"Princess, this courtyard is really big, much better than the house we used to live in," Xicha couldn't help but say, feeling happy. Even the old women at the gate of the west courtyard no longer spoke coldly to them as before, and the people in the kitchen no longer dared to give her a hard time.

Lanqin smiled gently. The three of them, mistress and servants, had just moved from the west courtyard to the south courtyard, bringing only bedding, clothes, the Fourth Master's reward, and Lanqin's private savings. They hadn't touched anything else, as the Master had said that everything was provided here.

Judging from the expressions of the two maids, the Fourth Prince's reward this time has truly attracted a lot of attention.

"Go and unpack the things we moved from the west courtyard, and put that screen in my bedroom," Lanqin said to the two maids.

This was a proper courtyard house, much larger than the small one she lived in at Lingzhu's house. It was surrounded by pink walls and drooping willows. Inside was a three-bay gatehouse with hanging flower latticework, and covered walkways on all four sides. Paths connected throughout the courtyard, where two large vats held lotus flowers and red carp. Osmanthus trees grew around the courtyard, and potted clivia and bird-of-paradise plants were displayed throughout the corridors. The entire courtyard was a riot of color, exquisitely beautiful.

Looking at the main room, the floors were all made of rosewood. A set of blue-and-white porcelain teacups sat on a peachwood table. A long table in the room held an incense burner, its fragrance still lingering. To the left, on a rosewood shelf, sat a large Guan kiln plate, filled with dozens of delicate, bright yellow Buddha's Hand citrons. To the right, on a lacquered shelf, hung a white jade chime stone, beside which hung a small hammer and a large grandfather clock. On the west wall, in the center, hung a large painting, "Rainy Landscape," by Mi Fu. Although Lan Qin wasn't an expert on antiques, she was a doctoral student in history, and seeing all these wonderful things filled her with excitement!

She entered the bedroom and saw pink gauze curtains fluttering in the breeze. There was a yellow pear wood bed with lingzhi patterns, and a golden incense burner on a shelf beside it, with acacia incense burning brightly. On the dressing table were pinkish-yellow rouge, a wooden comb, a jewelry box, and a bright bronze mirror.

Nianxue was slowly placing the personal gifts given to her by Anjia into various places. Meanwhile, Xicha was placing her clothes one by one into a yellow pearwood chest.

Lanqin left the bedroom and went to another room on the other side of the main house. This should be the study. In the center of the room was a large rosewood and marble table, on which were various calligraphy works by famous people, two precious inkstones, and pens in various pen holders arranged like a forest. On the other side of the table was a large Ru kiln flower vase, filled with a vase full of white chrysanthemums in crystal balls.

"Master, the head nanny is here!" Nianxue called from outside.

Lanqin put down her brush and went to the main room. There she saw the head nanny with two maids, an old woman, and a eunuch. Upon seeing Lanqin, they immediately curtsied and called out, "Greetings to Princess Niu!"

"Grandma, get up quickly!" Lanqin gave her a helping hand, and then Nianxue helped her sit on the warm couch in the middle of the room.

"Xi Cha, serve tea to the matron." Lan Qin said to Xi Cha, who was standing to the side.

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Highness. This old servant will stand. It is the rule in this household that a servant should not sit in front of his master," said the head nanny.

Lanqin smiled slightly. She said this only to curry favor with the head nanny, since this old woman was in charge of distributing the monthly wages of all the mistresses and maids. Who wouldn't be polite to the person distributing the money?

"Princess, I have been ordered by the Fujin to bring you two maids, a nanny, and a eunuch. From now on, they will be working in your courtyard. Please name the maids, the nanny's surname is Wang, and the eunuch's name is Li Shubao," the head nanny reported.

"Come here, let me take a look." Lanqin saw that the two little girls looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old, and felt a pang of pity. In the 21st century, these were minors! It felt a little guilty to be ordering these minors around! But the original owner of this body was only thirteen years old when she transmigrated, and she'd already been... well, you know, by the twenty-six-year-old Fourth Master. People in ancient times really did start their education early!

The two maids were both quite pretty: one had round eyes and a full mouth, suggesting a straightforward personality; the other had delicate eyebrows, narrow eyes, a pointed nose, and a refined air, indicating she was likely not from an ordinary family. It was said that many of the slaves from the Imperial Clan Court were children of officials whose property had been confiscated after being punished. Alas, their misfortune had brought them such hardship; they were destined for high office, yet now they were reduced to slavery.

"Your name will be Huanbi, and the other one will be Ziran," Lanqin said to the girl with big eyes first.

"Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, Princess!" The two maids were quick to respond and immediately bowed deeply to Lanqin.

"Princess, this servant has finished his task. If you have no further instructions, this servant will take his leave now," said the head nanny.

"Nianxue, see the head maid out for me," Lanqin said as she stood up. Nianxue had already taken a purse and stuffed it into her sleeve.

The head nanny lowered her head, took a few steps back, then turned and walked out of the main house. Nianxue immediately followed her.

"Granny, this is a small token of our princess's appreciation. Please take it and buy some tea." As they approached the courtyard gate, Nianxue took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to the head nanny.

The head nanny glanced at her and then took the purse—another five taels. This Lady Niu was truly generous; even with the Fujin (principal wife), she had never received such a large purse. As the saying goes, "He who takes money must do his bidding." Currently, Lady Niu seemed to be enjoying great favor, and was humble and generous, not appearing to be sharp-tongued or meddlesome. Being the master's favorite, she was naturally happy to help her out.

"Miss, let me remind your princess that the servants sent by the Imperial Clan Court are quite cunning. Tell her to be careful," the head nanny said.

"Thank you for your advice, Granny Xie." Nian Xue bowed slightly, and then saw the head nanny turn and leave.

Nianxue walked back, and before she went in, she saw that the first-class platoon of people who had just been assigned to the task had all knelt down, and Lanqin was sitting on the couch giving instructions.

"Now that you've come and become servants, you should dutifully do what servants are supposed to do. I don't like making things difficult for people, nor do I like unruly servants. If you do things well, I will naturally value you more. But if anyone tries to cheat or shirk their duties here, I will not tolerate it," Lanqin said gently, maintaining her composure.

"This servant dares not, but will do her best to serve Your Highness well," the group replied in unison.

Nianxue was startled. She thought that Gege was still a child at heart and a bit confused, but she was never confused when it came to important matters.

"Get up, all of you. Zi Ran and Huan Bi, you two will follow Nian Xue and Xi Cha, and they will assign you tasks. Granny Wang, you are responsible for collecting the gates of the small courtyard and the gifts and invitations that come and go, and report to me at a fixed time every day. Uncle Li, you are in charge of taking care of all the flowers and trees in the courtyard and other miscellaneous matters. Nian Xue and Xi Cha entered the mansion with me, and from now on they are the first-class maids in this south courtyard, serving me in the inner room. Everyone else must follow their orders," Lan Qin added.

Everyone bowed and replied in unison, "Yes."