Nanny Ye felt her forehead burning with anger, yet she had no choice but to go along with Qin Shuying’s words—if Liang Zhe hadn’t been present, Nanny Ye would have had ten thousand reasons to argue back.

However, Liang Zhe’s eyes were like lightning, constantly staring at her.

This was someone who didn’t reason—if she angered him, he could kick her flying with one foot.

A wise person doesn’t fight a losing battle. Nanny Ye was someone who understood the times. Steeling her heart and swallowing her old blood, she smiled and said, “First Madam speaks correctly. It’s all this servant’s fault.”

This was clearly Liang Zhe deliberately using her as an example, opposing Madam to establish First Madam’s authority.

And she had foolishly rushed forward, allowing Liang Zhe to use her to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.

She knew that the longer she delayed, the worse things would get for her. Putting on a shameless smile, she said, “First Madam, this servant came here on business. The hour is getting late, and I dare not delay First Madam’s rest, so I won’t beat around the bush and will speak directly. What does First Madam think?”

Qin Shuying said unhurriedly, “No rush, take your time.”

How could there be no rush?

Couldn’t she see that Liang Zhe’s face was like frost, his gaze capable of devouring people?

“Then this servant won’t circle around the matter. First Madam, you should remember what Madam said—Lu Ye has scars on her face after all, which would be inconvenient when going out to visit guests. Songtao Residence is so large, and there must be many matters to attend to. Madam fears that First Madam might tire herself, so she has gifted four maids to help First Madam. First Madam, the people are already outside. How about having them come in now to kowtow to First Madam?”

There was nothing improper about Nanny Ye’s words.

Qin Shuying unhurriedly took a sip of tea, placed the teacup on the table, looked at Nanny Ye, and smiled slightly. “Nanny Ye, I’m a new bride and can’t claim to be very familiar with the mansion’s rules—I can only say I have a superficial understanding. Since you’ve brought people here, you must give me a proper explanation. If there’s no reasonable explanation and outsiders learn of this, those who know might say Madam cares for me, but those who don’t might think Madam sent people to monitor me. Don’t you think so?”

Of course Madam sent people to monitor you.

Which household doesn’t do this?

It’s just that who would say it outright like you, First Madam?

Nanny Ye smiled, “First Madam, you’re really joking. Of course Madam cares for you…”

Liang Zhe’s teacup hit the table with a “crack,” the sound startling Nanny Ye’s finally smooth tongue to tremble.

Nanny Ye almost reflexively looked toward Liang Zhe, but he said nothing and didn’t even glance at her.

Qin Shuying just smiled, “Nanny Ye, of course I know Madam cares for me. However, I still maintain that everything must have proper procedures. You also said that our marquis mansion has its rules.”

You’re being gifted by Madam—what procedures do you need?

A few days ago when Her Majesty the Empress bestowed things upon you, why didn’t you ask for procedures then?

Nanny Ye calmed her heart that had been frightened by Liang Zhe and forced a smile. “First Madam, these are gifts from Madam, showing Madam’s consideration for First Madam. There are no particular procedures.”

“So you’re saying only I have received such gifts?”

“That’s correct.”

“In that case, wouldn’t I be breaking the mansion’s rules? Others would only say I’m delicate and difficult to serve, that the people I brought aren’t sufficient to wait on me, and that I’m putting on airs, wanting so many people to attend me. If I were the heir’s wife, this would be nothing. But I’m not currently, so if I had so many people, wouldn’t others say I’m putting on airs and showing off?”

Nanny Ye had long known that Qin Shuying wouldn’t accept these maids and had already prepared her response.

“First Madam, this servant dares to say that your maid Lu Ye has facial damage, which doesn’t conform to proper rules. Seeing that you had no one suitable to use, Madam gifted them to you. If Madam fears gossip, selecting just one would also work—at least it should conform to the mansion’s rules.”

Qin Shuying asked, “Nanny Ye, you mean our marquis mansion values rules above all else?”

Previously at the Luo family, though the Luos were also a powerful family in the capital, Luo Meixiang was merely a concubine’s daughter, so Nanny Ye had seen limited grandeur and rules.

After following Luo Meixiang to the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion, such a magnificent super first-rank mansion naturally had many rules. Nanny Ye had always felt honored by this.

Moreover, many of these rules had been established with her help to Luo Meixiang, so she couldn’t help but straighten her back and say, “First Madam, this servant isn’t boasting, but our marquis mansion’s rules are famous throughout the capital. The front courtyard has its rules, the inner residence has its rules. What person manages what affairs, how matters should be handled—everything is clear, distinct, orderly, and systematic.”

“Since that’s the case, then Nanny Ye, please explain to me—in those families with titles, when the legitimate eldest son reaches manhood, they usually request ennoblement as heir. His Lordship isn’t in the capital, so if the marquis mansion is so rule-conscious, why hasn’t it helped His Lordship submit a petition?”

What was this all about? This lady was really stretching things too far!

Only now did Nanny Ye take a fresh look at the imposingly noble First Madam.

First Madam had been married into the family for three days, and everyone had been gossiping behind her back.

Since it was Liang Zhe who personally requested the imperial marriage, everyone speculated that First Madam must be formidable—the young master wasn’t someone to trifle with, so could the person he chose to marry be easy to deal with?

These past few days, they had all observed that First Madam was indeed no pushover.

Madam hadn’t gained the slightest advantage over First Madam.

From the very beginning, Madam had lost momentum.

During the wedding ceremony, Qin Shuying hadn’t bowed to Madam, and during the tea ceremony, she hadn’t managed to drink Qin Shuying’s tea either.

As Luo Meixiang’s trusted confidant, Nanny Ye naturally wanted to help Madam completely suppress Qin Shuying.

“First Madam, you must be joking. This servant is just an inner residence servant—how would I understand such court matters?”

Qin Shuying shook her head. “This is clearly a matter of the marquis mansion—how did it become a court matter? Could it be that for our Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion to have an heir, all the civil and military officials need to rank the capital’s noble sons, then hold martial and literary examinations, with whoever gets first place becoming the heir? Nanny Ye, I see you were quite articulate when scolding my maids and finding fault with Lu Ye—clearly you understand all the rules. You can’t fool me, a newcomer. You must properly instruct me on this rule.”

Nanny Ye was becoming somewhat unable to bear it.

This Qin Shuying truly lived up to those rumors—she was indeed quick-tongued, able to stretch any matter to the ends of the earth.

Yet Nanny Ye had no way to refute her.

Indeed, families in the capital with titles basically all requested heir ennoblement when their legitimate eldest sons reached manhood.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, men reached manhood at eighteen.

That meant that last year, Liang Zhe could have already requested ennoblement as heir.

If they were really going to talk about rules, the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion first failed to follow this rule.

Nanny Ye returned in defeat.