All Hail Cousin Brother

119 Kind and Benevolent

Yu Youyao continued, “As soon as I took over as the manager today, Old Madam told me that the farmers in Zhouzhuang had been working for many years and were all capable people. She told me to treat them well, so I wouldn’t turn a ship full of people upside down. Now that Steward Zhou has ended his contract, someone needs to represent the village. Go back and discuss this. Pick a capable steward to come to the residence to see me. After all, the farmland in Little Zhouzhuang will be rented out to him. It’s convenient for you to manage it yourself.”

Zhou Yongtian was overjoyed when he saw the stick and the carrot.

Eldest Miss was still willing to trust Zhouzhuang, so the few of them were sincerely grateful and respectful to her. “Eldest Miss, don’t worry. When we return to Zhouzhuang, we’ll definitely discuss it with Elder Zhuang and find you a capable and honest steward. We won’t disappoint you again.”

Yu Youyao was very satisfied. She called Xia Tao over and handed them some pastries that she had prepared. “Take these snacks with you on the way.”

It took more than four hours to travel from the capital to Zhouzhuang. It was the hardest to travel on an empty stomach. Zhou Yongtian and the others each held a large oil paper bag and kowtowed a few times to Eldest Miss, wishing they could die for her.

After dealing with all this, Yu Youyao had originally planned to return to the Jade Courtyard to rest. However, Qiu Xing immediately came over to report, “Eldest Miss, Manager Sun of the Jinxiu Manor is here. He’s waiting in the guest courtyard.”

Yu Youyao sat back down. “When did Manager Sun arrive?”

Qiu Xing hurriedly said, “He’s been here for half an hour. I heard that First Madam is sick, and Eldest Miss is helping to manage the household. He has something to discuss and can’t leave, so he’s been waiting in the guest courtyard.”

Yu Youyao thought for a moment and said, “Bring him to the Windfall Courtyard, which is not far from the main courtyard. I’ll be there soon. From now on, all the matters in the family will be handled there. It’s closer to Mother, so if there’s anything important, we can report it to her as soon as possible.”

Qiu Xing complied and left.

At this moment, Nanny Xu brought over a bowl of medicinal cuisine. “It’s been hard on you, Sister. Have some food and rest for a while. You’re still young, you can’t work too hard.”

Yu Youyao threw herself into Nanny Xu’s arms and whined, “Nanny, why is it so difficult to manage the household? It seems like there are endless things to do. I don’t want to manage the household anymore…”

Nanny Xu looked at her childish behavior and felt a little amused.

This girl had just instructed Xia Tao and the others to arrange a good show in the residence. She did not look like a half-grown child, but like a little “house manager”.

Now, she had revealed her true colors. She really did not know what to say.

Nanny Xu coaxed her, “It’s also the first day. There are rules and routines in the residence. Nanny Liu can handle them herself. I can’t let you tire yourself out. Bear with it for now.”

In Windfall Courtyard—

Manager Sun held a cup decorated with pink plum blossom branches and drank some tea. The top-grade Biluochun was green and tempting in the porcelain bowl. It curled up like a snail and tasted fragrant and fresh.

It was rare for her to have such good tea in other houses. Now that the Yu Residence had a new manager, even the way they treated their guests had become much more polite.

When Manager Sun arrived, there was a commotion in the residence.

Even though the Yu Residence had strict rules, it was inevitable that she heard a few words from the maidservants. After thinking about it carefully, she could roughly guess what had happened.

The Eldest Miss of the Yu Residence was not an ordinary person. On the first day, she had exposed the wrongdoings of the residence and the stewards who were greedy for money. Not only had she established authority in the residence, but she had also helped the Yu Residence to avoid any losses.

Just as Manager Sun was lost in thought, she heard the young maidservant’s deliberately low voice from outside—

“… Eldest Miss said that Mother Yang was a child of a family that had a relationship of serving the family for generations, so she was sent to the village to continue working for the residence. It was also to fulfill the master-servant relationship…”

Manager Sun recalled the last time she had seen the Eldest Miss of the Yu Residence. She was still a young child, but she had just revealed her beauty. Every word and action of hers was filled with generosity. She couldn’t help but tilt his ear—

“… Steward Zhou and his son have done many things for the residence for many years, and they rarely make mistakes… Let him plant trees in the forest of Little Zhouzhuang to make up for his mistakes…”

Manager Sun looked out and saw a maidservant and an old servant talking together. From the corner of her eye, she happened to see that the two of them were smiling. When she mentioned Eldest Miss, she respected her from the bottom of her heart.

“Eldest Miss is really like Old Madam, kind and benevolent.” Then, she continued to praise Eldest Miss Yu.

Manager Sun understood what was going on. Eldest Miss Yu cared about the relationship between master and servant, so she always let others live. Which of the servants in the residence could guarantee that they wouldn’t make mistakes?

Which servant wouldn’t be convinced by such a kind and benevolent master?

It was truly a show of grace and power!

Manager Sun took a sip of tea. The young maidservant in the room served her a new cup of tea and replaced the old one. Even though she had to wait for almost an hour, she still felt very comfortable with such a polite greeting.

It was no wonder that the servants in the residence praised Eldest Miss.

Just as she was thinking this, a young maidservant’s voice came from the door. “Eldest Miss is here.”

Manager Sun hurriedly put down her teacup and stood up from her chair. She turned to look at the door, only to see the green curtains of the room being lifted as Eldest Miss Yu walked in.

Even Manager Sun, who was experienced and knowledgeable, couldn’t help but gasp.

She was wearing a red dress with embroidered golden branches, and a thin muslin shirt with golden branches. On her chest was a red-gold peony hairpin with seven-colored gems embedded in it. She looked like she was wearing jewelry. Her head was combed to resemble a single conch, and there were small red-gold peony accessories wrapped around it. There were also red gems embedded in the center of the peonies.

It didn’t matter if the jewelry was exquisite, especially the fine muslin shirt that was draped over her. The silk garnet pendant patterns on it were made of gold thread that was slightly thicker than hair. It was true gold. It was said that this craftsmanship was only available in the Quanzhou Prefecture. There were only a few pieces a year, and most of them were sent into the palace as tributes.

She had only heard of it, but had never seen it before!

But who wouldn’t recognize gold?

Eldest Miss Yu’s outfit was truly imposing. Even though she was young, she still exuded a noble aura that made others feel very humble. They did not even dare to look at her directly.

As expected of a leader.

Manager Sun quickly stepped forward with a smile and said politely, “Eldest Miss, you’re very busy. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Yu Youyao also smiled and said, “It’s my first day managing the household, so there are many things I don’t know how to do. I’ve made you wait for a long time. Manager Sun, please take a seat.”

Manager Sun sat back down obediently.

The maidservant quickly served fresh tea.

Manager Sun waited for Eldest Miss Yu to put down her teacup before saying, “A few days ago, some of the clothes ordered by the Yu Residence were made. Thinking that the residence was waiting to wear them, I sent a few over first.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Thank you, Manager Sun.”

The two old maids quickly moved the box that Manager Sun had brought to the middle of the living room. Manager Sun opened the box and neatly folded the clothes one by one.