After Ziteng left, Qin Shuying’s eyes felt somewhat sore. She leaned her back against the chair and closed her eyes.

Xu Shi, very good…

Nanny Fu came in from outside. With her sharp eyes, she noticed that the calligraphy on a paper on the desk was different from usual and exclaimed in amazement, “This was written by Ziteng? Though this old servant doesn’t understand such things, I know it’s well written.”

Qin Shuying said, “Nanny is correct. Among these girls, Ziteng has read the most books. From now on, she’ll manage the study, art studio, and music room.”

Thus, the division of labor among the three head maids was established: Ziteng would handle music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; Hong Juan would manage clothes and jewelry; Lu Ye would oversee meals and sleep arrangements. Hong Juan and Lu Ye would also help Nanny Fu manage the storerooms. Additionally, Qin Shuying had Nanny Fu arrange for Lan Chou to go to the shops to learn bookkeeping—she was clever and learned quickly. In the future, Lan Chou could also help with her business.

The day after Xu Shi’s confinement was lifted, she went to the main house to pay respects to the old madam. The old madam’s expression remained as usual—neither cold nor particularly warm. Zou Shi readily handed over the household management rights to Xu Shi. After all, Xu Shi had a daughter who was an imperial consort, so no matter how much the old madam disliked her, she had to consider Imperial Concubine Lianpin’s dignity in the palace.

When Qin Shuying saw Xu Shi, she remained polite and courteous, giving no one any fault to find, as if the Qin Shuying who had been like an unsheathed blade at the previous banquet was merely a shadow. Xu Shi was also as affectionately warm as usual, as if no conflicts had ever occurred.

This continued for several days, with everything remaining peaceful and quiet.

The shops were repainted and refreshed. Following Mi Luo’s suggestions, they rearranged display cases and other fixtures and restocked with much new merchandise. The newly recruited personnel were all receiving pre-opening training under the Mi Luo couple’s arrangements.

Qin Shuying left everything to Mi Luo because Mi Luo’s business acumen was Qin Yaoyao’s business acumen—her methods basically aligned with her own thoughts and plans. After Mi Luo settled on designs, Qin Shuying only needed to add supplementary details. Though Mi Luo had some doubts about this, since Qin Shuying had bought her entire family, she was grateful and wholeheartedly made arrangements for her.

Training and instructing new personnel was experience Qin Yaoyao had originally learned.

Currently, Shopkeeper Jin managed the rice store and medicinal materials, while Shopkeeper Du managed the fabric store and brown sugar business. Shopkeeper Jin was honest in his dealings—if speaking of business savvy, he was far inferior, but he excelled in reliability and loyalty.

Qin Shuying felt at ease having Shopkeeper Du manage the fabric store and brown sugar business, though he would be busier. Fortunately, Mi Luo was there to assist.

From halting business to recruiting personnel, during this period when dozens of people needed to be dismissed, some with ill intentions tried to disrupt Qin Shuying’s plans. Qin Shuying gave Mi Luo complete authority—whoever Mi Luo dealt with, Qin Shuying had no objections.

Others, instigated by Xu Shi’s people, came to the Qin manor to cause trouble. Qin Shuying simply appealed to Qin Yongtao, tearfully saying, “Your niece wishes to borrow uncle’s calling card to go to the government office and request officials to arrest these unruly citizens!”

An unmarried young lady wanting to personally go to the government office to file complaints?

While secretly cursing Xu Shi for acting too hastily, Qin Yongtao took the opportunity to lecture Qin Shuying: “Shuying, you are a boudoir maiden—how can you stoop to the level of outside ruffians and scoundrels? Requesting what officials? Wouldn’t that make people laugh themselves silly! If word spreads, how could your deceased parents rest in peace?”

Qin Shuying sneered inwardly. Had Qin Yongtao’s hypocritical facade been exposed so quickly? She couldn’t believe that Qin Yongtao, cunning as a fox, didn’t know how heavy these words were for a boudoir maiden, yet he still said them—clearly wanting Qin Shuying to retreat in shame.

Qin Shuying raised her head, full of innocence: “Your niece understands uncle’s meaning. Uncle fears people will gossip about me—uncle intends to personally step forward and help your niece deal with those scoundrels and ruffians! Shuying thanks uncle here!”

Before Qin Yongtao could stop her, Qin Shuying had already knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times, then rose agilely: “Since Shuying’s parents died early, I’ll depend on uncle from now on!”

Qin Yongtao found himself unable to refuse or not refuse. He later gave Xu Shi a severe scolding, leaving her furious but helpless. Previously, she had taught Qin Yaoyao to observe feminine virtues and put the Qin manor first. Reputation and family honor were like heaven to Qin Yaoyao, so even knowing about Qin Feifei’s affair with Lu Changxuan, Qin Yaoyao could only choose to cover up the disgrace.

But now Qin Shuying had actually used this as a pretext to outmaneuver Qin Yongtao in one move.

After all, she was already engaged, so Xu Shi still had to consider Qin Yunyun and Imperial Concubine Lianpin’s reputation. Like a mouse hitting a jade vase—who would suffer? While harboring resentment, she began preparing what Nanny Liu had suggested, determined to ensure this little wretch would never rise again!

Hearing that the troublemakers had been dealt with, Qin Shuying didn’t even lift an eyelid. Now she was barefoot and unafraid of those wearing shoes—it was time for Xu Shi to have multiple concerns.

The Lu family currently had four large shops plus several smaller ones. Their real economic source lay in these four large shops: a grain and rice store, fabric store, medicinal materials, and brown sugar business, all serving middle-class customers. Combined, these four shops generated annual income of twenty thousand taels of silver, serving as the Lu manor’s economic pillar and the security Qin Yaoyao had obtained for the Lu manor through countless efforts.

Qin Shuying held the account books, examining them line by line, her lips curving slightly.

Lu Changxuan, Qin Yaoyao’s corpse isn’t even cold, Feng’er died with unrest, yet you’re already marrying a new wife and adding a precious son—how impatient you are!

“Miss, everything is prepared.”

Nanny Fu lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Qin Shuying in a light red dress like a red lotus among endless green leaves, her eyes brightened and the wrinkles at her eye corners crinkled with smiles. The young miss was no longer sickly and was blooming with youthful grace. Then Nanny Fu’s heart darkened—Madam Liu had also been present at the last incident, wondering what she thought of it.

Hong Juan draped a cloak over Qin Shuying and carefully fastened it. Ziteng took the veiled hat and waited quietly.

This was Qin Shuying’s first time leaving the manor since her rebirth.

The current dynasty’s social customs were somewhat more open than the previous dynasty, particularly in attitudes toward women, allowing them to appear in public and engage in commerce. That said, in a society ranking scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, those from noble and prominent families ultimately looked down on such women, so truly secluded maidens would never personally appear in public to participate in such activities.

Although Qin Yaoyao had earned countless silver taels for the Lu family, she was ultimately still despised by Lu Changxuan.

For common people, women going out alone was no longer considered a major issue. But for noble families, secluded maidens were still caged birds, rarely getting opportunities to go out alone. However, if family elders agreed, occasional outings were permissible.

Therefore, Qin Shuying had been waiting—waiting until Qin Yunyun had gone out once and Qin Lulu had gone out once before making this request. Xu Shi agreed to it—she had no choice but to agree.

Qin Shuying brought many people: Nanny Fu, Hong Juan, Ziteng, Lan Chou, several little maids, four bodyguards—a procession of over ten people grandly departed the Qin manor. She wanted to personally inspect the shops.

“Madam, Seventh Miss has boarded the carriage,” Jin Huan reported to Xu Shi.

Xu Shi slammed the table, making the teacup jump. That little wretch! She really thought herself important!

Today is Monday, happy at work. Sharing a thought: You’re unwilling to degenerate, yet you don’t strive for progress.