From that time on, Qin Shuying would leave the residence every few days.
Though Xu Shi was furious, she knew it wasn’t yet time to explode, so she could only endure it. Every day she had to pretend to be a virtuous and magnanimous aunt.
Qin Shuying was no longer submissive and obedient. Instead, she became composed and generous, with proper conduct and measured words. Qin Yunyun tried several times to find fault with her but couldn’t find any opening, leaving her grinding her teeth in frustration yet helpless.
On this day.
“Sister Hong Juan, it’s snowing outside!”
Lan Chou entered with a cheerful smile, carrying a brazier. Her face showed barely suppressed excitement, though she kept her voice very low—Miss was reading in the study and couldn’t tolerate noise.
“Come in quickly, don’t let the cold wind in.” Hong Juan said, patting the snow off Lan Chou’s robe before going to arrange the curtain. Ziteng had already heard the sounds outside and came around from behind the screen, took the brazier, and carried it inside.
“Sister Hong Juan, Miss is so amazing—she gets up before dawn every day to read!” Lan Chou whispered to Hong Juan, rubbing her hands together.
“Is ‘Miss’ something you should be calling her casually? What did Nanny Fu instruct?” Hong Juan’s expression grew stern.
Lan Chou immediately became obedient, saying, “Sister Hong Juan, I was wrong. Nanny Fu said that any matter concerning Miss must not be spoken carelessly, nor can it be randomly told to others. Dear sister, I remember now—I’ll never do this again.”
“Remember not to bring trouble to Miss.”
Lan Chou was so anxious that tears nearly came out. She said earnestly, “Yes, sister! I’ll go to Nanny Fu later to accept punishment voluntarily.”
“You don’t need to be too upset. You know in your heart how Miss treats you. Control your mouth, and you control your life. How are your studies progressing?” Hong Juan’s tone gradually softened as she and Lan Chou walked to the outer room.
“I’ve learned simple calculations too. Now I just need to learn more about keeping accounts from Nanny Mi.”
“Really? Then I won’t delay your time. Go on—if you’re late, Nanny Mi will be going out.”
Lan Chou left obediently. Hong Juan looked up at the vast white world and sighed softly. Qin Shuying managed the courtyard very strictly. Nanny Fu and Hong Juan were responsible for supervising and educating the maids. The current Yilan Garden was much stricter than the former Spring Garden. Hong Juan was steady, Lu Ye was adaptable, Ziteng was calm, and Zhihua and the others all followed rules properly. Only Lan Chou had a lively disposition, but she ultimately didn’t serve inside the house.
In Yilan Garden, there was no room for naive people. Therefore, during this period, Lan Chou received the most corrections. But she had risen from a rough maid to a second-class maid, and Miss even had her learn bookkeeping. Having received the most favor from Miss, she bore no resentment despite the punishments, only hoping she would become mature soon.
In the study.
Qin Shuying put down her brush and silently recited several times, carefully memorizing what she had just read. Now she no longer read poetry and songs, mainly studying medical texts and history books. Fortunately, among Qin Yongzhou’s belongings were quite a few such books, even including court gazettes and geographical records.
When Qin Yongzhou was in the south near the coast, he knew much about overseas matters, even having foreign geographical records and strange tales. She not only read them herself but also had Ziteng read them. Though Ziteng found it strange, she still studied alongside Qin Shuying, becoming more amazed and absorbed the more she learned.
As a maid, how could Ziteng have the qualification to read such books? But Miss let her read them—this trust absolutely exceeded anyone else’s. Though Lan Chou also learned bookkeeping, bookkeeping and reading history books and court gazettes were completely different concepts. History books and court gazettes were things only men could read…
Though she didn’t understand, Ziteng read seriously. Sometimes Qin Shuying would raise questions and discuss them with her.
Hong Juan reminded from outside: “Miss, it’s time to pay respects to Old Madam.”
Soon after, Qin Shuying came out, putting on the clothes Lu Ye had already prepared. Followed by Hong Juan, Lu Ye, and two young maids, she headed to Xuan Hall. Snow had fallen all night. Though not particularly heavy, it continued to flutter down from evening until now. The entire garden was dressed in silver, with snow piled everywhere, making Qin Shuying’s pretty face appear even more like ice and snow—serene as a dream.
The group of five walked along the path, hearing only the “crunch” of snow underfoot, not a single voice speaking. Qin Shuying walked steadily without showing any breathlessness. Along the way, her face gradually reddened, making her appear even more beautiful than delicate flowers, extraordinarily enchanting.
Hong Juan was secretly amazed—just how many things was Miss still hiding from everyone? Now, only Ziteng and Nanny Fu could enter Miss’s study. Even she, the personal head maid, couldn’t enter. Though Miss trusted her, she wouldn’t rely on her heavily yet—she still needed to prove herself to earn Miss’s trust.
That foolish maid Hui Qin—did she think she would be fine? She should think about it: she had offended Miss and failed to accomplish what Madam had assigned her. Would she have good consequences? Now she was in the laundry room, still hoping her mother could help her regain Xu Shi’s favor. Even if Hui Qin’s mother was Xu Shi’s dowry maid, she might not return to the good days of the past.
Still under the eaves, Qin Shuying heard Qin Yunyun’s laughter: “…Great-grandmother, Sixth Sister is so filial. This hand warmer is both delicate and warm—perfect for winter!”
Old Madam indeed smiled: “Sixth girl is thoughtful.”
Xiang Qin lifted the curtain. Qin Shuying entered and immediately saw the copper hand warmer in Old Madam’s hands. The style was elegant, the patterns intricate, the entire warmer hand-forged with hammers—it wouldn’t hurt hands, and the lid fit very tightly. Though she only looked without touching, Qin Shuying knew this type of hand warmer was very clever. Though the charcoal fire inside burned vigorously, touching it wouldn’t burn your hands—the heat was the same as when the charcoal wasn’t hot.
Truly quite remarkable!
Seeing Qin Shuying enter, Qin Yunyun’s smile froze for a moment, but then she raised her sweet smile again and greeted: “Seventh Sister.”
Dignified, generous, yet lively and pretty—truly a rare girl, worthy of being a legitimate daughter of a distinguished family.
Qin Shuying sighed softly and said: “Great-grandmother, you fear cold and have leg pain every winter. Shuying has a clumsy method, but now seeing Sixth Sister has such a wonderful thing, Shuying’s small token of filial respect can’t be presented.”
Qin Yunyun felt pleased. This brass hand warmer was something Xu Shi had worked hard to find. At most, Qin Shuying would have something similar—she naturally wouldn’t have anything better.
She smiled: “Seventh Sister, as long as it’s your filial heart, no matter what, Great-grandmother will be pleased. Great-grandmother, don’t you agree?”
Old Madam nodded.
Now Qin Shuying was very well-behaved and sensible, coming to pay respects on time, following rules properly, neither talking too much nor creating awkward silence. She got along extremely well with her sisters, and when facing Xu Shi again, she was respectful and proper without any impropriety.
The Women’s Precepts and Women’s Instructions she was made to copy had neat, powerful handwriting with rounded, dignified brushstrokes that left no room for criticism. She had also made Old Madam a pair of shoes. Though the technique wasn’t necessarily exquisite, they excelled in even, fine stitching, and when worn, they fit perfectly and comfortably.
According to Nanny Gu, Qin Shuying had consolidated the shops Qin Yongzhou left behind, personally visiting the shops multiple times. Now the business was conducted steadily—insufficient in expansion but adequate in preservation, which was quite enough.
Judging character through actions, Old Madam was satisfied. This girl had some cleverness, could see situations clearly, and knew how to restrain herself timely. Young ladies should be steady and wise—this didn’t waste her own painstaking efforts.