These momos were originally found by Concubine Fang from the village, and they were more or less related to the momos and maids who were used in the yards of the masters of the estate. It was originally Concubine Fang’s trap against Ren Yaohua, but Ren Yaoqi persuaded her to let them remain.
Now that they have made such a big mistake, the evidence is conclusive, and it was Third Master who wanted to drive them away, so naturally, it was impossible to relate to the Li mother and daughters.
In the beginning, these momos were unwilling to sit still and went around asking for connections. However, the entire Ren family is well aware of Third Master Ren’s temper. When he doesn’t care about things, he will turn a blind eye even when you make a noise and have a fall out, but once you arouse his anger, he will not sell anyone's account1.
For example, Mrs. Niu asked someone to bring a letter to her sister-in-law and requested her to ask and beg her mother-in-law, Momo Gui. But when Mrs. Niu was arguing with Momo Liu, Momo Liu said that she had asked Momo Gui to bribe the people around Concubine Fang.
This sentence implicated many people, and further spread in the estate, and all the servants knew about it.
Therefore, Mrs. Niu’s sister-in-law had not yet opened her mouth, when she was cursed into dog blood dripping on her head2 by Momo Gui, saying that her maiden family would not be able to stand on the stage, and she was not allowed to meddle in her maiden family’s affairs.
Just, these women did not forget to tear down their relationships, fearing that they will be retaliated against when they will be driven away while their opponents remained. The result can be imagined.
Que’er, a maidservant in née Li’s main room, was whispering to née Li the news she had just inquired with a smile on her face: “…Master is also angry with Concubine Fang because of this, and Concubine Fang dragged her ‘sick body’ and pleaded guilty, she said that she didn’t know, and everyone can put anyone in the Ziwei Courtyard. She also said that now that the Madam is back, just let her take care of her body and Sixth Young Master and Ninth Young Lady, and won't meddle in the affairs of our Ziwei Courtyard .”
”Did Father really criticize Concubine Fang like that?” Ren Yaohua glanced at Que’er, her eyebrows wrinkling.
Que’er smiled a little embarrassedly: “Master, who is like an immortal, naturally speaks better than this slave.”
In fact, Ren Shimin was polite and courteous most of the time in front of his wife and concubine, and rarely spoke words of reprimand. So this time, Ren Shimin’s accusations against Concubine Fang made the servants happy.
Sure enough, née Li’s face brightened slightly when she heard that.
She is a kind-hearted and cowardly woman, but because she suffered a lot in Concubine Fang's hands, it is impossible for them, wife and concubine, to live in harmony. Just because Concubine Fang’s legitimate mother and Old Madam Ren are sisters, not to mention she did not give birth to a son, it is inevitable that she has lost confidence in front of Concubine Fang these years.
Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi, who was sitting beside née Li, smiling and saying nothing: “Concubine Fang has a long life, and there will be a time when she suffers. Now, can those women be sent back to the village immediately? In addition, we have to pick someone again before the new year.” Speaking of this, Ren Yaohua sneered, “According to my temper, I really want to sell them all!”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head slightly. Speaking of which, except for Momo Guan who eavesdropped, none of the women belonged to Concubine Fang. The reason she drove them away was to completely break Concubine Fang's layout for the past years and let everyone in the Ziwei Courtyard recognize the situation, allowing née Li to consolidate her position.
As for the momos accepting bribes, it was nothing at all. Whether it is wrong or not depends on the master’s mind.
Therefore, Ren Yaohua’s anger is unnecessary in her opinion. Not everyone has the qualifications to be their opponent.
She contemplated and said softly: “It’s already late today, let’s send them off tomorrow morning. Help Eldest Aunt notify there after a while. Mother, do we need to pick more maids to come in our yard?”
Originally, the two first-class maids around née Li all left by some means, and Momo Zhou picked two more from the second-class maids to train them, but née Li said that she would give the two newly trained maids to Ren Yaoqi, she needs to add a few more by her side.
In addition, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua also need to add some slightly younger ones to their side and let the maids take care of them for two years first. When a few older maids are matched outside, they will be able to take over.
”I’ve already told Momo Zhou to bring in some little maids for you and Hua’er this time.” Née Li stroked a strand of Ren Yaoqi’s hair and said with a smile.
Ren Yaoqi nodded, then turned to Momo Zhou and said, “Momo, later, go and tell the momos who were sent back that my mother takes pity on their family’s livelihood, so although they can’t stay in the estate, each family can send a little girl in for an errand. If there are daughters, granddaughters, or nieces in their family, pick a few first, and then you choose from them.”
Momo Zhou was taken aback when she heard the words, while Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but stomped her feet: “What do you mean? After finally getting them out, bringing them back again? You think there are not enough ghosts and monsters in the estate?”
Ren Yaoqi patiently explained to her: “The maidservants we choose are the children from the Ren family. Even if we don’t give them this grace, wouldn’t the people sent from the village in the end still be related to them? And most of them still come from those big servant families? If that’s the case, why not sell this favor?”
In Ren Yaoqi’s view, making the best use of the situation is perfectly normal.
When née Li married into the Ren’s family, she didn’t have her own servant except for Momo Zhou, and even the four maids around her were trained by Momo Zhou. So in many cases, née Li was constantly isolated from the Ren family.
As a result in the end, was eaten until there were no bones left, and still not aware of where the problem was.
The situation of the Ren Estate is complicated, and the Ren family's family children are not impossible to use.
On the contrary, if used properly, it will be much easier than the maids bought from outside. Sending those old and cunning momos back and replacing their own relatives with errands in the Ziwei Courtyard will definitely do more good than harm.
Ren Yaohua thought about it carefully after hearing the words, although her face was still very unhappy, she didn’t say anything to refute it.
Momo Zhou understood Ren Yaoqi’s intentions at this stage, she couldn’t help but patted her thigh, and said cheerfully: “Fifth Young Lady’s move, I think it’s feasible.” She then turned her head to comfort her Ren Yaohua, “Third Young Lady, you should trust this old slave. Don’t worry, this old slave still has foresight in picking people. Even if the seed grows crooked, the old slave can turn her around in the end!”
Momo Zhou is still very confident about this. Little girls are like blank sheets of paper in her hands, she can draw whatever she wants.
Née Li trusted Momo Zhou very much, nodded to Ren Yaohua, and said: “Momo Zhou used to follow my mother… Mother has seen many storms and waves. She said it is feasible, so there will be no problem.”
Speaking of this, née Li seemed to have thought of something, and lowered her head with a gloomy gaze.
Momo Zhou glanced at her, couldn’t help but sigh in her heart, and looked at Ren Yaohua and hurriedly smile: “Third Young Lady?”
Ren Yaohua turned her head aside, and said coldly: “Just don’t send any to my room!”
This is having no objection.
Ren Yaoqi nodded with a smile: “When the people arrive, let the momo train them. Third Sister Ren will choose first.”
Ren Yaohua felt that these words seemed to be comforting children? Does she seem petty as an older sister? She couldn't help but glare at Ren Yaoqi.
However, Ren Yaoqi had already turned her head to talk to Momo Zhou: “That Momo Guan doesn’t need to give grace, just send her back directly, and after letting out a word, anyone who has anything to do with her won't be used by Ziwei Courtyard.”
Let those who are on the wrong team learn a lesson.
Momo Zhou thought for a while, then nodded in agreement: “Fifth Young Lady is absolutely right, our Madam has a good temper, but that doesn’t mean she can be manipulated by others.”