The Old Master cried and howled, making Xiao Yuan sowhat troubled.
"Alright, let’s discuss this later. Right now, we need to focus on organizing the Old Madam’s funeral. We’ll talk about this after the funeral is over."
Even if Xiao Yuan was troubled, there was no way he could agree to bring the Old Master in to look after him.
Who knows what might happen if he cos over.
Moreover, Xiao Yuan felt for Anning too.
Anning is currently managing the relationships of the three households, and also helping with the transportation of supplies. She’s already very tired. If the Old Master were to co over, she’d have to take care of him too, which would only add trouble for Anning.
Xiao Yuan’s attitude was firm, and the Old Master was a bit scared, so he dared not cry anymore: "Then discuss it well with Lao Si; it would be alright with to follow him, or even Lao Liu..."
Xiao Yuan quickly said, "Better not. Lao Liu’s wife is heavily pregnant. If you go over, she would have to handle the additional work."
Xiao Yuan didn’t say much more to the Old Master, he comforted him with a few words and then left.
When he walked out of the house, he saw Anning wearing a thick cape, waiting in the courtyard.
"Cold?"
Xiao Yuan quickly walked over, grabbed Anning’s hands, and tucked them into his embrace: "If you need sothing, just call for . There’s no need for you to co out personally, you might catch a cold."
Anning smiled: "It’s nothing serious, just wanted to tell you that you, Lao Si, and Lao Liu can’t all stay here. There are many affairs to handle in the three households. If you’re all here, no one will make decisions. It’s better to rotate the three of you; let Lao Liu guard the spirit today."
Xiao Yuan thought for a mont: "Alright."
He went to find Xiao Ling, spoke a few words to him, and then took the carriage back to the mansion.
Xiao Yuan hadn’t slept much the previous night, so he was feeling a bit tired. After returning, he rested for a while before starting to handle governnt affairs.
Lin Lianshuang was accompanied by Xiao Fu to inspect the house prepared for her.
Lin Lianshuang was very satisfied; the arrangents inside were great and she liked everything.
Normally, Lin Lianshuang would eagerly move in.
But things are different now. Anning is managing the funeral on West Street, so Lin Lianshuang cannot leave.
Besides, leaving ans she has to inform others. Also, there are many affairs in the mansion that require soone to manage. So Lin Lianshuang decided to stay, helping with household matters daily.
On West Street, Mrs. Zhao surprisingly took no part in the Old Madam’s funeral. She acted like a hands-off shopkeeper, and Mrs. Wei retreated into the background, leaving everything to Anning to manage.
The seven-day mourning really wore people out.
The spirit chapel had no brazier or anything, freezing everyone into curling up. Coupled with inadequate food, people were hungry, tired, and cold, even healthy people were worn out.
Several of the ten children adopted by the main branch of the Xiao family fell ill.
As for the children of Anning’s house, they were all quite robust, none of them fell ill.
Anning cared for the children and couldn’t bear to let them keep vigil, so she frequently taught them to dodge occasionally.
Anning, involved in so many affairs, naturally couldn’t be at the spirit chapel all the ti. She knew how to steal so leisure ti.
After all, besides the spirit chapel, many rooms now have coal fires burning, quite warm.
Starting the second day of the vigil, many people from Prefecture City ca to pay respects.
Of course, they all ca in honor of Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin.
All the notable families in the city sent representatives, and many ca from the nearby county.
Officials and wealthy families from Xifeng Prefecture and Ningyang Prefecture also sent people, making West Street bustling with horse-drawn carriages, greatly enhancing the scale of the Old Madam’s funeral, making it quite prestigious.
Mrs. Zhao saw so many people coming to pay respects and actually wanted to co forward.
But before she could appear, Anning suppressed her.
Everyone who ca to pay respects always brought gifts, and each day, nurous gifts piled up. Every evening, Anning had the stewards pack all the gift money and transport it back to the mansion; the account books never fell into Mrs. Zhao’s hands.
Because of this, Xiao Jue and Mrs. Zhao had many grievances against Anning, gossiping behind her back.
Anning ignored them completely, doing her duties, not caring about the rest.
Mrs. Zhao watched as Anning took away all the gift money daily, leaving nothing behind, feeling angry and resentful.
That day, many ca to pay respects, and Mrs. Zhao kept vigil with the children.
She wore mourning clothes and cried mournfully.
When people ca to pay respects, Mrs. Zhao cried even louder: "Mother, oh my bitter mother, how could you leave so early? You left without a word, do you know how hard it is for us? Nowadays, how could we survive? Serving and pleasing elders doesn’t yield any good, but those who ignore them are praised. Mother, why won’t you see the hardships faced by your son and daughter-in-law?"
Anning listened, sneering internally.
She escorted the guests out while talking, glancing at Mrs. Zhao while leaving.
Those guests were the matriarchs of wealthy families from the nearby county, coming for Xiao Yuan and Anning. They cared little for the main branch of the Xiao family; Mrs. Zhao’s cries weren’t worth a di to them.
But Mrs. Zhao was so blinded that she failed to realize this.
She thought causing a scene would sha Anning and Xiao Yuan.
She didn’t consider that Xiao Yuan is practically the ruler of the three households, like an emperor. Those paying respects were all reliant on Xiao Yuan. No one dared criticize him. For all her exaggerated cries, people only belittled her more and kept their distance, without harming Xiao Yuan or Anning.
Anning didn’t want to bother with Mrs. Zhao now.
She just wanted to complete the Old Madam’s funeral and bury her; Mrs. Zhao couldn’t leave and wouldn’t cause much trouble.
However, Anning ignoring didn’t an others did.
Anning’s five girls were not to be trifled with.
Raised beside Anning, they learned more than just picking up hints. Following Anning from Jingtian Village to Prefecture City, they’ve acquired insights far beyond ordinary girls.
After arriving in Prefecture City, Anning entrusted them with many affairs, the girls becoming sharp-witted and capable, no less than grown n outside. Mrs. Zhao couldn’t compare with Anning, not even matching these girls.
Listening to Mrs. Zhao’s growing nonsense, the girls also got annoyed.
Xiao Yun dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, started wailing: "Old Madam, oh suffering Old Madam. Why won’t you open your eyes? If you did, imagine how scared so people would be."
Her wailing led Xiao Hui and others to follow suit.
Xiao Yin waved a handkerchief, covering her face: "As the saying goes, do not wrong others if you desire no ghosts knocking at midnight. Old Madam, if you have a spirit, go check so people’s windows at night. See who’s guilty and who’s innocent."
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