Zhang has always felt that she has been the hostess of Jiannanhou Mansion, and she has been in charge of Zhongfu for more than 20 years, and she has been safe and stable, and she has never had a big fork, which shows that she is still quite capable.

But after experiencing all kinds of setbacks and misfortunes later, she gradually realized a sad fact: if there was no old county prince in charge, her hostess for more than 20 years might not have been able to do so smoothly.

When she first married into the Jiannan Hou Mansion, she was young, jerky, and had little experience. But at that time, I was able to spend it safely, probably because the throne of the prince had steadily fallen to Zhao Jiong's head, the Niu family also had a son, and the eldest daughter Zhao Yuanniang married to a foreign place, and she couldn't care about her mother's affairs. Otherwise, at that time, the old county prince was still guarding the border pass, and the Zhang family was isolated in the mansion alone, how could he live so comfortably?

Later, the old county prince returned home, and he was very fond of his young wife and responded to his requests. Even if Aunt Qian's mother and son realized the threat of the Zhang family, and were afraid of the birth of the real sister-in-law, they didn't dare to make a big move for fear of offending the old county prince. Over time, Zhang's heart became slacking and he was no longer vigilant. Where did they think that as soon as the old county prince died, they showed a vicious face?

Looking back now, although Xiao Changfang's family is of poor character and vicious, the Zhang family has been in charge for more than 20 years. feels that she is a competent housewife, but in the face of the persecution of concubines, she has no power to resist. Even if he lost his son's life, he was incompetent enough. While remorseful in his heart, Zhang's heart misses her dead husband very much. But in all fairness, she just hated herself for not being vigilant enough, hating Xiao Changfang's methods for being too poisonous, but she didn't feel that her ability was too problematic. granddaughter Zhao Xiu has been a housekeeper since she was a child, and sometimes she does things out of line. She always can't help but teach and give advice.

But now, Zhang is beginning to question his own abilities.

granddaughter Zhao Xiu made several investment decisions before Zhao Wei became a knight. Including foreign business, weaving and dyeing workshops, house rentals, preserved fruit wine, etc., the profits are quite lucrative, plus the income of each grange, if it is not for the tide disaster that has just passed. In the past two years, the Hou Mansion has been able to net tens of thousands of taels of silver on average every year. Compared to 10 years ago. It's a world of difference.

When Zhao Xiu decided not long ago to sell the house that Nanhui used for rent, Zhang didn't think there was anything. The servants who had lost their errands were panicked. They don't mind setting aside a few days to do some heavy work, but they don't want to lose it. In Nanhui to be a concierge to see the house, although the monthly money is not much, but to help the owner of the rented warehouse to see the goods, you can always get a red envelope reward, and people who are flexible can also help people to make transactions. I made some tea money from it, and I had a few taels of silver a month. There's no one up there yet. Far away from the owner's house, shrewd people can open their own shop. Now that I have lost my errand, how is it different from cutting off their flesh? They didn't dare to tell Zhao Xiu, so they worked Zhang's side. Zhang was almost moved at first, but when she heard Zhao Xiu say that the money from the sale of the house was used to fund the dam rebuilding project, and it could also help the orphans and widows in the clan, which were all good deeds, so she didn't stop it. Looking back now, isn't it the most correct decision that Zhao Xiu sold the most valuable house in time?

Imagine if Zhao Xiu listened to her, didn't go into foreign business, and didn't sell the house in Nanhui, what would be the situation of the Zhao family's second room now? Zhang had to admit that his granddaughter was obviously more capable and talented than himself in managing housework. She is already old, and it is better to leave the affairs of the family to her granddaughter in the future. In the future, when the granddaughter-in-law enters the door, there will be a granddaughter-in-law to honor her. Mi Yingzhi, who she fancies, is also a capable girl who is familiar with Zhongyu.

And now that Zhang is by the side of the princess of Fenyang, accompanying her to sing red and white, turning her fortune to the noble ladies of various families in Jiading, pooling funds to do good deeds, and relieving the people affected by the tide, she has learned more things.

The princess of Fenyang is the same generation as her, she is the concubine of the queen mother, but she is older than her, and she always treats her as a simple sister in private, and treats her very well. Zhang respects her very much, and privately thinks that she is the most dignified and benevolent woman he has ever known, a gentleman among women, and a saint in the boudoir!

Not to mention that the King of Fenyang, under the guidance of the concubine, was a decent person, and spoke up for Zhang's mother and son in front of Zhao Jiong more than ten years ago, and has maintained contacts with Zhang's family for many years, and has never despised the three ancestors and grandchildren who have lost power. Now that she gets along day and night, the princess of Fenyang is still very concerned about Zhang and Zhao Xiu, and she is warm in life. What touched Zhang the most was that whenever a noble lady she didn't know came to the door, the princess of Fenyang would always think of her social withdrawal, and thoughtfully tell her who the other party was, what her temperament was, and how to deal with her before the guests entered the door—lest Zhang show her stuffing and offend people in vain. Zhang was very grateful for this, and was even more surprised that the gentle and kind Princess Fenyang had a very remarkable means, no matter who came, she could handle it all freely, which really opened her eyes.

The most important thing is that every time the princess of Fenyang gets a noble lady who is reluctant or scolds Huai, she is full of scheming and breathtaking, but all of them are infallible conspiracy. For the first time, the Zhang family discovered that a decent and kind lady could also have such a good means. She used to tell herself that she should uphold the way of a gentleman, not to be difficult with others, not to be harsh, to be kind, and to be generous...... But it turns out that decent people can also play tricks? Decent people do good deeds, and they don't have to suffer their own losses? If a decent person is wronged, can he also take revenge?

Zhang's three views have been impacted. Princess Fenyang is a noble and benefactor she respects, and she will never think that the other party has done something wrong, of course, she herself thought wrong in the past. Turns out she used to be stupid?

The princess of Fenyang once said to her in private: "You have an excellent heart, but you are too soft." It is clear that you are going to suffer, others cry a few times, and use some specious truths to pressure you, and you will give in. Partial you don't just give in to yourself. I also want your grandchildren to give in, and I feel that it is nothing if you have wronged your children. I'm all sorry for Jiannanhou and Xiu Ya to be uneven! In fact, you are just relying on the children to be filial to you. ”

At that time, Zhang was still a little aggrieved: "It's not like this. I love both children very much, how can I wronged them? ”

The princess of Fenyang smiled: "Look, they have been wronged, you don't know yet." Since you feel so sorry for your grandchildren, why can't you wronged yourself a little for them? Don't worry too much about your good reputation, it's all false. What's wrong with someone gossiping about you? Even if you do one or two things that don't conform to the rules, what's wrong? My mother-in-law didn't like me when I got in the way of her doing something stupid. I knew it would be an obstacle to filial piety, but I did it anyway. My daughter-in-law often complained that I took her son away and fed her and separated her flesh and blood. I knew it hurt her heart, but I did it anyway. How much less trouble is there in the palace now? My two grandchildren are filial piety and courtesy, love each other, and have not been involved in the bad things of wives and concubines in the backyard. That's the benefit of being unruly. Even if there was some criticism in the past. If I do a great good deed today, who will not praise me? Who has the leisure to pay attention to the broken mouths of others? ”

Zhang returned to Cuilu in a trance and sat for a long time.

Zhao Xiu didn't know what was wrong with her, so he asked her worriedly. She asked her granddaughter: "Sister Xiu, did grandmother often embarrass you in the past?" Because grandmother is too soft-hearted, is she causing trouble for your brothers and sisters? ”

Zhao Xiu was surprised: "Why did you suddenly ask about this?" ”

"You just have to answer." Zhang was obsessed with an answer.

Zhao Xiu thought about it, and replied honestly: "Grandmother is too kind-hearted, and sometimes it is easy to be taken advantage of. Still. That's where you love it, too. You're a decent person. My brother and I would have preferred to have a decent grandmother. You never ask too much anyway. We do our best to fulfill your wishes, and we honor you. Because of excessive demands, Zhao Wei and she usually thought of dispelling Zhang's thoughts in advance.

When Zhang heard this, he became sad. It turned out that the princess of Fenyang was right when she said her! She really wronged her grandchildren in the past. The two children are just hindered by filial piety and are unwilling to refute her intentions, which is actually very rare.

Zhang was so sad that he didn't sleep well all night, and he woke up a little unhealthy the next day. When Zhao Xiu saw her like this, he persuaded her not to go to the Fenyang Palace, but to take a good rest in Cuilu. As for Zhao Xiu himself, he has to continue to work. Not only did she have to sort out the accounts today, but she also had to follow the princess of Fenyang to inspect the soup kitchen.

Zhang really wanted his granddaughter to stay with him, so he made a request. Zhao Xiu's face was embarrassed. The princess of Fenyang said that there is still something serious to do today, and Zhang's body is fine, but he is just lacking sleep, and the most important thing to do is to sleep for a few hours, and he does not necessarily need her company.

But...... Zhang is her grandmother after all. Zhao Xiu thought about it, and decided to make amends to the princess of Fenyang.

But at this time, Zhang changed his mind. She found Zhao Xiu's embarrassment, and immediately remembered the words of the princess of Fenyang. She embarrassed the child again, obviously Zhao Xiu wanted to do serious things, but she willfully wanted to keep Zhao Xiu by her side. In fact, after drinking the soothing soup, she was trying to get a good night's sleep. wants Zhao Xiu to stay, but she just wants someone to chat with her until she falls asleep. It's okay if this chatter is not Zhao Xiu, Xia Lu and Dongshuang are all caring and good girls, they know what kind of topic she likes the most, and they know her preferences better than Zhao Xiu. Thinking about it like this, Zhang changed his words: "That's it, you should go to Fenyang Palace." If you want to go out of the house today, don't be naughty, follow the concubine's side closely, listen to the concubine's orders in everything, and don't run around! ”

Zhao Xiu was very surprised, but hesitated a little: "I'll stay with you, right?" Or do I wait until you're asleep? ”

Zhang pushed her: "Go quickly, don't be verbose." Remember to bring a few more people, and don't let the victims come near you, because they are hungry and hurt. ”

Zhao Xiu smiled: "They won't." The victims of the disaster were also ordinary people, and the palace gave porridge, so they didn't even have this rule. ”

Zhang's face was slightly red, knowing that his words were inappropriate, so he blindly urged his granddaughter to leave. Zhao Xiu had to give careful instructions to the girls before turning around and leaving.

Zhang lay on the couch and closed her eyes to recuperate, one of the two big girls beat her legs, and the other told her some interesting things that happened between the girls and the mother-in-law. When she was thirsty, someone immediately brought tea to her mouth, and when it was hot, there was a girl who fanned her for her, and when it was cold, someone would move the ice basin a foot or two. Everyone circled around her, and it couldn't have been more comfortable. But she was still a little lonely in her heart.

"The concubine is right, I'm really used to a good life, and I'm about to be spoiled by the children. If it continues like this, sooner or later it will become an abomination. Zhang thought so in his heart. (To be continued......)