Chapter 0003: Management within the Residence

"Good." Dong nodded, her gaze no longer so cold. She continued, "Have the housekeeper invited back, you may take your leave for now!" Only then did the servants feel a sense of relief, each rising, cupping their hands, bowing, and slowly retreating.

Subsequently, the entire marquis's residence began to bustle with activity. The steward, who served before the Han dynasty, was a position under the vassal kings, but in the present day, it refers to the person in charge of household affairs. The steward of the marquis's residence, surnamed Liu, is a distant relative of the marquis's family and has been in the residence for over 50 years, earning the respect of all. The person previously called by the Dong family was indeed him. He had been busy with spring planting outside, but upon learning of the auspicious signs, he hurried towards the marquis's residence. On the way, he encountered someone sent by the Dong family and quickened his pace to arrive.

The little fat boy nodded thoughtfully, and this sentence was deeply etched in his mind, later becoming the foundation of his existence.

As for these household servants, Dong has slightly eased his thoughts. The Han people have always valued promises and trust, and moreover, they are originally servants of the Marquis's residence, sharing both honor and disgrace with the Marquis's house. It is unlikely that they would do anything to harm the Marquis's residence.

"Madam, although those household servants are all private slaves of the Liu family, they cannot be fully trusted. It is inevitable that there are spies among them. How can we simply let them go? I urge you to issue an order to send someone with generous gifts to their homes to express gratitude to their mothers and wives, thereby acknowledging their contributions!" Liu, the steward, flashed a few fierce glances and said, "Let us send them back to me. We still need some household servants to assist with the spring planting!"

Dong first picked up a piece of meat and put it into her mouth. The meat instantly melted in her mouth, transforming into a stream of meat juice that surged towards her abdomen. The taste, however, was not fragrant, but just one bite made Dong feel all her fatigue dissipate, leaving her immensely relaxed. She nodded and then called out to Liu Hong, "Come, eat it!" The little chubby boy sniffed and quickly ran to Dong's side, looking down to take a glance.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw a group of cooks in the Hou residence gathered around the goldfish, each one engrossed and completely oblivious to the fact that my mother had already entered. The strong maid shouted, "How dare you be disrespectful!"

"Eat!" Dong did not waste words with him. The chubby boy only felt increasingly confused by his mother. Clearly, it was not mealtime yet, and in the past, he was not allowed to eat more. Now, however, she was forcing him to eat. Nevertheless, the chubby boy had a good appetite. He licked his lips, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat. After taking a bite, the meat turned into juice, flowing directly into the chubby boy's stomach.

Dong understood that her words were somewhat abrupt, and that Liu, the manager, had misunderstood. She quickly recounted the events of the day. Liu stared wide-eyed, remaining silent until Dong finished speaking. Only then did he come to his senses, trembling all over. Auspicious signs! The young lord has great fortune! He opened his previously murky old eyes, and his gaze became clear, showing no trace of old age.

Thank you, my lady, for your great kindness! Regardless of whether it is sincere or feigned, these individuals all put on a facade of unwavering loyalty and gratitude. Lady Dong smiled and nodded, pretending to assist them, and said, "Then get up and get to work." After saying this, she did not leave, but stood by with two strong maidservants, watching as everyone became busy under the lady's gaze, some tending the stove, others sharpening knives, coming and going.

A waft of fragrance spread around, and Mrs. Dong felt her appetite surge after just one whiff. After about half an hour, the large fish was finally cooked into a pot of fish soup. The household servants brought the fish soup to the side room hall. Mrs. Dong then sent someone to call Liu Hong. The little chubby boy had just been half-forced back to his room and was now brought out again, his dissatisfaction clearly visible on his face as he mumbled and slowly made his way over.

Although Liu Guan Shi is only in his sixties, the Dong family must still show utmost respect. Respecting the elderly and cherishing the young is a fundamental virtue of the Han culture, and no one is exempt from this principle

Under his mother's coercion, the chubby boy, drenched in sweat, gradually consumed the entire fish. Although the fish was large, it lacked internal organs and had little flesh, mostly consisting of bones and spines. Dong helped him pick out the fish bones, feeding him all the meat. In the end, even the soup was forcibly poured into Liu Hong's mouth. For the first time, the chubby boy felt that eating could be so painful

The chubby boy, shocked, touched his belly and looked up at Dong. Dong, with a stern frown, shouted: "Eat it!" The chubby boy, feeling helpless, had no choice but to continue eating. Although the meat was not fragrant, it was not difficult to eat either. After a while, he felt full. With such a large fish, he simply could not finish it by himself. He looked up and said: "Mother, this fish is so big that I cannot eat it all by myself. Let us eat together."

Dong shook his head and said: "This fish, you may eat, the others cannot, nor can I. Do not speak too much, just eat it!"

The Son of Heaven has no heirs ... ... The one destined by heaven is my son!" Dong spoke her mind directly, stating that if even this elderly person who has diligently served the marquisate for decades cannot be trusted, then who else can be trusted?

Dong was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and said: "Good."

Dong did not want to leave; she felt in her heart that this goldfish must have a significant background, as it was hiding a heavenly book within. If her son were to consume it, it would surely be beneficial. She stood there waiting, not feeling any fatigue. The chef removed the golden scales and intended to clean the internal organs, only to discover that the goldfish had no internal organs. In astonishment, he could only chop the large fish into several pieces and put them into the pot to cook.

Upon hearing this voice, the chefs turned around one after another. Upon seeing the mistress, they were so frightened that they hurriedly clasped their hands and bowed. Dong waved her hand and said: "This item is a gift from heaven for my son. You are trusted confidants of the marquis's residence. When my son achieves great success, there will surely be benefits for you."

In the end, he was carried back to his chamber by the household servants, his abdomen swollen into a round ball, unable to sit or stand comfortably. As soon as the young servants placed him on the bed, the little chubby boy fell into a deep sleep, even starting to snore.

Subsequently, Dong brought along two healthy maidservants and went to the kitchen. She came from a humble background; her ancestors were merely a wealthy family with a small amount of land. However, after marrying into the marquis's residence, she had not entered the kitchen for a long time

This... this master... this young lord... The old man has spent his entire life in the marquis's residence, growing up alongside the young lord's grandfather. The previous generation's Marquis of Jiedu was raised by him personally. Moreover, the old man has no descendants and has long regarded Liu Hong as his own, showering him with immense affection. At this moment, his voice trembles, and his words are not fluent, yet his spirit seems to have returned to its peak, as if he were a sharp sword drawn from its sheath

Elderly individuals over the age of eighty in the Han Dynasty were exempt from bowing to officials, and even the emperor was required to respectfully perform the customary greeting when meeting them

This is the big fish that I caught

It seems that I, being nearly sixty years old, my eyesight dimming, am just about to retire and return home to enjoy family bliss

"It has been three years since my husband passed away. During these three years, you have been diligent and sincere, and I am deeply grateful. " As soon as Dong spoke these words, Manager Liu trembled and replied, "What are you saying, my lady? I possess no remarkable talents, and my virtue is mediocre; I do not dare to accept such great thanks from you, my lady."

"Not good!" The old man suddenly stood up, and Jian Nu was taken aback. He tried to support him again, but was pushed away by the old man. The old man's face turned red as he scolded Jian Nu, "You blind fool, go guard outside!" The household servant hurriedly ran out, and for a moment, the Dong family was also dumbfounded. Wasn't it said that Liu Jun was old and exhausted, fearing he wouldn't last until the end of the year? ... How could this be ... For a moment, the Dong family was also dumbfounded. Wasn't it said that Liu Jun was old and exhausted, fearing he wouldn't last until the end of the year? ... How could this be ...

The Han Dynasty placed great importance on filial piety and respect for the elderly, so how could the Dong family dare to accept such a grand bow from Liu? They quickly returned the gesture.

Liu Guan Shi stood in the main hall, leaning on a cane, his entire body hunched over, swaying unsteadily, trembling as if he might fall at any moment. The old man had a face full of weariness, looking emaciated, with his eyes squinting. Dong Shi quickly offered him a seat, and a strong servant assisted the old man in sitting down.

In an instant, the old man returned to his previous state of confusion and frailty, trembling as he bowed and said: "Moreover, I ask the matron to remember that the matter of the heavenly book is of great importance and must not be disclosed, even to the Qi family... it must not be revealed at all. The matron is the mother of the Liu family, not of the Dong family!" After speaking, the old man took his leave, while the Dong family member furrowed her brows in silence.