Chapter 35: Giving Coal

  Now it's still up to the two ladies, but after now, it's not necessarily the case.

  Although Lan Sheng is not good at socializing, she has been very sensitive and vigilant in reading people's expressions since elementary school. The old lady said that she doesn't interfere with anything while practicing Tai Chi, but the matter of the Wu Temple must be approved by her. She seems to be kind to Wu Mei, but when she says that Wu Mei should assist her husband, there is a strong implication. From this conversation, it can be seen that the old lady and Wu Mei are evenly matched. On one hand, it's possible that the old lady doesn't want to offend the other two daughters-in-law, so she's taking a middle-of-the-road approach. On the other hand, Wu Mei has come prepared but doesn't want to appear too strong and offend the old lady. This is still far from being a fierce struggle for power; it's just an art of conversation in a large household.

  Huā said to her, "Show them some of your haughty attitude and they'll know we're not to be trifled with."

  Lan nodded slightly, cleared his throat and spoke up, "Whose construction is the new courtyard of Fourth Miss? Is the overall structure modified by yourselves or drawn by a craftsman?"

  The wind is cold and piercing.

  Grey-clothed Zhang opened his mouth, slightly slow to react, "......that......the small one isn't clear, it was the chief steward who went to find the craftsman. Miss......what does 'overall structure' mean?"

  You Lan was pulled behind by Hua, who gave her a sideways glance. As expected, she didn't have the guts to ask people, but instead asked the housekeeper.

  "What does that mean? Hurry up and open the courtyard gate, if it's too shabby inside, you go back and tell Manager Xiao to find some better skilled craftsmen to renovate. The place where Second Madam lives can't be worse than Fourth Miss', right?" With a fierce and intimidating tone.

  He wore a grey robe and pushed open the door, only to be met with a spider web right in his face, making him spit out in disgust. At the same time, he didn't dare to slack off, lighting up all the places that could be lit, wanting to let Lan Sheng and the others see clearly. However, after he himself saw clearly, his expression suddenly sank. Everywhere was covered with spider webs, the eaves were collapsing, and the tiles were falling off, the grass in the courtyard was as tall as a person, the main house had a large iron lock hanging from it, the paper windows were still intact, but the doors and windows of the other houses were all broken and tattered, completely not suitable for people to live in tonight. Even if he called the servants to come and stay here, they probably wouldn't be willing.

  A black line passed by his calf, he shouted and jumped up, but heard the bitter-faced little servant say two words.

  Mouse.

  He glanced at the corner of the wall and saw a big grey rat with red eyes, its belly turned over, pierced by a branch.

  He exclaimed, "Oh mother! I only feel that in those places where the light can't shine, there are hundreds of red eyes and crawling cockroach legs. I couldn't help but shrink back to the side of the door. 'Miss Lansheng, how can people live in a place like this? Why don't you follow me to find the general manager and explain the situation.'"

  "It looks like it can be inhabited." The situation with the fallen tiles is both good and bad, there are not a few damaged corners of the roof, and almost all the bricks on the corridor are cracked, but the beam frame and wooden pillars of the corridor top are mostly well preserved, seemingly made of quite good wood.

  Lan Sheng said again, "Let's take a look inside. If it's worse than outside, that's a different story."

  Grey-clad servant listened, muttering that things were already bad enough outside, but had to listen to Lan Sheng's words, reluctantly following him to the front door of the main house, eyes lighting up, "How can such a big iron lock be opened? Or else..."

  Huh? Why did Miss Lansheng and that maid let him get so far away? On the other hand, the bitter-faced servant was standing with his nose almost touching the door panel, when he suddenly lifted his foot and kicked it. The locked door fell down like a paper-covered bamboo frame. He stared blankly at it, swallowing a mouthful of dust without realizing it, because he finally discovered that Miss Lansheng might be easy to deal with, but these two people under her were absolutely not to be trifled with.

  He had not been in the mansion for a long time, and he thought he was clever, but he had no way to go. It was just because the managers were also divided into factions, and each courtyard already had its own heart and soul, so he was doing miscellaneous things everywhere. He heard that the second lady who had been away from home for many years was coming back, and the old people in the mansion had long said that the lady was not a good person, and they all stood on the side of Lady Yu and Lady Die, planning to join forces against her. He didn't care, and he just wanted to follow the crowd to keep his rice bowl safe, so he dared to show impatience with Lan Sheng. Now, looking carefully, his heart had loosened up a bit. He had been waiting for an opportunity to be promoted, but unfortunately, people were selfish and couldn't show their abilities in front of their masters. Now that the second lady appeared, although there were also capable people around her, she didn't know anything about the mansion's affairs for over ten years, wasn't this exactly the time when someone needed to show their sincerity?

  It is better to send charcoal in snowy weather than to add flowers to brocade. He ate ash, rubbed his eyes, turned around and knelt down to Lan Sheng, his mind was already made up.

  "Hey, I'm telling you, don't think that just because you're crying, you can stay out of the house. Outside, mice are running wild, who knows what disgusting things are inside?! You're in charge here, you have to be the first one." Hua's thoughts were sometimes naive and cruel, making people laugh and cry at the same time.

  Lan Sheng had some eyebrows and eyes, but she was still as innocent as a flower. "Get up, you don't have to pretend to be the first in line." Don't forget, she's cruel.

  "My surname is Wu, I'm the third child in my family. My father works as an accountant at a wine shop, so I can write and do calculations. I've been serving in the Nan Yue government office for three years and seven months. I'm willing to serve the second madam and young lady with all my might."

  There was a flower with a pouting mouth, "Who wants you to..."

  Lan Sheng cut him off, "Wu Guanshi, is this self-recommendation?"

  Wu Sandao said, "I don't dare to claim that I have talent, but at least my head is not stupid and my hands and feet are nimble. Most importantly, I remember the teachings of my father, to repay kindness. If the second lady and young lady do not despise me, if they use me, I will be loyal to death."

  Lan Sheng thought for a moment, and after a while, he replied, "Anyone can talk big, I'm still inexperienced, so I don't dare to conclude whether you're really capable or just pretending. However, I can mention this matter to my mother, you wait for a few days and see if she comes looking for you to ask questions."

  Wu San bowed his head, "If Miss Lan can put in a good word for me with the second madam, I would be eternally grateful. Please also convey to the second madam that there are many people in this household who openly support Madame Yu and Madame Die, and even more who secretly support them. It would be best if there was someone who understood the situation to help, so that they can familiarize themselves with the people and affairs of the household as soon as possible."

  Although reporting secretly is not glorious, she said it in a roundabout way, her mother should need this kind of devotion. Lan Sheng agreed to help convey the message.

  Wu San's demeanor was completely different, with a bold and daring spirit, he led the way into the house. Probably due to his "loyal" mentality, he kept saying that this house couldn't be lived in, and said that the main courtyard was the best, as long as he could persuade Old Master, Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Die would not object either, then temporary residence would become permanent, and Second Mistress would naturally take over household affairs.

  Lan Sheng didn't care about her mother's thoughts at all, but only felt that this place was suitable for herself. If she didn't occupy the place tonight, it would be impossible to move in in the future. As for her mother, there was probably no way she could come tonight.

  "As I expected, it's much better inside than outside. This room can be lived in as long as it's swept clean, and the other places can be renovated slowly."

  Even if her mother wanted to move in, she wouldn't allow it.