Just as they suspected, once Concubine Zhu had her own small kitchen, many people began to be picky about their meals.

"The Second Miss claims she isn't feeling well and desires something light..."

"...Concubine Liu is unwell, saying the food sent from the kitchen is a bit cold."

Qi Yue listened to Jiu Zhi’s report. In just a few days, except for the Third Young Master, all the major and minor masters and mistresses in the manor had started making various demands, including the Fourth Miss, who was only a few years old and still held by her wet nurse.

"The meals for the concubines, young masters, and young ladies all have a fixed allowance. Convert that allowance into silver. Whatever the amount, they can order whatever they want, but they are not allowed to exceed that set silver limit. Within this range, what they eat, how much they eat, and when they eat it—all are up to them," Qi Yue commanded.

The managing old women naturally offered a fresh round of excuses. Some claimed it was against the rules, the food delivery servants said they were too busy to manage, the kitchen staff claimed they didn't know how to cook certain dishes, and the procurement staff swore they happened to be out of the rare cuts of meat and vegetables these individuals insisted on eating. The ensuing chaos nearly shook the roof off the building.

"So, you're saying you can't manage this?" Qi Yue asked after letting them clamor long enough, setting down her teacup.

"It's not that we are shirking responsibility, Young Madam. This has simply never been done before," one leading old woman stated.

"Time passes day by day; there is no single day where everything is the same. When a new situation arises, find a way to solve it. Why cling so tightly to how things were done before? If you lack manpower, hire more people! If you don't know how to cook it, learn! If you haven't procured something, go buy it! What is there that cannot be done?" Qi Yue cut her off, her gaze sweeping over the managing mistresses with their varied expressions. "If you truly cannot manage it, then make way for those who can."

At these words, the managing mistresses present were stunned.

"Young Madam, with the New Year approaching, the manor is at its busiest. This cannot be allowed to descend into chaos," Mother Su could no longer pretend to be deaf or blind and spoke up hurriedly.

"It’s fine. It’s a small matter. Anyone can handle the immediate tasks," Qi Yue said, waving a hand dismissively. She then crisply picked up the roster and began assigning replacements.

As she read out the names one by one, Mother Su and most of those present visibly changed color.

"I knew it! That vixen is causing trouble behind the scenes!" Madam Xie slapped the table, making the teacups rattle.

Instantly, the servants in the manor returned to the original staff roster from when the Old Madam was still in charge.

"I thought this disturbance against the Young Madam was more intense than I anticipated. It turns out Concubine Zhou is stirring the pot, using the Young Madam as a pawn to swap out our people under this pretext," Mother Su said, carefully steadying her teacup.

Madam Xie let out a cold laugh, the anger draining from her face.

"It's just a few servants; does she think that elevates her status?" She leaned back against the bolster and chuckled. "Does she think things are still as they once were? She isn't the Old Madam, and Cheng-er is not the Marquis."

Mother Su nodded in agreement. Indeed, Concubine Zhou's arrogance in the manor back then relied entirely on the favor of the Old Madam and the Marquis. But the current Young Madam was the 'Mistress,' and she had stayed in the Heir’s chambers long enough. With only a man and a woman alone, the Heir might be fine, but one couldn't guarantee what vile tactics that woman might employ. Not to mention Concubine Zhou is working behind the scenes. What if it truly is as the Second Madam suggested… She recalled something and whispered low.

Madam Xie sat up straight again and nodded.

"That old hag initially forbade us from adding a single servant to our Cheng-er's quarters just to bolster the status of that lowly maid. Then she was gone for three years. Now that she’s returned, it is certainly time to add people," she said. "Summon the Heir, and call for those few maids I selected as well."

Mother Su bowed in assent and quickly withdrew.

Meanwhile, after replacing personnel according to Concubine Zhou’s list, Qi Yue felt an immediate sense of calm.

"It seems your Old Madam had some contingency plans; she still had Concubine Zhou supporting her," she said with a smile to A’ru, who was sitting on the footstool embroidering.

"Concubine Zhou." A’ru paused her needlework and sighed. "When the Old Madam managed the household, Concubine Zhou assisted her. She is intimately familiar with the affairs and people in this estate. It’s just that her status could never be officially recognized. Once the Old Madam was gone, she..."

Qi Yue nodded.

"I actually thought Concubine Zhou wouldn't help the Young Madam," A’ru added with a slight smile before lowering her head, her needle flying rapidly. "Back when the Young Madam was confined to Autumn Maple Court, suffering from lack of food and clothing, she was desperate and sought help from Concubine Zhou."

"She didn't help?" Qi Yue asked.

A’ru nodded, and the needle in her hand stilled once more.

"At that time, Concubine Zhou’s own life was difficult. The Mistress was always waiting for a chance to strike against her. Besides, even if she wanted to help, what could she truly do?" She shook her head and sighed softly.

Qi Yue uttered a soft 'Oh,' sat up, stretched her arms, and looked outside at the sky, which was breathtakingly clear.

Since Concubine Zhou intended to help, Qi Yue could save herself some trouble.

"A’ru, let's go out for a walk," she suggested.

"Does the Young Madam wish to leave the manor?" A’ru put down her work and asked hurriedly.

Initially, she had indeed wanted to experience the ancient marketplace, but now she felt a little lackluster.

"No, let's go to Autumn Maple Court," Qi Yue decided.

A’ru responded, fetching a cloak and tying it around her.

Stopping a whole group of waiting maids from following, Qi Yue took only A’ru and returned to Autumn Maple Court. A’hao, who usually rested here during the day, had been sent back, so the place was deserted during the daylight hours, with only one old woman guarding the gate.

"A’hao, how is she?" Qi Yue inquired as A’ru helped her step over the threshold.

"She hasn't chosen where she wants to be transferred to. She's just been listless at home," A’ru replied.

"You choose a place for her—somewhere with light duties, simple human relations, and where she won't starve," Qi Yue instructed, looking around the courtyard, which already felt somewhat desolate after only a few days of not being inhabited.

With a creak, she pushed the door open. Naturally, no dust fell; it had been cleaned daily as ordered.

Qi Yue looked up at the ceiling beam.

A’ru followed her gaze, and inexplicably, a chill ran down her spine.

"I came from here," Qi Yue said, pointing a finger at the beam, a faint smile on her face.

A’ru shivered, unsure of what to say.

"When I woke up, I was nearly scared to death," Qi Yue spoke without needing A’ru to follow, as if talking to herself, then laughed again. "Even now, I keep thinking this is a dream, A’ru. This is a dream, isn't it?"

"Young Madam, A’ru is real. If you don’t believe me, pinch me," A’ru suggested.

"I’ve pinched myself many times already," Qi Yue shook her head and smiled, patting her own arm, then looked back up at the beam. "Tell me, if I went up and hanged myself one more time, could I go back?"

A’ru was terrified and immediately knelt, clutching the hem of Qi Yue's dress.