Qi Zhenzhen said unhurriedly, "Perhaps I have some talent in this area? I've tried the methods in the books a few times, and the tea I made is passable. But it's certainly not as good as Auntie described, capable of rivaling famous teas."
As she spoke, Qing Shui and Lian Bei returned.
Before Qi Zhenzhen could introduce them, both bowed to Ru Yan.
They must have been told by the sweeping maids at the door.
"Qing Shui serves my aunt, and Lian Bei is my maid," Qi Zhenzhen told Ru Yan.
Ru Yan took a look. Qing Shui appeared to be a senior maid, while Lian Bei was clearly a child.
"Were these assigned by the Madam?" Ru Yan asked.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. "No, these are people who were already with us and returned to the manor with us."
Ru Yan said "oh." Wasn't Yun Yiniang said to have been living in exile with two children? Seeing that they even had servants, their lives should have been quite good.
"According to the manor's regulations, an aunt can have two senior maids, four second-class maids, and four third-class maids, plus four to six sweeping maids for the courtyard. Sister, you've lived in the manor before, so you should know. What about the people who used to serve you? Do you know if Sister has returned?" Ru Yan asked.
"The manor's regulations are decided by the Old Madam, the Marquis, and the Madam," Yun Shi said, neither yielding nor aggressive.
Ru Yan paused, then quickly said, "Sister, please don't misunderstand. I just saw that Sister has few people around and couldn't help but say a few words. The Madam values rules the most, and she certainly won't wrong Sister and the Second Miss in terms of regulations."
"The Old Madam, the Marquis, and the Madam specifically asked Granny Fang to bring us back, so we will be arranged properly," Yun Shi added.
Ru Yan gave an awkward laugh. She didn't know if she was being overly sensitive, but she felt that Yun Shi emphasized the word "specifically." Was this a warning to her not to harbor any intentions towards Yun Shi? This Yun Yiniang appeared gentle and weak, but perhaps that was just a facade. Indeed, if she were truly weak, how could she have given birth to the Second Miss and then the Eldest Young Master under the Madam's nose?
Ru Yan immediately put away her initial disdain. Although the Madam had shown her favor, the Madam's thoughts were unpredictable, and she was also a cruel person. After much thought these days, Ru Yan felt that relying on the Madam was not a good idea. It was better to wait and see.
"Since Sister has returned to the manor, I should also show my respect. This is my token of regard, and I hope Sister will accept it." Ru Yan's maid presented a red lacquer box.
Under Ru Yan's expectant gaze, Yun Shi opened the box. It was divided into three compartments: one neatly stacked with small ingots, one with various silver lumps, and the last filled with copper coins.
Yun Shi closed the box. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Sister."
Ru Yan smiled. "We all make a living under the Madam. Concubine Xiang is not well, and the Madam has excused her from morning greetings, so she practically stays in her chambers. Sister, I am also very lonely in this vast Marquis's manor. Now that Sister has returned, let's visit each other more often in the future."
Yun Shi smiled and proactively initiated conversation with Ru Yan.
After about fifteen minutes, Ru Yan left with her people.
"This Concubine Ru Yan is quite a character. She sent a box of money, perhaps thinking that since we just returned to the manor, we might be short on cash to reward the servants?"
Yun Shi nodded. "In the manor, we don't have to worry about food, drink, or clothing. The manor has regulations, but it's hard to say how much of those regulations are actually implemented. Take the main kitchen, for example. There are a steward and a head matron, and they can decide whether you get more vegetables than meat or more meat than vegetables. Or, the head matron of the sewing room can decide whether the clothes you receive are made from the current season's new fabric or from old stock." So, Concubine Ru Yan's gesture can be considered a sincere attempt at friendship."
Sincere? Qi Zhenzhen didn't think so. What she said earlier was intended to sow discord, and even though she immediately tried to cover it up by saying she misspoke, who would believe it?
"Mother, one should not become too close to such people, at least not now," Qi Zhenzhen said earnestly. "Not everyone is as kind-hearted as you."
"Mother knows, of course."
As for Concubine Xiang, whom Ru Yan mentioned, Granny Fang had also spoken of her briefly, only saying that Concubine Xiang was unwell and had been confined to her courtyard for years, rarely seeing even her own daughter.
Qi Zhenzhen was a bit curious about this person. What kind of illness would prevent someone from recovering for so many years?
This Marquis's manor was truly interesting.
Two days later, Granny Qin brought a matchmaker and a line of maids to Tinglan Courtyard.
"Greetings to the Aunt and the Second Miss. May the Aunt and Miss be well." The matchmaker, whose face was heavily powdered, greeted them with a fawning smile. "These are people the Madam sent the old woman to bring. They are all skillful and clever. Would the Aunt and Second Miss like to take a look?"
Granny Qin left immediately after delivering the people, her face full of arrogance, clearly showing no regard for Yun Shi and Qi Zhenzhen.
It was a wonder that the matchmaker was so respectful. It seemed she was accustomed to the filth of the inner chambers.
Four rows of maids, a total of forty.
"According to the regulations for an aunt, you are entitled to two senior maids, four second-class maids, and four third-class maids to serve you. This means you need to choose ten maids, and the Miss also needs ten," the matchmaker said with a smile.
"I already have a senior maid who occupies a quota, so I will choose nine. The Second Miss also has a maid serving her," Yun Shi said softly.
"Certainly, certainly." The matchmaker stepped aside, allowing Yun Shi and Qi Zhenzhen to choose.
Plump and slender, elegant and charming, this was less like choosing maids and more like a beauty pageant.
Soon, both Yun Shi and Qi Zhenzhen had chosen their maids. The matchmaker smiled with narrowed eyes. "Then these people will stay in the Aunt's courtyard. I will first send their indentures to the Madam for review."
"Thank you for your trouble." At Qi Zhenzhen's instruction, Lian Bei handed the matchmaker a purse containing two small silver ingots.
The matchmaker's hand, hidden in the wide sleeve of her jacket, weighed them discreetly. She was quite generous.
"The Aunt and Miss are fortunate. These are all people the Madam personally selected before asking the old woman to bring them. I can guarantee they are all nimble and efficient. If you ask me, among the many noble families in the capital, our Marquis's manor's Madam is the most kind-hearted," the matchmaker said with a smile.
After seeing off the matchmaker, Qi Zhenzhen instructed Qing Shui to arrange for the maids to settle in, while she helped Yun Shi into the room.
"Mother, what the matchmaker said at the end was interesting," Qi Zhenzhen remarked.
Yun Shi looked confused. "Is there something wrong?"
Was her mother truly someone who had lived in the Marquis's manor for many years? Qi Zhenzhen rubbed her forehead. Her simple nature was truly worrying.
"These maids were seen by the Madam first. Under normal circumstances, which family's Madam would manage such trivial matters?" Qi Zhenzhen said. "These new maids, I suspect some of them are already the Madam's people."