Chapter 9 Improving the Quality of Life

Ji Man wiped away her tears and said with a bitter smile, "I've been locked in the penitence pavilion by Marquis, so there's no good life for me. The people in the mansion are all arrogant and no one cares. They've lost their manners and give me leftover food every day. I was so hungry yesterday that I went to the kitchen to steal some food, and accidentally caused a fire, almost causing a disaster."

Wen Wan furrowed her brows and said, "As a concubine of the Marquis's mansion, there's no reason for you to eat leftovers. If this gets out, it will make our mansion a laughingstock, as if we can't even afford to feed our concubines!"

Ji Man nodded lightly and kowtowed to Wen Wan, "Madam is kind-hearted, much better than me. I think you'll have to accompany Marquis for a lifetime. But being too kind-hearted might make some servants think they can bully you, and that's not proper."

Wen Wan nodded as she listened to Ji Man's tactful words, thinking that Nie Sangyu wasn't as unreasonable as the rumors said. Even though Ji Man was a penitent concubine, she shouldn't be bullied.

"I understand. I'll talk to the kitchen staff later. You can go back to your room. Let's consider the kitchen incident as a result of the dry weather," Wen Wan said.

"Thank you, Madam," Ji Man replied respectfully, kowtowing again.

Wen Wan left the courtyard and called Tan Xiang to go to the kitchen with her. Mulu came in and quickly helped Ji Man up, "What did Madam just say? She looks very angry."

Ji Man smiled, pulled Mulu into the room, closed the door, and said, "Do you understand the concept of retreat for advancement?"

Mulu looked puzzled.

Ji Man tapped her forehead and whispered, "The servants are clearly bullying us because Marquis is neglecting me. They deliberately don't give us food. Otherwise, how could there always be no food when you go there so early? They think I can't complain because I'm locked up. I just confessed to Madam and said I stole the chicken."

Mulu was startled, "But stealing is a crime! If you tell Madam, what if she..."

"She won't," Ji Man shook her head, "Not to mention that Madam is kind-hearted, even if she wanted to make things difficult for me, she wouldn't use this matter. She will only help me cover it up. Otherwise, if it's known that a concubine in Marquis's mansion is stealing, it would disgrace the entire mansion."

After thinking for a while, Mulu suddenly realized, "I see. You're so clever, Master!"

Ji Man chuckled and said, "Oh, stop it. Let's see what we can eat tonight. When the money from Dr. Li comes back, we still have things to do."

Mulu felt that her master had suddenly become a different person, but she liked the current master better than the previous one, so she didn't dwell on it. As long as she followed this master, she would benefit.

In the afternoon, Ji Man embroidered two handkerchiefs, and her speed was getting faster. Lao Mu came to see her twice and found her embroidering. When she took the handkerchiefs to look at, she found them to be very lifelike and exquisite.

Lao Mu found it strange. What had happened to Sangyu recently? The things she had been doing were not something she would normally do. But she seemed less sharp, which made people feel more comfortable. If she could behave and not provoke Marquis's anger, it would be a good thing.

After Madam became the head of the household, she reorganized the discipline of the servants and set rules for the meals in each courtyard. The maids and servants were to have three dishes and one soup for lunch and dinner, with two meat dishes. The concubines were to have two dishes and one soup for lunch and dinner, with one meat dish. If there were any shortages, they could go to Madam to resolve it.

No one understood why Madam started with the meals, but the kitchen had always been a place of profit. With these rules, many people's interests were affected, and some servants in the mansion secretly harbored resentment towards Wen Wan.

Ji Man was delighted. She thought to herself that there was only one good mistress in the world. On the table was a plate of shredded pork with green peppers. Although there wasn't much meat, at least there was some meat! Boldly, Mulu asked for two extra bowls of rice from the kitchen, and the two of them sat and stood, satisfyingly having their dinner.

At least they wouldn't be hungry at night anymore.

The next day, Dr. Li brought the silver from selling the jewelry, a total of 230 taels. Ji Man thanked him and put 30 taels into his medicine box. Dr. Li was taken aback and repeatedly declined, but with Mulu's persuasion, he finally accepted it with profuse thanks.

Thirty taels was not a small amount, considering that Nie Sangyu's monthly allowance was only five taels and five maces. However, it was necessary to give, and there were some things that couldn't be stingy about.

"It seems that the person in charge of the kitchen is Madam Zhao, right?" Ji Man asked while embroidering.

Mulu nodded and wrinkled her nose, "Madam Zhao is a bit fierce, and not easy to get along with. I heard she's a distant relative of the steward, so the servants usually flatter her."

Ji Man said, "We're both in the penitence period, but you can still go to the kitchen. Today, when you go, take five taels of silver and secretly give it to her. Ask her to come to the penitence pavilion when there's no one around."

"What does Master want to do?" Mulu asked curiously.

Ji Man smiled and said, "The Buddha says, 'It's not to be spoken.'"