"Replying to Madam, it's just a habit." Yin Qingyi roughly understood why the Madam kept her around. Even as a mere concubine, Li Shi was already so arrogant; if she were made a secondary consort, wouldn't she be even more unruly? Therefore, the Madam was eager to find someone to share Li Shi's favor. There were only a few women in the household, and none of them were as favored as Li Shi. Finally, Geng Shi entered the household, but she was merely a plain-looking girl, incomparable to Li Shi. Fortunately, another woman had entered, whose beauty was no less than Li Shi's, perhaps even surpassing her. The Madam would definitely not let this opportunity slip by.
"That's good. Of all the women in this household, I think you are the most obedient and the one I like the most. Come visit me often and keep me company," the Fujin said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Yin Qingyi knew that the Fujin was trying to win her over. Although she was reluctant to rely on the Fujin, given the Fujin's deep and cunning nature, she knew that she might be dealing with a tiger if she wasn't careful. However, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
"If you don't find me bothersome, I will naturally come often." Yin Qingyi smiled slightly, her face showing joy.
"My sister is beautiful and has a sweet tongue, how could I be annoyed? By the way, how are those servants you've been assigned? If you're not satisfied, just say so, and we'll replace them." The Fujin was quite pleased with Yin Qingyi's tact. Although she was wary of Yin Qingyi's appearance, Yin Qingyi had no children, so she wasn't as threatening as Li Shi. As for whether Yin Shi would have children after gaining favor, hmph, children aren't something you can just have whenever you want!
"The people assigned by the Princess Consort are naturally good." In fact, Yin Qingyi had been secretly observing these three people for the past month, and so far they all seemed to be doing well. She hadn't noticed any of them being cunning or having ulterior motives.
"As long as you find them useful, that's fine. These three were sent by the Imperial Household Department. Although they haven't served the masters before, I imagine they're capable of handling such matters without any problems," the Fujin said meaningfully.
Yin Qingyi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. Did this mean that these three people had no involvement with the other women in the backyard?
"It's getting late, you should go back now." Seeing Yin Qingyi's expression, the Fujin knew that Yin Qingyi understood her reminder, and she was satisfied.
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave." Yin Qingyi bowed obediently and left. As soon as she went out, she saw Geng Shi. Yin Qingyi couldn't help but pause, only to see Geng Shi glare at her fiercely.
After Geng came out, she took a few steps and saw that Yin Qingyi hadn't come out yet. She knew that the Fujin must have something to say to her. She was jealous. Yin Qingyi was prettier than her, so the Fujin had kept her behind for a talk. The content was nothing more than wanting Yin Qingyi to align herself with the main wife and promising Yin Qingyi benefits. What were the benefits? Naturally, the master! How could she not be jealous? After seeing Yin Qingyi come out, she couldn't hold back her anger and glared at Yin Qingyi before leaving with a gloomy face.
"..." Yin Qingyi watched Geng Shi leave, feeling somewhat speechless. She didn't know how Geng Shi, with her personality, could live to be over ninety years old. Impulsive, easily angered, and naive, such a person shouldn't even live three episodes.
"Princess, isn't this Princess Geng too arrogant?" Chunlan naturally saw the way Madam Geng glared at her princess and frowned unhappily.
"Ignore her. Besides, as a servant, you shouldn't speak to your master like that. Don't do it again." Shaking her head, Yin Qingyi knew that Geng Shi was definitely hostile towards her, but it didn't matter. It would be strange if a group of women didn't have hostility towards one man.
"Yes, this servant has overstepped her bounds." Chunlan knew that if what she had just said were overheard, it would definitely cause trouble for her mistress. She felt annoyed, realizing that she had been too careless.
"Let's go back." Yin Qingyi didn't say much. After spending a month together, she understood the personalities of Chunlan, Qiuju, and Xiaojinzi. Chunlan was lively, Qiuju was steady, and Xiaojinzi was clever and quick-witted, very good at gathering information. She already trusted these three quite a bit, and the words the Fujin had just said indicated that there was no one else behind them, so she felt even more at ease using them. As for the Fujin lying to her? That was unlikely.
Upon returning to Luoxue Pavilion, Yin Qingyi summoned all three of them to her side.
"You don't need to be nervous. I called you here just to ask if you've been settling in well at Luoxue Pavilion this past month. If any of you want to change jobs, just say so, and I'll talk to Granny Li and arrange a change for you." After saying this, Yin Qingyi picked up her tea and slowly took a sip, without looking at the three of them.
"Since we have been assigned to the princess, we are her people. Please, princess, don't send us away!" The three of them were so frightened that they immediately knelt down, thinking that Yin Qingyi disliked them and wanted to replace them.
"Since you have chosen to stay, then I will make this clear from the outset: if you betray me in the future, although I am only a princess, I still have the right to punish one or two servants. Of course, if you do your job well, I will not treat you unfairly." Seeing the three of them like this, Yin Qingyi was satisfied, but there were still some things she needed to clarify first.
"This servant is absolutely loyal to Your Highness. If you ever do anything disloyal to me, may I die a horrible death!" Qiuju declared first.
“This servant does too!” Chunlan followed closely behind.
"Princess, your servant Xiao Jinzi is at your beck and call!" Xiao Jinzi had his own agenda and didn't say anything definitively. Eunuchs were different from palace maids; their entire lives were spent serving others in this mansion. Of course, he also wanted others to call him "brother" or "grandfather," instead of him bowing and scraping to them. However, if the princess gained favor, that day would come for him too; with the princess's beauty, it shouldn't be difficult.
Yin Qingyi could naturally understand what the three were saying. Chunlan and Qiuju had expressed their loyalty, and as for Xiao Jinzi, well, it was normal for a eunuch to have some ulterior motives. She would just have to see what he did next. As long as he didn't betray his master, she would be fine with it. It was a good thing to have ambitions to climb the social ladder, and she had them too.
After the three left, Yin Qingyi leaned against the couch and closed her eyes. She thought to herself that this Fujin (principal wife) was quite shrewd. Her methods of winning her over were not offensive. On the contrary, if it were someone else, they would probably be grateful to the Fujin. However, as someone with a God's-eye view, Yin Qingyi knew that the Fujin was not a magnanimous person. She could use her now, but when she was no longer useful, the Fujin probably wouldn't even look at her.
That evening, Xiao Jinzi brought news that Fourth Master had gone to Li's courtyard. Yin Qingyi was not surprised. Fourth Master valued children very much, after all, he had too few offspring. Moreover, Fourth Master was now somewhat sincere towards Li, so he would naturally give Li face.
While Yin Qingyi remained calm, Geng Shi did not share the same composure.
"What did you say?" Madam Geng glared at the maid who came to report.
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