Rebirth: The General's Illegitimate Daughter

Chapter 5 Establishing Authority

"I found out," Siwei said after taking a sip of water and smiling slightly. "I asked a maid outside the Yanxiao Pavilion and gave her some silver. She told me everything. The steward of this mansion is named Li and has been managing it for four or five years. All the mundane affairs and finances are handled by Steward Li; the Prince never gets involved." She also mentioned that the concubines in this mansion are actually all men, not a single woman, making her feel a slight disdain for the Prince she had yet to meet.

Chu Lianruo caught every nuance of Siwei’s expression. She knew there was more left unsaid, but as long as she got the information she needed, that was enough. She thought for a moment, "Does Steward Li have a wife and daughter?"

Siwei, who enjoyed gathering such information while serving the madam, replied without hesitation, "Steward Li’s whole family works in the mansion. His wife, Madam Feng, is known to be quite fierce, a real tigress. Even Steward Li is afraid of her. But recently, there's been quite a commotion because Steward Li wants to take a concubine."

Chu Lianruo’s lips curled into a smile as she pulled out a pearl hairpin from her head. The pearls from Cenzhou were indeed more lustrous. This hairpin was worth quite a bit. She handed it to Siwei, "Invite Steward Li for a chat. If he refuses, use this hairpin to invite Madam Feng instead."

Siwei took the hairpin, glanced at it with appreciation, then carefully tucked it into her sleeve. "I will go right away, my lady."

As Siwei left, Siyu couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "Concubine, why not directly give the hairpin to Steward Li?"

From what Siwei had said, Chu Lianruo deduced that Steward Li managed the mansion’s affairs and was likely responsible for the recent neglect. His prolonged comfort had made him arrogant. He thought he could afford to ignore her since she was unloved and had Prince Ling’s backing. However, a servant should never disrespect their master.

Chu Lianruo tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her eyes deep and unfathomable. Speaking too much tired her, so she simply said, "Sometimes, giving something to an ungrateful person yields no benefit."

Siyu, though not fully understanding, dared not ask further.

It was no surprise to Chu Lianruo that Madam Feng came instead of Steward Li. Madam Feng, dressed in fine clothes with her hair neatly styled and adorned with a gold hairpin, looked slightly worn. Clearly, the family lived well, as most servants couldn’t afford such attire.

Madam Feng glanced at Chu Lianruo on the couch and gave a perfunctory bow. "This servant greets the Concubine."

Chu Lianruo smiled gently at her. "Please, take a seat, Madam Feng." She gestured for Siyu to pour tea. Madam Feng politely declined the offer, but still took a seat.

Madam Feng sipped her tea but found herself unnerved under the concubine’s gaze. Despite her initial confidence, she couldn’t maintain her composure. She had come for the hairpin, thinking the concubine wouldn’t be much trouble. However, upon meeting her, she realized this sickly beauty possessed an unexpected aura that demanded respect.

Chu Lianruo observed Madam Feng’s feigned composure as she took another sip of tea. She gently touched her own face and teased, "Madam Feng, you’re staring at me. Is there something on my face?"

Madam Feng quickly lowered her hand, nervously replying, "No, Concubine, there’s nothing on your face. I was just wondering why you summoned me?"