"This year, the third sister comes of age, so it's going to be a grand affair, isn't it?" The maid brought in pastries, and Xiao Man picked one up, eating as she spoke, "I heard Mother started preparing last month."
"Yes, it's said to be a grand event. Mother has already drafted the guest list, inviting all the court officials and their wives. The Minister's household always likes to nitpick, so if it's not a grand affair, they might come looking for trouble with you again," Xiao Xiang pushed the pastries closer to Xiao Man, "These peach blossom pastries are sweet and not greasy, they taste excellent."
Xiao Man took a bite and praised it, then picked up another peach blossom pastry and offered it to Xiao Zhen, "Daddy, try it, is it good?"
Xiao Zhen took a bite and accepted it, "Not bad. So, according to you, the Minister's household often bothers you?"
"Not really, Miss Yan and I haven't gotten along for a day or two. Daddy doesn't need to worry about it," Xiao Man said with a smile, but her words subtly planted a seed of annoyance in Xiao Zhen's heart.
"There are only a few days left until the third sister's coming-of-age ceremony. Logically, the mansion should be preparing, but I haven't heard any news," Xiao Xiang also picked up a pastry and ate it. "Oh, right, how could I forget? Mother isn't feeling well, and the fourth concubine is now in charge of household affairs."
Xiao Zhen just remembered that because Xiao Man was injured, he had taken his anger out on Madam Yan and stripped her of her authority to manage household affairs, leaving the fourth concubine to handle the daily routines. However, the fourth concubine, Madam Yu, was not good at managing affairs, which was why there had been no progress in the mansion.
"Yes, there are only a few days left. Can the fourth concubine handle it?" Xiao Man said worriedly, "Be careful not to make any mistakes. Minister Yan, as the Minister of Rites, values etiquette and rules the most. If there are any mistakes, it might displease him, which wouldn't be good."
"I don't know if the fourth concubine can handle it. If she can't, I'll go with Mother to help her."
"Second sister and third concubine are indeed warm-hearted. They always go to help whenever someone in any courtyard needs it," Xiao Man praised, "I'm just lazy. If I can lie down, I won't sit. If I can sit, I won't stand."
"You even take pride in being lazy!" Xiao Zhen gently pinched Xiao Man's nose, "You need to learn well from your second sister, learn how to manage a household."
"With second sister here, I won't get involved in managing the household. Besides, it's not my turn to manage the household anyway. Above me is Mother, and if Mother isn't well, there's still Concubine Lin, Concubine San, and Concubine Si. Even if they are all lazy, there's still Grandmother," Xiao Man reasoned.
"You even included your grandmother!" Xiao Zhen was exasperated, "When you get married in the future, you'll have to learn to manage a household!"
"Then I'll hire second sister to be my housekeeper, and that will be perfect!"
Xiao Zhen choked for a moment, "Won't your second sister get married? How can she stay with you forever?"
Xiao Man thought carefully, "That is a problem. Then let's have second sister not marry too far away, just across the street from me, so she can help me manage the household."
Xiao Zhen was speechless and stared at Xiao Man. Then he realized that Xiao Man didn't need to bother thinking about managing a household. He immediately smiled and shook his head, "Indeed, you're not suited for managing a household. You're only suited to be a hands-off manager, who can just shout and have people do things for you."
"Daddy, you understand me so well!" Xiao Man gave him a thumbs-up.
Just then, Yin Zhu came to report, "General, Miss, the fourth concubine is here."
They looked at each other. They were just discussing the fourth concubine, and she had arrived. It was indeed true that speaking of the devil.
"Please invite the fourth concubine in quickly."
The fourth concubine arrived with four maids. Her face was weary, and although her clothes were neat, they looked somewhat disheveled. Behind her, several maids were carrying ledgers and keys.
"General." Before she could speak, the fourth concubine began to sob.
Seeing the woman's slightly tired face, Xiao Zhen understood. It seemed that asking the fourth concubine to manage the household was truly too difficult for her.
"General, your concubine really doesn't know how to manage a household. Please take back these ledgers and keys," the fourth concubine appeared fragile and pitiable, evoking Xiao Zhen's sympathy.
"It was my oversight. I've troubled you," Xiao Zhen asked the fourth concubine to put down the ledgers and keys, "Go back and rest well."
"Thank you, General," the fourth concubine bowed gently, then paid her respects to Xiao Man before turning and leaving gracefully.
"Like a willow swaying in the breeze, shy before speaking. I find her so pleasing to the eye," Xiao Man sighed, "Daddy, you have such good fortune to have such a beauty."
Xiao Zhen glanced at Xiao Man and said sternly, "You've been beaten, yet you still haven't learned your lesson. You're making fun of your father."
Xiao Man smiled appeasingly, "The fourth concubine is indeed beautiful. Who doesn't like a beauty? Beautiful people and scenery are a delight to behold."
Xiao Zhen was both amused and exasperated. His gaze fell upon the ledgers, a hint of meaning in his eyes.
He then looked at the housekeeper standing by, "Go and summon the third concubine."
"Yes, General."
When the third concubine arrived, she was dressed elegantly with a kind smile. She entered with a cheerful demeanor and greeted them, "Greetings to the General, and to the Eldest Miss. Has your injury healed? You must apply the ointment morning and night, and absolutely do not leave scars. Xiang'er, you must remind your elder sister to apply the medicine daily."
"Concubine, please rest assured, I supervise my elder sister's application of medicine every day."
"Third concubine, you worry too much," Xiao Man teased.
Xiao Zhen's expression was calm, "I heard you are good at household affairs?"
The third concubine humbly replied, "I wouldn't say I'm skilled. Before I was married, I had many sisters at home, and I was the eldest. Naturally, I had to worry more."
"Are you familiar with the household affairs?"
The third concubine looked a bit confused, "I am familiar with household affairs. I used to help Madam with the tasks before, so I understand most of it. General, is there a problem with the household affairs?"
"Madam is not feeling well, and the fourth concubine is not adept at household affairs. For the time being, you will be in charge of them," Xiao Zhen said slowly, "And do not let the third Miss's coming-of-age ceremony be neglected. There must be no mistakes with the families Madam is close to."
He then glanced at Xiao Xiang, "Also, prepare a coming-of-age gift for the third Miss from the public funds."
"This... I will be in charge of household affairs?" The third concubine looked somewhat overwhelmed.
"What, you can't do it?" Xiao Zhen asked coldly.
The third concubine took a deep breath, "Anything the General entrusts me with, I will do my utmost to complete. If there is anything I do not know, I will seek advice from Madam and the Old Madam, and I will ensure that what the General has assigned is done perfectly."
Xiao Zhen nodded, "Send the ledgers and keys to the third concubine's courtyard."
"Yes, General."
When Madam Yan heard that the fourth concubine had gone to Shuiyue Xiaozhu with the ledgers and keys, a smile curved her lips.
She knew the fourth concubine wouldn't last more than a few days, after all, the fourth concubine didn't know how to manage household affairs.
"Congratulations, Madam, you will soon regain your authority over the household affairs," Granny Luo said happily.
Since the fourth concubine of this mansion doesn't know how to manage affairs, and the third Miss's coming-of-age ceremony is approaching, it is only natural for Madam to take charge again.
Madam Yan's lips curled slightly, "Naturally, it belongs to me, and no one can take it away. Even if I gave it away before, they wouldn't be able to hold onto it."