Zhang Da, relying on being a gift from the Empress Dowager, had been quite arrogant in the Chang Prince's mansion for some time.
Even Zhang Da was stunned. He had only heard that Song Chaoyu was an illegitimate daughter, so he had looked down on her.
He hadn't expected her to possess such presence now, sitting before him.
Zhang Da could only curb his arrogance slightly and then said, "This servant... merely wishes to alleviate your worries, my Princess Consort. The mansion is bustling with people and affairs, and you have only just arrived, knowing nothing. This servant—"
"Enough, shut up."
Song Chaoyu found Zhang Da to be a nuisance. She rolled her eyes at him and rubbed her forehead. "From this moment on, you are no longer the steward of the Chang Prince's mansion. Your words were disrespectful and presumptuous. You may leave the mansion and seek a better future. Our humble Chang Prince's mansion cannot accommodate such a distinguished guest as yourself!"
Song Chaoyu was not afraid of the Empress Dowager's bestowal. She knew that to gain the respect of the people in the mansion, she had to start by dealing with the most imposing figure.
Zhang Da was not someone to be trifled with, and keeping him in the Chang Prince's mansion would bring no benefit.
Zhang Da never imagined that Song Chaoyu would dismiss him with just a few words!
He looked at Song Chaoyu in astonishment, naturally unwilling to leave. "Princess Consort, perhaps you have misunderstood? This servant was bestowed upon the Chang Prince's mansion by the Empress Dowager. Does the Princess Consort not even care for the Empress Dowager's good intentions?"
Song Chaoyu knew he would use the Empress Dowager to pressure her.
She scoffed, "As you said, the Empress Dowager kindly sent you to the Chang Prince's mansion. But you have been arrogant in the mansion and have contradicted your superiors. I believe this is not in line with the Empress Dowager's good intentions, is it? If anything, you have failed the Empress Dowager's good intentions, not I. Regardless, you must leave today. Whether you leave with dignity or I have you thrown out is for you to decide."
Having said that, Song Chaoyu calmly picked up the tea beside her and took a slow sip, as if waiting for Zhang Da to make his decision.
Zhang Da did not want to leave, but he stood his ground, intending to argue with Song Chaoyu further. "Even if this servant is to leave, it must be by the Empress Dowager's command! Otherwise, this servant will never leave the Chang Prince's mansion."
He thought that by invoking the Empress Dowager, he could at least intimidate Song Chaoyu.
However, he did not expect Song Chaoyu's eyes to suddenly turn sharp and cold.
She looked at Xiao Ruizhi beside her and spoke without a hint of hesitation, "Guards, escort this insolent servant out of the mansion! He is never to enter the gates of the Chang Prince's mansion again!"
Xiao Ruizhi knew that he must now help Song Chaoyu establish her authority in the Chang Prince's mansion.
Moreover, when Mu Changxi had left, he had said that the Chang Prince's mansion was Song Chaoyu's home, and whatever Song Chaoyu wished to do, Xiao Ruizhi had to ensure it was done.
So, Xiao Ruizhi called for several strong young servants from outside and had them drag Zhang Da out of the Chang Prince's mansion.
No matter how Zhang Da pleaded or invoked the Empress Dowager, his cries could only turn into a wisp of sound in the wind and then completely dissipate.
After Zhang Da was dragged out, the main hall fell silent.
The remaining ten stewards exchanged glances and then lowered their heads. No one dared to say another word.
Song Chaoyu took another sip of tea, then surveyed them and slowly began, "The Prince and I have no other requirements. We only ask for 'loyalty.' We believe that only with loyalty can tasks be performed well. Therefore, those I wish to keep must be capable of performing their duties well."
Her gaze suddenly turned sharp. "So, if any of you feel that you are not capable enough to handle the affairs of the Chang Prince's mansion, it is not too late to leave now. I will have Xiao Ruizhi give each of you who leaves one hundred taels of silver. We can part on good terms, having known each other. But if I discover any fault in the future, or if your work is unsatisfactory, then such good fortune will not be present. You... think about it carefully!"
No one had expected that Song Chaoyu, a mere illegitimate daughter, could cause the ten stewards to feel uneasy on her very first day in the Chang Prince's mansion.
After a moment of silence, two stewards stepped forward. "This servant's talent is shallow, and his actions are clumsy. I fear I will be unable to perform my duties effectively. I beg the Princess Consort to grant my departure from the Chang Prince's mansion."
Since there were those willing to leave, Song Chaoyu naturally offered a smile. "Very well, you may go to Xiao Ruizhi to collect your money. Thank you for looking after the Chang Prince's mansion until now."
These two were wise enough to recognize the times, and Song Chaoyu naturally gave them the respect they deserved.
She smiled and saw them out the door. Looking at the remaining eight stewards, Song Chaoyu asked, "Are there any others who wish to leave?"
"..."
The hall was filled with a silent stillness.
Song Chaoyu understood their thoughts. "It seems that the eight of you do not intend to leave?"
The steward on the far left stepped forward first and then knelt before Song Chaoyu. "This servant is willing to serve the Chang Prince's mansion with all his might. I beg the Princess Consort to grant my request."
The others followed suit, kneeling. "This servant is willing to serve the Chang Prince's mansion with all his might. I beg the Princess Consort to grant my request."
"Good!"
With eight people remaining, it was not difficult to manage.
Song Chaoyu nodded and smiled. "Currently, I do not understand you, and you do not understand me. Since you wish to stay, you must show me your capabilities. As I said, I will only keep five stewards. Therefore, you will compete fairly."
She instructed Xiao Ruizhi, "From today onwards, all steward positions are abolished. All matters, large and small, in the mansion are to be reported to you,挑红 (Tiao Hong), and 秋晴 (Qiu Qing). The three of you will work hard. The rest will rely on their own abilities. Whoever performs their duties well will be made a steward. Strive for the positions you desire."
Song Chaoyu's decision stunned everyone.
The person on the far left, more astonished than the others, looked up at Song Chaoyu. "Forgive my boldness, Your Highness. If the Princess Consort truly does this, will the entire Chang Prince's mansion not fall into chaos?"
Song Chaoyu sneered, "Is the Chang Prince's mansion not already in chaos?"
The man felt the sharpness of Song Chaoyu's gaze and quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.
Song Chaoyu waved her hand. "Very well, if you have nothing else, you may all leave."
As the eight stewards were just getting up, Song Chaoyu added, "Oh, right. Find someone to move all the items in this main hall out. I want to redecorate this place."
The eight men scurried out to find people, each eager to make a good impression on Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu shook her head and looked at Xiao Ruizhi, whispering, "Go and find a few more people with clean backgrounds and efficient work ethics from outside. I fear that of these eight, only a few will remain."