Chapter 74: When in Poverty, One Should Think of Change

  "When I married into this family, Mother told me not to hit the furniture, so Madam hit us instead." She said with a smile while massaging Feng's legs, "There were four thousand taels of silver in total!"

  "Feng smiled and said: 'Really?'"

  The body is stiff.

  Shen Muqing looked at him with a faint smile.

  This is not on the gift list.

  She nodded and said, "Madam, you have always thought of me in everything, so I must also be filial to you and treat you like my own birth mother." As she spoke, she took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to Mrs. Feng, "I'm young and don't understand things, so it's better for Mother to help us manage this much money."

  Feng's eyes keenly observed Mu Qing's expression.

  Serene and calm with a gentle smile, his expression is sincere and unaffected.

  Hesitation flashed across Feng's eyes.

  Shen Qing's eyes darted back and forth as she shook Mrs. Feng's arm, coquettishly saying: "Mother, although I'm following the mistress to manage the household, the mistress always says I spend money recklessly... In my heart, you and the mistress are the same. Before, there was the mistress taking care of me, now I can only rely on you!"

  Feng's gaze gradually dissipated. He seemed to have made up his mind. He said slowly, "Since that's the case, I'll help you manage it for now... and return it to you when you need it."

  She smiled and thanked Mrs. Feng, then sighed and said: "I still have 1,000 taels of silver as a reserve fund. However, I heard that the monthly allowance for the housekeeper is two taels, and the maid is one tael... On my side, the housekeeper is five taels, and the maid is two taels. I was thinking, above them are the old lady, the madam, and three sisters-in-law. If I followed the old rules, I'm afraid the housekeepers and maids in other rooms would be dissatisfied. If I didn't follow the old rules, I'm afraid the housekeeper from the adjacent room would complain when she went back. So I thought of changing the method. From this 1,000 taels of reserve fund, I'll take out some to cover the festival expenses during Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as summer and winter expenses, ice fees, and so on. I'll use that part to make up for their differences. What do you think? Is it reasonable?"

  Feng furrowed his brow, then sighed and said: "Originally, this old rule has been around for over a hundred years. It's about time it was changed. But after all, it was set by our ancestors. Whoever is in charge can't just change it easily. You can imagine how thorough the two sisters-in-law are. I'm very relieved to hear that. However, you must remember that no matter what, you're still from the third house." By the end of his speech, there was a hint of severity in his tone.

  "My sister-in-law has entrusted me with this, I must remember it!" Shen Muqing hastily nodded. "I will definitely respect my elder sister-in-law."

  Feng saw her gentle attitude, slightly nodded and smiled: "To say, your elder sister's side also has several accompanying houses that use the New Year's expenses as a cover to make up for their own silver deficiencies. You can follow your elder sister's example!"

  "Yes!" Shen Mu Qing replied respectfully.

  As soon as Shen Mu Qing walked away, Dong's mother smiled and flattered Feng Shi: "Madam, Third Young Mistress is so young, yet she does things with such stability, truly rare."

  Feng nodded in satisfaction: "I had heard of her virtuous name before, but I thought it was just flattery and exaggeration. I didn't expect her to be so clever..." As he spoke, he gazed at the purse and sighed, "If our family's Yu Hui could have half of her wit, that would be great."

  "Second Miss follows Third Young Mistress every day, even if she doesn't learn it, she'll get to know it, so you can rest assured!" Dong's mother comforted Feng.

  "I hope so!" Feng sighed bitterly.

  As they came out of Gui Huayuan, Ying Fen asked Shen Muqing in a low voice, "Is it proper for Third Young Mistress to be like this?"

  She stopped in her tracks, gazing up at the large red lanterns hanging high under the eaves of the Guiyuan courtyard, her expression calm: "There's nothing wrong with that. I didn't tell her how much dowry I brought, only to be more anxious in my heart."

  Ying Fen hesitated and said: "Since we have to give something, why don't we just give it to Madame Tai?"

  She gently stroked the soft, fluffy purple sable fur on her cloak and said faintly, "For Old Madam, whether it's Eldest Young Master or Second Young Master, they are all her grandsons. But for Madam, it's not that simple!"

  "Is Third Young Mistress trying to outdo Eldest Young Mistress?"

  Shen Mu Qing laughed softly: "Stupid Ying Feng, I've already made the young mistress look down on me, who knows who will take advantage of it. Why bother doing something that's not worth the effort? I just want to live my life comfortably, that's the right thing to do."

  The British man nodded as if he understood but didn't really understand.

  They returned to Die Cui Yuan, but Shen Muqing did not go back to the main house directly. Instead, he went to the backyard.

  Mrs. Li lay on the bed humming a little tune, while Moon Guai sat beside her and massaged her legs.

  Seeing Shen Muqing enter, Li Mama suddenly sat up with a start.

  "Third Young Mistress, what brings you here at this hour?" asked Li Mama with a smile.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "I'll take advantage of the opportunity to come back from my mother-in-law's place to visit you."

  Li's mother understood and immediately called out to Yuegui: "Go and keep an eye on things."

  Bay leaves went with the sound.

  Mrs. Li said in a low voice, "I've made inquiries as you instructed. The one in charge of the kitchen is Huang Mama, the attendant of the lady of the house. A few years ago, when the second young mistress was not pregnant, the eldest young mistress would often use the excuse that the children wanted to eat something to order food from the main kitchen. The second young mistress complained once, and as a result, the old lady spoke up, saying to prioritize the children first. This led to some bias in the way things were done in the main kitchen. At first, it was because they overlooked Second Miss - New Bamboo Courtyard is farther away from the main kitchen. After the lady scolded them once,

  The house is Huang's mother, and it is thundering loudly but raining lightly."

  "Now that Second Young Master's wife is pregnant, it's naturally the most important thing. Third Young Master is the most tolerant person, so even if he's neglected a bit, nothing will happen to him."

  "Look at what Third Master's wife said," Mother Li said with a smile. "Third Master is indeed gentle by nature. That's just how things are in a big family like ours."

  Yes, she was used to being under Li's wing, so she forgot how cold this world is.

  "Let's go back every day after tomorrow to see if there are any instructions from the lady." Shen Muqing instructed Li Mama very seriously.

  I'm afraid there might be some changes in your wife's illness!

  Mrs. Li thought for a moment and repeatedly nodded in agreement.

  He came out of his retreat and went to see Liang Jiemin's bath, then went to Liang Jiemin's study.

  Liáng Jìmǐn wasn't reading books, but was practicing calligraphy instead.

  Mu Qing still thought he was angry about the lunch incident. Smiling, she walked over to see what he had written: "Master is practicing Liu Gongzheng's method of calligraphy!"

  Liang put down his pen and smiled: "You are a disciple of Mr. Minshan, naturally you have an extraordinary vision, I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of you."

  Shen Muqing watched Ji Mian's words very seriously without making a sound.

  Liang Jimin had previously been just a polite remark, but now seeing Shen Muqing's serious look, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous and asked: "What? Is it extremely disappointing?"

  Shen Mu Qing listened carefully and detected the tension in his voice, knowing that his seemingly casual question was actually of great concern to him.

  She pretended to be serious and said: "Bai Shu Lang, elegant and refined... it's really a perfect match for his name!" By the end of her sentence, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

  Liáng Jìmǐn was taken aback.

  Under the lamplight, a serene and snowy white face shone like jade, with a pair of big eyes sparkling with life, revealing cunning and cleverness.

  He was flustered in his heart and desperately tried to cover up this unease.

  "Really?" Liang Jitian instinctively wanted to go and discuss with Shen Muqing the words he had written - it seemed that only in this way would everyone be within a safe range.

  He stretched out his hand to grab a corner of the rice paper, but somehow pressed his hand on the warm ink stone instead...

  Liang Jimin let out a cry of "Aiya" and waved her hand in pain.

  The pen holder, pen rack and pen tray on the table were all swept to the ground with a "rattle".

  Shen Muqing didn't think it would turn out like this - he was just joking around, but ended up scalding Liang Jieming's hand.

  In an instant, I thought of the severity of this matter again.

  If she can't write anymore because of this, or if it delays her attempt, won't she become a sinner in the eyes of the Liang family?

  Shen Mu Qing's heart skipped a beat, and with one hand she picked up Liang Ji Min's scalded hand, while with the other hand she grabbed Shui Zhong Cheng and splashed water onto his hand...

  That side of the ten colors did not expect such an unexpected event, and cried anxiously: "How can this be good, how can this be good..."

  Leung Kei-ming comforted them with a smile: "It's okay, it's just a minor scald."

  "Just go get some fragrant oil and apply it on top."

  Shen Muqing only knew that the emergency treatment for scalds was to rinse with cold water, and didn't know that applying fragrant oil could also help. At this time, the patient's condition worsened and they recklessly applied various medicines, hastily urging someone: "Quickly go, quickly go."

  Shi ran hastily and anxiously followed Mu Qing, then Liang Jiemin walked under the sheep horn lamp to take a closer look.

  It's red, but there are no blisters... This shouldn't be too serious, right?!

  She stared blankly ahead in thought.

  "Don't be afraid!" Liang Jimin's voice was as gentle as water. "If someone else asks, you mustn't admit it."

  Shen Mu Qing looked up at Liang Ji Min in surprise.

  This thing isn't one's own responsibility!

  "There are already enough things at home." Liang Jimin's eyes were heavy, "One more thing is not as good as one less thing."

  Shen Muqing came to find Liang Jieming in the hope of getting his support, but now Liang Jieming advised her to forbear, and she couldn't care about discussing with Liang Jieming who was right or wrong, and only thought about how to persuade Liang Jieming.

  Her big eyes were immediately filled with tears: "Ji Min, must we always compromise like this?"

  Liáng Jìmǐn's whole body shook.

  Under the dim yellow light, the crystal tears at the corner of his eyes sparkled with colorful luster like dew drops, as if he had returned to that summer dusk, facing the lake surface shimmering with golden waves...

  He couldn't help but hold that pale face, his thumb gently wiping away the rolling tears: "Believe me, I'll definitely be on the golden list. When the time comes, you, me, and Yu Hui will live the life we've always wanted. I won't let you suffer any more grievances..."

  Her soft voice was like a bird afraid of startling the branches, but her gaze was as bewildering as falling into morning fog - as if she couldn't see clearly who the person in front of her was.

  "What's wrong?" Shen Muqing's movement made Liang Jimin's body tremble, and a warm smile like spring breeze appeared on his face.

  In the midst of the fiery sparks and electric light, Shen Muqing suddenly inhaled a mouthful of cool air.

  It turned out that Liang Jieming's smile was not an expression of his emotions, but on the contrary, it was a mask to cover up his true feelings.

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  Chapter Seventy-Four: When in Poverty, One Must Change