Chapter 49: The Authority of the Housekeeper

  Xu Shangshu had received the news early and led a group of people waiting at the gate.

  Princess Jinglin sent her daughter back with the respect due to a princess, showing that she was extremely fond of Xu Mingjin. Xu Mingjin had won the princess's favor, and as his father, Xu Ruoyi felt proud. But the expressions on the faces of the people behind him were even more interesting.

  Mrs. Xü was confined to her room by Mr. Xü for faking a pregnancy and hadn't been seen outside the door since. When Miss Xü returned home, she received a severe scolding from Mr. Xü. She had never been treated like this before, so today she felt both regretful and worried. She didn't expect to be met with her father's harsh words upon her return, and she couldn't bear it anymore, bursting into loud sobs. This moved the small amount of paternal affection in Mr. Xü's heart, so he decided not to punish her but instead temporarily confined her to her room.

  Mrs. Xü was not so lucky, Xu Ruoyi confined her, only because she had not thought of a way to punish her yet.

  So the ones who appeared at the door were Mrs. Xu and Xu Mingying, as well as several women dressed up in a flashy manner. They should be Xu Ruoyi's aunts or something, it's just that Xu Mingjin hadn't seen them before.

  Xu Mingjin was slightly surprised as soon as she got off the carriage and saw this group of people. She wasn't foolish enough to think that these people were led by Xu Ruoyi to gather at the entrance of the Shangshu Mansion to welcome her. If not for herself, then it must be for the noble Princess Jinglin behind her. Xu Mingjin couldn't help but mock silently - apparently everyone liked to curry favor and cling to those in power. She was no exception either.

  If Jinglin wasn't a princess, Xu Mingjin might not have been friends with her, but she was, so Xu Mingjin would definitely be friends with her. Look at yourself, what qualifications do you have to mock others? Xu Mingjin despised himself.

  Without waiting for Xu Ruoyi and others to pay their respects, Princess Jinglin waved her hand and said, "You go in, I'm leaving." She got back on the carriage by herself, pulled down the curtain, and the horse-drawn carriage slowly drove away. Leaving Xu Ruoyi and others staring blankly at the spot where she had disappeared.

  "Dad." After a long while, Xu Ruoyi came to in Xu Mingjin's voice asking if he was alright.

  "Jin'er, you've worked hard, come on in, hurry up." Xu Shangshu hid his awkward expression and warmly greeted Xu Mingjin. However, Xu Mingjin had already turned around and bowed to Old Lady Xu: "Old lady, Jin'er is late coming back, causing you worry, it's truly a crime punishable by death." Before Xu Mingjin could say more, Old Lady Xu's previous cold demeanor changed, she kindly pulled Xu Mingjin up, saying: "Good child, get up quickly." She lovingly patted Xu Mingjin's head, having her hold onto her arm, and the two slowly walked into the house together.

  Xu Ruoyi stood there, looking embarrassed. He coughed and followed Xu Lao Furen and Xu Mingjin into the house with a nonchalant attitude. Those women in their finery were vying with each other, swinging their soft waists, and coiled around them like water snakes.

  Only Xuming Ying and others were left standing there, several people filled with jealousy looked at the direction where Xuming Jin had left, all thinking in their hearts: Why did such a lucky person leave instead of themselves? Several people slowly walked back, but their thoughts were different.

  Mrs. Xu was supported by Xu Mingjin all the way to Chunhui Yard.

  This time, Xu Mingjin received the same treatment as Xu Mingxuan last time. Compared to the previous time, it was like heaven and earth. Xu Mingjin knew in his heart that all this was because he had caught the eye of Princess Jinglin. In fact, he had no relationship with her at all. Old Lady Xu let Xu Mingjin sit beside her, even Xu Ruoyi who came later sat down below him. Those who came last, such as Xu Mingying, could only take the lowest seat.

  Mrs. Xulao kept advising Xu Mingjin to drink tea and eat some snacks, indirectly asking her what she had discussed with Princess Jinglin in the carriage. Xu Mingjin originally hadn't talked much with Princess Jinglin, so he replied vaguely: "The princess knows that Jin'er's piano skills are not good, so tomorrow she will come to our house to teach him."

  Mrs. Xu's face lit up with joy, and she repeatedly said: "Good, good, good."

  Xu Ruoyi was also extremely delighted. He said: "Jin'er, I don't know when the princess will come tomorrow?"

  Xu Mingjin said lightly: "Oh, the princess has spoken, she doesn't want to see unrelated people."

  Mrs. Xü was taken aback by his words, and Xü Ruòyì was also stunned. The expressions of the mother and son were identical.

  Mrs. Xu originally thought that since the princess had come to her home, as the host, she should naturally treat her well. But since the princess had spoken, she could only follow along.

  Princess Jinglin actually never said that, but Xu Mingjin thought she must be unwilling to see the flattering faces in the Xu Mansion. So he took it upon himself to say so, and he measured that Old Lady Xu and Xu Ruoyi did not have the guts to verify this matter with Princess Jinglin.

  But Xu Ruoyi misunderstood the meaning of Xu Mingjin's words. He connected Xu Mingjin's words with what happened to Mrs. Xu today, thinking that it was because of Mrs. Xu that Princess Jinglin didn't want to see 'unrelated people'. He was furious and said to Old Lady Xu: "Mother, Ye Shi deceived heaven and earth, faking a pregnancy, making our esteemed official residence the laughing stock of the capital, it's really a heinous crime, I've already confined her, waiting for your punishment."

  Mrs. Xu's face was expressionless: "What do you think?"

  Xu Shangshu thought for a moment and said, "In my humble opinion, let's confine her to the house for half a year and observe her changes. If she knows her mistakes, we'll restore her freedom of action. If she still doesn't know her mistakes and refuses to change, then we'll send her to the countryside."

  As soon as Xu Shangshu spoke, the whole room was filled with astonished gasps. No one had expected that Xu Ruoyi's punishment for Xu Furen would be so severe.

  Xu Mingjin sneered: "Does Xu Ruoyi dare not to punish her like this? Is he not afraid that one day, Jinglin Princess will remember how she was deceived by Mrs. Xu and he will suffer the same fate as the fish in the pond?" Unfortunately, it still ended up being a blessing in disguise for Mrs. Xu.

  Xu Mingying and others had an unexpectedly pleasant expression, Mrs. Xu had been under house arrest for half a year, that right to manage the household would definitely have to be handed over, then her sister-in-law would have the opportunity! Everyone's face was full of eager expressions.

  "She is the mistress of the house, under house arrest for half a year. Who's in charge of this household then? Isn't it going to be chaotic?"

  Xu Ruoyi said: "Then let's work hard for a while, mother. You can take charge of the backyard for your son first!"

  Mrs. Xü was defeated by Mrs. Xü in the struggle for household power years ago, and has been living in the temple ever since, out of sight, out of mind. Xu Ruo-yi's words really hit her soft spot. However, Mrs. Xü was delighted, but still looked worried: "I'm just an old bone now, how many more days can I be active? You'd better find someone else to manage!"

  Xu Ruoyi heard what Old Lady Xu said and hesitated, his mother's age was indeed advanced, and she probably couldn't work hard anymore. But for now, apart from his mother, there really wasn't anyone suitable to manage the household. Xu Ruoyi had never thought of letting any of the concubines manage the household. If he did that, it would be laughable.

  Xu Mingjin had already seen that Madam Xu truly wanted to tightly grasp the power of managing the household in her own hands. At this time, whoever went forward to contend with her would be no different from rushing into the muzzle of a gun. However, Xu Mingjin swept his gaze over the eager faces of Xu Mingying and the others, deciding not to say anything.

  Finally, Xu Mingying could no longer bear it, she stepped forward and said: "Father, daughter can share father's worries."

  Xu Ruoyi hesitated and asked: "You? The housekeeper?"

  Xu Mingying nodded confidently, she had already calculated that Xu Lao Furen couldn't bear the labor, Xu Furen was under house arrest, Xu Mingxia was also under house arrest, and currently the most favored Xu Mingjin had to accompany Princess Jinglin every day, where would he have time to manage the household? It seemed like Father wasn't planning on letting any of the concubines take charge. Now it's just herself and Xu Mingyu left, when the time is right, she'll make her move and try to seize the power to manage the household for herself.

  Xu Mingying, full of confidence, did not see the sudden chill in Old Lady Xu's gaze, but Xu Mingjin saw it. She hid aside to watch the excitement, as long as the fire didn't burn herself, she wouldn't make a sound, as for others' life and death, please excuse her inability. She didn't want to intervene, nor was she willing to intervene.

  Mrs. Xü glanced at Xu Mingying, who dared to snatch food from her hands, and secretly calculated in her heart, but showed nothing on her face. She didn't even make a sound to interfere with Xu Ruoyi's decision.

  Xu Mingyu and Xu Mingfang also asked themselves to be in charge of the household.

  "Jin'er, can you manage this household?" Xu Shangshu suddenly fixed his gaze on Xu Mingjin, who was stirring the soy sauce beside him. Xu Ruoyi's move immediately earned Xu Mingjin a murderous glare from Xu Mingying.

  Xu Ruoyi originally thought that after hearing his words, Xu Mingjin would be overjoyed, but unexpectedly, Xu Mingjin simply said calmly: "Father, from tomorrow on, Princess Jinglin will come every day to teach me the art of qin, and I myself must also diligently practice, I'm afraid I won't have time to manage the household, please ask Father to invite another wise person."

  Xu Shangshu was extremely disappointed.

  Mrs. Xu suddenly said: "Yi'er, since Ying'er has proposed to manage the household, let her try."

  Xu Mingjin heard what Old Lady Xu said and knew that Xu Mingying had already offended her. She was going to take action against Xu Mingying now, and even if Xu Ruoyi agreed to let Xu Mingying manage the household, she wouldn't be able to do it for more than a few days. Because she was opposing the old lady, it was simply looking for trouble. The only one who truly had to have control over the household was Old Lady Xu herself. Xu Mingjin thought that in no time at all, the entire Xu estate would be completely under Old Lady Xu's control, and if he wanted to get along well in the Xu estate, then from now on, flattering Old Lady Xu was the way to go.

  Xu Mingying was still unaware of her impending doom, but when she heard Old Lady Xu's words, she was overjoyed. She threw her arms around Old Lady Xu's arm and exclaimed, "It's still the old lady who cares for me!"

  Xu Ruoyi glanced around and found that his options were indeed limited, so he reluctantly said: "Alright, let Ying'er be in charge of the household."

  Up to now, the contest for the control of the Xu family's household has finally come to a temporary end.

  Coming out of Mrs. Xu's Chunhui courtyard, Xu Mingjin was in a good mood. Her revenge plan didn't think it would start so soon, although this happened under the coercion of Mrs. Xu and others. But she achieved a complete victory.

  Come on, come on! Xu Mingjin said to himself.