The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 64: Xing Family Women 1
With more than ten days left before the Chinese New Year, the big families in the city began to get busy.

During the Chinese New Year, basically no shops are open, and as it concerns the food and drinks of thousands of people, it is natural to prepare more food.

Especially since the riots caused by thieves a while ago prevented many families from going out, so they have to make even more preparations for the New Year this time.

In the Rongguo Mansion, Wang Xifeng, Lady Wang, Li Wan, and Lady Xing were discussing matters in the mansion together.

"Everything in the city has increased in price, whether it's useful or not, the price has increased a lot, at least a few dozen coins more than before, and some even a few dozen taels more."

Mrs. Xing asked, "Didn't the village head's tribute arrive this year? How much did it bring?"

The head of the village is an old man. Except for Wang Xifeng who can go out for questioning and investigation, the rest of the family cannot go out due to the strict separation of men and women. Naturally, he is not aware of the situation outside.

In previous years, this kind of thing was not done by Wang Xifeng, but by Jia She and Jia Lian. Now there is no man in the mansion, so Wang Xifeng has to do it herself.

Wang Xifeng sighed, "This year's income is not good. The rent from the fields has dropped a lot. I heard it snows a lot outside. It's a lot colder this year."

Mrs. Wang looked at the frozen pears, a plate of fried quail, and a plate of venison on the table.

"These are all donated by the Ningguo Mansion. The harvest there is not as good as ours, right?"

Wang Xifeng gave a helpless bitter smile, "The harvest over there is not bad. I don't know the exact amount, but the harvest they send in is five or six times more than what we have here. I heard from the village head that a lot of changes were made over there a long time ago. Master Rong personally went to the fields several times and established a lot of rules."

Mrs. Wang said, "Then please ask Master Rong to help us take care of it as well."

Wang Xifeng didn't want to get involved in this matter. "He said before that he would help take care of it together, and even said that he would help us arrange things for the New Year together, but after something happened, we each took care of our own business. How can I have the nerve to ask him to come and help now?"

"Even if I say this shamelessly, the ladies know Mr. Rong's temper. He is too busy to have time now. He is not the kind of person who would sacrifice himself for the benefit of others."

Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing stopped talking, as they both knew what kind of person Jia Rong was.

Over the past ten years, everyone has watched Jia Rong grow up. This kid is the kind of stingy person who would always keep the good food and fun things to himself when he has them.

selfishness!

Madam Wang sighed and asked, "How is the rest of the business?"

Wang Xifeng explained, "It's not just our family this year. I heard from Miss Shi and my aunt that business is not good. Too many shops in the city have given up their leases. Many people have been driven away this time. I'm afraid business will be even worse next year."

The rent of houses in the capital was also one of the important sources of cash flow for the Jia family. Now that a large number of people had been driven away, coupled with the bandits on the streets extorting and bullying people, business was getting bad, so many people naturally returned to their hometowns to avoid the limelight.

In this era, the household registration system determines where you can go. Many people cannot afford to buy a house in Beijing, or even if they buy one, they cannot live in it.

The important thing is that the security is not so good that you have to keep the house well if you don’t live there.

Many times, if no one is watching over the house, it will be owned by someone else within two or three years.

Officials also rent houses to live in. The imperial court does not like officials to stay in the capital for no reason. They should go back to where they are from after the fire is burned.

Whether they were high-ranking officials in the imperial court or ordinary people, most of them rented houses.

The world is not doing well these days, so rent collection is naturally unstable.

Madam Wang thought for a moment and then said, "Is the situation in Ning Mansion as bad as ours?"

Wang Xifeng felt even more helpless. Why did she have to compare herself with others?
"The houses in Ningguo Mansion are only rented to officials and the descendants of some dukes and earls. Even if they are vacant, they are not rented out casually. This time, it is these people who work in the city." "The rent of Ningguo Mansion has not only not dropped, but has increased a lot. It's a pity that we are just across the street, and only some places nearby can benefit from it."

Ping'er stood behind Wang Xifeng. Usually, Wang Xifeng rarely took her out. Most of the time, she stayed at home to watch over the business, so she was not familiar with Jia Rong's family business.

Hearing that Jia Rong had already arranged everything and prepared for a rainy day, Ping'er couldn't help but feel happy and proud for Jia Rong.

"Master Rong is a man of his own ideas. No wonder he is favored by the Emperor."

Mrs. Wang listened to Ping'er's words and thought about Jia Rong's current power, status and ability.

"That's all." Mrs. Wang didn't want to say more and prepared to eat the fried quail.

Mrs. Xing now has no husband and no son. Even the brother who came to her for help was driven away by Jia Rong. She is completely helpless.

Seeing Wang Xifeng as the head of the household, Mrs. Xing also wanted to take charge of financial matters.

"I see that Feng Ge'er has been quite tired recently. She looks less energetic than usual. Since she is pregnant, it is definitely more important for her to rest and recuperate."

How could Wang Xifeng not see what Mrs. Xing meant? If it were in the past, she would definitely not be willing to give up the power in her hands.

But she herself knew whose child was in her belly.

No matter what happens in the future, there is something to look forward to. Besides, the government is in a recession right now, and some places have already started to fill the gap themselves.

"That's true. I do get tired easily and become a little lazy." Wang Xifeng admitted sadly that her health was not good and she was not suitable to be the head of the household.

When Mrs. Xing heard Wang Xifeng say this, she was immediately overjoyed. This Feng Lazi was finally willing to give up power!

Mrs. Wang frowned and quickly scolded, "The New Year is almost here. If you change the housekeeper at this time, won't there be chaos and people will laugh at you?"

"Now that Master She and Master Zheng are not in the mansion, there are a lot of things to do during the New Year. I will arrange for Baoyu to receive the distinguished guests. Among the female relatives, except for you, only the old lady knows them all. Do you think it is too much to let the old lady run around?"

Mrs. Wang seemed to be scolding Wang Xifeng.

In fact, it was to tell Mrs. Xing not to embarrass herself like a clown. The relatives of the Jia family only recognized the Jia family of the four kings and eight dukes.

If you want to represent the Jia family, you have to be in the same circle.

Madam Xing, what is your background? How dare you be the head of this household during the New Year?
Wang Xifeng said hurriedly, "Yes, I am lazy. It is only a little over half a month. I will be busy for a while and it will pass."

Mrs. Xing didn't say much, but she knew that some of the words were deliberately spoken to her.

After coming out of Mrs. Wang's room, Mrs. Xing felt unlucky.

As soon as Mrs. Xing returned to the yard, the old woman Wang Shanbao, who came with her as a dowry, came over.

Wang Shanbao came over and said happily, "Madam, I heard that Ningguo Mansion gave red envelopes to the guests who stayed there. The girl from the Xing family got five taels, and the maid got two taels."

When Mrs. Xing heard this, she thought for a few seconds and then said decisively, "Call my niece over."

(End of this chapter)