Life at the Marquis of Yong’an’s residence turned out to be much quieter than Qin Rongxi had expected. At least during the few days he had been visiting, Concubine Su had not caused any trouble.
As for the other residents of the mansion, Zhi Xin had gathered quite a bit of information.
“The Marquis spends most of his time at the government office. Recently, he has rarely returned home, and when he does, he’s busy with work in his study. Concubine Su is in charge of the household’s provisions, and it’s said that she’s been overwhelmed with tasks every day. As for the second young lady, it’s said she went with the Matriach to the Jinyang Temple on the outskirts of the capital to pray. She’ll stay there for ten days or half a month before returning. As for Concubine Xiu, she’s been taking care of the young master in her own courtyard and usually doesn’t leave the courtyard.”
As for the other concubines and secondary wives, they were all busy vying for attention in front of Wen Congyan, and had yet to make any moves toward the uncertain future of the eldest daughter, Wen Ninghan.
The servants were also observing the situation. Since the Marquis and Concubine Su hadn’t expressed any opinions, it seemed like they were treating the eldest daughter as if she didn’t exist. On the surface, everything appeared to be calm and peaceful.
Concubine Su’s reaction was still within Wen Ninghan’s expectations. She figured Concubine Su was probably still troubled by financial matters.
The dowry left by her mother, with so many assets, had generated substantial returns over the past decade. If all of it were to be taken away, not only would it hurt Concubine Su, but it would also greatly shake the foundations of the entire Wen household.
When Qin Rongxi reluctantly prepared to leave, Wen Ninghan specifically reminded him, “Seventh brother, this is the capital. In the future, don’t casually call me ‘Xiao Jiu'”
The Qin family had always referred to her as “Jiǔniáng” (Ninth Lady), with eight older brothers ahead of her. Although she had never been formally included in the Qin family genealogy, they treated her as one of their own.
But the name “Master Han Jiū” was bound to spread. If even Concubine Su, who was confined within the depths of the estate, had heard of it, the people in the capital would eventually know as well.
Furthermore, the identity of Master Han Jiū did not conceal its connection to the Qin family. Wen Ninghan worried that Qin Rongxi’s constant reference to “Xiao Jiu” might lead to unnecessary speculation and rumors.
The world was always full of clever people.
Qin Rongxi waved his hand. “I know, I know.”
Although Qin Rongxi always found Wen Ninghan’s hidden identity to be a hassle, generally speaking, he had no objections to her decisions and methods.
Even if he complained a little, when it came to action, he moved faster than anyone else.
As for Qingtuan, there were still many matters to report to Wen Ninghan: “After some time of visits and investigation, regarding the properties under the Madam’s dowry—such as the shops, houses, and estates—some have been lost or mortgaged, but most of them are still generating decent profits.”
The properties that the old master had given his precious daughter as a dowry were all in prime locations, and the stewards in charge were capable individuals.
However, the one who took over all of this—Su Yiniang, or rather Wen Congyan—didn’t have much aptitude for managing such matters.
Over the past ten years, there have been significant losses. Had the original profit model been followed, things wouldn’t have turned out so dismal.
Qingtuan felt she had been quite tactful in her words, but the full picture could only be understood by reviewing the detailed accounts.
“Additionally, the other properties under the young lady’s name have mostly been sorted out. The stewards are all ready and waiting to meet with the young miss.”
Wen Ninghan nodded slightly. “There’s no rush. I still need to apply some pressure on that Su Yiniang at the manor. As for the matters outside, we’ll wait until there’s progress from Seventh Brother. As for the shop affairs, you can take care of them for now. I’ll leave it to you.”
“It’s no trouble for me, miss.”
The two continued their conversation with ease. Meanwhile, in a secluded small room not far away, a narrow window slammed shut in frustration.
“Hmph!” Cun Xin huffed angrily, throwing herself onto the bed. The sudden movement startled Qi Feng, who had been resting.
“What are you making such a noise for? You scared me! If I didn’t know better, I’d think an earthquake just happened!”
Hearing this, Cun Xin became even more frustrated,
“You’re still able to sleep? If you keep resting, there’s going to be no place left for us in this courtyard!”
Qifeng chuckled, “No place for you? Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”
Cun Xin: “…” She didn’t want to stay in this hopeless courtyard, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be pushed to the sidelines and leave with nothing accomplished.
If she left like this, what future would she have in the Marquis’ residence?
At least Su Yuniang would never use her again.
But Qifeng was different. She had come on her own initiative.
When Su Yiniang selected people for the eldest miss’s courtyard, she assumed a fallen young lady’s residence held no future. Aside from those Su Yiniang had strategically placed, few were willing to come.
Qifeng came from a poor background and had no family. Selling herself into servitude was a stroke of luck, as she ended up as a low-ranking maid in the Marquis’ residence.
She was naturally strong and had a hearty appetite, but despite her heavy workload, the food provided was barely enough. She often went hungry.
It was actually the old woman who stoked the fire in the kitchen who advised Qifeng, telling her this was an opportunity to try her luck. To her surprise, the eldest miss didn’t despise her and even gave her a beautiful name.
Qifeng felt that coming to the eldest miss’s courtyard was a stroke of good fortune. There wasn’t much work to do, and she could eat her fill. In a place like this, she wouldn’t want to leave, no matter who came.
Therefore, she didn’t quite understand why Cun Xin seemed so aggressive every day. Oh, well, she did understand. Qi Feng and the others naturally knew that Cun Xin was sent by Su Yiniang to get close to the eldest miss, gather information about her, and, ideally, gain some control over her.
Qi Feng didn’t know what tricks Cun Xin had up her sleeve. She only knew that the eldest miss seemed to be quite capable. Following the eldest miss was a good thing. Anyone who could keep her well-fed was the best.
Cunxin was still grumbling under her breath when Ju Hong, who was trimming her nails by the small table nearby, sneered and said, “What’s the point of telling her all that? All she knows is eating all day long. What else could she possibly understand?”
Cunxin, already feeling irritated, heard Ju Hong’s comment and didn’t care whether she was friend or foe. She snapped back immediately, “You have the nerve to talk about others? What about yourself? Besides painting your face and dressing seductively to flirt around, what else can you even do?”
Ju Hong burst out laughing. “Oh, I see what this is about—you’re jealous of me!” She picked up a mirror and admired her delicate, lotus-like face with satisfaction. “After all, even if I gave you these cosmetics, you wouldn’t know how to use them!”
Cunxin: Argh! So infuriating!
“Just you wait! You’ll see! Sooner or later, there won’t be a place for any of us in this courtyard!”
Hearing Cunxin’s words, Qifeng panicked instantly. She had just resolved to spend her whole life in this courtyard—how could there suddenly be no place for her?
Cunxin continued muttering, “Don’t be fooled by how the eldest miss returned on the first day with only a little maid by her side, riding in a simple canopy cart that even servants use, and barely bringing any luggage. No one from the Qin family even accompanied her, except for a young master. But haven’t you noticed these past few days? The jade pendant on that young master’s waist, just look at its quality. That’s not something you could buy, no matter how much money you have. And the tea the eldest miss drinks, it’s brewed by that little maid herself. But the aroma, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. It’s richer and more fragrant than the tea in Lord’s courtyard!”
To be honest, they really hadn’t noticed any of this.
If it had been food, or other fragrant powders and accessories, Qifeng or Ju Hong might have been able to distinguish them, but when it came to jade pendants and tea leaves, they simply had no experience.
Cunxin, on the other hand, was ambitious and had done a lot of research in this area. Her observations these past few days had really revealed quite a few things.
“And then there’s that one called Qingtuan. She doesn’t look simple at all. With these two by the eldest miss’s side, where would we have a place?”
Although the Marquis’s household had four senior maids, and they might be close to the mistress and highly regarded by her, only one or two of them were truly valued.
The eldest miss already had two trusted, familiar, and seemingly capable maidservants by her side. What chance would they have to get close?
Cunxin felt that she had taken on an incredibly troublesome task for herself this time.
Qifeng let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected to be able to get close to the eldest miss, and being treated as a senior maid was already an unexpected blessing.
It was purely because Madam Su couldn’t find a suitable person and had picked her to fill the position. At least she had proper features, and looked the part.
Even if she couldn’t be a senior maid, being a low-ranking servant in this courtyard was still pretty good. At least she’d get enough to eat, though it was a pity she wouldn’t receive the same monthly salary as the senior maids.
“The courtyard is so small, yet the eldest miss arranges so many people, and in the end, none of us are of much use. Look at us, we’re supposed to be senior maids, but we’re packed into this room like cleaning maids. Over there, the younger maids and low-ranking servants are crammed together, too. Only the two nannys have slightly bigger rooms, but in any other courtyard, this wouldn’t be considered acceptable!”
Cunxin continued, fuming, “I think the eldest miss just wants to compete with the second miss. That’s why she insists on having so many servants, but doesn’t bother to switch to a bigger courtyard. There’s barely enough space to even turn around!”
Not only did Cunxin feel cramped, even Ju Hong and Musi thought the courtyard was a bit too small.
Moreover, there wasn’t much work to do around the eldest miss. Most of the time, they were idle, with nowhere to go. They’d either sit in the room, or, like Musi, do some needlework, or, like Ju Hong, dab on cosmetics. Life had suddenly become much easier, but they found themselves feeling rather out of place.
“I can’t stand this. I need to find an opportunity. If I can’t make a name for myself in this courtyard, I’ll have to come up with another plan. What about you guys? Are you with me?”
Qifeng immediately shook her head. “No, no, I’m fine the way I am right now.”
She genuinely believed that no matter where she went, it wouldn’t be as comfortable as here.
Mù Sī didn’t say anything, and Cunxin turned to Ju Hong. “What about you? Are you really content just wasting away here?”
Ju Hong forced a smile and said, “Even if I’m not content, what can I do? If I try to stand out, Madam Su would turn around and sell me off in a heartbeat!”
Unlike the others, Ju Hong was essentially “sent” to this courtyard by Madam Su. She was beautiful and had a proud demeanor. Originally, she served by the matriach’s side, where she had frequent opportunities to interact with the marquis. However, Madam Su believed her intentions were not pure, and after several attempts to target her, she found a fault that caused Ju Hong to lose favor with the old madam.
With the second miss also speaking ill of her in front of the matriach, when the matriach went to Jinyang Temple to offer incense this time, she didn’t take Ju Hong along.
Madam Su seized the opportunity and sent her to the eldest miss’s courtyard, as if she wanted to keep her as far away from the marquis as possible.
Little did she know, Ju Hong wasn’t at all interested in the marquis. She had saved up money for years, planning to use it to redeem herself, open a shop, and find a good man to marry as a legitimate wife. Why would she want to be a lowly concubine?
Madam Su had become a concubine herself and thought everyone else would be satisfied with such a position.
Leaving aside everything else, after spending a few days here, Ju Hong genuinely felt that the eldest miss’s courtyard was a perfect place to stay out of the limelight. After all, the monthly allowance was quite decent, and it didn’t interfere with her saving money.
“I advise you to keep quiet too. The eldest miss’s matters are not as simple as you think.”
Ju Hong, with her sharp eye for people, believed that the eldest miss was no ordinary person!
