The two old women exchanged bewildered glances, clearly not understanding Madam Fang’s meaning. Several people had arrived, but which one was the mistress? They recognized the mistresses of the mansion.
Madam Fang, being sharp, immediately realized that although the Madam had arranged for Tinglan Courtyard, she hadn't explained the reason to the servants. If this wasn't deliberate, who would believe it?
Suppressing her displeasure, Madam Fang said, "This is Concubine Yun, and this is the Second Miss. Open your eyes and look properly. If you ever fail to recognize someone again, you can forget about staying in the Marquis's mansion."
The two old women shivered. Everyone knew Madam Fang was a trusted confidante of the Old Madam, essentially the head manager of the back courtyard. Her word sometimes carried more weight than the masters'.
"Your maids pay respects to Concubine Yun and Second Miss," the two old women said in unison.
"Aren't you going to hurry inside and light the lamps?" Madam Fang reprimanded.
The two old women scurried inside, one after the other, followed by Qing Shui and Lian Bei.
"Concubine Yun, Second Miss, please bear with us tonight. I expect someone will bring people to select servants for both of you tomorrow," Madam Fang said.
"It's no trouble for you, Madam Fang," Qi Zhenzhen replied with a smile. "Having too many servants only makes one feel uncomfortable."
"Don't say such things again. If the Marquis and the Old Madam hear it, they might think Second Miss is complaining. Don't refuse what is within the established regulations," Madam Fang said sternly.
Qi Zhenzhen understood that Madam Fang was looking out for them and immediately retracted her casual remark. "Zhenzhen thanks Madam Fang for her guidance."
"Second Miss was young when she left the Marquis's mansion and grew up in the countryside for several years, so some oversight is unavoidable. The Marquis's mansion is not like the countryside; you must not be careless. Furthermore, the servants' discipline must be established. Although those two maids are capable, they haven't worked in a place like the Marquis's mansion before. Concubine and Miss, you must guide them when necessary. Masters are masters, and servants are servants."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, taking Madam Fang's words to heart.
Soon, Qing Shui, Lian Bei, and the two old women finished their preparations. Tonight, Concubine Yun and Qi Zhenzhen would share a room, and rooms would be assigned tomorrow morning.
After seeing Madam Fang off and dismissing the two old women, Qi Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Yun Shi around the room. "Mother, let's walk more, so we don't feel uncomfortable from indigestion."
"Second Miss, don't forget what Madam Fang said. This is the Marquis's mansion, not the countryside where we used to live. You must not forget the rules," Yun Shi said seriously. "According to the rules, Second Miss should call me Concubine. In this mansion, I can only have one mother, and that is Madam."
Qi Zhenzhen was not an emotional person and knew that this was the only way to avoid some trouble. She nodded, "I remember, Concubine."
A hint of bitterness flashed in Yun Shi's eyes, but she was helpless.
Qi Zhenzhen linked her arm through Yun Shi's and whispered, "From now on, when it's just the two of us, I'll still call you Mother. In front of outsiders, I'll call you Concubine."
Yun Shi gave her a fond look. "You girl."
At Chaohui Hall, Madam Fang reported to the Old Madam about the situation in Tinglan Courtyard, where there were only two old women and they didn't recognize Concubine Yun and her daughter. The Old Madam sneered, "Madam Qin is outwardly generous, but she is the most petty. Otherwise, how could my son have only one son? When Concubine Yun was in the mansion before, my son doted on her. Madam Qin must be worried that she will charm my son again this time."
"I didn't interact much with Concubine Yun before. I only know she is the daughter of a scholarly family and is very proud. When I went to pick them up this time, we lived together for a few days. She is very gentle and conducts herself with propriety. The young master and the young lady are also good!" Madam Fang said.
"Indeed, the two children are poised and generous, showing no trace of being country children. I thought perhaps you had guided them, but then I realized that what they learned in a few days was only superficial. Yet, the brother and sister carry themselves with such grace and propriety, it doesn't seem like something learned in a few days. It can only be said that Concubine Yun is a person of good breeding, and she has raised her children well," the Old Madam said with satisfaction. "Young Master Yi has grown up so outstandingly in the countryside. If he finds a good teacher, he will surely achieve great things in the future."
"Second Miss is also very capable in managing household affairs. Everything is orderly, and she cooks very well. This old servant has had the good fortune to eat a few meals prepared by her," Madam Fang said while brushing the Old Madam's hair.
"This old woman hasn't even tasted the food made by her own granddaughter, and you've already eaten it?" the Old Madam said with a smile.
"It's not difficult for you to eat it. Second Miss would be delighted to cook for you."
"Another day, when everything is settled, I will certainly try it."
At Jinghua Courtyard, Madam Qin's anger was evident on her face. The maids in the room were all holding their breath, afraid that Madam Qin's wrath would fall upon them.
"Mama, did you see? That slut acts so submissively towards this Madam, as if this Madam would bully her. She's doing it for the Marquis to see, for the Old Madam to see," Madam Qin said angrily. "And that slut's brats, they all put on airs and try to gain sympathy."
"Madam, please calm your anger. You've lost your composure as soon as they returned. How will you face them later?" Madam Qin comforted her. "The more they act like this, the better you should treat them, to let the Marquis and the Old Madam know your attitude. As for other things, as long as the Marquis favors them, someone will always have to step forward. There isn't just one concubine in this back courtyard."
Yes, Ru Yan is favored by the Marquis, and there is also Concubine Xiang. There will be other concubines in the future. Concubine Yun's days will never be peaceful.
"But that little brat is the only male heir in the Marquis's mansion. Won't the Marquis's mansion eventually fall into his hands? If that's the case, who will my Mingzhu rely on in the future?" Madam Qin frowned.
"My dear girl, you cannot rush this matter. That little brat is not yet ten years old, and it's still uncertain whether he will grow up to adulthood. If you lose your composure now, it will be truly irreversible," Madam Qin said.
Madam Qin took several deep breaths, and the anger on her face finally subsided. "Mama is right, I cannot lose my composure. They have only just returned, and there are many days ahead."
Madam Qin breathed a sigh of relief and personally helped Madam Qin to lie down and rest.
Qingzhu Courtyard.
On the way back, Qi Tianming had tested Qi Yi's studies quite a bit. He valued this son, who had not grown up under his wing, more and more. At such a young age, his conversation was measured, and he had his own insights into the knowledge from books. What was even rarer was that he was not a bookworm who only knew how to read.
"Good, good, good. We father and son haven't seen each other for many years. Today, we shall sleep side by side," Qi Tianming said.
The servants exchanged glances. The Marquis was very attentive to the eldest young master who had just returned to the mansion. From now on, they would have to serve him carefully and not neglect the only young master in the mansion.