Chapter 574: Countess Jingan Takes Over (1)

What else could Countess Jingan say? Matriarch He was using her responsibility as a daughter-in-law to pressure her. If she didnt take over the management of the household, then she would deemed unfilial.

While standing beside them, Chu Lian frowned slightly. She didnt understand Matriarch Hes intentions.

Although she wanted to speak up for her mother-in-law, the matriarch and Madam Liu were both her elders. She was in no position to speak right now.

Countess Jingan was soft-hearted. She didnt dare to disobey the matriarch upfront. Thus, she reluctantly agreed.

She couldnt decline because she didnt have any legitimate reason to refuse.

She hadnt managed the household in the past because she had been seriously ill and she didnt have the energy to do it. She had even needed the matriarchs help to take care of her. However, her health had gotten better now. Since the matriarch had personally requested to hand over the rights to manage the household to her, she didnt have any good reason to decline.

Countess Jingan grasped the handkerchief in her hand, stood up, and bobbed towards the matriarch, Mother, please rest assured. Ill do my best to manage the household.

Hurry and stand up. Youve just recovered, so theres no need to keep bowing like that. Well then, Ill rest easy now that youll be taking care of the household affairs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Muxiang and Miss Ying. A smile finally appeared on the matriarchs face.

I understand.

Thus, Countess Jingan returned to her courtyard with several maidservants, each carrying a stack of account books.

Chu Lian followed behind her mother-in-law. She noticed that the countess was frowning deeply, and she appeared to be laden with worry. She tried consoling Countess Jingan, Mother, you dont have to worry too much. We dont have that many people in our estate. Theres only a head steward and an assisting steward in the outer court. There are also plenty of senior servants acting as stewards in the inner court. As long as you keep these people in check and you look over the account books thoroughly, there shouldnt be any major problems.

Countess Jingan was a little embarrassed. She smiled apologetically at Chu Lian, Im really useless. At this age, I still need reassurance from a young girl like you. Dont worry, Im not that easily fooled. When I married into House Jingan, I did manage the household for several years.

Its good that Mother thinks of it this way. If you need any help, you can send someone to Songtao Court to find me. I dont have much to do anyway. Although Ive never managed a household before, I can help you out.

Countess Jingan felt more relaxed after Chu Lians offer of help.

She nodded and told her to return to her courtyard for some rest.

She patted Chu Lians hand, Alright, its just some minor household affairs. I have senior servants who can assist me as well, so Ill be fine. You should concentrate on nourishing your body. Im still waiting for my grandsons!

Chu Lians face immediately reddened due to her mother-in-laws words.

She had never thought about having children at such a young age. Back then, she had even thought about finding a nice and quiet place to live out a rural lifestyle in seclusion. However, with the passage of time and the progression of her relationship with He Changdi, she was actually starting to hope that a child would form in her belly as soon as possible.

She and He Changdi could watch their adorable little child grow up, bit by bit. They could raise him or her together.

After sending Chu Lian off with her servants, Madam Liu returned to her own courtyard and headed directly for her study.

She had much to do today, and she wasnt going to have any free time to take care of her granddaughters. She sat in front of her desk and flipped open the account books. It didnt take long before Countess Jingan discovered many suspicious gaps in them.

She was dumbfounded after making a rough calculation of the estates assets. Why were there so few stores and properties left in the public accounts?

Judging by these calculations, the monthly income probably wouldnt even hit five hundred taels

Moreover, that was under the assumption that the stores were turning a profit