“Oh, I’d like some tea,” said Zhao Niangzi.

Zihe said, "This servant will order someone to prepare it right away."

Hearing the order, the maidservant outside hurriedly came in to change the tea. Madam Zhao asked, "Is your father feeling any better?"

Zihe said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam Zhao. I feel much better after eating the ginseng that the old lady gave me."

Zhao Niangzi, trying to make conversation, asked, "You came back today?"

Zihe replied, "Yes."

"What a coincidence, the white sparrow left and you arrived."

Zihe said, "Yes, I just had a brief encounter with Bai Que."

The two fell silent again.

At first, Zhao Niangzi frequently invited Gu Jinghui to Fengxuan Pavilion and told everyone that she was the mother of the Marquis's two children. Zihe assumed that she was a border person who grew up in the north and did not understand the customs of the Central Plains, and advised her several times.

Zhao Niangzi was displeased, but since she had just entered the Marquis's mansion, she couldn't show it. Later, she realized that Bai Que also had feelings for the Marquis, so she focused on winning her over. Gradually, the two of them squeezed Zi He out.

After Zihe left, everyone in Fengxuan Pavilion sided with her.

At this critical juncture, Bai Que left, and the unpleasant Zi He arrived, still a second-class maidservant serving the old lady. Zhao Niangzi couldn't help but have some concerns.

As lunchtime approached, Zhao Niangzi asked Zihe, "Are Brother Cheng and Sister Yu still in the main room?"

Zihe said, "Yes, just now the old lady sent someone to deliver a message saying that Madam Zhao is currently ill and in poor health. She has been working hard these past two days, so the two children will stay in the main room so that Madam Zhao can rest and recuperate. She also asked us not to disturb Madam Zhao's recovery."

"They're already favored by the old lady, so it's good for them to stay here a little longer," said the two old women who were helping Zhao Niangzi take care of the children. They had come all the way from the northern frontier and were eager for Zhao Niangzi to enter the Marquis's mansion and become a person of high status, so they could also benefit from it.

Zhao Niangzi nodded.

For the sake of the two children, the old lady wouldn't be willing to let her go.

The two old women's words that the old lady liked twins made Zhao Niangzi feel more at ease, so she said, "They are having their meal with the old lady in the main room, so let's also have our meal here. You've all been working hard these past two days. Since the young master isn't here, we won't stand on ceremony, so let's eat together."

The two old women thanked her profusely and said many flattering things to please Zhao Niangzi.

Zihe lowered her eyes, concealing the sarcasm in them.

Before she arrived, she had been instructed by Rong Momo to keep a close eye on Zhao Niangzi.

It's likely that the old lady discovered Zhao Niangzi's various improprieties and had her keep an eye on her to prevent trouble.

If it weren't for the fact that Bai Que's parents had a lot of influence and that his ancestors had made great contributions in battle alongside his grandfather, he would have been beaten and kicked out long ago. Instead, these people are still dreaming of rising to power.

Having learned from her previous experience, Zihe remained silent, merely observing Zhao Niangzi's actions with a cold eye.

...

Inside the Wutong Garden.

Rong Momo had already told the stories of several head maids. When she mentioned Mama Lu, she sighed, "That old hag is a strange person. She cares about her reputation but doesn't know how to adapt to the times. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become the head maid of the sewing room at such an old age."

Qin Yuan pushed the plate of snacks on the table toward Rong Mama, gesturing for her to have something to eat.

Rong Momo waved her hand and said, "No need, this old servant has to go back to the main room later. The old lady has left the two children with her, and they need someone to take care of them."

Qin Yuan asked, "Mother really likes those twins, the boy and the girl?"

As soon as she entered the mansion, the Sixth Madam told her that the Old Madam was very fond of the twins born to Zhao Niangzi and often kept them by her side.

Rong Momo smiled and said, "Twins of different kinds are rare, who wouldn't want them? The old lady said that the Marquis has no children. These two children accompanied the Marquis in the northern frontier for several years. They are also the children of a benefactor, so naturally we should treat them well."

Hongye couldn't help but interject.

"These two children don't like to greet people, and they also look bigger than other children their age."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan glanced at Hongye.

Hongye originally wanted to say a few more words to the two children, but she immediately stopped talking.

Rong Momo smiled and explained, "They are still quite popular with the old lady. As people get older, they all like children. I have heard Sixth Master complain in private that those two children are very fierce. Sixth Master's two younger children can't win against them and often cry and complain to him."

Qin Yuan steered the conversation back to the topic, asking, "What makes Lu's mother's family different from others?"

Rong Momo said, "Madam Lu's husband followed the old Marquis to the battlefield and is now lame in one leg, so he can't do any heavy work. Her son also served under the Marquis, but he's not good with words and only knows how to exert himself. Logically speaking, the manor should be more lenient with her because of her husband and son. But she always likes to act like she's old and is easily provoked by a few words, which has caused trouble before."

Qin Yuan understood; this meant that Mother Lu was not up to the task.

It seems we should consult Lord Gu about Madam Lu's matter.

She understood the principle of "raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one day." If you want people to fight and exert themselves, you have to treat their families well.

Qin Yuan then said to Rong Mama, "This Mama Lu is indeed a troublemaker. I've only been in charge of them for a few days. I told them to reconcile the accounts with the Sixth Madam, and I would take care of the rest. Mama Lu said she had reconciled the accounts, but Cui Ming found that there were errors in the accounts. Not only that, she was the first to ask for money to make purchases. When asked a few questions, she couldn't answer anything."

Rong Momo's expression turned rather unpleasant.

"This old man just likes to act tough because of his age. He's learned his lesson the hard way, but he still can't change."

Qin Yuan said, "Fortunately, I heard what Rong Mama said, and I have a general idea in mind. I'm afraid I'll have to wait for the Marquis to return and discuss it with him."

Rong Momo nodded, "What Madam says is quite right."

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