Lengxiang Courtyard was small and had few rooms. With the sudden arrival of four maids, it immediately felt cramped. Old Madam Nian, considering that Wang Qingyao had no more etiquette to learn, thought of resigning and vacating the space.
Wang Qingyao said nothing upon hearing this. After a long period of thought, she said, "Old Madam Nian, I am in need of a managing嬷嬷. Would you be willing to..."
Old Madam Nian was surprised, "But I am not a servant of your Wang family."
Wang Qingyao then linked her arm with Old Madam Nian's and explained affectionately, "嬷嬷, you misunderstand. I don't want you to sell yourself. Do you know about external hiring? It means you have the talent, and I recognize your ability, so I will hire you from outside to manage things here. That's roughly the idea, do you understand, 嬷嬷?"
Old Madam Nian hesitated and nodded, "I understand. There are some economic agencies outside. When large households are too busy, they also hire them to help at home. But if it's like this, will the First Madam agree?"
Wang Qingyao smiled sweetly, "嬷嬷, just say whether you are willing or not. You don't need to worry about the First Madam. Anyway, I won't need her to provide your monthly allowance."
Old Madam Nian was still hesitant. She had just thought Wang Qingyao had no etiquette to learn, but seeing her conduct, it was clear she had a long way to go!
"Ten taels a month, with subsidies for festivals!"
Old Madam Nian was torn between laughter and tears, "Miss, your monthly allowance is only five taels. How can I possibly have more than you? It's not that I care about the allowance, it's just... it's not in accordance with the rules."
Wang Qingyao's eyes darted, "Then let's not tell the First Madam and them. You can continue to stay under the pretense of teaching me etiquette. When I marry into the Prince of Ding'an's mansion, I will officially hire you. 嬷嬷, you are also getting on in years. Instead of moving between households, why not stay with me in the mansion and live out your days?"
This struck a chord with Old Madam Nian, and her expression softened.
Wang Qingyao's eyes suddenly reddened, and she choked out, "Since my wet nurse passed away, besides Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi, there's no one else who treats me well. 嬷嬷, although you are strict, you genuinely wish me well. I truly hope 嬷嬷 can stay by my side..."
"You child," Old Madam Nian, though outwardly stern, had a soft heart. Seeing Wang Qingyao like this, she no longer cared about rules and said, "Please don't be sad anymore. 嬷嬷 will stay."
Wang Qingyao made a 'v' sign in her heart, but her face remained mournful.
"It's still 嬷嬷 who dotes on me," she leaned on Old Madam Nian's shoulder and acted spoiled.
Old Madam Nian's heart melted.
Thus, it was settled. Old Madam Nian continued to live in her original single room, while Chun Lan, Xia He, and the other two shared a large dormitory.
After all, they wouldn't be staying long. m..oΓg
The next morning, Wang Qingyao was dressed and ready to go to Lijing Courtyard for "school."
Unexpectedly, after taking only a few steps out of the courtyard, someone came to call her to the outer courtyard to receive an imperial decree. It turned out that Xue Qiu had successfully helped Zhen Zhu the previous night, and the Empress Dowager, remembering her contribution, had sent someone to bestow rewards early in the morning.
It was the female official Huang, who served by the Empress Dowager's side. Wang Qingyao recognized her. She read the imperial edict and then kindly conveyed the Empress Dowager's message, "The Empress Dowager says that if Princess Mingyao has time, she should visit the palace more often to keep her company."
Wang Qingyao knelt to thank the Empress for her grace. Old Madam Wang beamed with pride, her wrinkles crinkling so much they could have trapped flies.
First Madam Bai, as always, was dignified and benevolent, wearing a perfectly fitting smile.
The other younger members of the eldest branch, however, struggled to maintain their composure.
Since Wang Qingyao was betrothed and enfeoffed as a county princess, this was the first time they had witnessed the grandeur that came with her status and the favor from a noble personage in the palace.
For them, this was unattainable, something they dared not even dream of.
When the female official Huang had people bring the rewards for Wang Qingyao to examine, even First Madam Bai showed surprise.
Too precious! Too much!
Besides gold and jewelry, there were also fabrics and medicinal herbs!
The female official Huang glanced at Madam Bai, her chin slightly raised, and smiled, "This must be the lady in charge of the Wang household, truly possessing great bearing! The Empress Dowager said that Princess Mingyao is too thin, so these medicinal herbs are to help her recuperate. Furthermore, her attire is too plain. These fabrics will trouble First Madam to have someone tailor a few outfits for her. She is but a child and doesn't understand things, so we must ask First Madam to take good care of her!"
Madam Bai's face flushed, and she knelt with a thud, "This humble subject dares not."
Large beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, and her face turned pale.
The Empress Dowager was admonishing her!
She had originally planned to transfer the rewards to the public treasury after the palace entourage left, but now she didn't even dare to think about it.
Old Madam Wang and Wang Qingyao also understood the unspoken meaning behind the female official Huang's words.
Old Madam Wang cast a displeased glance at Madam Bai, annoyed by her disgrace. She was the only Madam in the mansion, and Wang Qingyao, a girl from a different branch, would eventually leave with a dowry. Yet, she insisted on acting so petty.
Feeling her mother-in-law's gaze, Madam Bai felt more wronged than Dou E.
She had always disregarded Wang Qingyao, but because there were no conflicts of interest, she disdained to deal with her. She merely knew that her subordinates would fawn over those in power and did not stop them.
Moreover, since the Old Madam, Wang Qingyao's grandmother, did not protect her, why should Madam Bai, a paternal aunt from a different branch, play the good Samaritan?
Madam Bai also felt dissatisfied with the Old Madam in her heart.
The happiest was undoubtedly Wang Qingyao. Saving a dog had turned her into a rich woman. How could she not be happy? She immediately started contemplating how to make better use of her clairvoyance to help the important figures solve trivial matters.
The Empress Dowager was also very approachable, without any airs, and even supported her. When they met yesterday, the Empress Dowager had seen through everything – her predicament and her difficulties. She had said nothing to her face but instead gave her a powerful backing.
Yes, it was truly wonderful, a truly excellent old lady.
After the female official Huang left the Wang residence, Wang Qingyao picked out the medicinal herbs and fabrics and handed them to Madam Bai. Madam Bai's face turned green with anger, but she dared not say a word.
Wang Qingyao had the rest of the items taken back to Lengxiang Courtyard. After sorting and recording, Yin Zhu excitedly guarded the storeroom door, not daring to leave for even half a step.
Wang Qingyao said, "Don't be nervous. The items from the palace have markings. No one would dare to steal them."
"I I... I'm not... not nervous!"
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter filled Lengxiang Courtyard.
When Wang Qingyao arrived at Lijing Courtyard with Zhi Zi, the time had long passed the hour of Chen.
Lijing Courtyard and Lengxiang Courtyard were two extremes. The location was good, the space was spacious, and even in the depths of winter, the sunlight was ample. It was decorated according to Wang Qinglin's preferences, with a fresh, elegant, and understated luxurious style.
Wang Qinglin followed the path of a talented woman and had a small study. Inside, there were two shelves, one filled with books and the other with small trinkets for playing with. The desk was also equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
To be honest, Wang Qingyao envied it.
Back then, she too had been a literary youth.
After the incident with the rewards, Wang Qinglin's mood was not good. She had clearly felt a shift in the family's attitude.
Just now, Wang Qingzhen had wanted to return to Lijing Courtyard with her, and her words were full of praise for Wang Qingyao. Who didn't know she was trying to gain some advantage?
Thinking of this, Wang Qinglin felt a tightness in her chest.