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Minglan observed You Mama indifferently for a few days and found that You Mama knew how to be good in some ways. In the past few days, she devoted herself only to taking care of Minglan’s daily life, never trying to find her way to treasures management. However, for some reasons, either because You Mama had been staying in the outer estate for too long or because Concubine Wei was too loose to discipline her at the very beginning, You Mama was domineering sometimes. She beat and abused others almost every day and even swore when she found girl servants doing anything wrong. Everyone, from Danju downwards, was scolded by You Mama except for Cuiwei, who was assigned here by the Old Madam. Ruomei and Lvzhi, both quick tempered, almost fought with her.
Minglan kept silent about all these but just secretly noted down everything. On this day, a young maid was scolded and dragged by the ear by You Mama in the courtyard for a long time due to her laziness and neglect of duty. You Mama chased frantically after the young maid for the beat as she cursed, making the courtyard a scene of turmoil. Minglan, reading in the inner room, said nothing and even cast a disapproving glance to stop Cuiwei when she tried to intervene.
Minglan turned a few pages and didn’t ask Xiaotao to call over You Mama until she felt satisfied with her curses. While You Mama lifted the curtain and came into the house, Minglan was sitting on the brick bed, Cuiwei doing the needlework and Danju tidying up the desk. Seeing Minglan’s indifferent look, You Mama felt somewhat worried. After a few days of severing, You Mama had known that this Sixth Young Lady was independent and a man of will not to be easily manipulated, so she smiled first. Before You Mama said anything, Minglan turned her head and said, “Xiaotao, go and fetch Mama a cup of hot tea. Mama, please take a seat.”
You Mama pulled over a stool and only sat on a corner of it, then she asked with a smile, “What’s the matter, my Young Lady?”
Minglan smiled gently and said, “Mama has been serving here for several days with all your heart. However, I treat you as one of us, so I must point it out explicitly that something you did was inappropriate. Please don’t be angry with me.”
You Mama’s heart sank and mouth twitched. “Of course not, please go ahead, Young Lady,” she said.
Minglan put down the book, folded her white and delicate hands and said softly and leisurely, “It is blameless to discipline those naughty young maids. But anytime with your outbursts, the courtyard became a scene of turmoil, which attracted too much attention and had a really bad influence.”
You Mama found it unacceptable, so she straightened up and retorted, “My Lady, you are too young and softhearted to touch the inside darkness. Although those young maids are kindhearted, they are too lazy and slippery to be restricted or coaxed. We have to be strict with them.”
With eyebrows lifting and eyes flashing with a glimmer of anger, Minglan contradicted directly, “I am afraid I can’t agree. Indeed I am young, but I’m clear that family ugliness must not be aired. We are of one family, but we take charge of our own duties and affairs. Those young maids are inevitably naughty. They are normally called back and trained in their own rooms. But it seemed that you wanted to let the whole world know it in an extreme loud voice. Wise men can perceive your capability, but others must think that my little courtyard is rather unpeaceful.”
You Mama was startled, knowing that Minglan was right. But being criticized by Minglan in front of three young maids, You Mama felt embarrassed and murmured with some grudge, “It’s usually the Mamas who educate their ladies, not the opposite. But look at me, within a few days, I’ve already annoyed my lady.”
Minglan heard it and sneered, “Indeed, I shouldn’t have preached at Mama. Why don’t we tell Old Madam and Fang Mama about this? I’m sure they’re qualified to reason with Mama.”
With this, Minglan was ready to get up. You Mama immediately dropped the teacup and hastened to hold Minglan in her seat. Forcing an apologetical smile, she said, “My lady, please forgive my foolishness and just speak up whatever you want. There is no need to bother Old Madam.” When she served at the country estate, You Mama had heard that Sixth Young Lady gained a lot favors from Old Madam and was well protected to the point of nearly growing up in her grandma’s arms. You Mama knew that she couldn’t serve here without the connection with Wang Shi, which probably upset Old Madam from the very beginning. She just came for a few days, it was certainly terrible for her to make any trouble in the presence of Old Madam. Hence, You Mama admitted her mistake at once.
It seemed that You Mama got there at last, so Minglan gave up her fierce attack, sat back on bed cozily and held a copper hand warmer made with enamel technique. Gently she said, “It’s considerate of Mama to educate those young maids, but sometimes good intentions can go awry. You can memorize all the mistakes young maids make and give them a lecture afterwards. Beating and scolding are necessary, but just ask me for a ruler and tell Liu Mama to deduct their salaries as punishment. Mama is no longer young, do you want to be considered immodest while getting red faced and angry with youngsters? Just like today, I didn’t shout to let everybody know about our conversation.”
In fact, in most cases, the wet nurses were loyal to the children raised by them. Normally the Madam of a family elected wet nurses and controlled their future and fate. Sons of wet nurses might become the footmen of their young masters while daughters the maids of their young ladies. All interests were tied together. For example, Molan’s wet nurse was Concubine Lin’s momo and Rulan’s was the maid who followed Wang Shi
to Sheng Mansion upon the marriage, but only hers… As You Mama joined halfway, Minglan knew very little about her background and by which her loyalty was greatly reduced. Well, forgot it, the little Changdong’s wet nurse was a temporary worker and dismissed after ablactation. Thinking of this, Minglan was thankful for what she had got.You Mama’s face changed sharply several times and thought that the Sixth Young Lady was really extraordinary and tactful. By finding a small mistake she could discipline others so logically. However, she was too gentle and polite to be refuted. You Mama forced a smile and replied, “What you said is right, my young lady. I admit my mistakes and will correct them all.”
Then You Mama explained something lamely to ease the tension. Minglan beamed with smiles and echoed optionally to be mindful of her feelings. Suddenly she said, “I heard that you’ve got a new grandson yesterday. Congratulations.” You Mama was stunned for a moment and then immediately smiled, “There is nothing to be happy about but another mouth to feed.”
Minglan smiled at You Mama and turned her head, “Danju, go and fetch You Mama a red envelope with five taels of silver. It’s worthy to celebrate the happy event especially for You Mama’s first grandson.”
You Mama accepted the red envelope and thanked Minglan profusely with her heart beating violently. It was not because the great sum of money but how Minglan handled the affairs. Finally, she realized that Minglan was not like Concubine Wei and would by no means allow herself to be trampled upon.
After Xiaotao sent You Mama out, Danju finally looked up from her pretended busyness and smiled, “Our Young Lady truly did a great job. You Mama should be disciplined now.” Minglan cast Danju a glare and took a sip of hot tea, “She is, after all, a Mama who knows more and considers roundly. Therefore, you guys should still respect her, not to mention that she was right to some extent.”
Danju knew what Minglan meant, so she looked down and said nothing. Minglan felt quite bothered while thinking of her own courtyard. She sighed and put down the teacup, then talked to Danju, “You are to blame, too. Blind honesty and kindness can only lead to disobedience. I know you grew up together with Yancao and the other girls. It’s hard to have harsh words with them. They were mannered when Cui Mama served here before. However, I was just away for two months, they became lazy as this. The other day, there was even no one in the room when candles and charcoal stoves were burning. And you just passed over the negligence of duty so lightly. It was Cuiwei who stepped out to educate them, but think about it, she can’t stay here forever for she’s about to get married a few years later.”
Cuiwei, sitting on the brick bed busy with embroidering, couldn’t help saying querulously, “My lady, why drag me into it?”
Minglan turned her face and put on an air of seriousness, “Rest assured. Old Madam has already got your dowry ready. You’ve served me for many years and I won’t let you down. I’ve prepared another part of dowry for you. But you’d better remind me about it when that day comes so as to avoid any oversight due to my poor memory.” Cuiwei had become unabashed after years of being teased, so she wrinkled her nose even without any shyness and then bowed her head to embroider flowers on the embroidery frame.
Instead, Danju was embarrassed after being criticized. She bowed her head out of shame and muttered, “I’ve told them to behave. But they rebuked me for getting a higher status and looking down on them”
Minglan turned back and continued her teachings, “In my room, apart from Xiaotao, you have served me for the longest time. Except that Cuiwei has dual wages, you’ve got the greatest income and the best recognition of Old Madam. You have to discipline those young maids so as to avoid them being punished by Mama. Everything would be fine if nothing happened. However, if anything bad happened and disturbed Old Madam, no one else could pass the buck. You can just discipline them according to the rules of our courtyard. No one dares to find fault with you.”
In fact, Minglan’s idea was simple: the work should be in accordance with salary and position. As the first-level maid, she should not only take care of the young lady but also manage other maids. Danju finished the former job well but obviously very badly in the latter one.
Danju turned pale and stood still. Cuiwei sighed, for she, as a family-born maid, knew well of Danju’s situation. Danju’s father died very early and her mother gave birth to many children after remarrying; besides, her stepfather didn’t like her at all while her mother never took her side. Hence, she was left unattended as an orphan before five or six. Afterwards, her aunt took pity on her and found some ways to send her into the house from village estate so as to live a settled life.
Cuiwei put down the embroidery frame and pulled Danju towards the brick bed, saying softly, “My dear sister, I know that you are honest, but you should think about our lady. She’s growing up every day and we can’t always seek for help from Old Madam, which will be laughed at by others. But nowadays, those two—”