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bloodlandsbook > Stepdaughter Ronghua > Chapter 79: Brutality must be in a place where no one can see!

Chapter 79: Brutality must be in a place where no one can see!

  The Princess of Jin State had always been on good terms with the Pei family, and Jian Yu Bai wanted to give his mother some face, so he lifted the curtain and took a look. Seeing that the person leading the horse and wiping away sweat at the front of the procession was indeed the Grand Steward of the Pei family, he slightly nodded: "Have him come over and talk!"

  "The little one has seen the master and grandmother!" The steward arrived at the front of the carriage, bowed after speaking first to express his joy, "Wishing the master and grandmother a long life together until old age, and an early birth of a noble son!"

  "This is exactly what I meant, 'I heard that the Duke and his wife went to the palace yesterday to thank the Emperor for the gift of white jade and golden ginseng. Our master asked the imperial physician to diagnose him today, and the prescription he wrote happens to require it. Unfortunately, we don't have enough in storage, so I was sent to ask you two if you can spare one branch for our master's medicine?'"

  Jian Yu Bai was startled, but didn't ask much. He quickly pulled out a pen and ink from the secret compartment of the carriage, hastily wrote a note, took out his private seal from his sleeve and stamped it, then sent two guards to accompany him back to the Yan Guo Gong Fu to fetch the participation certificate.

  After the chief eunuch had withdrawn with a thousand thanks, he let down the curtain and explained to Song Yi with a smile: "It's because Elder Sister's father, Academician Pei, is ill."

  It's unnecessary to mention the reason, both husband and wife have their own thoughts: at first, Jiang Muxi's "future Wei Wangfei" identity had not been made public, only privately circulated, and after being eliminated, she was even more embarrassed to never go out again; let alone Pei You Rui and Jian Yi You, that was a decree from the emperor!

  A daughter's lifelong event has encountered such a huge twist, can a normal father not be anxious and furious?

  Song Yixiao didn't think it was a good idea to express her opinion, so she just said: "In that case, after we return to the manor, shall we gather some more medicinal herbs and send them over?"

  "Hmm." Jian Yu Bai responded with a murmur, leaning his head against the carriage shaft, closing his eyes and falling silent.

  Song Yi smiled and didn't scold him, instead gazing out at the scenery along the way through the gap in the car curtains.

  After returning to the Yannan State government house, they inquired about the warehouse and learned that the general manager of the Pei family had only taken one branch. Song Yi smiled and asked if he should add some more when delivering the medicine?

  "My sister has always been in good health, but Third Uncle's body isn't very well." Jian Yu Bai hesitated, "Don't move that thing of Third Uncle's."

  Song Yi Xiao took out two more from the share of Jin Guo's Long Gong Zhu, ordered someone to add some other medicinal materials, and sent them to Pei Fu the next day.

  Jian Yu Bai waited until she had finished instructing, then Fang Dan asked in a light tone, "Have you dealt with Cui Lian?"

  Upon hearing this, Chao Chen and Jin Xun, who were accompanying the bride, all broke out in a cold sweat, secretly praying that Song Yi Xiao's response wouldn't enrage him.

  "Isn't this what she wanted?" Song Yi smiled with an innocent face, "Otherwise, why would she do it in front of everyone and not even give me any face?"

  "It was the Empress Dowager who gave it to you, when you return to the palace, don't forget to apologize to the Empress Dowager!" Jian Yu Bai listened to this and didn't show any expression on his face, calmly saying "Lest others say you don't put the Empress Dowager in your eyes!"

  "Of course."

  She thought he would say a few more words - after all, Cui Tong had served him for so many years.

  Jian Yu Bai had already ended the matter, saying lightly: "I was a bit free yesterday, so I wrote the letter of appointment for you. It will be delivered soon. If you don't know how to write a thank-you note, you can ask your mother or sister-in-law."

  After he left, Cui Xian eagerly stepped forward to flatter: "It's only been three days since you entered the mansion, and Master Gong is already going to request a noble title for you. This shows how much he cares about you!"

  "This letter is really hard for me to write." Song Yi smiled and said, "Get ready, tomorrow we'll go pay our respects to Mother!"

  This must be said to the mother-in-law, of course, is the eldest princess of Jin State - however, on the second day, she arrived at the eldest princess's mansion, Song Yisheng gave her mother-in-law a salute and presented white jade golden lotus, was awarded a seat to speak, but did not mention the matter of the memorial book, instead knelt down and refused to get up, saying: "The daughter-in-law has come to apologize..."

  The Empress Dowager was surprised and said: "You child has only been married for a few days, why are you already asking to be punished?"

  "It's Cui Xuan." Song Yi smiled, not adding any embellishments. After all, the Yan Guo Gong Fu had so many servants, but there were only a few trustworthy ones, how many secrets could be kept?

  She told the whole story of what happened on their wedding night, and how after Jian Yu Bai personally instructed Cui Tong to obey her, Cui Tong still repeatedly spoke out of turn. Finally, she said, "The daughter-in-law knew that she was given by Empress Dowager, so it's absolutely impossible to bully her! But at the time, I really couldn't bear to...".

  "What's going on?" The Empress Dowager heard this and said without hesitation, "A'ruo has already spoken, the maid is yours to manage! What's wrong with you setting rules for her? Don't put your mind on this matter. The reason why I sent Cui Tong to the Yan State Duke's mansion was because she served A'ruo diligently in the past and thought that as a palace maid, she would have hope of leaving the palace at the age of 25. Now that she's gone to the duke's mansion, as long as you agree, it's fine for her to get married and spend a few years of her youth! Who knew this thing had lost its head and instead caused trouble for you!"

  The old lady's reaction was not what Song Yixiao had expected. Except for a few weirdos, the new daughter-in-law had just passed the door and was slightly willful - most of the elders were still gentle with her, especially the Empress Dowager and the Princess of Jin who forced the Jian family to "rush into luck" and wanted to marry her off early, in order to have someone host the Mid-Autumn Festival for Jian Yubai. How could they oppose Song Yixiao's authority?

  Although it is said that her husband did not cooperate, after being scolded by Qingtian, she still filed the lawsuit under the guise of apologizing.

  She let out a long sigh of relief and thanked her mother-in-law with tears in her eyes.

  The Empress Dowager smiled and patted her hand, showing affection, and asked if she was getting used to these past few days: "Now you are the mistress of the Yan State's official residence, Ah Ru's legitimate wife, don't be miserable in your own home!"

  "Thank you for your concern!" Song Yi smiled, just wanting her to say that. She immediately looked embarrassed and said, "Everything else is fine, but yesterday my husband mentioned that there are too many idle people in the mansion, which may lead to accusations from officials. He asked me to take care of it, but I heard that most of the servants in the Duke's Mansion have been serving since Grandfather's time, so it's not good to treat them poorly... I thought of a few ways, but they all seem to be lacking in some way. Can you give me some advice?"

  She was deliberately trying to probe her mother-in-law, after all, seeing the Empress Dowager's doting on her son, yet allowing the servants of the Yan Guo Gong Fu to provoke Jian Xuebai without intervening, was indeed suspicious.

  The Empress Dowager heard this and remained silent for a long time, then lifted her tea bowl and took a sip: "In those years, your grandfather considered that Ah Yu grew up in the palace and couldn't supervise the people under him at all times. As time went on, it was inevitable that some would become lazy, so he kept most of the reliable old servants."

  "Grandfather's heart is full of kindness, and husband is also remembering it at all times." Song Yi smiled with a respectful face and spoke nonsense.

  However, besides your grandfather, the Guo Gong Fu also houses the eldest and third branches. Now, there are only two masters, you and your husband. This is indeed one too many. The Grand Princess put down her tea cup, looked at her daughter-in-law, and said, "Considering Ah Xū's official career, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get rid of the extra people. But where do you plan on sending them? If there isn't a good arrangement, it will inevitably lead to people gossiping that you and your husband are heartless, won't it?"

  Song Yi Xiao had just said that cutting staff was a mere formality, but Princess Chang Gong asked her where she planned to reassign the cut personnel, clearly seeing through the young woman's thoughts.

  However, his tone was still calm and didn't seem like he was about to get angry — Song Yi smiled to herself and quickly decided to take a gamble during this honeymoon phase of being the new daughter-in-law. She spoke candidly: "When Grandfather retired and returned to the countryside for Father's sake, he surprisingly didn't bring many attendants with him. As his elder, it was a kind intention; as his junior, how could I not repay it? Those people were all trusted aides from Grandfather's time; why not send them back to their hometowns to serve Grandfather in his old age? What do you think, Mother?"

  "Since you've thought it through, then so be it." The Grand Princess fiddled with the bangles on her wrist, and after a moment, she nodded slightly. "Speaking of which, your marriage to the Yiyou was meant to bring good fortune to your ancestors. Now that you're married, I was just about to send someone back to pay their respects and see if this method has any effect - it's perfect timing to talk about your filial piety!"

  Song Yi smiled and didn't mind whether her mother-in-law's words were sarcastic or not, she politely thanked her and was thinking of a topic to continue chatting with her mother-in-law when the Empress Dowager suddenly asked: "Did the steward of the Pei family come looking for you yesterday?"

  "It's Mrs. Pei who is ill and needs White Jade Ginseng as a medicine guide, but the Pei family doesn't have enough in stock. I heard that Your Majesty has just bestowed some on my husband and daughter-in-law, so I've come to ask for it." Song Yi smiled, not knowing what her mother-in-law thought about the changes in her son's marriage, so she didn't dare reveal any tendencies, choosing her words carefully.

  "Alas!" The Empress listened and her eyebrows furrowed, with a complex expression she sighed, "This matter is my fault towards the Pei family!"

  Song Yi smiled awkwardly and fell silent.

  Fortunately, Princess Chang didn't require her to respond and merely said: "From now on, Ruo Xue is also your sister. In the future, she will be fine, and so will the Pei family. If there's anything difficult, lend a helping hand; don't decline!"

  Song Yi smiled and respectfully replied.

  The Empress Dowager then took the initiative to talk about some family matters and gave the new daughter-in-law a good lesson, but didn't mention anything about the relatives and friends of the Jian family.

  Song Yixiao guessed that this should be related to the fact that her grandfather was not the biological father of her grandmother: although Grandfather Jian Pingyu came from a poor family, he was still an elder statesman of two dynasties, and the Jian family was considered a high-ranking aristocratic family in the imperial court at that time. The first wife, Jian Li, was forced to divorce and remarry a woman nearly ten years older than herself, the eldest princess, how could she not have any resentment?

  Not only was Jian Liangkong distant, but other members of the Jian family, including relatives and friends, were also displeased with Empress Dowager Longyu's actions. Although they feared imperial power and dared not speak out, over the years, it was inevitable that they gradually drifted apart.

  Of course, it's also possible that Princess Chang looked down on those people.

  This conversation lasted for half a day, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had lunch together. Song Yi Xiang then took her leave.

  Leaving Zhang Gongzhu's side, Qiao Jin hastily reminded: "Xie En's letter of gratitude..."

  "What's the hurry?" Song Yi smiled, "Nowadays, even the folded paper hasn't been handed over yet. Let's wait until we've formally received the gift and then ask Mother for advice, it won't be too late!" Besides, Mother-in-law isn't being overly demanding, what's wrong with running a few more errands?

  It's better to prove one's ability with actual achievements!

  "But although my mother-in-law has agreed to send people away, this is just the beginning of her eagerness to take control, I'm not worried!" Sitting in the carriage, Song Yi smiled and closed her eyes in thought. "Before I got married, Mother repeatedly reminded me: In front of people, I must be gentle, magnanimous, compassionate, and benevolent; otherwise, where would my good reputation as a virtuous and talented woman come from?"

  In short, brutality must be in a place where no one can see!

  So she went back to the Yan State government office and asked Ming Jian to deal with official business in the study, then called the kitchen to make some tea and snacks, and personally took them over.

  Jian Xu Bai frowned as soon as he saw her, clearly not liking being disturbed at this moment.

  After she closed the door, he asked coldly: "Anything?"

  "I just told my mother that there are too many people in the mansion, and I'm afraid of being impeached by the officials." Song Yi smiled and put the tea cup on the corner of the desk to avoid touching his documents. She poured herself a cup of tea and held it in her hand, then said lightly, "Also, thinking about Grandfather's illness before, even if the auspicious timing is effective, after recovering from this serious illness, he will still need careful nursing. Although Eldest Uncle's side will certainly not be neglectful, if we can have these experienced old servants from our mansion serving by his side, Grandfather will surely recover faster. Mother agrees with this, what do you think?"

  Jian Yu Bai heard this and the chill in her eyes slightly dissipated, revealing a hint of a smile: "Then it's settled!"

  "This is a matter of filial piety, it's better for you to take the lead." Song Yi smiled to herself, thinking that she had come to talk to him about this, not just to get his permission. "After all, Grandfather fell ill before I married into the family, if I were to take the lead this time, people might gossip about you as the eldest grandson, being less concerned about Grandfather than a daughter-in-law who has only just entered the family, right?"

  "I understand." Jian Yu Bai playfully glanced at her, "You think of me like this, I won't disappoint you!"