After Nanny Fu finished speaking, she stood respectfully to one side. Qin Shuying took a sip of tea and said, “As long as you perform well, I will reward you. The manor has its regular stipends, and on top of those stipends, I’ll add an extra three hundred wen per person each month.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene immediately showed both joy and anger. Those who were happy were the newly purchased group of people; those who were angry were the ones about to leave their positions.

Three hundred wen—that was the monthly stipend of a third-class maid! Second-class maids only received eight hundred wen in silver, and first-class maids only got one tael of silver!

Having just been lectured by Nanny Fu, no one dared whisper to each other, only using glances to convey their surprise and regret.

They had been so disrespectful to Seventh Miss before, yet she hadn’t punished them but had returned their indenture contracts to the First Madam, showing that Seventh Miss was magnanimous. Now that Seventh Miss had silver in her hands, she was being so generous. How could they have been so foolish as to think of seeking other patrons?

At this moment, they forgot their original reasons for wanting to leave Qin Shuying.

Hui Qin sneered coldly and rolled her eyes. Like grasshoppers after autumn—how many days could they keep jumping around?

Qin Shuying took in Hui Qin’s expression completely.

The old people left, and the new people took their positions.

The next day, Yilan Garden began a new day, bustling yet orderly.

Yilan Garden wasn’t far from the old madam’s Xuan Hall. The environment was elegant with many rooms. In the main house facing north and south, besides the bedroom, there were also a study, music room, and art studio—fully functional.

Over these years, Xu Shi had placed many fine things left by Qin Yongzhou in Yilan Garden. When Qin Yunyun left, she didn’t dare take them with her and left everything behind. Nanny Fu had rearranged everything according to Qin Shuying’s preferences, organizing jewelry that needed organizing and adding what needed to be added. The entire Yilan Garden took on a completely new appearance.

For several consecutive days, Qin Shuying had been copying “Women’s Precepts” and “Women’s Instructions” in the study.

On this morning, Qin Lulu came to visit. Getting word that Qin Shuying was in the study, she personally came out to receive her, smiling faintly, “Sister has come, yet didn’t send word. This younger sister has been remiss.”

Qin Lulu looked at Qin Shuying, imperceptibly observing her expression, and said, “What words are these from Seventh Younger Sister? We’re family sisters—frequent visits make us closer. Seventh Younger Sister, your health has recovered, but you’ve only just gotten well. This older sister has come presumptuously—will I disturb you?”

Qin Shuying smiled gracefully. Qin Lulu was testing her.

In the original Qin Shuying’s memories, during the first year, Qin Lulu had indeed visited Qin Shuying from time to time and had been quite affectionate toward her. Later, she gradually stopped visiting and only showed superficial courtesy to Qin Shuying.

This included some unpleasant memories where Qin Shuying, following Xu Shi’s instigation, had shown Qin Lulu no kind face and had even spoken rudely.

In Qin Yaoyao’s memories, this cousin was too far apart in age from herself, so they had little interaction. But Qin Lulu had a lively personality. When Qin Yaoyao occasionally returned to the manor and the family gathered together, although Qin Lulu didn’t speak much, she always smiled warmly at Qin Yaoyao, clearly wanting to be close but not daring to due to various reasons.

Qin Yongluo was an honest man, and Zou Shi didn’t speak much either. If Qin Lulu had the heart to be friendly, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

So Qin Shuying smiled and said, “Fifth Sister, that you would come see me without holding past grievances makes this younger sister too happy—how could I say it’s a disturbance? Hong Juan, quickly go—Fifth Sister and I want to taste tea and admire chrysanthemums.”

Qin Lulu was first startled, then smiled with pursed lips, saying, “Seventh Younger Sister, you look so beautiful when you smile. I really don’t know how you used to be like a little old man, frowning all day long—so ugly!”

Qin Shuying was also stunned. Whether in the past or now, no one had ever joked with her so directly. Such a bright and cheerful smile, brilliant and radiant—her heart actually felt somewhat touched.

The two chatted and laughed as Qin Shuying led Qin Lulu on a tour, eventually reaching the pavilion where Hong Juan had already made arrangements. Qin Lulu and Qin Shuying drank tea and admired chrysanthemums in great harmony. Before leaving, Qin Lulu invited Qin Shuying to visit Piaoxue Tower, saying she had good books to read there, and even winked.

At first Qin Shuying didn’t understand, but then she had some comprehension. “Good books”? These were probably books that Qin Yongluo and his wife didn’t allow her to read! She couldn’t help but be amused by Qin Lulu.

After seeing off Qin Lulu, Nanny Fu was also quite happy. The young miss had finally come to her senses. This Second Madam Zou Shi and Second Master Qin Yongluo were both honest people, and Fifth Miss was pure-hearted. The young miss should have been close to them long ago.

Qin Shuying hadn’t expected that Qin Lulu was such a cheerful, innocent girl. However, she couldn’t get too close to her.

One more emotional attachment meant one more concern. Her heart didn’t need to be soft—it only needed to be hard.

In the afternoon, Qin Shuying wanted to take a nap.

After waking, Hong Juan and Lu Ye attended to her face and body washing. Then she saw someone at the door. Hong Juan went out to look—it was Zhihua. “Zhihua, what’s the matter?”

Zhihua said in a low voice, “Sister Hong Juan, Ziteng is ill, and from what I can see, the situation doesn’t look good. I don’t know what to do, so I’ve come to ask the young miss for instructions.”

Hong Juan was actually somewhat surprised that Qin Shuying had bought Ziteng. Among all the people, Ziteng was the most unsuitable for public appearance—her expression was cold and gloomy, her demeanor dark and sinister, and her health seemed poor as well. But since the young miss had chosen to buy her, there must be a reason.

She gestured for Zhihua to return, not daring to be negligent, and went back to tell Qin Shuying about the matter.

Qin Shuying’s hand paused while drinking tea, and she said, “Tell Zhihua to fetch a physician. To outsiders, say that Lu Ye is ill. Move Ziteng to Lu Ye’s room. Hong Juan, Lu Ye, do you know what to do?”

Hong Juan and Lu Ye exchanged glances and nodded, dismissing everyone else before hurrying to Ziteng’s room and moving her to Lu Ye’s room. Now that Yilan Garden had many rooms, Hong Juan and Lu Ye each lived in separate single rooms right next to Qin Shuying’s main bedroom, where the outer little maids couldn’t easily enter.

Just as she lay down, Ziteng saw Qin Shuying enter and was startled, trying to get out of bed. Hong Juan held her down and gently shook her head, signaling her not to move.

Ziteng lay down with a heart full of confusion. Her mind was clear, but the high fever made her listless and weak all over.

Qin Shuying sat on the edge of the bed and observed carefully for a while, feeling quite worried. Back then, Feng’er had died because his high fever wouldn’t break… Ziteng was now her only blood relative left in this world…

Qin Shuying’s heart couldn’t help but tighten: “Ziteng, when the physician comes to examine you, rest well and recover properly. Hong Juan, Lu Ye caught a cold the day before yesterday and feels somewhat unwell, so Ziteng will stay here to care for Lu Ye.”

Hong Juan and Lu Ye nodded, and Hong Juan said, “Yes.”

No matter how worried she was, given their different stations now, Qin Shuying had to return to her own room while Hong Juan stood guard outside. Entering the study, Qin Shuying began reading medical books.

In the inner quarters, many people failed due to inadequate strength. Therefore, in this life, she must guard her health as her foundation and not let Xu Shi find another opening to exploit.

Moreover, now that the old madam was advanced in years, if she could help regulate the old madam’s health, she would have someone to depend on.

Thank you all for your support! This is a revenge story, so please look forward to it. From now on, Qi will often share a sentence or two with everyone—not seeking approval, just hoping to provoke thought. Today’s shared sentence is: Your classmates have all become life’s big winners, and you’re still struggling with what time to wake up.