Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 20

Liu Manman froze, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Everyone around her was staring at her. Liu Manman's face burned with embarrassment. She felt that everyone's gaze was filled with doubt, ridicule, and contempt... She could even faintly hear the whispers of the crowd.

"He miscalculated and then falsely accused someone of theft, causing such a huge uproar!"

"If you can't even keep proper accounts, what kind of management are you in charge of?"

"Hilarious! I've never seen a matriarch who makes a mistake in the accounts!"

Liu Manman's face flushed red, then turned pale, then purple—a flurry of colors. She just wanted to disappear into the ground!

Qin Shaoze was also very embarrassed.

He had just helped Liu Manman without a second thought, but she had embarrassed him so badly in public, leaving him in an awkward position!

Liu Manman finally realized what was happening and quickly changed the subject to ease the awkwardness.

"Where did this fifty taels of silver come from? How could so much extra money be spent?"

Liu Manman summoned all the stewards in the Marquis's mansion, and only after asking did she learn that it was actually the servants' overtime pay!

The steward said tremblingly, "Madam Liu, you said that everyone would get overtime pay for working outside the four-hour workday. From the first day your new system was implemented, at least forty people have requested overtime every day, and that's how this fifty taels of silver came about..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Manman was both shocked and angry: "How could more than forty people ask to work overtime! Where is there so much work to do? Just because they asked to work overtime, do you all agree to it?"

The manager said with difficulty, "But you didn't say under what circumstances you could agree or not agree..."

Liu Manman was so angry that she felt dizzy, and only then did she realize the loopholes in her system.

These lackeys don't cherish the free time she gives them at all. They only think about slacking off, working overtime, getting overtime pay, and fleecing her!

Shen Lingjun had already heard about Liu Manman's eight-hour workday. She shook her head and sighed.

“Madam Liu, the servants in the Marquis’s mansion are all bound by a death contract. Their entire lives are confined to the mansion, and they have little personal freedom. Their real job is to make as much money as possible. If anyone should bring up this so-called overtime work, it should be you, not the servants.”

Liu Manman felt both ashamed and embarrassed by what she was being said, and she became furious.

Shen Lingjun's tone, a mix of mockery and pity, made it seem as if she were a complete idiot!

"What's it to you! I'm the one in charge of the manor now, who gives you the right to say that? You're just gloating here!"

Shen Lingjun raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking to himself, "Yeah, isn't that just gloating?"

Liu Manman has always been arrogant and has an inflated sense of self-worth, but her actual abilities are far from enough to support her inexplicable self-confidence.

Shen Lingjun loves to watch people make fools of themselves.

She shrugged. "Since there's no theft, I'll head back. Madam Liu, you should use your brain more in the future. Figure things out before making a scene, and don't just label others and cause trouble."

"you!......"

Liu Manman was so angry she felt like her lungs were about to explode, but she didn't know how to retort. She turned to Qin Shaoze and said:

"Shaoze! Look at her!"

"..." Qin Shaoze didn't know what to say.

The main problem is that Liu Manman's performance... is really hard to describe. Even he can't justifiably support her!

He shouldn't have come today. Standing next to Liu Manman, he felt ashamed!

Liu Manman had lost face in front of the servants of the Marquis's mansion today and was seething with anger.

But she was still very dissatisfied. As a modern person who had come to ancient times and was managing such a grand ancient mansion for the first time, wasn't it perfectly normal for her to feel out of place?

She'll prove herself eventually!

Just then, a doorman came to report: "Madam Shen, Miss Yao has arrived."

The doorman was unaware of Yao Sujuan's change and still thought that Yao Sujuan was coming to see Shen Lingjun as before, so he informed Shen Lingjun.

Shen Lingjun smiled and said, "She must be here to see Madam Liu, right? In the future, if Miss Yao comes to visit, just inform Madam Liu directly."

The doorman looked at Shen Lingjun and then at Liu Manman, puzzled. "But isn't Miss Yao a close friend of Madam Shen?"

Liu Manman's earlier anger and embarrassment vanished, and she said triumphantly, "That's not the case now. She's my friend."

Liu Manman already knew from Yao Sujuan that Yao Sujuan used to have a good relationship with Shen Lingjun, but now she had "abandoned the darkness and turned to the light," which made her have a better impression of Yao Sujuan.

She felt a rare sense of superiority in front of Shen Lingjun, as if stealing Shen Lingjun's friend was a victory for her.

Liu Manman glanced at Shen Lingjun: "However, Madam Shen and Sister Sujuan used to be acquainted, so why don't you stay and sit with us?"

She just wanted to show off her victory in front of Shen Lingjun!

At this moment, Yao Sujuan was led in through the door.

Liu Manman had her back to him and didn't see it, but Shen Lingjun noticed at a glance that Yao Sujuan's expression and gaze completely changed when she saw Qin Shaoze.

Her face turned pale instantly, but then two blushes returned. She stared intently at Qin Shaoze, her whole body trembling slightly, as if she was trying her best to suppress intense emotional turmoil.

Shen Lingjun raised her eyebrows slightly.

Yo.

There seems to be something off about Yao Sujuan's relationship with Qin Shaoze!

She didn't act like someone normally seeing their friend's husband. She was clearly in love, and deeply so!

A sudden thought flashed through Shen Lingjun's mind.

No wonder Yao Sujuan used to be friends with her, but after Qin Shaoze wanted to marry Liu Manman as his concubine, she immediately ignored her and turned to curry favor with Liu Manman.

If Yao Sujuan had a crush on Qin Shaoze, then all of this would make sense!

As the daughter of a fifth-rank official, Yao Sujuan could only become a concubine if she wanted to enter the Yongning Marquis's mansion.

Yao Sujuan is sixteen years old this year, already of marriageable age. She's trying to get closer to Qin Shaoze's legal wife, paving the way for her own future!

Qin Shaoze now has a principal wife and a concubine, but compared to the other, Liu Manman is obviously more advantageous, so Yao Sujuan decisively chose Liu Manman.

If it were three years ago, when Shen Lingjun learned that her best friend was approaching her only because she coveted her husband, she would definitely have been angry, disappointed, and heartbroken.

But now, she's in high spirits!

With Yao Sujuan, Liu Manman, and Qin Shaoze on the same stage, this is sure to be a spectacular show!

Shen Lingjun said leisurely, "Okay, then I'll sit with you for a while."

Liu Manman turned her head and saw Yao Sujuan.

"Sister Sujuan is here. Please come inside and have a seat."

Yao Sujuan quickly concealed the strange expression on her face and smiled gently at Liu Manman: "Sister Manman, did I disturb you?"

She hadn't seen Qin Shaoze for over three years and missed him terribly. When she suddenly saw him just now, she couldn't control herself and lost her composure.

But she quickly concealed it; she absolutely couldn't let it show now.

Liu Manman replied cheerfully, "Of course not, you're welcome to come anytime!"

Qin Shaoze laughed and said, "You sisters have a good chat. I'm a grown man, so I won't join in the fun."

He then nodded to Yao Sujuan in acknowledgment and left.

Yao Sujuan's gaze followed Qin Shaoze's departing figure as if it were glued to him. She seemed to have exhausted all her strength to tear her gaze away and bring it back to her eyes.

Shen Lingjun took in Yao Sujuan's tender and affectionate appearance and shook his head inwardly.

How could someone so young have become so blind?

However, considering her past relationship, she was determined to grant her wish since her old friend was suffering so much from unrequited love.

What will Liu Manman think when she discovers that her only warm and friendly friend in the entire capital has become her husband's concubine?

Shen Lingjun was lost in thought, listening to Yao Sujuan and Liu Manman chat for a long time.

It was supposed to be a chat, but to be precise, it was Liu Manman showing off and Yao Sujuan praising her. Anyway, the two of them got along well and had a deep sisterly bond.

When it was almost time, Yao Sujuan took her leave, and Shen Lingjun also returned to her own Yufei Courtyard.

She had just arrived at Yufei Courtyard when Hongqing, who had been traveling for many days, returned.

Upon returning, he went straight to Shen Lingjun's room.

When Shen Lingjun saw Hong Qing's appearance, his expression changed instantly. He stood up abruptly, his heart leaping into his throat.

She unconsciously gripped her clothes tightly, and in a hoarse voice, nervously asked:

"Have you found the two children?"