From a distance, the courtyard lights were dim, making it impossible for Chang Yunqi to see the woman’s features clearly.

“Young Master, hurry up and leave, if someone sees you…” Caijuan whispered, her voice laced with worry.

It was certainly inappropriate for the young master to be standing outside his sister-in-law's courtyard late at night.

“Can’t I just pass by here? The maid was greedy for a taste, can’t I indulge her just this once?” Chang Yunqi laughed, saying this as he slowly walked forward.

“You clearly didn’t have to pass by here…” Caijuan muttered softly, “I never insisted on eating it…”

It was such an injustice; she had merely smelled a delicious aroma and casually remarked on how good something smelled, and the Young Master had immediately sent someone to fetch it for her to eat.

“It’s fine, go have a look and try some. Go on, go on, don't make it seem like I, your Young Master, am being too harsh on you. Go on.”

The Young Master’s words made it awkward for her not to go... when it was her initial desire to eat that was embarrassing in the first place.

Chang Yunqi pretended not to hear, casually snatching a skewer from her hand.

“What is this? Garlic?” He smelled it and exclaimed in surprise, “This can be roasted and eaten too?”

“Yes, who eats roasted garlic specifically?” Caijuan disliked the strong smell of garlic and promptly covered her mouth and nose. “Has Qiutong Courtyard truly sunk to the point where they have to use garlic just to stave off hunger?”

Chang Yunqi didn't reply. He looked at the garlic in his hand, which had been roasted whole with the skin on, and an image flashed in his mind: that woman secretly eating roasted beans, being spotted by the maids, and becoming a source of gossip.

“Truly raised as a beggar, refusing fine delicacies only to hide away and eat roasted beans. No wonder they say a dog can’t change its nature…”

Qi Yueliang stood in the courtyard with tears welling up in her eyes like a startled rabbit, filled with terror. If she could, she would have liked to shrink her entire self into a tight ball.

“Food is not divided by high or low status; Heaven and Earth grant life to all things, and everything is a gift from above,” he said slowly, taking a bite, and the rich scent of garlic instantly spread.

The night deepened, and the fragrance lingering above Qiutong Courtyard gradually dissipated.

“Madam, the night dew is heavy; return to your chambers and rest,” A'ru whispered, watching Qi Yue lying on the chaise lounge, her face obscured by a fan, seemingly asleep.

Meanwhile, A'hao over there was burping contentedly from eating too much.

“Fine, everyone go to sleep. Tomorrow, your younger brother’s stitches need to be removed,” Qi Yue said with a smile as she got up.

“The Mistress will have to trouble herself to come over again,” A'ru quickly bowed in thanks.

Qi Yue waved her hand, signaling her not to speak that way, and yawned as she went into the room.

The night passed without incident.

“Miss A'ru, please wait a moment. Mama Su is currently balancing the accounts with the people from the storeroom,” a maid said with a smile.

A’ru said, “Thank you for your trouble, little sister,” and stood aside to wait.

There were quite a few passing wet nurses and maids who shot sidelong glances at her, but almost no one came forward to greet her.

A'ru stood there alone, looking conspicuously isolated, yet instead of the usual dejection, a faint smile touched her lips.

In the distance, she saw three or four figures approaching along the path. One of them, wearing a lapel-opening shirt embroidered with cascading peonies and adorned with freshly bloomed flowers pinned to her tightly drawn-up hair, walked unsteadily at the forefront—it was Su Mei, who had already been elevated to the rank of tongfang (a favored concubine attendant).

She was chatting happily with the little maid beside her, but when her eyes lifted and caught sight of A'ru, the smile froze on her face.

A'ru turned her gaze away.

“Sister A'ru, what are you standing here for so early in the morning?” Su Mei ambled over, asking with a smile, “Are you free today? Have you finished the chores in the courtyard?”

Qiutong Courtyard had no assigned serving maids; there were only the mistress and her two attendants. At first, in the chaos, they forgot, and later, they intentionally ignored it, meaning A'ru and A'hao were receiving the allowance silver for first- and second-rank maids while doing the heavy labor of crude maids and wet nurses.

“The mark on the young mistress’s face seems to have healed,” A'ru turned to look at her and said calmly.

Su Mei’s face instantly flushed red. She did not want to recall the humiliation she suffered that day in Qiutong Courtyard.

It wasn't entirely unexpected that A'ru’s words were so sharp; back when they were serving the Old Madam, none of the maids were easy to provoke. However, the three years spent serving her current mistress had led everyone to believe she was completely pliable, like a shapeless lump of clay.

Thinking of this, Su Mei smiled again.

“The Young Mistress has seemed much more spirited lately, and Sister’s complexion has brightened too. It’s almost dazzling,” she said, fanning herself lightly. “But I wonder if what comes quickly also departs quickly.”

“That’s no concern for Miss Mei to worry about. You should focus on how to properly serve the Marquis and fulfill your duties,” A'ru replied placidly.

A'ru’s attitude infuriated Su Mei to the point of gritting her teeth.

“Ya’er, I have business with Mama Su. Tell her for me,” she turned to the little maid who had been watching the spectacle and said.

The little maid maintained her beaming smile.

“Miss Mei, I was here first,” A'ru interjected.

“You even know to call me Miss Mei,” Su Mei swayed her head, looking at A'ru, her crimson-dyed lips tightly pursed. “Then surely you know the rules of precedence, don’t you?”

A'ru smiled slightly and handed her token plaque to the little maid.

“The Young Mistress ordered me out. Please exchange the token,” she said.

The smiling little maid immediately reached out to take the plaque. When A'ru first arrived, she had requested an audience with Mama Su on her own status, naturally allowing for some slight delay. But now, presenting the Young Mistress’s plaque meant there was no room for discussion—whatever she asked for, she must receive immediately.

“Please wait a moment, Sister. I will fetch it right away,” she said with a smile, then courteously gestured to Su Mei with a smile, “Please follow me in, Miss Mei.”

Su Mei watched A'ru, gnashing her teeth in a cold smile. She hadn't really needed anything, and now meeting Mama Su would require unnecessary tongue-lashing. But now, she had no choice but to go in. Despite having been elevated to a tongfang, compared to the personal attendants serving the primary Madam, she was still just a maid and couldn't afford to put on airs.

“Using the Master’s status to suppress people. I hope you can maintain that dominance forever,” she sneered coldly.

“I am not suppressing anyone; this is simply a statement of fact,” A'ru replied with a slight, reserved smile.

The Young Mistress’s position was established; you, a mere tongfang, could never surpass her.

“Miss Mei, please,” the little maid said with a sweet smile. Having seen enough of the entertainment, she turned and went inside first.

Su Mei shot A'ru a resentful glare, fanned herself angrily, and followed inside. Not long after, the maid personally brought the token plaque back out to A'ru, who then proceeded inside.

This brief scene at the doorway, witnessed by many in the open and in secret, quickly spread among those with keen interest.

The Young Mistress was preparing to step forward to manage affairs!

Didn't they see that the head maid A'ru now possessed the same commanding presence she had when attending the Old Madam?

In truth, A'ru didn’t feel she had any particular aura. Qiutong Courtyard remained deserted; people still avoided her on the paths. Her monthly silver allowance was forgotten again this month, and the request to replace worn-out kitchenware was still ignored. If she didn't take the initiative, nothing would be addressed. The only improvement was that when she did step out, the deliberate neglect and obstruction were not quite so blatant—but that was all.

“However, Sister, you really do seem much more spirited this morning,” A’hao said cheerfully, packing a box of sponge cakes she had just finished making that morning for A'ru to take to her brother.

“I just feel more energized; I don’t know why myself,” A'ru laughed, stopping her from adding more food. “That’s enough. We’ll be checked when we leave; it won’t look good if there’s too much. A little is enough.”

“I think it’s because there’s hope now, unlike before when we couldn’t see the end,” A'hao tilted her head, thinking. “That’s what I feel. Seeing the Young Mistress smile and talk makes my heart feel brightened without realizing it, and even walking and talking feels energetic.”

Saying this, she nodded, reaffirming her feeling.

“The Young Mistress is truly wonderful now,” she added.

A'ru, who had been smiling, paused, the smile freezing on her face.

The Young Mistress now...

“A’ru, hurry up and go,” Qi Yue’s voice rang out from the courtyard, interrupting their conversation.

“Yes, alright,” A’hao wrapped the food box in cloth and called out loudly toward the courtyard, “Young Mistress, let me come with you too.”

“No, you stay and watch the house. It’s nothing fun or exciting to see.”

Listening to the exchange between mistress and attendant, A'ru emerged from the kitchen area.

“A’ru, remember to take the clothes you promised your neighbor aunty,” Qi Yue smiled at her.

That smile was bright and clear, like the morning sunlight, capable of sweeping away a patch of gloom.