Chapter 149
**Chapter 149: A Messy Situation**
In the main house's study, the princess was busy. With her two sons still studying at the Guozijian (Imperial Academy), she took it upon herself to review their assignments, identifying areas that needed improvement, planning to have them correct their work later that evening.
The princess felt exhausted. Almost every day, she had to contend with the old maids sent by the empress, racking her brain to find ways for her children to learn more. Besides focusing on her sons' education, she also had to consider their clothing, food, and daily needs. With summer approaching, she needed to purchase new fabric to make them some cool and comfortable summer clothes.
After a long day, just as she was about to return to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures, Liu Mama hurried over. "Your Highness, several stewards have arrived. The monthly silver for this month hasn't been distributed on time, and they are asking for your intervention."
The princess lit a stick of incense, her tone calm. "The distribution of the monthly silver has always been the responsibility of Steward Fugui. Why come to me?"
Liu Mama's face showed concern. "Your Highness, Steward Fugui fell ill yesterday and has been bedridden, unable to take any nourishment."
Over a hundred servants in the manor were eagerly awaiting their monthly silver. In the past, it was distributed punctually on the morning of the fifteenth. But this month, the delay had left the servants restless, each with their own thoughts.
The princess frowned. "Why did he have to fall ill now, of all times?"
Liu Mama suggested, "Your Highness, you have a backup of the monthly silver ledger. Why not take charge yourself and review the expenses—"
Before Liu Mama could finish, the princess interrupted, "In that case, let the monthly silver be distributed once Steward Fugui has recovered. A few days' delay is no big deal."
Liu Mama opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her further. Most of the servants came from humble backgrounds, working hard all month, hoping to receive their monthly silver to support their families. A few days' delay might stir discontent among them.
Even Liu Mama was hoping to receive her monthly silver soon to help her son with his marriage dowry.
But the princess had already tuned her out, devoutly offering incense to the Buddha, her eyes closed as she silently chanted.
...
At the Yan Wangfu (Prince Yan's Manor), Steward Fugui was bedridden. He usually managed the household affairs on behalf of the princess, but now, unable to attend to his duties, chaos reigned both inside and outside the manor.
The servants, deprived of their monthly silver, were filled with resentment.
Three days passed, and Steward Fugui remained ill. Several stewards from the manor sought an audience with the princess again, hoping she would review the accounts and ensure the timely distribution of the servants' monthly silver.
However, the princess had been a hands-off manager for many years and was not familiar with the manor's financial matters. The old maids who accompanied her, while capable, had not dealt with the accounts in years, making it difficult to sort everything out in a short time.
Rumors quickly spread through the manor:
"The princess is only focused on dealing with Concubine Shen these days. She has no time to care about our lives."
"Isn't the princess usually indifferent? Why is she targeting Concubine Shen?"
"You don't understand. Her indifference is just for show. The more she pretends to be pious, the more guilty she feels inside."
"Exactly! Morning and evening rituals aren't set in stone. Many matriarchs from prominent families in Yan Jing have dispensed with this formality."
"Even the empress has exempted the concubines from daily greetings, yet the princess insists on maintaining her airs."
"She won't give us our monthly silver, only thinking about how to deal with Concubine Shen. How petty."
"My mother is ill, and I just want the monthly silver to buy her medicine. The esteemed Yan Wangfu is actually delaying our payments—do our lives not matter?"
The gossip spread like wildfire in the inner quarters of the manor.
Though there were distinctions of rank, the servants were quite astute. They worked diligently when paid, but their efforts waned when compensation was withheld.
Soon, the whispers reached the princess's ears.
Furious, she smashed two vases, her face nearly contorted with rage. "Get those insolent servants out of the manor! How dare they slander me! How could I be jealous of Shen Wei, a mere peasant girl?"
The princess valued two things above all: her sons and her reputation. Now, with the constant rumors swirling, claiming she was deliberately targeting Shen Wei and neglecting the distribution of the monthly silver, her carefully cultivated image of a virtuous wife and mother was on the brink of collapse.
She had initially planned to have Steward Fugui check the accounts despite his illness, but when she sent someone to investigate, she found that he had indeed lost considerable weight, his complexion pale as paper, his pulse erratic, unable to even get out of bed.
Reluctantly, the princess abandoned the idea of having Fugui manage the accounts while ill.
Liu Mama advised gently, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. After all, the servants just want their monthly silver, and their grievances have led them to speak out. You only need to distribute the silver on time."
The princess replied, "Then let's distribute the silver! Why the delay?"
Liu Mama sighed, "Well, some servants' monthly silver needs to be increased, while others need to be deducted. We also need to consider this month's expenses. In the past, Steward Fugui would review everything before distribution, but now that he is seriously ill, no one in the manor can handle these messy accounts... Perhaps you could put in some effort and work with the stewards to sort it out?"
The incense in the Buddhist hall burned, the smoke making the princess dizzy.
She rubbed her temples wearily and instructed Liu Mama, "You are my trusted maid and understand household matters. You and a few other maids should assist the stewards and ensure the monthly silver is distributed within three days."
The princess truly had no time to spare. She still had two children to raise and educate, and she needed to devote time to her prayers. If she diverted her attention to managing the household, the old maids sent by the empress would surely lead her children astray.
Her children were her hope, her future support. Their hearts must remain tied to her as their mother, not swayed by outsiders.
Yet, the princess also did not want to relinquish her authority over household management. After much thought, she decided to let her trusted aides help her manage the affairs.
Liu Mama never expected that the arduous task of accounting would fall on her shoulders. After serving the princess for many years, her daily work had been light, and her monthly silver generous, rarely requiring her to worry or toil.
With a dry throat, Liu Mama spoke hesitantly, "Your Highness, I am over fifty and haven't touched the accounts in years..."
At her age, if she stayed up late for several nights poring over the ledgers, she might very well lose half her life.
The princess interrupted Liu Mama, offering another stick of incense at the altar, her hands pressed together in earnest prayer as she closed her eyes and murmured, "Do not refuse. I trust you, which is why I am willing to entrust the distribution of the monthly silver to you."
Liu Mama: ...
After a moment of contemplation, the princess reluctantly added, "Go tell Shen that she need not come for greetings during this time."
Once the storm had passed, she would reintroduce the old custom of "morning and evening greetings." After all, Shen Wei was still in the manor; she couldn't escape the princess's grasp.
...
In the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei was playing with the children.
Cai Ping ran over joyfully to report, "Mistress, your plan is truly effective! The princess has stopped the daily greetings routine."
Shen Wei pinched the chubby cheeks of the little one, a smile blooming on her lips.
In previous years, with Steward Fugui holding the fort, the princess's clumsy demeanor had gone unnoticed, and the inner quarters of the manor had remained relatively peaceful.
Now that Fugui was ill, the princess's facade had been stripped away, and the servants would be shocked to discover that their matriarch was, in fact, a mere figurehead.
The princess was hypocritical, skilled at shirking responsibility. Though she hailed from a prestigious family, she possessed no real talents, only caring for her own reputation and gain.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping, "Go tell Steward Fugui to stay ill a little longer. After years of hard work, he deserves to retire and enjoy his old age."
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