With Rong Momo taking action, things naturally went smoothly.

Dozens of people from Wutongyuan gathered in the courtyard, taking turns to state their names, what tasks they were doing, who was in charge, and who was responsible for distributing their monthly wages.

Cuiming and Hongye took notes, while Hongye held a roster and compared it with the real people.

Qin Yuan sat in the armchair, silently taking notes of each person, observing their temperament and expression, and judging whether they were useful.

Rong Momo had served the old lady for many years, and with her standing behind Qin Yuan, no one dared to act recklessly.

The housekeeper and Madam Gu were also invited.

Upon learning that Qin Yuan was going to take over Wutong Garden, Madam Gu Liu's face flashed with surprise, but she quickly concealed it.

Gu Jinghui has been going to Fengxuan Pavilion these past two days, as everyone knows. Qin Yuan not only didn't make a fuss, but she also got the support of the old lady.

Madam Gu was somewhat unsure.

Is this new sister-in-law truly a hidden talent, or is she simply gentle and kind, and thus asked the old lady for help?

Madam Gu smiled and handed a booklet to Qin Yuan, saying, "This is the allocation booklet for Third Sister-in-law's courtyard. It records how many people are allocated in the courtyard, which ones have already been allocated, and how many allocations there are. If Third Sister-in-law has any questions, just ask me. The people, finances, and materials in the courtyard are allocated according to the household's usual practices. If Third Sister-in-law wants to add anything, just let me know in advance, and I'll create a list at the accounting office."

Rong Momo glanced at the booklet and asked, "Sixth Madam, who assigned all the people in this courtyard?"

"Most of the arrangements were made by Steward Zhang and me, and the Marquis also reviewed them."

Rong Momo remained silent.

The Marquis doesn't care about the inner quarters at all; what difference does it make whether he goes through the process or not?

But the steward is now the Sixth Madam, and it is only natural that the Sixth Madam would arrange the Marquis's wedding and the Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan said, "Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law. I will keep this booklet and read it slowly. I heard that the Marquis's mansion employs servants who have served in the mansion for generations. I would like to know who the relatives and friends of the people in Wutong Garden are and where they hold positions. Who should I ask for this?"

This is about establishing a hierarchy. If the people in the institute were to check this out, they would quickly know who is capable and who was sent in by outsiders.

Madam Gu paused for a moment before saying, "Perhaps we should ask the steward about this."

Qin Yuan then looked at Steward Zhang.

Steward Zhang said, "I'm afraid some of these old servants don't remember them very clearly either."

Rong Momo chuckled, "It's alright, I'm here for you."

Butler Zhang nodded: "Yes, yes, Granny Rong has always helped the old lady manage the household, and she knows everyone in the mansion very well."

Qin Yuan was overjoyed. She took Rong Mama's hand and said softly, "No wonder Mother asked Rong Mama to help me. With Mama here, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Rong Momo looked smug.

He still had to be modest: "Madam is too kind to this old servant. This old servant doesn't know much, but I've been in this mansion for a long time, so I know a lot."

Madam Gu was about to stop laughing.

The new sister-in-law was not favored by the Marquis, but seemed to have won the favor of the old lady.

If things continue like this, I'm afraid I'll soon be able to establish myself in the mansion.

Madam Gu claimed she had many things to do and left after sitting for a while.

After leaving Wutong Garden, she said to the maid beside her, "I didn't expect my new sister-in-law to be so capable at such a young age. She has won the favor of the old lady and even entrusted Rong Mama with her help."

The maid, knowing her mistress's thoughts, said, "The Marquis has been staying at Fengxuan Pavilion with those two children these past two days. If this continues, they'll drift apart sooner or later. I've been watching closely, and it seems that Madam Zhao is practically glued to the Marquis, ready to come home as soon as the mourning period is over."

Madam Gu curled her lip in disdain and said, "Only the Marquis is a fool who can't see through Madam Zhao's little scheme. It's good that they're like this. Only a turtle could keep the Marquis's wife in check. I don't believe she won't make a scene. Didn't she go to the Old Madam for help today?"

The maidservant smiled and said, "The Marquis will definitely be unhappy if he finds out."

Madam Gu covered her face with a round fan and chuckled, "Isn't that right?"

Under Rong Mama's guidance, Qin Yuan quickly grasped the situation of the Marquis's mansion, but she did not intend to reveal too much. She simply followed Rong Mama's advice and tidied up the Wutong Courtyard.

The old woman guarding the gate and the maids and servants standing guard under the porch were specifically singled out for special treatment.

Those who were not properly served were returned to the steward, and new servants were hired to take care of them.

The person whose application was rejected was utterly humiliated.

Those who remained were each given a reward of one tael of silver.

With rewards and punishments in place, the Lady of the Marquis established her authority.

Qin Yuan asked Rong Momo to stay and talk, and sent someone to the kitchen to get a meal, hoping to invite Rong Momo to dine with her. However, Rong Momo insisted on not agreeing. Qin Yuan also felt that she should not rush things, so she did not insist on keeping her any longer. Instead, she asked Cui Ming to take out some sandalwood and borneol pills that she had prepared herself, put them in a purse, and give them to Rong Momo.

"Granny Rong, this is something I learned to play with when I was at my parents' house. It can calm the mind and is also suitable for burning when chanting Buddhist prayers."

Qin Yuan knew that Rong Momo was a trusted old lady of the Gu family. There was a rule in noble families that the younger generation had to respect the cats and dogs that came out of the elders' rooms. For someone like Rong Momo, no amount of respect was too much.

Rong Momo was a woman of wide experience and knowledge, and she didn't care about ordinary favors. So she simply offered her own specially made incense pills.

It's not worth much, but its unique design makes it a winner.

Sure enough, Rong Momo happily accepted it and said, "Madam has such a refined hobby. This old servant will also let the old madam see it when I get back."

As people get older, they become more irritable and easily agitated, so this is the perfect solution.

Moreover, Madam Gu had placed a Buddhist shrine in the inner room, and she would do her daily prayers and recite scriptures for a while.

Qin Yuan said softly, "It's good that you like it, and it would be even better if the old lady likes it too. I was just worried about not having a way to show my filial piety. I love to tinker with things like incense pills, incense chips, and perfumes when I was at home."

Rong Mama was even happier. She went back and said to Old Madam Gu, "Although the Marquis is young, she is calm and composed, speaks eloquently and is very insightful in managing household affairs. I asked her maids and they said that the Marquis did not learn these things at her maiden home. The Marquis is truly blessed."

Madam Gu was also very happy, and then asked Qiuju to go to Wutong Garden to have Qin Yuan and the Marquis look at the list of return gifts to see if there was anything to add.

As soon as Gu Jinghui stepped into Wutong Garden, he felt that it was different from the past.

The old woman guarding the gate, the maidservants and servants watching the porch all had new faces, and they were all very cautious in their behavior. The servants in the courtyard came and went in a hurry, no longer whispering to each other, and their behavior was lazy.

He remembered his promise to Qin Yuan to accompany her in handing over the affairs of Wutong Garden. He paused and asked Gu Shiliu, "Go and find out what Madam did this afternoon?"

A short while later, Gu Shiliu told him, "Madam went to see the Old Madam. The Old Madam sent Rong Mama to help Madam renovate Wutong Courtyard. Now, Sixth Madam and the steward have handed over the register of Wutong Courtyard to Madam, and some of the servants in the courtyard have also been replaced..."

Gu Jinghui frowned, his handsome face clouded with worry.