The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 318 - 315: The Art of Household Management
Sunlight slipped through the gaps in the treetops, casting dapples of light and shadow onto the deserted corridor. A gentle spring breeze caressed them, as birdsong just faded.
Inside the room, there was a slight stir, prompting Tan Jiang to enter and serve.
"Madam, Nanny Ru is waiting outside, asking you to meet the Mistress."
She repeated Nanny Ru’s words and then asked.
"Shall I dismiss her on your behalf?"
Yu Tingwan was surprised, recalling that Ning Suxuan had mentioned it before.
In large families, which mother-in-law would readily relinquish control just after a new bride enters the household?
The Young Madam of Duke Shun Mansion and the managing Young Madam of Duke Heshun Mansion are worlds apart.
Ning Suxuan was willing to teach her, and Yu Tingwan accepted the goodwill.
"How long has she been waiting?"
Tan Jiang said, "About as long as a cup of tea takes. Knowing Madam you were still resting, she didn’t rush, very kind, saying there’s no hurry. She’s having tea outside now."
Speaking, she appeared somewhat troubled.
Yu Tingwan quickly washed up with the warm water Tan Jiang brought over, changed her clothes swiftly, checked that everything was in order, then grabbed a pancake from the food box on the table and headed out while eating.
Suddenly, she paused her steps.
"What’s the matter?"
Tan Jiang truthfully replied, "Nanny Ru asked me if I was engaged."
Yu Tingwan: "Is she trying to find a match for you?"
"She said the steward’s son hasn’t married yet and wants to introduce us."
Yu Tingwan observed her expression and analyzed the pros and cons for her: "Nanny Ru is a good and reliable person, suggesting this means the steward likely asked her to help with his son’s marriage, a known background. You’re my person, with good martial arts skills, not an ordinary maid. For her to mention it, she must have thought it through, suggesting the steward’s son is a good match. But marriage is up to you. If you’re not willing, just refuse, she and the steward won’t make things difficult for you."
Then.
The young lady cleared her throat.
"Tan Jiang."
"I’m not usually curious."
"Can you tell me why you don’t want it? Is there someone in your heart?"
Tan Jiang: ...
Not curious at all?
Yu Tingwan: "Who is it? Do I know them?"
Tan Jiang, straightforward as ever, replied: "You know him, Rong Di."
Yu Tingwan: !!
"Aren’t you under Chi Yu?"
Chi Yu and Rong Di are as incompatible as fire and water.
Tan Jiang: "Yes."
"But every time Master Chi Yu sparred with the female Hidden Guards under him, he would hold back. But Rong Di was different, one time, when he happened to be free, he twisted my arm."
Yu Tingwan: ...
That’s something Rong Di would do.
Tan Jiang: "I had an epiphany then and found a better path in martial arts training!"
"Does he know?"
"Last time he was in Shangjing, I intended to tell him, so I patted him on the shoulder."
Yu Tingwan gestured for her to continue.
Tan Jiang: "He thought I was attacking him and dislocated my arm again."
Yu Tingwan: ...
————
The weather was warm, not too sunny.
Ning Suxuan had the servants move the desk, as well as the necessary writing tools and several baskets of account books, out into the courtyard.
She sat steadily in the grand chair, eyes closed in a nap, one arm with a thumb ring resting on the armrest. Although she did nothing, her imposing presence was palpable.
This place was some distance from Lan Garden.
When Yu Tingwan arrived, she first waited outside, and after Nanny Ru went in to announce her arrival, she was quickly invited inside.
The young lady entered slowly and greeted Ning Suxuan politely.
Ning Suxuan looked up, not seeing the person she was expecting, yet no disappointment showed on her face.
She asked calmly, "Is Gui Zhi up yet?"
Yes, he’s up.
But he had vanished since early morning.
Yu Tingwan blinked: "Not yet."
Ning Suxuan frowned: "Could he be unwell again?"
"Oh no, it’s just that my husband was a bit restless at night."
Yu Tingwan blatantly lied with no hesitation: "He usually naps at noon, despite being in a wheelchair. Going from the palace to the mausoleum without a moment to rest, he’s understandably tired."
She didn’t forget to highlight her own virtue and grace.
As long as they weren’t love words, she could be quite convincing.
"After we returned, I even massaged his legs."
"My husband will surely walk one day. Though inconvenient now, he still needs to keep his muscles active."
Yu Tingwan emphasized the key points.
"As his wife, I was also tired, so I got up late, keeping Mother waiting." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
How could Ning Suxuan still blame her? Nodding, she said mildly: "You’ve been considerate."
"Come, sit."
Ning Suxuan spoke with a calm voice.
Yu Tingwan glanced at the place she pointed to.
Seeing that she had just sat down at the desk, Ning Suxuan skipped any small talk: "You should know why I sought you, as Nanny Ru must have told you."
Her words were neither too soft nor too harsh, yet clearly articulated.
Born to an aristocratic family and pampered for years, even without much adornment now, her presence was undeniably commanding.
Yu Tingwan nodded.
"Thank you, Mother, for your concern."
Ning Suxuan, with a calm voice and little fluctuation, said: "The insights you shared from the books at the palace banquet, when reporting back to the Empress Dowager, were quite impressive."
Yu Tingwan, proud: ...
It was your son who wrote them, and she had memorized them!
Ning Suxuan: "Let me be frank. Managing a household isn’t easy; it’s not something you learn in just a few days."
"I’ve never taught anyone, but I’m particularly strict about these matters. You must learn, and you must endure."
In aristocratic families, managing household affairs is taught from a young age by having the legitimate mother show her daughters how to handle matters, learning through observation and exposure.
It’s a discipline in itself.
Yu Tingwan’s starting point is indeed a bit late.
Ning Suxuan: "Charging into battle outside, maneuvering the ups and downs of court politics, those are men’s tasks."
"But women have their own domain. You must manage the inner household well, arrange family matters properly, and not be a burden to your husband."
One manages inside, the other outside.
Together they ensure the family’s prosperity.
"Managing a household boils down to two points: grain and money, and then further detailed."
Despite how simply she put it.
There’s a world of complexities within.
Grain includes not only meals but all food and drink for everyone.
The Wei Family, having few members, makes it relatively easier.
Larger families require the Mistress managing to consider the tastes of the parents-in-law and the husband’s diet. She also needs to handle the needs of each household’s heads and sisters-in-law.
Below them are junior sons and daughters, both legitimate and illegitimate. Below that are various concubines and maidservants.
As for finances...
Ning Suxuan, recalling Yu Tingwan’s arrival with only a few small bundles and no dowry, considered her awkward status.
She chose not to mention it.
Instead, she casually remarked.
"If you manage the profits from shops and estates under your name well, the dividends at the end of the year will increase, thus allowing for more in your hands."
Yu Tingwan: ?!!!
There’s such a thing!
Like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat, it’s as if she had discovered a new world!
Upon hearing this, Yu Tingwan, who initially saw managing the household as her duty.
Became more eager than anyone else.
The young lady looked at Ning Suxuan with eyes that seemed to glow.
Ning Suxuan surprisingly felt somewhat overwhelmed by the intensity of the gaze.
Nanny Ru watching felt uncomfortable.
Indeed.
Not every mother-in-law is willing to patiently teach.
The Second Prince Consort’s mother, Mrs. Yao, hasn’t even managed the family. The old lady of the house, with one foot in the grave, is still so fierce, clutching the household keys tightly.
No wonder the Heir’s wife was so moved!
