As usual, would you handle everything properly?
Did this mean that from now on, the Chang Wang residence would be her domain?
Seeing no other expression on Mu Changxi’s face, Song Chaoyu was momentarily unsure of Mu Changxi’s intentions.
Therefore, she did not say anything else to this wet nurse Jiang, treating her with courtesy.
She had Tiaohong find the largest room for Wet Nurse Jiang to stay in. The child brought by Wet Nurse Jiang was named "Shuisheng," and naturally, he was to stay in the servant quarters with the other male servants.
These matters did not require Mu Changxi’s attention, so Mu Changxi went about his own business, leaving Song Chaoyu and Wet Nurse Jiang to discuss and arrange things.
After Mu Changxi left, Wet Nurse Jiang straightened her chest and then walked towards Song Chaoyu: "Wangfei, leave these household chores to this old servant. Wangfei need not trouble yourself with these matters; just listen to some music and admire some flowers, and the days will pass quickly."
But as she watched Shuisheng follow Wet Nurse Jiang towards the back courtyard, Song Chaoyu frowned slightly: "The servant quarters are in the side garden, not the back courtyard."
"This old servant knows."
Wet Nurse Jiang smiled at Song Chaoyu: "This old servant thinks that Shuisheng is new to the capital and knows nothing, so he might not be able to do anything well. Therefore, this old servant wants to keep him with me for a few days. Once he is completely familiar with our Chang Wang residence, then he can go to the servant quarters alone."
"Absolutely not!"
Before anyone else could speak, Tiaohong was the first to object: "The back courtyard is entirely occupied by female attendants. Our maids and servants all live together. If a male were to live in the back courtyard, wouldn't that be too inconvenient?嬷嬷, please let him go to the servant quarters. Someone will take care of him anyway. He's such a big child, what is there to be afraid of?"
Wet Nurse Jiang did not intend to do so. She smiled, hinting at something: "As the young lady said, he is just a child! At the age of eleven, what does he understand? If I don't guide him, what if he causes trouble in the residence later? Young lady, don't be so petty. He's just a child, why make such a fuss?"
Petty? Was this a matter of being petty?
Even Qiu Qing seemed unable to watch any longer. She stepped forward with a frown and said to Wet Nurse Jiang: "Although that is true, he is already eleven years old. He should be sensible. It is truly inconvenient for a boy to live in the back courtyard!"
"Hey, you two girls!"
Wet Nurse Jiang stopped pretending to be kind. Instead, she glared at Tiaohong and then pointed at Song Chaoyu: "Wangfei hasn't said anything yet, so when is it your turn to be picky?"
She turned her head, and when facing Song Chaoyu, she smiled again: "Wangfei, you say, what does an eleven or twelve-year-old child understand? Why must you separate us, flesh and blood?"
"嬷嬷, you speak too strongly."
Seeing Tiaohong making faces behind Wet Nurse Jiang, Song Chaoyu also smiled: "He is indeed not small at eleven or twelve years old. When our Prince was eleven or twelve, he had already fought in the tiger and wolf dens of the Southern Kingdom countless times. How about this, Wet Nurse Jiang, I will naturally not let you be separated, flesh and blood. You two can still live together."
Upon hearing this, Wet Nurse Jiang's eyes showed a great deal of pride and smugness.
Unexpectedly, Song Chaoyu changed the subject: "However, it is not proper for him, a boy, to be immersed in the back courtyard all day. How about this: 嬷嬷, you move to the side garden and live with the servants. It will be convenient for you to take care of him, and there are more rooms in the side garden for you to choose from."
"This... how can this be?"
Wet Nurse Jiang was naturally unwilling: "The side garden, that place is where the stewards, servants, or guards live. I am an old woman—"
"Wet Nurse Jiang, don't worry!"
Tiaohong would not give Wet Nurse Jiang any chance to retort. She quickly stepped forward and took Wet Nurse Jiang's arm: "You also said that you are an old woman and the Prince's benefactor. Are there any blind fools who would dare to have any improper thoughts about you?"
At these words, even Song Chaoyu couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Before Wet Nurse Jiang could get angry, Tiaohong continued: "Moreover, there are so many servants and guards in the servant quarters. If anything were to happen, they would surely protect you, Wet Nurse Jiang! You should go with Shuisheng quickly! I'll help you with your belongings and go instruct those servants and guards to treat you with respect!"
Tiaohong tugged at Wet Nurse Jiang's sleeve, almost pushing Wet Nurse Jiang towards the servant quarters.
Watching Wet Nurse Jiang's retreating figure as she tried to struggle but failed to break free, Song Chaoyu couldn't help but smile at Qiu Qing: "Tiaohong really knows how to deal with Wet Nurse Jiang!"
Qiu Qing's brows furrowed slightly: "Wangfei, I'm afraid Wet Nurse Jiang will be difficult to deal with in the future."
Song Chaoyu's eyes also turned a bit colder: "It depends on what the Prince intends. If the Prince also feels that she is a life-saving benefactor and wants to treat her like an ancestor, then we will treat her as such. If the Prince does not think this way, and I cannot even deal with a servant, wouldn't I be a useless Chang Wangfei?"
Qiu Qing also breathed a sigh of relief: "That's true. There are many affairs in the residence now. If she can be of help, then that would be good."
Speaking of this...
Song Chaoyu suddenly smiled: "There is indeed one thing she can help with!"
—
In the afternoon, Song Chaoyu heard that Wet Nurse Jiang had taken it upon herself to gather the maids and servants of the residence, saying she was giving them "instructions."
However, many of them did not respect Wet Nurse Jiang.
After all, these people were either sent by the Empress or by some noble prince's residence. They all had connections, so how could they respect Wet Nurse Jiang, someone without backing?
But Wet Nurse Jiang, relying on having "saved" the Prince Chang's life, bossed them around, causing resentment in the back courtyard.
Song Chaoyu also summoned Wet Nurse Jiang. As soon as Wet Nurse Jiang entered, she complained: "Wangfei, aren't the maids and servants of our Chang Wang residence a bit too arrogant? No matter who sent them from a princely or noble residence, they cannot be above the masters, can they? Look at them, they are quite infuriating!"
Naturally, some of them were not afraid of Song Chaoyu, so why would they be afraid of Wet Nurse Jiang?
Song Chaoyu smiled and looked at Wet Nurse Jiang: "I called 嬷嬷 over precisely for this matter! As you can see, I am young. My authority in the residence is not yet sufficient. These maids and servants must have someone to manage them. Now that Wet Nurse Jiang has returned, isn't it perfect? I want to hand over all the maids and servants, except for those serving me, to 嬷嬷 to manage. Would it be too much trouble to make 嬷嬷 a steward aunt?"