The Liang family possessed vast wealth and extensive properties. It took Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen a full five days to properly take over all the major affairs of the mansion. Along the way, they employed thunderous methods to replace many of the inner residence’s management matrons and maids, and locked away a third of the mansion’s remote areas.

Naturally, some people were dissatisfied and came to confront Qin Shuying.

Hong Juan simply posted the roster lists outside Songtao Residence, making the personnel assignments for each courtyard and location clearly visible at a glance.

First was the staff of Ning Garden.

When everyone looked, good heavens! Not only had Ning Garden’s staff been reduced from thirty people to twenty, but Nanny Luo and Mujin had died of illness due to the incident with Zao’er, and Jinxiu had fallen seriously ill and returned home.

Second was the staff of Qianxi Garden, which was even more shocking. Nanny Ye had died, Kuju and Aiye had been married off, and several originally respectable people had either disappeared or fallen ill and been sent to estate properties—and the Liang family’s estates weren’t just in the suburbs of the capital, but spread throughout the north and south. Who knew whether those people had been sent to harsh northwestern estates or to desolate mountain valleys in the south where birds wouldn’t even defecate?

Now, no one dared to make a sound.

The First Madam was swift and decisive—she even dared to touch the people around the Old Madam and Madam. What did they amount to in comparison?

Qin Shuying organized the personnel and released a batch of people willing to buy their freedom. Some had served the Liang family for generations as slaves and had long since accumulated decent assets, always wanting to purchase their freedom, but when Old Madam Liang was in charge, she wouldn’t permit redemption.

So when they heard they could buy their freedom, over two hundred people came rushing forward. After thorough screening and much deliberation, Qin Shuying finally settled on a list and released one hundred fifty people.

By the time all the major and minor affairs of the mansion were properly organized, it was already November 26th—Qin Yunyun’s wedding day.

Songtao Residence

Looking at the roster containing over a thousand servant names in the mansion, Qin Shuying rubbed her temples. Even with her good memory, she couldn’t handle such a vast number.

“Elder Sister, Ziyu truly has a clear mind. Look at this—such a grand mansion, so many servants—isn’t this plainly laid out to make people envious and resentful? From marquis mansion to earl mansion, Ziyu chose this path well.”

Liang Zhen hummed in agreement. “Like cooking oil over a roaring fire! We need to find a way to move away from this place quickly. Look, just for me to get from Zhen Garden to your place, I have to pass through several gates. Although I advocate locking up those unused areas, keeping them locked isn’t a long-term solution either.”

Qin Shuying agreed, “We still need a good opportunity.”

After some discussion, Qin Shuying called for someone to help her dress elaborately, then took the similarly adorned Qu Linglong and rode in a small sedan chair all the way to the front gate.

To reach the front gate, they had to pass by Ning Garden.

Qin Shuying took the opportunity to go in and check on Old Madam Liang.

At this time, it was Old Madam Liang’s sleeping period.

She was now being secretly fed medicine by Qinglan every day, making her very drowsy—sleeping during the day, sleeping at night, with very few moments of wakefulness.

This had been going on for six days already.

Now, Qinglan was gradually reducing the dosage of medicine she gave her, as it was time to gradually let her wake up.

Seeing Old Madam Liang sleeping soundly, Qin Shuying glanced at the area under the bed, then turned and left.

The next day, Liang Zhe and Liang Yunshan entered again and turned the place upside down, discovering several more sets of white bones in another corner.

They carefully searched every piece of the secret chamber’s walls and found that there were mechanisms in the walls, with one mechanism containing a letter inside.

The letter’s content was very simple—it ordered someone to kill Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying. But it had neither an opening nor a signature.

However, from the handwriting, they could tell it was written by Old Madam Liang.

They also found those red pills under Old Madam Liang’s bed—apparently, these were what Old Madam Liang intended to use to take people’s lives.

Now, the mysteries and secrets surrounding Old Madam Liang were being thoroughly investigated by Liang Yunshan and Liang Zhe, the inner residence was being overseen by Liang Zhen, Luo Meixiang was being squeezed and monitored at every turn by Concubine Yue, and it was time for Qin Shuying to go to the Qin mansion to meet with her dear sister and dear aunt.

This time, Qin Shuying rode in the carriage befitting the head matron of an earl’s mansion.

Although demoted to an earl’s mansion, the carriage’s specifications remained very high—luxuriously ornate with spirited horses.

Therefore, when they reached the Qin mansion’s main gate, Steward Qin saw them from afar, and Dong Shi immediately came forward to greet them.

As soon as Qin Shuying poked her head out from the curtain, Dong Shi immediately smiled warmly, “Seventh Young Madam, you’ve finally arrived!”

Previously she had called her Shuying, but now that Qin Shuying was both a fourth-rank titled lady and had become the head wife, and would likely soon become the heir’s wife of an earl’s mansion, Dong Shi’s form of address changed accordingly.

Although the marquis mansion had been demoted to an earl’s mansion, there were valuable and less valuable earl mansions. In the eyes of many official families’ womenfolk, the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law who managed the household affairs of Pingxi Earl’s mansion was worth more than the legitimate eldest daughters-in-law of all other earl mansions in the capital.

Because her husband was so capable—such a young favorite, how many could you find in all of the capital?

Qin Shuying nodded slightly with a smile, called her “Elder Sister-in-law,” then helped a seven-year-old girl out from behind the curtain.

Dong Shi was momentarily stunned—this must be Liang Zhen’s daughter?

She truly looked like ice and snow!

Qin Shuying had already sent word through Ziteng to Dong Shi about bringing Qu Linglong, so she could be prepared.

After Qu Linglong got out of the carriage, she curtsied to Dong Shi: “Greetings, Madam.”

Dong Shi was surprised. Qu Linglong’s proper etiquette, her overall bearing—you really couldn’t tell she had grown up in such a remote small place like Xianren County. Instead, she seemed like a legitimate daughter from a noble family in the capital.

“Miss Linglong, no need for such formality. Now that you’re in our mansion, treat it like your own home. Come, come, Yue’er, you and Miss Linglong are of the same generation. You’re the elder sister, so please take good care of Linglong.”

Qin Yue came over with a smile, taking Qu Linglong’s hand. “Sister Linglong, I’m a few years older than you, so you can just call me Sister Yue.”

Seeing that it was Qin Yue taking care of Qu Linglong, Qin Shuying felt somewhat relieved. She had Ziteng and Huiyun follow Qu Linglong, while she herself brought Lu Ye and Baiyun, following behind Dong Shi up the steps and through the gate.

Qin Shuying naturally went first to pay respects to Old Madam Qin.

Qu Linglong was very intelligent and well-mannered. Old Madam Qin was delighted to see her, holding her hand and asking many questions.

The people who came today included both relatives and old friends of the Qin family, as well as the female family members of colleagues and friends of Qin Yongtao and Qin Kaiyu. Each person had different purposes.

Upon seeing Qu Linglong, everyone’s reactions varied.

Some observed secretly, some smiled without speaking, some were very enthusiastic, some were quite disdainful, some were extremely curious, some were full of contempt, some whispered mockingly.

But since Old Madam Qin was so affectionate toward Qu Linglong, regardless of everyone’s private thoughts, no one showed her a cold face or said anything inappropriate.

Qu Linglong didn’t lose her composure due to others’ attitudes, nor did she look around nervously or become angry and hesitant. Instead, she remained very polite throughout.

When Old Madam Qin asked her questions, she answered generously and appropriately, neither servile nor overbearing.

Old Madam Qin liked her even more, immediately having Nanny Gu bring a pair of very precious bracelets. “Good child, what a clever and well-mannered good child. This is a gift from your great-grandmother, quickly take it.”