23 - Madam Mei

Chapter 23 – Madam Mei

As soon as Autumn arrived, Bai Yuxiao became extremely busy.

Ling Wang Mansion has its own group of embroidery ladies and every one of them is skilled with their hands. Bai Yuxiao ordered the servants from the individual inner courtyards to collect their Autumn clothes and the quantity each courtyard received was based according to the ranks of their mistresses. Autumn is also the harvest season and it is also the time that Ling Wang Mansion’s shops, businesses, and lands pay up their taxes.

Since the Accountants came from all over the fief, traveling over long distances, so some of them would come in horse-drawn carriages while some would come by boats. If it is a short-distance journey, it would take about three days and for long distances, the journey would take about ten days. At night, they would stay in the inns in the imperial city, and in the early morning, they would be waiting outside the gate of the mansion to see the master.

This is the first time that Bai Yuxiao is overlooking this important event in the mansion. Other than getting to know every one of the Accountants of the various properties, she also had to review the account books one by one, count the money and record the amount before putting the money in the treasury.

In the previous years, this matter was handled by Lan Shufei who was in charge. Now that the person in charge had changed, Lan Shufei should have informed Bai Yuxiao when she handed over the management of the rear courtyards but Lan Shufei deliberately did not tell her. When the Chief Steward informed her, she had to arrange for everything at the last minute.

Mid-Autumn is the month of the Autumn Harvest and all matters must be settled before the Mid-Autumn Festival so that all the Accountants can return home to reunite with their families to celebrate the festival.

While Bai Yuxiao held this important event in the main courtyard of the royal mansion, Wangye and the Ministers were also extremely busy in the imperial palace, and sometimes, even dinner had to be taken in the palace. Although it is hectic in the imperial court, all matters have to be settled before the Mid-Autumn Festival so that the Ministers can return home for the festival.

Bai Yuxiao understood the principle of division of tasks and cooperation, so she gathered all the sisters in the inner courtyards, assigned them with responsibilities, and instructed them to carry out their tasks.

The Ruren concubines did not dare to disobey her and all of them came forward but there were no signs of Lan Shufei and the three Ji concubines. They had only sent their respective servants to report to Bai Yuxiao. Lan Shufei ’s maid said that her mistress was ill and was unable to manage matters while the three Ji concubines each found reasons saying that they were not feeling well. It was probably due to the Autumn heat, the Ji concubines either felt dizzy or felt nauseous.

Naturally, Bai Yuxiao understood that they deliberately claimed to be sick and refused to obey just to oppose her. However, she was not angry and assigned the tasks to the other sisters and encouraged them to do well. If they performed well, she assured them that she would report to the Wangye and they would be rewarded for their hard work.

On the first day when Bai Yuxiao received the first batch of Accountants in the main hall, from beginning to end, she just smiled and nodded frequently as she looked through the account books. As it was the first time the Accountants met this Shui Shufei , although it was the rule that as lower-ranked staff, they were not allowed to look directly at their superior, they still secretly stole looks at her from the corner of their eyes.

Bai Yuxiao still maintained an unpredictable expression until lunchtime and then she allowed the Accountants to go for lunch first before she returned to Yaorong Pavilion.

At this time, in Qingxiang Building inside the courtyard of Huancui Pavilion, Lan Shufei who was reportedly ill and unable to handle matters, and the three Ji concubines, Liu Ji , Xie Ji, and Zhang Ji were all drinking tea leisurely waiting to see Bai Yuxiao make a fool of herself.

Although normally, these women did not see eye to eye, once they had a common enemy, all their minor squabbles were set aside for the time being to deal with the major one first.

“Just wait and see, Elder Sister. I don’t believe Shui Shufei won’t come to beg us for help.” Liu Ji chuckled as she spoke to Lan Shufei .

Zhang Ji also fawned over her and said. “This is the busiest time every year. Ling Wang Mansion has many fiefs and businesses and the account books are the most difficult to understand. Even if someone is employed to give guidance, one must learn at least a year before one is well-versed. If Shui Shufei doesn’t come to beg Elder Sister, who else can she ask for help?”

Xie Ji tossed out a sentence coolly. “Look for the Chief Steward of our royal mansion!”

Lan Shufei drank her clove-dew tea in silence and deliberately let the three concubines voice out the words in her heart.

The corner of her mouth broke into a sneer with the thought that even if Shui Shufei looked for the Chief Steward, it would still be useless. It was because Chief Steward is one of her people and although Shui Shufei had reorganized the whole rear courtyard, the people in the accounts department were not so easy to change. All the staff in the department have backgrounds and she had ordered those people to create trouble for her, so how can she understand the accounts? Thinking of this, Lan Shufei suddenly felt very happy.

Liu Ji smiled flatteringly. “Are those accounts and those properties so easy to understand? It’s not like playing house and without Elder Sister in charge, it would be strange if she did not make a fool of herself and be embarrassed in public.”

Zhang Ji added. “Then let’s just wait here to watch her come and beg for help.”

The four women were smiling and waiting to watch a good show. It would take at least several days to check the accounts, go through them, and listen to the reports. They would wait to see how long Shui Shufei could last.

Does she think that taking control of the rear courtyard means that she can make use of others to do her bidding?!

Lan Shufei chuckled lightly and said. “It would be best if she complains to the Wangye and that’s exactly what we’re hoping for. When that time comes, it will be one against four. It’s uncertain who the Wangye will listen to.”

They had already agreed that if the Wangye is to question them, they would say Shui Shufei did not delegate power to them and even if they wanted to help, they could not intervene.

In this way, Shui Shufei would be taught a lesson and she would also suffer a loss.

As long as Shui Shufe makes a mistake, it could be seen clearly that her ability was only just so and if she is to make a huge mistake, then it would even be better.

At this time, a homing pigeon was quietly released in Yaorong Pavilion.

In less than half a sichen , a middle-aged woman came to the mansion to see Shui Shufei , and Zhaolu was already waiting at the small door in the mansion’s backyard for the woman under the orders of her Young Miss. As soon as Zhaolu saw the woman, she immediately stepped forward and bowed in salute to the woman. Then Zhaolu invited the woman into the backyard and they proceeded to Yaorong Pavilion.

After lunch, Bai Yuxiao returned to the main hall to listen to the reports.

However, there is a difference in the situation between the morning and now as there is a middle-aged woman by her side who is sent over by her Eldest Senior Sister.

After waiting for everyone to arrive, Bai Yuxiao who was sitting on the main seat smiled and said to all the Accountants present.

“This noon, I had roughly glanced through the account books but I’m not going to talk about the details. Since this is the first meeting between me and everyone here, it is inevitable for us to be unfamiliar. I think it’s necessary to tell everyone about the new rules. I always handle matters without making personal attacks. As long as things are done right, I will remember the person’s ability but if things are not done correctly, I will start an investigation on that person. If you give me one degree of loyalty, I will return two degrees. If that person plays tricks behind the scene, then I will definitely drag him out into the open. When that time comes, if that person suffers a disaster, there won’t be room for negotiation.”

After she finished speaking, Bai Yuxiao’s indifferent eyes swept over everyone present. She no longer showed that gentle look of a rear courtyard woman as in the morning but instead, she exuded an invisible aura that oppressed everyone.

When she saw everyone’s face looking a little abnormal, Bai Yuxiao continued. “Everyone here has to support parents and brothers and as long as you are righteous and upright, I will guarantee that your family will be safe and sound and lead a peaceful life. What should be given to you would absolutely not be any less, but if you are greedy and take what you shouldn’t, then I will definitely take it back from you with profit. Does everyone here understand?”

All the Accountants showed different expressions. Although this Shui Shufei may only be a concubine, the aura she possessed was not any inferior to a mistress of an aristocratic family or even an imperial concubine.

While she was being assessed by everyone in their hearts, Bai Yuxiao instructed the middle-aged woman beside her. “Madam Mei, since this is the first time all the Chiefs are meeting you, so please introduce yourself to them.”

“Yes, Niangniang .” After Madam Mei bowed to Bai Yuxiao, she turned around to face the crowd of people and spoke calmly. “This servant comes from Shangguan Mansion. My Old Madam sent me to share the burden of Niangniang and this servant hopes to receive everyone’s advice and comments.”

(T/N: In the raws, the person who sent Madam Mei over was ‘Elder Madam’ but in Shangguan Family, there is only one main wife who gave birth to two sons and six daughters. There are no concubines in the family therefore there should not be another madam in the family. So instead of using the title ‘Elder Madam’, the word ‘Old Madam’ is used here. As Bai Yuxiao’s Eldest Senior Sister, Shangguan Yan is the fifth unmarried daughter, she can only be addressed as the Fifth Young Miss in the family.)

When everyone heard the two words ‘Shangguan Mansion’ they were shocked. The great name of the Shangguan Mansion is famous. Let alone the people who operate businesses or shops or any other trading houses or even if one is not a businessman, one would still know of the reputation of the Shangguan Mansion. The family of this residence is a royal merchant family!

Everyone inside the Shangguan Mansion is very capable. Although the family members are not government officials, they enjoy the same privileges as government officials and they have an excellent relationship with the imperial family. The money they earn for the imperial family each year accounts for one-tenth of the country’s taxes.

Since Madam Mei claimed she was sent by the Old Madam of the Shangguan Mansion and also works beside the Old Madam, it is unnecessary to mention her abilities.

Some of the people present felt excited while some of them began to feel guilty.

Perhaps Shui Shufei may not understand the accounts and can be fooled but this Madam Mei is a knowledgeable person. Do not even menton making a fool of her, as long as she does not pick out the discrepancies in the accounts books, it is already considered as God’s blessing.

When Bai Yuxiao saw this warning of ‘guns and sticks’ had taken effect, she felt it was almost done and so she announced to everyone.

“I think everyone came in a hurry and there might be irregularities in the accounts. It would be better for you to go back and sort the accounts that you’re responsible for to avoid any mistakes and then come back tomorrow to report. What do you think?”

Everyone exchanged glances and a few of them took the initiative to agree first.

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“What Niangniang said is correct. These accounts are important and it’s not good if they are not handled well. Everyone should return to sort out the accounts properly and come back again tomorrow so that when Niangniang reviews the accounts, it will be much clearer.”

Bai Yuxiao smiled and nodded. “If this is the case, then everyone should go back. Chief Steward, please send all the Chiefs out!”

“Yes.” The Chief Steward lowered his head to bow in response and watched the hem of Shui Shufei ’s skirt slowly floated out of sight before he slowly raised his head. When no one was watching, he wiped off the layer of cold sweat that had broken out on his forehead. He had not expected that Shui Shufei would invite someone from Shangguan Mansion to help her.

Isn’t it true that she has no background nor a powerful family to back her?

Her father is only a Chief-of-Staff in the royal mansion and although he had joined the Ministry of Appointments recently, he only has a few contacts. Unlike Lan Shufei , she has the backing of the Duke of Zhen Guo and his power cannot be underestimated.

It was clear that the imperial family had intervened. The Chief Steward no longer dared to listen to Lan Shufie’s orders to make a fool of Shui Shufei.

That was a dangerous situation. Fortunately, Shui Shufei did not mete out punishment immediately and allowed everyone to go back first so that everyone was given a chance to think over carefully as to who they want to show their loyalty to.

He had to protect himself, so the Chief Steward could only feel apologetic to Lan Shufei .

After Bai Yuxiao turned around and walked out of the main hall, she asked Zhaolu and Shuang’er. “Did you see everything clearly?”

“Yes, Young Miss! When everyone heard that Madam Mei came from Shangguan Mansion, this servant and Shuang’er have taken note of who showed a happy expression and who had a changed of complexion.” Zhaolu replied.

“Very good. Write down the names of those whose faces had a change of complexion and hand the list to Madam Mei so that she can conduct a stricter check on their account books. Auntie Mei, thanks for your help.”

“ Niangniang don’t have to worry. Just leave it to me.”

Bai Yuxiao nodded and holding onto Madam Mei intimately, they smiled and talked as they strolled back to Yaorong Pavilion.