Rong Shu knew that her uncle’s family would return from the capital in about seven or eight days.
The Song family was granted the title of Imperial Merchants by imperial decree, thanks in no small part to Song Wenyan’s efforts in the capital.
It was he who expanded the Song family’s business to the capital, sending the Song family’s embroidery and brocade to the palace as tribute, which led to the Song family being granted the title of Imperial Merchants.
Thinking of her uncle, who was even more stern than Song Wenjing, and her sister-in-law, whose personality was the complete opposite of her uncle’s, Rong Shu was somewhat looking forward to their early return.
After returning to Songtao Garden, Rong Shu carefully reviewed the expenditures on cotton-padded clothing that the Song family had distributed during the winter solstice in previous years.
Jiangzhou is a prosperous place, but in previous years, if there was a disaster or famine in any other place, many people would flock here.
There haven’t been any major disasters or famines in the past few years, and there haven’t been any disaster victims.
But Rong Shu knew that this year, heavy snow had blanketed the north, causing disasters to many farms, and that there would likely be refugees appearing outside Jiangzhou City around the winter solstice.
The disaster had a significant impact, leading to a minor riot outside the city near the Lunar New Year.
Rong Shu dared not take this matter lightly.
Madam Xie did not specify how many more cotton-padded coats she would add this year; the quantity would be determined by her side.
In her previous life, she didn’t handle this matter; it was still entrusted to Gu Zhen.
At that time, she didn’t understand anything, and Madam Xie didn’t think she could handle the matter well, so she was only responsible for having people tidy up her sister-in-law’s courtyard.
But she handled it for the next two years.
However, because Gu Zhen’s people were obstructing her, she encountered many obstacles and was on edge for a long time, not daring to relax for a moment, worried that someone would take advantage of her.
Now that she has a second chance, she has seen those people for who they are, and naturally she will not let them succeed again.
Rong Shu called over Granny Cen from the courtyard.
This person was the head nanny that Xie had arranged for Songtao Garden, but judging from her past life, Rong Shu knew that this Granny Cen was no good person.
When the person arrived, Rong Shu had someone pour her a cup of tea.
Although everyone in Songtao Garden respected Granny Cen, the Third Madam rarely asked her to do anything.
Therefore, when she arrived, she had no idea what the Third Madam wanted to see her for.
She sat on the embroidered stool below, only half of her body occupied, and respectfully asked while holding a teacup, “Madam, did you summon this old servant for something?”
Looking at her respectful and kind face, Rong Shu would have thought that Granny Cen was a good person if she hadn’t been given a second chance at life and hadn’t stumbled on this matter before.
“This year, the task of distributing cotton-padded clothes in the prefecture fell to me, but it’s my first time doing it, and there are many things I don’t understand. I don’t dare to bother my mother too much, so I’m asking you to come up with some ideas.”
Upon hearing this, Granny Cen was overjoyed.
Although she was in charge of Songtao Garden, the lucrative opportunities there were probably not as great as those of the head housekeepers of the fourth and fifth households.
This was because in the past, almost everything in the courtyard was decided by Changshun, who was by Third Master’s side.
Later, he married a third wife. She seemed honest and easily influenced, but in reality, she did everything herself, big or small, which made her hesitant to make any big moves.
Upon hearing that it was such an important matter as almsgiving, Granny Cen’s eyes lit up immediately.
But on the surface, he still looked proud.
“The old lady trusts you because she sees how well you manage the courtyard. I’m happy for you. I used to work with the old lady and had a lot of experience with these things, so I can help you out.”
Rong Shu knew what she was thinking, and naturally she had her own plans.
Rather than waiting for Granny Cen to make things difficult for her behind her back, it’s better to use this incident to get her out of there.
After all, they were people arranged by the Xie family, and the reason they hadn’t been touched before was because there hadn’t been a suitable opportunity.
She smiled and said, “In that case, go and find out how your fourth sister-in-law usually orders her cotton-padded coats in previous years, and what kind of cotton she uses.”
These problems are actually easy to solve; Rong Shu only needs to ask Gu Zhen to find out.
But firstly, Gu Zhen, having been robbed of this by her, certainly wouldn’t honestly tell her, and might even try to sabotage things.
Another reason was to set a trap for Granny Cen.
Upon hearing this, Granny Cen immediately took on the task, saying, “I’ll have someone inquire right away and give you a definite answer tomorrow!”
Rong Shu nodded, “Go ahead, there’s no need to rush, there are still four or five days until the winter solstice.”
Granny Cen accepted the order and left.
Mei Yun brought in a bowl of hot ginger and jujube soup after everyone had left.
“Madam, please have the ginger soup first.”
Rong Shu looked at the ginger soup and sighed inwardly.
She got her period yesterday.
This means that all her efforts in the past few days have been in vain; she is not pregnant.
If you do the math, Song Wenjing will be going to the capital in less than four months.
Fortunately, he has been staying at the mansion these days, except for occasionally going out for some unknown purpose, but he has not been to the academy.
Rong Shu found it strange. She had subtly asked Changshun about it a couple of days ago, but Changshun stammered and couldn’t give a clear answer.
Finally, he only said, “It’s cold this year, and the headmaster said long ago that Third Master doesn’t need to stay at the academy all the time. The old lady also told Third Master to study at home…”
Rong Shu always felt there was another reason, but since Chang Shun didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t take the initiative to ask Song Wenjing.
She now wishes he would stay in the mansion as much as possible.
What puzzled her was that she hadn’t lit any Lanwu incense the previous few nights, yet Song Wenjing still kept her from making a scene for a long time…
It was similar to the times she lit incense.
She suspected that her mother-in-law didn’t trust her and was worried that she was too shy to use perfume, so she secretly used something else on Song Wenjing.
Otherwise, how can it be explained?
Normally, when she wasn’t using that incense, she didn’t think Song Wenjing was interested in her; it was more about fulfilling his obligation to arrange their marriage.
She shook her head inwardly.
She didn’t want to think about it anymore; her most important task right now was to complete the tasks assigned to her by the Xie family.
Once the winter solstice is over and her period is over, she will naturally want to have a child with Song Wenjing.
As long as you have children, who cares about the reason?
The next morning, Granny Cen told Rong Shu the news she had gathered.
“In previous years, the cotton-padded clothes ordered by the Fourth Madam were made not only by the fabric from our mansion’s cloth workshop, but also by a cloth workshop in the south of the city for the cotton and sewing.”
“Starting last year, even the fabric was outsourced to others. They said that the cloth workshop in the manor is now making more silk and satin and doesn’t have time to make coarse linen.”
As she spoke, Granny Cen observed the Third Madam’s expression. Finding that she was listening attentively and showed no suspicion, she continued with what she had to say.
“Last year, the Fourth Madam ordered her cotton-padded coat from the Guo family in the south of the city. I’ve already inquired about the price. Please take a look and see if it’s feasible.”
Granny Cen took out a piece of paper and handed it over. Mei Yun took it and then handed it to Rong Shu.
Rong Shu glanced at it and asked, “Besides the Guo family, are there any other places with similar prices?”