“You are still young, my child, and this is your first time managing household affairs. You likely do not understand the key realities behind it all. Your father serves in the court and has been promoted many times. For every advancement, there are people we must properly reward and take care of. Today it is a nobleman’s birthday; tomorrow a general holds a ceremony for his son’s third day of life. Every one of these occasions requires silver. On top of that, our daily expenses here in the manor are immense everything costs money. It is no wonder you find this so troubling.”
Aunt Peng spoke as if she truly understood her, presenting herself as someone who had sacrificed everything for the family without a single complaint. But was she really without regret or selfish motive? That was very much open to question.
“I see. But Auntie, nobles and high officials do not celebrate birthdays every single day. Besides, whenever we send gifts outside, we always receive gifts in return. It should not be possible that giving a few presents would drain the entire family’s fortune,” Lingyun replied, looking straight at her and questioning her directly. She had long known this woman was cunning, and now that they had finally faced each other, she saw it confirmed.
Peng Xue showed no sign of panic under the questioning. Instead, she sipped her tea slowly and said calmly, “Young Lady, you do not realize it, but the deficit in our accounts has not happened overnight. It has been building up for many years. Though I have used my own dowry money again and again to fill the gaps, my own resources are far too small to make a real difference.”
She spoke with an air of helplessness. Though nearly forty years old, her speech was measured and gentle, and her manners were so refined she seemed like an unmarried young lady. It was no wonder she had Cao Jianfeng completely enchanted she certainly had her skills.
“Auntie, since you claim you used your own dowry to cover the debts, may I ask exactly how large your dowry was? How could it possibly be enough to fill the shortfalls of this entire household?”
At these words, Aunt Peng first sighed deeply, then let a few tears fall, looking utterly sorrowful.
But Lingyun was not her father; she was not moved by such acts. Seeing her cry, she remained silent and unmoved.
“Are you saying, Young Lady, that my dowry was too small? I am but a woman. My own family fell into ruin long ago. I was fortunate enough to be seen and appreciated by the Master, who brought me here. I was hardly worthy of becoming his concubine, so naturally I brought very little with me. I only hoped to help the family through its most urgent troubles, without thinking too much of myself. But in the end, I suppose I was simply too inexperienced and narrow-minded.”
Seeing Aunt Peng weep, Rouge looked at her young lady with sympathy. If the Master heard that Aunt Peng was here crying so bitterly and miserably, he would surely come and demand an explanation. Then whatever fault belonged to Peng Xue would somehow be turned against Lingyun. After all, as the saying went: the child who cries loudest gets the milk.
“Auntie, when did I ever say your dowry was too small or that you were narrow-minded? Those are words you have spoken about yourself. As long as you do not look down upon yourself, no one in this entire household will ever look down upon you. After all, in this family, you are like a mistress yourself, are you not?”
Lingyun stood up, handed the account books directly to Peng Xue, and continued, “I am sure you know all the tricks and hidden schemes within these ledgers. I also see that Steward Zhang is the sort of man who deceives his superiors and bullies those below him. It would be best to dismiss him, don’t you agree?”
Hearing this, Aunt Peng could no longer keep her composure. She spoke up at once.
“It is right that you wish to discipline the servants strictly, Young Lady. But though I have not studied much, I know the old saying: people make mistakes, and once they realize them, they can change. The Master and Mistress have always been generous and kind-hearted. If we were to cast him out, and something bad were to happen to him or because of him, I fear it would bring trouble and shame upon our family.”
“I have spoken too much today, and I hope you will not hold it against me. I have served alongside the Mistress for many years, and when I look at you, Young Lady, I see her face and spirit, and I speak as an elder would to a younger relative.”
Peng Xue quickly stood up and made as if to bow deeply to Lingyun. Lingyun was quick to react and immediately stepped forward to support her.
“Auntie, you truly overwhelm me with such respect. I am the younger generation; it is I who should be bowing to you. It is my fault for disturbing you today with these matters. But household affairs are difficult and leave us with no choice. I hope you will come visit often in the future. We younger ones still rely greatly on your guidance and experience.”
Peng Xue’s eyes shifted craftily. She immediately helped Lingyun back to her feet and said, “You dear child we are all one family, why stand on such ceremony? Forget titles like ‘Auntie’ or not. You grew up alongside Linglan; in my heart, you are just as much my own daughter, and the Mistress is like my own elder sister.”
“Bao Yan, Auntie is tired. Send her back at once. The wind picks up in the afternoon make sure she is properly covered so she does not catch a chill. Also, send for several more physicians. Her health is delicate; she must be cared for properly and never allowed to overexert herself.”
Lingyun ordered Bao Yan to escort Peng Xue out, and the steward was also shown the door along with her.
Only after they had left did Lingyun sink back into her chair, letting the fixed smile drop from her face. “Truly… living in these great mansions and putting on such acts is exhausting. I’ve been smiling so long my face has gone stiff.” She quickly picked up her tea and took a sip. The warm fragrance soothed her throat and washed away some of her frustration, though not the deep worry in her heart.
“But you were truly impressive, Miss! In this entire household, aside from the Old Madame, there is no one else who can stand up to Aunt Peng for even three rounds of argument. It is good she has finally seen how capable you are perhaps now she will think twice before trying to harm you.”
Seeing Lingyun sitting there, worn out, Rouge immediately stepped behind her and began massaging her shoulders. Lingyun winced as the soreness hit her.
“I’ve been sitting all day. My shoulders feel so heavy and sore, as if they might fall right off.”
“Miss, what do you plan to do now? We cannot let the accounts remain empty forever. If the Master investigates later, you will be the one who suffers and gets blamed,” Rouge asked, looking at her with concern. Though Lingyun had seemingly won today, she knew Aunt Peng would surely come up with new tricks and schemes to make things difficult in the future.
“Do you really think I won today? How could Aunt Peng be dealt with so easily? That steward is her man. All her crying and bowing today was nothing but a tactic retreating in order to advance later. Besides, Father has never cared much for Mother or me. Once she returns and tells him her version of things, I will likely be painted as the bully who mistreated her.”
Lingyun understood every trick in Peng Xue’s book. She knew she could deal with these schemes, but they were tiresome and complicated.
“Then what shall we do? Surely the Master won’t come here to question us, will he?”
Rouge thought of how ugly and frightening Cao Jianfeng’s face became when he was angry, and she dared not imagine such a scene.
“Of course he won’t. After all, it was Grandmother who gave me authority over the household. How could he simply come and demand answers? Besides, we have done nothing wrong. She chose to cry on her own did anyone hold a knife to her throat and force her to weep? Even if he does come to question us, we have done nothing at all to be afraid of.”
Hearing this explanation, Rouge’s worried, furrowed face finally relaxed. She truly dreaded the thought of Cao Jianfeng storming in.
“So what do we do next? Without silver, things will surely go wrong. The whole household will grind to a halt, and the servants will refuse to work if they are not paid.”
Lingyun smiled and drank down the rest of her tea in one go. Days like this undisturbed, peaceful, yet filled with the satisfaction of planning her revenge were truly wonderful.
Peng Xue, if you want to fight me, I will play this game with you slowly. After all… I am still young, and I have all the time in the world.
“Rouge, come here. Do exactly as I tell you.”
Rouge stepped closer, and Lingyun leaned down and whispered instructions in her ear. Then Rouge turned and hurried out.