Shuoren Studio faced south with its back to the north, backing onto a sea of flowers and facing a bamboo garden. The emerald green painted ruyi gate was hidden behind a small bamboo forest path. Even before entering the courtyard gate, one could already feel the serene and comfortable atmosphere.

The group pushed open the door and entered. What met their eyes was also a bamboo grove. Following the bluestone-paved path straight ahead, they came to Shuoren Studio—a two-story pavilion with five bays in width. Covered walkways with upturned eaves embraced the entire bamboo garden of Shuoren Studio, connecting directly to the reverse-facing rooms.

“This truly is a place where the Grand Master once lived. Just looking at this tranquil scenery, it’s already extraordinary.” Nanny Zhan couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration: “The palace also has such places, but they’re not for people to live in—they’re only used for noble personages to visit for pleasure.”

“The palace halls are magnificent and splendid. When noble personages visit such pavilions, they’re merely seeking a rustic charm.” Qin Yining dared not compare her family’s house to the imperial palace.

Nanny Zhan nodded approvingly.

The sky had already darkened, and someone had lit lanterns under the corridor. Since it was Qin Huaiyuan’s instruction, people had already cleaned the entire courtyard thoroughly. After Qin Yining looked over both the upper and lower floors, she assigned the living arrangements.

The junior servant girls lived in the reverse-facing rooms. Qin Yining’s boudoir was in the center of the second floor. The first room on the left housed Nanny Zhan, the second room housed Yao Qin and Yu Qi. The first room on the right housed Bingtang, Song Lan, and Qiu Lu, while the second room was arranged for Nanny Zhu and Liu Ya.

The layout of the first floor was much more spacious. On both sides of the main hall were two bottle-shaped floor-to-ceiling screens that separated the five rooms, each serving different purposes.

The light green gauze curtains on the floor-to-ceiling screens were brand new, having just been replaced. All the furnishings in the rooms were complete, and there was even a red coral bonsai displayed on the treasure rack, looking prosperous and wealthy.

Qin Yining instructed someone to bring the inventory ledger for her to review, then handed it to Qiu Lu with a smile. As she walked toward the study at the innermost part of the east side, she said: “The storehouse matters will still be entrusted to you from now on.”

Qiu Lu accepted it and nodded: “Miss, rest assured. I keep all the keys close to my body.”

The study was quite spacious. In the center stood a red sandalwood large painting desk. In a blue and white porcelain brush holder on the desk were inserted a large bundle of various brushes, some of which had worn-down tips. A simple-style inkstone was placed in one corner of the desk, with an ink stick resting on it that had been ground down by more than half. The clear water in the white porcelain large brush washer should have been freshly added, and there were some scrolls inserted in the porcelain jar on the floor—presumably Qin Huaiyuan’s old works.

Qin Yining sat in the round chair behind the painting desk, which was fitted with thick cushions, her back against the bookshelf that reached to the ceiling and was packed full. She took a deep breath and smiled:

“No wonder Old Madam said to let me come absorb some scholarly fragrance. There truly is a scholarly atmosphere here.”

Bingtang nodded, pointing to the half-used ink stick: “This ink is fragrant. There are also mint aromatics in that charcoal brazier.”

Qin Yining was startled, then praised: “Your nose is truly sensitive.”

Bingtang said proudly: “I’ve practiced since I was small. Even when some medicinal materials are mixed in medicine, I can tell with one smell.”

Qin Yining nodded and sighed: “Living in a large mansion, how can one manage without a skill to rely on? I should also study diligently with my teacher.”

She then said to Yao Qin: “I just saw an ancient qin hanging on the wall in the west secondary room. Sister Yao Qin is an expert in this area—I’d like to take you as my teacher.”

Yao Qin smiled: “This servant’s small skills are nothing special, but if Miss approves, I can certainly provide basic instruction.”

“Sister’s qin skills are outstanding, please don’t be so modest.” Qin Yining then looked at Yu Qi: “And chess playing—I’m completely a novice. I ask Sister Yu Qi to provide my basic instruction as well.”

“Miss honors me. This servant will certainly do her utmost.” Yu Qi happily agreed.

After arranging what should be done in the future, Qin Yining let everyone retire to rest.

Qin Yining returned to her bedchamber, sat before her dressing table to take down her hair, and with Song Lan’s service, washed her face and applied face cream, then changed into nightclothes and lay down.

“What a tiring day this has been—even more tiring than hunting.”

Tonight was Song Lan’s night duty. She spread bedding on the arhat couch by the window in the outer room, leaving only one lamp lit. Wearing a small jacket with her hair loose, she came to lower the light purple gauze bed curtains for Qin Yining.

“Miss achieved great victory today. It’s no different from fighting a battle—how could you not be tired?” Song Lan now held complete gratitude and admiration for Qin Yining, her tone much gentler and more respectful than before.

Qin Yining covered her mouth and yawned, wrapping herself in the quilt and lying on her side, curled into a small bundle of warm, fragrant softness. She murmured: “Song Lan, you should sleep soon too. Your injury hasn’t completely healed yet.”

Through the curtains, Song Lan smiled: “Yes, this servant will watch over Miss. Miss, please sleep.”

Since moving to Shuoren Studio, Qin Yining’s life became even busier. Besides the daily requirement of paying morning and evening respects to Old Madam and Sun Shi, in the mornings she joined her sisters to learn etiquette with Nanny Zhan, and in the afternoons she studied with the resident tutor. When she had free time, she practiced calligraphy, learned to play the qin and chess with Yao Qin and Yu Qi, learned needlework and women’s crafts with Song Lan and Bingtang. Throughout the day she was so busy that even her afternoon rest time had to be calculated.

Though busy, Qin Yining was very happy.

Previously she had been busy with making a living—being able to eat her fill was already cause for secret joy. How could she have had leisure time to study these things?

Now that she could live without worry about food and clothing, she couldn’t bear to waste time. She actually made herself as busy as a spinning top. With her naturally perfect memory and diligent application, learning came easily to her. In just a month and a half, her progress had been tremendous.

Seeing Qin Yining work so hard, Nanny Zhan, as an observer, was moved by her positive and progressive attitude. She couldn’t help but privately teach her additional things. Qin Yining benefited greatly and was very grateful to Nanny Zhan.

In the blink of an eye, it was the Laba Festival.

Qin Yining rose early and was pressed by Bingtang to apply some white paste with medicinal fragrance to her face, and light green scar-removing ointment to her palms and backs of hands. She was told to lie still for a quarter-hour before washing her face.

Bingtang said: “The scars on Miss’s hands have almost completely healed. From now on, consistently using moisturizing balm will be sufficient.”

Qin Yining lay on the imperial concubine couch, eyes closed, moving her mouth in small motions: “I also feel the skin on my hands has become more tender. Before, my skin was rough and thick—even being pricked by a needle might not hurt. Last night when I was learning to arrange needles with Song Lan, I accidentally pricked myself. Even without bleeding, I could still feel it.”

Song Lan and Qiu Lu entered carrying hot water and brocade handkerchiefs. Hearing this, they both laughed: “Miss still says her skin is rough and thick? Now your skin is as tender as tofu. Yesterday, Fugui from beside Miss Huining quietly asked us what Miss uses for her complexion.”

Bingtang smiled: “How did sister answer?”

Song Lan said: “I said Miss uses the rose balm that the household distributes monthly to everyone as part of their allowance. Miss is the Grand Master’s daughter—following the Grand Master, natural beauty is inevitable. After returning home with good food and good housing, naturally her skin improved too.”

Bingtang nodded: “Right, we won’t tell them—they don’t have good intentions toward Miss. Miss Huining has moved to Pear Snow Courtyard but still hasn’t learned to be well-behaved.”

But Qin Yining seemed thoughtful. When the quarter-hour was up and she had washed her hands and face with warm water and applied balm, Qin Yining said to Bingtang: “With such excellent skills, isn’t it a pity to use them only on me? Have you ever thought about selling the scar-removing and skin-moisturizing pastes you prepare?”

Bingtang was startled, blinked, and said: “My family’s techniques—I don’t want to spread them to outsiders.”

“You could just make them into medicines, and you could also slightly modify the formulas, weakening their effectiveness. Scars that could be cured with one box, you could make require three boxes. People outside would compete to buy them. With the current national turmoil, who knows what will happen in the future. You must have silver on hand to be safe. Although I have silver and would never abandon you, your status is special after all—you must also be prepared.”

Bingtang thought it over and nodded seriously: “I know Miss has my best interests at heart. I’ll think about it carefully.”

“There’s no rush. If you’re inclined to do this small business, I’ll have Manager Zhong help you make contacts. You just need to focus on preparing the medicinal pastes. Actually, you could not only make pastes but also add these scar-removing and beautifying components to face creams or rouge. Women’s love of beauty is natural. It doesn’t need to show immediate effects—gradual improvement would have many noble ladies and misses in the capital willing to spend their silver.”

Song Lan and Qiu Lu both nodded, pulling at Bingtang: “Miss is right. With this skill, you might as well earn some silver for security.”

Bingtang thought of her “noble” father, whose “nobility” ultimately resulted in the Tang family’s extermination, so she stopped putting on airs and smiled: “Then Miss, please help me make contacts. When we earn silver, we’ll split it.”

“I won’t take your silver. If the business succeeds, from now on all the face creams I use will be taken free from you.” Qin Yining tapped Bingtang’s round apple cheek and smiled as she went to have Song Lan arrange her hair.

Bingtang watched Qin Yining’s retreating figure with a grateful smile.

Naturally, Laba porridge must be eaten on the Laba Festival. Great Yan also had the custom of gifting porridge on Laba. When Qin Yining arrived at Compassionate Filial Garden, she hadn’t yet entered the room but could already hear cheerful laughter from inside, with the sweet fragrance of Laba porridge in the air.

Smiling, she handed her cloak to the accompanying Song Lan, then entered the inner room. She properly bowed first to Old Madam, Sun Shi, Second Madam, and Third Madam.

Old Madam smiled: “Yining has arrived. Come quickly and taste the porridge sent by the Eastern Palace.”

The Eastern Palace?

Of course—the Crown Prince was now Qin Huaiyuan’s student, so he would naturally send porridge on the Laba Festival.

Third Madam flattered: “We’re truly benefiting from Big Brother’s fortune. Not everyone gets to eat Laba porridge from the Eastern Palace. Now when I return to my maiden home, I have another thing to boast about.”

Second Madam smiled without speaking.

Old Madam was made to laugh heartily by Third Madam.

Just then, the senior maid Ji Xiang hurried in, bowed, and said: “Reporting to Old Madam, the woman at the second gate just came to relay a message. She said Qi Tai from beside the Grand Master came to inform us that the Cao family just sent people to deliver porridge.”

With one sentence, Old Madam’s heart became uneasy.

The Cao family had never had dealings with their family—why would they suddenly think to send Laba porridge?

Before Old Madam could respond, there was another round of hurried footsteps from outside. Young Master Qin Yu strode in quickly, bowed, and said directly: “Old Madam, Uncle was afraid the junior servants wouldn’t explain clearly, so he specially sent me in to relay the message. The Cao family somehow spoke before His Majesty, and now His Majesty and the Empress want to summon Old Madam, Uncle’s wife, and Yining into the palace for an audience.”