In the evening when Nanny Xu returned to report, though her expression still wasn’t particularly pleasant, it was much better compared to the afternoon. She sighed and looked at Song Chuyi: “Miss, not to criticize, but you’ve always been too indulgent with Hong Yu and Lüyi. She remained stubborn at Madam Cui’s place, refusing to bow her head…”

She sneered coldly: “But Madam Cui doesn’t have your good nature. On the spot, she had two instructress nannies from the palace discipline her. Madam Cui said that according to palace rules, this kind of servant who likes to gossip behind people’s backs—even having her tongue pulled out would be light punishment. She had the instructress nannies knock out several of her teeth…”

Madam Cui had been raised in the palace for several years and had her own methods for dealing with servants, with clear rewards and punishments. Those who betrayed their masters and forgot their benefactors would never have good outcomes with her.

Since Song Chuyi had anticipated this, she wasn’t surprised in her heart. She nodded slightly and told Nanny Xu about Qing Feng and Qing Yu’s matter, finally asking her to assign tasks to Ziyun and the others: “In principle, our rules have indeed been too lax. Nanny, please take extra care in the future.”

After the incident with Hong Yu this time, Nanny Xu was already deeply ashamed. Hearing this, she agreed without hesitation.

Song Yan had long grown impatient waiting in the side room. Hearing they had finished talking, he ran in to pull Song Chuyi to go to the Old Madam’s room—Yushu had come by in the afternoon saying Old Madam Song had awakened and asked them to come for dinner in the evening.

Song Chuyi then took the opportunity to stand, smiling as she scraped Song Yan’s nose: “You little glutton, I don’t usually see you so anxious and hurried. Could it be that you don’t like the snacks in sister’s room today?”

Song Yan shook his head and waved at the caged birds hanging in the corridor, teasing them into chirping chaotically. Turning back, he asked Song Chuyi: “Sister, when can we move into the new house?”

Their new residences were close, only a bridge’s distance apart. Compared to now when he had to rush over from Third Brother’s place, it would be much more convenient. Moreover, after today’s incident with Hong Yu, he suddenly couldn’t wait to have his own courtyard. That way he could quickly have his own people and help his sister in the future.

“Now the weather is hot, nearly July already, so they’re working slowly. We probably won’t be able to move in until around August.” Seeing Song Yan seemed somewhat unhappy, Song Chuyi pulled him along with a smile: “But, later when the Old Madam is in a good mood, plead with her and Eldest Aunt more. Perhaps they’ll urge the people below to hurry, and you can move in sooner.”

Yushu had already seen them coming and hurriedly lifted the curtain with a smile to welcome them in: “The Old Madam has just prepared ice-chilled watermelon. Coming all this way, you must be quite hot. Come in quickly.”

The First Madam was indeed serving Old Madam Song ice-chilled watermelon. Seeing them, she smiled and had someone bring up watermelon for them, then asked if they were hot.

Old Madam Song leaned against her cushions, still breathing somewhat heavily, looking like her spirits still weren’t very good. She beckoned Song Chuyi to come before her and gripped her hand tightly: “Don’t worry… this calamity cannot be left unchecked. Those Second Brother took to Changsha are all our family’s people. I’ll have them think of a way. If there’s truly no other choice, then we’ll have to use harsh measures.”

Song Chuyi looked at Old Madam Song with some surprise. She hadn’t expected the Song family elders would truly make such a decision—after all, they had to consider Song Yi. She had originally thought this matter would probably still have to be entrusted to the Cui family to handle…

Old Madam Song had already moved past her to instruct the First Madam: “The matter I entrusted to you before, do it as soon as possible. Replace those who should be replaced among the upper and lower servants, dismiss those who should be dismissed. Wang Shi’s people were mostly sent away last time—this time, clean out all the remaining ones too. Li Shi’s people must also not be used anymore, whether it’s gatekeepers at the side gates or those managing the carriages and horses outside—remove them all.”

If anything else happened in the Song family’s inner quarters, she’d have no face to meet the Song family’s ancestors, much less claim to be the legitimate eldest daughter of the Wan family from back then.

The First Madam nodded solemnly in agreement, then mentioned to Old Madam Song the two aunties from the palace she had decided on, saying they had already arrived at the house. When the weather cooled a bit more, she would have the young ladies learn etiquette and proper behavior.

Indeed, it couldn’t be delayed any longer. Song Chumi and Song Chubin both needed to start learning immediately. Old Madam Song nodded.

The First Madam glanced at Song Chuyi and brought up tomorrow’s matter at Duke Yingguo’s estate: “Since we’ve already agreed, tomorrow I’ll take Fourth Miss and the others over together.”

“No outsiders are permitted to see her.” Old Madam Song looked at Song Chuyi with a somber gaze, then turned to instruct the First Madam: “Only go to pay respects to Duke Yingguo and the Duke’s wife. Avoid other outside guests as much as possible. Once they’ve completed the bed-sitting ceremony, return immediately.”

These were things Old Madam Song had instructed before. The First Madam quickly agreed, served her another small half bowl of watermelon, then took her leave with a maid.

Li Qingzi was pregnant and somewhat unstable. Though she had passed the first three months, everyone was still very careful. Old Madam Song didn’t mind, waving her hand to send her back.

After the First Madam left, Old Madam Song smiled and watched Song Yan finish his watermelon, then turned to ask Song Chuyi: “I heard you dealt with Hong Yu? Actually, there’s no need to necessarily send her to your aunt. For such a maid, it’s perfectly reasonable for you to handle it yourself. In the future, when your heart needs to be hard, it must be hard. Otherwise, when decisions should be made but aren’t, you’ll suffer the chaos that follows.”

Song Chuyi lay prostrate at Old Madam Song’s knees, sighing deeply: “Yes, granddaughter understands. However, having Aunt handle Hong Yu is much more severe than if I handled her myself… Grandmother, if you asked me to deal with her personally, I fear I couldn’t bring myself to be ruthless…”

Old Madam Song stroked her head repeatedly: “Very well. After all, she followed you for so many years—it’s good not to personally create such karmic retribution. By the way, you selected two maids to give to A’Yan. I’ll give him two more from my side, making up the full complement of four senior maids.”

Under Old Madam Song, both Yushu and Yulan were excellent at training junior maids. The ten second-rank maids they had trained were all good. Song Chuyi naturally agreed on Song Yan’s behalf.

Old Madam Song smiled and had someone come forward to kowtow to Song Yan, then laughed: “Little Four, you’re a grown-up now. When these people do well, you reward them. When they don’t, come find Grandmother to punish them!”

Seeing his sister nod, Song Yan was naturally agreeable. Hearing Old Madam Song say this, he also rushed to her side, pulling her hand and shaking it: “Yes, Grandmother! But Grandmother, you must quickly have people prepare my courtyard…”

Old Madam Song laughed and poked his head: “Small body, big schemes! Do you dislike staying with your grandmother for a few more days that much? Understood, understood. Tomorrow I’ll have your eldest aunt supervise them to start the repairs.”