10 Overwork Yourself
Bonus Chapter-Sponsored by: Cyra Camille Garces and Katherine Ayers
"Housekeeper Wang... tell me, are you blind or are you incompetent?"
Housekeeper Wang, who was looking arrogantly at XuanRong a while ago, was now burning red due to humiliation. Ever since XuanRong arrived at the center hall, he felt like he was being played like an idiot. He never expected that XuanRong would publicly slap him in the face without giving him any warning.
A week ago, after being oppressed, XuanRong learned to be respectful towards him and even toned down her arrogance, but in a blink of an eye, she immediately transformed into a sharp-tongued girl who didn't care about giving face. Her arrogance reached a new height but it was different from her usual unmannered self, as if, the previous XuanRong was only a figment of his imagination.
The XuanRong in front of him was exuding a faint glow, as if he was looking at a very noble person--- like a Phoenix watching over the Emperor's harem. The way she spoke, the way she moved, the way she glared, all of it were full of arrogance but it was not awkward at all.
Housekeeper Wang could not retort back. How can he counter all her words when what she said were all true? He could only lower his head, even though he wanted to strangle her to death.
XuanRong was not fond of giving face to those people who once treated her like she was lower than an animal. She was not afraid that everyone in Lu Shan would know that she was being bullied by the servants.
On the contrary, once people learned about it, she would get their sympathy, making them blame the servants for flaunting their authority and acting like masters. The people would also criticize her father for turning a blind eye, letting his Eldest Di Daughter suffer in the suburbs.
Although she was sent here as her punishment for angering her father, the Prime Minister's residence publicly announced that she was recuperating in the suburbs because of her poor health.
She really didn't care airing her family's dirty laundry in the public [1], as long as she could destroy the family's image that was painstakingly developed by her father.
After all, the things her father cared the most were the family's face, honor and glory. If not for it, why would he marry her mother even though he did not love her?
XuanRong's pupils narrowed but in a second, it immediately returned back to normal.
She stared at Housekeeper Wang, who was sweating hard and sighed softly. Her face suddenly showed sympathy and pity as if she had not verbally slapped him a while ago.
"Housekeeper Wang, This Lady is not angry with you. This Lady knows that you are doing your best in managing the manor, but look! The servants are not honoring your words! They may have thought that an old man like you is only farting nonsense words---- all talk and no action. Ayeee... Seeing it like this, This Lady only wants to help you supervise the entire manor and punish the evil servants. This Lady hopes that Housekeeper Wang won't think that This Lady is trying to overshadow your authority as the housekeeper. After all, this manor belongs to my birth mother, the First Head Wife [2] of the Prime Minister's residence. Sooner or later, this manor will be added to my dowry when I marry off."
Housekeeper Wang was almost angered to death by XuanRong. His eyes bulged as he secretly gnashed his teeth and wished that he could wash her mouth with soap.
The servants bullied XuanRong because he permitted it and not because the servants were treating his words as farts.
But how could Housekeeper Wang admit that he allowed the servants to bully XuanRong because Er Furen [3] ordered him to do so? He would be beaten to death if he spill everything!
Thus, Housekeeper Wang could only eat loss today and swallow his grievance. Being labeled as an incompetent servant was better than allowing his head to fly off his shoulder. Besides, what XuanRong said was correct. The manor belonged to the First Head Wife before she died. Only after she passed away that Er Furen took over and managed everything.
Housekeeper Wang's complexion turned sour but he still tried to look amiable, making his expression a bit off and weird.
"What is Da XiaoJie saying? Of course, Da XiaoJie has the highest authority here. This old servant only wants to lessen Da XiaoJie's mental stress by trying to manage the manor and shoulder the burden. But since Da XiaoJie is wholeheartedly trying to help this old servant, this old servant is happy to accept it. This old servant only hopes that Da XiaoJie will be able to manage the servants properly to avoid losing face... and avoid losing the XiangFu's and Master's face."
After throwing some hidden threats, Housekeeper Wang saluted and decided to leave immediately before he dies due to anger.
"This old servant still has something to do. This old servant wishes to retreat first."
Without waiting for XuanRong's approval, he turned and walked away. But before he could even leave, XuanRong opened her mouth and spoke.
"Ah. That's right. Housekeeper Wang, don't forget to bring the accounting records to This Lady later. This Lady wants to see the expenses of this manor so This Lady can manage everything smoothly. Do not worry, with This Lady governing the manor, nothing bad will happen."
XuanRong did not forget to add salt to his wounds and discreetly curse the old man.
"This Lady will not force you to stay since This Lady thinks that Housekeeper Wang should return to your room and rest. Old people are very weak, even Zou mama, who is younger than you, can't escape old age. This Lady is afraid that King Yama will suddenly visit you one of these days and bring you with him if you continue to overwork yourself. Don't worry, This Lady is still young and healthy, Housekeeper Wang will follow King Yama first before This Lady's turn so no need to worry for This Lady's health."
XuanRong's tone was lucid with a hint of sympathy and assurance but it was full of hidden provocation and cursing, making Housekeeper Wang's blood boil from anger.
Swallowing the blood that was trying to escape from his mouth, Housekeeper Wang could only nod his head and leave like a dog that was kicked out of the house.
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[1]. Letting the public know about their family problems.
[2]. 'Furen'- The Legal Wife and the person in control of the inner courtyard where females in the family reside including the concubines.
[3]. 'Er Furen'- The Second Legal Wife of a widower and has a slightly lower standing than the deceased First Wife. Can be a former concubine or a newly wedded wife. The children of the Second Wife are still incomparable to the children of the deceased First Wife.
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Edited and Proofread by: Prikkrang and Supremetobs
