Happy New Year! Wishing you great luck in the Spring Festival! May your whole family be happy and all your wishes come true! －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ The very next morning, the usually deserted path near Qiutong Courtyard, where even the sweepers and maids dared not tread, began to fill with people.

“How many do you bet will show up?”

“No more than ten…”

“Oh, I only put down four…”

The older women gathered together, chattering and laughing, all the while keeping a keen eye on Qiutong Courtyard.

“Look, Mother Su is the first to arrive…”

“Well, it’s only right, wasn't it the Old Marchioness who originally put the Young Madam in charge of the household affairs…”

“That was then, but now, hmph…”

This sort of confrontation between the mistress of the house and a rival was a spectacle seen for the first time. Before, the Old Marchioness held undisputed sway, and later the Marchioness held sole authority. Though Consort Zhou had initially been aggressively positioning herself, her status ultimately prevented her from stirring up any major unrest. But things were different now; the Young Madam had the backing of precedent and the qualifications to assert herself. This drama might actually unfold, yet considering the origins and background of the Eldest Young Madam, and most crucially, the Heir’s three years of deliberate neglect toward his wife, everyone privately felt this play wouldn't run for long before the curtain fell. Bets fluctuated wildly in the interim.

Outside, the onlookers were tense, tinged with a nervous excitement. Those inside Qiutong Courtyard were no better off.

“Which hairpin should I use?” A’Ru fretted, her voice tight with anxiety.

In front of her lay an array of jewelry of every description.

“Where is that gold chain pendant I chose earlier?” A’Ru frantically rummaged through the collection, calling out.

Qi Yue was facing the mirror, adjusting her outer vest—a beizi embroidered with entwined peonies, executed with exquisite detail. She couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration, once again marveling at how genuinely fond the Old Marchioness must have been of this Qi Yue-niang. Hearing A’Ru’s distress from the side, she walked over with a smile.

“Look here, look here,” she chuckled, pointing toward her own head.

A’Ru finally noticed the Phoenix Wing Gold Chain Pendant adorning Qi Yue’s hair and managed a sheepish smile.

“I truly am useless. I’m ashamed to admit I came from the Old Madam’s own residence, yet now I’m not presentable, unable to face a proper gathering…” she murmured, looking down.

“If I’m not afraid, what do you have to panic about? It just shows you’re flustered by concern,” Qi Yue teased, glancing out the window.

The main gate of Qiutong Courtyard had already been thrown wide open.

A’Hao’s silhouette abruptly appeared by the window, startling Qi Yue.

“Why are you out again! You just had surgery; that took a toll on your vital energy! Go back inside quickly,” Qi Yue admonished with wide eyes.

“I’m useless. Besides causing trouble for the Young Madam, I can’t help with anything. At such a crucial time, I can’t even comb my own hair,” A’Hao wept.

Qi Yue was torn between laughter and tears. She quickly went out with A’Ru.

“Are you saying you disapprove of how I do your hair?” A’Ru said, reaching out to steady her. “Why won’t you listen? If you just obey, that’s the greatest help you can give the Young Madam.”

Bringing up this point only made things worse. A’Hao immediately recalled that this entire situation stemmed from her acting on her own initiative and being deceived, causing her cries to escalate.

“If the Young Madam hadn't sought to avenge me, why would she have provoked the Madam…” she sobbed.

A’Ru felt a mix of annoyance and amusement, lightly tapping her head.

“Dream on. Seeking revenge for you,” she scoffed.

“What is going on here?” Mother Su’s voice echoed from outside. The three of them quickly turned to look and saw her stepping inside, followed by several other women.

“She hasn't suffered a bit, still crying over a sore backside,” Qi Yue quipped.

In truth, upon entering, everyone’s gaze was inevitably drawn to A’Hao. This girl, whom everyone assumed was dead, now stood before them, perfectly alive. Her complexion was slightly pale, and her posture a bit stooped, but she was vibrant, bearing not a trace of death about her.

How could this be… Or perhaps, was there truly divine intervention aiding Qiutong Courtyard?

“Mamas are here,” A’Hao said, wiping her tears. “I’ll go inside now.”

Mother Su and the others snapped back to attention and quickly replied with smiles. As if to further cement their new understanding, A’Hao managed to walk, somewhat unsteadily, supporting herself by the wall, requiring no one’s physical assistance.

Qi Yue and A’Ru quickly stepped forward to steady her, and without allowing any further struggle, A’Ru led her into the room.

“Mother Su, have all the others assembled?” Qi Yue said with a smile, interrupting the older women who were still staring transfixed at A’Hao.

“This…” Mother Su glanced back. “A few still have lingering duties and were delayed.”

Qi Yue gave an ‘oh’ sound, and A’Ru brought chairs out from inside the room.

“That’s fine, we’ll just wait then,” she said, sitting down with a smile.

Mother Su and the others paused in surprise.

“The Young Madam may not know, but those few maids aren’t strictly necessary. Furthermore, with Mother Su here, anything you need to convey can be told to her, and it certainly won’t delay the Young Madam’s business…” one of the women offered with a smile.

Qi Yue simply smiled in response.

“Yes, actually, there isn't anything urgent today. Since I haven’t gone out in many years, and because of my illness, I’ve forgotten a few things. Everyone looks quite unfamiliar to me, so I called you here so we can get properly acquainted. It would be troublesome if misunderstandings arise because no one recognizes anyone else,” she explained.

Mother Su and the others smiled profusely, insisting how could they not recognize the Young Madam.

“Then I’ll trouble Mother Su and all the Mamas to inform those who haven't arrived that from now on, they must recognize this identification tablet of mine,” Qi Yue stated, extending her hand.

A’Ru, standing dutifully nearby, immediately held up the tablet in her hand for everyone to see.

A medley of uneven responses arose from Mother Su and the others. Qi Yue paid it no mind. She had them all introduce themselves, learned what responsibilities each managed, then had Mother Su bring over the household registry, dismissing the rest.

“I thought she was supposed to be formidable,” they muttered softly after leaving, chuckling. “We knew it. How could someone so young understand anything? If we’d known, we wouldn’t have bothered coming, wasting a good early start.”

Mother Su stayed behind while someone went to fetch the household registry.

“…Is the Young Madam still residing in this courtyard, or…” Mother Su inquired.

Did the Young Madam intend to share rooms with the Young Master? Qi Yue paused for a beat. Facing enemies on both fronts was tactically disadvantageous; she needed to deal with the immediate situation first…

“No. I’ve only just recovered, and I’ve just taken over household affairs. Things are in chaos. The Heir has only just returned home; it wouldn't do to disturb his peace. We can change quarters after this initial period settles down,” Qi Yue said brightly.

In a while, perhaps she could return to her own place—that was her inner calculation as she offered a cheerful smile.

Indeed, she clearly didn't dare provoke the Heir. She only felt emboldened to pull rank using the Old Marchioness’s former authority in front of the Madam. But before the Heir, given his temperament, she’d likely be kicked out with a single swift motion…

Hiding away provided temporary security, but she must not forget that she held administrative power only because she was the Young Madam. And what was a Young Madam dependent upon if not the Heir? A wife who cannot earn her husband’s affection, or even a passing glance, might endure it for a day or two, but over time, who would treat her with any regard?

It seemed this grand display wouldn't last many days. Once these few days of drama concluded, it would be time for this Eldest Young Madam to vacate. Mother Su’s face broke into a smile as well.

Both sides harbored their own satisfied assumptions, exchanging meaningful looks brimming with smiles. The atmosphere instantly became buoyant.

“Let’s put everything else aside for now. First, assign a few maids and servant women to my quarters,” Qi Yue instructed.

Mother Su assented with a smile.

“The Young Madam’s residence should have four Second-Rank maids, but currently, there is only A’Hao. We should add three more. Would you like me to recall those former ones?” Mother Su inquired.

“How could that be done? Everyone else is already accustomed to their current posts; it’s hardly right to forcibly take away people’s hands,” Qi Yue shook her head, noticing Mother Su’s slight look of dissatisfaction.

Mother Su quickly agreed, saying the old servant was being muddle-headed.

“Then I shall select a few from the lower ranks and let the Young Madam make the final decision after I select them,” she replied.

Qi Yue nodded.

“Let that be all for today. I need to organize things first,” she announced.

Mother Su acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The news that three Second-Rank maids were to be promoted electrified the entire household. After all, the status and monthly stipend of a Second-Rank maid represented a significant leap forward, and such opportunities were not annual events. However, when everyone learned these appointments were for the Eldest Young Madam’s residence, all were eager to avoid involvement. It was rumored that when parents discovered their daughters’ names were on the roster, they secretly sent gifts to Mother Su, begging to have their daughters’ names removed. Previously, people had fought tooth and nail, pulled every string, and sent money and gifts to secure such promotions; yet, here they were, doing the opposite just to avoid advancement. This quickly became a source of gossip throughout the Residence of Marquis Dingxi, a tale no one discouraged, and in fact, happily spread.

It was rumored that the latest fashionable insult circulating in the residence was: “Oh, you’re being selected to be a Second-Rank maid, are you?”

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