The next day, in the front courtyard of the Marquis's Mansion, the maids and servants were standing in a large crowd, whispering to each other.
"What's going on? Why have we all been called here?"
"I know, I know. I heard that the Second Young Mistress is going to take charge of the household. I'm afraid she's going to make a big show of authority."
"The Second Young Mistress looks cold and aloof. She shouldn't be too strict, right?"
...
As they were talking, Su Hele slowly walked out of the front hall. Seeing this, everyone immediately fell silent.
Su Hele was wearing a moon - white long dress today, with a snow - colored shawl on her shoulders and a round fan of the same color in her hand. Her face was cold.
"I originally didn't want to manage you all. But Mother insisted on entrusting this important task to me before she could feel at ease. I had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.
So I won't set any new rules. Just do as you did before."
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. It was good that she wasn't here to set new rules.
"However, I have two simple requirements."
Su Hele scanned the crowd, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.
"Look at your clothes. They're either gray or blue. They're so vulgar. I've already ordered new clothes. Later, go to the steward of your own courtyard to get one.
In addition, starting from today, all of you who are off - duty at the end of the Shen hour (3 - 5 p.m.) should go to the waterside pavilion in the back courtyard to learn to read with me. After all, you're the servants of the Marquis's Mansion. It would be too vulgar if you don't even know a single word."
Hearing this, everyone looked at each other.
They were naturally happy to get new clothes, but when it came to learning to read every day, especially during their off - duty hours, they felt a bit embarrassed.
Seeing that they were not very enthusiastic, Su Hele frowned slightly.
She was even willing to condescend to teach these vulgar people to read. Shouldn't they be grateful? Why did they look so reluctant?
Humph, they were willing to degenerate and didn't know how to work hard. No wonder they had become servants.
"All those who are off - duty must go to the waterside pavilion on time to learn to read. Otherwise, one tael of monthly silver will be deducted."
Su Hele knew that these servants liked to be lazy and cunning. If she wasn't strict with them, they wouldn't listen.
"Yes, Second Young Mistress." Although everyone was reluctant, they had no choice but to agree.
They only got one or two taels of monthly silver. If one tael was deducted because of this, they would have worked in vain for a month.
Su Hele raised her chin slightly and showed a smile.
Managing the servants wasn't difficult at all. With a little trick, she had made them obedient.
...
Su Nansheng was buried in a pile of account books, looking exhausted.
When she closed another account book again, she let out a long sigh. Finally, she had sorted out the clues.
She closed her eyes and gently rubbed her temples to relieve the soreness in her eyes.
The door creaked open, and then came Bitao's voice.
"Madam, I'm back."
Su Nansheng's hand paused slightly. When did she go out?
"Madam, look. Look at this dress."
Su Nansheng slowly opened her eyes and saw Bitao pouting, holding a silk dress in her hand. The two front flaps were light pink, and the rest was milky white.
"It's very beautiful. It's just a bit plain."
"Oh, what's the use of being beautiful? It gets dirty so easily. How can I do my work in it? Not to mention the maids in charge of cleaning." Bitao complained.
Su Nansheng raised her eyebrows. "A maid's uniform?"
Bitao angrily folded the clothes again.
"Yes, it is. The Second Young Mistress said that our previous clothes were too vulgar and didn't match the status of the Marquis's Mansion, so she had new ones made. She also ordered us to go to the waterside pavilion to learn to read every day, and it has to be during our off - duty hours."
They served their masters during the day and had to go to learn to read at night. Didn't they need to rest?
Su Nansheng shook her head. She hadn't seen Su Hele act like this in her previous life.
But this was in line with her style. It was just a pity for the servants in the mansion.
"Since you can read, you don't need to go."
After Su Nansheng said that, she opened another account book. Let Su Hele make a fuss. She could have some peace.
"Madam, why haven't I seen you learn fishing from the master these days?"
Bitao had been in this study for several days and felt a bit bored.
Hearing this, Su Nansheng's hand that was turning the page paused, and she instinctively straightened her back forcefully.
Realizing her action, Su Nansheng's lips twitched twice.
In the previous days, He Xun had been watching her learn fishing. She couldn't slouch her back or take a break for her eyes. It was really an unpleasant experience.
Every time she came back from fishing, she was so sore all over that she just wanted to lie down and rest.
Since that day, she had no more intention of seducing He Xun. She really felt helpless!
So when He Xun invited her to go fishing again, she firmly refused. Then she sat in the small study for a whole day and didn't dare to go back to the bedroom until it was dark.
Thinking of this, Su Nansheng looked at the sky. It was still early. She should still be able to see the fishing float clearly.
In an instant, she no longer found the account books complicated and difficult to understand. She was full of energy and felt that she could read for a few more hours.
"Because I don't want to be a fish - attendant."
Su Nansheng's voice was very low, as if she was afraid that someone would hear her.
Across from her, Bitao looked confused. What wings?
...
In the martial arts training ground in the back courtyard, He Xun was sitting on a stone bench. Fei Yu handed him a handkerchief.
"Master, what does the Emperor mean? Does he really want you to go back to the Northern Border or not?"
He Xun took the handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead, then threw the handkerchief back to Fei Yu.
"When there's something, I'm General He. When there's nothing, I'm Censor He."
Today, the Emperor had specially summoned him to the palace and rejected his memorial. He said that only He Xun could be the General Who Guards the North. But now that the Northern Border was peaceful, he asked He Xun to concurrently serve as a Censor.
The Emperor didn't want him to leave, but he was also afraid that the officials would say that he was harsh and suspicious, which would chill their hearts.
"Master has guarded the Northern Border for the stability of the Great Qing for many years, but he is still suspected by the Emperor."
Fei Yu felt it was unfair for his master.
Only those who had been to the Northern Border knew how hard it was there. One might even lose their life while sleeping. But even so, they couldn't gain the Emperor's trust.
He Xun understood Fei Yu's indignation and patted his shoulder.
"For most military generals, if they don't die on the battlefield after achieving success, this is usually what happens."
He held an army of 100,000. Anyone would be wary of him.
"But if you stay in the capital for a long time and don't return to the Northern Border, the 100,000 troops of the Northern Border Army will be leaderless. I'm afraid they will be used by people with ulterior motives."
Fei Yu was very worried. Not to mention anything else, those who had come to make friends with his master recently and those who had "accidentally" met his master at the door were all aiming at this military power.
"Vice - General Liu is in charge in the Northern Border. You don't need to worry. Just do your own job well."
He Xun looked at Fei Yu, and a smile slowly appeared on his face.
Seeing this, Fei Yu took a step back.
"What do you mean by my own job? I don't have any special job."
"As a Censor, I'm supposed to supervise all the officials and impeach those who have made mistakes. As a new official, I have to make a show of authority. Who do you think we should target first?"
"Who should we target first?" Fei Yu repeated.
It's not good to target anyone, right? This is a job that will offend people. We should just deal with it casually. Why do we have to take it seriously?
"Go and investigate. You can decide who we should target."