Yan Xiao chose these two maids mainly because they were strong and sturdy, the kind of girls with large frames, who had more presence than those seemingly weak and frail little girls, and were much more impressive to take out.

Of course, that's her opinion; those who weren't chosen had a different thought.

It seemed that this lady had deliberately chosen two of the least attractive women to be by her side, probably because she was afraid of being outshone.

After all, they had all heard that this lady wasn't very good-looking.

Judging from the current situation, those of them who are good-looking will probably never be able to get close to the general again.

That's bad enough, but he might have to endure a lot of torment from his wife in the future.

Thinking about all this, they couldn't help but start to worry about their future.

Yan Xiao was unaware of their thoughts and didn't care.

She turned to look at Shen Qiyue and noticed that she had chosen two maids who looked the youngest.

This made her want to laugh, and she really wanted to ask the little girl whether she was looking for a maid or a playmate.

However, since it was the little girl's own choice, she had no intention of interfering. After all, they were in the General's Mansion now, and the little girl would have Shen Muzhi to protect her in the future, so it was not her place to worry about her.

Compared to Shen Qiyue, she is more concerned about her own future.

Following Yan Xiao's example, Shen Qiyue gave her maids new names: one was called Wanzi (meatball) and the other Tangdou (candy bean), both names reflecting Shen Qiyue's favorite foods.

The two maids were given this name, and it was hard to know what they thought. Anyway, Yanxiao was happy for them, as it was better than being called braised pork.

After selecting their personal maids, Steward Zhang assigned two clever errand boys to each of them, and then led Yan Xiao and Shen Qiyue to their future residence.

Along the way, Yan Xiao carefully examined the structure of the general's mansion and discovered a row of houses in the alley to the left of the main gate.

When asked about the purpose of those rooms, Steward Zhang said they were used by the former prefect for his guards.

At that time, Jiangbei was not peaceful, and the prefect was from a large and wealthy family, so he naturally had many guards.

With Shen Muzhi in charge of Jiangbei City, the city is quite safe, so there aren't many guards in the General's Mansion. Currently, there are only three rooms, which have been given to the gatekeeper and guards, while the others are temporarily empty.

Yan Xiao understood what was going on after hearing this, and turned to Zhao Qian, saying:

"Have someone vacate two rooms in that place for me later, tidy them up, and after lunch tomorrow, please have Manager Ma come there for treatment. From now on, that place will be renamed Yuanyitang."

"After tomorrow, open a small door between those two rooms, leading directly outside the mansion. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yan Xiao had made it so clear, and considering what she said on the street, how could Zhao Qian not understand?

But it was precisely because he understood all this that his expression was so complicated, and in a moment of madness, he said something inappropriate:

"Madam, are you planning to open a clinic in the General's mansion? You are the wife of a general! It's not appropriate to show your face in public like this. Will the general agree?"

Yanxiao doesn't like to waste time talking to people, and she doesn't want to explain her behavior to people who don't need to.

She turned around and looked directly at Zhao Qian through her cap, which made Zhao Qian feel a bit of pressure.

Zhao Qian could clearly tell that this pressure had nothing to do with Yan Xiao's identity, but rather came from Yan Xiao's own aura.

This startled him. He was a proper military guard who had seen blood. How could Yan Xiao, a woman from the countryside, put such pressure on him?

Just when he was about to succumb to the pressure, Yan Xiao finally spoke.

"Did your general send you to follow me to obey my orders and assist me, or to watch over me and prevent me from embarrassing him?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian immediately thought of Liu Ce's fate and panicked. He quickly knelt down, bowed his head, and said in a terrified voice:

"Yes, it was my overstepping of authority. Please forgive me, Madam."

It's generally friendly to treat someone who knows how to be pragmatic with a smile. Seeing that he didn't seem to be putting on an act, I gestured for him to get up.

But not a single word of criticism was omitted:

"I don't like being questioned. From now on, whatever I ask you to do, just do it."

As for whether your general will have any objections to my behavior, that's a matter between my husband and me. Remember your place and mind your own business.

If you feel there's no future following me, or if you can't stand my actions, you can go to your general and complain, ask to resign, and let him replace you with someone willing to come. Don't force yourself."

"No, I wouldn't dare."

Zhao Qian's back was almost soaked with sweat, and he had already cursed himself countless times for his sharp tongue.

Yan Xiao snorted coldly and didn't make things difficult for him any further.

"I won't argue with you this time. Just do as I say."

"yes!"

The other servants were all silent and trembling, their first impression of Yan Xiao already formed in their minds.

That means they're not to be trifled with, you can't afford to mess with them, you have to be careful.

Some of the servants who had been bullied by Granny Li and her daughter, or who disliked them, began to secretly gloat.

With the arrival of such a lady in the mansion, those two who had become arrogant and conceited because of a little favor were probably doomed.

Yan Xiao was unaware of the ulterior motives these people were plotting. She had already been led to her future residence.

Butler Zhang pointed to the courtyard in front of them and the houses inside, explaining:

"Madam, this is your and the General's main courtyard. Miss's courtyard is next door, separated by only a wall. Your things have all been packed and ready."

Madam and Miss, please check if there's anything lacking, and I'll make sure to address it promptly.

Yan Xiao's expression froze for a moment upon hearing this.

She glanced at the courtyard in front of her, then without a second thought, pulled Chen Qiyue along and walked towards the neighboring courtyard.

“The feng shui of this courtyard is bad; it’s bad luck for me! I’ll stay with July for a while first.”

"Huh? Wind, feng shui?"

Butler Zhang felt that he might be getting old, otherwise why would he suddenly have the idea of ​​retiring and returning to his hometown?

He watched helplessly as Yan Xiao entered the courtyard prepared for Shen Qiyue.

Then, she watched helplessly as the newly made "Eternal Life" was moved to Shen Qiyue's courtyard, directing people to carry the things prepared for Yanxiao. She didn't dare to say a single word of advice.

Zhao Qian, who was also in the same boat, patted him on the shoulder with sympathy, feeling a sense of brotherhood in adversity.

"It's alright, Madam can stay wherever she wants, as long as she's happy. I have to go and do some work for Madam now, and I also need to report to the General later, so please excuse me. Take care."

Butler Zhang watched Zhao Qian leave with tears in his eyes, feeling an unusual heaviness in the places where Zhao Qian had patted him.

He glanced at the courtyard he had prepared for Shen Qiyue with a look of utter despair, sighed, and left with heavy steps.

He had to go and do his errands. The madam had given an order that Granny Li was not to leave the house until she recovered, and that she should eat coarse grain porridge to recuperate. He had to go and relay the order.

To put it bluntly, this is essentially a house arrest plus a partial fast. Who knows what kind of trouble this Granny Li will cause?

Thinking of this, his steps became heavier, and even his back hunched over.