Lu Qing Wan nodded gracefully, "Rise."
Afterward, she reached out to help them up with a gesture. "With no one managing affairs in the manor, I will have to trouble all of you further."
The female official, seeing Lu Qing Wan's composed demeanor, showed a flicker of admiration in her eyes.
"Miss Lu is too kind. We are acting on the orders of Noble Consort, so this is our duty, not trouble."
After exchanging pleasantries, she stepped aside. "This servant is Lan Yin, and this is Xu Guo. We are both first-rank palace maids by Noble Consort's side.
These two are Nanny Chen and Nanny Yang, both esteemed nannies from the palace, well-versed in the etiquette of all celebrations.
Those few are specially selected by Noble Consort to prepare makeup and attire for Miss Lu."
Lu Qing Wan took a look at each of them. "Lan Yin and Xu Guo, truly Noble Consort's trusted aides. Even your names are full of charm.
I presume the Regent has already instructed you on what needs to be done?"
Lan Yin replied unhurriedly, "Please rest assured, Miss Lu. His Highness has already given his instructions.
Miss Lu's dowry will be sent from Prince Chen's manor today. As for Princess An Yang's dowry, the Ministry of Rites has the gift list, and we will simply verify it."
"That's good."
Lu Qing Wan's lips curved slightly. "Steward Zhou, please arrange for lunch in the kitchen and invite our esteemed guests.
Also, have Ning Yin Pavilion cleaned up and ready for the esteemed guests to stay."
Her tone was so natural that one might mistake Steward Zhou for being obligated to obey her.
However, Steward Zhou remained rooted to the spot.
Lu Qing Wan frowned. "What? Did Steward Zhou not hear my instructions clearly? Should I find a new steward for you?"
Steward Zhou's eyes shot up, meeting Lu Qing Wan's clear and rational gaze. He instantly understood that she was doing this deliberately.
Ning Yin Pavilion, as its name suggested, was the courtyard where Lu Qing Wan's mother, Xiao Liang Yin, the matriarch of Marquis Zhao Lie's manor, resided.
At the time, Lu Zhen Ting and Xiao Liang Yin were deeply in love, and everything in Ning Yin Pavilion was of the highest quality.
After Xiao Liang Yin's death, Madam Lan had usurped the place and moved into Ning Yin Pavilion, only returning to her own Lan Yuan when Lu Zhen Ting was home.
As a result, the original Lu Qing Wan had no grounds to complain, even if she wanted to.
Lu Qing Wan had long wanted to reclaim what rightfully belonged to the original Lu Qing Wan and her mother. Now was the perfect opportunity, and she wouldn't miss it.
Steward Zhou knew well how possessive Madam Lan was of Ning Yin Pavilion. He still wanted to try and make a case for his paramour.
"Miss Lu does not concern herself with household affairs and may not know that Ning Yin Pavilion is old and in disrepair, and it may not be ready for immediate use!
This Bamboo Garden is still empty, perhaps..."
"Insolence!"
Lu Qing Wan's aura turned cold. "Ning Yin Pavilion is my mother's former residence. My father had people repair and clean it every year, so how could it be in disrepair?
The esteemed guests are here to handle my wedding, acting in my mother's stead!
It is only natural for them to reside in Ning Yin Pavilion. Yet you suggest they stay in a place like Bamboo Garden? Are you unwilling to accommodate them, or unwilling to accommodate my mother?"
The name Ning Yin Pavilion was too obvious. The two female officials, Lan Yin and Xu Guo, were startled when Lu Qing Wan suggested they stay there.
Upon hearing Lu Qing Wan's words, they felt a pang of sorrow.
A legitimate daughter of a marquis, with no one to send her off upon her marriage, forcing them, strangers, to act as a mother, and then being repeatedly obstructed – how pitiful!
Lost in their own thoughts, they were deeply moved.
Xu Guo cleared her throat and spoke in a deliberate tone, "Miss Lu, His Highness entrusted Noble Consort to send us here precisely to ensure the wedding proceeds smoothly and without worry.
If the steward is incompetent, we can also take it upon ourselves to rectify the marquis's household."
As soon as she said this, Madam Lan quickly interjected, "Steward Zhou, you are being foolish. People from Noble Consort's side are welcome to stay even in Song Tao Garden, so why not Ning Yin Pavilion?
It's just a leaky roof and some peeling floorboards. We can have them repaired. Why would we let the esteemed guests stay in Bamboo Garden?"
Madam Lan thought cleverly: what difference would it make if these palace maids stayed for a few days? Once Lu Qing Wan was married and the palace maids left, Ning Yin Pavilion would still be hers.
Steward Zhou, hearing her agreement, hastily put on a smile. "Second Madam is correct. This old servant was foolish.
Miss Lu, esteemed aunts, this old servant will immediately arrange for Ning Yin Pavilion to be repaired."
With that, fearing that Lu Qing Wan or the two female officials might change their minds, he quickly withdrew.
However, this was only the beginning, and the two female officials were clearly not to be trifled with.
As soon as Steward Zhou left, Lan Yin immediately produced an account book. "Miss Lu, soon His Highness will come to the manor to formally propose. At that time, your dowry will also need to be finalized.
Perhaps, while waiting for lunch, we could begin by inventorying Princess An Yang's dowry?"
"No."
Madam Lan objected without hesitation.
Lu Qing Wan looked puzzled. "Aunt Lan, it's just an inventory of my mother's dowry, what's the harm in that?"
Madam Lan had blurted out her objection in a moment of panic. When Lu Qing Wan questioned her, she calmly explained, "Qing Wan, you've forgotten. A portion of your mother's dowry was previously sent to Prince Chen's manor as part of your own dowry.
It hasn't arrived yet, so the items are incomplete. How can we inventory it then?"
"There was a gift list for the items sent to Prince Chen's manor, wasn't there? If we retrieve that list and compare it with my mother's dowry, everything will be clear."
Lu Qing Wan looked at Madam Lan with an innocent expression. "Aunt Lan, you've been managing the household for over a decade. How can you not even manage such a simple accounting matter?"
Madam Lan gritted her teeth in anger, but with the palace staff watching, she dared not even scold Lu Qing Wan.
She could only nervously retort, "I merely forgot for a moment. You are right, we can compare the two gift lists."
"Then let's go."
Lu Qing Wan gave Madam Lan no room to refuse and politely said to Lan Yin and Xu Guo, "I trouble you two esteemed aunts. Later, I will ask the Regent to give you a generous red packet."
Lan Yin smiled back, "Then we thank Miss Lu in advance!"
The group, chatting and laughing, naturally took the lead and headed towards the storeroom, completely reversing the roles of host and guest.
Madam Lan, unable to find any excuse to refuse, could only watch.
Seeing Lu Qing Wan leading Lan Yin and Xu Guo towards Ning Yin Pavilion, she gritted her teeth and said, "Qing Wan, your mother's dowry is not there."
"What is Aunt Lan saying? If my mother's dowry is not in Ning Yin Pavilion, where else could it be?"
Lu Qing Wan shot back without turning her head, quickening her pace towards Ning Yin Pavilion.
Lan Yin and Xu Guo, although by Noble Consort Ye's command, had also been instructed by Feng Xi Wu, and were therefore naturally inclined to obey Lu Qing Wan.
The group arrived at the entrance of Ning Yin Pavilion in a hurry, only to see Steward Zhou frantically directing people to move items out of Ning Yin Pavilion.
"Be gentle with your feet! That's Second Madam's favorite 'Son-Bestowing Guanyin.' You'll be in trouble if it breaks!"
"Idiots! If the guests in the front courtyard are disturbed, I'll beat all you lowly servants to death!"
...
Amidst the scolding and cursing, Lu Qing Wan turned to Madam Lan. "Aunt Lan, didn't you say Ning Yin Pavilion was old and in disrepair, unfit for habitation?
From what I see, it looks even more opulent and exquisite than before!"