Chapter 127: The Steward of Tan Chun

San Chun, Xiang Yun and the others saw this scene, and each felt uneasy inside; the old lady must not have anything happen to her!

Tan Chun walked straight to Jia Mu's back, placed a hand on her back, her face showing a hint of gentleness, and said softly to comfort:

"Old lady, please relax! You have seen everything under the sun; today the madam and the second sister‑in‑law were only disturbed by so many affairs, and their minds just didn't turn quickly enough!"

"All of it is because the servants below harbor ill intentions; seeing Third Brother act ruthlessly, they know they have no good fate, so they stir up trouble arbitrarily."

"The madam has always taught us children to be united and friendly, saying that a harmonious family brings prosperity to all things."

"The second sister‑in‑law usually treats us and Bao Er Ge as close siblings; whatever delicious food or fun there is, she thinks of us first—she's certainly not clueless!"

"Please calm your temper, and there's no need to scold so harshly; they must have understood by now!"

"For a great clan like ours, unity is paramount; as long as we think with one heart, no storm outside can topple us."

"In the future, please keep giving guidance; with you and Third Brother here, I believe the mansion will only improve!"

Tan Chun's words made Jia Mu glance slightly aside; she has always known that this third granddaughter is capable.

Now that she says such words, it shows she truly is a wise person.

Jia Mu's expression softened a bit, she regained some spirit, patted Tan Chun's hand, her face showing a hint of sigh, and said in a hoarse voice:

"Third Little Girl speaks well! You, as mothers and sisters‑in‑law, have been housekeepers for so many years, yet not a single young lady understands."

"In a great clan like ours, we lack no wealth, we worry not about food or clothing; what we need is unity and harmony."

"As long as our hearts are united, the ancestral inheritance left for us is more than enough; what else is there to fight over?"

"Fighting and squabbling, brothers staring at walls, tearing the family apart—that's the real joke!"

"We women do not seek great achievements; being able to support husband and teach children, manage the inner household, and maintain relationships among relatives and friends is what matters most."

"In the future, you must remember this, speak and act cautiously, set an example for the younger generation! Keep your mind clear, don't be a muddled madam."

"Even the biggest things are still smaller than blood ties. Understand?"

Jia Mu stared at Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng, then glanced at the nearby San Chun and Li Wan, and earnestly instructed:

Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng listened with respectful expressions; no matter what they thought inside, they replied in unison:

"Daughter‑in‑law, remember the old lady's teachings!"

Jia Mu's complexion improved a bit, and she said:

"Observe their words and deeds, 'Everyone stand up! Don't let the juniors see a joke!'"

Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, and Mrs. Xing only then rose with the help of their maids.

Jia Mu then turned to Jia Jing and asked:

"Jia Jing, the mansion's servants, you should have tidied up what needs tidying; who do you think should manage the household from now on?"

As soon as Jia Mu asked that, everyone's expression changed, all eyes turned to Jia Jing.

Now the long‑standing old servants of the Lai, Wu, and Shan families have been swept away; now whoever becomes housekeeper truly holds great power, unrestrained.

Wang Xifeng, Lady Wang, and Mrs. Xing have already been stripped of housekeeper authority by Jia Mu, so they are naturally not considered for now.

Counting the others, it seems only Li Wan is suitable!

Li Wan, as the Jia Family's eldest granddaughter‑in‑law, has good status and character, but one drawback: she is a widow and does not like to appear in public.

Jia Jing faced the crowd's gaze, set down the tea cup, his expression a bit warm, and said calmly:

"Now that the mansion's rules are set and the sources of disaster removed, we must establish a new atmosphere; the housekeeper must be shrewd, capable, upright, and strict—what does the old lady think of Third Sister?"

Choosing Tan Chun as housekeeper is also Jia Jing's decision after much consideration.

Besides Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing, and Feng Jie, there are not many candidates for housekeeper; only Li Wan, Yingchun, and Tan Chun are the few.

Looking at temperament and talent, Tan Chun is undoubtedly the most suitable.

In the original work, when Feng Jie was bedridden, Tan Chun took charge of the household; she implemented reforms in the Grand View Garden, promoting benefit and eliminating evils, showing strong personal opinions and talent.

When Tan Chun first began managing the household, everyone thought: adding Tan Chun is just a young lady who hasn't left the boudoir, and she is usually very gentle and tranquil.

Therefore they paid little attention, becoming even more lax than before Feng Jie.

However, after a few days, they gradually saw that Tan Chun's meticulousness did not fall short of Feng Jie.

When the Wu Xindeng family came to request silver for Zhao Guoji's funeral, Li Wan initially decided to give forty taels according to the deceased's mother's weight.

But Tan Chun asked about the Wu Xindeng family's previous silver offerings, and would not let them evade; finally, following precedent, it was reduced to twenty taels.

Aunt Zhao was dissatisfied and caused a scene; Tan Chun did not favor Zhao Guoji just because he was her uncle;

Ping'er came to convey that Feng Jie said an increase could be considered, but Ping'er insisted she did not wish to set a precedent.

In this process, Tan Chun did not yield easily; her words were forceful yet justified, causing others not to dare underestimate her.

This all reflects Tan Chun's clear mind, upright strictness, and willingness to confront hardness, showcasing her shrewd and capable nature.

And what Jia Jing needs is exactly such a strong, strict, bold, and decisive housekeeper.

Running a household with military law, without a strong and decisive temperament, one cannot manage this family well.

So, after much consideration, Jia Jing chose Tan Chun.

When Jia Jing spoke, the surprise was evident on everyone's faces.

They all thought the housekeeper would likely be Li Wan, but did not expect Jia Jing to choose Tan Chun.

Although Tan Chun is good, she is still an inexperienced girl who hasn't left the boudoir; can she manage the hundreds in the mansion?

Lady Wang rolled the Prayer Beads in her hand, her eyelid twitched imperceptibly, and she quietly gave Tan Chun a look.

She thought: Third Little Girl is actually good; she is close to me and Baoyu in daily life, and being from the second branch, perhaps not unsuitable!

Feng Jie sat on the chair at this moment, the bright rouge could not hide the loss in her eyes.

Having lost the housekeeper authority, she seemed as if her spine had been pulled out; the once sparkling phoenix eyes now stared blankly at the ground.

So when she heard Jia Jing's words about making Tan Chun the housekeeper, she clenched the brocade handkerchief in her hand.

Beside her, Li Wan's eyes flashed with a hint of loss; although she does not care much about the housekeeper authority and never thought of vying for it, she only has one thing in mind: to properly cultivate her son Jia Lan into talent.

But now Jia Jing did not choose her, which left her feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Could it be that my worth in the Marquis's heart still cannot compare to Tan Chun, a mere young lady of the boudoir?