Chapter 34: Aunt Xue Sends a Maid

Lady Wang standing nearby originally had a not-so-good complexion, but after hearing Jia Mu praise Jia Baoyu, her expression turned from overcast to clear.

She also smiled and said:

Feng Jie is good! She is not only filial to the old lady, but also manages the household in perfect order; since letting her help manage the household, I have had far fewer worries!

Lady Wang's words also had a hidden meaning; these days Jia She has been jumping up and down, wanting to move the main branch to the main hall of Rongxi Hall, and even proposed that the steward of the main branch manage the affairs of Rong Guo Mansion.

This undoubtedly infringed upon Lady Wang's interests, making her very displeased.

Therefore, regarding Jia Jing's promotion and ennoblement, Lady Wang could not feel favorable toward him at this time.

If Jia She did not rely on having a good son, he would not dare to be so presumptuous.

Lady Wang specifically pointed out that Feng Jie manages the household well, which is also a reminder to Jia Mu not to let Jia She act recklessly.

Jia Mu, a shrewd person, immediately understood the hint; with a solemn expression she soothed:

"I am reassured with the two of you managing the household! No matter who else, no one can go beyond you!"

Jia Mu patted the cushion beneath her, then gave a fierce glance at Mrs. Xing downstairs, whose complexion looked unnatural.

Mrs. Xing was filled with resentment.

As Jia Jing's birth mother, it was already enough that Jia Mu did not let her participate in discussions of Jia Jing's marriage.

Moreover, she was scolded by Jia Mu for no reason.

She knew the master wanted to vie for control of the household of Rong Guo Mansion, but this was not her scheming, and she lacked the ability.

The master always spoke firmly and never allowed her to interject in her own affairs.

She originally came from a humble family and lacked the confidence to defy the master.

What could she do?

Furthermore, her only maid, Wang Shanbao's household, had already been driven out of the Jia Mansion,

she had no one she could rely on in the mansion; even trying to make a little money was extremely difficult, let alone hoping to be a housekeeper.

Being a housekeeper is not a matter of mere words; you first need your own trusted staff.

Of course, even if Mrs. Xing remained unwilling and resentful, she dared not lash out at Jia Mu, and could only bury her anger deep inside.

"Speaking of household matters! I actually have a matter I'd like to ask the old lady and the lady to decide on!"

"These days, Third Brother is becoming ever more promising, having attained an official post and a noble rank."

"In the future, he will inevitably entertain colleagues and friends, and need to lodge his personal troops and officers; the residence he previously lived in is a bit small and not suitable for continued habitation!"

"I am thinking whether we should give him a different residence, and then allocate a few maidservants and young manservants to serve in Third Brother's residence!"

Wang Xifeng smiled brightly and sought instructions from Jia Mu and Lady Wang.

Jia Mu had actually considered this matter earlier.

Yuan Yang, as Jia Mu's chief housekeeper, had also reminded her.

After all, Jia Jing's former residence was really too small, and he didn't even have a single maidservant to attend him.

Now, of course we cannot let Jia Jing return and still live in that residence; that would be an insult!

Jia Mu pondered and said:

"This matter indeed requires early preparation. Hearing outside news, Jing Ge'er estimates that after finishing this battle, he will return to the court."

"Although he has been ennobled, the court may grant him a mansion, but the Ministry of Works' construction also takes time; moreover, he has not yet started a family, and his parents are still alive, so for the time being he will certainly still reside here in the mansion."

"When the time comes, his personal troops will certainly be brought back; we cannot let them have nowhere to be stationed."

"In that case, isn't there a quiet large residence beside the Li Xiang Courtyard in the northeast corner? Let Jing Ge'er stay there first."

"That was the old duke's former study and training compound; it is large and quiet, with front and back courtyards together amounting to over twenty rooms."

"There happens to be a gate leading to North Street there, convenient for entering and exiting the mansion, and also convenient for Jing Ge'er to receive colleagues and friends."

"Order people to clean it inside and out, replace the furnishings with new ones, then assign eight senior maids, ten junior maids, and ten elderly female servants to attend there."

"As for attendants and young manservants, there's no need to arrange them for now; Jing Ge'er's side already has personal troops and officers, so he is not lacking these people."

Jia Mu's arrangement was not beyond Wang Xifeng's expectations.

Although the Jia Mansion is large, there are not many large residences suitable for Jia Jing's current residence; Wang Xifeng had originally also planned to place Jia Jing there.

What Wang Xifeng did not expect was that Jia Mu actually arranged for Jia Jing to have eight senior maids and ten junior maids; this treatment almost surpasses that of Jia Baoyu.

Beside her, Aunt Xue hearing Jia Mu's words, her eyes also showed a hint of delight,

she had not expected that Jia Mu would place Jia Jing next to the Li Xiang Courtyard, making him a neighbor of her own household.

Originally, as Jia Jing's status and position became increasingly noble, she had already let go of a certain thought in her heart.

After all, compared to the daughters of the ducal households and even princely mansions that have been visiting the Jia Mansion these days, her own daughter Baichai's background is indeed somewhat inferior.

Although Baoyatou has many virtues, she was unfortunately born into a merchant family of the imperial court.

Although women generally marry up, the gap between these households is still too great.

She could not possibly let Baoyatou become a concubine, so she could only reluctantly give up her hopes.

Who would have expected, fortunes turned.

If she truly becomes neighbors with Jing Ge'er, future opportunities for contact will increase, and perhaps there is still a chance of success.

Aunt Xue thought it over and felt she should give it a try; this opportunity is truly rare.

She smiled and said:

"This is indeed rare; my son Pan'er has always said that when Jing Ge'er returns, he wants to get to know him well, for he has always admired those generals on the battlefield. Now being neighbors, it is convenient!"

"Speaking of which, Jing Ge'er is also a person of propriety; the last time the son of the Feng family sent gifts to the mansion, he specially went to the Li Xiang Courtyard to deliver some precious medicinal materials and sable furs to my household, saying that Jing Ge'er had instructed him to convey his regards to me."

Hearing this, Jia Mu also felt a hint of relief; Jia Jing's courteous treatment of Aunt Xue also brings honor to her and Lady Wang.

After all, Aunt Xue and Jia Jing have no direct familial relation, so whether gifts are given depends entirely on Jia Jing's inclination.

Jia Mu smiled and said:

"It must be that Tan Chun and those maids, when corresponding with him, mentioned Aunt Xue's visit to the mansion; those girls and he frequently exchange letters, and they are even closer than siblings."

Regarding Tan Chun, Yingchun, Xichun and several others being close to Jia Jing, Jia Mu had no objections.

After all, Yingchun is Jia Jing's biological sister, Tan Chun and they are also his paternal cousins, so the blood relation is naturally close.

Moreover, when Yingchun, Tan Chun and they later marry, they also hope their natal family will have a capable brother to back them up, which is good for them.

Therefore, Jia Mu is pleased to see them keep in touch more often and deepen the sibling affection.

Xue Auntie chuckled and said:

"I've heard Little Treasure also mention that the sibling relationship is indeed very good!"

"This child, even while fighting on the front lines, remembers me, his aunt; as his aunt, I cannot be stingy and rude!"

"Taking advantage of this occasion the old lady arranging a courtyard for Jing little brother, I will also give him a gift in return!"

Jia Mu was a little curious:

"Auntie, what are you planning to give Jing little brother as a gift?"

Xue Auntie's words also aroused curiosity among those present; although the Xue family are imperial merchants, their shop indeed carries many fine items from all over the country.

But whatever the Xue family has, the Jia family will not lack; what fresh thing could Xue Auntie possibly give?

Xue Auntie pulled a maidservant from behind her and said:

"I heard the old lady allocated eight senior maids for Jing little brother's courtyard, so I, following her example, will also send him a maidservant."