After the rebirth of the Marquis's mistress, she smiled at the scumbag's family

"Princess, Zhang San and his men sent some game and fruit, saying they wanted you to try some."

Xia He looked at the fat rabbit in front of her, her eyes sparkling, and looked at Xiao Yunxi excitedly, "Princess, let's roast a rabbit tonight."

Lu Zhan, who was eating fruit nearby, also looked at the fat rabbit with great interest.

Xiao Yunxi smiled: "Then tell the kitchen to prepare the seasoning and roast all six now."

She turned to Lu Zhan and ordered, "When they are ready, take two to the Ningguo Mansion."

Lu Zhan nodded, but he was a little confused, and murmured: "Master Xiao looks like an immortal, what does it look like to roll up his sleeves and eat rabbits?

"

Chun Xiao said with a smile, "Master Zhan, why don't you stay in the Ningguo Mansion and take a look and you will know."

Lu Zhan’s eyes widened instantly and he quickly covered his mouth with a look of embarrassment.

Xiao Yunxi was in a good mood and said with a smile, "Grandfather would go hunting in the West Mountain every year. He would roast and eat the rabbits he caught in the wild. After all, even a Taoist would get hungry."

“....” Lu Zhan scratched his head.

"Chunxiao, tell the servant to buy a cart of the best daughter's red wine and send it to Zhang San and the others."

"Okay, slave, I'll go right now."

There was laughter and joy in Feiyu Pavilion.

The rabbits were roasted. Xiao Yunxi sent one to Shou'an Hall and another to the princess.

For the remaining two, she brought people from Feiyu Pavilion and called Hongyu and Cuiwei. They drank fruit wine and ate at the same time. It was a lively scene.

When paying respects the next day, the old lady's face was full of joy, "Sister Fang is going back to Beijing."

Lu Guifang, Lu Jingting's half-sister, married Jinshi Dong Weixian eight years ago.

The Dong family came from a merchant family, and Dong Weixian was the only person in three generations to take the imperial examination.

However, Dong Weixin's mother came from a scholarly family, the Cui family. For some unknown reason, she married Dong Weixin's father.

But the Cui family has a close relationship with the Ningguo Mansion, and several of the Cui family's direct descendants are all disciples of my grandfather.

Lu Guifang's biological mother died early, and although she was raised by Princess Ruan, she was ultimately a concubine's daughter.

It was the old prince who felt that Dong Weixian had a promising future and arranged the marriage for him.

However, it can be considered as marrying down.

Ruan was also very happy when she heard about this. She smiled and asked, "You are coming back to Beijing at such a late hour. I'm afraid your son-in-law is going to be promoted."

Although they are not her biological children, she has raised them for more than ten years, so there must be some affection between them. What's more, she is proud that her son-in-law is successful and her daughter is living a good life.

"I heard from Sister Yongning a few days ago that Lord Dong has made great achievements in his tenure. This time, he was ordered by the Ministry of Personnel to return to the capital early to report on his work. I'm afraid he will be promoted."

Ruan was even happier and asked hurriedly, "Then could Master Xiao say a few more good words and get a higher position for your son-in-law?"

Xiao Yunxi refused bluntly, "Mother, be careful with your words! My grandfather has always been fair and strict. He only selects people based on virtue and talent, not on personal connections! If Master Dong is truly talented and virtuous, he will naturally rise to prominence. If he is just a show-off, he will naturally have no place to stand!"

Ruan smiled awkwardly when she heard this, "I just said it casually. After all, we are family."

The old lady was originally very happy, but after hearing what Xiao Yunxi said, she also frowned, "Yes, helping each other among relatives is a kind of help."

Xiao Yunxi raised her eyes and looked directly at the old lady, "Old lady, the Ningguo Mansion has survived three dynasties and has remained standing. Firstly, it has the trust of the emperor, and secondly, it has abided by its duties."

"Of course relatives should help each other. Even if they are poor relatives hiding in the mountains, we should help them if we can. However," Xiao Yunxi said coldly, "Heaven and Earth are the ruler, parents and teachers. The ruler comes before relatives. As a subject, I should put the ruler first."

"How can we just recommend an official without regard for his moral character and talent just because he is a relative?"

"What's the difference between that and the criminals who sell official positions and titles?"

The old lady was choked by Xiao Yunxi and couldn't speak for a long time.

Nanny Li hurried forward to serve tea, smiling and saying, "Madam, Princess, please have some tea."

The old lady suppressed her unhappiness and ordered: "Fang Jie'er will be here soon. You should arrange the courtyard. When the time comes, the Dong family will stay for a while. And Fang Jie'er's precious son, Peng Ge'er, is about the same age as Ze Ge'er, so you should also pay more attention to him."

Xiao Yunxi curled her lips, "That's right. However, please tell me, old lady, how to deal with all the expenses? At the beginning of the month, the income of the treasury was only 1,800 taels, which is barely enough to pay for the expenses of the mansion. If we entertain my aunt and her family, I'm afraid it won't be enough."

Before Lu Guifang got married, the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion was fairly wealthy, so they naturally lived a life of luxury.

But now, all the income from the farms and shops is in the hands of the old lady, and she only gives the palace more than one thousand but less than two thousand taels of silver every month. What can she do with it? !

If it wasn’t enough before, she would use her dowry to make up for it, but now, huh!

Among those with the surname Lu, no one except Lu Zhan is worthy of spending her money.

Ruan exclaimed, "How come it's only 1,800 taels? Did the servants of the manor and the shop cheat?! What are you waiting for? Either kill them or report them to the government!"

Xiao Yunxi remained silent.

The old lady's face changed and she cursed him as an idiot.

She waved her hand in a magnanimous manner, "It's nothing. Just ask Madam Li to take some money out of my pocket. It's not good for you to pay for it yourself."

As he spoke, he glanced at Nanny Li suggestively.

Nanny Li stepped forward with understanding, "What are you talking about, old lady? The princess has always been generous, why would she use your own money?"

Xiao Yunxi sneered, "Madame Li is right, I am indeed generous."

The old lady nodded in satisfaction when she heard this. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Xiao Yunxi continue, "However, in the entire Dali Dynasty, I have never heard of anyone using their daughter-in-law's dowry to support their aunt's family. This is too shameless."

Ruan agreed and said, "Yes, it is indeed shameless to use the money of your daughter-in-law to support your daughter who married out."

The old lady's face became even uglier, and she squeezed out a sentence from between her teeth, "Madame Li, go get the banknotes!"

“...Yes..." Nanny Li lowered her head and left.

"Mother, let Madam Li take more, just 10,000 taels first. The Dong family looks down on our Zhennan Palace."

Ruan looked up and saw the old lady's livid face. She asked in surprise, "What happened to mother? She's not feeling well. Do you want to call a doctor?"

Xiao Yunxi suppressed her laughter. The old lady was so angry that she was forced to cut off her own flesh because her stupid daughter-in-law sabotaged her.

Although the palace has few farms and shops, it still brings in at least 30,000 to 40,000 taels of silver every month. In the past, she was afraid of embarrassing the old lady and the others because she could not make up the money herself. But now, she just watches the show from the sidelines. It is not only fun, but also a way to vent her anger!

The old lady closed her eyes and waved her hand, "I'm tired, you guys go do whatever you need to do."

Xiao Yunxi stood up and followed Ruan.

Before they parted, Ruan Shi also emphasized to Xiao Yunxi, "If the servants in the manor or shop embezzle money, don't be lenient, beat them and punish them!"

"Yes, my daughter-in-law can save it."

Seeing Xiao Yunxi agreed, Ruan Shi was satisfied and walked towards the garden while fanning herself, "Okay, you go take care of the chores, I'll go take a walk in the garden."