Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

58. Frugality is a Virtue

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Cao Mo’s face darkened, this was tricky, “Moqi, go seal the Communal Treasury, we cannot reopen it till Mingzhu comes back and sign the handover paper.”

Moqi withdrew after exchanging a look with Moqin.

“Next!” exclaimed Cao Mo.

“I’m Mammy Xia, Xia Dongchun, I work at Wash and Starch Department, it’s basically heavy manual labor, but I’m good at my job.” Mammy Xia reported.

Cao Mo nodded with a smile, “Thank you for your hard work, Mammy, is there anything I can do to make your job easier?”

Mammy Xia rubbed her hands and looked hesitant, “Young Madam, I know you may think I’m being greedy if I say it out loud, but I’m going to try my luck. Just look at my hands, madam.”

With that Mammy Xia stretched out her hands, her hands were covered with pernios.

Everyone gasped.

Cao Mo signaled Mohua to record this, and he said, “Mammy, thank you so much for your hard work. I have a product called hand cream, I will ask Mohua to give the product too you and other mammies in Wash and Starch Department, just apply a thin layer on your hand after work, it will moisturize your hand and help with the pernios. And I will see what I can do to improve your working conditions in general, don’t worry, I will keep this in mind.”

Mammy Xia’s voice quavered and tears gushed from her eyes, no one had showed any respect to her before, even the other servants in this family for Wash and Starch Department was the most obscure one among all the departments. But now Cao Mo was showing her great sympathy and support, she thumped her head on the ground, “Thank you so much, Young Madam, I won’t disappoint you.”

The other servants made self introduction and told Cao Mo what they needed the most at work.

… …

It was getting quite late, but Cao Mo hadn’t talked to the General Kitchen, Needlework Department yet, it looked like he couldn’t finish it within the day.

“People, it’s getting late, we need to call it a day for now. There are two vacancies, one in charge of gardening and one in charge of the kitchen, go spread the word for me please, the two positions are open to anyone who would like to give it a try. I will draw up the specific requirements and paste it on the walls. Remember, they are open to anyone, please go to Mohua and apply. All right then, thank you for coming and see you around.”

It wasn’t until now did everyone realize Cao Mo hadn’t inquire Mammy Xie, and he said there was an vacancy in Mammy Xie’s position.

Xie Yonghe’s wife lowered her voice and asked Mammy Xie, “How did you lose your job?”

Mammy Xie was intimidated by her mother-in-law, “Mother, please forgive me, Young Madam caught me cooking the book for Lady Lu.”

“How… how dare you?” Xie Yonghe’s wife stamped her foot in anger.

“Mother, can you please forgive me? Young Madam has punished me already, he asked me to raise pigs and take care of the leftovers in the General Kitchen.” Mammy Xie lowered her head.

Xie Yonghe’s wife gnashed her teeth, “Young Madam is so wicked and merciless, no wonder his own brother and mother-in-law dislikes him so, he asked you to collect the leftovers, this is no difference than slapping us Xies on the face. He won’t get by this easy, Mingzhu knows so many secrets and she isn’t easy to deal with.”

Before the sound of Xie Yonghe’s wife voice had died away, a mammy came reporting, “Young Madam, Gold Melon Ingots are here, but I don’t know who is in charge of this matter now.”

“Moqin you keep accounts, Lvzhu examine and check, accept them in the Treasury after you both signed the paper, same thing when people asked for them from the Treasury, you both need to sign the paper, understand?”

With that Cao Mo raised his head and he asked Moqin, “Can you do this job?”

Moqin held his head up high and replied, “Yes, Young Madam, I won’t let you down.”

“I must warn you beforehand, I know you used to serve Third Aunt, but I’m scrupulous in separating public from private interests, I won’t bend the rules for anyone!” Cao Mo said seriously.

“I won’t ask for any special treatment.” was the reply.

“Great! We will establish a temporary treasury here in Spring Hall just for the Spring Festival, and we won’t reopen Communal Treasury until we make an overall inventory.”

Xie Yonghe’s wife chimed in, “Young Madam, Mingzhu takes care of the curios and all the rare ornaments, are you sure we cannot open it now? I’m afraid the guests will laugh at us if we don’t have any festive decorations.”

“Elder Mammy Xie, you have been working in our family for a long time, of course you know how complicated could this be, no way can I reopen the Communal Treasury without making an inventory for no one could shoulder this responsibility if any mixed-up account shall happen. I know you are working very hard, mammy, taking charge of all the purchase, speaking of purchase, Moqi, you go out and buy some art paper for the Young Master, tell me the prices of the stationery. I’d like to know how much money Elder Mammy Xie has saved for us.” said Cao Mo with indifference.

Xie Yonghe’s wife panicked, “You get what one pays for, regular stationery cannot be compared with the special supplies I purchased for Young Master. Dowager Xiao knows about this, we have been purchasing stationery from a specific place. We can do to Dowager Xiao and ask her about it if you don’t trust me, Young Madam.”

Cao Mo didn’t allow himself to be pushed around, “This is some strange talking, isn’t it? I don’t think Dowager Xiao is willing to be deceived on account of her generosity, why go for the overcharged products? We are living on father’s salary and our country estates, but this is a big household, we need to be frugal, don’t we?”

Anger filled Xie Yonghe’s wife’s chest, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Cao Mo! Who do you think you are, putting on airs like this? What are you up to, a new wife who hasn’t made his name on the pedigree yet?”

“Mohua, go bring me the Jade Ruyi that grandmother has given me.” Cao Mo knew the Jade Ruyi would come in handy, but little did he expect he is going to use it against Xie Yonghe’s wife.