Chapter 663: Chapter 665: Dare Not Delay

Cen Gaosong sat in the master’s seat, and a maidservant immediately served him tea.

Zhang Guihong sat in the seat of honor to his right. "This household truly has no sense of propriety. Why is tea only served to the Master? Am I, the Madam, to be overlooked?

Master, you tell me, have these servants gotten so out of line that they bully their masters? They don’t even show me, the mistress of this house, the slightest respect."

Cen Gaosong was holding his teacup, only noticing the oversight after Zhang Guihong pointed it out. He turned and glared at the steward. "What is the meaning of this?"

Zhang Guihong said with a cold expression, "What else could it be? From the moment I entered this estate, these servants have shown my daughter and me no respect.

Our luggage and our maids are still waiting in the rear courtyard. What is the meaning of this? The Madam of the house has arrived, and there isn’t even a courtyard prepared for her?"

Cen Yueqin, standing beside Zhang Guihong, took her hand and said, "Mother, Father has just returned. It’s only natural that he doesn’t know what’s been going on in the household. You can’t blame him.

These stewards all look unfamiliar; it’s normal for them not to recognize us."

"Only a silly girl like you would think this is normal. Have you forgotten? From the moment we arrived, these people haven’t even observed the proper etiquette between master and servant.

It’s clear what happens when there’s no proper matriarch in charge. The rules have become far too lax. If word of this got out, can you imagine the ridicule we’d face?"

Cen Gaosong’s expression turned cold as he looked at the steward. "What is the meaning of this? The Madam has arrived, and none of you knew to come and pay your respects?

Can this household not even manage to serve a cup of tea? Then what use do I have for any of you?"

The steward cried out in silent misery. ’For all these years, Lady Lan has been managing the household. We truly had no idea there was an official Madam.’

"It is all this servant’s fault. But this servant truly did not know the identity of the Madam and the Young Miss, so I dared not make arrangements without authorization."

Zhang Guihong snorted. "How amusing. Who would come to someone’s home to impersonate them for no reason?

Speaking of which, I am well aware that someone has been impersonating me, the legitimate wife, and lording it over everyone here.

You may not recognize my daughter and me, but surely Aunt Lan does?

When she entered this family, she knelt before me and served me tea. Has it only been a few years, and she’s already forgotten who I am?"

With that, Zhang Guihong turned to Cen Gaosong. "I just wonder, Master, how you’ve allowed her to address herself outside. Passing off a concubine as the main wife?"

Cen Gaosong felt a pang of guilt. This was, in fact, something he had tacitly condoned.

He had initially felt the rear courtyards were unmanaged, so he handed the responsibility to Mu Xianglan.

Later, when attending social functions, a concubine’s status was simply not presentable. When outsiders made the wrong assumption, he simply chose not to correct them.

Seeing him remain silent, Zhang Guihong slammed her hand on the table. "The Cen Family goes too far! I, the legitimate wife, am still here, yet you are out presenting a concubine as your wife. I will go to the clan elders and demand justice."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Cen Gaosong turned and cursed at the steward and the other servants. "You damn servants! This household has only one Madam. From now on, do not misaddress Aunt Lan."

Zhang Guihong said, "They are indeed damn servants to be capable of deceiving their superiors.

Now that I, the official Madam, have arrived, there’s no reason to let a concubine continue to run the household.

Master, if you don’t want me to make an issue of this, then have all the servants’ indentures brought to me. And you had best explain the household’s affairs clearly. I don’t want to hear any more talk of ’Lady Lan’."

This was a blatant demand for control of the household, which made Cen Gaosong even more resentful.

But he was at fault, and besides, he couldn’t afford to offend Zhang Guihong’s elder uncle. He could only grit his teeth and say, "Madam, you’ve had a long journey. You should rest for a few days before we discuss this."

Zhang Guihong snorted. "In a few days, I fear things might change. Master, don’t forget, it is not I who is trying to stir up trouble. It’s that these servants of yours are undisciplined and have been lording their power over my daughter and me."

She then gave a pointed look at Mu Xianglan, who had just walked in. "Aunt Lan, you must have worked hard with the Master all these years. Now that I am here, you may finally rest."

Mu Xianglan’s eyes reddened, but inwardly she was seething with hatred. ’Zhang Guihong’s arrival was so sudden. I didn’t even have time to prepare. Now all my plans are in disarray.’

"What’s this? You see me, the Madam, and you don’t even know to curtsy?

I announced myself earlier, yet you only sent a steward out to try and send us away.

Such arrogance. Don’t you forget, you are merely a concubine. You should remember your place."

Mu Xianglan had never suffered such humiliation in all these years. She walked directly to Cen Gaosong and knelt. "Master, it was you who asked me to manage the household.

Besides, the Madam’s arrival was so sudden. I thought someone had come to the wrong door, which is why I had the steward go out and try to send them away.

If I had known it was the Madam and the Second Young Miss, I would have been at the gate, kneeling in welcome."

Cen Gaosong said, "This is all a misunderstanding. I’m sure the Madam will be understanding."

Zhang Guihong replied, "I am magnanimous, so of course I will be understanding.

However, leaving the power to manage the household in the hands of a concubine is truly improper.

As it happens, I’ve brought with me some of the old madam’s trusted staff. In a moment, you will hand over the accountant’s office and the account books to them."

She finished with a smirk at Cen Gaosong. "Even if you don’t trust my ability to manage the house, Master, surely you trust the old madam’s capable aides!"

With things having come to this, Cen Gaosong could only endure Mu Xianglan’s mournful gaze and nod reluctantly. "This is as it should be. It is right and proper for the Madam to manage the household.

I will have someone deliver the items to the Madam’s courtyard shortly."

"The Master is a busy man; I’m afraid you might forget. As it happens, Nanny Cen and the others are waiting outside right now. I’m sure the Master wouldn’t want to keep Nanny Cen waiting, would you?"

"Nanny Cen is here too?" Cen Gaosong nearly spat out his tea. "Are you mad? How old is Nanny Cen now? How could you trouble her like this?"

If it had been anyone else, Cen Gaosong wouldn’t have been so nervous.

But Nanny Cen was different. She had saved his mother’s life years ago, and to show his gratitude, Mr. Cen had specially granted her the Cen surname.

Owing to the debt for saving the old madam’s life and the high regard of Mr. Cen, all the descendants of the family had always treated her with the utmost respect.

Yet Nanny Cen had always remained humble and kept to her duties, helping the old madam manage the Cen Family’s affairs. She had even raised him and his brothers.

"It’s because the family was worried that after all these years away, you might have forgotten some of the proper etiquette. That’s why they had me bring the nanny along."

As she said this, she shot another pointed glance at Mu Xianglan, indirectly telling her that the main family was not unaware of her actions over the past few years.

Cen Gaosong flushed but didn’t dare to retort.

If this matter got out, he would be the one at fault. He had wanted to let Mu Xianglan live a few comfortable years outside the main family’s watch, but he never expected word would get back.

"Xianglan, go and hand over the account books and keys."

At this point, Cen Gaosong dared not delay any longer.

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