Chapter 932 Chapter 239

When Nangong Yue returned to the palace, it was past time.

Nangong Yue got off the carriage in front of the second gate, and when she looked around the huge palace, she suddenly felt empty, and that feeling seemed to spread to her heart.

She stood there in a daze, and did not regain her senses for a long time, until Baihui whispered in her ear: "Prince Concubine, Uncle Zhou and Uncle Zhu are here to see you!"

Uncle Zhou and Uncle Zhu? Nangong Yue followed Baihui's line of sight, and saw a black-faced man and a bearded man bowing and waiting not far away, with a respectful look, it was the Zhou Dachenghe she had seen in her own palace before. Zhu Xing.

It turned out that Xiao Yi did not bring the two of them this time.

Nangong Yue walked over to the two of them, and they both bowed to her in unison: "I have seen the princess."

Nangong Yue raised her hand and said, "No ceremony, let's go to the outer study to talk." Xiao Yi left, and his outer study was also handed over to Nangong Yue.

After a few people got to the outer study, Nangong Yue sat down behind the desk, "You guys can sit too, don't be too restrictive." Since Xiao Yi asked them to come to see him specially, he must have something to say.

"Thank you, Concubine Shizi." Zhou Dacheng and Zhu Xing sat down on the two pear wood chairs disrespectfully, and Zhu Xing was the first to say, "Concubine Shizi, Lord Shizi keeps his subordinates in the hope that they will be in the palace. In addition, the affairs of the outer court are also temporarily managed by subordinates."

housekeeper? Nangong Yue was stunned, isn't it overkill to let a person who came down from the battlefield be the housekeeper?

Zhu Xing continued to explain: "The original housekeeper of Zhennan Wangfu was the successor of the princess. After the princess left, he was chased away by the prince. Cheng Yu had been temporarily acting as the housekeeper before, but this time Cheng Yu followed the prince. The master has returned to the southern border, so he handed it over to his subordinates."

Nangong Yue couldn't help but think of Xiao Yi's remarks last night that he was always "looking for someone else", and he was sweating profusely. Hey, in terms of housekeeping, he really messed up. Cheng Yu looked like a military advisor or aide, and he actually used it as a big housekeeper. He really used a knife to kill a chicken. But this time, Cheng Yu followed Xiao Yi back to the southern border, and finally he was able to show his strengths and no longer had to worry about these household chores.

Following that, Nangong Yue looked at Zhou Dacheng again. Without her asking, Zhou Dacheng took the initiative to say: "Prince Prince, this subordinate is in charge of the guards in the mansion for the time being and is in charge of the guarding of the mansion." He really didn't know how to deal with it. A little girl like Nangong Yue could only stubbornly ask for words, "Don't worry, Concubine Shizi, there are subordinates here, and I will not let any Xiao Xiao disturb the Concubine Shizi!"

This is obviously because Xiao Yi forced Zhou Dacheng to do something to do. This palace is empty, only Nangong Yue is the master, and there are no servants. I am afraid even Zhu Xing, the housekeeper, is very idle.

Nangong Yue said helplessly, "I'll trouble you from now on."

"No trouble, no trouble, this is the responsibility of the subordinates!" But this week's great achievement is a straight person, and he can't understand the meaning of the words. Zhu Xing on the side is so embarrassed that his forehead is sweating, and he really wants to pretend that he doesn't know this brother. .

Nangong Yue was amused, and the corner of her mouth tickled.

After she pondered for a while, she said to Zhu Xing: "Zhu Xing, you will send me all the accounts in this mansion tomorrow, and I will take a look."

If this is the case, what the common servants are most afraid of is the master checking the accounts, but Zhu Xing's eyes lit up when he heard it, and he couldn't wait to answer. He knew in his heart that Nangong Yue was about to start hosting the Central Feed, and once the concubine of this world made a move, he would be relieved in the future.

Not only Nangong Yue saw his relieved look, but also Baihui and Lily on the side, the two little girls exchanged glances.

Lily thought to herself: This Shizi's people are really unreliable!

After talking for a while, Nangong Yue took Baihui Lily back to Fufeng Courtyard.

Regarding matters in this mansion, she plans to wait until she sees the roster that Xiao Yi left her, and the accounts of the mansion. The most urgent task now is to sort out her dowry and file it into the warehouse. Also, although the new house was decorated in a festive manner, it was obvious that the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were just trying their best to create a festive atmosphere, which was somewhat awkward. She planned to take care of it.

As a result, the entire Fufeng Academy was busy under the leadership of Nangong Yue.

She opened three new small warehouses, put all the dowries into the warehouse, and changed the furnishings in the room from screens to vases to curtains to seat cushions and so on. The festive red is the main color, but it adds a bit of Shihlin's low-key and elegant.

It took two days to finish this, and Nangong Yue packed up the small study room in Xishao with great interest.

This small study room was more than double the size of the one she had in Mozhuyuan, and the next time was a medicine pavilion specially built for her by Xiao Yi.

There are a row of partitioned windows facing south in the study room, which seems to be very bright. There are book desks, painting desks, piano desks, desks, beauty sofas, tables and chairs, etc., and there are rows of bookshelves against the wall. It was empty now, but Nangong Yue seemed to have smelled the strong and familiar scent of books.

A few little maids cleaned the study again. Baihui instructed a few wives from the palace to bring in boxes of camphor wood big boxes. The big boxes were really heavy, and they could be carried by the wives in no time. sweating a lot. A woman asked in a low voice curiously, "Miss Baihui, this box is so heavy, could it be filled with books?" But she thought to herself, with so many boxes, how many books should there be? I am afraid that there are not so many books in Wang Ye's study combined!

Baihui glanced at the woman indifferently, and said, "Let's go out when you're done, why are you asking so many questions?"

The mother-in-law went out with a few other mother-in-laws, and she could faintly hear the voices of the mother-in-law talking: "I heard that the concubine Shizi is of a scholarly family, and she is really different from others! She actually married so many books here. ."

"Yeah, with so many books, can Concubine Shizi finish reading them?"

"..."

It's really out of order!

Baihui shook her head, letting the voices go away, followed by instructing the little maids to open the boxes and take out several boxes of medical books, medicine books, Lin Jingchen's medical notes, Nangong Yue's own notes and so on. Nangong Yue personally sorted them into the largest bookshelf, and then asked the maids to help organize a bookshelf of "University", "Analects", "Spring and Autumn", "Historical Records" and so on. Weird novels, unofficial essays, etc.

According to Nangongyue's preference, the bookcase is set with a Duan inkstone from Zhaoqing, a pine-smoke inkstone from Goryeo's Suigong, a Hetian white jade pen wash, and a set of purple-haired pens of different sizes.

After the entire small study was tidy up, Nangong Yue placed the medicinal herbs for the dowry one by one in the medicine pavilion, and it was considered a success.

Nangong Yue looked around with satisfaction, although she was a little tired after working for a long time, but now she can finally see where she is comfortable, even if she wants to work, she must first create an environment that makes her feel comfortable.

Nangong Yue, like in the boudoir of Mozhuyuan in the past, lazily leaned against the beautiful couch by the window of the small study, and casually ordered the maids to fetch the account book that Zhu Xing sent over yesterday.

Not long after, a few maids brought over the account books, which were piled up on the desk.

When Nangong Yue was looking at some headaches, Bai He was blessed and said: "Prince Concubine, just now, Uncle Zhu delivered the news from the palace."

Nangong Yue raised her eyebrows. Although Xiao Yi had placed someone in the palace, all these news were directly passed on to the outer court, unless it was related to her.

She glanced at Lily, and saw that Lily said with a bit of indescribable words: "...It is said that the second princess secretly left the palace two days ago, and it seems that she is chasing the prince."

Nangong Yue lowered her eyes slightly, her face unhappy.

The second princess's admiration for Xiao Yi is obvious, "If you know lust, you will admire Shao Ai." It cannot be said that it is completely wrong to admire others.

However, after Xiao Yi got married to himself, and even now, the second princess is still entangled with married husbands like this, it is simply shameless! Do you really think you're a jerk?

Xiao Yi is her husband, how can he be coveted by others!

There was not a trace of emotional fluctuations on Nangong Yue's face, "Does the queen know?"

"The queen doesn't know yet." Lily replied, "Concubine Zhang announced to the public that the second princess is ill and needs to recuperate, so she has suppressed the news. The third prince is quietly dispatching people to find the second princess."

The corners of Nangong Yue's lips curled slightly, and she said with a sneer, "Tell Zhou Dacheng and let someone find a way to reveal this news to the queen."

Lily responded and hurried out to give orders.

Nangong Yue waved her hand with a gloomy face, and asked Baihui and Queer to read the account book first.

She took a sip of tea, opened the white-sealed flower roster of the palace that Xiao Yi had given, and flipped it over casually.

There are only fifty-eight servants and guards in this huge Zhennan palace, which is almost unbelievably rare for Nangong Yue, who was born in a famous family.

There are notes on the origins of these people on the roster. After reading it, Nangong Yue found that most of them were bought by Xiao Fang, the princess of Zhennan, in the capital. A small part was left in the palace to watch and clean when the late emperor; a small part was brought by King Zhennan and Mrs. Fang from the southern border, but this part was smaller than she expected. many.

It is also true that the people of King Zhennan and Xiaofang's family may not be uncommon to stay in the capital. Letting them stay in the capital is probably no different from being exiled.

At this moment, Queer suddenly whispered: "This is too outrageous." She held the account book in her hand and showed it to Nangong Yue, "Miss San, the people in the inner courtyard are actually wearing ready-to-wear clothes outside. I bought it from the shop..." She said, the corners of her mouth twitched, it doesn't look like the palace of a vassal king, this kind of style is afraid that even a little richer merchants will not look down on it!

Nangong Yue glanced casually, and judging from the number of ready-to-wear garments on the account, it was true.

In this way, there is another urgent matter in the past two days, that is, I have to open the library and get the materials to make autumn and winter clothes for the servants in the inner courtyard first, and I have to add her own maid and the people in the house.

However, it's not too early, let's talk about tomorrow's affairs tomorrow.

Nangong Yue yawned lazily, closed the roster, and let the maids set out for dinner.

...

Early the next morning, Nangong Yue, who does not need to wake up, wash, dress up, and eat leisurely, does not need to be in the province at dawn and dusk. Anyway, there are no elders in this mansion.

After everything was over, Baihui asked, "Concubine Shizi, when you were having breakfast, Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song had already come and said they wanted to greet you, but they were sent away by the servants first. Let that Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song bring the maid in the house to greet you, so that they can recognize someone?" When Mrs. Xiao Fang was not there, there was no mistress in the inner courtyard of Zhennan Palace, so on weekdays The affairs of the inner court are basically managed by Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song.

Nangong Yue didn't want those irrelevant people to enter her yard and make a commotion, so she said, "Let them go to the front hall."

"Yes, Concubine Shi." Que'er led the order to go to work, and when Thrush came to report that all the maids and maids had arrived, Nangong Yue brought An Niang and a group of picturesque maids, such as the stars and the moon. Go to the main hall.

At this time, the sky outside was already bright.

The main hall of this inner courtyard is facing the second door, with blue bricks, white walls and red tiles. Four black lacquer doors are open. Two couplets are hung on the left and right walls. On the plaque, the three characters of Dou Da - "Wu Shou Tang" are written on the plaque.

These three characters were written by the late emperor himself.

The font is strong and powerful, galloping and indulgent, and majestic.

There is a large red sandalwood carving chi case under the big plaque. On the table hangs a large painting of the ink dragon waiting to be leaked. On both sides are two red sandalwood Taishi chairs inlaid with marble. , a small table is placed between every two chairs. The floor is a marble floor that shines like a mirror.

What a magnificent hall!

Nangong Yue's eyes stopped on the red sandalwood Taishi chair next to the large red sandalwood carving case. This Taishi chair was originally an official family chair, a symbol of power and status. This man is suitable for an old lady who is as powerful as the Su family, but it is not suitable for Nangong Yue.

When she saw her slender figure sitting on it, it seemed that the Grand Master's chair was empty. Not only did it not set off her imposing manner, but on the contrary, it set off her thin, weak and pitiful appearance.

The servants who were waiting inside and outside the hall quietly glanced at the prince concubine who had just passed the door, and exchanged glances with each other secretly.

The maid next to her hurriedly served her hot tea.

Nangong Yue took a sip of the hot tea and looked up. In the main hall, there were two middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s standing respectfully. One was short and chubby, with a round face. The pigmented surface has a silk jacket; the other is neither short nor fat, neither tall nor thin, with a beauty mole on the corner of his mouth, and a parrot green silk jacket.

Even if no one introduced them, Nangong Yue guessed that the two were Mammy Zhang and Mama Song.

According to the records on the roster, this Madam Zhang came from the palace. It is said that it was given to Xiao Yi's grandfather when the late emperor gave this mansion. She has been guarding the house for all these years. Originally, she was the one who spoke in the backyard, until after Xiao Fang came to the capital, she left a Song mama to help with the stewardship.

Outside the main hall, row upon row of maids and wives stood in disorder, some with their backs straight, some with their backs bowed, and some whispering.

Que'er stepped forward to be blessed and introduced Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song to Nangong Yue.

Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song both took a step forward and respectfully saluted, "I have seen the Concubine Shi!" These two maids had just found out that the new housekeeper had met Concubine Shi in the outer study, and later Fu Feng. From the movement in the courtyard, I guessed that Concubine Shizi should start to hold the middle feed, so I wanted to try this Concubine Shizi's temperament.

This Fufeng Courtyard is like an iron bucket, and the servants in it are basically the maids and old ladies married to the concubine Shizi. It turns out that the maids in the house do some rough cleaning things at most, not only the cleaning wheel in the bedroom of the concubine Shizi. When they arrived, even when they entered the main room to clean, there were always people watching, and they couldn't see the princess at all.

However, the two maids did not retreat in spite of the difficulties. They thought that the road would not work, so they took the water route. They could not see the people of the concubine, and they could also use the time the kitchen delivered the meal to determine the time of the concubine's meal, so The two knew that Concubine Shizi had just started having breakfast, so they ran to say that they wanted to greet her, wanting to see how Concubine Shizi would respond. Unexpectedly, the maidservants of this imperial concubine were very arrogant, and without making a report, they dismissed them lightly, which also made them feel uncertain in their hearts, seeing the maidservant and seeing her master, this imperial concubine is afraid that she is very powerful.

Therefore, although the two old ladies saw that Nangong Yue looked young and delicate, they didn't dare to make trouble, and kept their knees bent until Nangong Yue signaled them to abstain from the ceremony, and then they straightened up.

Madam Song said first: "Originally, the old slave should have come to greet Concubine Shizi long ago, but thinking that Concubine Shizi is busy recently and dare not bother you casually, and asked Shizifei to forgive her sins." After a pause, she continued. , "Concubine Shizi, the servants in the inner courtyard are all waiting outside the hall, and only the two women who are guarding the door are not here. Do you want them all to come in and kowtow to you, Concubine Shizi?"

She smiled at Nangong Yue diligently, with a servile appearance, while Mammy Zhang on the side was not in a hurry, and sneered to herself, thinking: This Mammy Song is someone brought by Wang Fei Xiao Fang, no matter how she behaves No matter how loyal she is, the imperial concubine will never trust her. No matter how much she does, she is just a blind man lighting a lamp—was in vain.

Nangong Yue glanced at Baihui, and Baihui said, "Let a few stewards come in, and the others will kowtow to Concubine Shizi outside and leave."

"Yes, Concubine Shi. The old slave will go and call someone." After Mammy Song responded, she walked diligently outside the hall, and soon brought four mother-in-law and two daughters-in-law in their thirties and forties with them. came in.

The rest of the people outside all bowed down on the bluestone floor, kowtowed to Nangong Yue, and then dispersed.

After Mammy Song brought people to the hall, she introduced them one by one. This one was in charge of the kitchen, this one was in charge of needlework, this one was in charge of sweeping, this one was in charge of purchasing, this one was in charge of the door. This is for flowers and trees.

Afterwards, the six of them also knelt down and kowtowed, saluting in unison.

Nangong Yue didn't ask them to get up, but instructed Que'er, "Que'er, call them here."

they?

Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song were both stunned, not knowing what medicine was sold in Nangong Yue's gourd.

Soon, they saw Que'er leading three people in, one was an old woman in her fifties, and the other two seemed to be young daughters-in-law in their early thirties.

The two maids and the others all felt a little nervous. Although they didn't know the names of the people Que'er brought, they knew that they were the concubine's roommates. Naturally, the concubine wouldn't give up the room for nothing. Called over, a thought suddenly appeared in their minds...

But it was quickly rejected in my heart, is it impossible? Even if the imperial concubine was definitely going to put people in the mansion, she wouldn't just take action as soon as they met, right? After all, she just got married, so she can't do too much, and it's not good for her reputation to spread it out...

Only when they thought so, they heard Que'er introduce with a smile: "These three are from Madam Pan, Yu Dawei's family, and Wu Ran's family."

The three of them blessed Mammy Zhang and Mammy Song, and it was considered a courtesy.

Following that, Nangong Yue said unhurriedly, "In the future, Madam Pan, Yu Dawei's family, and Wu Ran's family will take over the kitchen, housekeeping and shopping!"

This sentence made the six people in the hall stare in disbelief. Three of the six people who were kneeling on the ground suddenly raised their heads, in shock and indignation. Before they dared to speak out, Song Mama already jumped He got up and said, "Concubine Shi, why? Although the three of them can't say that they have achieved anything in their daily lives, they haven't made any big mistakes, and they have worked hard without credit. How can they take someone's job for no reason? ?"

After a brief shock, Mammy Zhang regained her composure immediately.

As the saying goes: there are three fires for a new official to take office, anyway, the fire of the prince has little effect on him. Since she came to the capital more than four years ago, she stole the kitchen, shopping, and needles from her own hands. The kitchen and shopping are a lot of money. If An is inserted into the prince and concubine, then Song will not be able to. What good does Mammy have? It means that Mammy Song, the backyard steward, is just an empty job. As for my side, it's just one less gatekeeper.

After thinking about it, Mammy Zhang smiled sarcastically in her heart, thinking that she had expected it right, Concubine Shi and Princess Xiao Fang were destined to be natural enemies, so how could Concubine Song tolerate Mammy Song in charge of the kitchen and shopping. Important errand!

Mammy Zhang thought about it again, and felt more and more that Concubine Shizi must have thought about it carefully, and guarding the door is optional for her, but for Concubine Shizi, guarding the door of this inner courtyard is naturally the top priority. , must not be a little sloppy!

Since this world concubine is a well-informed one, then I should just wait and watch the show.

Nangong Yue glanced at Mammy Song lightly, but she was not arrogant or impetuous, and said: "I am the first concubine, if I want to dispatch people, do you want Mama Song to agree? Then if I want to dispatch Mama Song to die today Son-in-law is at Zhuangzi in Ritang Mountain, Mammy Song, do you want to go or not?"

Song Momo's old face flushed red in an instant, and she caught her breath in her chest. Could this princess be threatening herself? Madam Song was so angry that she almost didn't catch her breath, she said in a strong and dry voice, "Prince Concubine, old... This old slave is someone assigned by the concubine herself!"

Nangong Yue hooked the corners of her mouth, and said with a smile that was not a smile: "Mother Song, the concubine has always been caring and considerate of the prince. If you know that the prince's village is not in charge, she will definitely be willing to send the maid to help the prince. Now the concubine is thousands of miles away. Besides, it is not convenient for me to ask for instructions, so I will make the decision and send my mother over there."

Without her orders, Baihui had already ordered two big-bodied women to come forward and pinched Mammy Song from left to right.

"you……"

Mother Song wanted to shout, but Lily had already stuffed her mouth with a rag, and she was kicked out by someone.

Several maids and daughters-in-law who were kneeling on the ground looked at each other secretly, their heads were big.

After the princess left, the prince Xiao Yi was the biggest in this mansion. Of course, they wanted to run on power and step on others so that they could stand out. They are locked up like prison, and they are not allowed to enter or leave except for shopping on weekdays.

The prince did not discuss it here. They once thought that there was no hope for this hard life. They did not expect the emperor to marry the prince so soon.

Originally, they also thought that after the imperial concubine entered the door, the inner courtyard would not have to be locked. They could finally "get out of prison", and they could let go of their hands and feet and show their magical powers, but they didn't want this young and ignorant imperial concubine to act. She was even more rude than the prince. When the prince was there, he avoided seeing them. As soon as the prince left, he revealed the true face of Mount Lu. How could this ordinary bride just get married and take a few people's errands without a word? , and then blatantly installed his own dowry, and even Song Mama, who has always been a powerful man in this mansion, was suppressed in the blink of an eye, and ended up in exile!

This is clearly killing chickens to warn monkeys, and everyone else is silent, and a layer of cold sweat breaks out on their foreheads.

Didn't it say that Concubine Shizi was the direct daughter of that Nangong family? This kind of girl raised by a Shilin family should not be polite and graceful, how can she be more ruthless than those from the family of military generals?

Nangong Yue saw the reactions of several people in the hall, but did not smile.