Hearing this, Li Wanming frowned even tighter.
The inventory check had not gone smoothly from the very beginning, or rather, it had been fraught with difficulties.
As early as the few days when Madam Kang went to the Guiyuan Temple, Li Wanming had proposed to conduct an inventory check of the mansion. However, the steward's wife had made excuses, saying that the second mistress was not around and they dared not touch the items inside. After all, they were imperial gifts, and it would be hard to explain if anything was damaged. She suggested that Li Wanming wait for Madam Kang to return and obtain the inventory list before taking action.
At that time, Li Wanming's mind had been preoccupied with Xiao Jingbai, so she had not paid much attention. She thought that after Madam Kang returned and saw her son being taught so well by her, she would surely be overjoyed and willing to cooperate with her... So, there was no hurry.
But she never expected that Madam Kang's joy would only last for a few days, and then she would quickly turn against her!
Damn it!
Li Wanming was confused and aggrieved in her heart, but she was helpless.
Among the inventory lists that Madam Kang had sent over one by one, only one was legible. The rest had either been soaked by rain or gnawed by mice, and there was not a single complete one to be found.
When she went to the West Courtyard to inquire, Madam Kang picked up her handkerchief and began to wipe away her tears. "Oh, you've never managed a household. How could you know the difficulties of managing such a large family business?"
"The east wing caught fire the year before last, and the accounting room leaked last year. These inventory lists are not made of iron. Of course, they are easily damaged. Moreover, with all the comings and goings and the frequent in and out of items, there's hardly enough time to make new lists. How could we have the time to take care of these old accounts?"
"However, don't be in a hurry." Madam Kang twisted her handkerchief and smiled with pursed lips. "I've also talked to the princess about these matters. She said that one who is not a bit deaf and blind should not be a family head. Which family doesn't have a few unclear accounts? She told us not to worry about it."
Oh, so she was using the princess's words to suppress her!
Anger welled up in Li Wanming's heart, but the smile on her face became even calmer. "It's not easy for Auntie to manage the mansion. You've really worked hard all these years."
Madam Kang laughed. "What are you talking about? I'm clumsy and stupid. I'm most impatient with these matters. But what can I do? Sister-in-law is not in good health and needs to rest. As her younger sister-in-law, how could I watch her struggle with household chores while sick? I have no choice but to take care of a few things reluctantly."
Looking at her pretentious face, Li Wanming was so angry that she gritted her teeth. She wished she could immediately tear off her false mask. But she knew that this was not the time to turn against her.
But she also understood that this matter could not be rushed.
To truly take control of the mansion, both money and power were indispensable.
But now the inventory lists were unclear, and all the stewards' wives in the mansion were Madam Kang's people. If she couldn't control her temper and acted rashly at this time, she would only alert the enemy and make things even more difficult for herself in the future.
...
Just as she was deep in thought, Qinglan gently reminded her from the side. "Princess, the Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. We need to start preparing quickly."
"Hmm?" Li Wanming came back to her senses.
Qinglan continued. "The other things are easy to handle. We can easily buy the zongzi and colorful ropes for our own mansion. But the festival gifts for other mansions must be perfect. If we don't start preparing soon, we might not have enough time..."
Li Wanming nodded tiredly. "There are records of the festival gifts from previous years. We can just follow the old examples."
However, Qinglan looked hesitant. "It would be okay for ordinary families. The gifts would just be some gold, jade, pearls, and silk. But for the mansions of marquises and above, according to the convention, some rare items need to be prepared to be appropriate..."
Qinglan was a bit hesitant. "These festival gifts... require the imperial gifts in the warehouse."
Li Wanming immediately felt a headache.
Here it comes again...
It's the warehouse again!
Isn't this the biggest problem right now?
The inventory check of the warehouse had not been completed, which meant that the handover of finances between her and Madam Kang had not been completed. If she rashly carried out the in and out of items in the warehouse at this time, it would only make the accounts and supplies even more unclear!
What if there was something fishy in it? What if Madam Kang had buried some mines for her? If a deficit was discovered in the future, Madam Kang would surely shift the blame onto her!
By then, she would really become the unlucky one who took over the mess!
Just as she was worrying, there was suddenly a commotion outside the courtyard.
Chuntao's voice was clearly angry as she loudly questioned. "What are you doing here! Earlier when we asked you what was recorded in the inventory lists, you all made excuses and said you couldn't remember anything. Now, out of the blue, you come and say you want to help. Who knows what your motives are?"
Granny Chen's sarcastic voice sounded. "Oh, Miss Chuntao, you're not being reasonable with your words."
"The second mistress saw that the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching and was afraid that the princess didn't have the experience to know how to prepare the festival gifts for the various mansions. That's why she kindly sent us over to help. If you're not welcome, then we'll just go back. When the princess asks later, you can explain it yourself!"
Li Wanming gave a signal, and Qinglan immediately lifted the curtain and walked out. She said gently with a smile. "Granny, you've come at just the right time. The princess has been worrying about this matter. Chuntao has been looking at the inventory lists for the past few days and is a bit confused. Granny, don't take it to heart. We're naturally more than happy if the sisters are willing to come and help."
Qinglan had grown up in the mansion since she was a child and knew the complicated relationships among the servants in the mansion. If Li Wanming wanted to manage the household in the Ning Mansion, it was not enough to just win the hearts of the little maids. She had to rely on these stewards' wives.
However, the stewards' wives were different from the little maids who were all eager to become concubines for the young masters.
Most of them were married to the various stewards in the mansion. They had a higher status, more power, and more face. They also had richer experience in struggles. They were the most difficult to deal with, being two-faced and quite tough.
No matter what scheme Granny Chen had in mind when she brought the stewards' wives from the warehouse over this time, on the surface, they could not be offended.
Seeing Qinglan being so humble and respectful, Granny Chen knew that Madam Kang's scheme had worked in the past few days. She felt proud and deliberately spoke even louder. "It's still Miss Qinglan in our mansion who is reasonable and knows that the matter of the festival gifts is of great importance. If there's a mistake, not only the princess but also our entire Ning Mansion will be disgraced!"
After saying that, she walked into the room with her head held high and said with a self-satisfied smile. "Princess, the second mistress was afraid that you would be too busy, so she specially sent the servants over to help."
Saying that, she took out a booklet from her bosom and handed it over. "This is the list of the festival gifts for each mansion from previous years. The second mistress said that the princess would need it, so she asked this old servant to bring it to you."
"Thank you, Granny." Li Wanming showed no emotion on her face. She just took it with a smile and slowly flipped through it.