Among the people Qin Shuying brought with her, Ziteng, Lu Ye, Hong Juan, and Huiyun became first-rank maids, while Zhishu, Zhihua, and the others were second-rank maids.

As Hong Juan had mentioned before, Qin Shuying had already freed the four first-rank maids from their contracts.

As for Nanny Fu, she had long been freed from her contract by Qin Yongzhou.

The Marquis of Pacifying the West’s mansion was overly complex. By freeing them from their contracts, Qin Shuying removed one means by which those people could manipulate her.

This was how Qin Shuying had explained it when she handed them their contracts a few days ago.

She had also told them what they needed to do after arriving at the Liang household.

Therefore, everyone accepted Qin Shuying’s explanation with pleasant surprise—her reasoning was truly convincing to them.

The Marquis of Pacifying the West’s mansion was nothing like the Qin mansion. While the marquis’s mansion appeared glorious, who knew how many difficulties awaited them there? Look, just one bridal chamber celebration had created such a formidable enemy as First Aunt Liang.

Actually, Qin Shuying had other considerations.

Although she had spoken with resolute determination and full confidence before Old Madam, she knew she was not omnipotent. If, by chance, something happened to Liang Zhe as Princess Fuping had suggested, she herself would likely find it difficult to escape unscathed.

After all, the people she now faced were more complex and formidable than those in the Qin mansion.

If such a day came when she closed her eyes and departed, what would happen to those around her who charged into battle on her behalf?

If they were free persons, things would be much easier.

At least, the Liang family wouldn’t dare harm their lives, just as Xu Shi couldn’t do anything to Nanny Fu back then.

Liang Zhe returned very late, reeking of alcohol.

Qin Shuying helped him to bed.

They spent the night without incident.

Qin Shuying had clearly told Liang Zhe beforehand that she was still young and it was inappropriate for them to share a bed. Although Liang Zhe had blushed at the time, he had agreed readily.

Therefore, on their wedding night, though they both slept on the bed, they merely slept. Liang Zhe was drunk and slept deeply, not even touching Qin Shuying—she slept on the couch.

The next day, after getting up, Nanny Fu produced a bloodstained silk handkerchief.

When Liang Zhe saw the handkerchief, his face actually reddened.

He secretly glanced at Qin Shuying, and coincidentally she glanced at him too. Sparks immediately flew between them.

Liang Zhe was actively radiating charm, while Qin Shuying couldn’t control her feelings—who told him to be so handsome!

Nanny Fu coughed and said, “Master, First Madam, may you have precious children early and enjoy a hall full of blessings.”

Both turned bright red again. Liang Zhe coughed and stood up, “Cough, cough, thank you, Nanny.”

Qin Shuying also lowered her head and said, “We accept Nanny’s auspicious words.”

Nanny Ye from Luo Meixiang’s side came to collect the handkerchief. Seeing that streak of bright red, her eyes flickered, but she dutifully offered a few congratulatory words.

As soon as Nanny Ye left, Liang Zhe looked at the already groomed Qin Shuying, feeling exceptionally cheerful.

“Shuying, I drank too much last night. Did I snore while sleeping? Did I disturb you?”

Qin Shuying smiled and shook her head.

Liang Zhe’s heart and eyes were full of joy, but Qin Shuying didn’t dare look at his gaze—it was too intense, she didn’t dare look.

Hong Juan came in to help Qin Shuying dress, while Liang Zhe went to the back room to change clothes.

When everything was ready, Liang Zhe stood at the door waiting for her with a smile, “Shuying, let’s go to Qianxi Garden.”

The newlywed couple needed to serve tea to their parents in the morning.

Qin Shuying looked at the four head maids behind her, “Ziteng, Hong Juan, you two come along.”

The two agreed, and Lu Ye quickly ran to Hong Juan’s side, “Good sister, when you come back, tell me how big it is.”

Hong Juan nodded with a smile.

Qin Shuying walked to the door, and Liang Zhe extended his hand.

He wanted to hold her hand?

Faced with Qin Shuying’s hesitation, Liang Zhe nodded.

Qin Shuying hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand, and Liang Zhe grasped it.

The maids all lowered their heads and smiled, and Nanny Fu’s face was full of joy.

As they walked, Liang Zhe provided commentary.

Songtao Residence was indeed quite large—they walked for quite a while before reaching the main gate.

“Shuying, it normally takes the time to brew a cup of tea to get there. Today is special, so we’ll walk. In the future, you’ll take a small sedan chair.”

Qin Shuying nodded.

She exercised daily, so these distances were nothing to her. Walking there could serve as exercise. However, taking a sedan chair was about maintaining dignity—the dignity of her position as First Madam.

This dignity she would certainly maintain.

Although Ziteng and Hong Juan tried their best to control their eyes, they couldn’t suppress their inner amazement.

Ziteng had followed to Princess Yongjia’s mansion and the imperial palace, so she was somewhat accustomed to grandeur. Hong Juan especially felt that her previous dozen years had been lived in vain.

Still, Ziteng couldn’t help but exclaim in wonder. No wonder Luo Meixiang wanted to kill Liang Zhe at every turn and make him disappear completely. The Marquis of Pacifying the West’s mansion was indeed too magnificent and beautiful.

In Chongde Ward, a broad street divided the ward in half. Two-thirds of one side belonged to the Marquis of Pacifying the West’s mansion, while the other side housed many high officials and nobles.

Who lived in that remaining third and on the other side?

There were cabinet ministers, provincial governors, super-wealthy merchants… Someone had done a count: there were three first-rank officials alone, twelve second-rank officials, over twenty third-rank officials, and some smaller courtyards housing people who wanted to curry favor and build connections.

Previously, when Qin Yaoyao chose this location, she had considered its convenience for Lu Changxuan to network with high officials. Walking down the street, one could casually encounter several high-ranking officials. Over time, as familiarity grew, wouldn’t this benefit Lu Changxuan?

This also showed just how large and spacious the Marquis of Pacifying the West’s mansion truly was.

The mansion had been built by imperial decree, so its very layout was extraordinary—ingeniously designed with scenic views at every ten steps. After decades of weathering and generations of family heads’ refinements, the current mansion’s magnificence and ingenuity went without saying.

Just maintaining such a vast garden cost tens of thousands of taels of silver annually.

The gardeners, cleaners, and maintenance workers alone numbered in the hundreds.

The maids and older servants were countless.

The entire mansion faced south, with Songtao Residence in the northeast corner, bordered by water on one side. The artificial lake, Qian Lake, spanning over a thousand acres, sparkled on its surface.

Several boats floated on Qian Lake, with over a dozen people dedicated to maintaining the lake and boats.

Qianxi Garden was located in the center of the mansion.

To get there from Songtao Residence, they needed to pass several courtyards—some empty, some occupied. “Passing by” meant they could only see the eaves of these compounds from a distance.

Besides courtyards, they also passed several gardens—some flower gardens, some nurseries, some orchards, some groves, each different.

As they approached one courtyard, they caught a heavenly fragrance wafting toward them.

Liang Zhe pointed to one area and said, “That’s Zhen Garden, where my sister used to live. It’s been empty ever since.”

Qin Shuying observed carefully, seeing only white walls and red tiles with drooping willows. The main gate was tightly closed, appearing somewhat desolate.

Just past Zhen Garden, they saw cloud-like walls of climbing roses stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see, blooming in crowded profusion.

Even from this distance, the sight was utterly breathtaking.

The colors were diverse—deep red, watermelon red, yellow, purplish-pink, white…

“That’s Rose Garden, quite famous in the capital.”

Qin Shuying thought she must visit when she had time.

It was truly a feast for the eyes!