Chapter 18: Hosting Guests
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Zhang Ma cleared her throat and continued, “We servants don’t seek merit, only to avoid mistakes. If things aren’t done well and guests are made to look foolish, you’ll lose face too.
Steward Chen has already given me the roster. I need to find a few heads of the various departments to ask some questions, and then I’ll gather everyone together to assign tasks.”
With that, she called out a few names and took them aside to discuss matters.
“This old woman still has some skill!”
“After all, Madam was from a prominent family and has managed households before.”
“Let’s wait and see! We’ll know her true capabilities soon enough.”
The subordinates whispered amongst themselves, but the tide of opinion had subtly shifted.
By the time Zhang Ma returned to Yun Feng Zhai, it was already evening.
“How did it go?” Wen Mingqian asked her with a smile, “Did you manage to awe them?”
Zhang Ma scoffed, “What big waves can these little minnows stir up? It was naturally a piece of cake.”
“Zhang Ma, I want to eat braised bamboo shoots,” Gong Changan said, pulling on Zhang Ma’s sleeve coquettishly, “and a small bowl of braised pork trotters.”
“My little ancestor, dinner shouldn’t be so greasy. How about I make you fresh bamboo shoots with shrimp and cured meat with green peas? And a bowl of tofu soup.”
“Let’s go with Zhang Ma’s suggestion! We’ll have the pork trotters for lunch tomorrow,” Wen Mingqian said, stroking her son’s head. “I want to eat shrimp and green peas.”
“Alright then,” Gong Changan said, not showing any displeasure. “If Mother wants to eat it, I want to eat it too.”
“You, you were born with a honeyed tongue.” Wen Mingqian pulled him into her embrace and kissed his forehead. “Ever since you could talk, you’ve known how to make me happy.”
So Zhang Ma went to prepare the meal, calling two old women to assist her.
Those two old women were quite willing.
It wasn’t for any other reason than Zhang Ma’s exceptional cooking skills.
Every time Wen Mingqian asked Zhang Ma to cook, she would make extra, and the leftovers would be distributed among them, the servants.
Although it wasn’t quite enough, combined with the food from the kitchen, it was sufficient. Therefore, in this courtyard, the meals were better than before.
As the saying goes, one is beholden to those who feed them. Even if they inwardly sided with Consort Song, they showed the proper respect to Wen Mingqian and her son.
Finally, the appointed day arrived. The mansion gates were opened early, and Wen Mingqian, with her son, welcomed guests in the flower hall.
The first to arrive was Liu Cuiyi. Gong Changan ran to greet her, holding Liu Shi’s hand and saying warmly, “Aunt Liu, thank you for the gift. Why didn’t my two younger sisters come?”
Liu Cuiyi, who had no sons of her own, was particularly fond of Gong Changan. She stroked his small hand and said, “Good child, they are at home. I’ll bring them to play with you another day.”
“I see your complexion has improved a lot,” Wen Mingqian said, stepping forward with a smile. “You’re the first to arrive, which shows you truly value me.”
“If Elder Sister invites me, I naturally have to come early and not delay at all.” Liu Shi touched her face and said, “They also say my complexion has improved. It must be that the things Elder Sister gave me are effective.”
“It’s nothing much. I’ll give you some more later.” Wen Mingqian took her hand and led her into the room. “Please sit down and have some tea.”
“Is Concubine Song not in the mansion?” Liu Shi asked, looking around.
“She returned to her maternal home a few days ago,” Wen Mingqian replied. “Her sister-in-law is about to give birth.”
Liu Shi nodded and didn’t ask further. After slowly finishing a cup of tea, she said, “I thought that with Concubine Song away, the servants in the mansion would be mostly undisciplined! But from what I’ve observed since entering, everything is in perfect order. Elder Sister manages the household well.”
“This is not my merit; it’s all thanks to Zhang Ma’s management,” Wen Mingqian said modestly. “She has assigned specific tasks to every servant in this mansion. Each person is responsible only for their own duties and has nothing to do with anything else.
However, if they make a mistake in their work, break something, or cause delays, they will have to pay for it or have their wages docked. With all these measures, those people naturally wouldn’t dare.”
Liu Shi was greatly surprised to hear this. “Zhang Ma is remarkable, full of clever strategies. What’s rare is that she can be stern. Unlike me, who is always too soft-hearted. Over time, people know I’m easy to talk to and don’t take my words seriously.”
As the First Madam of the Zhou Family, Liu Shi had to manage some affairs. However, she had a gentle nature, was not favored by her mother-in-law, and her husband did not support her, so she was unable to control the servants.
“You know, Zhang Ma never cares about saving face. Everyone in the mansion knows she’s fiery and doesn’t dare to provoke her,” Wen Mingqian said in a low voice with a smile.
Afterward, several more guests arrived, and the flower hall gradually became lively.
Most of the guests who were present when Wen Mingqian returned were there. Those who couldn’t make it sent servants with gifts and explanations.
Prominent families attach great importance to propriety. In this regard, they would rather go to extra trouble than be remiss.
“Second Madam, I’ve come uninvited today. You won’t be unhappy, will you?”
A sweet laugh drew everyone’s attention. A young woman, dressed in exceptionally luxurious and eye-catching attire, walked in, leading a child of about eight or nine years old.
“This is the Little Madam of Duke Feng’s household, Wu Shi, who is very close with Consort Song,” Liu Cuiyi whispered into Wen Mingqian’s ear.
Duke Feng’s family had only moved to the capital five years ago, so Wen Mingqian had never met this Little Madam.
“So it’s the Little Madam and the Heir Apparent who have arrived. I was afraid my own standing wasn’t enough to presume inviting you. I’m overjoyed that the Little Madam has come today! Please, have a seat.” Wen Mingqian welcomed her with a smile, understanding that this Little Madam was likely not here with good intentions.
“I’ve long heard of Madam Gong Er’s reputation but have never had the chance to meet you.” Wu Shi sized up Wen Mingqian with a half-smile. “I heard you’ve been practicing Pure Cultivation in Shuangxi all these years; perhaps you don’t think much of us mortals?”
“Little Madam is joking. Pure Cultivation is only for calming the mind, not for avoiding the world, nor is it something to be arrogant about. As for you, Little Madam, please don’t be offended by my long absence from the capital and my potentially rough manners.” Wen Mingqian’s words were gentle and her demeanor composed, making it difficult for Wu Shi to press the issue.
“Second Madam has been away from the capital for a long time. This time, with your sincere invitation, there might be some minor imperfections, but everyone can understand,” Marchioness Jiangxia Qian Shi said, smoothing things over. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Young Heir; he’s grown taller. He truly resembles Duke Feng.”
Upon hearing her son praised, Wu Shi immediately became happy. She looked at her son, Feng Tianzhu, as if he were a dragon colt or a phoenix egg, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “This child is the most filial. A few days ago, Duke Feng had a slight cough, and he cried out of worry!”
Everyone knew that this child was spoiled beyond reason and could only hear praise. Therefore, they offered a few perfunctory remarks, saying the child was sensible.
“Second Madam, where is your Fourth Young Master? He’s about the same age as the Young Heir and should be able to play together.” Cui Baozhu suddenly interjected.
That remark made Feng Tianzhu’s eyes widen, and he shouted, “Where is he? Let me see him!”
