Chapter 5
Chapter 5
And so, I began to settle my heart. I unpacked my luggage, organized my dowry, and gradually took over the management of the Marquis’ Mansion.
Every day, I went to pay my respects to the Dowager Marchioness, inquiring after her health and fulfilling my duties as a daughter-in-law.
The Dowager Marchioness was very gentle with me, though her words carried hidden warnings.
“You are the wife of the first rank; no one will ever surpass you. Just be sure not to spin a web to trap yourself…”
I replied softly, “I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Mother.”
The Dowager Marchioness nodded in appreciation.
“I knew you were a clever one.”
After I entered the household, Concubine Bai only came to pay her respects once.
Afterward, she claimed her constitution was too weak and she was feeling unwell, so she never came again.
Presumably, she had no desire to see me.
Fortunately, I had no desire to see her either.
Thus, I sent a servant to deliver a message: the Concubine should rest well and need not come over.
Ruomei was so angry she was left speechless.
“In the entire capital, what family has a concubine like this? Is there any sense of rules left? You should show her who’s boss!”
I replied flatly, “Leave her be. Just act as if she doesn’t exist.”
If I dared to treat Bai Xiniang poorly, I feared Wu Zhiyu would be the first to jump out and vent his frustrations on her behalf.
Why should I go looking for trouble?
After being married for a while, I slowly straightened out the management of the Marquis’ Mansion.
The Wu Family had many long-serving servants who were shrewd and slippery.
Seeing that I never dared to cause trouble for Concubine Bai, they assumed I was a pushover-a person made of clay-and began to openly slack off and play tricks right under my nose.
I remained quiet, never raising my voice or showing thunderous rage. I simply recorded each of their faults one by one and then went to the Dowager Marchioness to ask for her instructions.
The Dowager Marchioness was well-versed in the art of household management. She knew that if she indulged them from the start, I would have no prestige to speak of, so she punished those people severely.
The servants of the Marquis’ Mansion were furious but dared not speak out, privately cursing me as “the dog that bites doesn’t bark.”
I pretended not to hear.
Regardless, a house has its rules. Mistakes must be punished, and merit must be rewarded; only then can the atmosphere of the household be set right.
After taking over the household affairs, I discovered that Concubine Bai didn’t care at all about who managed the house.
Fearing she might suffer grievances, Wu Zhiyu had purchased many valuable lands and shops for her outside.
It was several times more than my own dowry.
Just from collecting the income alone, her hands would grow tired every month.
No wonder I heard that when Concubine Bai gave tips, she used gold beans; everyone in the mansion scrambled to please her.
Furthermore, while the lamp oil purchased for the rest of the Marquis’ Mansion was soybean oil, the oil used in Concubine Bai’s room was expensive whale oil.
Whale oil production was extremely limited and mostly supplied to the imperial palace.
The immense wealth of the Marquis Jing’an’s Mansion could be seen from this single detail.
Therefore, even if I were to lose my mind and try to be harsh toward Concubine Bai, she wouldn’t be afraid.
Why should I play the villain?
Consequently, the monthly allowance of food and clothing I provided for Concubine Bai was of the highest quality.
Whether she used it herself or gave it away to the servants was entirely up to her.