Song Yixiao was worried that her mother would stand on the opposing side of her and her husband, but Wei Mengying deliberately kept a distance from her daughter and son-in-law, so she had no choice but to put it aside for now after worrying about it for a while.

  Two days later, the chief steward handed over to the Princess of Jin State a list of names, including ten or more senior servants from the mansion, and seven or eight junior stewards who held great power.

  Not only that, but also dozens of people from the industries, shops and estates under the name of Guo Gongfu were taken away.

  Roughly estimated, this time there are more than 300 people who will be transferred away.

  Song Yi smiled after reading it, and immediately frowned: "Not to mention the government office, but now there are only two masters, my husband and I. Even if we are short-handed, we can still make do. But if the managers and farm heads outside are also transferred, where can I find someone to replace them in such a short time? Especially now that it's already deep autumn, with many harvests and settlements to deal with, if these people leave, won't everything be thrown into chaos?"

  She thought that Jian Yu Bai had only hinted that the lower officials in the mansion had a backup plan, but didn't say that they had also prepared a substitute for Zhuangzi, just in case something went wrong on their side and someone was let go carelessly, which would lead to blame.

  The steward heard this and smiled, saying: "You don't know, grandma, these people are not our family's biological children, they just signed a long-term contract. Now that the date is almost up, I asked them one by one, none of them want to renew their contracts, so I listed them above for you to review."

  "Is that so?" Song Yi smiled and took a sip of tea, "As the old man who has been working hard for the Jian family for many years, even if I have to leave now, I think I should still see him and express my gratitude. So, let's put this list here for now, and I'll discuss it with my husband when I get back, then we can make a decision!"

  The eunuch's eyes twitched and he said, "But I don't know how long the old lady wants to discuss with the Grand Duke?" He explained, "I'm afraid the Long Princess is in a hurry for someone?"

  "Don't worry about this!" Song Yi said with a lukewarm smile, "Since I took over this task from my mother, I know how to report back on it, no need for you to keep thinking about it all the time!"

  "The little one has spoken too much." The housekeeper heard her dissatisfaction, thought for a moment, and finally chose to retreat. "Is there anything else you'd like to instruct, Grandma?"

  Song Yi Xiao waved her hand: "Get down!"

  After dismissing Da Guan Shi, she handed the list to Qiao Xuan, "Investigate these shop owners and see if they want to leave or if Da Guan Shi wants them to leave."

  Those shops are all in the imperial capital, and their business is booming. Before Song Yishou got married, he had already heard about it, but at that time, he didn't know it was the Jian family's - but he knew that the bosses inside were all old men who had been doing it for over a decade or two. If Jian Yiyou also went, the shop might become an empty shell!

  Song Yixiao, how can you not make it clear?

  Just as the atmosphere had eased, Zhao's mother brought up the topic of making amends again. Song Yi was feeling frustrated when a servant suddenly came in to report: "Someone has delivered a brocade box and a letter to the door, saying it's compensation for Nai Nai."

  "Return my things?" Song Yi smiled with a confused expression, but in order to prevent Zhao's mother from continuing to pester her, she immediately put on a serious face. "Where is he? Call him up quickly!"

  The servant reported back with difficulty: "The gatekeeper said that man left something behind and then left, he didn't have time to stop him."

  Song Yixiao looked at the brocade box presented to her and wasn't unfamiliar with it: "Isn't this the box from Yeji Jewelry Store used for storing hairpins?"

  "Yes." Jin Xun also recognized it, "The owner of this shop, is said to have been a servant in the Imperial Palace in his ancestors' time, although I don't know if it's true or not, but the craftsmanship is indeed good. Many of Grandma's cosmetics were bought from their family."

  She was quick with her mouth and her hands were not slow either, as she spoke, she opened it - indeed, on the blue satin with lotus pattern, a peony hairpin made of jade was tied with red silk thread, exquisitely crafted, with leaves and flowers vividly depicted, the pin body was round and smooth, and even the stamens were made of extremely fine gold threads, which was incredibly lifelike.

  "Grandma also has one that's almost the same!" Jing Xun saw it and blurted out, "But last time at Su Family Young Master's secondary estate, it was smashed to pieces, could it be..."

  Song Yi Xiao glared at her and signaled her to shut up, then opened the letter that had been presented along with the box. As expected, it was written by Su Shao Ge - in consideration of Song Yi Xiao's reputation, Su Shao Ge had shifted the blame for breaking the hairpin to a maid from another courtyard, saying she would compensate and apologize repeatedly since they couldn't find another hairpin like the one that was broken.

  "This gentleman is too polite!" Song Yi smiled and rubbed her temples, thinking, "Not to mention the help he gave me that day, I wouldn't dare to argue with him over a hairpin; even if it was his fault that the hairpin broke, how could I ask him to compensate?"

  It's actually easy to solve this matter, just prepare a gift and return it.

  Ke Jian Yu Bai Fen Ming Dui Su Shao Ge Bao Zhe Jie Xin, Cai Ding Zhuo Bu Yao Gen Ta Zou Tai Jin, Zhe Mo Yi Lai Yi Wang De, Zong Ran Bu Shuo Duo Me Qīn Qiè, Guān Xi Zen Me Yang Yuan Bu Le.

  "He wouldn't have done it on purpose, would he?" Song Yi thought for a moment and couldn't help but feel suspicious. After hesitating for a long time, she said, "Let's put the things away first and talk about it when husband comes back!"

  Seeing Zhao's mother with her mouth open, seemingly wanting to continue the previous topic, she suddenly felt a headache and said, "Jin Xun, bring over the list of names left by the steward for mom to take a look!"

  Zhao's mother took it and flipped through it, exclaiming in surprise: "What is this?"

  "These people will be gone from the mansion in a couple of days." Song Yi smiled and said, "The vacant positions in the backyard, your husband's intention is to let me choose from the accompanying servants, if there are not enough accompanying servants, buying people is also my responsibility - Chuan Chen and Jin Xun are both young, I think this matter still needs you to help keep an eye on it before I can feel at ease!"

  "Don't worry, I'll take care of it properly!" Madam Zhao said solemnly, "I absolutely won't let those unscrupulous and smooth-talking people get in and turn our good backyard into a chaotic mess!"

  "This matter must be dealt with promptly!" Song Yi laughed and nodded repeatedly, "Otherwise, apart from Qiao Xian and Jin Xun, I don't have anyone else who can listen to me, it's troublesome!"

  Finally seeing off Zhao's mother, Song Yi Xiang secretly let out a breath of relief, caught sight of Jin Xun covering her mouth and sneaking a smile, and slapped the table in annoyance: "The birthday gift list for Grandmother, is it ready or not?!"

  Mrs. Pong's birthday, Song Yixiao didn't have to attend the banquet, and it was done as soon as the gift arrived - she really couldn't like this grandmother, so she didn't bother to pay attention, and saw that there were no taboo items on the list prepared by Jin Xun, so she nodded.

  But this matter reminded her: "Not long after Grandma's birthday, it was Empress Dowager's Sacred Birthday?"

  "It's not just the Holy Birthday." Jin Xun reminded, "In seven days, it will be Your Majesty's Longevity Day! And then half a month later, it will be the Queen's birthday!"

  Song Yi sighed and said: "I know - tomorrow, I'll have someone open the warehouse and take stock. Let me see how to send these three gifts!"

  She thought these things were trivial, but who would have thought that Tian Yan would come back and listen to her talk about the birthdays first, sneering and saying: "Do you think that only these three people's birthdays need to be worried about this year? Don't forget among your peers and younger generation: Ping'an is born on October 19th; Er Sao is born on October 28th; and Wu Mei has a birthday on December 15th!"

  Also, "The fifth day of the first month is Qianqiu Festival; afterwards, in February, we have to celebrate Eldest Sister's birthday; in March, Second Brother's; in April, whether or not someone goes to pay respects to Queen Wang of Hengshan, because you grew up there, you must make some gesture; in May, Father and Third Uncle; in June, Third Brother; in July, National Aunt... Strictly speaking, without mentioning other social obligations, just the birthday banquets alone, there isn't a single month that's free!"

  Song Yi Xiao listened silently and swallowed a mouthful of blood: "Is your warehouse... enough?"

  "I can still afford to give and take in social interactions, you don't have to worry about having to pay out of pocket to maintain appearances." Jian Yu Bai glanced at her with a hint of mockery and said, "Besides, we're not just spending without earning, the rewards and gifts during festivals and holidays, the Yan Guo Gong Fu has always been generous!"

  "As for the industry, I was just about to tell you: The manager brought over the list today and selected several shopkeepers and village heads. I didn't feel at ease with it so I didn't agree, saying that I would discuss it with you before making a decision." Song Yi smiled and handed him the list, "Take a look and see if there's any problem?"

  Jian Yu Bai opened it and scanned it a few times, his face already looking somewhat unpleasant: "I'll send someone to investigate tomorrow... but the girl didn't specify a date!"

  "There's another thing, just now Su Shaoge sent over a hairpin." Song Yi continued with a smile, "Last time I borrowed his courtyard, in the chaos I accidentally broke a jade hairpin. I thought it was my own carelessness, but he was very polite and said it was his servant's fault. He said they would find one that's almost the same and had someone send it over. But you told me to keep my distance from him, so now I don't know how to handle this situation?"

  "Just a hairpin, if he wants to give it, then you might as well keep it." Jian Xuwu smiled coldly, "When has it ever been easy for people to do things and get rewards without any trouble?"

  Song Yi smiled and said: "I'm going to choose a few people from the dowry to try out, whoever does the best will be rewarded with this hairpin!"

  Although it's a bit unfair, she will be living off Jian Yu Bai's wealth, so naturally she has to follow his wishes.

  Jian Yu Bai was very satisfied with her obedience and showed a hint of a smile. Thinking of something, he casually told her: "The matter between the Sishi family and the Wei family has already been settled!"

  "Oh?" Song Yi hurriedly asked with a smile, "How is it?"

  "The second daughter of the Cai family replaced her sister and married Liang Wang, and the grand wedding was held as scheduled." Jian Xu Bai said, "At the same time, the Wei family took out one-third of the dowry originally prepared for Miss Wei and gave it to the second daughter of the Cai family as compensation!"

  Song Yi smiled and said, "That Second Miss is still resentful about her sister's death. Even if she replaces her sister in marriage now, the lump in her chest will not easily dissipate. Later on, when she becomes a sister-in-law to the Crown Prince's consort, who knows what discord may arise?"

  "You think that the Sima family rushed to the Eastern Palace just to discuss this matter, but in fact, it's all because they're heartbroken for their daughter?" Jian Yu said calmly and composedly. "The Empress Dowager is already advanced in age, and the two generations of the Sima family don't have any outstanding talents. For the sake of their descendants, it was easy to ask the Empress Dowager to act as a matchmaker and marry their legitimate granddaughter to the Prince of Liang. As a result, this girl had bad luck and passed away. If the Sima family didn't have any other daughters, that would be fine. But since they do have another one, even if she's born out of wedlock, how could they not think of ways to continue the alliance?"

  He sneered, "Speaking of which, Liang Wang is indeed pitiful. His legitimate wife who had not yet married was taken away and replaced with a concubine-born one... Not only that, but she wasn't even raised by her own mother... I heard today that Cui Guifei coaxed him for half a day in the Xifeng Palace, I wonder if he's come to his senses now?"