Caixue tilted her head and thought for a while before answering.
"Seems so. I've heard that the county magistrate was able to pass the imperial examination all thanks to his wife's strong support. She's really an extraordinary woman. But miss, when did you get to know Mrs. Ye?"
Since the new magistrate took office, Mrs. Ye Lin has become a well - known figure in the city. Families with scholars all take Mrs. Ye Lin as a role model. As the wife of a newly - risen official, many people are eager to curry favor with her.
"I'm not sure either. I haven't even met Mrs. Ye, let alone have any friendship with her."
"Could she be here to celebrate the old matriarch's birthday but got the time wrong?"
"It's possible. This matter can't be taken lightly. We'd better report it to the old matriarch."
Zhao Luoning presented Mrs. Ye's visiting card to the old matriarch.
Although the Ji Mansion is a well - known and noble family, as the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. So they couldn't neglect the county magistrate's wife.
However, the visiting card clearly stated that the county magistrate's wife specifically asked to see Zhao Luoning. If an elder in the family were to receive her, it would seem a bit of a loss of face.
So the old matriarch personally gave the order, asking Zhao Luoning to withdraw some silver from the accounts for the expenses of the reception. The reception would be held in Furongyuan, and of course, all the courtesy should be in accordance with the protocol for a distinguished guest.
The fact that the newly - appointed county magistrate's wife specifically asked to meet Zhao Luoning made those in the Ji Mansion who looked down on Zhao Luoning feel very uneasy.
The second young mistress, who rarely went out, actually had connections in the officialdom?
It seemed that she was a tough character.
Mrs. Ye Lin's visiting card said that she would come in two hours. Zhao Luoning waited at the door early.
Before the appointed time, the page who went to scout came running back and said,
"Second young mistress, I can see the county magistrate's wife's sedan chair."
Zhao Luoning quickly tidied her clothes and went to greet her.
A sedan chair carried by four people appeared in everyone's sight. There weren't many servants following. Only a maid was trotting beside it. When she saw Zhao Luoning, she lifted the sedan - chair curtain and said a few words to the mistress inside.
Such a nearly shabby appearance was unexpected by everyone.
Everyone knew that the newly - appointed county magistrate had a boundless future, and those who wanted to curry favor with him had almost worn out the threshold of the county yamen.
Logically speaking, after suffering for so many years, now that the county magistrate's wife had finally seen better days, it was time for her to enjoy life. But she was still so simple, even shabby. People couldn't help but admire Mrs. Ye's virtue.
The sedan chair stopped in front of the Ji Mansion. The maid helped lift the curtain, and a plain - dressed woman got out of the sedan chair.
"I've been waiting here for a long time, knowing that you're coming, madam."
Zhao Luoning stepped forward and said some polite words in an official tone. But when she saw the county magistrate's wife's true appearance, she was stunned.
"Aren't you...?"
This Mrs. Ye was actually the pregnant woman that Zhao Luoning had saved when she went to Zhaoming Temple at night.
"My benefactor, I can't bear to be called madam by you."
Mrs. Ye took Zhao Luoning's hand and was about to bow to her, but Zhao Luoning stopped her.
"I can't bear such a great courtesy from you, madam."
The two exchanged some polite words, and then Zhao Luoning led her into Furongyuan.
"I've always wanted to find a chance to thank you in person. I found out that you're in the Ji Mansion, so I sent this visiting card. I hope you won't blame me for being so abrupt, benefactor."
Zhao Luoning smiled, a smile as warm as the winter sun, which made Mrs. Ye feel fond of her.
"Madam, you don't need to call me benefactor all the time. If you don't mind, you can just call me Luoning."
"How can that be? You... Well, then you don't need to call me madam either. Just call me Sister Ye."
Mrs. Ye smiled awkwardly, looking as unnatural as a peasant woman wearing gorgeous clothes.
Zhao Luoning shook her head with a smile, indicating that Mrs. Ye didn't need to be so formal.
"You've helped me so much, and I have nothing to repay you with. There's only a rented house on the farm. Although the house is a bit shabby, it's quite big. I've always been reluctant to sell it. I just wanted to find a good owner for it. Luoning, you have a kind heart. I'm relieved to give this house to you."
This was the family's ancestral house! Zhao Luoning got anxious as soon as she heard it.
"Sister Ye, I really can't accept this."
"Luoning, it's just sitting there unused. It's a waste. Although the house is old, it's my sincere gift. Please accept it."
True to her word, Mrs. Ye really took out the key to the old house from her sleeve and forced it into Zhao Luoning's hand.
"I know it's not easy for you to be the second young mistress. This house is just for you."
How could Zhao Luoning not understand Mrs. Ye's kind intention? Mrs. Ye really regarded her as one of her own. If she refused again, it would seem that she didn't understand human feelings.
She could only reluctantly accept it, thinking that she must return this favor.
Suddenly getting such a valuable property was like a hot potato.
What should she do with this house?
Because of entertaining Mrs. Ye, the preparation for the birthday banquet was seriously behind schedule. When Ji Shisu came back at night, Zhao Luoning was still sitting at the desk dealing with things.
Ji Shisu felt so心疼.
"Ning'er, it's late at night. Go to bed first."
Zhao Luoning didn't even lift her head and just replied,
"Since you've promised them, I can't break my promise."
Ji Shisu pulled over a stool and sat beside Zhao Luoning.
"Husband and wife are birds in the same forest. I'll help you."
Ji Shisu also brought a helper this time. It was the senior maid named Rendong who had been serving in Fengtixuan. She had been in the mansion for nearly ten years and knew the temperaments of the servants very well.
Relying on Rendong's understanding of the servants and the investigation done by Caixue, Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning began to assign tasks.
"What's the wife of the Hou family like?"
Zhao Luoning pointed to a person and asked.
"She's very enthusiastic, but she likes to gossip."
Rendong answered, and Caixue also agreed.
"Yes. I heard that she had a quarrel with Mrs. Liu a month ago."
"What's Mrs. Liu like?"
"Mrs. Liu is more tactful."
"In that case, let her be in charge of cleaning. Mrs. Liu can be in charge of the antiques and other items in the hall. What do you think, sir?"
After all, Ji Shisu was the prospective head of the family. Even if it was just for show, she should ask for his opinion.
"There are a lot of items in the house. Instead of such a general assignment, it's better to refine it by room. For example, who will be in charge of the items in the main hall and who will be in charge of the items in the side rooms. In this way, it will be clear at a glance if something goes wrong in a certain room, and they don't have to run around different rooms."
Zhao Luoning was not familiar with the Ji Mansion after all. After thinking carefully, considering the scale of the Ji Mansion, Ji Shisu's arrangement was indeed more reasonable.
She thought that this second young master only knew how to eat, drink and have fun. She didn't expect that he really had some abilities.
Actually, the fact that he was willing to sit down and help her today really surprised her.
Maybe this second master wasn't as annoying as she had imagined. Just as Caixue often advised her, she had just deliberately ignored his good qualities.