After accompanying Jiang Lingyuan in meeting the people of Yilan Courtyard, Lu Yun left.
Starting today, until the autumn imperial examination, he would follow Third Master Lu and help manage the household’s miscellaneous affairs.
Jiang Lingyuan kept Lin Feng, Nanny Hu, and Michun behind.
She said,”What I said earlier about establishing new rules for Yilan Courtyard was not something I said casually. Today, let’s discuss my ideas.”
Nanny Hu had never expected that she would actually become the steward of Yilan Courtyard. Naturally, she was delighted.
At this moment, she was extremely respectful toward Jiang Lingyuan.
“Everything will be done according to Madam’s wishes.”
Lin Feng had always respected Jiang Lingyuan, so naturally he would not object.
…
“Alright. First, all of Yilan Courtyard’s previous account books will be burned and redone from the beginning.”
“Over the next two days, organize and record everything currently in the back courtyard of Yilan Courtyard.”
“From now on, if anyone accidentally damages or loses something, they must compensate according to its value.”
“Next, regarding monthly wages, on the first day of every month, last month’s wages will be distributed.”
“Finally, the cleaning staff, kitchen, purchasing, gatekeepers, embroidery room, and those who serve beside me all need to have schedules arranged.”
“Each person will have two days off every month.”
“As for the rest, Michun already knows my habits while serving beside me. The two of you should work together and organize everything, then bring it to me for approval.”
“Once it is approved, announce it throughout the courtyard.”
Jiang Lingyuan lightly touched the smooth white jade bracelet on her wrist as she spoke calmly and confidently.
Now that she had taken charge of Yilan Courtyard’s household affairs, she naturally intended to manage it according to her own methods.
The three of them all agreed.
Jiang Lingyuan stood up.
“You discuss things first. Michun, tell the two stewards what other habits I have.”
That morning, Lu Yun had given her the deeds to two shops and one estate.
These would be used for Yilan Courtyard’s daily expenses, including servants’ wages and ordinary social exchanges.
After the young masters of Duke Yu’s manor married, they would usually receive some properties for handling social obligations.
Of course, after Lu Yun opened his own courtyard, both the Old Madam and Eldest Madam had already given him some properties.
After marriage, he received even more.
Before understanding Jiang Lingyuan, Lu Yun naturally had never considered handing these over to her. But now, he gave them willingly.
He had his own pride.
Although Jiang Lingyuan possessed a large dowry, he did not want her to use her personal dowry to support Yilan Courtyard.
Jiang Lingyuan only learned today that aside from monthly allowances, there was also this additional source of money.
No wonder Nanny Jin had always collected Lu Yun’s monthly allowance herself. It turned out Lu Yun was not lacking money at all.
That afternoon, the new rules for the back courtyard were announced.
Compared with when Nanny Jin had managed the courtyard, the new regulations were much more organized.
They were strict when necessary but also allowed flexibility.
Those who understood Jiang Lingyuan’s methods gradually realized something, As long as they followed the rules, they would not be punished arbitrarily.
Compared to the ridiculous system Nanny Jin had created, this was far better.
In short, the new rules were not as harsh as everyone had imagined.
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When Lu Yun returned that evening, he immediately noticed that Yilan Courtyard had changed greatly.
Everyone was performing their own duties, and everything was orderly.
Previously, there were always people slacking off or whispering in corners. Now, those things had disappeared.
Knowing this was Jiang Lingyuan’s doing, Lu Yun was no longer particularly surprised.
Although he did not know exactly how large the business empire Jiang Lingyuan had inherited from the Shen family was, it was certainly much larger than Yilan Courtyard.
Since she had been able to manage all of that with ease, managing Yilan Courtyard was naturally nothing difficult.
Dinner was still six dishes and two soups.
Jiang Lingyuan and Lu Yun sat down to eat.
When Lu Yun served himself soup, he naturally served Jiang Lingyuan a bowl as well.
The movement was so natural, as if it was something he should have always done.
Jiang Lingyuan, however, paused slightly before picking up the bowl and taking a sip.
It was only her usual sour bamboo shoot and chicken skin soup. Yet somehow, it tasted different today.
Lu Yun did not notice her reaction.
He simply chatted with her.
“Today, after following Third Uncle, I realized that managing household affairs is actually a great subject in itself.”
“Now that Grain Rain season is approaching, farming is about to begin.”
“What kind of estate, what kind of land, and what crops should be planted, all of these things require careful consideration.”
“Not to mention negotiating with stewards and communicating with tenant farmers.”
Jiang Lingyuan placed a piece of roasted pigeon into her own bowl.
“These matters have always been complicated.”
“For tenant farmers, this concerns their livelihood for the entire year.”
Lu Yun nodded, “Exactly.”
“Today, I asked one of the tenant farmers. His son is getting married this year, and the betrothal gifts only cost eight taels and eight mace of silver.”
“Ten taels of silver is enough for their family of five to live for an entire year.”
…
In the past, Lu Yun knew that ordinary people had difficult lives. But he had never truly come into contact with them.
Only after experiencing it himself did he understand how difficult their lives really were.
“Now that the world is peaceful, their lives are still relatively stable. But if war breaks out someday, that would be when things become truly difficult for them.” Jiang Lingyuan said.
Speaking of war, she inevitably thought of the northwest.
The Turkic impire and the Kingdom of Dameng were watching eagerly.
An invasion was likely unavoidable. She wondered what the current situation in the northwest was.
She glanced at Lu Yun. But ultimately, she did not mention the matter.
…
After dinner, Lu Yun went to Jiang Lingyuan’s study.
Jiang Lingyuan instructed Tanqiu, “Send some tea and snacks over.”
“Miss, there is no need to worry. They have already been sent.”
Tanqiu continued,”The estate sent over the final batch of pre-Qingming Longjing tea this morning. Miss, how much should we keep?”
“Fourth Master is now often at home. Keep around ten jin.”
“For the rest, distribute some to the other courtyards. Use your judgment. Once everything is arranged, have the young maidservants deliver them tomorrow.”
Although Jiang Lingyuan drank tea regularly, she enjoyed traditional teas such as Longjing, Tieguanyin, and Biluochun, as well as various flower and fruit teas.
So her tea consumption was actually not very high.
Tanqiu added,”Today, Eldest Young Madam also sent over a small basket of cherries. She said they came from one of her dowry estates.”
If the female members of the household received too many products from their estates, they usually distributed some.
It was also a form of social courtesy.
“That cherry variety tastes quite good.”
“Speaking of which, the estates in Jiangnan have not sent any fruit for a long time.” Jiang Lingyuan said.
“It should only be another few days. When they arrive, the estates will definitely send them to you first.” Tanqiu smiled.
Soon, the day came for the Young Master of Duke Qin’s manor to marry.
Since the two families were close, they naturally needed to arrive early.
Jiang Lingyuan woke up early.
While choosing her clothes, she told Tanqiu, “Do not choose anything too bright or eye-catching. Today is someone else’s happy occasion.”
Lu Yun would also be attending.
Hearing this, he could not help remembering the day he and Jiang Lingyuan married.
Truthfully, it was not a particularly pleasant memory.
And for every woman, marriage was something that happened only once in her lifetime.
Looking at Jiang Lingyuan’s calm expression, Lu Yun realized that she probably had not even thought about their wedding day.
Perhaps she did not care about it at all.
A strange feeling of disappointment suddenly rose in his heart.
…
Jiang Lingyuan did not know what Lu Yun was thinking. But she clearly sensed that Lu Yun seemed slightly unhappy. She wondered why he had suddenly become depressed.
However, Lu Yun only smiled at her.
“The milk porridge this morning tasted quite good.”
After spending some time with Lu Yun, Jiang Lingyuan had discovered that he liked milky flavors and sweet foods.
Thinking about it, she found this rather surprising.