When Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden, it was already dusk.
When the maids saw them return, they hurried to the kitchen to serve the meal. They also asked the lady if she wanted hot water, handing her hot towels and serving her tea, showing great attentiveness.
Cui Ming smiled and said, "They're all eyeing the position of first-class maidservant by Madam's side, trying their best to perform well."
Qin Yuan nodded: "Teach them well. If you can train a few useful ones, they will all call you master. Then I can let you become the head of the household."
Hongye asked excitedly, "Really?"
When have I ever lied to you?
“Miss has really stirred up my spirits,” Hongye said, blinking her eyes. “Originally, I only thought about being careful with my words and actions, not causing trouble for you, and just helping you as much as I could. I didn’t dare to think so much.”
"Pfft," Qin Yuan tapped her head and said, "Didn't I ask you to help supervise the tea room? Did you expect me to supervise it for nothing? We've just arrived and don't know anything yet. You should observe, listen, and learn more. If we don't use you in the long run, who will?"
Hongye quickly became familiar with people and had a fiery personality. She had helped her a lot in her previous life, and half of the Prime Minister's mansion was managed by Hongye.
How come she's not fit to be a stewardess in the Marquis's household?
Hongye covered her head and quickly explained, "I thought that no lady of a household could take charge of the household until she was quite old. The Sixth Madam has an advantage over Miss. I don't know when it will be time to determine the order of seniority. I never dared to think that way."
Cui Ming seemed lost in thought.
The maids had already returned with the food boxes and were preparing to set the table when Qin Yuan said, "I'll go check on the Marquis first."
Regardless of what Gu Jinghui thought, her daily care and greetings were indispensable.
Qin Yuan went to the side room, and unsurprisingly, Gu Jinghui went to rest again.
"Has Your Excellency had dinner?"
"I used it."
"What was used?"
"Granny Rong brought over a bowl of lotus seed soup, pickled bamboo shoot porridge from the kitchen, rouge duck breast, and some seasonal vegetables. After the Marquis ate, he told us not to disturb him, as he wanted to rest."
"Remember to arrange the shifts properly, so that the Marquis won't be unable to find anyone to help him when he wakes up in the middle of the night."
“We servants all remember.”
After giving a few more instructions to the maids guarding the door, Qin Yuan went back to wash her hands and have her meal.
Since Lord Gu was not present, Qin Yuan had two maids sit at the table and eat with them.
Looking at the table full of dishes, Hongye said, "There are so many, even two more people couldn't finish them all. It's too extravagant."
Thinking back to her previous life, when the Prime Minister's mansion always served at least twelve dishes for dinner, otherwise Hongye would feel wronged, Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
The overwhelming wealth of the Marquis's mansion left the still very young and inexperienced Hongye at a loss.
However, once people get used to enjoying something, they take it for granted.
"Why don't we set aside some food for Gu Shiliu and the maids guarding outside?" Hongye asked.
"OK."
Cuiming helped to separate the dishes and took them outside to distribute to the maids: "Madam said that you have worked hard these days taking care of the Marquis, so these are some extra dishes for you."
The maids whispered excitedly, "Thank you for the gift, Madam!"
Only high-ranking maids were allowed to eat the leftovers of their masters; most people ate the servants' rations.
It is truly considerate of the master to reward them with untouched food.
Hongye specially set aside a plate of meat dishes, placed it in the food box, and said, "I'll send it to Gu Shiliu later."
Qin Yuan smiled and continued eating without saying a word.
By this time, she was quite hungry.
Madam Gu is probably still busy settling accounts with the stewardesses. You can't blame her; you can only blame Madam Gu for spending too much time earlier.
Hongye had something on her mind, so she quickly ate a few bites and then said she was full. She picked up the food box and went out to find Gu Shiliu.
Cuiming glanced at Hongye, then calmly counted the grains of rice, chewing slowly and carefully.
After a while, Hongye returned with a big smile. The table had been cleaned up, and Qin Yuan slowly leaned against the daybed, holding the old Pu'er tea, enjoying it with a contented expression.
Hongye smiled and said, "Miss, guess what the Marquis did today?"
"What?" Qin Yuan asked lazily.
Before Hongye could speak, she couldn't help but laugh a few times before saying, "The Marquis asked Gu Shiliu to register the Seventh Miss for the Qixi Festival talent competition, which is an embroidery competition. He said that if she doesn't get a ranking, she'll be confined to the manor to learn embroidery from now on."
Cuiming paused for a moment, then said, "The old lady made the seventh young lady learn needlework for three months, and the seventh young lady almost cried the Great Wall down. The Marquis is making the seventh young lady participate in a talent competition, isn't that..."
"Haha, that's right!" Hongye laughed uncontrollably and said, "The old lady said that the mandarin ducks embroidered by the seventh young lady don't even look like wild ducks."
"Everyone who participates in the Qixi Festival talent competition is a master of their craft. Last year, the young lady who won first place in embroidery was even accepted as a disciple by Huifeng Niang, the master of Suzhou embroidery."
"Gu Shiliu said that the Seventh Miss was so angry that she cried and was clamoring to go to the Old Madam to complain, but she couldn't even leave the courtyard. The Old Madam has exempted her from paying her respects these days."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Cuiming asked, "Is that all Gu Shiliu told you?"
Hongye then realized and said, "Oh no, I was so busy laughing that I forgot everything else."
Qin Yuan chuckled.
Gu Shiliu was also a clever little devil; he even managed to fool Hongye.
Hongye added: "It's alright, he can run away but he can't hide. I'll find another opportunity to ask him."
After saying that, she mysteriously leaned closer to Qin Yuan and whispered, "Miss, I think the Marquis is avenging you. Otherwise, how could he have come up with this idea? Gu Shiliu said that the Marquis used to spoil the Seventh Miss, giving her whatever she wanted. This is the first time he has punished her like this."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
