The weather after the first snow was the most biting.
When Bai Mama and others entered, they brought a considerable chill.
"Greetings, Miss."
"Please rise, Bai Mama. Does Mother have any instructions? Why would you come at this hour?"
Bai Mama smiled faintly and, while speaking, had someone hand over several ledgers and the key to the adjacent property.
"Madam said that with the New Year approaching, the manor needs someone to manage things. She specifically sent this old servant to bring the household account books and the steward's key for Miss to review. Additionally, the New Year's gifts from the second branch arrived today, and we also have a list of our usual return gifts. This old servant has brought that as well. Madam wants you to look them over and handle them."
So that's how it was. This was not difficult.
She had Yun Xu step forward to collect the items. The matter of stewardship could be discussed later. The New Year's gifts from the second branch had indeed arrived early.
The Feng family was a prominent clan in Liangzhou, the northwest, having inherited their family business for hundreds of years without decline.
One of their family tenets stated that the main branch could pursue official careers, while the second branch was required to remain in the northwest to stabilize the family business.
Therefore, it was not Feng Jin Yao's father who held sway in the clan's management, but her second uncle.
"Second Uncle is quite efficient, getting ahead of us. What rare treasures have they sent this year?"
Feng Jin Yao had not forgotten this second uncle. He was a prominent figure in Liangzhou.
Not only was he skilled in his own right, managing the Feng family's assets meticulously, but he had also married a daughter from the wealthy Hua family of Liangzhou.
His wife, Feng Jin Yao's second aunt, was known as a "female Zhuge Liang" even before her marriage, adept at strategizing. She was not only shrewd and capable but also doted on the younger generation and was exceptionally generous.
She recalled that when she married, this second aunt had sent ten thousand taels of silver as a dowry, along with a pure gold piggy bank, a gesture so grand that even her mother was impressed.
Hearing this, Bai Mama's smile widened, and she casually took out the gift list for the New Year's presents from her embrace, handing it to Feng Jin Yao.
The thick booklet was proof of the substantial gifts.
"Most of it is similar to previous years, but this year they've sent several skilled gardeners. They say they can cultivate blooming flowers and plants even in winter. Our manor will be celebrating the New Year early."
The joy in her words made everyone present happy.
Feng Jin Yao felt the same. Thinking of her mother and elder sister's prolonged illnesses, a few flowers and plants in the courtyard might lift their spirits.
When people are happy, their ailments might improve significantly.
Therefore, she was very pleased with the New Year's gifts from the second branch and immediately made arrangements.
"Have someone prepare a room for them, treating the stewards from the second branch with the same courtesy. Also, clear a space near the garden for them to cultivate more. If they can truly make them thrive in winter, send a few pots to my maternal grandmother. She will surely be delighted to see them."
Upon hearing this, Bai Mama's smile grew even brighter.
After all, she was from the Bai family, and it was a good thing that Miss could always think of the Bai family.
After finishing these instructions, Feng Jin Yao spoke to everyone present.
"I have a few more words to say to Bai Mama. You may all withdraw for now."
Then, she beckoned Feng Yun He forward, signaling him to approach.
After their recent conversation, Feng Yun He was much more affectionate towards her than before.
"You go back to your courtyard first and pack your things, then explain everything to your elder sister-in-law. After that, bring your calligraphy set. The study has already been prepared with silver-charcoal, so it's warm inside, and you won't freeze your hands while practicing calligraphy."
"Thank you, Aunt. I'll go back to get my things right away."
With that, he happily skipped out of the courtyard, all traces of his earlier solemnity gone.
Bai Mama observed this with some surprise. "Young Master is quite cheerful today."
"Elder Brother has arranged his studies for next year, so naturally, he's happy."
"I see. This old servant usually sees the young master looking serious and thought he wasn't particularly concerned about these matters. I didn't expect them to be arranged so perfectly. This way, Madam can also recover with peace of mind."
Mentioning her mother's illness, Feng Jin Yao found an excuse to dismiss the attendants before asking.
"Has Mother's cough improved?"
Speaking of this, Bai Mama's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded happily.
"Fortunately, Miss discovered it in time. After taking the medicine for these past two days, Madam's throat has improved significantly. However, full recovery will likely take some time. Madam fears alerting the enemy, so she is still pretending to take her medicine."
"That's good." Feng Jin Yao's worried heart finally felt a little lighter.
No wonder the Ren family in the south of the city was so renowned. This cough medicine was indeed extraordinary.
"If the cough doesn't improve, I worry it might trigger other ailments. When I visited Mother the other day, I felt that besides coughing, her breathing was also a bit rapid. Could the cough have triggered her asthma?"
Bai Mama frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Before Madam married, she did suffer from it a few times. However, ever since she married the master, everything in the household that could trigger Madam's asthma has been thoroughly removed. For so many years, Madam's asthma has not recurred. It shouldn't be."
They had all witnessed their father's regard for their mother.
However, the person behind this plot had been poisoning her mother's medicine for so long, they must be someone very close. They likely also knew about her mother's asthma.
If that person intentionally exploited it, it was not impossible. Thus, she offered a reminder.
"We must not let our guard down. Please, Bai Mama, go back and check thoroughly again. We must not give the other party any opportunity to harm Mother again!"
Hearing her words, Bai Mama also felt they were very reasonable and immediately promised to investigate thoroughly upon her return.
After Bai Mama left, Yun Xu brought the account books and steward's key she had just received.
"Miss, shall we reconcile the accounts now?"
"No rush. The steward of the accounting department is Mother's confidant, so there shouldn't be any issues. The most important thing right now is Mother's illness."
She would handle Bai Mama's side, but vigilance was still needed outside the courtyard.
"Miss, please rest assured. Doctor Zhang has already sent people to keep watch. They will report any news immediately. Moreover, Madam is blessed with good fortune. This servant believes she will recover."
"Let's hope so. Yun Xu, I recall you are knowledgeable about things that are sensitive to people with asthma."
Yun Xu nodded. She was always meticulous in her work. She had heard Bai Mama's instructions before and remembered them exceptionally well.
"Then make arrangements. Thoroughly clean the courtyard. Say it's for the New Year, so clear out what needs clearing and replace what needs replacing. Not a single item that could potentially trigger Mother's asthma should remain."
"Miss, please be assured."
Lunch was simple. As they were feeling a bit drowsy after the meal, Xiu Qiu came in to announce that Elder Sister-in-law Wen Shi had also arrived.
Feng Jin Yao frowned. She was still ill, and it was snowing outside. Had she come so rashly because of Yun He's studies?
As expected, as soon as Elder Sister-in-law Wen Shi entered, she began to weep profusely, thanking Feng Jin Yao repeatedly and saying she didn't know how to repay her kindness, which made Feng Jin Yao feel somewhat awkward.