Apparently, Mrs. Li was more formidable in combat.
Of course, this strength of Mrs. Li stemmed from Song Xiu’er being the main wife.
Little Feng’s aunt was quickly defeated.
"Aunt of Little Feng, don’t feel it’s unfair. That’s just how things are in this world. But rest assured, whether it’s us or the family-in-law, we all have a conscience and won’t neglect you." Mrs. Li declared her victory.
Little Feng’s aunt didn’t dare to really fall out with Mrs. Li, and what Mrs. Li said was true. After all, their Song Family was closer to the Zhao Family.
"We, we just wanted to help, just wanted to help." Little Feng’s aunt said.
"Don’t worry, as soon as there’s a need for you, the family-in-law won’t be shy." Mrs. Li said boisterously, as if she could decide for Meng Yao.
"Mother-in-law, you tell us, what should we do first?" Mrs. Li looked somewhat spirited, ready to endure hardships, although she didn’t like working, it didn’t mean she couldn’t.
At first, to earn the trust of the Meng clan, doing some work was no big deal.
Once they became stewards, wouldn’t they then do whatever they wished? Google seaʀᴄh novel{f}ire.net
She knew well that these ladies in the Capital City rarely showed their faces and left everything to their stewards.
"I need to discuss with my husband before I can definitively tell you what to do." Meng Yao said.
"Yes, yes, that’s right." Mrs. Li agreed, "Then, mother-in-law, you’d better hurry and discuss it with your husband."
"You all rest up first." Meng Yao said, then left with Huang Ying.
The next day, Meng Yao came to see the Song Family with a smile, "There’s a quarry in the estate; the usual steward is sick these days, mother-in-law, you all go over and get accustomed, mainly to manage those working. However, I have to mention that the conditions at the market side are slightly worse. If you’re unwilling, there’s also a manor to manage."
In Fengyang Town, there was also a quarry, which Mrs. Li had heard was highly lucrative.
Because those purchasing stones did so through the steward, and with a slight manipulation of quantities, a lot of silver could end up in one’s own pocket.
As for the manor, it was a place where wealthy families farmed.
Before they came to the Capital City, they lived off the land.
After coming to the Capital City, they naturally didn’t want to do their previous work anymore.
"Go to the quarry." Mrs. Li said hurriedly, "The steward over there is sick, how can no one be in charge? Isn’t this delaying things! Mother-in-law, rest assured, we aren’t afraid of tough conditions."
Meng Yao looked grateful, "What else can I say? After all, you can always rely on your family."
"Of course, of course." Mrs. Li agreed, "Why don’t we head over now?"
Meng Yao nodded, "Alright, I’ll take you there myself."
Zhao Ting accompanied Meng Yao and the Song family to the quarry.
Of course, the so-called quarry wasn’t really owned by the Zhao Family.
It belonged to the Court.
Moreover, sending the Song family to the quarry wasn’t for them to be stewards, but to work.
In the carriage, Meng Yao produced a contract and asked Mrs. Li and the others to place their handprints on it.
"Why do we need to place a handprint to be a steward?" Mrs. Li was puzzled.
Meng Yao maintained her composure, "It’s the rule; all stewards in the estate have to sign. It involves receiving seasonal gifts and monthly silver, or sometimes not. If you’re not reassured, let Tiger take a look since he’s been to school."
Song Hu was somewhat nervous. His parents had sent him to school, but he wasn’t cut out for it, and after a few days, he tried everything to escape.
The Song parents thought their son was diligently studying from dawn till dusk.
In fact, he was messing around everywhere.
Song Hu knew limited characters and couldn’t truly understand what was written.
Mrs. Li urged, "Tiger, hurry up and take a look."
Song Hu pretended to read it over, "No problem."
Meng Yao stifled a laugh, "If there’s no problem, mother-in-law, place your handprint."
"How much monthly silver does a steward get?" Mrs. Li asked.
"Fifteen taels." Meng Yao replied.
Mrs. Li gasped. Fifteen taels a month was more than what they saved from their farming in a year.
Mrs. Li cheerfully placed her handprint, and Song Shizhu and Song Hu did as well.
"Mother-in-law, I didn’t ask—is it fifteen taels for each of us three?" Mrs. Li inquired.
"A steward only requires one person. We are one family; the others’ board and lodging are included. Moreover, you’re just getting accustomed to the work. Later, we definitely won’t keep you here. How tiring would that be!" Meng Yao said.
Fifteen taels for three people wasn’t shabby.
After all, they wouldn’t have to do much work.
Mrs. Li knew that some villagers went out to labor, earning fifty coins a day if they were able-bodied, amounting to only one and a half taels of silver a month.
At the quarry, they could even earn extra income.
"Not tiring at all, how could it be tiring? Moreover, it’s our own work, even if it’s tiring, we can endure it." Mrs. Li said happily.
Upon arriving at the quarry, someone soon greeted them, showing much respect.
"Take them around to get familiar with the place." Zhao Ting instructed.
"Rest assured, General."
Mrs. Li and Song Shizhu were eager to start, while Song Hu was somewhat reluctant, preferring to stay in the Zhao family’s mansion over the quarry.
However, he couldn’t go against his parents. In any case, it wasn’t as though they would be there forever.
"Mother-in-law, there’s still work at the estate, so shall we head back?" Meng Yao asked.
"Go on, go back." Mrs. Li, eager to ’oversee’ the quarry, urged Meng Yao to leave.
Zhao Ting and Meng Yao boarded the carriage and soon were out of sight.
"Hey, you, come here—yes, you, what’s your name?" Mrs. Li pointed at the person who had just spoken with Zhao Ting, speaking bossily, "Can’t you see we’re tired? Hurry and bring some chairs!"
The person Mrs. Li pointed at was an official sent by the Court. Though a minor, insignificant official, at the quarry, he was the highest-ranking official.
He had been deferential to Zhao Ting.
But the people sent here to work were either too poor at home or sent by the Government for punishment.
How could such people deserve his respect?
The steward snapped the whip from his waist, cracking it through the air with a loud sound.
"This is the first time I’ve seen such arrogant laborers! Seems like you need a lesson on the rules."
"Father, Tiger, did you hear what he said? He said ’official’? And that we’re laborers?" Mrs. Li asked uncertainly. Was there something wrong with her ears? But they had come to be stewards, how did they end up being called laborers?
"Dear, something’s off here." Song Shizhu lowered his voice.
The steward didn’t actually whip anyone since General Zhao’s instructions were to let them experience the ’hardships of the world,’ not to have them beaten.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get to work." The steward cracked the whip again.
"We came to be stewards." Song Hu protested, "Look, this is the document Madam Zhao gave us."