Chapter 761: Dengxian Snow-Admiring Banquet

Earl's Mansion, Dengxian Pavilion.

The new green glazed tiles on the pavilion roof were covered with thick white snow, and the auspicious beasts stood prettily on the flying eaves, leaving delicate silhouettes against the clear sky.

Musk received Yingchun's instructions and took the maids and elderly women to manage the inside and outside of the pavilion, busy moving up and down, mobilizing manpower, and arranging items one by one.

She wore a rose-red gold-patterned silk long lined jacket, a white cross-collar undergarment, and a white embroidered cotton skirt, with a dark green fragrant sweat towel tied around her slender waist—looking sharp and capable.

On one hand, she assigned maids to wipe tables and chairs and prepare tea and wine utensils, and on the other hand, she went to the railing to point out the maids and elderly women downstairs to sweep away the snow and clear the road for walking.

Because there were many people attending the banquet this time, the number of tables and chairs was insufficient, so she had the maids who ran errands open the inner courtyard warehouse and move several high tables for backup.

Also, because of the snowy weather, the light in the pavilion was insufficient, so she simply moved eight glass palace lanterns from the warehouse and hung them all on the beams, waiting to be lit when needed.

After all kinds of utensils and tools were ready, she had the elderly women open the charcoal braziers, placed them in various places in the building, replaced them with new charcoal, and roasted them to dispel the cold in the building, and assigned special people to look after them.

She also sent a knowledgeable elderly woman to the kitchen to pass a message to have the vegetables, fish, and meat for noon prepared early, and to calculate the time to put them in the pot so as not to lose the freshness of the water.

……

The maids and elderly women who worked with Musk were all people purchased from Jiangnan by the East Mansion, all of whom were quick-witted and diligent.

They rarely went to the West Mansion to walk around, but the two mansions were adjacent, and over time, they had heard a bit about the West Mansion's affairs.

They all knew that this Musk girl was originally the head maid of Bao Er Ye Bao of the West Mansion, but for some reason, she offended the Second Grandmother and was about to be kicked out.

It was also the eldest young lady here who was kind-hearted and asked for this girl to work in the East Mansion.

Originally, everyone thought that since she was a maid kicked out, she must be a lazy and incompetent person.

Unexpectedly, after this girl arrived at the East Mansion, her daily words and deeds were completely different; there wasn't a single trace of laziness or mistake to be found.

This maid kicked out of the West Mansion, as soon as she arrived at the East Mansion, became the eldest young lady's executive maid, overshadowing many people.

The maids and elderly women of the East Mansion also had people who bullied the newcomers, whether they were showing off their qualifications or trying to seize power, naturally there were people who wanted to kill others' prestige.

Unexpectedly, this newly arrived executive girl not only had a top-notch appearance, but also had a clever mouth.

Her words were as sharp as knives, and she could make others unable to parry in three or two sentences. Before others could come to their senses, she already had eighteen ideas in her heart and mouth.

The East Mansion had servants who wanted to test her edge, but after dealing with Musk for a few sentences, they soon returned in defeat, and from then on, no one dared to provoke her easily.

But although this Musk girl had a sharp tongue, she kept to the rules in her words and left room for others in her actions, which didn't make people too embarrassed, and her actions were quite convincing.

After some time, the maids and elderly women of the East Mansion all heard of her reputation.

Everyone was curious, thinking that the Second Mansion was truly extravagant to be able to kick out such a powerful maid.

Otherwise, it was that the Second Grandmother was blind, and instead let the eldest young lady here pick up a big bargain.

Others privately rumored that Musk girl was about to be kicked out of the West Mansion, but was able to turn things around in the East Mansion, and it was said that she was taken a fancy to by the Earl...

In short, regardless of whether the rumors were true or false, it created some deterrence, and coupled with Musk's shrewdness and capability, she soon felt at home in the East Mansion.

Since Musk entered the East Mansion, Yingchun had also paid more attention to her, after all, this girl had some "involvement" with her brother.

She didn't expect that Musk would stand firm in the eyes of everyone not long after entering the East Mansion, which made her feel quite satisfied.

……

After the Si hour, Jia Cong and the sisters went up to Dengxian Pavilion and saw that in the three-story pavilion, two banquets were set up inside and outside.

The utensils on the banquet were all complete, the seats were all covered with red brocade floral soft cushions, each seat had three silver-inlaid self-pouring pots, and each seat had a ten-treasure enamel cup.

Inside, there were two small banquets, where Jia Cong, Wang Xifeng, Yingchun, Daiyu, and other sisters sat, along with Sister Miao Yu, Zhi Shao, Wu Er, Ping Er, Ying Lian, and others.

Because it was a small gathering in the inner chamber, Jia Cong asked Yingchun to sit in the main seat, Yingchun asked him to sit on her left, and Sister Miao Yu, because she was an outside guest, sat on Yingchun's right.

Inside was another small banquet, where Wang Xifeng sat in the main seat, and the other sisters sat casually.

Outside were two banquets where Qing Wen, Ling Guan, Xiao Hong, Musk, Xiu Ju, Yuanyang, Sister Sister Hupo, Zi Juan, Jin Chuan, Shi Shu, and other maids sat, too numerous to mention.

Because Jia Cong didn't like to be restrained, and Yingchun was also a compliant person, the sisters had been together for many years and were extremely familiar with each other.

It was also a gathering of the younger generation, with no elders, so the atmosphere at each banquet in the pavilion was harmonious and casual, without any restraint.

Only five or six dishes were served, and after sweet desserts and hot soup were served, everyone was half full, and their minds were no longer on the banquet.

Inside, they were either composing poems and couplets for fun, or talking about ancient and strange things. Outside, the banquet was filled with guessing, shaking dice, and drawing flower signs, with pretty words and laughter.

Xichun filled her stomach a little and went to the desk by the window to paint, while Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun sat on the side to watch.

Sister Miao Yu, Zhi Shao, Xiuyan, and others went to the balcony to admire the snow scene in the garden.

Xiangyun had already run to the outside banquet, first guessing with Qing Wen and Yuanyang, and then playing finger-guessing games with Sister Sister Hupo, Jade, and others.

……

Xiao Hong and Musk, because they were both executive maids, didn't sit at the banquet for long.

They got up to arrange the replacement of cups and dishes, the serving of new dishes, the filling of wine, and the explanation of charcoal and candles in various places, busier than others.

When the two turned to the main banquet, they accompanied Jia Cong and Yingchun for two drinks. After the banquet was busy for a while, the two went to the window to blow the wind and chat.

Xiao Hong said: "Musk Sister, do you still remember when we talked in Rongxi Hall, I wanted you to leave the place of right and wrong early."

"It's just that you were concerned about old feelings, and even if you had a good way out, you didn't want to move easily. I didn't expect that there would be today."

"This time it was the Second Grandmother herself who wanted to kick people out, and she wanted to marry you off randomly. It's not that you changed your mind; you can walk with a clear conscience."

Musk said: "If the Grandmother only disliked me, it would be fine to deal with it like this. If she had other plans, there would be many future troubles."

"Bao Er Ye Bao has caused many things in the past six months, and I have seen it clearly. He is someone who can't bear it. There will definitely be many things in his room in the future; now everyone is suppressing it."

"Even if the Grandmother didn't kick me out this time, if I had stayed there all the time, I would likely not have a good end in the future."

"Now, long pain is worse than short pain. I have lived up to the master-servant relationship, and it is very clean."

"I will remember your kindness. If it weren't for you mentioning it in front of Cong Sanye, I wouldn't have been able to save my life."

Xiao Hong smiled prettily and said: "Look at your words, are you going to give yourself to me?"

Musk twisted her and laughed: "You are not a man; even if I give myself to you, you have to be able to bear it."

The two laughed and joked for a while. Musk said: "Xiao Hong sister, we have both stayed in the Bao Er Ye's room, and we have all seen the shapes of the masters."

"Just like what is said in the play, whether it is foolish or virtuous, it is a world of difference. Since ancient times, adding flowers to brocade is easy, but sending charcoal in snow is difficult, not to mention us servants and maids."

"We have all received Cong Sanye's grace, which is a rare blessing in a big mansion. Compared to people like Qian Xue and Tan Yun, we are much luckier. Since I left the Bao Er Ye's room, I have made up my mind to do things with my heart. If I can repay Cong Sanye's kindness, I won't feel guilty for the rest of my life."

At this time, it was past noon, the sun was high, and the sky, which was slightly hazy when it was snowing, seemed to be torn open like a veil.

Under the sun, the snow scene in the garden was magnificent, translucent, glistening, and spectacular.

I don't know who shouted, and everyone at the banquet either crowded to the window or leaned against the railing of the balcony, looking at the magnificent scenery in the snow, and from time to time made exclamations.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Lixiang Courtyard.

In the main hall, Xue Yima was explaining affairs to Jiang Pozi. A few days ago, Baochai checked the accounts of various places in Jinling and found quite a few loopholes.

Tomorrow Jiang Pozi was returning to Jinling, so Xue Yima naturally had to give some pointers on how to communicate and convey them when she went back.

It couldn't be said to be beating the grass to scare the snake, but at least it had to be a warning, so that the shopkeepers and managers of Jinling shops would have a number in their hearts and be more cautious in handling business.

Although these actions seemed somewhat like scratching an itch through a boot from thousands of miles away, this was the only way to act for the moment.

In short, the family business was chaotic, and her son was not capable, which gave Xue Yima a headache.

After sending Jiang Pozi out, she saw Baochai enter with her maid, Jin Chuan, holding a red plum blossom in her hand.

Xue Yima smiled and said: "This red plum blossom is quite handsome. Where did it come from?"

Baochai laughed: "Cong brother cut it from the plum forest below the south slope of the East Mansion and sent it to me to display in a vase in my room."

Seeing her daughter smiling whenever she mentioned Jia Cong, Xue Yima was very satisfied.

If this continues, I don't know how it will end.

Seeing her daughter let Jin Chuan enter the room, carefully wipe the earth-tripod vase that was always placed by the bed, pour in clean water, and insert the plum blossom into the vase to straighten it.

Seeing Baochai couldn't put down the plum blossom in the vase, Xue Yima sighed, but then thought of something.

She said: "Jiang Pozi is returning to Jinling tomorrow. Last time you said that the business in Jinling still needs to borrow the help of Qu eldest young lady. What exactly do you mean?"

……

Baochai was about to enter the room with the plum blossom when she heard her mother's words, was slightly stunned, and said: "Why does Mom still remember this? I just said it casually."

"Although the business in Jinling is not very clear, it hasn't reached the point of being difficult to clean up. The method I thought of is a last resort."

Xue Yima said: "Even if it's not time yet, it doesn't hurt to say it out."

Baochai put the vase back on the table and said: "Mom, I have pondered this many times. My brother will inherit the family business in the future."

"But with my brother's temperament, wanting to manage the business in Jinling well is very difficult, and it is also very difficult for him to suppress those old ministers in the family."

"I said that after my brother's descendants have figures, or the Xue family has official descendants, the prosperity of the family business will have support."

"But this kind of thing is definitely long-term and cannot be achieved in a short time. If you want the family business to be stable, you have to think of other compromise methods."

"Since the Jin Ling Zhen family was raided and defeated, the business of Xinchun Hao has been booming. It not only has the name of an Imperial Merchant but also the protection of Cong brother's official title, which will definitely be as stable as Mount Tai."

"The business of the firm is booming, so it must set up more shops and expand trade routes. Cong brother and Qu young lady are both shrewd people and will definitely do so."

"In the big cities of Jiangnan, every inch of land is worth an inch of gold. Good places and good shops were occupied by big families long ago. Sometimes, no matter how much silver you have, you can't buy the good things you want."

"Our Xue family's business hasn't been prosperous in the past few years, but the shops left by our ancestors are all the most prosperous shops in the streets of various places in Jiangnan."

"Even in Jinling City, almost every prosperous street area has the ancestral shops of the Xue family."

"Originally, Mom thought about discussing with Cong brother whether the Xue family could distribute Xinchun Hao's creations."

"But Xinchun Hao has always sold exclusively, so it's not easy to make an exception for the Xue family, otherwise the business will be difficult to do in the future."

"Cong brother is a relative of the family, so how can we make things difficult for others? So this matter is not appropriate."

"My daughter thought about choosing a few ancestral prosperous shops to rent to Xinchun Hao at full price. The Xue family will not participate in the operation of the shops, but only collect full rent."

"Acting like this, compared to opening shops by ourselves, we can't earn more silver, but with Xinchun Hao as a barrier, this silver is earned very steadily."

"By stripping away a part of the ancestral business like this, the restriction of those old shopkeepers and managers on the family business is also much weaker."

"We also have our own foundation. Even if there is a change in the family business, we have the confidence to counter it."

"Because of my brother's murder case, our family can only move to the Love Shenjing, and we don't have reliable managers for a while. If this continues for a long time, there will definitely be changes."

"My daughter is also at her wit's end, so she thought of this stupid method, so she never told Mom in detail, and never mentioned it to Cong brother."

……

Xue Yima sighed: "This is not a stupid method; it is an extremely clever method."

"I know the son I raised best; your brother is really not the material for doing business. It is the blessing of the ancestors that he can live a peaceful life."

"This method of yours sounds like it doesn't earn as much silver as the original, but because of Cong Ge'er's relationship, this silver is earned extremely steadily and doesn't require much thought."

"How much silver can our family of three use? Just the rent of a few prosperous shops is enough for our daily chewing in the Love Shenjing."

"As long as we can keep the Xue family's ancestral business, as long as the green hills remain, we don't have to worry about no firewood; this is the long-term way."

"I think this method is feasible. When your brother comes back, the three of us will discuss it together. I think your brother will definitely agree."

"You first think about how to talk to Cong Ge'er. As long as he is willing to help, the rent can be discussed."

Baochai laughed: "Mom is too anxious. Even if Cong brother is willing, it won't be done in a day or two."

"For example, which shops to choose to rent, and before the shops are rented out, how to deal with the inventory and staff in the shops."

"The old shopkeepers and managers in the shops will definitely not sit idly by and will definitely have something to say, because this is smashing their rice bowls."

"These all need proper methods to deal with. I will wait until I have thought about the subsequent matters carefully before opening my mouth to Cong brother."

"As long as this matter can be handled before the end of spring next year, it will be enough, so there is no need to rush for a moment."

Baochai asked again: "Why don't I see brother today? Did he go out to stroll again?"

Xue Yima sighed: "Your brother has been detained at home by me for several days, so how can he stay? Just after lunch, he rushed out."

"He said he hadn't been to the Duan family grain shop for a long time, and today he went to discuss business with Duan Chunjiang. I think he mostly found an excuse to go out and mess around..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 762 =====