The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 315 The Way of Managing a Household
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the treetops, slanting into the overgrown corridor, leaving dappled shadows. A gentle spring breeze caresses the scene, and the warbling of orioles has just ceased.

As soon as there was movement inside, Tan Jiang came in to serve.

"Madam, the old woman is waiting outside. Please go and see the mistress."

She repeated a few of what the old woman had said, and then asked her questions.

"Look, do you want me to cancel it?"

Yu Tingwan was surprised, remembering that Ning Suchan had mentioned it before.

Regardless of anything else, in a wealthy family, which mother-in-law would be willing to relinquish power as soon as the new bride enters the household?
The young mistress of the Duke of Shun's mansion and the young mistress who manages the household in the Duke of Shun's mansion are worlds apart.

Ning Suchan was willing to teach her, and Yu Tingwan appreciated it.

"How long have you been waiting?"

Tan Jiang: "There's enough for a cup of tea. They were very kind to not urge you, Madam, when they learned you were still resting. They said there was no rush. We're having tea outside now."

As she spoke, she looked troubled.

Yu Tingwan washed herself with the warm water Tan Jiang brought over, quickly changed her clothes, and after seeing that everything was alright, picked up an egg pancake from the food box on the table and ate it as she walked out.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.

"what happened?"

Tan Jiang truthfully replied, "If the old woman asks me if I am engaged."

Yu Tingwan: "She wants to find a match for you?"

She said that the steward's son was not yet married and she wanted to help her subordinates find a match.

Yu Tingwan observed her expression and analyzed the pros and cons for her: "Old woman Ru is a good and reliable person. She probably brought this up because the steward asked her to help with matchmaking, so she knows you well. You are one of my people, and you have excellent martial arts skills, so you are not an ordinary maid. The fact that she brought it up in front of you means she has thought it through carefully, and the steward's son should be of good character. However, it is your decision regarding marriage. If you don't want to refuse, that's fine, and she and the steward will not make things difficult for you."

talking.

The girl cleared her throat.

"Tanjiang."

"I'm not the kind of person who's very curious."

"Can you tell me why you're unwilling? Is it because you have someone else in your heart?"

Tan Jiang: ...

Not very curious?

Yu Tingwan: "Who is it? Do I know them?"

Tan Jiang, being honest and straightforward, said, "I know him, Rong Di."

Yu Tingwan: ! !
"Aren't you one of Chi Yu's men?"

Chi Yu and Rong Di are like oil and water.

Tan Jiang: "Yes."

"Lord Ke Chi Yu always holds back when he sparrs with his female bodyguards. But Rong Di is different. Once, when he was free, he twisted his subordinate's arm."

Yu Tingwan: ...

This is something Rong Di would do.

Tan Jiang: "I suddenly understood at that moment, and I also found a better trick to practicing martial arts!"

"Does he know?"

“Last time he was in the capital, my subordinates intentionally informed him, which is why I patted him on the shoulder.”

Yu Tingwan gestured for her to continue.

Tan Jiang: "He thought his subordinate had attacked from the shadows, so he broke his subordinate's arm."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

It's warm, and not too hot.

Ning Suchan had her servants move the desk, the writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and several baskets of account books into the courtyard.

She sat steadily in the grand chair, her eyes closed as if dozing. The arm with the thumb ring was pressed against the handle. She was not doing anything, but the pressure was intense.

This place is a bit far from Lanyuan.

When Yu Tingwan arrived, she waited outside. After the old woman went in to announce her arrival, she was quickly invited inside.

The young woman followed slowly, bowing to Ning Suchan in greeting.

Ning Suchan looked up, but did not see the person she wanted to see, yet her face remained undisguised in disappointment.

She simply asked calmly, "Is Guizhi ready to go?"

get up.

They disappeared by the morning.

Yu Tingwan blinked: "No."

Ning Suchan frowned: "Could it be that you're feeling unwell again?"

"No, it's just that my husband is a bit too much at night." Yu Tingwan lied without hesitation: "He usually takes a nap at noon. Even though he's in a wheelchair, he's been to the palace and the imperial mausoleum, so he hasn't been able to rest for even a moment. He's exhausted."

She didn't forget to emphasize her virtuous and dignified image.

As long as it's not sweet talk, she can make it sound very convincing.

"After he came back, his daughter-in-law massaged his legs."

"My husband will be able to walk again one day. Although it is inconvenient now, he still needs to exercise his muscles and bones."

Yu Tingwan pointed out the key point.

"My daughter-in-law was also tired from this, so she got up late and kept her mother-in-law waiting."

How could Ning Suchan blame her? She nodded and said calmly, "You're very kind."

"Go sit down."

Ning Suchan spoke in a calm voice.

Yu Tingwan glanced at the spot she was pointing to.

Seeing that she had just sat down at the table, Ning Suchan said without exchanging pleasantries, "I've already told you why I'm here to see you."

She spoke softly and clearly.

Born into a noble family and pampered for many years, she still exuded an air of grandeur even without much jewelry.

Yu Tingwan nodded.

"Thank you for your trouble, Mother-in-law."

Ning Suchan said calmly, her tone not much inflection: "When you answered the Empress Dowager at the palace banquet last time, your insights on several books were quite good."

Yu Tingwan proudly: ...

It was written by your son, and she memorized it!

Ning Suchan: "I have to say this upfront. Managing a housekeeper is not easy, and it's not something you can learn in a few days."

“I’ve never taught anyone, but I’m exceptionally strict about these things. You have to learn and endure it.”

In aristocratic families, the duties of managing the household are usually handled by the legal mother, who takes her daughter with her and lets her watch over the affairs, so that she can learn from a young age through observation and experience.

This is a whole field of knowledge.

Yu Tingwan's start was ultimately too late.

Ning Suchan: "Charging into battle outside and navigating the ups and downs of the court and officialdom are things that men do."

"But women also have their own world. You have to manage the household affairs well, take good care of the trivial matters, and not be a burden to the men."

One is inside the pipe, and the other is outside the pipe.

Only when everyone works together can the family prosper.

"Managing a household boils down to two things: food and money, and then further subdivided."

Don't be fooled by how simple she makes it sound.

There are many intricacies involved.

In addition to food supplies, the grain also included alcohol and other necessities for everyone.

The Wei family has fewer members, so things are easier for them.

In large families, the matriarch, who manages the household, has to pay attention to the tastes of her parents-in-law and her husband's diet. She also has to manage the masters and sisters-in-law of each household.

Below that are the younger generation of children, both legitimate and illegitimate. Further down are the concubines and mistresses of each household, and then the servants.

As for money...

Ning Suchan recalled that when Yu Tingwan came, she only carried a few small bundles and had no dowry.

Their status is also awkward.

She didn't mention it.

He just said it casually.

"If you manage the profits from the properties and land deeds under the names of each shop and estate well, the annual dividends will be higher, and you will receive more."

Yu Tingwan: ? !!!
That’s okay!
Like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, she seemed to have discovered a whole new world!
When she first arrived, Yu Tingwan considered being a housekeeper as part of her job.

But upon hearing this, she became more enthusiastic than anyone else.

The girl's eyes shone brightly when she looked at Ning Suchan.

Ning Suchan found it hard to bear the intense gaze.

The old woman couldn't bear to watch.

Also.

Not all mothers-in-law are willing to patiently teach their children.

Even the Second Prince's wife's own mother, Madam Yao, couldn't manage the household. The old lady of the house, practically on her deathbed, was a fierce woman who held onto the key to the household and refused to hand it over.

No wonder the Crown Princess was so moved!