The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 5

The Yang Mansion occupies the entire Eryang Street, and the main courtyard of the eldest wife is so big that hundreds of people can run around in it.But the southern courtyard where Qinianzi lived before was small, cramped, and outdated.

Qin Niangzi moved to the main courtyard, but got a whole western courtyard.

This is a small courtyard, with a small door opened from the side of the main courtyard hall, leading in through the verandah. To the north is a row of three green-tiled houses, and to the south is a row of inverted huts, which are stuffed with the big lady's box and cage. It was full, and she didn't know what to do for a while, so she only got the three rooms on the north side and the two small side rooms on the east and west sides.

It's just that these five small rooms are already too big for Qin Niangzi. The boxes and cages she brought from the southern courtyard are lined up next to the window wall in the bedroom, and the room looks empty.

There is already a rosewood and mother-of-pearl bed in the room, but it is not as big as the one in the main room. Seventh Lady touched the wood, but felt that it was not much different from the bed that the eldest wife slept on in terms of material alone.

"This is what the first lady slept with." There was a trace of nostalgia in Liang's mother's eyes. "It was such a small hug at the time, but now it is the mistress of the family."

Mother Liang said this not without the intention of comforting Seventh Lady.

Seventh Lady was really comforted.Although the eldest wife is a bit mean, she is really not stingy when it comes to money.

After all, the Yang family is a well-known family, so the eldest wife is willing to give up this little money.

Mother Liang looked at the empty room, and said, "I came here in a hurry today. Some furniture hasn't been moved yet. I'll ask someone to move it. Seventh Lady sit down for a while."

Seventh Lady hurriedly stood up, "Thank you Mama Liang."

Now that she is the lady of the main courtyard, she can no longer salute Mama Liang.But I still have to express my gratitude. Mother Liang is a celebrity around my wife. She does things for you. It is her duty to do things well. If she does things well, she will give you face.

Seven Lady understands this truth very well.

Mother Liang heard her sincere tone, smiled on her lips, patted Seventh Lady's hand, and said affectionately, "When you arrive at the main courtyard, you will be the lady of the main courtyard. Our Yang family is also a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River. Of course Pai can't be the same as those concubines in my aunt's room, you have to quickly establish rules, so as not to be laughed at by others."

What Liang's mother said was from the bottom of her heart, and Qin Niangzi was so moved that her eyes were red.

"It won't embarrass my wife," she said softly.

Mama Liang went out with a smile, and discussed with Mama Wang how much decorations to add to Qiniangzi's room.

"I think, give her the new set of rosewood tables, chairs and cabinets that I got a few days ago." Liang's mother said.

Mama Wang hesitated. "The carving is exquisite."

"Is it the lady from the main courtyard..." Mama Liang went to ask the eldest wife again.

The eldest lady is very happy. "It's better that you know what I'm thinking, and find some good things for her to put on the table. Bai Lu came back and told me that the most valuable thing in Jiu Yiniang's room is a beautiful shrug bottle that the third lady took."

Mama Liang curled her lips, "The third lady is generous."

She took a pair of cards and entered Baifang Garden, and murmured for a long time to Mommy Yao, who was in charge of the warehouse.Mother Yao brought the key and a group of strong young wives, and moved a complete set of rosewood tables, chairs, cabinets, and more than a dozen bottles, jars, dishes, and porcelain to the west courtyard.

"Thank you mothers." Seventh Lady thanked her sincerely.

These mothers answered yes with a smile, but did not leave.

Li Xia glanced at Qin Niangzi somewhat flusteredly.Mama Liang and Mama Yao stood aside with smiles, watching Qiniangzi's reaction.

Seventh Lady knew the rules, and as a rule, girls would be rewarded for such heavy work.

But she didn't have a tael of silver around her, only a few bracelets from Jiu Yiniang, and they were all worthless.

Besides, you can't send a bracelet to each person, can you?What kind of system is that.

She was a little embarrassed, bit her lip, and was about to bite the bullet and see off the guests.

Bai Lu suddenly came in from outside the house, and with a smile, she took out a handful of coins from her waist, "Thanks for your hard work, mothers, here are some coins, mothers, use them to make drinks, mothers, don't dislike it."

The smiles of the mothers became more sincere, and they all said, "Qi Niangzi is generous, thank you Qin Niangzi." Yu Guan left the West Side Hospital.

Seventh Lady looked at Bai Lu who was smiling, and didn't know what to say for a while.

Bai Lu was wearing a lotus-colored satin jacket that was not old. She only wore a pair of jasper bracelets on her hands. She looked very simple, but the smile on her face made people feel very comfortable. She wiped the sweat from her forehead while talking to Mama Liang. Said, "Madam said, Seventh Lady doesn't have any good clothes, so I invited people from Xianxiufang to make clothes for Seventh Lady, but the people from Xianxiufang can't make it through today, please ask Mother Liang to take out some of Fifth Lady's clothes , put it on for Seventh Lady first."

Xianxiufang is the property of the eldest wife, and it is considered well-known in the south of the Yangtze River. The eldest wife asked the people in Xianxiufang to make clothes for Qin Niangzi, which can be regarded as very honorable for her.Even the second lady and the fifth lady only have a dozen sets of new clothes from Xianxiufang a year.

Liang's mother said with a smile, "Okay, I'll get it now. Coincidentally, Fifth Lady's clothes are kept in the west side courtyard." When her mother left the house, Bai Lu hesitated for a moment, and said to Qin Niangzi, "Qi Niangzi, I'm going to resettle the little girls." Then she followed out.

Sure enough, Mama Liang was waiting for her at the gate of the west courtyard.

"Godmother." Bai Lu blessed her body.

"Qi Niangzi is getting thinner." Liang's mother laughed before saying anything, "If you are troubled, change your clothes quickly, and when it's time for dinner, don't let Qi Niangzi be rude in front of your wife."

Bai Lu lowered her head and answered yes carefully.

"You are a member of the eldest wife's house, and you should act like an elder wife's house when you are with Seventh Lady." Liang's mother kindly instructed, "You did a good job in what you just did. Seventh Lady loves you, You have face... Although Seventh Lady is suffering now, after two years, when brother Jiu grows up, she will have more and more face."

Bai Lu pursed her lips and smiled.

"I won't embarrass my godmother."

Mama Liang hummed meaningfully, turned around and walked out of the west courtyard with a smile, and went to the main room to find the eldest lady to get the key.

"The eldest wife is kind!" She smiled like a flower, "I am willing to do so. There is no other mistress in Suzhou who is as generous as the eldest wife."

It is common for Xianxiufang to make a set of clothes, which costs more than a hundred taels, not counting the master's wages.This time, the eldest lady really made a big deal.

The eldest lady squinted her eyes, ignored what Liang's mother said, but talked about Wu Niangzi.

"I don't know who taught me my temperament. At such a young age, I don't learn anything. I have learned the hypocrisy of a young lady. Female celebrities and poems are nothing. I thought, I need to find someone who is stricter. My mother carries the arrogance that kills her."

Fifth Niangzi is the oldest daughter of the eldest wife. She only got this one at the age of 30. Naturally, she is like a jewel. Before Brother Nine was born, she was the oldest in the whole family.

Now that Brother Nine is in place, Wu Niangzi has to slowly change her character.

Mother Liang felt a little sad for Fifth Lady, and said cautiously, "After all, it's our daughter. It will be fine when she grows up." How to arrange five ladies.

The eldest lady thought for a while, and reluctantly said, "Let's watch another episode." She lowered her head and closed the lid of the cup, and said casually, "The second wife just sent someone to bring some clothes for Ba Niangzi."

Ba Niangzi and Qi Niangzi were born in the same year, the same month and the same day, less than half an hour apart, and they are also six years old now. They are well-educated by the second wife, and they are well-behaved and courteous ladies.

Liang's mother didn't check for a while, she would praise the second wife's hard work, but after careful consideration, she felt that something was wrong.

"The Seventh Lady moved to the main courtyard today. It was a temporary idea. It's been less than two hours..." She said cautiously.Not to mention the embarrassment of the fifth lady, it was clearly only a few sticks of incense, so why did the second wife know about it now, and even sent her clothes.

Isn't this slapping the eldest lady in the face?

The eldest lady was still smiling, but there was a trace of disdain in her eyes.

"Second brother and sister's thoughts are more on ours than in our own mansion, no wonder they knew it so early." She compared the big burden on the bed, "The physique of Eighth Lady and Seventh Lady It's similar, with this, you don't have to take Wu Niangzi's old clothes anymore. It also prevents this girl from making a fuss again, which makes people worry."

Although the second wife's behavior made people feel tired, she was also kind. Mama Liang unpacked the package and looked at it. There were only three or four jackets and skirts inside, all of which were worn in this weather. Very decent, and took care of Qin Niangzi's mood, without appearing too plain.

"The second wife still behaves like this, with rules and no rules." She lowered her head and smiled, "Don't worry about her, who doesn't understand her thoughts?"

"If I get into trouble with her, I won't be able to live in peace that day." The eldest wife was angry, but she nodded at Li Chun, who pursed her lips and smiled, picked up the bag and went out of the house.Mama Liang sat with the eldest wife for a while, and Mama Wang came in and replied, "People from the Wang family of Fujian passed through Suzhou, and sent a message to the master, and sent someone to greet you."

Fujian Chief Envoy Wang's family has been operating in Fujian for many years. They are a wealthy local family and have always had a good relationship with Mr. Yang. They are also Mr. Yang's subordinates, so they must see each other.The eldest lady got up to adjust her makeup, sat down in the main room, said a few words to the visitor, and gave some things, when suddenly she heard some commotion in the direction of the west side courtyard.

She frowned and glanced at Mama Liang.

Mother Liang smiled and said, "I'm sorry, there are a few naughty cats in the west courtyard, and they make some noise from time to time."

"Our wife also loves cats very much. This time the master went to Beijing, and specially found a few rare cloud cats for her!" The old woman who came to greet Wang's family also winked, smiled and said a few words, and then Get up and say goodbye.

They walked on the front foot, but on the back foot, the eldest lady pulled her face down.

In the gate of this big mansion, who is not quiet, gentle and delicate on weekdays?Knocking and knocking day and night, that is a stage, not a house door.

The same is true for Seventh Lady, who made such a big commotion just after she arrived at the West Side Courtyard, could she have misjudged her?Before she asked anyone to ask, Li Chun entered the main room.

Behind her were Fifth Lady who was full of resentment and Seventh Lady who was peaceful.

The eldest lady's face became even uglier.

"Mother!" As soon as Wu Niangzi saw the eldest wife, she ran over and leaned against her knee.It's a matter of course, the look of being pampered.

The eldest lady resisted not to push her away, and looked at Lichun.

Li Chun was embarrassed, and hesitated, unable to explain why.

Seventh Lady looked at her toes, but didn't speak.

"What's going on!" The eldest lady was a little angry.

Lichun had no choice but to tell the whole story.

She just sent the bundle to Seventh Lady's yard, and Seventh Lady was watching the little girls sweeping the house and setting up tables and chairs.Since the boxes and cabinets hadn't been packed yet, I had to put the baggage on the bed first.Lichun pulled Bai Lu over, explained how many clothes there were, and what color they were, and asked Qinianzi to meet the second wife, and don't forget to thank her for the clothes.

While Seventh Lady was listening, Fifth Lady came.

Wu Niangzi came alone, and left her maid, Gu Yu, outside the door.

As soon as she entered, she took out a pair of sharp scissors and went straight to the bag.

When Lichun and Bailu snatched the scissors, Wu Niangzi had already damaged several pieces of clothes, and even cut off half of Bailu's hair braid that came to stop her, that's why there was such a big commotion.

"Those are all my clothes! I can't wear them anymore. I lose them and cut them up. It's all my business!" Wu Niangzi raised her eyebrows and said, she is very pretty, even if she is angry like this, she doesn't have a lively charm . "Mother—do you think that if you want to give away my clothes, you have to ask me first!"

The eldest lady rested her forehead and sighed.

Mother Liang stood up and dared not speak.

Qin Niangzi stood beside Lichun quietly, listening to her helpless narration, there was no smile or anger on her face.It seems that this happens every day, every day, and it is not uncommon.

Fifth lady looked at her, then at Lichun, then at Liang's mother, but she didn't dare to look at the eldest wife.

Suddenly someone opened the bead curtain at the door, and the second lady walked in.

"mother."

"Second sister."

"Second lady."

Everyone greeted one after another.

The second lady looked stiff and cold, and greeted the eldest lady, then sat down until the eldest lady started, gave fifth lady a hard look, and then turned her head to greet seventh lady.

"What is Seventh Sister doing standing up? Sit down."

Seventh Lady raised her head to look at Second Lady, and said softly, "Fifth Sister didn't sit down, younger sisters dare not sit down."

"Your fifth sister did something wrong, so it's only natural that you dare not sit down." The second lady waved her hand, her expression slightly relaxed. "sit down."

The seventh lady just looks at the eldest wife.

The eldest wife also managed to calm down her anger, and nodded to Qin Niangzi.

The seventh lady sat down until the second lady started.She sat upright, her back straight, like a small bamboo.

The eldest lady looked at Wu Niangzi who was snuggling on her lap again, and she felt angry that she hated iron and steel.

"In that bundle are the clothes that your second aunt sent to Seventh Lady." She said softly, "They are all expensive materials, and the wool is all squirrels, and one piece is worth more than a hundred taels of silver."

The fifth lady felt uneasy at first, and the second lady also raised her eyebrows.She thought it was Wu Niangzi's own clothes that had been cut off, so she came to the rescue.

Right now, it seems that Wu Niangzi will inevitably be punished.

Second Lady couldn't help looking at Seventh Lady, unless Seventh Lady came out to beg for mercy, maybe her mother would soften her heart and say a few words to her, and she would just expose the matter.

Seventh Lady did as she wished, and she opened her mouth to help Fifth Lady, "Mother, don't get angry about such a trivial matter. Fifth Sister is just a little impatient, I'm clumsy, and I didn't have time to explain it."

Er Niangzi's heart moved, and she looked at Qi Niangzi's eyes carefully.

Although Qin Niangzi looked calm, there was uncontrollable anxiety in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)