Yu Miaoqi and the Lin Clan stayed up all night and morning to finally finish reading the account books. Not to mention a hole, they couldn't even find the slightest flaw.
Yu Xiang's account books were too meticulous, and the errors were controlled to the tiniest of millimeters. Not to mention the Lin Clan, even the Marquis Household's matriarch, who raised Yu Pinyan on her own, couldn't compare.
If her legs were intact, who knows what kind of amazing person she would be.
The Lin Clan's self-confidence had completely disappeared after reading the account books. When the matriarch came to chase them away, she almost opened her mouth to return the money. If she lost to a fourteen-year-old girl, she wouldn't have any face left.
However, Yu Miaoqi pulled her back and firmly held her hand, hinting that she shouldn't go back on her words. After bidding farewell to the matriarch, the two returned to the main room with haggard faces.
The Lin Clan's first reaction was to burn three sticks of incense for the memorial tablets in the hall. Then, she knelt down and muttered something. She didn't know what she was saying, but she looked very pained.
Yu Miaoqi held her forehead and closed her eyes to rest. When she finished, she asked, "Mother, are you trying to escape again? Do you not want to take charge of the family anymore? "
"I, I can't take charge. I've let down Yan 'er, I've let down Junjie … "The Lin Clan began to wipe her tears as she spoke.
She didn't feel anything when she was crying, but when she saw the Lin Clan crying, Yu Miaoqi felt an indescribable annoyance. She suppressed her resentment and consoled her, "Mother, you and Father have a deep relationship. It's inevitable that you'll fall into grief because of his loss. If he knew in the underworld, he would only feel touched. Why would he blame you? If you really feel sorry for him, then you should be even stronger and manage this family well. I still have to marry in the future. What will I do without your help? In this Marquis Household, I can only rely on you. "
She knelt side by side with the Lin Clan and said seriously, "Mother, don't be afraid. I'll help you."
The members of the Lin Clan were greatly moved. They wiped their tears and nodded, then urged their daughter to quickly return to her room to rest.
After Yu Miaoqi excused himself from her, he walked into his room one step at a time. However, he didn't go to bed immediately. Instead, he called Mama Kim over to ask about the Marquis Household, especially about how Yu Xiang managed the household. He refused to let go of any details.
Mama Kim took out a thick book of family rules for her to read while she explained them in detail. She knew in her heart that the Lin Clan was unreliable. In the future, she could only rely on the strong Second Miss.
"These one hundred and eight family rules were personally written by Miss Three. Every servant in the residence must memorize them, and there will be a spot check every once in a while. If you can't memorize them, your monthly salary will be deducted. Look, she even increased the wages of the servants who poured the night incense, worked the night watchmen, and did the laundry to the level of a third-ranked maid. She was simply a wastrel! She also organized everyone into small groups and selected a group leader to supervise the group members. If they make more than three mistakes, their monthly salary will be deducted. If they make more than five mistakes, regardless of whether they have children or signed a living contract, they will all be kicked out of the residence. Also, the person in charge of purchasing goods needs to be replaced every two months. If they are removed from this job before they even start, what great things can they accomplish? If the servants take two days off every seven days, won't there be no one to serve the masters when they need to … "
Mama Kim complained non-stop. Finally, she concluded, "Miss Three isn't managing the Marquis Household at all. There are so many rules that can't be overstepped. She's managing the military camp, causing the residence to be filled with complaints. Second Miss, you can't follow in her footsteps. Otherwise, you'll be scolded to death. "
There were indeed people in the residence who were dissatisfied, but most of them were steward mamas like Mama Kim who couldn't get any benefits. The rest of the servants all respected Yu Xiang. Even those steward mamas didn't dare to criticize Yu Xiang in the slightest. It should be known that she was the same as her brother. She didn't recognize her own family. She didn't care if you were a child of the house or not, or how hard you worked. If you made a mistake, she would punish you. If you made a big mistake, she would beat you. If you didn't repent, she would drive you out.
Four years had passed, and the Marquis Household was under her control like an iron bucket.
Yu Miaoqi could also see that Yu Xiang's methods were extremely shrewd and ruthless. She emphasized fairness in everything. She dealt with things according to the rules without showing any mercy. She also wouldn't make a wrong judgment. It could be said that she was a person who attached great importance to rules.
As a result, the servants she trained were also very well-behaved. They didn't slack off or deceive their superiors, and they also didn't step on the weak and flatter the strong. However, once they were well-behaved, Yu Miaoqi couldn't do anything. She didn't even know where to start training a few trusted subordinates. Therefore, even if she knew that Yu Xiang's management regulations were good things, she still had to break them. Because only by breaking the balance and supporting her own trusted subordinates could she gain a firm foothold in the Marquis Household.
She was no longer as naive as she was when she first came here. She didn't think that she could live a good life by relying on the Lin Clan. The Lin Clan wanted to escape at a critical moment. This kind of cowardly character was truly abhorrent. It was no wonder that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were at odds with each other and the mother and son broke apart.
Because of this, it was impossible for her to take root in the Marquis Household by currying favor with the Matriarch and Yu Pinyan. After today, they would only compare her with the Lin Clan. Then, they would ignore her, alienate her, and treat her coldly. When she was old enough, they would send her far away. Her status would be even lower than that of Yu Siyu.
The situation was very unfavorable for Yu Miaoqi. The only thing she could do was to firmly grasp the power in her hands and make herself strong before she married. Then, she would find a husband with a prominent background. When she reached the peak of her wealth in the future, she would definitely make the Matriarch and Yu Pinyan regret it. She would also make Yu Xiang pay back everything they owed her.
After sending away Mama Kim, Yu Miaoqi pondered for more than two hours. She also wrote down new regulations. Only then did she finally get a good night's sleep.
-----
Compared to the main room, which was deserted, the small courtyard in the west wing was very lively. The housekeepers came one after another to ask Miss Three what they should do now that there was a new master in the residence. They had already heard rumors that the Second Miss and Miss Three did not get along. They had fought several times as soon as they returned. The Lin Clan hated Miss Three even more. If the two of them were in charge, the situation would be very unfavorable for Miss Three.
But behind Miss Three stood Master Hou. Whether or not she was in charge, no one could bully her. On the contrary, as long as she showed a little bit of interest, the housekeepers would be more than happy to obstruct the Second Miss and the Lin Clan. They would help her take back the power in charge.
Although they were very dissatisfied with Yu Xiang at the beginning, as long as they did well, Yu Xiang would give them extra money every month. During the holidays, he would also give them generous bonuses. Compared to the money they could get from the corners, it was a little less. But this money was taken with peace of mind. It was taken honorably, and it didn't bite their hands. Instead, their lives were more comfortable than before.
If it was suddenly someone else and the rules were changed, they would be at a loss. They would all run to Miss Three to make decisions.
Yu Xiang lazily leaned on the couch, holding a miscellaneous book in his hand. He waved his hand and said, "Don't ask me for advice. In the future, these things won't be under my control. Don't forget the rules in the residence. Bury your heads in your work and don't let anyone catch you doing something wrong. That's the right thing to do. Leave, I'm going to sleep. "He covered his mouth and yawned as he spoke.
Don't let anyone catch you doing something wrong? That was true. A new broom sweeps clean. Who knew what the Second Miss was thinking? She wasn't like Miss Three. She was fair and square in everything and did things according to the rules. If she didn't like someone, she might find an excuse to remove them and replace them with her own people. The days ahead were going to be difficult!
The stewards and mamas understood the lesson. They excused themselves and quietly left the room. They hadn't met Yu Miaoqi yet, but their impression of him had already worsened. They also became more vigilant.
When Yu Pinyan returned home, his sister was already asleep. Her small mouth was slightly open, revealing a little lilac tongue. From time to time, she would mumble a few words in her sleep. Her appearance was indescribably lovable and cute. He sat by the couch and stared at her for a long time. He only quietly left when the matriarch sent someone to invite him. When he left, he didn't forget to move his sister's exposed arm under the blanket and gently rubbed her dark red full lips.
In the main courtyard, the matriarch was waiting solemnly. When she saw her grandson arrive, she didn't even smile. She bluntly said, "Yan'er, I didn't take back your mother's right to manage the household. I'm hoping that she will make a big mistake so that I can expel her from the Marquis Household. I've endured for fourteen years. I've endured enough. She disobeyed her parents. She rebelled against virtue. She was jealous. She caused chaos in the household. She spoke too much. You see, she's already broken three of the seven rules. If she sincerely repents this time and can conscientiously manage the household well, I'll spare her. If she doesn't repent and causes trouble, I'll have to send her a letter of divorce. Yan'er, what do you think? "
Yu Pinyan sat down and leisurely sipped his tea. He said unconcernedly, "If she doesn't do anything wrong, no one can do anything to her. If she makes a mistake, she'll naturally be punished according to the rules. Your grandson will have no objections."
What does the Lin Clan count for? It makes no difference whether she's in the fu or not.
The matriarch nodded and said tiredly, "Good. It's good that you can get over it. You've never received a bit of love from her since you were young. Now, you don't need to protect her. You don't owe her anything. Just you wait. Yu Miaoqi has a big heart, but her life is thinner than paper. Sooner or later, she'll cause trouble. "
"I'm not afraid of causing trouble. I just can't let her harm Xiang'er. I often have to run errands outside, so I'll have to trouble the Old Ancestor to look after me. "Yu Pinyan earnestly requested.
The matriarch didn't sense anything strange. After putting aside her worries, she smiled and waved her hand, "Listen to what you're saying. In my heart, Xiang'er is no different from my own granddaughter. I'll protect her even if you don't say it. But you're thinking too much. Although Yu Miaoqi is a bit scheming, she's still a far cry from that little tigress Xiang'er. It's fine if she doesn't have any wild thoughts, but if she does, Xiang'er will definitely slap her face until it's swollen. "
Yu Pinyan lowered his eyes and smiled when he thought of his little sister's threatening appearance.
By the time Yu Miaoqi woke up, it was already the afternoon. She didn't have time to massage her throbbing temples and immediately got up to look for the Lin Clan. She had them quickly gather all the senior servants.
"Let's wait a few more days. We've just angered your grandmother, and now we're in a hurry to take power. What will your grandmother think of us?" The Lin Clan was very hesitant.
Yu Miaoqi sneered, "No matter how long we wait, Grandmother and Big Brother's opinion of us won't change. That's why we have to prop up the family and use our actions to change their opinion of us. Mother, you have to pull yourself together. Father is still watching you from heaven! "
Hearing the last sentence, the Lin Clan immediately agreed and sent someone to inform the senior servants.
Yu Miaoqi secretly sighed in relief. The Lin Clan was extremely easy to control. This was the fortune she had after returning home. With the Lin Clan in front of her, it would be easier for her to act from behind.
She had always been a person with great ability to act. No matter how big a blow she received, she could quickly pull herself together. The matriarch and Yu Pinyan were tired of her, but she definitely wouldn't be like the Lin Clan and feel sorry for herself. Instead, it would arouse her ambition and fighting spirit. If others weren't reliable, she would work hard to make herself stronger.
No matter what, she refused to believe that she couldn't even compare to a lowly child. Moreover, that lowly child was a cripple with a broken leg.