She was actually pleased by a concubine.
"Yiniang, regarding the awning, kitchen, and cook you wanted, Madam has approved them all," Chunyu entered to help her freshen up and replied respectfully.
"Madam said that Yanliu Courtyard is your courtyard, and you may do as you please with it, on the condition that you do not spend the household's silver.
Madam also said that the rumors outside the estate will be investigated and clarified in a couple of days.
However, Madam also wants Yiniang to learn more about the rules. She said that once Houye returns, she will send a teaching matron over."
"Madam is truly wonderful!" Ye Qingzhi responded somewhat perfunctorily, automatically offering a flattering remark, her mood lifting slightly.
It seemed that the Hou Madam was not the type to appear generous on the surface while scheming behind the scenes, nor was she a love-struck fool who wanted to monopolize Houye.
Although this female leader was also someone she could get along with, which was good news, she was still vexed and frustrated because of that nightmare.
When frustrated, she wanted to spend silver, to throw money around. In her previous life as an overworked employee, she was too poor to afford such an extravagant way of relieving stress, but in this life, she could.
Ye Qingzhi thought for a moment and then said,
"The summer heat is so intense that it's impossible to go outside and move around, yet staying cooped up in the room all the time is stifling.
Why don't I spend my own silver to set up awnings in the young master and young lady's courtyards as well, bring in more ice, make a swing, and install some climbing frames, so the young master and young lady can play in their courtyards.
And for Madam's courtyard, let's also set up an awning. It wouldn't be right for me, a mere concubine, to enjoy the cool in my courtyard while the mistress of the household suffers in the scorching heat."
She had piles of jewelry and clothes, didn't need to go out, and didn't need to dress up, so there was no need to buy anything new.
Ye Qingzhi couldn't think of anything she wanted to buy for herself, so she decided to continue giving gifts to her leader, hoping to soften her heart with generosity.
Gift-giving had its nuances, especially when it came to female leaders.
If the female leader had no children, then expensive cosmetics were the way to go. But if she had children, then items the children needed were sure to be more effective than anything else.
If money was no object, then giving gifts to both the adults and the children, covering all bases, was even more thoughtful.
Madam and Houye had been married for ten years and had two children together, a boy and a girl. The eldest daughter was already seven years old, and the young master was nearly five, already beginning his studies. In another two years, he would move to the front courtyard.
They were still at an age where they could play; once they grew older, it wouldn't be possible anymore.
Upon hearing Ye Qingzhi's words, Chunyu was stunned for a moment, once again marveling at how wealthy and clever Ye Yiniang was.
Other concubines, at most, would give handmade items like shoes, socks, handkerchiefs, or sachets for Madam's or the young master and young lady's birthdays—none of which were worth much.
But look at Ye Yiniang—with a single sentence, she was throwing out thousands of taels of silver.
The key was that this generous gift was absolutely tailored to Madam's heart.
Didn't Madam want to use more ice for herself? Didn't she want the young master and young lady to use more ice? Of course she did.
However, although Madam managed the household finances, there were still the Old Madam and the main branch watching closely from the sidelines.
Madam couldn't even spend a little more silver, and even if she used her own dowry to make up for it, she would surely be accused of leading a life of extravagance.
After dinner, Zhang Jingyi had the maids light the lamps and began reviewing the estate's account books again, with her capable assistant, Matron Zhao, who helped manage the accounts, by her side.
Granny Zhou was also loyal, but she couldn't read account books; she only took care of daily living arrangements.
"The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and the price of ice is rising as well. Old Madam is using more and more ice, even exceeding her allotted share. Madam, are we just going to swallow this loss and cover the extra silver for Old Madam?"
After flipping through the account book, Granny Zhao frowned and asked Zhang Jingyi.
"We won’t cover it. Let the eldest branch handle it," Zhang Jingyi said coldly. "They pull this trick every year—it’s sickening. This year, we absolutely won’t pay."
Speaking of her mother-in-law, Zhang Jingyi was filled with anger, but what could she do? No matter how aggrieved she felt, she still had to support her.
Though she appeared to be the dignified mistress of the Houye’s household, holding great authority, the humiliations and frustrations she endured were endless, piled up in baskets that could never be emptied.
Ye Yiniang was right—she was a pitiful person, living a miserable life.
Just then, a maid announced from outside that Chunyu was requesting an audience.
Zhang Jingyi knew at once that something had happened with Ye Yiniang.
She allowed Chunyu to enter and listened as she reported that Ye Qingzhi wanted to spend silver to set up shade canopies in her courtyard, as well as for the young master and young lady’s courtyards.
Zhang Jingyi’s expression instantly softened, and she couldn’t help but smile. "She’s quite thoughtful."
Zhang Jingyi never expected that she would be pleased by a concubine, and even find this concubine particularly considerate!
No wonder Houye liked her.
With such a talent for giving gifts, she liked her too. It seemed she would have to offer more protection in the future and not let Ye Yiniang die too soon.
"Granny Zhao, tomorrow you personally take the workers to Yanliu Courtyard and get Ye Yiniang’s courtyard sorted first. Fulfill all her requirements," Zhang Jingyi said in high spirits.
Granny Zhao also smiled and agreed.
She too felt that Ye Yiniang’s generous gift was very thoughtful. With the shade canopies, Madam, the young master, and the young lady would have a much more comfortable summer.
"By the way, Granny Zhou, have someone keep an eye on Official Song. Tell him to dig deeper and uncover the mastermind behind the spreading rumors," Zhang Jingyi instructed Granny Zhou.
With silver, manpower, and the mistress’s support, setting up a shade canopy was a simple task. In just one day, it was completed with a flurry of activity.
The sun-shading canopy, paired with light gauze to keep mosquitoes away, along with several basins of ice and fans, instantly made the entire courtyard cool and pleasant.
Placing a guifei chaise longue in the courtyard, Ye Qingzhi lay on it while maids peeled grapes for her, so she wouldn’t get her hands sticky with juice. It was beyond comfortable.
"Ye Yiniang, the craftsmen understand your request for a swing for the young lady, but they’re not quite clear about the Climbing Frame you mentioned for the young master," Granny Zhao politely asked Ye Qingzhi. "Could you explain it in more detail?"
Ye Qingzhi described the general idea—ropes and wooden frames that allowed climbing up and down, helping to strengthen a child’s leg and arm muscles.
Granny Zhao only half-understood, but the craftsmen grasped the concept a bit more.
However, having never seen such a thing before, they couldn’t make it right away.
Ye Qingzhi sighed and asked Ru Yi to bring paper and a brush, wondering if she could draw it.
To be honest, she wasn’t much of an artist in her past life, and she had never learned to use a brush. She thought whatever she drew would be a messy scribble.
But when she finished sketching the Climbing Frame and climbing wall from memory, she fell silent.
You might not believe it, but she was shocked by her own excellent drawing skills.
Who would have thought? How had she suddenly become a talented artist?
Ye Qingzhi stared at her drawing, truly questioning her life this time.
So clear and detailed—was this really drawn by her?
How did she suddenly acquire such an exceptional skill in painting?
Was it from the original owner? Did she silently inherit it?
She must really have some serious issues.
Ru Yi glanced at the painting and curiously looked at her mistress.
When did the mistress secretly work so hard behind her back, achieving such a high level of painting skill?
"Oh my, Ye Yiniang is truly amazing. This painting is so well done. With this design, the craftsmen will easily be able to make it," Mama Zhao praised with a smile. "Ye Yiniang is truly a talented woman!"
"Please, Mama Zhao, don’t praise me. If you praise me too much, I’m afraid I’ll fall from the sky and crash to my death," Ye Qingzhi extended her hand in a dramatic gesture.
Mama Zhao, …