Chapter 34

A Guideline on Improving Living Conditions (1)

As things went uncontrollable, Cuiwei just gave up and led Danju and Xiaotao to safelyguard Minglans main room, turning a blind eye to other situations . Ata time, the House of Clear Dusk was in a complete mess without any binding rules . Lower level girl servants imitated adult servants, either hanging out or visiting other courtyards to chitchat . Only Yancao and a few others performedtheir duties andearnestly did their work, which could be attributed to Fang Mamas effective training for these years .

The competition between women in the Mansion lied in patience, which Minglan hadwhile others didnt . The first impatient one coming over was Liu Kuns wife who suggested and indicated that Minglan should discipline the girl servants in her House .

Minglan responded naively, They are nice . Did they do anything wrong?

Liu Mama swallowed a great deal of anger and struggled to answer, Meier showed a cold-face to first young lord and you never educated her . This is tolerable, but there are other girls that dress up gaudily and wander about to gossip!

Every day, the way Changbai went to school was just a few steps away from the House of Clear Dusk . Cuiwei, Danju and a few others seamlessly guarded Minglan from nuisance, so Yinxing, with her zeal unable to release, waited at the door every day with her neck stretched long, stepping forward to greet Changbai whenever she saw him and vigorously invitedhim into the House of Clear Dusk . Changbai was so annoyed by her, so he complained a little . Hearing this, Liu Kuns wife, who assisted Madam with domestic affairs, was startled at once and hurriedly reprimanded Yinxing, who recently turned very grumpy and even talked back, Mind your own business, Mama . Im now sixth young ladys hand . She never criticized me . Why should you be so officious?

Liu Kuns wife was blown up but Minglan embarrassedly mumbled, Yinxing was just being hospitable . On the other hand, she was sent here by Madam . How can I not save her face?

Liu Kuns wife walked away resentfully . Danju was eager, My lady, we can deal with the bitches now!

Minglan smiled and shook her head, Not yet .

Two days later, Wangshidetained Minglan after morning greetings and scolded her, Your servants are behaving increasingly outrageous . The girl called Keer should pull and touch your third elder brother on his way . You should discipline her! In fact, what Wangshihad in mind was Yinxing who appeared in front of Changbai more frequently .

Minglan continued to play the stupid, Keer originally came from third elder brothers house . He gave up the girl he favored and sent her to my place . Im afraid he will be angry at me if I punish her . Wangshi, hating Minglan for being so timid, tried hard to encourage Minglan in disciplining servants but the latter made no respond except for bobbing her head in hesitation and suspicion .

Propping Minglans arm and walking out from the main yard, Xiaotao said in excitement, My lady, now that Madam has ordered, we can punish the uneducated maids now!

Minglan still smiled and answered, Just be patient and wait .

Minglan still smiled and answered, Just be patient and wait .

Counting the days one by one, Minglan finally saw the day comingwhen Sheng Hong had a day off . The whole family went to greet Old Madam and Minglan deliberately dressed herself up carelessly . After curtseyed to Old Madam, everyone sat down in order based on age . Old Madam Sheng pulled a sullen face and sat up in silence . Seeing Old Madam Shengs unhappy face, Sheng Hong asked the reason for her bad mood .

Old Madam Sheng pointed to Minglan and fumed, Ask your sixth girl . Her House of Clear Dusk is almost overturned by a batch of uncourteous servants . Rectify it!

Sheng Hong was stunned, What do you mean by this, mother? Minglan, what happened?

Minglan who looked like a useless girl stood up cautiously . Wangshigot alert because she knew recently the House of Clear Dusk had been chaotic, which many of the old servants had reported to her . Old Madam Sheng would know the situation sooner or later, but Minglan never asked Old Madam Sheng to prop her up, a thing made Wangshifeel satisfied with Minglan .

Others remained calm when, seeing Minglan muttering for quite a while and constantly peeping at Changfeng and Molan but just couldnt make herself understood, Rulan couldnt wait but shout out loud, Daddy, let me tell you . Sixth younger sister is such a mild person that she let her girl servants run wild . Now, they even dare to put aside their work and hang out in the garden all day long . Gardens are left untrimmed and rooms untidied . They wont listen to orders and keep gossiping about seniors . When my first-level servant rebuked them, they even talked back!

Sheng Hong slapped his thigh in anger, Minglan! Why didnt you discipline your maids!

This was the first time that Sheng Hong responded to the complaint from Rulan who felt greatly encouraged and made her speech before Minglan could answer, The most brash two in sixth younger sisters house were sent over by third elder brother . How might she discipline them!

This was the first time that Sheng Hong responded to the complaint from Rulan who felt greatly encouraged and made her speech before Minglan could answer, The most brash two in sixth younger sisters house were sent over by third elder brother . How might she discipline them!

Sheng Hong hesitated when he heard Concubine Lin was involved . He took a glance at Changfeng who was bowing the head and then at Wangshisuspiciously, who, getting his meaningful glance, knew immediately that Sheng Hong suspected her of framing up Concubine Lin . Therefore, though she got pissed off immediately, she choked down her anger and forced a smile, My dear daughter, stop talking nonsense . Your third elder brother must have chosen the best hands for your younger sister .

Rulan retorted at once, Im not . Of the two girls, one is so patronizing that she even turned a cold shoulder to big brother; the other pretends to be a lady that falls ill every day and waits for others to take care of her . Her manner is more exaggerated than her lady! Minglan, you tell others if Im lying or not! While speaking, she pulled Minglan to testifyfor her .

Minglan put on a grieving face, saying, Maybe my place is not good enough for them, which have both upset big brother and troubled Liu Mama to repeatedly send for a physician to our courtyard . Staying here only for a dozen of days, Keer has fallen ill five times . Luckily, third elder brother often comes to visit her, which makes her recover faster .

What? Sheng Hong was shocked .

Old Madam Sheng said in a cold tone, Its seen that at the door of the House of Clear Dusk, a girl servant dragged Changbai in broad daylight . What a scene! Wangshiwas so irritated that she squeezed the cushion on the chair with her fingers .

Noone knew the son better than his father . Sheng Hong looked up at Changbai who was wearing an indifferent face and then at Changfeng who looked guilty, immediately figuring out what Rulan said was real . He cursed Concubine Lin secretlyfor being troublesome and that even if in an attempt to getrid of the girl servants she didnt like, it was not necessary to drag Minglan in it . On the other hand, Molan turned really anxious, winking at Changfeng constantly, but said with a smile, Calm down father . Dont be upset by these trifles . The ignorant servants will be lectured . Sixth younger sister, its partly your fault . No matter who sent you the servants, once they enter the House of Clear Dusk, they are your servants for you to scold or beat as you wish . Maybe you have a soft heart, but youll be bullied by them .

Hinted by Molans wink, Changfeng made his attitude clear at once and said to Minglan apologetically, Im sorry for making you troubles sixth younger sister, but back when they were at my place, they were well-behaved . They might not be used to your place . Just teach them more; they are clever to learn!

Noone knew the son better than his father . Sheng Hong looked up at Changbai who was wearing an indifferent face and then at Changfeng who looked guilty, immediately figuring out what Rulan said was real . He cursed Concubine Lin secretlyfor being troublesome and that even if in an attempt to getrid of the girl servants she didnt like, it was not necessary to drag Minglan in it . On the other hand, Molan turned really anxious, winking at Changfeng constantly, but said with a smile, Calm down father . Dont be upset by these trifles . The ignorant servants will be lectured . Sixth younger sister, its partly your fault . No matter who sent you the servants, once they enter the House of Clear Dusk, they are your servants for you to scold or beat as you wish . Maybe you have a soft heart, but youll be bullied by them .

Hinted by Molans wink, Changfeng made his attitude clear at once and said to Minglan apologetically, Im sorry for making you troubles sixth younger sister, but back when they were at my place, they were well-behaved . They might not be used to your place . Just teach them more; they are clever to learn!

By just a few words, he tried to cover the seriousness of the situation . Rulan sneered with the corners of her mouth tilted up . Old Madam Sheng hit the ceiling, thumped hard on the table and said in a louder voice, What? Trifles? She has a soft heart? Youre her elder sisters and brothers . Its only a dozen of days after Minglan moved out of my place, look what position she is in right now! Should a young lady stoop to compromise before servants? How is it sixth girls fault for being bullied by servants?!

Noticing Old Madam Sheng was infuriated, Changfeng and Molan stood up from chair in a hurry to display their respect .

Sheng Hong turned to gaze at Minglan, finding that she was much thinner with pointed chins and pale complexion, not a bit like the chubby girl in rosy complexion when she lived in the Hall of Peaceful Ages . He instantly frowned and asked Wangshiin a scolding voice, How did you take care of her? You didnt even ask when Minglans house is in such a mess?

Wangshiwas suddenly hauled in, so she grumbled, I thought sixth young lady was old enough to manage on her own She had planned to let Minglan clear away Keer and Meier . Before she could finish her explanation, Sheng Hong cut in, Old enough? Shes been with Old Madam and just moved out to live alone . Why didnt you teach her in disciplining servants but only beanonlooker?

Though the words were a bit harsh, it hit right to the point . Wangshinow looked sullen withresentment boiling in her heart . Minglan realized that this was the time, so she stood up slowly and said in a low voice, Father, do not blame Madam . She is very nice to me and sent over two girl servants . Its me being too incompetent to disciplineservants . Her voice got weaker and weaker, mixed with crying .

Wangshis face looked less icy but she still pretended to be wronged, The two girl servants were sent to Minglan by Changbai, I haveto save his face, but other servant girls did follow their improper manners . While talking, she bowed herhead to peep at Sheng Hong .

A Guideline on Improving Living Conditions (1).

As things went uncontrollable, Cuiwei just gave up and led Danju and Xiaotao to safelyguard Minglans main room, turning a blind eye to other situations . Ata time, the House of Clear Dusk was in a complete mess without any binding rules . Lower level girl servants imitated adult servants, either hanging out or visiting other courtyards to chitchat . Only Yancao and a few others performedtheir duties andearnestly did their work, which could be attributed to Fang Mamas effective training for these years

The competition between women in the Mansion lied in patience, which Minglan hadwhile others didnt . The first impatient one coming over was Liu Kuns wife who suggested and indicated that Minglan should discipline the girl servants in her House

Minglan responded naively, They are nice . Did they do anything wrong?.

Liu Mama swallowed a great deal of anger and struggled to answer, Meier showed a cold-face to first young lord and you never educated her . This is tolerable, but there are other girls that dress up gaudily and wander about to gossip!.

Every day, the way Changbai went to school was just a few steps away from the House of Clear Dusk . Cuiwei, Danju and a few others seamlessly guarded Minglan from nuisance, so Yinxing, with her zeal unable to release, waited at the door every day with her neck stretched long, stepping forward to greet Changbai whenever she saw him and vigorously invitedhim into the House of Clear Dusk . Changbai was so annoyed by her, so he complained a little . Hearing this, Liu Kuns wife, who assisted Madam with domestic affairs, was startled at once and hurriedly reprimanded Yinxing, who recently turned very grumpy and even talked back, Mind your own business, Mama . Im now sixth young ladys hand . She never criticized me . Why should you be so officious?.

Liu Kuns wife was blown up but Minglan embarrassedly mumbled, Yinxing was just being hospitable . On the other hand, she was sent here by Madam . How can I not save her face?.

Liu Kuns wife walked away resentfully . Danju was eager, My lady, we can deal with the bitches now!.

Minglan smiled and shook her head, Not yet . .

Two days later, Wangshidetained Minglan after morning greetings and scolded her, Your servants are behaving increasingly outrageous . The girl called Keer should pull and touch your third elder brother on his way . You should discipline her! In fact, what Wangshihad in mind was Yinxing who appeared in front of Changbai more frequently

Minglan continued to play the stupid, Keer originally came from third elder brothers house . He gave up the girl he favored and sent her to my place . Im afraid he will be angry at me if I punish her . Wangshi, hating Minglan for being so timid, tried hard to encourage Minglan in disciplining servants but the latter made no respond except for bobbing her head in hesitation and suspicion

Propping Minglans arm and walking out from the main yard, Xiaotao said in excitement, My lady, now that Madam has ordered, we can punish the uneducated maids now!.

Minglan still smiled and answered, Just be patient and wait . .

Counting the days one by one, Minglan finally saw the day comingwhen Sheng Hong had a day off . The whole family went to greet Old Madam and Minglan deliberately dressed herself up carelessly . After curtseyed to Old Madam, everyone sat down in order based on age . Old Madam Sheng pulled a sullen face and sat up in silence . Seeing Old Madam Shengs unhappy face, Sheng Hong asked the reason for her bad mood

Old Madam Sheng pointed to Minglan and fumed, Ask your sixth girl . Her House of Clear Dusk is almost overturned by a batch of uncourteous servants . Rectify it!.

Sheng Hong was stunned, What do you mean by this, mother? Minglan, what happened?.

Minglan who looked like a useless girl stood up cautiously . Wangshigot alert because she knew recently the House of Clear Dusk had been chaotic, which many of the old servants had reported to her . Old Madam Sheng would know the situation sooner or later, but Minglan never asked Old Madam Sheng to prop her up, a thing made Wangshifeel satisfied with Minglan

Others remained calm when, seeing Minglan muttering for quite a while and constantly peeping at Changfeng and Molan but just couldnt make herself understood, Rulan couldnt wait but shout out loud, Daddy, let me tell you . Sixth younger sister is such a mild person that she let her girl servants run wild . Now, they even dare to put aside their work and hang out in the garden all day long . Gardens are left untrimmed and rooms untidied . They wont listen to orders and keep gossiping about seniors . When my first-level servant rebuked them, they even talked back!.

Sheng Hong slapped his thigh in anger, Minglan! Why didnt you discipline your maids!.

This was the first time that Sheng Hong responded to the complaint from Rulan who felt greatly encouraged and made her speech before Minglan could answer, The most brash two in sixth younger sisters house were sent over by third elder brother . How might she discipline them! .

Sheng Hong hesitated when he heard Concubine Lin was involved . He took a glance at Changfeng who was bowing the head and then at Wangshisuspiciously, who, getting his meaningful glance, knew immediately that Sheng Hong suspected her of framing up Concubine Lin . Therefore, though she got pissed off immediately, she choked down her anger and forced a smile, My dear daughter, stop talking nonsense . Your third elder brother must have chosen the best hands for your younger sister . .

Rulan retorted at once, Im not . Of the two girls, one is so patronizing that she even turned a cold shoulder to big brother; the other pretends to be a lady that falls ill every day and waits for others to take care of her . Her manner is more exaggerated than her lady! Minglan, you tell others if Im lying or not! While speaking, she pulled Minglan to testifyfor her

Minglan put on a grieving face, saying, Maybe my place is not good enough for them, which have both upset big brother and troubled Liu Mama to repeatedly send for a physician to our courtyard . Staying here only for a dozen of days, Keer has fallen ill five times . Luckily, third elder brother often comes to visit her, which makes her recover faster . .

What? Sheng Hong was shocked

Old Madam Sheng said in a cold tone, Its seen that at the door of the House of Clear Dusk, a girl servant dragged Changbai in broad daylight . What a scene! Wangshiwas so irritated that she squeezed the cushion on the chair with her fingers

Noone knew the son better than his father . Sheng Hong looked up at Changbai who was wearing an indifferent face and then at Changfeng who looked guilty, immediately figuring out what Rulan said was real . He cursed Concubine Lin secretlyfor being troublesome and that even if in an attempt to getrid of the girl servants she didnt like, it was not necessary to drag Minglan in it . On the other hand, Molan turned really anxious, winking at Changfeng constantly, but said with a smile, Calm down father . Dont be upset by these trifles . The ignorant servants will be lectured . Sixth younger sister, its partly your fault . No matter who sent you the servants, once they enter the House of Clear Dusk, they are your servants for you to scold or beat as you wish . Maybe you have a soft heart, but youll be bullied by them . .

Hinted by Molans wink, Changfeng made his attitude clear at once and said to Minglan apologetically, Im sorry for making you troubles sixth younger sister, but back when they were at my place, they were well-behaved . They might not be used to your place . Just teach them more; they are clever to learn!.

By just a few words, he tried to cover the seriousness of the situation . Rulan sneered with the corners of her mouth tilted up . Old Madam Sheng hit the ceiling, thumped hard on the table and said in a louder voice, What? Trifles? She has a soft heart? Youre her elder sisters and brothers . Its only a dozen of days after Minglan moved out of my place, look what position she is in right now! Should a young lady stoop to compromise before servants? How is it sixth girls fault for being bullied by servants?!.

Noticing Old Madam Sheng was infuriated, Changfeng and Molan stood up from chair in a hurry to display their respect

Sheng Hong turned to gaze at Minglan, finding that she was much thinner with pointed chins and pale complexion, not a bit like the chubby girl in rosy complexion when she lived in the Hall of Peaceful Ages . He instantly frowned and asked Wangshiin a scolding voice, How did you take care of her? You didnt even ask when Minglans house is in such a mess?.

Wangshiwas suddenly hauled in, so she grumbled, I thought sixth young lady was old enough to manage on her own She had planned to let Minglan clear away Keer and Meier . Before she could finish her explanation, Sheng Hong cut in, Old enough? Shes been with Old Madam and just moved out to live alone . Why didnt you teach her in disciplining servants but only beanonlooker? .

Though the words were a bit harsh, it hit right to the point . Wangshinow looked sullen withresentment boiling in her heart . Minglan realized that this was the time, so she stood up slowly and said in a low voice, Father, do not blame Madam . She is very nice to me and sent over two girl servants . Its me being too incompetent to disciplineservants . Her voice got weaker and weaker, mixed with crying

Wangshis face looked less icy but she still pretended to be wronged, The two girl servants were sent to Minglan by Changbai, I haveto save his face, but other servant girls did follow their improper manners . While talking, she bowed herhead to peep at Sheng Hong