tallest building

Chapter 304 For One's Own Use

When Yu Lu heard that she had something to ask of him, he said, "Just say what you need to say. We're not strangers."

"Didn't Granny Hua, who was in charge of the silk and satin storeroom, pass away? I wonder if the head steward has found a suitable replacement for her?" Wen Mingqian asked with a smile.

Yu Lu understood immediately. Without saying whether there was anyone, he simply said, "From what you're saying, you have a reliable person recommended to me? I'm just worried about this. I've been weighing these people in front of me, and I still haven't made up my mind."

Wen Mingqian understood from his words that he had already left himself an opening, so he didn't hide anything and said directly, "I think Eunuch Zhao Changming is a good person, but as for whether he can handle the job, I can't say for sure."

“He is a diligent and honest man,” Yu Lu nodded. “It’s good to assign him this task.”

"Then thank you very much, Steward Yu," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

“If you thank me like that, I’ll be too formal,” Yu Lu said. “It’s just a small matter, it can be resolved with a single word.”

Half a day after Yu Lu left, Eunuch Zhao came looking for him.

He thanked Wen Mingqian, saying, "I really don't know how to thank you, madam. So many people are vying for that warehouse management job, I never thought it would fall to me."

“There’s no need for that, Eunuch Zhao. I merely mentioned it to Steward Yu. Ultimately, it’s because of your competence that you were given this job, not because of my words.” Wen Mingqian didn’t take credit. “Steward Yu praised your diligence and competence to my face, which shows that he had already taken notice of you.”

"My lady is such a kind person. She helped me and didn't even ask me to thank her. In fact, there are countless people in this palace who are more capable than me, and compared to being close to Steward Yu, I am even less capable."

My wife may not take this seriously, but it's a great favor to me. Although I may not have much ability, I have a kind heart. If my wife ever needs my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Zhao Changming knew that Wen Mingqian's words were more effective than him having someone slip him money.

Whether out of gratitude or for future plans, one should always try to reciprocate the kindness of such a benefactor and never take it lightly.

"It's not easy for anyone in this palace, let's look out for each other!" Wen Mingqian didn't refuse, there's never too much help.

“Yes, Eunuch Zhao, I’ll be troubling you quite a bit in the future. You know we often need silk and satin here,” Xiaoyue said from the side.

“That’s only right. It’s my duty to work in Yingcheng Palace, let alone for you to use. From now on, you won’t need to run around like this. Just send someone to deliver whatever you need,” Zhao Changming said hurriedly.

"My lady, that Eunuch Zhao is quite a clever man." After he left, Xiaoyue said to Wen Mingqian, "He manages that place much better than Granny Hua."

"Xiaoyue, haven't you been sending anything home these past few days?" Wen Mingqian asked her. "I have some fabric and a hundred taels of silver here. Take them all home."

"You can't do that, my wife. I have things to send home. How can I use yours?" Xiaoyue said hurriedly.

“I remember you said your mother’s birthday is in early May. Your things will arrive home in time. You’ve been helping me for almost half a year now, and you’ve put in a lot of effort. These things were given to me by the Empress, and you should have a share in them too. You deserve them,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “Although it’s a little, there are rules in the palace that a palace maid like you can’t send more than one hundred taels of silver out of the palace.”

“I know the rules of the palace, but you’re giving me too much, Madam. Besides, I haven’t been shortchanged on anything I’m entitled to, it’s not like you’re withholding from me.” Xiaoyue felt very apologetic. “My monthly allowance is only five taels of silver, and that only increased after I started working for you, Madam. It would take me two or three years to save up this hundred taels.” “Don’t be so polite with me. I often see that you have something on your mind, you’re always thinking about your mother and younger brother at home. It’s really not easy for them, they’re just orphans and widows. Although you often give them money to help them, they’re barely making ends meet. Take this money and let them buy a few acres of land, and renovate and repair their house.”

Your brother is seventeen now; it's time to discuss marriage. Without preparing some gifts, what family would be willing to arrange a marriage?
"Just take this money and send it out of the palace for them to use. Later, I'll help you out further, and they'll be able to live a comfortable life. Wouldn't you feel more at ease staying in the palace then?" Wen Mingqian had already thought it through very well.

“My lady, you’ve thought of everything so carefully for me. It would be impolite of me to refuse again. I can’t repay this money in a short time, and I know you don’t expect me to. I can only repay your kindness by doing my best for you.” Xiaoyue was very moved. “I’m so lucky to have met you, my lady. Otherwise, I would be worrying myself sick, and who would be willing to lend me a helping hand?”

There is very little human warmth in this deep palace; most of the palace maids and eunuchs are just looking out for themselves.

Xiaoyue lost her father at a young age, and her widowed mother raised her and her younger brother.

Life was so miserable. Xiaoyue, being the older sister, was sensible and felt sorry for her mother and younger brother, so she simply went to the palace.

The mother and son survived for several years on the silver given to them by the government when Xiaoyue entered the palace, but that little bit of money was only enough to make ends meet; they couldn't afford to buy a house or land.

Her mother was in poor health and often fell ill. Xiaoyue, who lived in the palace, saved most of her monthly allowance to send home, but it was still far from enough.

As her younger brother grew up day by day, while her mother grew older and older, and she still had many years before she could leave the palace, Xiaoyue often felt worried.

Occasionally, when chatting casually with Wen Mingqian, she would mention her family. Unexpectedly, Wen Mingqian took it to heart and even made plans for her.

"I know what kind of person you are that I'm willing to help you. It's just putting myself in your shoes," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and the palace has already begun preparations for the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Empress suddenly had a brilliant idea and ordered Wen Mingqian to make more colorful ropes with the scent of mugwort, to be given as gifts during the Dragon Boat Festival.

This isn't difficult to make; it's simply a matter of soaking colored threads in water with the scent of mugwort, drying them, and then weaving them together.

However, since the quantity used is large, a shortage of manpower will not suffice.

So I went to the needlework bureau, where there were many people and I was used to doing these kinds of jobs.

Wen Mingqian only needed to prepare the spices; the rest was to watch the colored threads dry, braid them into colorful ropes, and then put them away.

During this time, Xiao Shunzi was urged by Dong Gang to come and see Wen Mingqian several more times.

But Wen Mingqian was always busy and surrounded by many people, so Xiao Shunzi ultimately couldn't get a word in edgewise.