Chapter 228: Taking Over the Kitchen

Chapter 228: Taking Over the Kitchen

After the spring began, Daohua became very busy. She was occupied with classes, overseeing the various estates, and, in addition, Madam Li assigned her a new task: to learn how to manage the kitchen.

“Mother, why do you want me to manage the kitchen?” Daohua was somewhat reluctant and wanted to avoid the task. She already had so much to learn—book knowledge, calligraphy, needlework, playing the guqin, practicing martial arts, and she still had to find time to manage the estates and shops.

It truly felt like she was waking up earlier than a rooster and going to bed later than a dog, even more so than a modern office worker. But the rewards were rather gratifying; otherwise, she might have just quit.

Wasn’t she supposed to live a carefree life?

Madam Li gave her a side glance. “What do you mean ‘early’? I still think it’s late. After August, you’ll be twelve years old. You should start learning to handle household matters, including socializing and managing these things.”

When Daohua heard “twelve,” she immediately felt overwhelmed.

In modern times, twelve would mean just entering middle school, but in ancient times, girls were already expected to prepare for marriage.

Madam Li paid no attention to her daughter’s sulking expression and continued, “You love cooking, so starting with managing the kitchen will be a good fit. That way, you can get familiar with it.”

“When you get comfortable with the kitchen, then you can take over the needlework room.”

Daohua quickly interrupted, “Mother, when did our family even have a needlework room?”

Madam Li shot her a knowing glance. “You only focus on your estates and shops, but you don’t pay attention to the household. Let me explain.”

“We’re entertaining guests more often now. Your father is the Prefect Magistrate of the region, so we can’t afford to be negligent with our appearance. Plus, we have more servants now, and the cost of clothing changes every season adds up. With a needlework room, we won’t have to buy clothes anymore, which will save us a lot of money.”

“Our family has more sources of income now, but we still can’t waste money. In two years, you’ll all be older, and there will be more things to spend on.”

Daohua nodded.

Her mother truly had a talent for managing the household; she always anticipated needs and made plans ahead of time.

Madam Li gently patted Daohua’s head. “As young women, we can enjoy some relaxation while we’re still unmarried, but if we’re too carefree, we’ll only end up suffering more after marriage.”

“I know you’re busy with your studies, but if you work a little harder now, you’ll be able to relax more after you’re married. At home, if you don’t understand something, you can ask me. But once you’re married, even if your mother-in-law is reasonable, it won’t be appropriate to ask her every time.”

“Think about it. Would you rather learn at home now or wait until you’re married?”

Daohua sighed. “Alright, I’ll learn.”

Managing the household was something every legitimate wife had to know. Concubines had it easy—they didn’t have to do anything—but they were dependent on others for their survival and couldn’t control their own fate, let alone the status of their children.

Everything had its trade-offs.

If one enjoyed comfort, they would have to pay the corresponding price.

Madam Li smiled and quickly took the personnel registry and purchase ledger from Ping Tong, handing them to Daohua. “Take these back and familiarize yourself with them. If you don’t understand anything, feel free to come and ask me.”

Daohua nodded, resignedly taking the two books and leaving.

Daohua’s Courtyard

Daohua was standing under the eaves, playing with a parrot, while in the courtyard stood Nian Pozi, the kitchen steward, and Fang Gui, the purchasing Steward.

They had been waiting for a while, and there were chairs and tea set up, but both of them dared not sit, standing respectfully and cautiously watching Daohua.

Truth be told, even though Daohua was a young lady, no one in the Yan family dared to underestimate her.

Not because of anything else, but because she was the only one in the family who dared challenge the master in front of others, so no one would provoke her.

Moreover, she was truly capable. If there was any issue in the house, she would help Madam Li handle it, with Madam Li overseeing things while Daohua filled in the gaps.

The Yan family had hosted several banquets, and each time, the guests left with smiles, proving that Daohua was a meticulous and thoughtful person.

Now that she was managing the kitchen, they knew they had to treat her with extra care.

Looking at the two of them standing, Daohua was a little speechless.

To be honest, she hadn’t planned on intimidating them in any way.

The reason was simple: most of the food in the Yan household came from their own estates. Even if they tried to embezzle, there was probably no opportunity.

She had been playing with the parrot purely out of awkwardness and to ease her own discomfort. But since the two insisted on standing, she couldn’t help but feel helpless.

Daohua set the parrot down and walked over to sit. “You can sit down too.”

Only then did Nian Pozi and Fang Gui dare to sit, but both of them only sat on the edge of their seats, sitting up straight.

Daohua: “...”

Could it be that she has the aura of a domineering female CEO?

Looking at the two of them, anyone would think she’s really fierce!

"My mother asked me to take charge of the kitchen. Although I go there often, there are still many things I don’t know. You all can tell me about the situation there."

As she spoke, Daohua paused and looked at Fang Gui: "Why do you seem so familiar to me?"

Wang Man'er immediately laughed and added, "Miss, you must think Fang Caiban looks like Lady Fang, right?"

Daohua showed a sudden realization: "Yes, she looks like the housekeeper around my mother."

Fang Gui immediately laughed and replied, "In response to the young lady, Lady Fang is my older sister. We siblings do look somewhat alike."

"Oh," Daohua nodded. "No wonder." She then turned her gaze to Old Aunt Ren, "There’s someone called Ren Xiaogu at the gatehouse, are you related to them?"

Old Aunt Ren immediately replied, "In response to the young lady, that’s my son."

Daohua nodded again, picked up her teacup, and drank silently.

Before long, the simple Yan family began to move toward a more complicated network of relationships.

As more servants entered the household, managing the affairs would undoubtedly become more difficult.

No wonder my mother has been insisting on finding a capable wife for my older brother; she must have considered this aspect as well.

For a family with such complicated relationships, managing everything smoothly is no easy task.

Now, I can understand Madam Li's motherly kindness. She had me take over the kitchen so early, likely because she’s worried I won’t be able to hold my ground in my husband’s family later on.

Seeing that Daohua had suddenly fallen silent, both Old Aunt Ren and Fang Gui felt a little nervous. They thought about what they had just said and found no fault in it.

After a moment, Daohua put down her teacup. "The kitchen rules will remain the same as my mother’s. However, I’ll add two points."

"First, from now on, whoever from any room calls for food from the kitchen, it must be registered." She wanted to monitor the expenses of each household.

"Second, the previous purchase records were not detailed enough. I’ll create a form that must be followed when filling out the purchases in the future."

The current purchase records only listed the quantity and amount, with no source or contact information. This could lead to corruption or inflated amounts in the purchasing process.

Both Old Aunt Ren and Fang Gui respectfully agreed, but they felt a bit bitter inside.

The young lady seemed to have done nothing so far, but she had cut off their hidden benefits.

Old Aunt Ren, responsible for the kitchen, was too cautious to take good items, but whenever there were food requests, she would always make a bit more, either to bribe the maids or secretly take it home.

Now that everything had to be recorded, there was far less room for maneuver.

Fang Gui was the same; although he didn’t dare to be too greedy, he often raised the price of the goods he bought. Now that the purchase records were changing, he had to be extra careful with the young lady's sharp mind.

(End of Chapter)