The second wife, Ouyang Fu, said: "My daughter-in-law heard that this year's sea trade is not smooth. First, there was a typhoon, and then there were pirates. Every ship suffered losses to varying degrees. The crops of farms and shops this year are basically the same as last year, or even a little bit worse. There is a lot. But because of the heavy losses in the sea trade, this year's income is only 20% lower than last year."
Mrs. Pei looked through the ledger again, and found that the income of Haimao, compared with the income of previous years in her memory, was indeed significantly reduced.
"Why didn't you report this matter to the princess in time?"
Ouyang Fu turned her head and looked at Xiao Qin'er.
Xiao Qin'er opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "The daughter-in-law was worried about disturbing the concubine mother, so she didn't ask the accountant to report it."
"absurd!"
Pei threw down the ledger and stared at Xiao Qin'er unkindly.
"You dare to hide such a big matter, what do you want to do? Can you explain this matter by worrying about disturbing this princess? You don't know who is in charge of the whole palace? The wings haven't grown hard yet, If you dare to go overboard and take charge of this princess, who gave you the courage."
Once Pei's temper came up, she didn't care whether Xiao Qin'er was Liu Yi's wife or not, and would swear at her head and face.
Xiao Qin'er blushed, she was so ashamed that she wished she could find a crack in the ground and slip down.
It's so embarrassing.
Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo exchanged glances, and they both saw smiles in each other's eyes.
If Gu Jiu were to say, that wasn't a smile, it was clearly gloating.
Concubine Shen said aloud: "Princess, please calm down. Mrs. Yi is doing bad things with good intentions. She only wants to be filial to the concubine, but she forgot to prioritize things. Please forgive her this time. Young people, do things It is inevitable to be inconsiderate. After a few more experiences, you will know what to do when you encounter similar things in the future.”
Mrs. Pei stared at Xiao Qin'er, very dissatisfied, "Did you hear that Concubine Shen is always saying good things for you, and you don't know how to say thank you."
Embarrassed and annoyed, Xiao Qin'er got up, faced Concubine Shen and blessed her body, "Thank Concubine Shen for your kind words."
Concubine Shen covered her mouth and smiled, "Mrs. Yi, sit down quickly. Don't blame the concubine, she is also doing it for your own good. For such a big matter, the concubine is in charge of the family, but she finally realizes that it really shouldn't be done. Don't do it again next time." Same mistake."
Xiao Qin'er was so wronged that she was about to shed tears.
She nodded and said, "I know, I won't dare next time. Please forgive me this time."
Princess Pei snorted coldly, "This time, it's your first offence, so I won't pursue it. If you dare to hide it next time, you don't need to help the housekeeper. Take care of the things in your yard first."
Xiao Qin'er turned pale, and replied with trembling lips: "Daughter-in-law obeys."
Since Xiao Qin'er married into the palace, it was the first time she had suffered such a big grievance, and she burst into tears as soon as she was on duty.
Ouyang Fu lowered her head and smiled, secretly exchanged a look with Concubine Shen.
Xiao Qin'er thought that if she snatched her errand, she would be able to go smoothly, and it was purely a dream to say what she said in the palace.
Gu Jiu lowered her head slightly, paying attention to the reactions of the two sisters-in-law.
When she saw the smile in Ouyang Fu's eyes, she also laughed.
Sure enough, there is not a simple character in the palace. Everyone has an abacus in their hearts, thinking about their own interests.
Was Xiao Qin'er planning to hide this matter from the very beginning
Or was someone face-to-face giving her the inspiration to make this absurd and bold decision
Gu Jiu had no way of knowing.
But I also know that it is not Xiao Qin'er's turn to show the limelight this time for the one-by-one matters during the Chinese New Year.
Sure enough, Mrs. Pei was still angry at this meeting, so she told Ouyang Fu, "Second daughter-in-law, you should work harder for the New Year's affairs, and make good preparations according to last year's old practice."
Ouyang Fu bowed to accept the order with a satisfied expression on her face.
After a pause, Mrs. Pei looked at Gu Jiu again.
She has only two sons, Liu Zhao and Liu Yi. Two daughters-in-law, one Xiao Qin'er and one Gu Jiu.
Xiao Qin'er made a mistake this time, and Mrs. Pei planned to neglect her for a while.
After thinking about it, he called Gu Jiu's name, "Eldest daughter-in-law, you and the second daughter-in-law prepare for the New Year's item-by-item together."
"My daughter-in-law obeys."
Gu Jiu was surprised, she really didn't expect that Mrs. Pei would call her by name.
She thought that if Mrs. Pei hated her, she would definitely leave her out forever and never let her be a housekeeper.
She also plans to take it easy for half a year, wait until next year to find a suitable opportunity, and then roll up her sleeves to get back her own glory.
Unexpectedly, only a few days after entering the door, Mrs. Pei called her name. Even though he is an assistant, it can be regarded as taking the first step.
It's just that all her previous opportunities had to be overturned.
It seems impossible now to be idle for a year or so.
Mrs. Pei said to Xiao Qin'er again: "Fourth daughter-in-law, do the errands in your hands well, don't worry about other things for now."
Xiao Qin'er nodded aggrievedly, "My daughter-in-law listens to my concubine mother."
She originally wanted to make a splash during the Chinese New Year and let everyone see her butler skills. But I didn't expect that if I was not careful, I would lose everything.
She snatched the errand of preparing for the New Year from Ouyang Fu. Unexpectedly, the errand returned to Ouyang Fu in the end.
What's even more exasperating is that the concubine actually called on Gu Jiu's name and asked Gu Jiu to assist in the preparations for the New Year.
She will be ashamed if the news gets out in a while.
Thinking of being judged and talked about by the subordinates, Xiao Qin'er felt that she had no face to be a human being, and was so uncomfortable that she wished she would never come out to see people again.
Concubine Shen said with a smile: "This disposition of the concubine is extremely appropriate, I am ashamed of myself."
Princess Pei smiled, with an indifferent expression, and said to Concubine Shen: "I know your skills, but now that we are all old, it's time for young people to practice."
"What the princess said is that it is true that young people should practice their hands more."
Concubine Shen had a smiling face, flattering Princess Pei everywhere, coaxing Princess Pei extremely happy.
After the matter was settled, everyone got up and said goodbye, each busy.
"Second brother and sister."
Gu Jiu called Ouyang Fu to stop.
Ouyang Fu turned her head and greeted her with a smile, "Why did sister-in-law call me?"
Gu Jiu said with a smile: "The concubine ordered me to assist in the New Year's item-by-item matters, and I came to ask my second younger sibling for lessons."
Ouyang Fu covered her lips and smiled cleverly, "Sister-in-law really knows how to joke, I'm also slowly groping, if I don't understand, just ask the princess, or the two side concubines."
The second son, Liu Ping, was born to Concubine Shen, so Ouyang Fu and Concubine Shen are serious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Of course, for this relationship, Gu Jiu doesn't use theory for now.
She took Ouyang Fu's hand, "Let's go to the meeting hall together, okay?"
"I listen to my sister-in-law."
"If there is something I don't understand, please ask my second sibling to teach me."
"Don't dare to be, let's explore and learn together."
"I didn't expect the palace to still do sea trade." Gu Jiu asked the most concerned question.
"Haimao is profitable, and many people in the capital have invested in Haimao. By the way, for example, Pingnan Hou Gu's family also participated in Haimao."
The Hou Mansion also does maritime trade
This is the first time Gu Jiu heard of it.
She asked curiously: "Our palace conducts sea trade, so is the sea ship our own or the ship's owner?"
Ouyang Fu glanced at Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law is so interested in sea trade, do you think she wants to use the dowry money to participate?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "I think, but the dowry money is limited, so I dare not throw it into the sea. I'm just curious."
"Sister-in-law is right. The risk at sea is high, so we won't participate."
Gu Jiu asked again: "My younger brother and sister haven't told me about the sea-going ship. I always hear people say that the sea-going ship is huge, and a sea-going ship costs tens of thousands of taels of money to build. After that, it will cost extra money to maintain every year."
Ouyang Fu nodded, "That's natural. A decent sea boat can't be bought for three to four thousand taels.
Like the largest sea-going ship, at least a hundred thousand taels.
Among the big families in the capital, some bought sea-going boats for business, and some families got together to buy a sea-going boat. Another is to cooperate with the shipping company and rent the boat of the shipping company to go to sea.
However, in recent years, the imperial court has also begun to pay attention to maritime trade, and those who have a relationship will go to sea on the imperial court's boat. It's just that the imperial navy's combat power is not enough, and they are not as good as the ship's guards when they encounter pirates. "
Hearing this, Gu Jiu was thoughtful.
Ouyang Fu pulled Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law, let's not talk about these things. In a few days it will be the new year, and there are many things to prepare for today."
Gu Jiu nodded.
The blood in her heart was surging, and she yearned for the sea very much.
Not only is she greedy for the high profits of the sea trade, but she also wants to find a way out for herself.
Only the devil knows whether Prince Ning's Mansion will be defeated one day.
Even if Prince Ning's Mansion won't fall, who knows if Liu Zhao will fall
Since ancient times, it has been very rare for the eldest son to succeed to the throne of the emperor.
There are not many who left their names in history.
The emperors who really made great achievements were all killed from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
As Liu Zhao is the eldest son, Gu Jiu is very pessimistic based on the tragedy theory of the eldest son of the royal family.
So she had to find a way out for herself early, a way out.
Going to sea is the best choice.
It's just that the cost of sea-going ships is too high, which made Gu Jiu extremely depressed.
The problem of money can be solved slowly in the future.
The most critical problem is that she has no suitable candidates.
Sure enough, no matter in this life or the previous life, the most precious thing is still talent.
She needs many faithful and trustworthy men in her service.
Gu Jiu suppressed this idea for the time being, and first followed Ouyang Fu to the meeting hall, where he formally contacted the palace's internal affairs for the first time.
There are many and complicated internal affairs in Wang's mansion, and there are many times more things than in Gu's mansion.
Just the servants of Wangfu, there are several hundred more people than Gufu.
Counting the farm, the shop, the officials of the palace, and the guards, there are nearly a thousand more people.
The outside affairs are handled by the officials of the palace.
Internal affairs, in fact, are handled by a team led by the order of the royal family.
However, Princess Pei is not so relieved, she will still ask about many things in person.
In the meeting hall, Mr. Shi, the magistrate of the royal family, is leading seven or eight accountants to settle the accounts.
When Gu Jiu and Ouyang Fu arrived, the accountants didn't stop.
The order of the royal family stood up alone and saluted the two of them.
Gu said: "Excuse me. What are you busy with?"
The family order of the Wangfu said: "Every account needs to be calculated one by one. The income under the name of the prince and the princess must be calculated as soon as possible. There is also a prince and a salary, and another general ledger needs to be prepared."
Gu Jiu understood.
The order of the Wangfu took out several thick booklets, "This is the list of servants of the Wangfu, please have a look at it, Madam."
Gu Jiu nodded and took the brochure.
Immediately afterwards, the Wangfu's family order took out several account books, "This is the budget arrangement for rewarding servants during the Chinese New Year. The other few books are the item-by-item expenditure budget during the Chinese New Year. Please look it over, Madam."
As soon as Gu Jiu came, the family order of the palace was the same as that of the Tao family, and explained everything to Gu Jiu.
The corners of Ouyang Fu's eyes twitched several times, her mood was very complicated.
Back then, when she assisted the housekeeper for the first time, the order of the palace was not like this. Just throw her an account book and let her look it over.
There is no roster of servants, no itemized budget for the new year.
None of these.
Comparing the two, Gu Jiu's treatment is too good. Not even Xiao Qin'er can compare.
For Xiao Qin'er, the palace's family order is a matter of business.
Is it because Gu Jiu is the eldest daughter-in-law, the eldest wife, that the palace order will act like this
Yes!
In the final analysis, the family order of the Wangfu is considered to belong to the prince.
Although he usually listens to the concubine's order, the real loyal person is still the prince.
The attitude of the royal family order towards Gu Jiu reflected the attitude of the prince from the side.
Ouyang Fu couldn't help but look at Gu Jiu a few more times.
Gu Jiu came to the inner room and chose a blank desk to sit down.
From now on, she will be here to assist the housekeeper and understand the ups and downs of the palace.
She first flipped through the roster, flipping through it very quickly.
The two maids, Qingmei and Qingzhu, didn't need to order, they directly picked up the abacus and started to settle accounts.
Nanny Fang waited on the side, introducing the characters on the roster for Gu Jiu.
Ouyang Fu came in from the outside, followed by Xiao Qin'er.
Gu Jiu glanced, Xiao Qin'er's eyes were red, but she still insisted on going to the council hall to take care of things.
"The fourth sibling is here."
Xiao Qin'er hummed and sat down on the left side.
Ouyang Fu sat at the desk on the right.
Everyone manages their own business.
During the Chinese New Year period in the palace, the palace first had to enter the palace to participate in the palace banquet, and then the palace also prepared a banquet for relatives and friends.
Ouyang Fu once had experience in preparing for the banquet.
But this year we have to have new tricks, and we can't let the guests think that they are always the same every time they come to the Palace, and they get tired of seeing it.
For example, at last year's banquet, the tableware on the plate was a set of rich and noble peonies.
This year, we can no longer use rich and noble peonies, and have to replace them with colorful flowers.
Another example is the flower hall for entertaining guests. Last year's screen was a picture of a lady. This year it has to be replaced with a picture of flowers and birds.
All the details must be taken into consideration, and everything that needs to be replaced must be replaced.
These things are extremely trivial, but they can't make any mistakes.
Before, Xiao Qin'er was always busy with these things, and Ouyang Fu was the assistant.
Xiao Qin'er was dealing with such an errand for the first time, and her efficiency was very low.
Ouyang Fu didn't remind her, but just watched from the sidelines.
Sure enough, Xiao Qin'er took the initiative to take the initiative, and something happened.
Now this job is back in Ouyang Fu's hands.
Ouyang Fu sneaked a glance at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu was still looking through the roster of servants, as if she didn't intend to meddle in her errands.
She looked at Xiao Qin'er again.
Xiao Qin'er was originally in charge of the sewing room's purchases, an errand with the most oil and water, and now she is going through the sewing room's account books.
In the final analysis, the concubine still loves Xiao Qin'er and his wife the most. Otherwise, Xiao Qin'er would not have given the most lucrative job to Xiao Qin'er.
As for Ouyang Fu, if she is asked to assist the housekeeper, that is the assistant. Wherever she is needed, she is busy.
Ouyang Fu sneered secretly, and continued to work hard.
Gu Jiu focused on two things, flipping through the roster while listening to Nanny Fang's introduction. While paying attention to the reactions of the two sisters-in-law.
Xiao Qin'er was humiliated by the concubine today, she will be very honest, she will not say a word.
A mother-in-law came to ask for instructions, but she also spoke softly, looking very gentle.
As for Ouyang Fu, Gu Jiu smiled, thinking a lot.
Of course, none of the people in the palace is pure-minded.
Everyone has a seven-aperture exquisite heart.
Otherwise, how could he gain a foothold in the palace.
It is said that the palace is a place to eat people, and the palace is no different.
After Qing Mei finished calculating the budget for rewarding servants during the Chinese New Year, she whispered to Gu Jiu, "Madam Qi, there is no problem with this account. It's just the specific amount of rewards. Please read it yourself, Madam."
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows, took the ledger and flipped through it.
The number of rewards looks staggering.
The most are hundreds of taels, and the least are only a few hundred dollars.
She quickly flipped through the ledger and checked the roster, so Gu Jiu understood the intention of the palace's order.
The ones who tipped the most were the ones she needed to pay attention to.
She accepted the favor of the royal family's order.
Gu Jiu didn't hide anything, picked up a pen directly, and copied a list of people to watch out for from the roster.
Busy and busy, time always flies very fast.
It felt like I was busy for a while, and it was noon.
Gu Jiu went to the outside room and returned all the roster and account books to the Wangfu's order.
"Thank you, Master Jialing."
The Wangfu's family order was a little surprised, "Have you finished reading, madam?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "I've finished reading it, and I don't have any objections to the budget during the Chinese New Year."
She has just arrived, and she hasn't fully understood the situation yet, so naturally she can't have any objections.
The palace family was surprised, "It's so fast?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I've always been quick to settle accounts. If there's anything Master Jialing needs me to share, just let me know."
－－－－－Off Topic－－－－－
I have a cold, and my thoughts are stuck.
I reorganized my thoughts, thought carefully about how to develop in the palace, and made a new outline, so today's second watch is late.
Please forgive me.