Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 11
Shen Liunian’s gaze was subtle, as if trying to ascertain the sincerity in Yun Chenghuai’s words.
With control over the princess manor’s management, her people could occupy all the important positions. At that point, she could leave whenever she wished, and no one would be able to stop her.
She didn’t believe Yun Chenghuai would change, but she believed in power.
Possessing the true power of a Princess Consort meant she had the right to petition the Emperor. Coupled with her abundant wealth, she could easily establish her own influence in the capital.
Then, she wouldn’t need to risk cooperating with the Northern Qi Crown Princess. Her initial goal was only to protect herself and those around her.
She knew that if she left Southern Qin, Southern Qin would become hostile towards the Shen family, and the Shen family would then face the wrath of an entire nation.
Money and mines could not withstand the iron hooves of a country.
There was still no news from the Northern Qi Crown Princess’s people; it would probably be tonight. She would discuss further matters after meeting with them.
Since Yun Chenghuai was willing to hand over the management of the princess manor to her, why should she refuse?
“The entire princess manor, I alone will have the final say?”
“Naturally.”
Yun Chenghuai had considered that her transformation needed to be gradual. Disposing of the manor’s staff would be more appropriate if handled by Shen Liunian.
If she suddenly dealt with all the spies in the manor, it might arouse suspicion.
But if she acted like a henpecked husband, there would be no problem; everything would be done at her wife’s bidding.
Shen Liunian’s gaze lingered on Yun Chenghuai’s face for a while, carefully observing her expression. She noticed a hint of eagerness to please in her eyes, though the reason was unclear.
However, after weighing the pros and cons, she still said, “Good.”
“Nan Ling.” After agreeing, Shen Liunian immediately instructed, “Have all our people gather in the main courtyard.”
“Yes, young la… Princess Consort.”
Nan Ling glanced at Yun Chenghuai, finally changing her address.
From now on, the vast princess manor would be managed by their young lady. The mistress of the manor could only be the Princess Consort. She had to change her address; otherwise, it would make her young lady seem to lack proper authority.
After the Shen family’s people arrived, Shen Liunian drove out all the original occupants of the main courtyard.
With the previous incident involving those maids as a warning, no one dared to speak up.
All the people in the main courtyard of the princess manor were replaced by Shen Liunian’s own people.
From beginning to end, Yun Chenghuai did not utter a single word.
She had handed the princess manor over to Shen Liunian and certainly wouldn’t say anything more.
Shen Liunian’s eyes flickered slightly. She wanted to see where Yun Chenghuai’s bottom line was.
“Summon all the major and minor managers and head maids of the princess manor as well.”
Once the main courtyard was settled, it was time for the entire manor.
Among the maids who came with Shen Liunian as part of her dowry, there were many managers. Even if she couldn’t replace everyone in the manor, she could replace all the important positions with her own people.
As for the rest of the manor’s staff, she would use those who were useful, dismiss those who weren’t, and take her time choosing.
If there weren’t enough, she could just go out and buy them. With money, couldn’t she buy servants?
Soon, all the major and minor managers of the princess manor arrived—hundreds of them, lined up in tens, including nannies, old women, and various managers. It was indeed quite a crowd.
Shen Liunian had already had tables and chairs moved into the courtyard. Wrapped in her cloak, she sat on the veranda, her eyes lazily narrowed, as if looking at the people standing in the courtyard, yet seemingly seeing no one.
No one knew what she was thinking. The managers in the courtyard were even more clueless, and a sense of panic spread.
They had heard that the Princess had handed over the management of the princess manor to the Princess Consort. For them, maids and old women, a local official was less important than the current supervisor. The Princess was busy with external affairs; the mistress was their direct superior.
The news of Princess Consort Shen’s pregnancy was known to those with connections in the manor, and likely outside as well.
With the Princess Consort pregnant, the Princess’s attitude towards her changed drastically. She was moved to the main courtyard, and the Princess became compliant in all matters, even handing over the management of the princess manor to her.
Facing Shen Liunian, everyone bowed their heads low. The imperial family dealt with servants. It was common for them to be beaten or killed for a single misstep. They were servants, not officials of the manor, and their lives and deaths were merely a word from the Princess or Princess Consort.
In the past, the Princess Consort was disfavored, unable even to live in the main courtyard. But now, it was different; Princess Chuxiang Manor was about to change.
Shen Liunian sat on the veranda, a blanket covering her legs, with a brazier burning nearby. A teapot sat on a rack above the brazier, keeping the tea warm.
Yun Chenghuai sat to the side, seemingly there to support Shen Liunian, but in reality, she was struggling with a roasted orange.
The orange was a bit hot, and her hands were too fair and tender to hold it properly.
She peeled the orange, let it cool in her hand for a while, then offered it to Shen Liunian. “Madam, have some orange.”
Shen Liunian, who had just finished mentally preparing her words, was abruptly interrupted. She looked at Yun Chenghuai with a hint of annoyance.
Yun Chenghuai blinked innocently, unaware of what she had done wrong. She just wanted to please Shen Liunian; she hadn’t done anything.
After sorting out her own situation, she understood one thing: no matter what happened in the future, her immediate task was to please Shen Liunian.
It wasn’t shameful to please her own wife, even if this wife was only a wife in name.
She awkwardly pulled back the orange and quietly ate it, looking a little pitiful in her aggrieved state.
Shen Liunian only felt a sense of absurdity. She must have had a screw loose to think Dog Yun was pitiful.
Shen Liunian took a small sip of tea, then said, “You have half an hour to submit the manor’s accounts from the past three years. I… this Princess Consort will send people to accompany you to retrieve them.”
The Shen family’s managers quickly moved to stand beside their respective counterparts. They were the ones who would be taking over from these current managers.
The people in the courtyard were unaware. Seeing someone watching them, they could only go back to retrieve the accounts.
Yun Chenghuai finally understood. Shen Liunian had called the managers, nannies, and head maids, but instead of immediately reprimanding them, she made them stand in the cold for half an hour.
Combined with the pressure from the Princess and Princess Consort, this would gradually break down their psychological defenses. Then, when discussing further matters, these people would be much more obedient.
Not only obedient, but to atone for their mistakes, they might even implicate others. What followed should be a grand spectacle.
She truly lived up to her title as the future empress; her methods were indeed excellent.
At this moment, Shen Liunian extended her hand, signaling Nan Ling to come and help her. “Let’s go. If they return, have them wait in the courtyard. This Princess Consort will return after her midday nap.”
Nan Ling was about to help her mistress when a figure directly blocked her path and, in a fawning tone, said, “Madam, be careful. Or perhaps I should carry Madam back to your room?”
Shen Liunian: “……”
She really wanted to pull her arm away and add a “get lost.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, I can walk by myself.” Shen Liunian gritted her teeth, sounding not at all pleased.
Yun Chenghuai smiled, still holding Shen Liunian’s arm. She wasn’t holding a hand; she was holding her freedom, her very life. Could they be the same?
Accidentally meeting Shen Liunian’s cold gaze, she merely chuckled, showing no intention of letting go.
If she was going to be clingy, she had to act the part. As she walked, she kept saying, “Madam, why don’t I join you for your midday nap?”
Nan Ling, walking behind the two, rolled her eyes at Yun Chenghuai. How could a dignified Princess be like this? Could she really have fallen for our young lady?
As for Shen Liunian, she gave Yun Chenghuai a cold glare and said coolly, “If you don’t want to be thrown out, feel free to climb into my bed.”
Yun Chenghuai immediately shut her mouth. Madam is so fierce.
In the original owner’s memory, Shen Liunian had always been this fierce. The original owner would only rage impotently, threatening her with the Shen family’s servants.