After they had paid their respects, the old lady felt uncomfortable with them around, so she sent them back.

Madam Han thought that Shi Lan had gone to the palace not long after entering the mansion, and worried that she might not know the way, so she asked Liu Mama to take her there.

As Liu Mama led her and her servant through the streets, they had just crossed a small wooden bridge when they saw Lüyu approaching with two maids.

Upon seeing Shi Lan, Lü Yu was somewhat excited and rushed over in a few strides. Just as she was about to greet him, she heard Madam Ruan shout sternly, "What's all this fuss about? Such a lack of manners!"

Startled by the drink, Green Jade stopped in her tracks, her eyes filled with bewilderment at the situation.

Shi Lan knew that Ruan Mama was new to the area and was trying to establish her authority. Out of trust in the Imperial Concubine, she did not move, but simply looked at Lü Yu and the others with a faint gaze.

Madam Ruan glanced critically at the three people who were kneeling and stiff, her hair styled in a smooth single bun. She raised her head slightly and said with a hint of sarcasm, "I remember when the Marquis's mansion first opened, Her Majesty sent Lady Wang to teach etiquette. Lady Wang was very intolerant of any dissent back then, but I didn't expect her to enjoy a leisurely life after coming to the Marquis's mansion."

As soon as Madam Ruan finished speaking, cold sweat broke out on Lüyu's forehead. She quickly knelt down on the cold, icy bluestone slab, her eyes red, and said, "Mother, please don't be angry. I was so eager to see you, my lady, that I forgot all about etiquette in my haste. Please forgive me, my lady."

Over the years, she had been serving the old lady. In Shou'an Hall, apart from Bao Ping and Zhu Yun who served Pan Jinyue, she was the most favored. Over the years, she had become accustomed to comfort and had unconsciously forgotten some of the rules. Now, hearing Ruan Mama's words, which were both soft and hard, neither yin nor yang, she felt a chill down her spine. The pain that had once made her turn purple and swollen seemed to slowly rise up again.

Shi Lan coldly observed that she was indeed showing fear. Thinking back to that time, although she hadn't truly given her all her heart, she had at least tried to persuade her gently because she was worried that she would suffer if she went against Pan Jinyue. So she glanced at Ruan Mama.

Madam Ruan wasn't here to cause trouble. Having spent many years in the palace, she was adept at judging situations.

When the Imperial Concubine asked her to come along, she made it clear that she was to help Shi Lan keep an eye on her and protect her, so that no one in the mansion would bully her.

Green Jade is Shi Lan's head maid. Now that she has softened her stance, Shi Lan will naturally give in after a few gentle reminders. Of course, this also shows that Green Jade is sensible and knows when to be firm and when to soften.

"Fine, I'll remember this one. If you do it again, you'll be punished for both offenses. Don't blame me for sending you to Ms. Wang for re-education then."

Green Jade quickly lowered her eyes and stood up, saying "Yes."

Madam Ruan glared at the two maids behind her and said, "You are the same."

The two maids were so frightened that their faces turned ashen. When they stood up, they were already unsteady on their feet. They said "yes" in trembling voices and then quickly shrank behind Lüyu, not daring to show their faces again.

Only then did Madam Ruan nod in satisfaction and help Shi Lan into Fangyan Courtyard.

The maid in the courtyard was unaware of what had happened outside, but seeing that the people who came out all had red eyes and pale faces, she sensed something was wrong and quickly lifted the curtain to respectfully welcome Shi Lan into the room.

The curtain slowly fell, and the maids surrounded the two people standing by the door, presumably to find out what was going on.

Inside the room, Shi Lan walked slowly past the tables and other items that were neatly arranged. She glanced at the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall. Although she didn't know if they were ancient books, they were quite good paintings in terms of their artistic conception.

Madam Ruan, who served the Imperial Concubine, had a sharper eye than Shi Lan. After only a couple of glances, she said, "This painting is a masterpiece by Mr. Xiaoxiao. It has not been seen often since the Emperor's Southern Tour."

Shi Lan blinked, not knowing who she was talking about. Madam Ruan had only mentioned it briefly, and in her opinion, such ink marks were nothing special. The things that the Imperial Concubine brought back for Shi Lan were what she had packed and boxed, and each piece in there was ten or a hundred times more expensive than this.

Madam Ruan then accompanied Shi Lan to the side room and the inner room. Seeing that the decorations were grand and elegant, and that the windows and walls were decorated with festive paper-cut window decorations, she nodded and said that the First Madam had put a lot of thought into it.

Shi Lan looked around and was satisfied.

Green Jade brought over the washing utensils and came to her side, whispering, "My lady, let me help you wash up."

Madam Ruan gave her a stern look, and seeing her lowered eyebrows and respectful demeanor, she nodded in satisfaction, took a handkerchief, soaked it, and gently began to wash and groom Shi Lan.

After dinner, Shi Lan was a little tired, so she sent Lvyu and the others back to rest.

Green Jade was already used to Shi Lan not needing anyone to serve her when she slept, and upon hearing the order, she would retreat towards the door.

After everyone had left, Madam Ruan glanced at them and said softly, "My lady, it's getting cold today. If you don't leave someone to keep watch at night, there won't be anyone to serve you if you wake up in the middle of the night and want a drink of water."

Shi Lan remained silent. Ever since she went to Fengzao Palace, she had been accompanied by palace maids. She hadn't been able to find an opportunity to stretch her body. Now that she was back in her courtyard, she naturally wanted to get rid of everyone and quickly pick up the body-refining technique that she had abandoned for two months.

Seeing that Shi Lan didn't say anything, Madam Ruan smiled and said, "If you don't like them, then you can leave the little one here. I don't need much sleep at my age, a little nap will be enough."

Shi Lan was lifting the brocade quilt when she turned around and saw that Madam Ruan was putting a mattress on the footstool.

Shi Lan quickly threw off the blanket, helped her up, and said, "Mom, please don't do this. Aunt asked you to come here to teach me manners. How can I sleep soundly if you're like this?"

Mother Ruan repeatedly said it was nothing, her fingers stubbornly gripping a corner of the mattress, not daring to pull hard for fear of hurting Shi Lan.

Shi Lan knew that there was a rule in the palace to keep watch at night, and those of them who had served in the palace their whole lives were used to it. Since Mama Ruan was so stubborn, even if she managed to persuade her today, she would have to do it again tomorrow. So she simply stopped arguing with her and told her to find a maid to keep watch at night.

Upon hearing this, Madam Ruan let go, smiled, and turned to go out to call for help.

A moment later, Lvyu lifted the curtain and came in to help Shilan get into bed. She then covered Shilan with the brocade quilt and dimmed the candles.

Shi Lan blinked and waited for her to lie down on the footstool before saying, "Did you feel wronged when Madam Ruan scolded you today?"

Green Jade bit her lip and gently shook her head, saying, "Mother Ruan is right to teach me a lesson. I am not wronged."

Shi Lan looked at the gilded incense ball hanging from the bed curtains, smelled the delicate fragrance wafting around her nose, and said softly, "It's good that you're not wronged. You are my head maid, and Mama Ruan is the foster mother my aunt gave me. From now on, the two of you will be my most capable servants. I hope you two can get along well, guard this courtyard firmly, and keep out anything that shouldn't come in."

Green Jade was startled by Shi Lan's pointed remark and broke out in a cold sweat. She wanted to ask him a question, but she didn't dare. Just then, Shi Lan fell silent after saying that sentence.

Listening to the long, drawn-out breathing coming from the bed, Green Jade hugged the blanket, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep again. (To be continued.)