Qin Shuying tidied the brushes and ink on the table, smiling gently. "Fifth Sister, what did you hear?"

  Qin Lulu’s eyes curved with a pyful smile. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I heard you rewarded the maids and servants in your courtyard with a considerable sum—is it true?"

  "Nothing ever escapes your ears. Since you've already heard about it, then yes, it’s true."

  "Did you know your generous rewards to your personal maids have become the hottest topic in the Qin residence? Everyone's guessing the exact amount. Tell me, won't you? I’d love to win this little bet."

  Qin Shuying ughed lightly. "Perhaps it's better if I don't. If word gets out, your servants might want to move to Yin Garden. I’d hate to steal your people."

  Qin Lulu waved it off dismissively. "Let them dream. People should have aspirations—it motivates them to work harder. If they do wish to go, I'll gdly encourage them. Besides, the servants at Yin Garden didn’t earn those rewards for nothing. Lanchou and Ziteng are always running errands for you, delivering letters even in the freezing cold, their shoes and stockings soaked through. Who else knows how hard they've worked? They deserve that money. If I had your ability, managing servants so well that they generate wealth for me, I’d reward them generously without hesitation too. Unfortunately, I know my limits. I just don’t have your capability."

  Qin Shuying felt touched. Despite her young age, Qin Lulu was remarkably clear-headed, neither impatient nor pretentious.

  "You’ve said everything yourself," Qin Shuying replied softly.

  Feigning annoyance, Qin Lulu urged, "Come on, hurry up and tell me—just how much silver did you give them?"

  Qin Shuying leaned closer, whispering a number. Qin Lulu immediately excimed in shock, "That much!"

  On the other side, Qin Yunyun had been quietly eavesdropping, but she hadn't heard clearly the number Qin Shuying whispered. However, Qin Lulu’s startled reaction made her pause abruptly, anger bubbling up inside her. She smmed her brush down and yelled sharply, "Caiying!"

  Caiying, who had been waiting attentively outside, immediately hurried in at Qin Yunyun's shout and began packing her books.

  "What kind of noble young dies behave so disgracefully? Such a shameful dispy! I can't stand another moment here. Let's leave immediately!" Qin Yunyun spat angrily and stormed out.

  Qin Lulu watched her leave, shaking her head. "What's her problem now?"

  Qin Shuying shrugged gently. "Fifth Sister, your things aren't packed yet. I'm all set to leave."

  "Wait for me!" Qin Lulu quickly gathered her things.

  Madam Xu had fallen "ill," so Madam Zou was temporarily managing the household. It wouldn't be long before Dong Shi returned.

  Madam Zou and her daughter were fortunate, blissfully unaware, and unaffected by Madam Xu’s scheming, interacting with her just like ordinary retives would. Even when Madam Xu targeted her, Madam Zou rarely paid much attention and continued on as usual.

  Madam Zou was already pnning matches for Qin Lulu after the exam results came out, busy gathering information about suitable families in the capital.

  Qin Lulu had mentioned to Qin Shuying, "My mother wants to find a schorly family, one with good morals and a stable income. She doesn't care about their status or background—only about their character."

  Qin Shuying sincerely admired Madam Zou's grounded approach—not arrogant, not greedy, and clear about her family's position.

  In Fangfei Pavilion,

  Nanny Zhao carefully persuaded, "Miss, forgive my boldness, but there’s no benefit in openly quarreling with Seventh Miss now."

  Qin Yunyun scoffed, "Precisely because things are about to fall into pce, I refuse to pretend or endure her smug face any longer!"

  Nanny Zhao sighed gently. "Miss, this only creates gossip, harming your reputation. With Madam ill, you should focus more on comforting her."

  Qin Yunyun pondered for a moment, realizing Nanny Zhao was right. Her reputation for filial piety was important.

  She nodded slowly. "You’re right. I'll visit Mother this afternoon."

  Nanny Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

  Since Madam Xu had become "sick," Qin Yunyun visited daily but frequently argued with her mother, occasionally bming her outright.

  Madam had sacrificed everything for Qin Yunyun, but Miss truly acted immaturely at times. Unfortunately, Nanny Zhao had no right to criticize her openly and could only gently remind her.

  After lunch and a short nap, Qin Yunyun dressed and went to Yanfei Pavilion, accompanied by Nanny Zhao and Caiying.

  Recently, Madam Xu had been throwing fits, smashing many valuables in her anger.

  Just as Qin Yunyun approached the courtyard, she heard the familiar sound of porcein breaking from Madam Xu’s room, followed by Nanny Liu’s call, "Jinhuan, hurry and clean this up!"

  Jinhuan, who was about to greet Qin Yunyun, quickly bowed and rushed inside upon hearing the command.

  Moments ter, Nanny Liu emerged, looking embarrassed. "Sixth Miss, you’re here. Madam..."

  Qin Yunyun held up her hand to silence her. "I know already."

  She then entered the room without hesitation.

  Nanny Liu stood frozen at the door, exchanging a helpless gnce with Nanny Zhao. Nanny Zhao shook her head lightly, prompting another heavy sigh from Nanny Liu.

  These days, both Madam and Miss were unbearably irritable. Life had become unusually difficult.

  Seeing Qin Yunyun enter, Madam Xu’s expression softened slightly. She gred at a maid kneeling on the floor and snapped, "Go receive your punishment from Nanny Liu!"

  Relieved, the maid hurried out, sobbing.

  Qin Yunyun had seen this scenario too many times tely. She remarked coolly, "Mother, you're ill. You shouldn't let your temper fre so easily. Besides, that little wretch is cunning. Who knows if she’s bribed someone here? If Grandmother hears about this, your health might just worsen."

  Madam Xu’s face darkened. Recently, Qin Yunyun’s tone had turned sour and accusatory, probably because Madam Xu had failed repeatedly, costing Qin Yunyun opportunities. Yet Madam Xu couldn't afford to argue with her daughter; Qin Yunyun's words filled her with sudden anxiety. "Bribed someone in my own yard?"

  "Mother, it seems you haven’t heard yet. Last night, Seventh Miss generously rewarded everyone in Yin Garden—her closest maids received fifty taels each! Even ordinary servants received two taels. Who doesn’t know Seventh Miss is the easiest to serve and gives out the richest rewards? Everyone wants to transfer there now! Even Huiqin’s mother regrets deeply. With such vish spending, how hard is it to bribe a few of your servants? Even my maids have started eyeing her rewards."

  Madam Xu had run the household before and deeply understood the power of money, having herself bribed servants to spy in other courtyards. Now Qin Shuying was openly buying loyalty—did she think herself untouchable?

  Madam Xu sprang up furiously, screaming, "How dare she!"