Make a Living by Your Face [Quick Wear] ━ Vol.1

6.8

　　In the Marshal's Mansion, after lunch, the Madame and several concubines sat around the table. There were several stoves in the room, and thick curtains blocked the cold outside. A small gold-enamel nine-peaches incense burner was emitting white smoke and the aroma was curling in the air. The maids and old women were sitting in the outer room, eating melon seeds and chatting. The closer it got to the end of the year, the stronger the festive atmosphere became in the house.

　　The eldest lady was wearing a green-patterned jacket with gold embroidery. She sat in the seat of honor, as dignified and noble as ever. She took a sip of hot tea and said, "You have always been in charge of the silk and satin shop. The commander always said that you manage it well, so I have nothing to say. But yesterday, the clerk in the cloth shop said that you sent an unknown boy to buy new goods. What were you thinking?"

　　The second concubine put down the cup, wiped the non-existent water stain on the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, and said with a smile: "I watched that boy grow up. He is only two or three years older than Mingxuan, but he is very smart and ambitious. It's a bit of a waste of his talent to only use him in the yard. I thought of training him more, so that he can be useful in the future."

　　The eldest lady snorted coldly and said, "You want to promote your own people. I don't want to ask about it. But you gave him such a big task for the first time. There are many useful people in the cloth shop, including the shopkeepers and masters. Wouldn't these old friends be disappointed? If you let him learn in the cloth shop for a month or so, it would be understandable. But you directly handed such a large sum of money to him. If something goes wrong with this batch of goods, who will take responsibility?"

　　The second concubine was still smiling, and said, "His mother is Aunt Liu from my courtyard. I have always trusted her. Over the years, they have done their best. The boy wrote me a letter of guarantee before. If he fails," she paused for a moment and smiled very gently, "If he fails, he would rather let the Marshal shoot him. With such determination, are you still worried, Madam?"

　　The eldest lady's brows relaxed when she heard this. Aunt Liu was the most useful dog under the Second Concubine, and they had always been on the same page. If something went wrong this time, it would just cut off the Second Concubine's left and right arms, and even the cloth shop could be seized. The Second Concubine was always careful in her work, and no one could find fault with her. This time, she made the mistake of nepotism, so no wonder she was so cruel.

　　The eldest lady slowly blew away the hot steam in the cup, took a sip, and said, "It's good that you know the answer. I asked this question only for the sake of this family, not to offend anyone."

　　The second concubine said, "I know very well how tolerant and generous the lady is."

　　The other concubines were eating snacks or drinking tea, and no one dared to interrupt.

　　After they finished talking about the cloth shop, the third concubine said, "It's almost the end of the year, and the whole family can go to the villa to celebrate the New Year. The sixth concubine is a new married woman this year, and she may have never soaked in natural hot spring water, so it's a good opportunity to try it."

　　The Sixth Concubine covered her mouth and laughed, "The Marshal did tell me before that nonsense about the mandarin duck bath was coming out, but I forgot about it."

　　Her words made the other women present feel uncomfortable. The Sixth Concubine had just come into the family this year, she was young and beautiful, and was in favor. If she went to the villa, the Marshal would probably let her have all of his possessions.

　　Only the second concubine smiled gently and said, "It would be great if there was another happy event."

　　As for the happy event, it was naturally to have another child. The eldest lady's face was completely dark. Shen Xiaowei was very vigorous at this age. It was hard to say whether he could give birth to another fat boy.