Qi Zhenzhen understood. Those people saw Li Nuan as easygoing, like picking on the weakest.
"Did the stewards not stop them?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Li Nuan shook her head, saying with a touch of melancholy, "My status is awkward, and they probably don't know how to handle it."
Qi Zhenzhen couldn't really comment on this. The stewards in the mansion were all old hands who had served for many years. While loyal, they were also shrewd. As long as no major trouble arose, watching the show from the sidelines was a good option.
Of course, another point was that Li Nuan's temperament was too gentle.
"Sister Nuan, you are now a County Princess, personally enfeoffed by the Emperor. You have a rank. You must show some presence. Otherwise, how will you manage the servants in the Qian family after you marry? The Qian family is in business, and those people are the most cunning. They'll see you as young and naive and will be outwardly obedient but inwardly defiant. If you're not firm, you won't be able to manage the household well," Qi Zhenzhen said earnestly.
Li Nuan smiled, "This status came too suddenly, and I'm still a bit unaccustomed to it. But I will try my best."
This matter indeed couldn't be rushed; it had to be done slowly. Most people who became arrogant and overbearing after their status suddenly rose did not have good endings. So, Li Nuan's way was not necessarily bad.
"Let's not talk about my task. How about yours? How is it going?" Li Nuan asked Qi Zhenzhen.
"It's going well. Everything is arranged," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "Steward Sun in the storeroom is responsible, and the workers are very obedient."
"That's good. It would be embarrassing to mess up the first task I received from Great Aunt," Li Nuan showed a rare mischievous expression. "Let's rest for a bit later, and I still have to go and oversee things."
"Then you must be firm this afternoon. Handle everything according to the rules. If anyone is defiant, have them report to the stewards. If the stewards cannot make a decision, then you step in," Qi Zhenzhen instructed. "However, if they can't decide on matters they are accustomed to handling, then those stewards have reached their limit. As for those people, if they put on airs, you don't need to be polite to them."
"Okay, I've noted it," Li Nuan smiled.
Qi Zhenzhen had Lian Bei bring out two bowls of Liangfen and fruit. She mixed in crushed ice, poured fruit jam over it, and added sliced peaches. It was much more refreshing than what was prepared for the Old Madam.
After a small bowl, Li Nuan looked content. "Zhenzhen, your culinary skills are truly unmatched. It's so cool, it's completely dispelled my inner烦躁 (fánzào - irritation)."
Qi Zhenzhen said proudly, "My passion for researching food is as dedicated as Sister Nuan's for making incense, so naturally, it's good."
The two sisters had lunch together and then retired to their respective rooms to rest.
After her nap, Qi Zhenzhen went directly to the storeroom. Steward Sun was directing a group of people who were working with great fervor.
"Second Miss is here. We have iced mung bean soup. Would you like a bowl?" Steward Sun greeted Qi Zhenzhen with a smile.
"I already had a cup of ice water before coming. If I indulge further, I fear I'll have an upset stomach later," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "Were there any problems during the inventory?"
"No major problems. A batch of medicinal herbs had gone moldy. According to the usual regulations, after being registered, they were sent to the steward in charge of the gardens. Moldy medicinal herbs, when buried in the ground, can serve as fertilizer for flowers. Additionally, some fabrics are not in good condition, possibly due to dampness. Some parts are moldy, and some have their colors bled." Steward Sun replied, "According to the management, these are handed over to the purchasing department for processing."
He paused, then continued, "When they say processing, it basically means they sell them off at a low price."
Qi Zhenzhen understood. If they were sold, the money would still be accounted for. Steward Sun wouldn't mention it specifically. Once they left the purchasing department, the ones who profited were their own pockets.
"What is Steward Sun's intention?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"This old servant has no particular thoughts, only that this practice is not quite proper."
Qi Zhenzhen had never liked playing mind games. Since Steward Sun didn't elaborate, she didn't press him. She understood Steward Sun's predicament. If everything had been fine before, and suddenly something went wrong, it would surely be blamed on Steward Sun.
"Although these fabrics are stained, they can still be used after washing and drying," Qi Zhenzhen said slowly. "Our Marquis's mansion is a distinguished family. We should also perform acts of charity. Have people wash and dry them, and send them to the Ci You Yuan outside the city. They can still be made into a few sets of clothes for those children to wear. I don't think anyone would refuse them."
"Second Miss, rest assured, this old servant will handle this matter properly," Steward Sun's smile widened at the corners of his eyes.
In the afternoon, everything that could be put back into the storeroom was organized, except for items that could no longer be stored. Five account books were compiled for the items entering the storeroom, and another book was made to record items that could not be stored.
Feixu carried six account books and followed behind Qi Zhenzhen as they went to Chaohui Hall.
Li Nuan was already there. Her usually serene face also showed excitement, indicating that her task had gone well and she had received praise.
"Your elder sister finished her task this morning, and Sister Nuan also finished before you. This time, you're behind," the Old Madam said meaningfully.
"My two sisters are naturally more meticulous than me in their work. It's fine to be behind. Your granddaughter is thick-skinned and not ashamed. Besides, as long as the task is completed, isn't that what matters?" Qi Zhenzhen smilingly presented the six account books. "Please, Grandmother, check them and see how the task was done."
"You," the Old Madam chided her with a glance and began to look through the account books. "Did you truly inventory everything? And categorize it into account books? That's not easy, is it? Are there any errors?"
"Steward Sun has checked them, and there are no errors. Grandmother can summon someone to ask them in person," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"This is a major inventory. It usually takes four or five days." The Old Madam still found it a bit hard to believe.
"This is all thanks to your decree, Grandmother. When Steward Sun and I came this morning, if you hadn't instructed Steward Sun to listen to me in everything, it wouldn't have been completed," Qi Zhenzhen said with an appearance of gratitude.
"What did you instruct them to do?" the Old Madam asked curiously.
"We just cleared out all the items and placed them in the courtyard in front of the storeroom. Previously, when Steward Sun and the others took inventory, they did it section by section, so the speed was very slow. This time, I had everything brought out, and then I assigned specific tasks to them, with each person managing their own section, so the speed naturally wasn't too slow," Qi Zhenzhen explained. "Furthermore, your granddaughter promised to pay triple wages for today's work. We divided into five groups, and each group wanted to finish first, competing silently, so the speed naturally increased."
"Weren't you afraid of rain?"
"It didn't rain!" Qi Zhenzhen said proudly.
"You are quite bold."
"Grandmother, this is called confidence from skill. When I was living at the別院 (biéyuàn - separate residence), there were old farmers nearby who grew crops. They were all skilled at observing the sky and weather, and I learned a bit from them. So, I put it to use," Qi Zhenzhen said cheerfully. "In short, I have also completed the task you assigned me."