When the sky darkened, Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao returned to the palace.
As soon as he got off the carriage, a little yellow door came to Lin Shuping, the servant, and reported the matter with his ear.
Lin Shuping's face changed slightly, and then he whispered to Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao remained calm, nodded slightly, and then said to Gu Jiu: "You go back to your room first, I have to go out for a while."
Gu Jiu was worried, "Would your body be able to take it after drinking?"
Liu Zhao said with a blank face: "It's okay. I may return home very late tonight. You don't have to hold the door for me. I will just rest in the document garden."
Gu Jiu said: "I will keep the door open for you, no matter how late it is."
In front of others, Gu Jiu will give Liu Zhao face.
Liu Zhao really benefited, and his hard heart suddenly became soft.
He didn't care whether anyone was watching or not, he directly held Gu Jiu's hand and didn't allow Gu Jiu to open it.
He whispered to her: "You wait for me at night, I will try to come back as soon as possible."
Gu Jiu felt like he dug a hole for himself.
She bit the bullet and said, "Then you must come back early."
Liu Zhao nodded heavily, let go of Gu Jiu's hand, and led the people out of the palace.
Gu Jiu regained his composure, and brought the maid back to the East courtyard.
Xiaocui, who was staying behind in the palace, told Gu Jiu an amazing news just after entering the upper courtyard gate of the east courtyard.
"Wu Meiren died suddenly? Is this serious?"
Xiao Cui nodded frequently, "This matter is absolutely true, the slaves even went to see it, and Miss Wu is gone."
Gu Jiu's heart felt cold.
She dared to guarantee with her own head that Wu Meiren's body would never die suddenly.
Wu Meiren is young, and her body looks pretty good, but she just had a miscarriage, and Imperial Physician Hu has already diagnosed her pulse and prescribed medicines. In any case, Wu Meiren has no reason to die suddenly.
Unless artificial.
Someone wanted to kill Wu Meiren, so Wu Meiren had to die.
In the palace, the only person who can do this, other than the concubine, is King Ning himself.
Gu Jiu asked, "Has the body been buried yet?"
Xiaocui nodded, "It's already encoffined. Because it was a sudden death, it will be sent to Yizhuang before dark."
Gu Jiu rubbed the center of his brows, the cruelty of the palace can be seen.
Wu Meiren, who was still smiling like a flower last night, was declared violently dead today.
What did she do that she had to die.
Is it true that Wu Meiren is not chaste as Princess Pei guessed
But looking at the prince's face last night, there should be no doubts about Wu Meiren's chastity.
So what exactly is the problem.
Gu Jiu asked again: "Did the princess say anything?"
Xiao Cui thought for a while before she said: "I didn't see the concubine, but I only saw Nanny Qin next to the concubine. Nanny Qin sent a message to have Miss Wu buried as soon as possible and her courtyard cleaned up. Let me go The password is issued, and no one in the mansion is allowed to talk about Wu Meiren."
That's it.
Gu Jiu asked again: "Has the lord come back? Did the lord say anything?"
Xiao Cui said: "My lord came back after noon. I learned that Wu Meiren died suddenly, so I just ordered people to handle the funeral properly."
Gu Jiu's heart is cold, the coldness of the royal family's children can be seen.
Mother Fang whispered: "I don't know if it was the prince or the princess who gave the order to let Wu Meiren die suddenly."
Gu Jiu said: "Of course it's the order from the prince."
Nanny Fang wondered, "Why is Madam so sure that it is the order from the prince."
Gu Jiu laughed mockingly, "My lord came back after noon, and I was not surprised to hear that Wu Meiren died suddenly. I just asked people to bury her properly. Obviously, my lord already knew what happened to Wu Meiren.
Before dawn, the prince went to the palace, how did he hear the news of Wu Meiren's sudden death
Secondly, if the concubine ordered Wu Meiren to be dealt with, how could the prince not ask a single question.
Obviously, there is only one answer, the prince ordered to deal with Wu Meiren, causing Wu Meiren to die suddenly. "
Qingmei guessed, "Could it be that what the princess said is true, that Meiren Wu is really unfaithful?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "There is no way to know about this matter. Maybe it's because of this reason, maybe it's because of other reasons."
Gu Jiu preferred other reasons.
There must be some inside story that caused the prince to change his mind temporarily, so that Wu Meiren had to die suddenly.
It's just that she doesn't know anything about it, so she can't guess.
Nanny Fang went out for a while, and came back a while later, "Qi Madam, the servants of the East Courtyard are all here, Madam, do you want to see them now?"
This should have been done yesterday.
It's just that yesterday's meeting was too tiring, so it was postponed until today.
Gu Jiu nodded, "Let them come in in batches."
The four servants wash pens, inks, inkstones, and swords. The four of them have been serving Liu Zhao since they were young, and they can be regarded as people who can be used by Liu Zhao's side.
According to Nanny Fang, these four boys are good at martial arts. They are both servants and guards.
After that, there were four Huang Menlang and twelve guards.
There were originally twenty-four guards, twelve of whom went out with Liu Zhao on business and were not in the mansion.
Gu Jiu met them one by one, and gave them all first and second class rewards.
After that, there are mothers and maids.
Among the mothers-in-law, there is a person named Sun Da Niang, who is said to have nursed Liu Zhao for a while, and is considered a half-nanny. Therefore, Aunt Sun is very considerate among the mother-in-law.
She was in charge of the sewing room in the east courtyard, and the little maids had to get Aunt Sun's consent if they wanted to make a purse with some sewing cloth.
Aunt Sun smiled all over her face, and said to Gu Jiu: "Madam wants to do needlework, just tell the servants to do it. The servants promise to do things properly."
Gu Jiu laughed, "I'm sorry, Madam. I don't know how many children Madam has, and where are they working?"
Aunt Sun said: "My man is in charge of a Zhuangzi for the palace, and my boy is working under the housekeeper, doing some errands and odd jobs. My daughter is working next to the son, and her name is Chunjuan."
Oh!
Aunt Sun's family seemed to be the sons of the royal family. The whole family relies on the palace for food.
It's just that Mrs. Sun's daughter is serving Liu Zhao by her side.
Gu Jiu noticed this information.
She smiled at Aunt Sun, "In the future, if you encounter problems, don't nag the young master, and come directly to Mrs. Ben for instructions."
"Slaves listen to Madam."
Gu Jiu gave Aunt Sun a first-class reward and sent him out.
She exchanged a glance with Nanny Fang, and Nanny Fang understood, she would stare at Aunt Sun.
If Mrs. Sun is honest, then that's all.
If not, we must find an opportunity to beat Aunt Sun.
In the end, Gu Jiu saw the big servant girls serving Liu Zhao.
The eight big servant girls are headed by four servants who serve the piano, play chess, serve books, and serve paintings.
Among the other four maidservants, Aunt Sun's daughter, Chunjuan, was among them.
The eight maidservants are all elegant and tall.
If you take any one out, it will be a bit more decent than the ladies of ordinary officials and eunuchs.
"You have been serving the young master for many years, you have worked hard."
"I don't dare to be a servant. It is the duty of a servant and others to serve the young master."
Gu Jiu nodded, "It's good to know that you will abide by your duty. From now on, you will continue to serve the young master, and you can't make troubles and troubles."
Several servant girls looked at each other in blank dismay.
They originally thought that when Madam entered the door, she would definitely dislike them.
They had already made preparations before they came. If the madam withdraws their errands and forbids them to serve the young master, the eight of them will definitely argue with reason, and they will not hesitate to make a fuss in front of the concubine.
Unexpectedly, Madam let them continue to serve the young master.
The eight people were overjoyed.
The leader Shiqin said: "Madam, don't worry, the servants and others will serve the young master with all their heart, and don't let Madam worry."
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows and smiled, "In terms of serving people, my wife naturally trusts you. I saw you serving the young master in the past two days, and you are so careful and thoughtful. There are many maids around me who are not as good.
Qingmei, Qingzhu, learn from Shiqin and others when you have time, don't be complacent, be humble and learn from them. Shiqin, are you willing to teach Qingmei and Qingzhu? "
Shi Qin and the others lowered their heads and exchanged glances with each other, but they couldn't figure out what kind of medicine was sold in the gourd madam.
Why let them teach green plums and green bamboos
But when Madam opened her mouth, they naturally couldn't refuse.
Shi Qin said: "Madam thinks highly of us, servants and others are naturally willing."
Qingmei ridiculed secretly, Madam dares to open a dyeing workshop for giving you three points of color.
Nanny Fang rolled her eyes, reminding Qingmei not to be impatient, and not to spoil the lady's important affairs.
Qing Mei hastily lowered her head, without revealing the slightest thought in her heart.
Gu Jiu laughed, "You are all excellent. Come on, this is a reward for you, one for each of you, don't be disgusted."
"Madam beat slaves and servants, Madam rewards, slaves and others dare to dislike."
Gu Jiu said with a smile: "Young master is coming back late tonight, you can make arrangements on your own first. I will call you when there is something to do."
"Slaves listen to Madam."
The eight maidservants filed out of the upper room.
Gu Jiu breathed a sigh of relief, seeing so many people was not an easy task.
She leaned on the soft bed and asked, "Nurse Fang, what do you think of those maids?"
Mother Fang bowed and said, "Everyone thinks very highly of themselves, and the servant girl has a ladylike heart. Relying on the dignity of serving the young master, she is quite unwilling to be inferior to others."
Gu Jiu laughed mockingly, "If they are serving by my side, I don't mind giving them a chance to climb high. But since they are serving by the young master's side, that's another matter."
These days, there are quite a few maids who think like Jiang Yan.
But not every maid is as honest as Jiang Yan.
Most people are duplicity. He said he didn't dare, but he had all kinds of calculations in his heart.
Gu Jiu doesn't hate those big maids, but if he dares to touch her interests and rob her of a man, then don't blame her for being rude.
Between her and Liu Zhao, there will be a child sooner or later. She will never allow anyone to divide the child's interests and threaten the child's status.
All in all, if those maidservants behaved peacefully, Gu Jiu would naturally tolerate them.
If there are too many thoughts, Gu Jiu doesn't mind sending those maids out by doing it himself.
Back then she was able to get rid of Tao Hong, but now she can also get rid of the maids around Liu Zhao.
Qingmei was a little annoyed, "The slaves looked at Shiqin and the others, all of them had vicious faces, and they were all masters who didn't want to keep their own way. Madam had to guard against it."
Gu Jiu laughed, "It's true that you are not doing your duty. You, Qingzhu, Xiaocui, and the three of you have more contact with them, and you are close to each other. After they get familiar with you, they will naturally be less defensive against you."
Qingmei smiled happily, "I understand now. I will definitely get along well with Shiqin and the others."
In the evening, Gu Jiu left the door open for Liu Zhao.
However, when she fell asleep, Liu Zhao never came back.
When I woke up in the morning and touched the bed, it was already cold.
Looking at the traces on the bed, it was obvious that someone had slept there.
Gu Jiu rubbed the center of his eyebrows, whether Liu Zhao came back or not.
She rang the bell, and several servant girls came in to serve her.
Gu Jiu asked: "Did you come back last night?"
Qingmei nodded, "I've been back. I just came back at midnight, and went out again before dawn."
Gu Jiu snorted.
Then he asked: "Young master, what did you say?"
"Young master told the slaves not to disturb the rest of the lady. He also asked the servants to tell the lady to eat well and eat more to grow flesh."
The corners of Gu Jiu's mouth twitched.
Does Liu Zhao really want to raise her like a pig
Is it possible to slaughter and eat after fattening up
Gu Jiu asked again: "Young Master, did you say anything else?"
Qingmei nodded, "Young master said that he will be busy these few days, leaving early and returning late every day. Let Madam not have to wait for him."
Gu Jiu understood.
Either something happened in the court, or something happened in private.
After breakfast, Gu Jiu went to Chunhe Hall to greet the princess.
When she arrived, the second wife, Ouyang Fu, had already arrived.
"Second brother and sister came so early?"
Ouyang Fu stood up, "I've met my sister-in-law. She came quite early."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "I'm new here, so I don't know what the princess likes? Can the second sibling teach me?"
The second wife, Ouyang Fu nodded, and said in a low voice: "My lord, I naturally like everyone to follow her. I hate those who disagree with her. Besides, my lord likes luxury, not simplicity."
With these two points, Gu Jiu can basically guess the principles of the princess.
At this time, the fourth wife, Xiao Qin'er, also arrived.
As for the third lady, because she was sick and was afraid of getting sick, she hadn't shown her face these days.
The fifth and sixth sons are both unmarried.
There are also three unmarried girls in the mansion, who entered the palace together yesterday, and performed filial piety in front of Concubine Shu, and they will live there until the New Year.
The three of them are daughter-in-laws, and they come here to pay their respects and report back.
Now Ouyang Fu and Xiao Qin'er are the assistant housekeepers in the mansion, and they can handle trivial matters by themselves. Important matters must be reported to Princess Pei for a decision.
The three of them arrived together, and then the two side concubines, beauties and talents also came to Chunhe Hall to pay their respects.
When everyone arrived, the servant sang and shouted, and Princess Pei took the maid's hand and walked out.
Everyone stood up and went forward to pay respects, "Greetings to the princess and empress."
"Let's all sit down and talk. As a family, don't pay attention to these vain etiquettes."
Mrs. Pei sat down at the main seat.
Gu Jiu sat on the lower left side, beside Xiao Qin'er and Ouyang Fu.
Opposite to her, sitting Concubine Shen, Concubine Luo and others.
Pei first glanced at Gu Jiu who came to greet him for the first time after entering the door.
She asked: "Boss daughter-in-law, how are your in-laws when you came home yesterday?"
Gu Jiu bowed slightly, "Reporting to my concubine, everything is fine in the Gu residence. The lady of the Hou residence even asked her daughter-in-law to greet her concubine instead."
Mrs. Pei snorted, "I know Mrs. Wei. We were friends in boudoir when we were young. Is she okay?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Very good."
Pei Shi spoke with a pleasant face today, and did not find fault with Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu guessed in his heart, a few days ago, maybe it was because the concubine's childhood came, so she had a particularly irritable temper.
Pei did not pay too much attention to Gu Jiu, but asked about Xiao Qin'er who was the assistant housekeeper.
Xiao Qin'er was sitting upright, "I want to tell my mother and concubine that the farms, shops, and several business lines in the south have already sent this year's income to the mansion. This is the account book."
It turned out that Xiao Qin'er had been prepared for a long time, knowing that Mrs. Pei was going to ask about the accounts, so she even brought the accounts.
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows, Xiao Qin'er brought out the ledger without the accountant's presence. You are not afraid of someone tampering with the ledger and filling your pockets.
Maybe she was thinking too much, the accountant should have made several books.
Mrs. Pei took the ledger and flipped through it page by page.
Seeing the final summary, Pei frowned.
She asked, "But less than last year?"
Xiao Qin'er bowed and said: "Reporting to my concubine, it is 20% less than last year."
"How can there be so much less? There have been no natural disasters this year, how could it be so?"
Pei's was obviously extremely dissatisfied with the 20% reduction in income.
She and Ning Wang both like luxury and spend a lot of money a year.
The palace has to support so many people, and the income will decrease, which means that the expenses will be reduced by 20% next year.
Although it won't be cut to her head, Mrs. Pei is still unhappy.
With less income, it means that the money she moved into the private treasury also decreased, how could she be happy.
Xiao Qin'er whispered: "Reporting to mother and concubine, my daughter-in-law is not too clear. Why don't you call the accountant to ask."
Mrs. Pei snorted coldly, feeling a little dissatisfied with Xiao Qin'er.
I brought the account book, but I don't know why this year's income is less than last year, which means that I didn't do my homework well.
At this time, the second wife, Ouyang Fu, said: "I will report to my concubine, my daughter-in-law knows a little bit about the reason."
"Say!"