From that day on, Qin Shuying would leave the residence every so often.

  Though Xu Shi was furious, she knew it wasn’t the right time to act. She could only suppress her anger while maintaining the appearance of a virtuous and gracious aunt.

  Qin Shuying had shed her former timid demeanor, becoming composed and poised, with a dignified manner and measured words. Qin Yunyun had tried multiple times to find fault with her but couldn’t find any opportunities, leaving her seething with frustration yet helpless.

  “Hongjuan, it’s snowing outside!”

  Lanchou cheerfully entered with a fire basin, her face lit with excitement, though her voice was kept low to avoid disturbing Qin Shuying, who was reading in the study and disliked noise.

  “Quick, come in and don’t let the cold wind in,” Hongjuan said as she patted the snow off Lanchou’s robe and went to close the curtain.

  Ziteng had already heard the commotion and stepped out from behind the screen, taking the fire basin and moving it further inside.

  “Hongjuan, our miss is amazing—she gets up before dawn to study every day!” Lanchou whispered to Hongjuan, rubbing her cold hands together.

  “Is that something you should be saying?” Hongjuan scolded with a stern expression.

  Lanchou immediately straightened up, realizing her mistake. “I was wrong. Nanny Fu told us that anything about Miss must never be spoken of lightly or shared with anyone. I’ll remember, and I won’t do it again.”

  “Make sure you don’t bring trouble to Miss,” Hongjuan warned.

  Lanchou, on the verge of tears, earnestly promised, “Yes, Hongjuan. I’ll even go to Nanny Fu myself to accept punishment.”

  “There’s no need to get so upset. Miss has been kind to you, hasn’t she? You must protect her by holding your tongue. How are your studies coming along?” Hongjuan’s tone softened as they walked to the outer room.

  “I’ve learned basic calcutions, and now I’m studying accounting with Nanny Mi.”

  “Really? Then I won’t hold you up. Go now, or Nanny Mi might leave before you get there.”

  Lanchou obediently exited, leaving Hongjuan to gnce at the snowy ndscape with a soft sigh.

  Qin Shuying ran a tight ship in Yin Garden, far stricter than her former residence at Spring Garden. Hongjuan and Nanny Fu oversaw the maids’ discipline and training. Hongjuan was steady, Lvyue adaptable, and Ziteng calm, while the other maids, like Zhihua, adhered to the rules. Only Lanchou’s lively personality required the most attention.

  Though she had been promoted from a menial maid to a second-css maid and allowed to learn accounting, she was still frequently reprimanded. Yet, receiving Miss’s favor and opportunities far outweighed any punishments. Hongjuan hoped that Lanchou would eventually mature into a more reliable person.

  In the Study

  Qin Shuying put down her brush and quietly recited what she had just read, committing it to memory. She no longer read poetry or prose but instead focused on medical texts and history books.

  Fortunately, among Qin Yongzhou’s belongings were a wealth of such materials, including official gazettes and geographical records.

  Qin Yongzhou, having served near the southern coast, was well-informed about overseas matters. His collection even included geographical records and anecdotes from foreign nds. Qin Shuying not only read them herself but also encouraged Ziteng to do so.

  At first, Ziteng found it strange, but as she delved deeper, her astonishment and fascination grew.

  As a maid, Ziteng would never have had the opportunity to read such books. Yet, Miss trusted her with them, a level of confidence surpassing anything she had ever experienced.

  While Lanchou learned accounting, the privilege of studying history books and official reports was entirely different. These were materials typically reserved for men.

  Qin Shuying’s trust and generosity filled Ziteng with a deep sense of purpose. She buried herself in the texts, determined to live up to the opportunity given to her.

  Ziteng, though confused, earnestly continued to read. Occasionally, Qin Shuying would pose questions for her to discuss.

  “Miss, it’s time to pay respects to the Old Madam,” Hongjuan reminded from outside.

  Not long after, Qin Shuying emerged, draped in the outerwear that Lvyue had prepared. Accompanied by Hongjuan, Lvyue, and two other maids, she headed toward Xuantang Hall.

  The snow had fallen throughout the previous night, and though it wasn’t heavy, it still drifted down in delicate fkes. The entire garden was cloaked in a pristine white bnket. The snow’s reflection made Qin Shuying’s delicate face appear even more luminous—icy and serene, like a dream.

  As the small group walked along the snow-den path, only the soft crunch of snow underfoot broke the silence. No one uttered a word. Qin Shuying’s steady steps betrayed no sign of exhaustion. Her cheeks gradually flushed from the cold, adding a vibrant allure to her already striking appearance.

  Hongjuan couldn’t help but feel astonished. How many more secrets was Miss hiding from everyone? Nowadays, only Ziteng and Nanny Fu were allowed into the study, while she, the senior maid, was still restricted. Miss trusted her but hadn’t pced her in a position of complete confidence. Hongjuan knew she had to continue proving herself.

  As for Huiqin, that fool thought she could rise again? After failing to carry out Madam Xu’s orders and offending Miss, how could she expect to regain favor? Now she was relegated to the undry room, still naively hoping her mother might plead on her behalf to Madam Xu. Yet even as Madam Xu’s dowry servant, Huiqin’s mother couldn’t guarantee her daughter’s previous status would be restored.

  Before they even reached the hall, Qin Shuying could already hear Qin Fangfang’s ughter.

  “Old Madam, Sixth Sister is so thoughtful. This small hand warmer is both practical and cozy—perfect for winter!”

  The Old Madam’s ughter followed. “Ah, Sixth Girl has a heart of gold.”

  When Xiangqin lifted the curtain, Qin Shuying entered the hall and immediately noticed the bronze hand warmer in the Old Madam’s hands. Its elegant design and intricate craftsmanship caught her eye. The entire piece was meticulously hammered into shape, ensuring it was smooth to the touch, with a snug-fitting lid. Without even holding it, Qin Shuying knew this hand warmer was exceptional. The charcoal inside could burn intensely while the exterior remained warm but never scalding—a rare find indeed.

  Upon seeing Qin Shuying enter, Qin Yunyun’s smile momentarily froze, but she quickly recovered, greeting her sweetly.

  “Seventh Sister.”

  Elegant and poised, yet lively and charming—Qin Yunyun truly embodied the qualities of a noblewoman from a prominent family.

  Qin Shuying sighed softly and said, “Old Madam, you’ve always been sensitive to the cold, and your legs ache every winter. I had thought of a humble remedy, but after seeing Sixth Sister’s thoughtful gift, it seems my small token pales in comparison.”

  Qin Yunyun smirked with pride. This bronze hand warmer had been specially sourced by Madam Xu, and she doubted Qin Shuying could come up with anything better.

  “Seventh Sister,” Qin Yunyun said with a smile, “as long as it’s from you, the Old Madam will surely cherish it. Right, Old Madam?”

  The Old Madam nodded approvingly.

  Currently, Qin Shuying was well-behaved and sensible. She came to pay respects on time, engaged in conversation appropriately, and maintained good retionships with her sisters. When facing Madam Xu, she dispyed impeccable respect without a trace of discord.

  The copies of Precepts for Women and Instructions for Women she had been tasked to transcribe were written with a steady hand—firm strokes and graceful curves, leaving no room for criticism. She had even made a pair of shoes for the Old Madam. While the craftsmanship wasn’t particurly advanced, the stitching was neat and dense, resulting in a snug and comfortable fit.

  According to Nanny Gu, Qin Shuying had reorganized the shops left behind by Qin Yongzhou and had visited them multiple times. While her approach to business was conservative, it was stable—a strategy of preservation over expansion, which was sufficient for now.

  Judging her actions, the Old Madam felt satisfied. This girl had some cleverness, a clear grasp of the situation, and an understanding of when to restrain herself. A proper young woman should be steady and resourceful, justifying all the effort that had been spent on her upbringing.