Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 887 - 863: Familial Bliss

Xie Jue, weary from travel, finally returned to the Capital City two days before New Year’s Eve. Although Xie Jue was not present in the Prince Manor, Mingzhu, as the eldest daughter, was already capable of handling matters independently despite not yet reaching womanhood. For the past half month before New Year’s Eve, she returned to the manor after her classes at the Imperial College to handle social interactions.

Xie Jue was the only Prince of the Beining Dynasty, holding a high and noble status. Even when he was not in the Capital City, officials, subordinates, and family friends would still send their New Year’s gifts. Xie Jue didn’t really enjoy dealing with these mundane matters, so he entrusted them to the steward. The steward was an old servant from the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, having served the Xie Family for generations. He was well-versed in the family’s social interactions, and Xie Jue entrusted him to manage these tasks.

However, if such a large manor were left for the steward to manage the household affairs, there would often be criticism, whether he was overly lenient or too strict, which wouldn’t benefit the family’s social interactions much. Thus, noble families needed a woman to manage household affairs, as men weren’t adept at such matters. Now that Mingzhu was knowledgeable and capable, Fengyu tried to have her manage the household, and even sent a senior palace maid to accompany Mingzhu back to the manor, fearing that in the absence of the master, the servants might overreach.

For the past half month, Mingzhu earnestly managed the social interactions, learning what each family sent and what should be returned. There was actually an annual gift list to follow, which minimized mistakes. But social interactions vary yearly, and one’s social standing could be discerned through the gifts. Initially, Mingzhu was looked down upon and deliberately given a hard time by the servants when she started handling the matters. This wasn’t entirely the servants’ fault, as they were loyal but had also suffered after the Marquis Mansion’s fall, being sold off and scrutinized, which is why Xie Jue’s household rules weren’t very strict.

There were very few legitimate masters in the manor. With fewer people and tasks, they lived quite comfortably, with plenty of benefits. In the Prince Manor, the words of a steward could have more weight than many officials, attracting bribery. If Xie Jue wasn’t home, Xie Xun couldn’t manage all affairs unless someone reported directly to the emperor.

In recent years, Xie Jue frequently traveled, often away from the Capital City, leading to lax standards. They didn’t want to be managed by a young girl, even if she was the noble eldest daughter of the manor. Moreover, the servants had their biases. They recognized Ruyi as she resembled Xie Jue, visibly a child of the Xie Family. Mingzhu, on the other hand, had distinguished features hinting at Beiman ancestry, not commanding the same respect. In private, some even speculated whether Mingzhu was the Prince’s own child. With Mingzhu managing the household affairs, they would lose out on benefits, and some old servants considered themselves half-masters due to the absence of a true master, deliberately making things difficult for Mingzhu to drive her away and confine her to being a pampered princess without involving herself in manor matters.

Mingzhu was a composed and striking young lady, straightforward and unyielding in facing challenges. She never sought Fengyu’s help, having learned a significant truth from Fengyu’s side: being strong earns respect. If she resorted to seeking help when challenged, it would show weakness, inviting more overreach. Mingzhu also knew that eventually, a woman would have to take charge of the manor’s affairs. If her father wouldn’t marry again, she had to take charge, not letting the authority fall to a servant. Fengyu’s intention in letting her manage the household was to train her. Mingzhu relied on her wits and courage to outmaneuver these powerful servants, barely gaining an upper hand. Fengyu eventually sent down a senior palace maid to guide Mingzhu in maintaining balance in managing household trivialities.

Thus, when Xie Jue returned to the Prince Manor, everything was in order. Mingzhu had already managed all the manor’s relationships and sent out various gifts. Fearing she might have made mistakes, she showed the gift list to Xie Jue for review.

Xie Jue felt a mix of emotions, not expecting that Mingzhu, at such a young age, could handle such intricate matters within the manor and during an important festival time. Seeing Mingzhu’s bright eyes awaiting praise, Xie Jue generously commended her, "Well done, better than father imagined."

The praised Mingzhu seemed even happier and eagerly recounted her achievements over the past half month. Xie Jue listened patiently, reflecting that his extensive efforts for Fang Chuning over the past six months had led to less attention to the manor, and that it was his fault for burdening Mingzhu.

A child as young as Mingzhu should not bear such burdens.