The news that Young Madam had entered Rong’an courtyard spread throughout the Marquis Dingxi’s mansion like wildfire.

When Concubine Zhou received the news, she was drawing her eyebrows. Her hand trembled, and the slender brow line actually broke.

“Was she summoned, or did she go herself?” she turned to ask.

“She went herself, and was dressed very well, wearing those garments made from fabric that Old Marchioness specially ordered from the capital back then…” A’Jin said. When she received the news and rushed over, she was a bit late, only seeing that bright and radiant figure stepping into the courtyard.

“I remember, those must be from her eight dowry chests, right? The sight made all the women in the household green with envy. Third Miss even begged the sewing room for a corner of leftover fabric to make a purse, wearing it like a treasure on her body…” Concubine Zhou smiled, her expression carrying some reminiscence. “Those dress fabrics were truly fine. I imagine even princesses and noble ladies don’t wear better. To think that beggar girl of hers…”

“Not only that, she also had A’Ru go to the storehouse Old Marchioness left her to retrieve that nine-tailed phoenix hairpin.” A’Jin said with excitement.

Concubine Zhou looked surprised, then smiled again.

“What is she trying to do?” she said, then turned back around to carefully arrange her makeup. “Meeting her mother-in-law, not the Prince. Dressing up like a new bride getting into her sedan chair. Just relying on good looks—her mother-in-law won’t be so bewitched as to lose her soul…”

Thinking of something here.

“Is the Prince there?” she asked, her eyes showing amusement. “Ha, never thought she’d finally come to her senses, knowing not to waste that pretty face of hers. That’s about all she has to offer…”

“The Prince left early this morning to visit friends, saying he won’t return for several days.” A’Jin said.

Concubine Zhou stopped her movements, the person in the mirror showing eyes full of surprise.

“Then she…” she said in confusion. “What is she trying to do?”

What was Young Madam, who had been silent for three years, suddenly going to see the Marchioness for? Everyone who received the news asked this same question.

Could it really be to complain to Madam and demand an explanation for a punished maid?

Qi Yue watched a maid dressed and styled like A’Ru bring tea, and knew this must be A’Luan, the senior maid by the Marchioness’s side. She couldn’t help but take a closer look. A’Luan noticed and smiled with pursed lips.

“Young Madam, please have tea.” she said, lowering her head and stepping back.

Qi Yue nodded but didn’t drink, looking toward Madam Xie sitting upright.

Since that one sentence upon entering, Madam Xie hadn’t spoken another word to her. Now she slightly lowered her eyes, turning prayer beads in her hands, seemingly in meditation.

“Madam, having been ill for three years has caused you worry.” Qi Yue spoke with a smile.

A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Madam Xie’s mouth as she slightly raised her eyelids.

“So you’re saying you’re well now?” she said indifferently.

“Yes, so I came to pay my respects to Madam and let you see for yourself.” Qi Yue said.

Madam Xie then actually turned to look at her.

“I’ve looked.” she nodded. “Your complexion is indeed good.”

“It’s because of your thoughtful care, Madam.” Qi Yue smiled.

If one only listened to the words without watching expressions, what a harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conversation this would be. All the maids in the room lowered their heads.

Madam Xie picked up her tea and drank slowly. The room fell silent—this was clearly a sign of dismissal. Everyone else in the room understood, except that Young Madam didn’t seem to.

“…Is Father at home? During his birthday celebration, I didn’t personally kowtow… I was afraid of passing my illness to him…” Qi Yue asked with a smile.

“He’s painting in his study. No one dares disturb him.” Madam Xie said simply.

“Are the younger brothers and sisters all well?” Qi Yue continued asking.

Madam Xie put down her teacup.

“Everyone at home is well. Since you’ve just recovered, if there’s nothing else, you should return and rest more.” She directly issued an order to leave.

Qi Yue still smiled, showing no embarrassment or panic on her face, and stood up.

“Thank you for Mother’s concern. I’ve been ill for so long, causing Mother to work hard. I heard you even had the two younger sisters help with household management. I truly feel ashamed. Now that I’m well, let me take over the household affairs from now on.” she said.

When she spoke these words, never mind Madam Xie—even the maids and matrons trying hard to pretend they didn’t exist couldn’t hide their surprise and looked up at her.

“What did you say?” Madam Xie raised an eyebrow and asked, somewhat amused. “You want to manage the household?”

“Yes, it was originally the duty Old Marchioness entrusted to me, but my disappointing body…” Qi Yue didn’t find it funny and nodded. “Mother should be enjoying her golden years, yet still labors for her daughter-in-law. Now that I’m well, to continue letting Mother do so would truly be unfilial of me.”

Madam Xie stared at her for a moment, then smiled.

“Good. Since you have such filial intentions, how could I not fulfill them.” she said.

“Thank you for fulfilling this, Mother.” Qi Yue smiled and thanked her without ceremony, slightly bowing like A’Ru and others did daily. Without saying another word, she turned and left.

Watching Qi Yue’s figure disappear from the courtyard, the people in the room finally recovered from their shock.

“Madam, this… this…” Nanny Su said in a low voice. “She’s too bold. This is simply disrespectful to elders. How can anyone speak to their mother-in-law like this?”

Madam Xie showed no particular expression, slowly drinking her tea again.

“Disrespectful to elders? Having no regard for me as mother-in-law—isn’t this quite normal?” she said with a cold smile. “I only understand now that after sister died, that old shrew said on the surface she was being considerate of the daughter-in-law’s labor and exempted her from various rules, making outsiders see our family’s daughter-in-law showing no proper junior’s manner before elders. At the time, I only thought that shrew was deliberately isolating, suppressing, and targeting me. But looking today, it turns out she was paving the way for the good granddaughter-in-law she chose.”

Nanny Su immediately fell silent.

Just after the imperial decree betrothed the Prince to Qi Yueniang, Old Marchioness handed over household management authority to her future granddaughter-in-law in front of everyone in the mansion. Their household had long been accustomed to the Marchioness not managing affairs, so there wasn’t much surprise at this decision. Moreover, Old Marchioness was still quite robust then—though the granddaughter-in-law was nominally in charge, she would inevitably have Old Marchioness’s support behind her, which was no different from Old Marchioness managing herself.

A young granddaughter-in-law, with Old Marchioness behind her, loyal steward wives cultivated by Old Marchioness for years below her, household authority in between, and no need to follow rules or be cautious before her mother-in-law—then this mother-in-law was merely a mother-in-law in the household and nothing more.

“But Madam, that was just what Old Marchioness herself thought…” Nanny Su said quietly. “Her thinking was good, but it was only thinking. Now it’s no longer what it was initially. Why should you pay her any mind?”

“This is actually good. If she lived peacefully and honestly waiting to die, I’d truly be worried.” Madam Xie smiled while standing up. “Cheng-ge is already twenty-four. By this age, other people’s sons could already be running around, but Cheng-ge is being held back by her. With her standing in the household, would any good family’s daughter come to be a concubine?”

Nanny Su also sighed. The Prince’s three-year absence was partly because he didn’t want to face this marriage.

“That old shrew—dead and gone, yet still disgusting our Cheng-ge for a lifetime. If I let her have her way, I’d be sorry to my deceased sister. Let heaven’s lightning strike me dead in broad daylight.” Madam Xie said through gritted teeth, her expression seeming both sad and angry.

“Fourth Miss, you mustn’t say such things.” Nanny Su’s voice choked somewhat as she quickly reached out to grab her arm, genuinely moved and using Madam Xie’s maiden title. “First Miss’s spirit surely knows how grateful she is. You’ve done more than enough for her and her son…”

Madam Xie’s form trembled slightly as she slowly exhaled, calming her emotions.

“Since she’s so eager to jump out, I’ll let her have her way, let those little devils behind her have their way. People don’t make mistakes without doing things—the more they do, the more mistakes they’ll make. So what if that old shrew paved the way? I’m her mother-in-law. No matter how you put it, I outrank her. I really can’t control her? That old shrew is already dead—she can’t jump out of the ground to support her and suppress me, can she?” Madam Xie smiled.

Somehow, hearing the phrase “jump out of the ground,” Nanny Su involuntarily shivered. Realizing this, she herself smiled bitterly, having to admit that Young Madam’s lie about returning from the Yellow Springs Road was truly deeply convincing.

The news that Young Madam had personally asked the Marchioness for household management authority spread like wildfire from the moment Qi Yue stepped out of Rong’an courtyard.

Originally, everyone thought at most she would cry to Madam once to save face. No one expected her to directly ask for household management! This wasn’t asking for face—this was slapping Madam’s face!

“She really dares?” Concubine Zhou smiled. After the little maid who came to report news breathlessly delivered this information, she finally sat down from her constant pacing. “This was said by someone from Madam’s courtyard?”

“How could that be? No one came out from Madam’s courtyard. It was Sister A’Ru by Young Madam’s side who said it. She even went to notify all the steward wives, saying something about coming to Young Madam’s place tomorrow… for a… meeting…” the little maid said.

Concubine Zhou and A’Jin exchanged glances.

“She’s serious?” Concubine Zhou’s smile grew stronger.

“Aunt, what do you think…” A’Jin couldn’t help but speak.

“Let’s wait. Since Young Madam is managing the household, she’ll surely have instructions. When there are instructions, we’ll listen.” Concubine Zhou cut off her words.

Meaning she would wait for Young Madam to approach her, and she would never actively approach Young Madam.

“Those steward wives are all Madam’s people, each one difficult to deal with. Perhaps you should go advise Young Madam—after all, she hasn’t dealt with household people for three years…”

“A’Jin, though I don’t know what got into Young Madam to suddenly jump out and cause this scene, in others’ eyes, this must be because someone instigated her from behind. Tell me, who would everyone think this instigator is?” Concubine Zhou said indifferently.

Everything Young Madam had today was given by Old Marchioness. Naturally, anyone helping her would be Old Marchioness’s people. And the only person of Old Marchioness in the mansion was Old Marchioness’s niece, Concubine Zhou.

“Whether she helps me or not, I don’t care. I just don’t want to be implicated…” Concubine Zhou said indifferently while raising her hand to look at her newly dyed nails. “I’ve endured for so long—it wasn’t easy.”

Saying this, she glanced at A’Jin.

“I know you’re a good girl, always remembering Old Marchioness’s instructions. But…” she slowly exhaled. “One must look forward, can’t walk down one path to the very end, right…”

A’Jin understood her warning, quickly nodded in agreement, and lowered her head without speaking further.