Shen Wan had no idea how Shen Ying could say such a thing. Shen Ying was the most unruly and willful person in the Marquis's mansion, yet she knew how to tell others to follow the rules.

Shen Ying spoke without batting an eye, and Shen Rong chimed in, "Elder sister, you shouldn't make things difficult for Mother Cheng. Uncle has a large army at his disposal. If he were to send spies into the mansion, it would cause endless trouble. It's better to be cautious."

Shen Wan laughed. Did they really think she knew nothing? "Mama Cheng is just teaching the maids manners. Since when did investigating spies become Mama Cheng's responsibility?"

The slave trader standing nearby couldn't help but say, "Ladies, rest assured, the maids I brought into the manor for selection are all of impeccable character and can withstand scrutiny. They are definitely not spies. I dare to guarantee it with my own head."

Shen Rong glared angrily at the slave trader, but she didn't speak, so no one thought she was mute!

Shen Rong said, "All the maids who enter the inner courtyard must first learn the rules. Today, Madam Cheng must be lenient. In case these maids break the family rules one day, Madam Cheng will be implicated and punished."

They really know how to be considerate. They're so afraid of her slipping out of their control that they're trying to coerce and entice everyone around her into becoming their own people.

If she, the legitimate daughter of a marquis, can't even personally teach a few maids, what kind of status does she have in this household?

Shen Wan said, "Third Sister, you don't need to worry about that. The maids I personally trained, if they really break the family rules, it's because I didn't manage them properly, and I will ask for punishment myself. I won't implicate anyone else."

Shen Rong snorted and said, "You won't say that then."

Shen Wan's anger was about to burst out, and she sneered, "So you think that I, who am about to marry into the Ling Prince's Mansion and become the mistress of the mansion, can't even manage a few maids, and am not as good as a head housekeeper?!"

Her voice suddenly turned sharp. Shen Rong had never seen Shen Wan so angry before, and she was a little frightened, not knowing how to refute her.

Shen Ying looked at Shen Wan, puzzled, and asked, "Why does eldest sister insist on disciplining these maids herself? She's so stubborn that she's willing to argue with us."

Who exactly started the dispute? It's truly a case of someone turning the tables and blaming others.

Shen Wan glanced at her indifferently, "Why do you insist that Mother Cheng reprimand my maid? Perhaps our purposes are exactly the opposite."

Shen Ying's face stiffened. Feeling seen through, she instantly retorted angrily, "What purpose could we possibly have? We're just upholding the Marquis's family rules!"

"That's right, big sister, why judge a gentleman by your own petty standards!"

The two of them, working in unison, were determined to oppose Shen Wan to the very end.

Just as they were about to start arguing—no, they had already started—Manager Li rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing that the slave trader and his maid were still there, he couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache.

Sisters from the same household arguing in front of outsiders—isn't that just making us a laughingstock?

Manager Li came over and asked, "What happened?"

Steward Li asked about Yinshuang, who replied, "The young lady has chosen six maids, intending to personally train them, but the second and third young ladies say this is against the rules and insist that the young lady hand them over to Mama Cheng to manage..."

"Does Steward Li have any way to satisfy both sides?"

How could Steward Li become Shen Jing's confidant and rise to the position of chief steward of the Marquis's mansion without knowing the intricacies of the situation?

He was one of Shen Jing's men, so naturally he was more inclined towards Shen Wan. If it weren't for the fear that these maids would be bribed, why would the eldest young lady bother to personally discipline them? The second branch of the family was overreaching; they were trying to extend their reach into the Ling Prince's mansion.

Steward Li said, "Let's all compromise. The eldest young lady can take the maids back to Qinglan Garden, and Mama Cheng can go to Qinglan Garden to teach these maids manners."

Shen Wan had no objection to this arrangement. If Cheng Mama could train her maids to be loyal to the second branch of the family right under her nose in Qinglan Garden, she wouldn't need to worry about guarding against them anymore. She might as well just buy a block of tofu and smash her head against it.

Shen Wan had no objections, but Shen Ying and Shen Rong were dissatisfied. However, they couldn't say anything more, since it was all about teaching etiquette. There was no difference between teaching in the front courtyard and teaching in Qinglan Garden. Their request had already been met, and if they kept harping on it, they would really be suspected of having ulterior motives.

As Shen Wan was about to leave with her maid, a servant came over with two bright red invitations in his hand and said, "Second Miss, Third Miss, the Changshan Prince's Mansion has sent you invitations to attend the Peony Banquet in a few days."

Shen Ying and Shen Rong were in a bad mood because they couldn't force Shen Wan to leave her maid in the front yard, but when they saw the invitation handed over by the servant, they immediately smiled.

Shen Wan frowned slightly. Just as she feared, the Changshan Prince's Mansion refused to send her an invitation because of her "illness".

Just as she was wondering how to get the invitation, Shen Ying asked, "Why didn't the Prince of Changshan's Mansion send an invitation to my elder sister?"

Shen Rong said, "Eldest sister is sick, so why would the Changshan Prince's Mansion invite her? Many young ladies from prominent families and young masters from noble families will attend the peony banquet. What if the illness is passed on to someone else?"

Having just been at a disadvantage, the sisters will definitely spare no effort if they have the chance to regain their footing.

Shen Wan wasn't angry at all; she would definitely attend the peony banquet at the Changshan Prince's Mansion.

Seeing that her punches seemed to hit a ball of cotton, Shen Rong felt bored and said to Shen Ying, "I've already worn all my jewelry. Let's go shopping and buy some jewelry to wear at the peony banquet."

This suggestion was exactly what Shen Ying wanted to hear.

On the day of the peony banquet, there will be many young ladies from prominent families, young gentlemen from wealthy households, and noblewomen. Everyone will dress up carefully, not wanting to be outdone by others.

Shen Ying instructed her maid, "Have someone prepare a carriage."

The maidservant quickly went to take care of this matter.

Shen Ying and Shen Rong walked towards the main gate of the Marquis's mansion, chatting and laughing.

Just as I took a step up the stairs, a cold voice came from behind me, "Stop!"

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