Wen Kui: “This old servant underestimated them. Master, should we tell Elder Fan about Zou Yunting’s matter?”
Wen Mao remained silent for a while, then slowly said, “His own disciple is unwilling to inform him, so why should we sow discord between master and disciple? After all, we have not yet figured out what is actually going on.”
Wen Kui: “Understood.”
Wen Mao: “With Zou Yunting’s strength, he was actually injured by a mere servant, and even had to help the culprit cover it up. Things are becoming more and more interesting. What exactly do these people intend by infiltrating the Wen residence?”
Wen Kui: “The matter has basically been traced out somewhat. The Third Miss’s spirit pet ran away twice at first, and both times it was that fat man who found it. Then that Niu Youqing was the only person who could make the spirit pet eat. Later it was discovered they were a group. That is to say, they may have been deliberately using the spirit pet to get close to the Third Miss. They were inquiring about the situation of the Wen Shu Pavilion, and shortly after the Third Miss made contact with Niu Youqing, she also specifically made a trip to the Wen Shu Pavilion. This old servant suspects whether the Third Miss knows something.”
Wen Mao nodded slightly. “This girl indeed has something she is hiding from us. What matter could it be, that she would even conceal it from me, her grandfather?”
The room was quiet for a moment, then Wen Kui broke the silence again. “Master, that son-in-law of the Wan family with the surname Yin arrived in Ningzhou City an hour ago.”
Speaking of this, Wen Mao seemed somewhat头疼. He sat down again, leaning against the back of the chair with a humph. “That old man Wan is the most hateful! Once he gains power, he will surely become arrogant and overbearing!”
Wen Kui knew what he hated. That old man Wan most liked to pull some embarrassing tricks during sacrifices.
He had once produced an elaborate long ceremonial robe for sacrifice that required someone to hold the hem, and the master following behind was one of them.
He had once produced an extremely thick and large incense offering that could not be held steady and required someone to help support it, and the master following behind was again one of them.
In short, not only did he act as the chief sacrificer to grab the spotlight, but he also made the master hold his clothes and assist him in full public view, causing the Wen family to lose face. Even with the master’s good temper, he could not hold back his anger when facing that old man Wan.
“There is still over a month to prepare for the literary gathering. Yin Jizhen’s identity as a remonstrance official may not necessarily appear on stage. Even if he does appear, the master’s grandson-in-law may not be inferior to him.” Wen Kui could only offer such comfort.
There was no helping this literary gathering. Only family descendants could take the stage. If the family descendants had limited literary talent, no amount of effort would help.
As for having a son-in-law take the stage, that was a rumour picked up from the Wan family side. That was already playing dirty. The fear was that the Wan family side would truly have no shame and really let Yin Jizhen take the stage. If the Wan family wanted face, then this side would also not let a son-in-law take the stage. The key still depended on the Wan family’s attitude.
After the literary gathering, once it was determined which family was the chief sacrificer, that family could then prepare according to the specifications of whether or not they were the chief sacrificer.
The preparation specifications for the chief sacrificer were certainly different, but with one or two months to prepare, it would be sufficient.
…
Evening. The rain had stopped, and the sunset glow filled the sky.
The grandfather and granddaughter dined together as usual again. After three cups of wine, Wen Xin again pressed down on the wine jug, not allowing her grandfather to drink any more.
Wen Mao had no choice but to laughingly give up, and casually asked, “I heard Pingping has no time to accompany you?”
Wen Xin shook her head. “Her senior brother is severely injured and should not move around recklessly. They say he needs to lie down for at least half a month before he is fit to get up and walk. Pingping needs to look after her senior brother, so it’s fine that she doesn’t accompany me. I don’t know what kind of villain could bear to inflict such a cruel hand on a perfectly good person.”
Wen Mao observed her reaction for a moment, then suddenly sighed. “Such is the unpredictability of worldly affairs. Girl, your grandfather has been thinking, have I protected you too well since you were little? ‘The treachery of human hearts’ is not merely four words you have seen in books.”
Wen Xin was slightly startled, staring at him, not knowing what he wanted to say. She felt that her grandfather today seemed somewhat unusual.
Wen Mao did not dwell on it too much, and returned to the topic. “With Pingping gone, you also lack someone to run errands for you. Pick another person yourself.”
Wen Xin: “Grandfather, I have nothing much going on. There is no need for such trouble.”
Wen Mao: “Aren’t you going to start trying to get involved in family matters? Haven’t you already started from the West Miscellaneous Courtyard?”
“…” Wen Xin was speechless, wondering in her heart how she should respond.
Wen Mao continued, “Pingping was a companion. Little Red is your personal maid. You are also getting on in years. It is time you had someone who can help you handle affairs and run errands both inside and out. You will need one sooner or later. Pick someone. All the servants throughout the entire residence, pick whoever you like. Whoever you are willing to choose can go to your Jade Garden.”
Wen Xin was stunned, her eyes blinking repeatedly. Not knowing what she thought of, she pondered for quite a while before tentatively asking, “Grandfather, may I truly choose for myself?”
Since she was little, everyone who entered Jade Garden, including Little Red, had been carefully selected by this grandfather of hers. She had never truly made the decision herself regarding personnel, because grandfather always said people were the most complex thing, and he feared she could not handle it well.
Wen Mao waved his chopsticks. “Grandfather keeps his word. You are also getting on in years. It is time to let you try making decisions for yourself.”
Wen Xin tentatively asked again, “Any person is acceptable?”
She also knew that some matters had family rules.
Wen Mao hmm-ed, “As long as they are a servant of the Wen residence, you may choose whoever you like. Go pick them yourself later.”
Wen Xin “mm-ed” and did not refuse anymore, accepting it. Only, she became somewhat distracted while eating again.
After she finished eating and left, Wen Mao tapped his fingers on the table, and Wen Kui outside came in.
“You tell me, will she choose that one who watches the storage room?” Wen Mao looked towards the door and asked, as if talking to himself.
Wen Kui knew this one had already made his decision, to use his own granddaughter as bait. He could not say much, and simply replied, “By the looks of it, there is a very high chance she will.”
The next day at dawn, Yu Qing again shouldered his broom and went out, sweeping as usual.
It had rained, and many leaves had fallen, most of them stuck to the ground. Today was not easy to sweep, but Yu Qing’s work attitude was still decent.
Being hardworking and uncomplaining was on the surface, but his mind was turning over and over thinking about three people: Wen Xin, Zou Yunting, and Wen Guoshi.
Little Gouzi had been taken away. The likelihood of Wen Xin coming again was not great. Even if she came, there would always be people around her, making it truly difficult to speak.
Logically speaking, once the affair was exposed, Zou Yunting would surely tell Wen Guoshi. He did not know if Wen Guoshi would come find him after learning of it. If Zou Yunting was too severely injured to come, it would also be fine if Wen Guoshi came. The status of the Wen family’s Second House matriarch, if she was willing to help inquire about information, would still be quite good.
Of course, on one hand he was thinking optimistically, on the other hand he was also raising his vigilance. Even when sleeping at night he had to keep one eye open and one eye closed.
This was the price paid for a moment of satisfaction. Having exposed their affair, he had to constantly guard against what desperate or reckless things they might do.
After sweeping, he returned to the courtyard to get his rice bowl, making his routine trip to the dining hall…
“What? Send Niu Youqing to Jade Garden?”
Inside the Miscellaneous Affairs Room, Liu Gui let out an exclamation of surprise at Steward Feng, who was boiling tea and preparing water.
Hot water was poured into the teapot. Steward Feng sat down behind the desk. “What is so strange about this? He is suitable for raising the Third Miss’s spirit pet. It is normal for him to be transferred over.”
Liu Gui felt somewhat sour. “Steward, Niu Youqing has only been here a few days. His background probably hasn’t even been thoroughly checked, and he is directly sent to the inner courtyard on duty. Is this appropriate?”
If he were sent to some other place on duty, he could still accept it. But being sent directly to the Third Miss’s Jade Garden was simply too enviable.
Apart from the guards, there were no male servants in Jade Garden. What did it mean to be chosen as a male servant there? There was a very high chance of becoming the Third Miss’s trusted confidant.
That was a position countless servants coveted!
Who did not know that the clan leader, as head of the family, doted on that granddaughter very much? One could imagine that when the Third Miss married, the Wen family would certainly bestow a large dowry.
The Third Miss’s trusted confidant, and the only male servant, would in all likelihood be the one to help the Third Miss manage her dowry in the future.
Think about it. Countless acres of fertile land, mansions, shops, gold and silver treasures and so on held in one’s hands to manage. What kind of concept was that? Just passing them through one’s hands would cover one’s hands in fat.
Such a lucrative position, how many servants could not feel envy, jealousy and covetousness?
Steward Feng leaned against the back of his chair. “Since the steward’s side has permitted it, it means they have checked and found no problems. There is no need for you to worry.”
Liu Gui muttered, “Steward, I mean no harm. After all, the person was recruited by you. I am just afraid that if something happens, it will implicate you. Furthermore, so many children born in the family have not been given such a good opportunity. Why should a newcomer from outside be able to serve the Third Miss? Just wait and see, I fear a great many people will be unconvinced!”
Steward Feng sighed. “I understand your thoughts. Forget you, I am also envious. But Liu Gui, people truly do have destinies. Sometimes we really must accept our fate. Look, the dog the Third Miss raises… oh no, the spirit pet she raises, is not close to anyone. It does not like you, nor does it like me. It only likes Niu Youqing. What can you do? The Third Miss naturally views him differently. Tell me, if this is not fate, what is it?”
“Alas!” Liu Gui hung his head in dejection.
Steward Feng: “Everyone has their own fortune. It is not something to be envied! Alright, this is no longer up to us to manage. Go call the person over.”
“Understood.” Liu Gui sighed and left.
He did not walk far before he saw Yu Qing coming towards the dining hall from afar. He immediately quickened his pace to greet him, squeezing out a smile. “Brother Niu, congratulations, congratulations.”
Yu Qing was puzzled, looking him up and down. “What congratulations?”
“The Third Miss has chosen you to serve on duty in Jade Garden…” Liu Gui roughly explained the situation.
“Uh…” Yu Qing was first secretly delighted, because being by Wen Xin’s side, then he froze, gradually becoming somewhat alarmed. Thinking that he might run into Wen Yan’an at any moment, he immediately waved his hands repeatedly. “No, no, I can’t do that. I really can’t. Please tell Steward Feng for me, let them send someone else. I truly can’t. I just arrived and don’t understand anything.”
“Brother Niu, don’t be so ungrateful. This matter is decided from above. Steward Feng cannot do anything about it either. We who are subordinates take whatever tasks are given to us. How can we bargain and pick our duties? Furthermore, this is a heaven-sent lucrative position. The Third Miss will marry sooner or later…” Liu Gui immediately explained the matter of countless acres of fertile land, mansions, shops, and gold and silver treasures. Being able to privately say such things already counted as trying to build a good relationship.
Yu Qing was stunned listening to this, and asked in alarmed uncertainty, “Can there really be that much dowry?”
Liu Gui let out a hey, lowering his voice. “You don’t understand this. When the Third Miss marries, as the granddaughter most doted on by the family head, the dowry bestowed by the family will certainly not be small. Those uncles and elders will also have to add to her dowry. Also, the entire Third House now has only the Third Miss alone. All the properties under the Third House’s name, from the capital to the border regions, belong to the Third Miss. I heard that when the Third Miss’s mother married into the Wen family, the dowry she brought was worth tens of millions of taels. All of that belongs to the Third Miss. Adding everything up, the Third Miss’s dowry is in the hundreds of millions. Do you think the wealth of one of the three great families of Jinnan is child’s play?”