What followed was indeed as they had predicted. With Concubine Zhu’s private kitchen established, many people began making demands about their meals.

“Second Miss says she feels unwell and wants to eat light food…”

“…Concubine Liu feels unwell and says the food sent from the kitchen is somewhat cold.”

Listening to Jiu Zhi’s reports, Qi Yue learned that in just a few days, except for Third Young Master, all the masters in the mansion, big and small, had begun making various demands, including Fourth Miss who was still being carried by her wet nurse despite being only a few years old.

“…The concubines, young masters, and misses all have set meal allowances. Convert these to silver to see how much it is. Then let them have whatever they want made, with only one condition—they cannot exceed that set silver amount. Within this range, what they eat, how much they eat, and when they eat is up to them,” Qi Yue ordered.

The managing matrons naturally offered various excuses again. Some said it wasn’t proper, those delivering meals said they were too busy, the kitchen said they didn’t know how to make certain dishes, and the purchasing staff said they happened not to have bought the meat and vegetables these people suddenly craved. The chaos nearly lifted the roof.

“So you’re saying you can’t do it?” Qi Yue asked after letting them make enough noise and setting down her teacup.

“It’s not that we’re making excuses, Young Madam. This has never been done before,” one matron said, taking the lead.

“Days are long, passing one by one. How could everything be the same? There are always new things. When there are problems, find ways to solve them. What’s the point of clinging to the past? Not enough people? Add more. Don’t know how to cook? Learn. Haven’t purchased ingredients? Go buy them. What can’t be done?” Qi Yue interrupted her, scanning these managing matrons with their various expressions. “Since you can’t do it, let’s replace you with people who can.”

At these words, all the managing matrons were shocked.

“Young Madam, with the year-end approaching, the mansion is at its busiest. We can’t have chaos,” Nanny Su could no longer pretend to be blind and deaf, and said hurriedly.

“It’s fine. How big a deal is it? Anyone can see what needs to be done,” Qi Yue waved her hand, efficiently picking up the personnel register and beginning to assign who would replace whom.

As she read out names one by one, Nanny Su and most of those present changed expressions.

“I knew it! That wench is stirring up trouble behind the scenes!” Madam Xie slammed her palm on the table, making the teacups shake.

The mansion’s servants had instantly returned to the team from when the Old Marchioness was in charge.

“I wondered why this time the Young Madam caused more trouble than I expected. Turns out Concubine Zhou was fanning the flames behind the scenes, using the Young Madam as a weapon and taking this opportunity to replace our people,” Nanny Su said, carefully steadying the teacup.

Madam Xie sneered coldly, her anger dissipating from her face.

“They’re just some servants. Do they think this makes them reach the heavens?” she said, leaning against her pillow with a smile. “She thinks this is still the old days? She’s not the Old Marchioness, and Cheng-ge’er isn’t the Marquis either.”

Nanny Su nodded. Indeed, Concubine Zhou’s former prominence in the mansion had relied on the Old Madam’s and Marquis’s favor, but the current Young Madam was…

“Madam, the Young Madam has been living in the Lord’s room quite a while now. With long nights come many dreams, and with a man and woman alone together, our Lord is naturally fine, but that woman might have some underhanded methods. Don’t forget Concubine Zhou is behind her. What if it really turns out as Second Madam said…” she said in a low voice, remembering something.

Madam Xie sat up straight again and nodded.

“Back then, that old witch, to strengthen this wench’s position, wouldn’t let us add even one servant to Cheng-ge’er’s room. Then she left for three years. Now that he’s back, naturally it’s time to add people,” she said. “Summon the Lord, and also call those maids I’ve selected.”

Nanny Su responded affirmatively and hurried to withdraw.

Here, since replacing people according to Concubine Zhou’s list, Qi Yue felt everything had suddenly become peaceful.

“It seems your Old Madam left behind backup plans, having Concubine Zhou to assist,” she said with a smile to A’Ru, who was sitting on a footstool embroidering shoes.

“Concubine Zhou,” A’Ru stopped her needle and sighed. “When the Old Madam managed the household, she assisted. She was most familiar with these affairs and people in the house. But her status couldn’t be brought to the forefront. When the Old Madam wasn’t there, she…”

Qi Yue nodded.

“I thought Concubine Zhou wouldn’t help the Young Madam,” A’Ru said with another smile, continuing to sew with her head down. “When the Young Madam was confined to Qiu Tong Courtyard, lacking food and clothing, when there was really no other way, she sought help from Concubine Zhou.”

“She didn’t help?” Qi Yue asked.

A’Ru nodded, her needle stopping again.

“At that time, Concubine Zhou’s days weren’t easy either. Madam was constantly waiting to find fault with her. Besides, even if she wanted to help, what could she do?” she said, shaking her head with a sigh.

Qi Yue made an “oh” sound, sat up to stretch her arms, and looked at the sky outside—clear to the point of being suffocating.

Since this Concubine Zhou was willing to help, she could relax.

“A’Ru, let’s go for a walk,” she said.

“Does the Young Madam want to leave the mansion?” A’Ru put down her work and asked hurriedly.

Initially, she had indeed wanted to see what ancient markets were like, but now she felt somewhat listless.

“No, let’s go to Qiu Tong Courtyard,” Qi Yue said.

A’Ru responded and took a cloak to tie around her.

Stopping a large group of maids who wanted to follow, Qi Yue only brought A’Ru as she walked back to Qiu Tong Courtyard. A’Hao, who used to rest here during the day, had been sent away, so it was cold and deserted during the day with only one matron watching the gate.

“How is A’Hao?” Qi Yue asked.

A’Ru helped her step over the threshold.

“We told her to choose where to go, but she hasn’t chosen yet. She’s listless at home,” she replied.

“You choose a good place for her—somewhere with light work, simple relationships, and where she won’t go hungry,” Qi Yue said, looking at the courtyard. After just a few days without residents, it already felt desolate.

With a creak, she pushed open the door. Of course, there wasn’t dust falling—according to orders, this place was cleaned daily.

Qi Yue looked up at the roof beam.

A’Ru also followed her gaze, somehow feeling cold in her heart.

“I originally came from here,” Qi Yue said, pointing at the roof beam with a smile.

A’Ru shivered, not knowing what to say.

“When I first woke up, I was nearly scared to death,” Qi Yue continued talking as if to herself, smiling again. “Even now, I still think this is all a dream. A’Ru, this is a dream, isn’t it?”

“Young Madam, A’Ru is alive and real. If you don’t believe it, pinch me,” A’Ru said.

“I’ve already pinched myself many times,” Qi Yue said, shaking her head with a smile while patting her own arm, looking up at the roof beam again. “Tell me, if I go up and hang myself again, would I be able to go back?”

A’Ru was so frightened she immediately knelt down, clutching her clothes.