"Move a screen to the second gate for me, call Brother Qing, Third Master Mu and Master Rong who are repairing the ancestral hall, and ask them to check with me one by one." Li Shu patted the table. , Tingxue and Siyu did not dare to hesitate, and quickly went to each room to inform.
It really costs 80,000 yuan, so why not just grab the money?
Soon the three people came over. Lishu didn't care who was the cousin or the nephew. She just asked: "Who is responsible for the fan? I asked Mrs. Ju yesterday, and she said it was all you. San'er is in charge, I have to reconcile the accounts before I can issue the money."
These three people didn't know that Mrs. Gu Er had sold them yesterday. She also said that even if a woman is careful, she would have to calculate and calculate the money. They had already thought of countless excuses.
Brother Qing came first: "It's the fan I'm in charge of."
Li Shu snorted coldly: "I often hear your uncle say that you are experienced in doing things, so it is no wonder that I gave the fan to you."
Brother Qing was still talking to Yourong, but he heard Li Shu say abruptly: "It was you who filled the fan with black gold and small-leaf red sandalwood?"
"What are you talking about, auntie?" Cold sweat broke out on Brother Qing's forehead.
Li Shu said: "The quoted price is tens of thousands taels, but in fact it is less than two thousand taels. Are you bullying me because I am young and paying for it randomly?"
Brother Qing still wanted to quibble: "Auntie, I asked an acquaintance to do it. Speaking of it, the person in charge of wood at the Hedao Yamen is the one who decides how much it is."
"That's my fault. I didn't let you establish a good relationship with the officials of the river. Those who don't know think you are officials of the river? Why do you have to look at the officials when buying wood materials? Do you want me to do it for you? Go and file a complaint." Li Shu seemed to know what Mrs. Ju Er said, and Brother Qing did the same thing.
When Brother Qing was still about to speak, Lishu said: "If you report false accounts according to the actual situation and market price, I will just pretend that I don't know. But if you still use your words to fool me, then I will Take the post and go to the Hedao Yamen to ask. It was Zheng Qing who asked you to use inferior quality to build an ancestral hall for the wife of the former prime minister. In the future, if there is any problem with the ancestral hall, this account will be blamed on you. If you are expelled Zong family, don’t blame us for being cruel.”
She didn't come here to joke with you, but I didn't expect Brother Qing to admit it so quickly: "Auntie, it's all my fault. I will definitely sort out the accounts when I go back. If there is anything missing, I will make up for it."
Faced with Brother Qing's understanding of current affairs, Li Shu said mercilessly: "You have to figure it out. If you try to fool me again, I don't mind telling your uncle that your uncle Hao is not as good-tempered as me."
Brother Qing was busy going on. There were two other people who dared to reimburse the accounts at will. They all had to punish them.
Soon the three people quoted the total price of the ancestral hall, which totaled 12,000 yuan. Lishu finally paid half of it, and the ancestral hall paid 6,000 yuan.
As for the monks' rituals and three meals a day, there are accounts for these. Every item has increased. She said the cost here is three thousand taels, as well as the cloth used for burial and the candles and lamps used before the funeral. , worn out cups, plates, bowls, and other utensils. The second wife said she didn’t give any money for gifts.
There is no proof from where the river should be opened, which means that it is most likely a coincidence, and Mrs. Gu Er will not use tens of thousands of taels to bribe officials. Bribing officials is a serious crime.
The original quotation was 80,000 taels, but in the end Lishu spent 12,000 taels in bits and pieces, including the ice for the return trip, and the matter was finally concluded successfully.
It was also because of this incident that the clan members did not dare to look down on this very young clan wife.
Mrs. Gu's second wife, Mrs. Yang, was probably humiliated and claimed that she was ill. In fact, her illness was a heart disease. Even if she had just drank a bowl of bitter juice while it was hot, it would not help.
The bed lying under her body is a six-poster canopy bed with huanghuali clusters and cloud patterns, horseshoe legs. This bed is much more solid and delicate than ordinary canopy beds. The pattern is very complicated. She had it shipped from Jiangnan a few years ago. Yes, it took six years to make this bed. But lying on such a bed, she wasn't in much good spirits now.
"Aunt Ju, what's wrong with you?" As she spoke, a woman in her thirties came in. She looked dignified and delicate, her clothes were neat and not complicated, and she looked very easy-going.
Yang looked over and saw that it was Shu, Zheng Yu's wife, and said, "I was frightened by the wind, so I rested for a few days. Why did you come here? I was afraid that you would be sick after you passed."
When Mrs. Shu saw that Ms. Yang's complexion was just a little sallow, but not serious, she felt relieved and said, "I happened to be at Brother Qing's daughter-in-law's place. I heard that you were sick, so I came over to check on you."
Mother Zhong asked someone to bring a tea cup over, and then said: "As you know, Grandma Yu, we have to take care of the funeral of the old lady of the clan these days. We and our wives are also elderly people, so it is inevitable that we are a little unable to do what we do."
"Yes, I know." Of course Shu knew that her mother-in-law passed away three years ago and she was the one who took care of it. Her whole leg was swollen and she has not recovered her strength even now.
"How are you, Sister Ling?" Yang asked casually.
Mrs. Shu was very happy when she mentioned Sister Ling: "Okay, very good. I even learned to speak this morning."
Yang's daughter-in-law gave birth to a daughter for the first time. Some fortune tellers said that she would torture her parents and she would suffer a bloody disaster in the future. She had no choice but to send her to a close relative in the clan to raise her, so Shu became the best candidate. Their third and seventh families share the same ancestor, and were originally closer to each other. The seventh family still has an official status, and as the mistress of the Shu family has no children, it is cheaper to leave Sister Ling's son to her.
With Sister Ling as a bridge, Yang held Shu's hand and said, "Have you taken the tonic I gave you? You are still menstruating, so it is not impossible to have another baby."
Mrs. Shu said gratefully: "I've eaten all, and my bones are much better now. Auntie, you should take care of yourself. This family is busy with affairs, and everyone in the family is not pointing their fingers at you."
Originally Yang was going to say a few perfunctory words, but then he looked at Shu and remembered the past, and he couldn't help but have a plan in his mind. She smiled bitterly and said: "Now that the serious wife of the clan is back, she said that I did something wrong and that I was too expensive. Even Brother Qing was called and scolded by her. I have such an old face. It’s gone long ago, and it’s really a joke to talk about taking care of family affairs.”
Shu is not stupid for such a misfortune. Of course, he knows that Yang's hands must be a little dirty. This is normal, just like it is impossible for the cook not to steal. Other housekeepers will almost die for you. It doesn't matter if you just make some money, you can't let people run errands in vain.
Therefore, Shu just comforted her and didn't say much.
In the current Zheng family, the clan master and official are the biggest and most promising. Even the seventh clan relies on the clan clan. Who dares to say anything?
Madam Yang was not in a hurry and changed the subject, talking about her little daughter Yunyun. Seeing Madam Shu praising her, Madam Yang smiled and said: "Actually, if we say they are good-looking, Brother Hao's two sons are really good. I've never seen such a good-looking child. Sometimes I wonder why people's lives are so good. I was born in a family like the Liu family in Jinghu, and I married a top scholar like Hao Ge'er, who is both talented and beautiful. The most important thing for a man is to have two sons as soon as he enters the family. In fact, family background, talent and appearance are the second most important thing, and it is still a matter of heirs."
Mentioning these words, Ms. Yang looked very emotional: "If I hadn't given birth to a son, how could I have a firm foothold? This is what I say from the bottom of my heart."
Mrs. Shu was dazed for a moment and touched her belly without raising her hand. She once had a son.
If her son was born, how could she watch her concubine give birth to a child? Even when her husband went to work, he kept her because he thought she couldn't give birth.
The Shu family was not an aristocratic family, so they had pinned their hopes on her. She had been childless for many years. After her father passed away, the Shu family was in dire straits. Now their niece's marriage has not been settled.
It's all useless to her.
In the upper room, Li Shu was telling Mrs. Zheng the important points, and said: "Originally, ten thousand taels would have been enough, but I think since Mrs. Gu and the people in the clan have made a trip, I can’t even calculate a single cent.”
Mrs. Zheng coughed for a long time and then said in surprise: "Does that mean you were originally asked to pay 80,000 taels? In fact, 10,000 taels is enough."
Li Shu nodded: "That's right."
Speaking of this, what else does Mrs. Zheng not understand? She knew that the Yang family and the people in the clan would definitely enrich themselves, but she did not expect to be so black-hearted. Even if the clan is not poor, 80,000 taels is too black-hearted.
Lishu was afraid that Mrs. Zheng would think it didn't matter, but now that Mrs. Zheng's face had changed, she struck while the iron was hot: "Everything is prosperous and a loss is both a loss. We are at home, and they still dare to make such a name. What if we don't know when we are not at home? Of course, what happens? , I’m not trying to say anyone’s fault here, it’s just human nature. Madam, you should take precautions early. Fortunately, this time I happened to encounter something that I understand. If I didn’t understand, I would have to take out all the 80,000 taels."
"Actually, if money can lead people to do good, I won't say anything. The key is that they often use the banner of the government. It would be fine if they talk big, but if it is true, if the daughter-in-law dares to say something, Song Mingcheng will learn from the past. Not far away.”
It would take a long time for Mrs. Ju Er to reveal her fault. Lishu had seen the account books she made, which proved that she was a master in this field, just like the refugees who made trouble that day. Lishu later sent people to check everything. Not here.
How long will it take for her to reveal her flaws?
Mrs. Zheng was also frightened when she heard Song Mingcheng, but she also knew that Li Shu's words were alarmist, because no matter how powerful Yang was, she was just a housewife, and the only person she knew was the local magistrate. Don't know the big guys.
"this……"
Li Shu stopped talking and said no more. Some things may not be beneficial if she talks too much.
Back in the main courtyard, Zhulan came to report: "This month's monthly payment has been paid."
"Yeah." Li Shu nodded.
Zhulan said again: "Grandma, is the monthly rate still doubled for the second bedroom? Now that the second master is well, he no longer has to be as weak as before."
Li Shu shook her head: "You don't know, if I cut one or twenty taels of silver, I will have more troubles, so why bother. If I don't cut, they have to be grateful to me. This is necessary even for dealing with favors."
"But..." Zhulan felt it wasn't worth it.
Li Shu thought to herself that in the future, the entire Zheng family would belong to them, with the eldest son getting 70% and the rest belonging to Zheng Qing. Sooner or later, they would get the big head, so why should they care about this little money.
"Okay, a loss is a blessing. You see, if I don't mention this problem, my wife doesn't dare to be angry with me, and Mrs. Tan is in harmony with me. Yes, do you have a clue about the sachet?" Lishu asked rise.
Zhulan shook her head: "Now that we are observing filial piety at home, no one dares to come over casually, so we can't check."
Li Shu said: "If this incident is just an accident, we don't need to be frightened, but if it is loose on the outside and tight on the inside, we can't take it completely seriously."
Zhulan took the order.
Soon, the Zhu family came to visit the Zheng family. Because they had met once before, the Zhu family's mother and daughter came to express their gratitude. Mrs. Zheng asked Lishu to entertain her mother and daughter.
"Thank you both for coming to see us, but now my grandmother has been buried. How is everything going for you two in Xingzhou?" Li Shu asked.
Mrs. Zhu smiled and said: "We are all from the north, so we can adapt to everything."
It was obvious that Mrs. Zhu didn't know about the grudge between Li Shu and Mrs. Ju Er. She also said: "I will go to see my sister later, so I won't disturb you too much. It will be difficult for you to take care of her for a long time, and it will not be easy."
"What do you say, madam? Everything is within the scope of my duties. If you like this Laojun Mei, I just have a jar here for you." Li Shu said with a smile.
Mrs. Zhu waved her hand: "Where can I miss your good things? We still have to go over there."
But Lishu still asked someone to fill a can. At the same time, she glanced at Miss Zhu next to Mrs. Zhu. She was really surprised. Mrs. Zhu had a big frame and average appearance, but her daughter was slim and agile, unlike mother and daughter. They don't look alike.
When Mrs. Zhu left the Zheng family's ancestral home, she said to her daughter Ling Xuan: "You see, this Grandma Liu is very powerful. It is not easy for one person to run such a big home. But living in such a place with such a lintel, It’s also out of reach for many people.”
Zhu Lingxuan is not very young now, and her mother is also telling her this. Lingxuan knows very well that her mother has not lived a good life in recent years when she married into the Zhu family. Accompanying her father to travel around, she also had to serve her grandmother and treat a house full of concubines. Aunt Dong often provoked her mother, which made Xuan feel very sad.
Marrying low is actually not a good idea.
When the mother and daughter arrived at Yang's place, Yang first asked her daughter-in-law to come over to greet her niece. After Zhu Lingxuan left, she asked Mrs. Zhu: "Has Lingxuan's marriage been decided?"
Mrs. Zhu nodded: "Mrs. Wuyang Hou is my sister-in-law. She has repeatedly asked Ling Xuan to marry her. Although our Zhu family is not as good as the Hou family, our old lady and I both have a lot of dowry, so we will give it to her when the time comes."
"Speaking of dowry, I have something for you." Mrs. Zhu carefully took a bag of silver from the cabinet beside her bed and gave it to her sister.
Mrs. Zhu opened the bag and took a look. There were three hundred taels in it. She immediately smiled, but then she was worried: "Sister, didn't you say you were discovered? Otherwise, you should stop making loan sharks in the future. "
Usury money can bring in money faster than other methods. The daily interest rate of usury money is 3%, and it is compound interest. It is the fastest and most reliable way to get money. The family of a high-ranking official in Beijing still relies on loan sharking for a living.
Nowadays, it is difficult to do business with a shop. The rent for a year is only a dozen taels, and the rent for the land is also limited. The Zhu family has a weak foundation, and they still have to save a dowry for their daughter. Mrs. Zhu can believe it. Only sister.
But although loan sharking is good, it cannot endanger my sister.
"Don't let it go? If I don't put the usury money, I will be impoverished. When my father-in-law passed away, he had to repair the grave. Your brother-in-law couldn't bear it, so he had to repair it again for his mother. The money he owed has not been paid off yet. You also know that Yes, in our family, your brother-in-law is white, and your nephew is also white. They have no income, and they all rely on me, a woman, to support them." Yang said angrily.
Madam Zhu said, "Aren't you in charge of the entire Zheng family? There is a lot of oil and water here."
Anyone who has ever managed a house knows that it is impossible for a horse to run out of money without getting fat at night. The Zheng family has lasted for several years, and there are still people serving as officials in the court, and the locals are not fawning over them.
Yang curled her lips and said: "I think my housekeeper's affairs may have become corrupt. Besides, my parents-in-law were in charge of the house before. They were particularly clean and honest. I have only been in charge of it for a few years. But in the past few years, although I have made some income , but there are also a lot of people going out. A daughter needs a dowry when she gets married, a son needs a betrothal gift when he gets married, the house at home needs to be renovated, and the furniture needs to be refurbished. They say they want me to take care of the family affairs, but not all of the money is mine."
Even if you want to make money, you can't go too far. You still need to keep your accounts beautiful and don't let people gossip.
Mrs. Zhu was still hesitating. Mrs. Yang could not miss this opportunity: "Your husband has always treated you badly. In the future, if he has any private money, he will give it to those vixens. When he comes to you, he will pretend to be poor. Also, in the hands of this woman You have the confidence to have money, otherwise, if your son marries a woman from a wealthy family in the future, and you are not as good as her, won't you still have to be angry with your daughter-in-law and look down upon by her?"
"Okay, then I'll leave it to my sister." Mrs. Zhu smiled.
"Why are you so polite? Good sisters can make money together." Ms. Yang disagreed.
Mrs. Zhu asked her again: "Why do you say that the affairs of your acting wife are dirty?"
Yang snorted coldly: "It's just nitpicking. Her mother-in-law is better. She thinks that if they go to Beijing in the future, someone will have to take care of the family affairs. But she just picks on me. I look like she wants to take over the housekeeper's rights." When you go back, you also know that there is nothing wrong with this housekeeper, it just depends on whether others want to magnify it."
"Then you have to be careful. We came with this Liu family all the way. She is very arrogant. When I heard that my mother-in-law exposed her scandal in the name of Jinghu Liu family, she was so embarrassed for our old lady. "Mrs. Zhu reminded her.
Yang's face sank, of course she knew who Liu was, and she actually wanted to send someone to check on the refugees. This made her even more afraid of being found out, so she planned to pretend to be sick to avoid it.
But she won't just throw in the towel.
When Zheng Hao was free at home, he taught Brother Qi how to read. Brother Qi had a very high level of understanding and had been enlightened for a few years. A little guidance would be enough, and he would also read and endorse the books himself. Although Shu Ge'er is young, Li Shu usually teaches his brother not to make noise when reading. He reads the little book aside, even though he doesn't know how to read.
He looked at his two sons and was very pleased, but at the same time he also knew Li Shu's hard work. They became like this because Li Shu spent a lot of effort in training them, and they were not born like this.
At this moment, Li Shu came over to deliver the soup in person. She said with a smile, "It's time to stew the yinzi. You three, father and son, should all drink some and rest for a while."
Li Shu specially found her luminous cup, which contained lychee drink, citrus drink and green apple drink. The color of each drink could be seen through the cup body. It's pink, orange and cyan, very beautiful. It's served with freshly baked golden-yellow and oily beef scones on the side. It's so fragrant that Brother Shu comes up and hugs Lishu's legs.
"Brothers, don't worry. Mother put it on the table. Just stand still and I'll give it to you." Li Shu called her sons over.
Brother Qi took a piece of scone and took a bite. There was actually a fried quail egg, "Mom, it's so delicious."
"Don't choke. I know you are hungry. There is also lychee drink. This is your favorite." Lishu handed him the lychee drink.
Brother Shu also follows the same example of eating here, but compared to his brother who is not picky, he prefers to drink Yinzi. After finishing his own, he also wanted to taste Zheng Hao and Brother Qi's, which made the two people very wary. .
The family was living in harmony. After the two sons finished eating their scones and drinks, they were sent down to wash their hands while the adults discussed matters.
Zheng Hao asked with concern: "Has mother not replied to you yet? Do you want me to talk to you?"
"When I was the little daughter-in-law, I would let you take the lead in everything, and my mother would not say anything. But now that I am the housekeeper, and I still encourage you to talk, it is obviously incompetent." Li Shu did not feel that Zheng Hao was overly involved in her things.
Zheng Hao was a little disappointed: "You and I are still so clearly separated."
Li Shu shook her head: "No, it would be counterproductive."
"But hasn't mother agreed yet?" Zheng Hao frowned.
Li Shu seemed to have a pearl of wisdom in her hand: "The longer she thinks about it, the more it means there is something going on."
Originally, everything was going according to the development of Li Shu, but she didn't expect to be interrupted in the middle, and this incident happened unexpectedly. :,,
