Meng Jin Yao blinked and humbly said, "It can't be said that way. It's just that things are developing in the direction I want. To get a satisfactory result, I still need to push behind the scenes."Gu...Meng Jin Yao leaned against the window, watching Li Cheng limp out of the teahouse. She raised a knowing smile.

Níngdōng moved closer to her side, and lowered her head to glance at Lǐ Chéng on the street. "Madam, I noticed earlier that you seemed disinterested in Li Guanxi, and I thought you were going to abandon him as a pawn."

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly. She had spent time, money, and manpower to set up a trap and capture this pawn; there was no way she would give up easily.

She smiled and said, "When acting, one must go all out. Grandmother Qiao is a smart woman."

Ning Dong questioned, "But wouldn't Grandma Qiao betray the Sun family for Li Guan"

Meng Jin Yao half-closed her eyes, her voice soft and eerie: "The master is very important, but his only son is equally important. There have been many who betrayed their masters for their flesh and blood, Qiao Mama might be one of them"

Ning Dong nodded. "That's right. The Sun family had once done a favor for Qiao Mama, but Qiao Mama had also saved the Sun family. The debt of gratitude has been repaid."

Meng Jinyáo watched Li Cheng disappear around the corner, and Li Cheng's direction was exactly Yongchang Bo's mansion. She slowly retracted her gaze and said softly, "Lin Rui should be back. Let's go to Zhou's Mansion."

The master and his two servants left the teahouse and headed to Zhou's residence.

Zhou's only daughter, Zhou shi, died in childbirth due to complications. She had no sons or nephews. Since the death of Master Zhou, the Zhou residence was often closed with its gates tightly shut, devoid of any activity. The only granddaughter, Meng Jin Yao, only visited occasionally.

Ning Dong stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Soon after, an old servant dressed in simple clothes with gray hair but a kind and gentle face came out to open the door.

This person is exactly Lin Rui's grandfather, Old Man Lin, who has served the Zhou family for decades as a loyal servant.

When Old Master Lin saw Meng Jin Yao, a smile immediately appeared on his face, his expression kind: "Cousin girl, you're back. Come in."

Meng Jin Yao lightly nodded, calling out "Old Man Lin", then strode into the mansion.

"Grandpa Lin asked with concern, "Miss, have you had lunch yet"

Meng Jinyo replied, "I've used it."

Actually, they didn't have lunch. They only had some pastries on the way here to fill their stomachs. The current situation at Zhou Mansion is dire. There are only a few servants left, and the amount of vegetables purchased each day is limited.

Today she suddenly returned. The servants at home were completely unprepared. If she wanted to stay for a meal, they would have to rush to the market to buy ingredients and cook, which would be time-consuming and laborious. It's better just to get straight to business. She can go out to a restaurant to eat later.

For a moment, Meng Jin Yao asked again, "Old Master Lin, has Lin Rui come back"

Uncle Lin replied, "That young man just returned recently, is there something Miss Lin wants to find him for"

Meng Jinyao nodded and said, "There is something I need to ask him to help with."

Hearing this, Old Master Lin didn't ask any further questions. He took Meng Jin Yao to the flower hall and then went to find his grandson.

Not long after, Lin Rui followed Old Master Lin to the flower hall. He bowed respectfully to Meng Jinyao. Old Master Lin did not interrupt their conversation about important matters and left first. After all, at his age, he couldn't help the young lady.

Lin Rui asked, "I wonder if Miss is there anything else you need"

"Today's events, you did very well. Meng Jinyao first affirmed his efforts, then said, "Lin Dashan, for the sake of a friend, diverted some of the thugs from the gambling dens, and was severely injured. He needs to rest and recuperate. In the coming period, he will not be able to appear in public."

Lin Rui paused for a moment, then nodded and replied: "Don't worry, Miss. Unless you order me to, I won't appear before Li Cheng rashly from now on. If I do appear again, it will be as the injured 'Lin Dahuang.'"

Meng Jin Yao smiled with satisfaction and asked in a soft voice, "Can you recognize characters"

Lin Ruixiang modestly replied, "I'm just a humble person who has learned a few characters."

Then Meng Jinyao asked: "Will that be calculated"

Lin Rui replied: "Yes, my grandfather taught me how to calculate when I was young."

Meng Jin yao nodded slightly, then pondered for a moment before asking, "There's an opening for a manager at my estate on the outskirts of Beijing. Would you be interested"

These days, she felt that Lin Rui was competent. Just as it happened, her mother's dowry included a manor that needed a new manager, so having Lin Rui take on this role would be perfect.

First, because Lin Rui can do it.

Secondly, because Lin Rui is his own person and trustworthy. That Zhuangzi's account is excellent and wouldn't falsify records to cheat the silver for the incoming items.

All those estates and shops that came with her mother's dowry had been under the control of the Sun family for so many years. The original managers had long since been replaced by the Sun family, now all the managers were either people cultivated by the Sun family or those who had switched their allegiance to the Sun family out of disloyalty.

Now that she's back in charge, the people under her naturally need to be replaced. There's a complete overhaul, and for a while, there aren't enough reliable people available. They can only temporarily replace those who stand out the most, and observe the rest gradually, taking it slow. Those who prove useful will be kept for now.

Lin Rui didn't expect such a good thing would happen to him. The lady directly promoted him to be the manager of the manor, which showed her appreciation for his performance. Although he was allowed to go out and find work before, where could he find a job as good as working under his master

The opportunity was rare, he didn't decline and readily agreed: "I promise I won't disappoint you, Miss. I will take good care of the estate for you."

Meng Jiny Yao said: "Then you should rest and recover first, and then go when you are healed."

Lin Rui respectfully responded, understanding that he shouldn't show his face at this time. If Li Cheng saw him as the steward's girl's acquaintance, it would be troublesome. Besides, the stewardess also needed time to remove the original steward.

Meng Jin Yao said again, "You take good care of your injuries, I'll go back first. When the time comes, I'll have Ning Dong notify you.

Lin Rui responded again and sent Meng Jin Yao and her servants to the front door.

After leaving Zhou Mansion, Meng Jinyao took Qingqiu and Ningdong to a random restaurant for lunch before heading back home.

Back at Changxing Hou Mansion, Meng Jinyao wrote a letter and sent a servant over. She instructed him to send the summer clothes, stationery, and snacks she had bought for Meng Chengzhang that morning to Ling Shan Academy. Among them, there was a set of stationery for Gu Xiwen. As his aunt, Gu Xiwen must have taken care of her younger brother at the academy, so sending him something was only right.

Only after completing these tasks did Meng Jingyao feel somewhat tired. She had been busy for half a day and was just about to take a nap when Zhang came over to speak with her again.

Since Gu Xiwen entered Ling Shan Academy through Gu Jingxi's connections, the Zhang family misunderstood things a bit. They thought their youngest son might be adopted into the third branch, so they were particularly kind to Meng Jin Yao and would occasionally visit Wei Rui Xuan to chat with her.

Meng Jinyao patiently chatted with Zhang Shi, also learning about some things from each family through her. When Zhang Shi left, it was already the time of the evening bell.

At this time, Gu Jingxi had returned and entered the room. Seeing the young girl's tired face but with a curved brow and eyes smiling like a sly little fox, he curiously asked, "Madam seems to be in high spirits today"

Meng Jin Yao heard the sound and raised her eyes to look. The man in the crimson official robe was walking towards her. She replied, "After throwing the bait for so long, now that the fish has taken the hook, it can also be said that I've hooked a dog. Of course, I'm happy."

Gu Jingxi asked with interest, "Which dog"

Meng Jinyao also didn't hide it from him: "The loyal dogs around my stepmother, Sun, "

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi unexpectedly glanced at her and reminded her, "Madam, be careful. Dogs can bite people. They can bite their owners as well as strangers."

Meng Jinyao was slightly stunned, then immediately said: "My husband, rest assured, I already have his handle in my hand, he won't dare to resist." this was the first time he had been praised for his good skin. The envious tone of the other person was one thing, but she was also a young woman.A girl envies his good skinHe felt a bit strange, no...