The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 80

Chapter 080 Not Easy To Fool
“Second young miss, I have never offended you in the past. Now that I have pulled down my face and begged you, are you really not showing me any mercy?” Third Concubine’s face twisted and she couldn’t get off the stage.

Xiao Xi slightly raised her hand to caress the sleeve that Third Concubine Niang had given her. The corner of her lips curled up slightly and she raised her eyebrows to look at Third Concubine Niang, “Didn’t you offend me? Auntie Niang is really forgetful …”

Third Concubine’s expression changed. “What does Second Miss mean by that?”

Xiao Xiwei couldn’t help but laugh, “Does Third Concubine really think I’m an idiot? How did Madam Li know about Ximing’s death? How could she think that I killed Ximing?”

When Xiao Xiwei finished speaking, Third Concubine’s face instantly turned deathly pale. When she touched Xiao Xiwei’s deep and cold eyes, her heart trembled. She hurriedly said, “Second Miss, you misunderstood. I, I told the Li Fifth Young Master that it was gone because I hated what the Li Fifth Young Master did back then! I absolutely didn’t tell her that Ximing was the one who killed you.”

“Yes, you did not.” Xiao Xiwei looked at Third Concubine’s panicked expression and raised the corners of her lips. “You just let her think like that.”

“Second Miss …”

“Alright, it’s getting late. Auntie, please go back.” Xiao Xi interrupted Third Concubine’s words, “Zi Yan, send Third Concubine out.”

“Third concubine mother, please treat me.” Zi Yan sneered at Third Concubine.

Third Concubine looked at Xiao Xi as she opened her mouth slightly and wanted to speak, but Zi Yan raised her hand and pulled her up.

“Concubine.” Cui Zhu hurriedly stepped forward to support Third Concubine.

A sharp pain came from the arm that the girl was grabbing. Third Concubine looked at Zi Yan in horror. She didn’t dare to say anything anymore and hurriedly brought Cui Zhu to open the curtain and quickly walked out. As soon as she reached the courtyard, she saw a girl sweeping the snow in the courtyard. When the girl turned around, she was completely shocked.

“Auntie, what, do you want to sit for a while longer?” Zi Yan looked at Third Concubine who was frozen on the road and grinned. Then, she pointed at the girl who was sweeping the snow. “Li Xiang, what are you still doing? Why are you still not giving way to Third Concubine?”

“Yes, Sister Zi Yan.” Li Xiang hurriedly moved aside a few steps.

Third Concubine looked behind her with a pale face, and then ran out of the Sparse Shadow Pavilion as if she had seen a ghost, regardless of the green bamboo head.

Zi Yan sneered as she looked at Third Concubine, who was fleeing for her life. Then, she swept her gaze to Li Xiang, who was standing by the side, and said, “What are you still waiting for? Hurry up and sweep the snow off the road. If you dare to be lazy, I’ll have someone send you to Shuiyue Nunnery tomorrow to accompany Third Miss.”

“Big Sister Zi Yan, I’ll sweep it right now. I’ll sweep it right now.” Li Xiang glanced at the purple smoke in horror, and then swept the snow on the ground with all her might.

Zi Yan snorted coldly, then turned around and lifted the curtain and entered the room.

It was getting colder and colder, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Day.

Everything in the manor needed to be added. In addition, the accounts of all the villas and shops under the name of the manor had to be settled. The accounts of Xiao Xiwei and the shops that Chen shi had left for her and Xiao Xiyang were too busy for Xiao Xiwei to touch the ground.

A few girls saw that their master was too busy to even drink a mouthful of water, and they were extremely anxious. However, they could do nothing about it, because even if they wanted to help, they would not look at these accounts, so they could only be anxious.

Today, when Xiao Xichun arrived at the Sparse Shadow Pavilion, Xiao Xiwei was putting the cup in his hand heavily on the table with a heavy face. “Did you tell me that charcoal is gone now? Are you going to let me lie in the snow for the winter?”

“Second young miss, this little one really didn’t expect it to be so cold this year. Charcoal is used faster than before, so …” The steward pinched his face and whispered.

‘”Who would have thought? I remember that the best charcoal this year was fifty cents a jin, and you wrote on my account that the expenditure for charcoal this year was five hundred taels. That is to say, the mansion bought a total of 1,000 jin of charcoal this year. Although the weather was colder this year and it was colder than usual, the charcoal was used up a little more, but it wasn’t burned out so quickly!” Xiao Xiwei said coldly as he stared at the steward.

“Second young miss, do you think that the little one has deducted the silver taels from the charcoal?” The steward looked up at Xiao Xiwei with anger in his eyes. “The little one has been in the Marquis Mansion for more than ten years. In the past, the charcoal in the mansion was always bought by the little ones. There were many other things that were handled by the big and small ones, but there had never been any mistakes.” There is a record of buying charcoal this time. Miss, if you say so, then the little one can only ask the old master to give the little one justice. ”

The manager who bought the charcoal was surnamed Lin. He was also considered an old man from Marquis Mansion. Furthermore, he was considered to be very respectful in front of Xiao Yan. Although there were rumors in the manor that this second young miss was a smart and powerful person, he did not put her in his eyes.

“Since you want to invite Daddy, bring over the charcoal Manager Lin bought this year.” Xiao Xiwei smiled coldly and then continued, “Zi Yan, what are you still waiting for? Bring in those fine silver threaded charcoal that you bought outside, so that you can compare it with the charcoal that Manager Lin Lin bought.” Xiao Xiwei said coldly.

Manager Lin’s expression changed slightly. “Second young miss, you have just taken charge of the house. Don’t you know that every year, charcoal purchases in our mansion are good and mixed with ordinary ones? This way, you can save some money, right?”

“But now, I also see where the money saved is!” Xiao Xiwei said coldly without giving Manager Lin any face.

Hearing that, Manager Lin’s expression stiffened as he stood there.

“Manager Lin, you are also an old man in the manor. Forget about this matter. However, if there is another time, pack your things and leave Xiwei as soon as possible.” Xiao Marquis Mansion continued with a calm expression as if he didn’t see it.

Manager Lin raised his head and looked at Xiao Xiwei in surprise. However, he saw her cold face. Although he felt aggrieved, he still resisted and did not refute her face to face.

Seeing that Manager Lin was still unwilling, Xiao Xiwei smiled coldly. “I believe that father won’t refute my face because of a slave.”

Manager Lin’s eyelids twitched. He suddenly remembered that this second young miss was not only Marquis Mansion’s second young miss, but also the seventh prince’s imperial concubine. Thinking of this, his back unconsciously became cold. “Yes, I know.”

“Since that’s the case, you can pay another 300 taels of silver for charcoal in the tent.” Seeing that Steward Lin had finally lowered his head, Xiao Xiwei coldly withdrew his gaze.

“Yes.” Manager Lin answered. Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Xiwei’s voice sounded again.

“Remember, this time the buyer must ask the name of the charcoal seller, He also needs to write down the amount of money he purchases with a receipt. When he returns, he must also write the name of the buyer on the bamboo slip and insert it in the basket. If he abandons the person who wants to get away with it, he will be punished with a fine of three months and drag out thirty boards according to the name written on the bamboo slip! ”

Manager Lin’s eyes widened as he looked at Xiao Xiwei. He couldn’t believe that this fifteen-year-old girl had actually come up with such a clever and delicate method. According to what she said, no one could do anything to this charcoal. This Second Young Miss is truly meticulous and shrewd!

Bi Yun was accustomed to Manager Lin’s look of contempt, and seeing his shocked and frightened expression, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Manager Lin, are you still not leaving? Do you still want to stay for a cup of tea?”

Manager Lin glanced at Bi Yun angrily, then bowed to Xiao Xiwei and left.

Xiao Xichun, who had been gambling on all of this since he came in, finally came to his senses and shouted timidly, “Second sister.”

“Little sister, I’m going to make you laugh. Biyun, quickly serve tea to fourth young miss.” Seeing Xiao Xichun, Xiao Xiwei smiled, stood up and pulled her to sit down together.

“Thank you, Second Sister.” Xiao Xichun smiled, his smile somewhat reserved. “I wonder why Second Miss asked someone to call me here?”

Hearing Xiao Xichun’s words, Nurse Xiao hurriedly tugged at the corner of her clothes.

Xiao Xichun adjusted the corner of his clothes awkwardly.

She knew that Nurse Xiao had always wanted her to get close to Second Sister. Second Sister treated her well and didn’t lack anything in terms of food and clothing. However, she always felt that she couldn’t get close to Second Sister, especially when she saw Second Sister scolding Manager Lin today. She respected and admired such a second sister, but she really didn’t dare to get close to her.

Xiao Xi smiled and said, “You also saw that at the end of the year, a lot of things in Marquis Mansion are weighing on me. I’m the head of the family for the first year, so I really can’t be busy. So, I wonder if you can help me share the burden.”

“Me?” Xiao Xichun’s eyes were full of surprise. Then, she hurriedly stood up and waved her hand repeatedly, “No, I can’t! I can’t!”

“Third Miss.” Hearing Xiao Xichun’s words, Nurse Xiao winked at her from behind.

With such a good opportunity, how could Third Young Miss push it out?

Xiao Xiwei smiled sweetly, “How can you know that you can’t do it if you haven’t done it? Speaking of which, there are only a few proper masters in this manor. Grandmother’s body is not good, I don’t dare to work on her. Big brother has entered the Martial Guard Camp again, so it’s only you and me who are idle.”

“No, isn’t there Concubine Zhou and Concubine Third?” Xiao Xichun whispered.

“Third young miss, which mansion would let concubine mother take care of it!” Nanny Xiao pulled Xiao Xichun’s sleeve and frowned as she reminded him.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Xiao Xichun’s face, but he still pursed his lips and did not dare to reply.

Xiao Xi sighed and looked at Xiao Xichun and slowly said, “Xichun, are you afraid of me? Because of Third Sister?”

Xiao Xichun’s face turned pale, “No, I’m not afraid of Second Sister …”

“Hichun, although you did not grow up in the manor, but in the villa have seen many things. Houzhai is even better than Zhuangzi. Sometimes you don’t want to hurt others, but it’s not likely that others will let you off. I am very happy that you still have a clean and kind heart. However, kindness cannot live, especially for people of our status. You can refuse, but you have to understand! In another two years, you should be able to get married. Sooner or later, you will get married. If you don’t know anything, how can you be the head wife of a manor? Xiao Xi looked at Xiao Xichun and said, “Do you understand what I said?”

As Xiao Xichun listened, his tears fell one by one.

Even Nurse Xiao, who was behind her, had red eyes. She had always thought that the second young miss treated the fourth young miss well, so she always had some use for it. However, she felt that if the fourth young miss could be used by the second young miss, it would be good. If she could be used, it would be of value and not be abandoned. However, she never expected that the second young miss would actually say such a thing.

“Take these books back and read them. Nurse Xiao will help you. If you still don’t understand or can’t handle them, come and find me again.” Xiao Xiwei picked up a few books on the table and handed them to Xiao Xichun.

Xiao Xichun sniffed and looked at Xiao Xiwei with red eyes. “Second sister …”

Xiao Xi smiled and raised his hand to scratch the tip of Xiao Xichun’s nose. “Silly girl, that’s enough. Let’s go back!”