The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant-Chapter 906: Considerate Mother-in-Law
The commotion caused by Brother Dan’s temporary move to Chunhui Hall was considerable. After finishing handling household affairs, Madam Jiang hurried over to see if Song Ci needed any extra staff or supplies. Whatever was needed would be provided, as they could not let the family elder go without anything.
Song Ci looked at Madam Jiang’s obviously more slender face and said, "The affairs of the household are tedious and it’s been hard on you. You don’t need to worry about my side here. If there’s anything needed, I’ll have the steward mother ask you for it. During these days, you don’t need to come for morning and evening greetings. Sleep as much as you can, lest you wear yourself out and fall ill. This large estate, there’s no knowing who it could go to if something happened to you."
The Song Family might not compare to those century-old noble families or the Duke Mansion, but as Song Zhiyuan’s official rank grew, so too did the income from various businesses within the household. This sprawling estate resembled a company with all its organs, and there was no lack of matters to handle.
As with other families, the household was divided into inner and outer courtyards. The one managing money could be likened to the ’Finance Department,’ responsible for expensing and accounts, as well as business income, while the procurement of household supplies was akin to modern-day purchasing. Those responsible for guarding the estate, doorkeepers, stables, and the messengers who ran errands were considered external, and needed a trustworthy man to oversee them. This was the job of Song Zhicheng, who did not hold official rank but instead managed external household affairs.
Besides the visible, there were also covert aspects, including Song Zhiyuan’s own think tank, which was unsuitable for outsiders to examine. These, too, fell under Song Zhicheng’s purview. Because they were close brothers, and he wasn’t serving in an official position, he had to take on managing the family affairs, allowing Song Zhiyuan to focus more on affairs outside. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Thus, it appeared as if Song Zhicheng lived a carefree life like an Immortal, but in fact, his work was no less complicated than that of his older and third brothers in the officialdom.
The inner courtyard was equally complicated, with records to be kept for warehouse entries and exits, staffing for the large and small kitchens, garden management, laundry rooms, embroidery rooms, and servants in various courtyards, as well as traffic to and from the estates. These were all to be managed, with key positions in each area held by trusted mothers or stewards, and a detailed account book was maintained.
This concerned the entire estate, not to mention the dowries of each Madam. Take Madam Jiang herself, for example—coming from a wealthy merchant family, she was an only child and was raised to be an heir to bring in a son-in-law. However, she caught Song Zhicheng’s eye, and so brought with her half of the Jiang Family’s dowry at marriage.
In the ten-plus years since, Madam Jiang managed her dowry judiciously, doubling it at least, and each mid-year and year’s end, she was busiest, meeting with stewards and tallying accounts.
Madam Song was similar, and for those who had their own individual courtyards, from those who had married, even the Young Masters had small accounts to manage themselves. It was a test of the young masters’ management abilities; if they couldn’t be wholly clear on everything, they still needed to prevent being deceived by the servants, as this was an ingrained part of their upbringing.
Grateful for her mother-in-law’s consideration to excuse the morning and evening greetings, Madam Jiang smiled and said, "Mother is kind to me, and I will take advantage of it this time. With this vast estate on my shoulders, I understand now the hardships elder sister-in-law faced. Ah, I now only hope that the future daughters-in-law of my sons can be plain-looking, but must have the ability to manage the household."
Managing the household is truly not a job for the faint-hearted; it’s exhausting.
Song Ci laughed, "In other families, it’s always mother-in-law and daughter-in-law vying for control, but you’re already looking to relinquish power before even seeing a daughter-in-law in sight."
Madam Jiang stuck out her tongue and said, "Isn’t that learned from you, Mother?"
