Volume One, Chapter 13: Subsisting on Steamed Buns and Pickles Alone

Madam Shen’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

“Jinshu, one must always know when to stop. You’ve already scolded and struck the maids and nurses today; after all, they are the household’s elders. Let’s forgive them this once.”

Jiang Jinshu smiled and replied, “Precisely because they are elders, they must be more strictly managed. Otherwise, if they act arrogantly and climb over their mistress, won’t outsiders think the Shen family has no discipline?”

She then bowed respectfully to Madam Shen.

“It seems, Mother-in-law, that you haven’t overseen the household affairs for years and have grown increasingly lenient. It’s alright; Jinshu has plenty of time and can wait patiently.”

“I’ve been busy all day and feel quite tired, so I’ll head back to my room now.”

With that, she turned and raised her hand; Cai Ping instinctively lifted her arm. Jiang Jinshu rested her hand on Cai Ping’s arm and left the room without a trace of hesitation.

Watching Jiang Jinshu leave so abruptly, Shen Nanyue felt as if she might burst with anger.

“Mother, look how arrogant she is, completely disregarding us. Are you really going to let her run wild like this?”

Madam Shen sat with a sullen face.

“I’m not blind; it seems Jiang Jinshu has truly changed.”

Shen Nanxing spoke with doubt.

“Mother, why not just let Yunyan take over the household affairs? That way, she wouldn’t be so brazen.”

Madam Shen looked at Shen Nanxing helplessly.

“Do you think I don’t want that? When Jiang Jinshu’s parents died, she married in with the entire Jiang family’s estate, plus dowries from the princess and her maternal grandmother. Over the years, she has managed the Shen family, and the difference between now and before is like night and day. If you let Yunyan take charge, what would she have to support the Shen family?”

Shen Nanxing scoffed, “Why should the Shen family rely on Jiang Jinshu to get by? Don’t I have my salary? Doesn’t Mother have her shop?”

Madam Shen shook her head repeatedly.

“Xing’er, you’re only a fourth-rank general. Your salary isn’t even enough to pay the monthly wages for the maids and servants!”

Shen Nanyue looked resentful beside them.

“Mother, are we really going to let Jiang Jinshu bully us over a little silver?”

Madam Shen pondered and said, “I won’t let her continue to be so arrogant, but this matter requires careful planning.”

Shen Nanyue pressed on.

“Mother, I still think Jiang Jinshu might be deliberately trying to intimidate us. A woman without her husband’s favor cannot stand in her in-laws’ house. If she loses the authority of housekeeper, the servants will only flatter her and trample on us. Honestly, we should just not return the account books and keys to her. Maybe in a few days, she’ll be scared and come begging us. Then we can properly deal with her.”

Su Yunyan also spoke up beside her.

“Mother, I agree with eldest sister. She’s just putting on a show. We all see how much she cares for her husband. What she did just now was all bluff. She’s definitely trying to scare us. If we do what she says, we’ll have fallen into her trap.”

Shen Nanxing also refused to believe Jiang Jinshu would give up on her.

“Mother, eldest sister and Yunyan are right. Since she doesn’t want the housekeeper’s authority, we don’t have to return the account books and keys. Let’s leave her hanging for a couple of days and see if she panics.”

Thinking of how they had suffered under Jiang Jinshu’s hand these past few days, Madam Shen finally spoke.

“Very well, let’s wait a couple of days before deciding.”

At this moment, in Elegant Melody Residence,

Cai Ping’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Miss, you were amazing today. You completely silenced them all. Tsk tsk tsk, just thinking about how the eldest young lady tearfully apologized is enough to make me laugh.”

“Usually, she always finds reasons to pilfer things from you, Miss. I’ve long disliked her. The Shen family is a bunch of ungrateful wolves.”

Jiang Jinshu chuckled at Cai Ping’s complaints and poured herself a cup of tea.

“It’s alright. There’s plenty of time ahead to deal with them properly.”

“Is there no outsider here to overhear us?”

Only then did Cai Ping sit down.

“But Miss, if Madam really doesn’t return the account books and keys…”

Jiang Jinshu smiled, holding her teacup as she looked at Cai Ping.

“That would be even better!”

Cai Ping was startled and looked at Jiang Jinshu in surprise.

“So, Miss, you’re serious? You’re not just trying to scare them?”

Jiang Jinshu tapped Cai Ping’s forehead lightly.

“Looks like you’ve watched the drama for too long and turned your brain to mush. Over these years, how much silver do you think our mistress has poured into managing the Shen family? And I’m not planning to stay with Shen Nanxing anymore. Why should I bother with the Shen family’s troubles?”

Cai Ping hurriedly replied, “I was foolish. Yes, we won’t accept the housekeeper position anymore. Let whoever wants it have it.”

Jiang Jinshu sipped her tea thoughtfully.

“However, judging by Madam Shen’s character, she will still end up returning the account books and keys.”

Cai Ping nodded in understanding.

“Then we won’t accept them…”

Jiang Jinshu smiled.

“Of course, we will. The Shen family still can’t do without us for now. Before I leave, I must settle every grievance and repay every grudge. If you want people to do your bidding, besides having silver to reward them, having power is best.”

Her dowry was arranged by her mother back then; her maternal family surely knew exactly what was in it. She would need to visit her grandmother’s house in the next few days to purchase some fine gifts.

Over the following two days,

Jiang Jinshu and Cai Ping went out shopping for presents and dined at a restaurant, deliberately ignoring the Shen family’s affairs.

At Chang’an Courtyard,

Madam Shen stared gloomily at the table, where only steamed buns and pickles lay.

“What is this? Is this all I get to eat?”

“Mother Qiu has gone to summon Steward Yu.”

When Steward Yu entered, he glanced at the table and then at Madam Shen’s expression, immediately understanding the situation.

“Madam.”

Madam Shen slammed down her chopsticks.

“Steward Yu, what is going on? Since when has the Shen family’s food become like this?”

The steward took out the account books with a troubled look, bowing carefully as he spoke.

“Madam, there’s no silver in the account book, so we can’t procure ingredients. These noodles were bought when the young madam was housekeeper and are leftovers from before.”

“I’ve carefully checked the account books these past two days. There are no discrepancies. Simply put, the Shen family’s treasury is completely empty.”

Madam Shen’s face turned ashen.

“So the Shen family truly has no silver left?”

Steward Yu nodded helplessly.

“All checks have been made. The Shen family indeed has no silver. When the young madam was housekeeper, she must have been using her own dowry.”

At that moment, Su Yunyan entered, supported by the maid Li Hua.

“Mother, Yunyan has something to discuss…”

Before she could finish, she noticed the steamed buns and pickles on the table and covered her mouth in surprise.

“Mother, why is it the same here—just steamed buns and pickles?”