Chapter 13: Who Will Manage the Household?

Changling Lord’s Manor

As soon as the Changling Lord received the documents sent over from Prince Xuan’s residence, she stormed into Xiao Zhiqing’s room and threw the documents in front of her.
“Look at what foolish things you’ve done!”

Xiao Zhiqing was already feeling guilty over Ye Chenxuan, and now seeing so many documents in front of her, she immediately panicked.
“Mother, where did you get all this information?”

She suddenly thought of something and nervously grabbed the Changling Lord’s sleeve.
“My cousin Xuan doesn’t know about this, right? Please don’t tell him!”

The Changling Lord was enraged again, shaking her off forcefully.
“You really are as stupid as they say. These documents were sent by Xuan himself! If he weren’t giving me some face, do you think he would have let you off?”

Hearing that it was Ye Chenxuan who sent the documents, Xiao Zhiqing’s face turned pale.
“Cousin Xuan… he knows everything?”

“I know you wouldn’t come up with something like this on your own. Was it that Concubine Yu who instigated you?” The Changling Lord’s eyes darkened.

Ye Junyu, he actually dared to scheme against the Changling Lord’s family? Did he really think she was someone to be trifled with?

Xiao Zhiqing pouted and spoke timidly,
“It was Cousin-in-law Ruhui who told me that if I did this, Cousin Xuan would definitely marry me.”

The Changling Lord snorted in disdain.
“That concubine deserves to be called cousin-in-law?”

She poked Xiao Zhiqing’s forehead angrily.
“You’re so foolish! You’ve been sold and still help count the money! She’s using you to deal with your cousin Xuan, how could you be so blind?”

Xiao Zhiqing’s eyes immediately turned red with tears.
“But I just want to marry Cousin Xuan…”

She tugged the Changling Lord’s sleeve and pleaded,
“Mother, I beg you, please let me marry Cousin Xuan!”

The Changling Lord’s face turned cold, and she once again flung her hand away.
“You can marry any cousin you like, but not Cousin Xuan!”

“Why not?” Xiao Zhiqing felt like she was going mad from hearing the same response again and again.

“I said no, so it’s no!” The Changling Lord’s tone was firm.
“You’re not going to the Mid-Autumn banquet this year. Stay home and reflect on your mistakes!”

“No! I want to go!” Hearing she was barred from the banquet, Xiao Zhiqing became frantic.

The Changling Lord ignored her and left the room, instructing the servant women at the door,
“Lock the door.”

“Yes.” The two women responded promptly and locked the door.

Xiao Zhiqing rushed to the door and pulled at it desperately.
“Let me out! I want to see Cousin Xuan!”

Hearing her shouts, the Changling Lord’s face grew darker.
“Watch over the young lady. She’s not to take a single step outside!”

“Yes.” The women replied again.

The Changling Lord gave the door a final look before turning and walking away.

Tang Manor, Changle Pavilion

Early in the morning, Yun Xiang came to deliver a message.
“Eldest Miss, the Old Madam has asked you to come over.”

Tang Mi raised her eyebrows. “Understood.”

She changed clothes, left Fu Ling behind, and took Ban Xia with her to Mingchun Court.

Mingchun Court was in the east courtyard of the General’s Residence and was currently home to Tang Family’s patriarch and matriarch.

“Eldest Miss, the Old Master and Old Madam are waiting for you,” said Nanny Gui, lifting the curtain and inviting her in.

Inside, incense smoke curled up from a single-legged golden crane incense burner.
Aside from her grandparents, Qin-shi and Tang Ying were also present, along with the third house’s wife, Lin-shi.

The Tang family had three branches: the first and second were legitimate, while the third was from a concubine. Tang Mi’s father, Tang Yishi, was the legitimate eldest son. The Tang family had only been able to live in the General’s Residence because of his blood, sweat, and sacrifice. It was because of all this that she and her brother had been plotted against.

Previously, the General’s Residence and the noble title left by her father had all been seized by the second and third branches. This time, she not only had to protect Feng’er, but also reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to them.

Suppressing her emotions, Tang Mi stepped into the room.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Second Aunt, Third Aunt.” She greeted everyone politely.

The Old Madam’s expression softened immediately upon seeing her.
“Come sit.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.” Tang Mi knew her grandmother could never truly be angry with her and sat beside Lin-shi.

“I’ve gathered everyone here today to discuss management of household affairs,” the Old Madam said.

As soon as she spoke, Qin-shi’s face darkened.

Lin-shi, on the other hand, couldn’t hide her excitement, her joy evident.

Tang Mi, however, showed little reaction, as though the matter had nothing to do with her.

The Old Madam glanced at Lin-shi and then looked at Tang Mi.
“Mi’er is almost of age. It’s time for her to learn how to manage household affairs.”

The words shocked everyone present. Lin-shi, who had just looked thrilled, now had a twisted expression of disbelief. Even the Old Master furrowed his brows.

But the Old Madam acted as if nothing were amiss.
“The household seal will be given to Mi’er, and she will be in charge of the household affairs. Lin-shi will assist her.”

Lin-shi’s expression was stiff, unable to respond.

Qin-shi, who had just lost her household authority, now watched as even Lin-shi was skipped over. The Old Madam would rather give power to Tang Mi than to her.

Tang Mi hadn’t expected this either. After her previous incident, she had grown despondent and indifferent to such matters. Plus, household affairs had always been tightly controlled by Qin-shi, neither she nor Lin-shi had ever had a share.

Seeing Lin-shi’s dark expression and the gloating faces of Qin-shi and Tang Ying, along with her grandfather’s frown, Tang Mi’s eyes flickered. She stood up and bowed to the Old Madam.
“Grandmother, I am still young and inexperienced. I fear I cannot bear such an important duty. Third Aunt, however, is intelligent and meticulous, she would be more suited to manage household affairs.”

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Tang Mi to decline such a valuable opportunity.

Lin-shi, who heard herself being recommended, was also momentarily shocked.

The Old Madam stared at Tang Mi for a long while. Seeing that she genuinely had no interest in managing the household, she turned to Lin-shi.
“Do you believe you can manage the household?”

Lin-shi quickly stood and replied,
“Before marriage, I studied such matters with my mother. But it’s been over ten years since I practiced. Why not let the eldest girl assist me in managing things?”

Her words were skillful: the first part hinted at resentment, but the second smoothed things over, acknowledging Tang Mi’s earlier support and showing deference to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam gave her a meaningful look, then nodded.
“Very well. From now on, Lin-shi will manage household affairs, and Mi’er will assist.”

“Yes.” The two women replied in unison, with no further objections.

The Old Madam handed Lin-shi the household seal and Qin-shi’s account books.
“You’ll need to hand things over with your second sister-in-law. If anything is unclear, feel free to consult her.”

Qin-shi quickly responded,
“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be sure to guide Third Sister-in-law properly.”

The Old Madam gave her a deep look.
“As for the upcoming Mid-Autumn banquet at the palace, you won’t be attending. Let Third Sister-in-law take the young ladies.”

“Mother…” Qin-shi’s eyes widened in shock, staring at the Old Madam in disbelief.