A Complete Mess

"Ah..." A woman's scream came from afar, followed by a sharp crack, "Bang!"

This was followed by a commotion. "What are you doing? Why did you push me?"

"I didn't push you, you tripped and fell by accident."

"Ah, you dare hit me? I'll beat you to death, beat you to death..."

Hearing the noise coming from her own courtyard, Zhao Ruyu forgot about her melancholy and quickened her pace with Fushu.

When they arrived near the courtyard where she used to live, they saw two old women fighting, while other servants stood there watching, holding things in their hands and arms.

Just as Zhao Ruyu was about to speak, a woman in her thirties hurried over and shouted, "Stop!"

An old woman tried to stop, but the other woman took advantage of her pause and scratched her face. She quickly retaliated, and the two started fighting again.

Zhao Ruyu looked up at the woman.

This is Concubine Xue, one of Zhao Yuanliang's concubines.

Zhao Yuanliang had never been involved in any affairs before. Before marriage, his stepmother and sister-in-law took care of him; after marriage, Lady Wei managed things for him.

Now that the family has split up, the entire second branch is in chaos, with countless things to worry about, and to make matters worse, Lady Wei is in prison and can't come back. After much thought, he entrusted the management of the household to Concubine Xue.

Concubine Xue was already in her thirties, and Zhao Yuanliang rarely visited her room anymore. However, Zhao Yuanliang felt that she was a good person and had raised Zhao Rurui, who had lost her mother, thus contributing to the second branch of the family. Given that the second branch was currently without anyone in charge, it would be most suitable for her to manage the household.

Zhao Ruyu never expected that in less than half a day after she left, the second household would be in complete chaos.

When Concubine Xue saw that the servants were not listening to her at all, she was so angry that her face turned red. She ordered someone to pull the two apart, but then she heard the two start arguing again.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Yuanliang's voice came from afar.

Concubine Xue, as if seeing a savior, rushed forward and called out, "Master," before explaining the situation.

This matter wasn't difficult to handle. The two old women had a deep-seated grudge, and while moving things, they tripped and pushed each other, smashing the vases they were carrying. Regardless of who was right or wrong, both were at fault, so they were simply sold off to settle the matter.

Anyway, now that the second branch of the family has separated, apart from the small plot of land and a small shop they received, and the third branch giving them four or five hundred taels of silver in compensation, they have no other property.

The second branch of the family has five main masters, plus several concubines of the second master, and a total of sixty or seventy servants. The monthly allowances and the living expenses of everyone in the household cost a lot of money.

In addition, the second wife also needs to build a kitchen, purchase kitchen utensils and a cook. All things considered, it is estimated that four or five hundred taels of silver would only last the second wife for two or three months.

Before selling off their property and facing starvation, the second wife would definitely have to sell off some of her servants.

Now that these two servants have made a mistake, it's a good opportunity to sell them off. This will save on expenses and also serve as a warning to others.

But after recognizing the two old women, Zhao Yuanliang hesitated.

One of these two women had served his mother, Old Concubine Zheng. Selling the former would be seen as unfilial; selling the latter would incur the resentment of his servant and his children and grandchildren.

"Sir, why don't we slap each of them twenty times, lock them in the woodshed, and deduct two months' worth of their monthly wages?" the woman beside Zhao Yuanliang suddenly suggested.

This beautiful woman, around eighteen or nineteen years old, was none other than Concubine Wang, the one who was pregnant, whose search of the Rongxi Hall by Lady Wei led to the old lady's stroke and a series of other incidents.

Zhao Yuanliang was at a loss for what to do, but upon hearing this, he exclaimed, "Yes, yes, that's the way to do it!"

Seeing Concubine Xue standing there in a daze, he frowned. "Aren't you going yet?"

"Yes," Concubine Xue replied, and immediately ordered the maidservant beside her to slap the two men.

The two old women didn't listen to Concubine Xue because they thought she was unfavored, had no status, and was weak-willed. They were not as respected as the two women. But now that Zhao Yuanliang, the proper master, had arrived, they didn't dare to move. After being slapped, they obediently went to the woodshed.

Concubine Wang tugged at Zhao Yuanliang's sleeve.

Zhao Yuanliang then coughed lightly and said, "Concubine Xue can't manage the household by herself. I think it would be better if Concubine Wang helped you manage it."

"Thank you, sir." Concubine Wang quickly knelt down and bowed.

Concubine Xue tightened her grip on the handkerchief, but finally bowed and said, "Your humble servant obeys."

Upon seeing this, Zhao Ruyu's lips curled into a cold smile.

The wife who always accompanied the servant exchanged several glances with Concubine Wang. Clearly, this farce was orchestrated by Concubine Wang. What she wanted from directing this whole charade was nothing more than control of the household.

"Father, isn't this a bit much? With two people managing the household, whose advice should we take?" Zhao Rurui rushed over and overheard Zhao Yuanliang's words.

"Besides, Concubine Wang is pregnant and shouldn't overwork herself. I'm all grown up now and can help Father. Why don't I assist my aunt in managing the household?" she added.

She naturally hoped that Concubine Xue would manage the household. Although she was not Concubine Xue's biological daughter, she had been raised by Concubine Xue. With Concubine Xue managing the household, her status would rise accordingly, and the servants would show her much more respect.

Upon seeing her daughter come to help, Concubine Xue quickly said, "Yes, Rurui is getting older and will soon be getting married. This is a good opportunity for her to learn how to manage a household. With her help, I'm sure I can manage this household well."

Seeing Zhao Ruyu standing to the side, she added, "And Ruyu, like Rurui, learn to manage the household from me."

"Sister Xue, I'm not trying to criticize you, but look at the mess you've made of this household. Who knows what kind of mess the two young ladies will end up with if they follow your example? They'd be better off learning from me." Concubine Wang covered her mouth with her handkerchief and chuckled.

She turned to Zhao Yuanliang: "Sir, although I am pregnant, it's nothing to worry about. Didn't you hear what Physician Shi said? It's good to move around more. Besides, you need to use your brain while managing the household, and the baby will be smarter in the womb."

As she spoke, she tugged at Zhao Yuanliang's sleeve, her eyes sparkling like water.

Zhao Yuanliang had initially intended to agree to Zhao Rurui and Concubine Xue, but seeing his beloved concubine like this, he wavered.

He scratched his head and sighed, "Alright, you two aunts can manage it together. Rurui and Ruyu, you two watch and learn from the sidelines."

Without waiting for the women to say anything more, he fled as if he were escaping.

Back in the main courtyard, he summoned his steward, Zhao Xing, and asked, "How's the news I asked you to find out?"

"Sir, the matchmaker doesn't have a suitable candidate in mind right now. She said she'll ask you for some time so she can make some inquiries and come back to let you know when she has something."

After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he looked up at Zhao Yuanliang and stammered, "Master, the original second wife... cough, she hasn't been executed yet. If you marry immediately, I'm afraid there will be gossip."

Zhao Yuanliang pointed outside irritably and said, "Look, look! This house has no matriarch, and it's turned into a complete mess in just one day. I didn't say I was going to marry her right away; I just asked the matchmaker to inquire. I've been married to Lady Wei for a long time, and I'll only marry another woman after I've properly buried her."

Just as Zhao Xing was about to speak, he heard a report from outside, "Second Master, Third Master has arrived."