Due to the silence on the field, Housekeeper Zhang didn’t dare to respond.
Sun Accountant’s whispers had already been heard by Marquis Gu, and suddenly, his gaze, as sharp as lightning, shot over. He was startled, his long neck shrunk in, and he dared not utter a sound again.
At this moment, Qin Yuan had already said some encouraging words, affirmed everyone’s hard work in the estate during these days, and then ordered Hong Ye beside him to take out the register to read the evaluations of everyone.
After reading, Hong Ye said loudly, "If there is any dissatisfaction, come to find me after the dispersal."
Next, Qin Yuan announced the rewards and punishments for everyone,
except for a few who couldn’t be publicly named, everyone had a share.
The rewards and punishments were naturally based on the evaluations, and the evaluations were related to the judgments of the stewards and housekeepers, one by one, each with regulations to follow.
Everyone was convinced and accepted the decisions sincerely.
Sixth Master Gu watched from the side and suddenly felt that managing the household may not be that difficult.
As long as you set the rules and urge everyone to act accordingly.
It wasn’t as tedious as when Mrs. Xu managed it.
"During these days, everyone has worked hard. The Marchioness asked the Old Madam and the Marquis to add an extra one tael of silver to each person as a labor fee. Take it back and buy some snacks and fruits to enjoy."
Cui Ming and Hong Mian helped count the silver taels and handed them to people whose names were called and who stepped forward.
Due to the large number of people in the estate, it took over an hour altogether.
Marquis Gu accompanied throughout the process, without a hint of impatience.
After receiving the silver coins, everyone naturally vied to speak well of their master, saying things like the master was kind-hearted, sympathetic to the young and weak, considerate of servants, capable, and so on... and so forth.
Qin Yuan’s lips slightly curved, always maintaining a faint smile on his face, neither rejecting the closeness of everyone nor losing sense in pleasure.
Sun Accountant observed this, feeling quite anguished internally, and it was only after everyone dispersed that he hurriedly grabbed Housekeeper Zhang and asked, "Is Sixth Madam no longer managing the estate? The Marchioness has gathered the hearts of everyone so tightly. It’s rewards and punishments, and the Marquis and Sixth Master accompany throughout the process. These fence-sitters all turned."
Housekeeper Zhang smiled bitterly and said, "Didn’t you know? Sixth Madam is severely ill, unable to even get up, where would she find the energy to manage these things? From now on, the estate is undoubtedly the domain of the Marchioness."
Sun Accountant was greatly shocked.
"When did this happen?"
Housekeeper Zhang said, "After Sixth Madam’s courtyard was sealed, she fell ill due to excessive worries but kept dragging it out until she couldn’t anymore and started taking medicine. You, in the outside accountant, naturally wouldn’t know."
Sun Accountant carefully considered these words, sighed with frustration, "Sixth Madam is overly cautious, which led to this? It’s really a case of losing out big by being overly careful. How can an illness be dragged out?"
Housekeeper Zhang nodded with a sigh, "Women, they see such a small sky in the inner courtyard and inevitably think petty, and with all these recent happenings in the estate, anyone would overthink."
Sun Accountant urgently asked, "Then in the future, our matters..."
Housekeeper Zhang hurriedly raised his hand to stop him and said, "For now, let’s stop. I wouldn’t dare to act again. If caught, the reputation accumulated over generations would be lost."
Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang parted with unsatisfactory discourse, heavy-heartedly returning to the accountant to check the ledger.
Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao sat inside, talking enthusiastically. Seeing him come in, merely nodded slightly as a gesture.
Sun Accountant clumsily struck the abacus a few times, then stopped his hand to listen to their conversation.
Housekeeper Han said, "The Marquis truly values the Marchioness; he’s usually cold, yet today sat beside without showing a stern face once."
Housekeeper Cao said, "The Marchioness is indeed capable; she took on the heavy burden of the estate at such a young age and also greatly pleases the Old Madam. Even Sixth Master, who usually hates these issues, praises her tremendously."
Housekeeper Han sighed and said, "Not to mention, the Marchioness’s attendant, the one surnamed Shen, did a really marvelous job this time. The poetry collection engraved for Sixth Master is said to be outstanding. The Old Madam was extremely pleased upon seeing it and awarded heavily both above and below the main house. She even sent it to the ancestral hall to burn for the Old Marquis to show Sixth Master’s progress."
Housekeeper Cao took the small teapot, sipped, and said, "Indeed, even Sixth Master’s servant received quite a bit of silver reward, all boasting in the outer courtyard these days."
"Sixth Master has always been the Old Madam’s concern. With the Marchioness’s support, Sixth Master’s reputation will only improve, which naturally pleases the Old Madam. Having an accomplished brother gives the Marquis more prestige too."
"Right, I heard Sixth Master’s progress is because of closeness with the Marchioness’s maternal cousin. The Marchioness is the daughter of the National Academy Sacrificial Officer’s family; being the daughter of a civil servant’s family indeed makes a difference. Qiujie said the Old Madam loves listening to the Marchioness talk, saying that people who read a lot speak differently."