Chapter 79 She and Lin Shiyuan had a natural distance between them.

Qingling chuckled and poked Taoye's forehead: "You're so clever."

Immediately, her smile faded, a cold, mocking smirk playing on her lips: "Then guess who I met on this trip?"

Tao Ye didn't know, and shook her head in confusion, but she knew it must be someone who was bad for her mistress.

Qingling then briefly explained Zhou Zhining's situation. Taoye was indeed furious, clenching her fists and saying fiercely, "How can someone like her still be alive! It's simply...it's simply..."

She couldn't think of any vicious words, so she could only say bitterly, "God must be blind, why didn't he strike her dead with lightning!"

She paused, then let out another sarcastic laugh, "Our former son-in-law gave up his future to help her, and in the end, he went to a place full of hardships to atone for her sins; while she herself found a wealthy family to hide in. I don't know what kind of bewitching magic she used to make men give their hearts and souls to her..."

Tao Ye grumbled on, but Qing Ling no longer held such a deep grudge.

Now that she has broken free from Zhan Xingzhuo, if she clings to the gains and losses of the past, she will never escape his shadow; she left the Duke's mansion for a better future.

Yao Qingling also told Tao Ye that Lin Shiyuan knew about her secret with Que'er Mountain, including the relationship between Lin Qiao and Lin Shiyuan.

Tao Ye's eyes widened: "Huh? Siblings?"

"But apart from having the same surname, these two people don't look alike at all."

Taoye tried hard to recall what the two people looked like.

Lin Qiao is still young, and her features haven't fully developed yet, but no matter how you imagine it, you can't tell that Lin Qiao will grow up to be a great beauty.

But General Lin, with his captivatingly handsome face, truly wielded his spear and sword to slay the enemy on the battlefield, not merely using his face to bewitch them.

Yao Qingling glared at her. Was that the point?

Tao Ye scratched her head sheepishly, then suddenly remembered something and gasped, "So, Miss, you gave that little maid Lin Qiao twenty taels a month because you already guessed that she had a relationship with General Lin... You're doing this to make friends?"

Qingling nodded.

Sort of; but not entirely.

She had already started planning when she decided to divorce him; it was impossible for her to leave the Duke's mansion unprepared.

In truth, she didn't know what help a general who was still in prison and barely able to protect himself could offer her.

Both being from military families, they naturally shared a mutual appreciation.

Lin Qiao was just a young girl, and twenty taels was not an unaffordable sum for Yao Qingling, so she kept it for her.

But this incident made Yao Qingling feel that this good relationship had been formed quite well.

She added, "However, just because Lin Shiyuan knows our secret doesn't mean he's one of us."

Peach Leaf blinked, not quite understanding.

Aren't people who can share secrets considered to be one of our own?

"But Lin Qiao, she is—"

Qingling shook her head: "Let me finish."

She took a deep breath, organized her thoughts, and said, "Lin Shiyuan is, after all, a general. Even though he has been relieved of his post, he has military experience and his heart is with the court."

"But I'm making a deal with a bunch of bandits..."

Although Yao Qingling was talking about changing the identities of those bandits and leading them onto the right path, at this moment she seemed more like a bandit leader.

There was a natural distance between her and Lin Shiyuan.

The emperor's decision not to kill Lin Shiyuan could be attributed to several reasons, including the fact that the court officials and gentry had not been able to win the battle against public opinion.

Yao Qingling didn't speculate at the moment. Her current situation was not comfortable, and she could live a carefree life. Without the Duke's mansion as her backer, she needed to be more vigilant and protect herself.

"...I'm telling you this so that you know that if I'm in danger in the future and you can't find anyone to help me, you can ask him for help. Of course, only as a last resort."

Qingling has Lin Qiao on his side; for his sister's sake, he will definitely help her.

After being enlightened, Taoye understood.

She nodded and said solemnly, "Okay, Miss, I've got it."

After finishing her important business, Yao Qingling rubbed her forehead, leaned to the side to find a more comfortable position, and relaxed. She then instructed, "Go and gather everyone in the courtyard."

Taoye understood what she meant and went out to call for help. Soon, the people stood neatly in the middle of the courtyard.

Qingling walked out and stood on the steps, her gaze sweeping over the people in the courtyard.

The face beneath the lantern was dignified and composed, exuding an aura of authority that inspired awe.

Yao Qingling spoke: "When you voluntarily came to the Marquis's residence with me, it was because you wanted to acknowledge me as your master. I know everything you did for me tonight. You all deserve a reward—"

Although everyone kept their heads down, they couldn't help but show joy on their faces.

Then Qingling continued, "I hope you will always remember today's reward. In our Mulan Academy, everyone is of one mind. If I'm doing well, you'll all benefit too. But remember, anyone who does something against me for a little personal gain, or harms the interests of others…"

Qing Ling swept her gaze over the crowd again, her voice low but cold and icy, "Don't test how merciful I am."

As soon as she finished speaking, the servants held their breath, no longer daring to have any ulterior motives.

In the few days since arriving at the Marquis's residence, people from other courtyards have been trying to strike up conversations and curry favor, bringing small gifts. The servants, being newcomers and not yet fully aware of the situation, naturally only recognized Yao Qingling as their master and dared not say much.

However, with so many people in the Marquis's residence, over time, these people became familiar with the people in other courtyards, and inevitably became complacent and succumbed to the temptation of personal gain.

Yao Qingling seized the opportunity today to teach them a lesson, clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments.

After she finished speaking, she instructed Taoye to distribute the reward money, and then called Louyue, Xiachan, Shuyin, and Baomei into the house.

After asking a few questions, Lou Yue and Xia Chan were promoted to second-class maids, while Shu Yin and Bao Mei were promoted to third-class maids.

In the new mansion, there was a nanny named Zhu who used to manage these maids, but now Qing Lingsheng has promoted her to the position of head nanny.

After expressing their gratitude one by one, they went out.

In fact, Qingling had been observing these people for some time, and the current structure of Mulan Academy was basically set.

After finishing, Qingling was exhausted and could not hold on for much longer. She quickly rinsed her mouth and washed her face before resting.

She fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Once you have a baby, it's easy to become tired, lazy, and sleepy.

Yao Qingling slept for a long time. Tao Ye didn't wake her up in the morning, wanting her to sleep until she woke up naturally.

I slept until noon.

Tao Ye led Lou Yue and Xia Chan in to serve, her face full of resentment: "The old lady returned to the manor today, and they didn't say a word. The Lady of the Marquis took all the women in the manor to pick her up, leaving us in the manor, even Miss Cousin went."

"They all rushed to show their filial piety, accusing the young lady of being unfilial."

The old lady that Tao Ye mentioned was Yao Qingling's grandmother.

She suffers from asthma and is getting old. Last winter was particularly cold, so the Marquis of Zhongyong sent her to a hot spring resort to spend the winter. It wasn't until the weather warmed up that he brought her back.

Yao Qingling calmly washed her face and rinsed her mouth, then sat at the dressing table while the maids combed her hair and applied makeup.

Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Qingling asked casually, "What would you like to have for lunch?"

“Miss, are you still thinking about eating? They’ll definitely gossip about us to the old lady. Why don’t we hurry up and take the carriage? We might run into them on the way.”

Qingling glanced at Taoye: "When I have no appetite, you feed me; when I want to eat, you let me go hungry?"

Peach Leaf: "I—"

She puffed out her cheeks, unable to speak, and in her anxiety, she amused Lou Yue and Xia Chan behind her.

Qingling stood up, poked Taoye's chubby cheeks, and said with a smile, "The food in the kitchen is definitely prepared for the old lady. We'll have to wait for her to come back before we can eat. Let's not wait any longer and go out to a restaurant to eat."

The girls all opened their eyes wide.

Not going out to greet the old lady is already a sin, let alone going out to eat?

How serious is it to be labeled as disrespectful and unfilial!