Ignoring Grandmother Xie's sorrowful expression, Madame Wang stared at the simple purse in her hand, embroidered only with the words "safety." Her eyes reddened, longing to snatch it away and see how much silver was inside.
Madame Wang clenched the purse tightly, feeling no hard objects inside, likely only banknotes. She said, "Mother, since you still entrust the household to me, does that mean I have full authority?"
The weary Madame Qin nodded slightly.
"Elder sister, quickly see how much silver is in here? We need to hire two more servants," anxiously urged Madame Xie.
Madame Wang glanced at her but didn't open the purse. Instead, she looked to Madame Qin and reported, "The sudden incident at home left us with little wealth. Yesterday, the daughter-in-law had Uncle Li find some people. She hired a wet nurse for Third Brother and also brought in two rough servant women for miscellaneous tasks and laundry."
"A wet nurse?" Madame Qin furrowed her brows.
Madame Wang explained, "Due to the urgency, we could only find this one suitable. She just gave birth two months ago, and her health is good. She can nurse both children. I've already asked Uncle Li to find another suitable one. Besides, Chrysanthemum will continue serving Third Brother's side."
Madame Qin nodded, "That's acceptable. With her giving birth to the twins prematurely and suffering such a great loss of vitality, she can't be without assistance. We must also instruct the kitchen to prepare more nourishing food for her. It's essential for her to recover during this postpartum period. As for us, we can make do with less."
The arrival of these children was untimely and detrimental to the mother's health. Ensuring her recovery was paramount; otherwise, how would Third Brother manage with several children in the future?
Madame Wang assured, "Rest assured, I will give the necessary instructions. Neither you nor Third Brother should be short of anything."
Madame Xie grew anxious. What about them?
"Elder sister, should we buy more maid servants?"
"Younger sister, the Qin residence has been searched, and all property has been sealed. Where would we get silver from? Are you relying on this?" Madame Wang gestured with the purse in her hand, "Father and Second Brother are on the road to exile, needing silver at every step. We have to manage big and small expenses. We must also find ways to economize. We can't afford to buy servants with significant sums."
Madame Qin glared at Madame Xie, her expression displeased, and said coldly, "If you can't bear this hardship, then return to the Xie family. I'm sure they won't miss one more mouth to feed."
Madame Xie's face turned pale, and she immediately knelt down, pleading, "Mother, your daughter-in-law dares not have such thoughts. Your daughter-in-law was born into the Qin family and will die as a ghost of the Qin family."
Before she married, she had struggled to survive under her stepmother's care, and it was only due to her aunt's intervention and catching the eye of Second Master Qin that she was able to marry into the Qin family and enjoy several years of prosperity.
Even so, she had maids in her chamber, but this couldn't affect her status as the principal wife. However, if she returned to her maiden family, her stepmother wouldn't welcome her, and her brothers wouldn't care for her. She would have no way out.
Madame Qin snorted heavily, "If that's the case, then settle your mind. You have hands and feet; can't you manage things on your own? If you can earn silver, and you're willing to buy maid servants, that's your skill. But this silver is for the entire household's expenses, especially for attending to your father-in-law's side. You better stop worrying about this little money."
"Yes," Madame Xie timidly lowered her head.
Madame Qin was about to speak again when the granddaughter from the third room, Qin Mingbao, ran in crying, saying her mother wasn't feeling well. Everyone's expression changed drastically.