New widow

"In addition to these, when the Duke was still alive, he also had a salary. After all, the income of the house is about [-] taels a year." Madam Huang is also familiar with these, Su Qiao couldn't help but nod, and the housekeeper already smiled He said: "When the forerunner wife is still here, I can spend more money every year, but there is still a balance of five thousand silver a year."

"After all these years, I have made a lot of savings." Suqiao noticed something was wrong, and the housekeeper said quickly: "The first lady has been seriously ill these years, it is okay to leave the internal accounts to Madam Huang, but the external accounts are big. It’s different.”

The mistress was seriously ill, so she couldn't take care of the external accounts. Those in charge naturally did all kinds of mischief. Calculated, in just five years, the more than [-] taels of silver accumulated at the beginning were completely spent, and even After Song An's funeral, he was still at a loss.

"It seems that I was too kind to Mr. Eleven at the time." Su Qiao said softly. The housekeeper and Madam Huang looked at each other, and it was Madam Huang who spoke: "Actually, it's not just Mr. Eleven. The Duke of Guo was sick when his wife was ill." During the critical period, I set up a small a cappella singing class and bought all kinds of treasures."

"Several aunts are also competing for clothes and jewelry. Today you want Gu Xiu, and tomorrow I want Nanzhu. There are also meals." The housekeeper's wife frowned when she remembered those actions in the past.

"Not just Aunt Su and Aunt Zhou?" Su Qiao really didn't know how many aunts there had been in this house. The housekeeper had already raised her fingers: "In the past thirty years, there have been seven or eight aunts in this house." , some died when they gave birth to children, and some were sent back to their parents’ families.”

"So Madam, you

The only ones I saw were Aunt Su, Aunt Zhou, and two others. Before she died, the first lady found the fault and punished them. "Ms. Huang explained, and the housekeeper nodded: "Those two were still crying to the Duke. At that time, the Duke was grieving for the first lady, so naturally he obeyed all the first ladies. It was just that the a cappella group was gone before the lady could express her regrets. "

As he spoke, the housekeeper tsked her tongue twice: "If Madam loses control of the a cappella troupe, this family will not be without money."

Su Qiao could imagine that Song An lost control, and when he married another wife, the wife would avoid cats and mice even more when she saw Song An, let alone control Song An, Song An would only have more fun , Spend money without counting.

"The Duke of Guo died at the right time." What Su Qiao said surprised both Madam Huang and the housekeeper. Su Qiao had already said calmly: "If Master Shiyi takes action later in the evening, there will be no money in the treasury." The Duke of Guo knows about it, and when the time comes, he seems to have nothing to do except get furious."

Hearing Su Qiao's words, the housekeeper couldn't help but chuckle, and then she hurriedly held back: "Yes, madam, this idea seems to be right."

Madam Huang couldn't help but sigh when she thought of Song An's use of flowers at that time. Song An didn't suffer at all. He was born in a heap of brocade and died in a happy time.

"Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore." Su Qiao put away her joking heart and said to Mrs. Huang: "I can only trouble you and think of ways to reduce the daily expenses to less than 25 taels of silver." One day. Saving five taels is equivalent to 800 taels a year. The money saved in a year can also go to

Buy some land so that you can make a dowry for Song Zhen.

When Madam Huang heard what Su Qiao said, her expression changed slightly and she said to Su Qiao: "I will do my best to do what Madam ordered."

The housekeeper's lips opened slightly, but she still said to Suqiao: "Twenty-five taels, I'm afraid even the madam will be wronged."

"How do you say that?" Suqiao asked, and the housekeeper said honestly: "Madam, as a rule, we have 20 taels of silver every month, and four sets of clothes every time the season changes."

"Four sets per season." Suqiao had already said this, and Mrs. Huang hurriedly said: "Madam, please don't think that four sets per season is a lot. There is no socializing during the filial piety period. We will have socializing later. , you have to wear new clothes to socialize. These old clothes are still suitable for wearing at home. If you don’t wear new clothes when going out to socialize, others will laugh at you.”

"I remember hearing that everyone in the capital must wear new clothes. It turns out it's true." Su Qiao looked at the mourning clothes on her body as she spoke. If Madam Huang hadn't said it, Su Qiao would have I didn’t expect that I would need to change into new clothes during this social gathering. After all, in my hometown, my aunt always wears the same good clothes in rotation when going out to socialize, and no one laughs at wearing old clothes.

"In the world these years, people only respect Luo Yi but not others." The housekeeper's wife also hurriedly explained, Su Qiao waved her hand: "I don't mean to blame you, I'm just feeling a little emotional. That's all, I won't go out to socialize anyway. What should I do with this monthly example?"

"Appreciate others, or do yourself a favor." Su Qiao nodded after hearing this: "Reward others, do yourself a favor, it's really a good place to go, that's all. Since we can set an example, we can avoid it.

, from now on, my monthly routine will be waived. "

"That will save about four hundred taels a year." The housekeeper murmured, and then Madam Huang said: "Of course, the monthly salary at the girl's place cannot be saved."

"It's natural." After saying this, Suqiao looked at Mrs. Huang: "If you really think about it, it's been two months since the girl came in. Who sent her here this month?"

"Someone has to deliver the monthly distribution in this mansion, but I give it on a good day every month." The housekeeper's wife's words made Su Qiao press her forehead: "Surely, such a big family is difficult to manage."

"Actually, it's just the rules of Xiao and Cao Sui. But if you want to change the rules, Madam, no one dares to stop you." The housekeeper is eager to try. No matter how you change this, she can't be touched. Naturally, the housekeeper still wants to take a look. How far can Suqiao go?

"Please give me a list of how many people are left in the mansion right now. There are also those who have no errands. If they should be sent out of the mansion, send them out." If you want to save money, you have to reduce the number of people and spend money. With fewer people, less money will naturally be spent.

"Madam, please add people in the courtyard as well." The housekeeper said hesitantly. In these days, except for Xi'er and the two rough ladies, there has been no one else in the courtyard.

"It's enough to add two little maids to serve Xi'er. Anyway, there are people doing the washing and sweeping in the yard." Suqiao ordered, and Madam Huang and the housekeeper were also there to take note.

"There are also those empty houses. Those who guard the houses don't need so many people. If there are nearby courtyards, where three people are originally arranged, two will be arranged." There are not so many masters in the Duke's mansion, so he

There is no need to have so many servants.

"Many empty houses are in gardens, and some pavilions in the gardens are guarded and cleaned."