Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 207: Chapter 84: Zhao Chun

The Ma Family sent over an invitation, setting the wedding date for the 26th of April.

Upon hearing the news, Yueyao smiled and said, “In just over half a month, it’ll be my eldest cousin’s big day. Once the Eldest Cousin-in-law marries into the Ma’s Mansion, everything will be fine.” Having such a cousin-in-law, she would have someone to consult in the future.

Nanny Deng nodded repeatedly too, “Once the Eldest Young Madam enters the mansion, the rules of the Ma Family will be established. Then, Miss can often visit her maternal family’s home.” Now, the Old Madam disapproved of the Ma Family’s lack of rules, but once the rules of the Ma Family were set, staying at the Ma Family’s house for a few days wouldn’t be opposed by the Old Madam.

Yueyao nodded. She wasn’t the least bit worried about establishing a good relationship with Zhuang Ruolan. Zhuang Ruolan was a smart person, as evident from her ability to hold her own against her stepmother. Moreover, there was no conflict of interest between her and Zhuang Ruolan, so on account of her uncle and cousin cherishing her, Yueyao expected to receive some favor.

After Hua Lei went out and returned, her eyes were red and swollen, clearly having suffered grievances.

Yueyao looked but didn’t ask what had happened. Hua Lei was loyal, but she also had her weaknesses, which were her family members. In her previous life, she wasn’t involved in the management, so there were no entanglements, but this life was different. To break free from Lady Mo’s control would definitely lead to a struggle. Lady Mo would surely target those around her, with Hua Lei and Qiao Lan being the first in line. Qiao Lan was okay, at least she didn’t have a family; but it was different for Hua Lei, so there was an intention to toughen her up this time.

Nanny Deng didn’t speak up to plead on her behalf either, as this incident was completely caused by Liu Er’s family’s incompetence. The Miss not transferring her anger was already a mercy.

Looking at Nanny Deng, Yueyao said, “This incident is just a preamble, letting grandmother know that Auntie knows everything I do inside out.” Yueyao knew that to easily retrieve her mother’s dowry, she needed the Old Madam’s approval. If the Old Madam didn’t return the dowry to her before passing away, there would be complications later.

Of course, if it came down to it, even with the trouble, she would retrieve the dowry. Her and Tingzheng’s expenses were not small. There was a fixed amount for food, clothing, and other necessities from the public funds, and anything beyond had to be paid out of pocket. For example, her current kitchen didn’t draw from the public funds and needed personal funding, and currently, it was the Old Madam who was subsidizing it. Once the Old Madam was gone, she would have to pay herself.

Of course, Yueyao felt absolutely comfortable spending from the Old Madam’s private accounts; her father giving one-quarter of the family fortune to the Old Madam was, in essence, transferring it to public funds. On the surface, it may seem like she was spending the Old Madam’s money, but in fact, it was just spending her parents’ money.

In a low voice, Nanny Deng said, “Miss, I have heard that the Old Madam’s health is getting worse by the day, she might not make it past the end of the year. The dowry and the deeds of the servants must be reclaimed by you then.” Yueyao only had control over the contracts of personal maids like Hua Lei and Mu Qiu; the contracts of others were held by the Old Madam, including even Nanny Deng’s.

Yueyao wasn’t worried, “Mother, you don’t have to worry about these things. Even if grandmother doesn’t give them voluntarily, I will still be able to get them back.” Nanny Deng and others came as part of her mother’s bridal party, and their contracts could definitely be reclaimed. As for the others, it wouldn’t be too late to address them when the time came.

Nanny Deng couldn’t help worrying, “Miss, even if the dowry is retrieved, can you manage such a large dowry?” The Miss was only nine years old, how could she manage such a substantial dowry? Even if she took over, she would be taken advantage of by others.

Yueyao had already planned for this, and she wouldn’t be doing business herself, that was certain, “Is the farmstead’s Farm Manager loyal to my mother?” If he was loyal, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. If not, she would find someone loyal. With her uncle and eldest cousin by her side, she had nothing to worry about.

Eagerly, Nanny Deng nodded, “The Farm Manager is an honest man. Additionally, I have a rough idea of the yield from the farms, but I’m a bit concerned about the two shops Madam owns in the bustling market. The two Store Managers are shrewd and capable, and for a year or two nothing will go wrong, but in the long term, it’s hard to say.” Doing business is different from collecting rent at home. There are many excuses for running a business at a loss, something the Miss definitely wouldn’t understand. Madam had the authority to keep things under control, as did the Old Madam, but the Miss would definitely not be able to do so.

Yueyao laughed, “I’ve thought about this problem too. I won’t be running the shops myself. Once I take over, I plan to rent out these prime locations and just collect rent.” The shops were in busy areas, so she wasn’t worried about them being unrentable, and the residences would be even easier to rent out. She might not conduct business, but that didn’t prevent her from collecting rent while sitting back.