The next day, Qin Shuying bought thirty more people into the household, all of whom Mi Luo had vigorously recruited for her from outside.

Liang Yuan and Liang Jie had recovered one after another, Old Madam Liang’s illness was better, and Luo Meixiang finally had her hands free. She was preparing to take over the household management from Madam Meng that afternoon when she heard about this matter.

Nanny Ye said, “Thirty people? Didn’t they just buy thirty people a few days ago? Zhen Garden is only so big – do they need so many people to serve them?”

Several days ago, Songtao Residence had bought thirty servants, which had infuriated Luo Meixiang at the time – they bought people without even greeting her, the main wife!

Today, they bought thirty more. Nanny Ye thought they were for Liang Zhen’s use.

Liang Yuan sneered. Of course they couldn’t use that many – this was to guard against them making moves in the manor.

Adding the maids and matrons Qin Shuying had brought before, they now had a full eighty to ninety people. Moreover, the personnel Qin Shuying had bought twice were all selected to be tall and robust young women and matrons.

The purpose was all too obvious.

Liang Jie, after this ordeal, had lost all traces of his former liveliness and exuberance, replaced by silence and gloom. He spoke up, “Mother, what are we waiting for? Act quickly.”

Luo Meixiang didn’t need Liang Jie’s reminder. Without waiting until afternoon, she immediately had someone invite Madam Meng over and in a few words took back the housekeeping authority from her.

The people around Qin Shuying were all very alert and generally didn’t leave Songtao Residence. Even when they did go out, previously at least two people would go together, now at least three, and they all took the main roads.

However, daily shopping was unavoidable, so people had to go out every day.

The next morning, Lu Ye, Zhishu, and a matron surnamed Shao went out on an errand.

A few hours later, on their way back, they were tied up. It was said that when they went out, they had pushed a maid named Zao’er from the second household into the water, and that maid had drowned.

When Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen learned the news and rushed over with their people, Lu Ye, Zhishu, and Matron Shao were tied up tightly, and Luo Meixiang was interrogating them.

Qin Shuying entered the courtyard with a cold laugh, too lazy to even speak a word to Luo Meixiang. With a wave of her hand, Huiyun and Baiyun immediately rushed over with a dozen people and seized the three – Lu Ye and the others.

Just as Luo Meixiang was about to scold them, Qin Shuying waved her hand again, and thirty to forty more maids and matrons rushed in. Without a word, they charged to Luo Meixiang’s side, pinned down Kuju, Aiye, and others around Luo Meixiang, and began beating them mercilessly with bare fists – “crack, pop, bang.”

Luo Meixiang was stunned!

Then, her willow eyebrows shot up, “Stop!”

No one paid her any attention. In an instant, Kuju, Aiye, and Nanny Ye around Luo Meixiang had been struck several times. In the pushing and shoving, Luo Meixiang was also squeezed against the wall.

Luo Meixiang’s face turned pale with shock. Only then did the people around her react, immediately protecting their mistress and trying to rescue the others.

Luo Meixiang’s courtyard had over twenty people, but Qin Shuying had brought too many – they simply couldn’t compete. In an instant, everyone’s hairpins and ornaments were scattered, and Kuju and the others were beaten dozens of times before being thrown to the ground.

Afterward, Qin Shuying’s people took Lu Ye, Zhishu, and Matron Shao and surged out like a tide. Huiyun and Baiyun brought up the rear, throwing a few stones that made the pursuing people cry out “wah wah” in pain.

By the time Luo Meixiang’s people came after them again with sticks and brooms, Qin Shuying’s people had already left Qianxi Garden and vanished without a trace.

Luo Meixiang’s hair was disheveled and her face was fierce, “Rebellion, rebellion, this is true rebellion! Summon the Marquis, quickly go summon the Marquis!”

Kuju, Aiye, and the other four head maids along with Nanny Ye were all lying on the ground groaning from their beatings. The rest were better off, but everyone’s hearts were still racing – who had ever seen such an ill-mannered daughter-in-law! Who had ever experienced such a chaotic scene!

No one corrected Luo Meixiang’s misspoken words. A clever maid hurriedly ran to the outer study, while others went to summon Old Madam Liang.

When Luo Meixiang’s maid reached the outer study, it wasn’t Mingcha on duty, but another young servant.

From the young servant, she learned that Liang Yunshan wasn’t in the study. When the maid pressed about where the Earl had gone, the young servant shook his head to indicate he didn’t know.

The maid hurried back to tell Luo Meixiang. Luo Meixiang had already prepared to face Liang Yunshan, her face covered with tears like pear blossoms in rain, pitiful and touching. Hearing that Liang Yunshan wasn’t in the outer study, she immediately swept the teacups off the table, “Get out!”

The maid had originally wanted to earn credit, but instead of getting any, she was scolded. Not daring to delay, she hurriedly withdrew.

Luo Meixiang gritted her teeth, “I’m not dead yet, and he can’t wait to go to that vixen! Someone go to Zongju Pavilion and call the Earl over – tell him I’m dying!”

Zongju Pavilion was where those beauties lived.

A second-rank maid beside Luo Meixiang hurried to Zongju Pavilion, but found that Liang Yunshan wasn’t there. The maid was clever and went to try her luck at Concubine Yue’s courtyard.

Sure enough, just as she reached the courtyard gate, she was stopped – Concubine Yue had just been released from confinement a few days ago, and somehow she had managed to replace all the people in her courtyard, which was why she was being stopped.

The second-rank maid was furious, “What thing are you to dare stop me! Madam has urgent business and needs the Earl to come over. Can you bear the responsibility if you delay matters!”

Seeing the second-rank maid’s disheveled hair and breathless state, the gatekeeper matron could tell the matter was indeed somewhat serious. Not daring to delay, she didn’t let her enter but had someone else go in to report to Concubine Yue.

Since being released from confinement, Concubine Yue hadn’t seen Liang Yunshan.

Today she was in the midst of sorrow when she was struck by a small stone, followed by a paper ball dropping down. Concubine Yue picked it up and saw several words written on it: “The Earl will return to the outer study at the end of the noon hour.”

Knowing someone was helping her, although she had concerns, her desire to see Liang Yunshan overwhelmed everything else. Unable to think too much about it, she dressed up slightly and headed toward the outer study.

She reached the corridor connecting the outer study and inner courtyard unobstructed, waited from afar, and indeed saw Liang Yunshan returning at the end of the noon hour.

Liang Yunshan’s face was gloomy, looking quite unhappy.

“My Lord!”

Concubine Yue’s clear call made Liang Yunshan pause. He hadn’t seen her for a month, and seeing that she had grown much thinner but her eyes still held the same admiration and worship, Liang Yunshan didn’t refuse Concubine Yue’s approach.

Combined with Concubine Yue’s considerate words, Liang Yunshan unconsciously headed toward Concubine Yue’s courtyard.

After arriving, Concubine Yue had arranged a table of food and wine, personally warming the wine and serving Liang Yunshan drinks.

At this time, the sky was dark and cold, with tiny snowflakes faintly drifting down and cold wind whistling. Sitting by the small red clay wine stove, drinking warm wine and eating bubbling hot pot, Liang Yunshan’s mood, which had been heavy for many days, lightened somewhat.

Concubine Yue also played the qin skillfully. After the food and wine were heated, she sat aside playing the qin.

Liang Yunshan sat drinking wine and enjoying the music, and the courtyard was indeed peaceful and tranquil.