, the house leaked like a sieve. When the masters farted, everyone outside knew whether it smelled good or bad."

Song Shengfu's words were very harsh, but no one dared to say anything. They all lowered their heads and listened obediently.

"After a few rectifications, the atmosphere in the family has improved. I also know that this cannot be achieved overnight, but we must always remember to tighten the skin of the servants from time to time, so that we don't forget whose meal we ate."

"There are many elderly people in this family, and they have been with us for generations, from our ancestors and grandfathers. These servants are the most proud but also the most loyal. Loyalty is hard to find. When dealing with these people, we must strengthen discipline but not let them down."

The early spring sunset shone through the window and onto Song Shengfu's face.

"It turns out that Aunt Zhang, who manages the kitchen, is indeed loyal, but she's blinded by money. People like her must be severely punished without mercy, to serve as a warning to the rest. I've driven their entire family to the most remote farm, leaving only their little girl behind. Now she's cleaning the outer garden, fulfilling the bond of servanthood for our generation."

"The last time I saw Kang'er, he asked me why I didn't just kick the whole family out. Well, this is the housekeeper's dilemma. You said, ever since our family was granted the title, they've been with us. For a while, we dismissed almost all the servants who could be dismissed, and these hereditary servants stayed with us, a bond that we've shared through thick and thin. But because of this little thing, they were beaten, killed, and sold off, which chilled everyone's heart."

Song Shengfu spoke with some confusion. These words came out of her mouth, but she had no recollection of when her family had been in trouble.

Mrs. Lu nodded on the side. The most difficult thing in managing the inner house was these old servants. Their loyalty was a big deal, but everything else was a problem.

"As long as it's not a crime, you should always leave some room for maneuver. Give a slap and then give a sweet treat. You have to figure out the tricks yourself. Whether you're in the inner house or out in the world, the same principles apply to how you conduct yourself."

"These old servants need to be taken care of. Our Earl's Mansion is no longer what it used to be, and these people's bad tempers must be changed. It's unreasonable for them to act more arrogantly than their real masters when they walk around."

"The others are the newly bought maids and servants. They are a mixed bunch, with unknown origins. They are most likely to be bribed by outsiders. Although their tempers may not be as bad as those of the children born in the family, they are still a nuisance if their hearts are not in the family."

"These two groups in the mansion are secretly competing with each other. Even though I don't care about the situation, I've heard some of it. Lu, how to make them check and balance each other while also working together is the key to your management. The two sides should supervise and restrain each other, and maintain a state of balance. Once the balance in one direction is lost, it will always lead to disaster."

Lu lowered her eyes in thought, and Duan Jing'an beside her was also thinking about something.

At this time, the sun was about to set, and the remaining afterglow shone on Duan Jingzong and others, while Song Shengfu was hidden in the shadows.

"Food is eaten bite by bite, and the road is walked step by step. Whether now or in the future, managing a family is about the long term, not just a short-term effort."

Song Shengfu swallowed her dry throat and didn't want to continue.

"Okay, I've been speaking from my heart today, and I've been a bit long-winded. Remember, everyone is a part of this family. Regardless of honor, disgrace, or fault, everyone has responsibilities, and we shouldn't blame any one person, now or in the future."

Lu knelt down again and kowtowed heavily despite Song Shengfu's attempts to stop her.

"Mother, please let me crack one for you. I used to be arrogant and conceited, but after hearing what you said today, I finally came to my senses. Mother, please give me some advice. I don't know how much good fortune I must have earned in my previous life to be your daughter-in-law."

Lu was helped up and wiped the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief.

Song Shengfu pulled her and looked at the others.

"I should have told you all this a long time ago, but I just couldn't find the right time. Besides, these are just some words of advice from experience. Remember what you think is right, and ignore the parts you think are wrong."

"Mother's words, I will keep in mind."

Duan Jingzong walked forward, took Lu's hand, and made a solemn promise.

Duan Jing'an brought Ding Meishu forward and stood behind his eldest brother to add a message.

Song Shengfu looked at the two couples and nodded with satisfaction. This life is better than the previous one.

At this time, Sister Wei snuggled into her arms and leaned against her gently.

"An old person in the family is like a treasure. The ancients were right. My grandmother is the greatest treasure in our family."

Song Shengfu was so amused that she laughed and touched Wei Jie'er's head.

"Then Sister Wei is the little darling."

Sister Wei buried her face shyly.

"Okay, let's have dinner together later. Tell the kitchen to stew two more pork elbows. Jing'an, go and talk those two naughty boys down, and then bring the other two over."

Eat what you eat.

Song Shengfu still remembered what Kang Ge'er had said about her behind her back. Today she finally caught him. She wondered how many "good things" he had said about her over the years.

"Mother Qi, go tell the kitchen to serve a few more dishes."

Song Shengfu felt a little hungry. She didn't know if it was because she had cried too much or because she had talked too much today, but she felt very hungry.

Duan Jing'an had already left Bisongyuan at this time. He did not go to the ancestral hall first, but went to the second gate instead. Meng Hai was already waiting there.

Meng Hai whispered a lot of words in his ear, Duan Jing'an nodded, took out the small purse and threw the whole thing to him.

Meng Hai happily accepted it. He thought that if he took it back tonight, his wife would be in a good mood towards him.

Duan Jing'an sent him away before heading towards the ancestral hall.

At this time, the two people in the ancestral hall were already starving.

They hadn't eaten much at noon, and had saved some space to go to Luo's house to eat roasted whole lamb. Now they both looked listless.

"Brother, let's fill our stomachs first before we go out."