80 Authority

When Zou Mama heard XuanRong's question, she fell silent and pondered for a while before opening her mouth to answer XuanRong's question.

"May Da XiaoJie allow this old servant to be bold."

XuanRong nodded and agreed.

"Speak. No need to hide your thoughts. You may freely speak what is on your mind."

Hearing XuanRong's affirmation, Zou Mama nodded and stated her observation.

"During the two days this old servant stayed in the XiangFu[1], this old servant tried her best to observe and understand the people living in the Fu. When Da XiaoJie ordered this old servant to register those servants we brought from Lu Shan under the name of the Prime Minister's house without surrendering their salve contracts, the Housekeeper rejected the idea and sent someone to consult Er Furen[2]. He had to wait for Er Furen's decision before accepting Da XiaoJie's command. This old servant thinks that the Housekeeper is one of Er Furen's people."

Hearing Zou Mama's words, XuanRong could not help but chuckle.

"Oh? How can you say that the housekeeper is one of Xiao Lou's people? He is the Fu's housekeeper, it is appropriate to consult the one who handles the inner courtyard's affair. Aren't you just overthinking things?"

Zou Mama shook her head after hearing XuanRong's reasoning.

"This old servant was ordered by Da XiaoJie. By rights, among the children of Laoye[3], Da XiaoJie holds the greatest authority since Da XiaoJie is the daughter of the first wife. Although Er Furen holds the title of XiangFu's Mistress and the one who is currently managing the inner courtyard, Er Furen is still a second wife. She would always be lower than First Furen, Mistress Chen Yi. Even if she is now the owner of the inner courtyard, servants should still give Da XiaoJie face and would still respect you since you are the Di daughter of the Fu, but the housekeeper clearly did not put you in his eyes. The act of asking permission to Er Furen first before following your order is a sign that the housekeeper did not see you as a proper young miss of Xiang Fu. A mere servant would not dare offend Da XiaoJie unless someone was trying to show that you hold no value in the residence."

XuanRong laughed when she heard Zou Mama's lengthy explanation.

Indeed, what Zou mama said was correct. In her previous lifetime, because she was arrogant and would always find faults with the servants, she would often get punished by her own father. When she angered XuanLI, the housekeeper was the one who suggested that she should be sent to Lu Shan in order for her to contemplate and ruminate with her sins.

When she was framed of harming XuanFei, the housekeeper was also the one who suggested that instead of killing XuanRong and blackening Prime Minister Xuan's image, it would be better to disown her than kill her without mercy. It would show that Prime Minister Xuan was a good father, still considering their blood relationship as father and child even, making him look compassionate but firm.

"Uhuh. Indeed. What Zou mama said is correct. What else?"

"Aside from Da XiaoJie not having any authority inside the Fu, Bai Yiniang[4], who is a high ranking concubine, also does not have any real authority including the two lower concubines beneath her, Feng Yiniang and Meng Yiniang. Although the other young misses and young masters are being treated respectfully, they seem to pale in comparison with the Third Young Miss, XuanFei."

"Mmmm… I am quite impressed with Zou mama's observation. Indeed, my father, XuanLi, is a garbage amongst trash. You have been serving the Xuan family for years, so I know that Zou mama is aware of XiangFu's past. In order to bring glory and increase the value of this family, XuanLi married my mother. He is a man that is willing to sacrifice everything as long as he could gain some benefits. But there is one thing that XuanLi could not change, he deeply cared for reputation and face. Did you know the reason why my other siblings were not present in the banquet or why his other concubines were not there to welcome us?"

Zou mama was also puzzled. She could not understand the reason why XuanLi did not allow his other mistresses and children to show up. Socializing is very vital in every family. In order to increase the value of a family, one must befriend those who would uplift their image. Although the XiangFu no longer needed to use anyone to uplift their image, socializing would help widen the horizons of the Young Misses and Young Masters of the Fu.

When XuanRong saw Zou mama thinking deeply, she turned her head and looked at the window, subconsciously looking for someone.

"There is a saying that says, 'You marry a wife for status, you marry a concubine for lust'. Father welcomed his mistresses inside the Fu because of lust. Although he and Xiao Lou were childhood sweethearts, he could not control his urges to taste other flowers. I commend Xiao Lou for swallowing the anger inside her heart. But although XuanLi is a promiscuous man, he still cared for the Xuan family's reputation. Those poor concubines where not allowed to show themselves in the society since their statuses are unfit to mingle with the nobles. For XuanLi, allowing his low born mistresses socialize with the nobles would bring him great humiliation. Besides, he truly loves Xiao Lou. How could he let her suffer any grievance?"

Listening to XuanRong's explanation, Zou mama had finally understood everything. She suddenly felt pity towards this Da XiaoJie in front of her. Zou mama thought that XuanRong was wonderful woman, unfortunately, she was living a difficult life in her own residence.

If XuanRong could read Zou Mama's thoughts, she would definitely laugh out loud. Being Pitiful was not it XuanRong's vocabulary.

"If Zou mama is already done with the report, you can leave now. I want to sleep early. When YuShen and the others return, tell them that they should not worry because I am fine."

"Yes, this old servant understands."

----------

"Shadow you are very useless! How many times did I tell you that you should not allow His Lordship to leave the residence irresponsibly?! What would you do if his existence had been found out?! Are you sure you could shoulder the consequences?! Do you know how hard it is for me to be unable to stay by his side like you?? I kept reminding you that wherever His Lordship goes, you, His shadow, should also follow…. But look! You are not doing your job properly! You cannot even follow His Lordship, always failing to notice that His Lordship had already----"

Yue Shin had been reprimanding Shadow for hours already. Shadow felt like his ears would soon burst and bleed. Although what commander said where all true, Shadow still could not do anything once His Lordship decided to leave without telling anyone.

He is a mere informant and a spy ah, not a baby sitter!

Although Shadow knew that he was just a poor victim, he could not bring himself to speak and reason out with Yue Shin. Shadow would rather choose to get stab in the chest than being grilled in the fire like a fish.

*swiiiish*

Shadow was taken aback when he saw His Lordship had returned from the outside.

'Hallehujah.. Great Ancestor ah... Where did you go?'

Shadow wanted to cry and hug the Moon Emperor's thighs.

"Your Highness! It's good that you are back!"

Yue Shin's attitude suddenly turned one hundred and eighty. He no longer emitted a dangerous aura. Instead, he admiringly stared at the Moon Emperor like a love-struck fool.

"Mmm.."

The Moon Emperor pulled the golden mask on his face, revealing a very dashing countenance.

"Your Lordship, I----"

"Tomorrow, prepare everything."

'Ah? Tomorrow? Prepare? Prepare what?'

Yue Shin was puzzled by the Moon Emperor's words. Yue Shin opened his mouth, wanting to ask the Moon Emperor but before he could even say something, the next words that came out of the Moon Emperor's mouth almost made Yue Shin faint.

"Tomorrow, prepare for the Bride's Price[5]. This Lordship will marry someone."

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[1]. Prime Minister's Residence

[2]. Second Madam

[3]. Master (Master/ Owner of the House)

[4]. How other addresses concubines (Concubine Bai)

[5]. The man who wanted to marry a young lady would have to give gifts to the young lady's family (Bride's price) while the young lady would have to reciprocate it with similar value during wedding (Dowry).

[Unedited Chapter]