In Mozis eyes, Qiu Sanniang is not a woman without her own opinions, but she is good at using people, willing to accept good advice and not harbor jealousy, with a broad vision, able to advance and retreat. Therefore, the maids by her side have aspects that surpass hers.

  This requires a change of master, and will not tolerate slaves, servants, or maids pointing fingers at themselves. Even if they get a little bit of self-righteousness, they will be extremely vigilant and think of ways to grind them down. Those who are not so ruthless will also let the matchmaker take people away and find an honest and sensible one to slowly train.

  Mozi was someone who was hard for Qiu San Niang to figure out, yet she couldnt bear to abandon him. Not only because of his ambidextrous hands, but also due to his cleverness that even Qiu San Niang had to admire.

  Mozis body seems to have many mysteries, but he is content with being obedient and doing his job. For Qiu San Niang, it is enough to be used. But how long can it be used? Mozi has been quiet since entering the Qiu Mansion. Qiu San Niang thinks she has a pair of sharp eyes, so she also observes quietly.

  At this time, Mozi mentioned Jiuniang.

  Qiu San Niang thought, Du Linglongs mind was full of thoughts.

  "Call Green Chrysanthemum to accompany me on a trip." Qiu San Niang stood up, "She wants to watch the courtyard door again, and who knows if she will say that I am biased behind my back."

  "Ill call back Baihe and Xiaoyi." Mozi glanced at the sky, "At most, well be gone for half a time."

  "Hurry up and come back quickly, I still have to pack." Chu San Niang chuckled twice.

  Mei Zi immediately called in Green Chrysanthemum to attend to her and went out of the courtyard herself.

  Qius family is one of the top two merchants in Yangzhou, and has been extremely wealthy for five generations. How they made their fortune, Mozi isnt quite clear about. But how they went from prosperity to decline, she saw it all with her own eyes.

  A magnificent mansion, everywhere with carved beams and painted buildings, corridors winding nine times, emerald lakes and green bridges, strange rocks and beautiful gardens. The ordinary people outside cant even imagine such luxury, but now its already being used as an old base.

  Mr. Qius health has been declining day by day over the past two years, relying on expensive medicine to barely hold on, like a bottomless pit that cant be filled no matter how much is poured in. The only one who had the ability to manage the shop and business, Qiu San Niang, was called back home by Zhang Shi at the beginning of the year. Its said that this lady, who rose from concubine to wife, whispered something in Mr. Qius ear, and with just a few words, he took the account books and warehouse keys away from his daughter and handed them over to Zhang Shis two sons.

  When Zhang took the account book and keys, she pulled Qu San Niangs hand and said with great sincerity. She turned around and called her son and daughter-in-law to their own courtyard to discuss things for half a day. The silk business was handed over to Fourth Master, and the tea and rice shop business was handed over to Fifth Master. One key to the family storage room was kept by herself, one by Fourth Nai Nai, and Fifth Nai Nai was in charge of purchasing daily necessities for the mansion.

  Kui De Qius old master had no concubines, only three aunts who couldnt be listed in the family tree. The second and third aunts gave birth to daughters. The fourth aunt did give birth to a son, but as an illegitimate child, he wouldnt get much property in this social system, and some even had to rely on their brothers from the main house for support. Plus, Zhang Shi was good at controlling peoples hearts, using both kindness and strictness to keep the three of them tightly under control, not even daring to show any temper normally.

  As a result, Qius family was equivalent to letting Zhangs two sons divide it up.

  Those two ignorant people will take at least a year and a half to figure out the problem with the account book.

  She thought a lot in her heart, but her steps were neither fast nor slow, from a secluded corner along the lake shore, and then into the apricot tree forest, towards the kitchen of the main courtyard.

  Bai He would dive into the kitchen to learn cooking from her godmother whenever she wasnt on duty. She had also gone out with Qiu San Niang and was familiar with both southern and northern cuisine, having a good hand at cooking. However, under San Niangs wing, she wasnt a cook but rather a senior maid in charge of Meng Zi and the others, as well as taking care of San Niangs personal affairs. As for cooking, it was just something she enjoyed doing, like how Lu Juan liked to embroider handkerchiefs, Xiao Yi liked to climb trees, and Mo Zi liked to tinker with wood.

  In the prime of flowering, pink peach blossoms are blooming on the branches. With a gust of wind, a flock of white butterflies takes flight. Three days ago, Mr. Zhang hosted a banquet to admire the flowers here. Three days later, the lazy maids have yet to clean up thoroughly. The air is still filled with the faintly sour smell of leftover wine.

  It was bustling just a while ago, but now under the scorching sun, except for Mozi, there is no one else in sight. She carefully avoids the broken cups and cold leftovers on the ground, only to find herself lost when a fake mountain suddenly blocks her way, realizing she has strayed into the vicinity of Pinglang Garden.

  Pinglan Garden is not far from the main house kitchen, but you have to walk through a winding mountain garden and cross the Nine-turn Bridge. Mozi doesnt mind walking more and turning more, its just that the owner of Pinglan Garden makes her want to hide far away.

  In the Pinglan Garden lived Qiu Jias fifth son, who was three years younger than Qiu San Niang. Before getting married, he had been with all the maids in the house and had also taken two concubines from outside. After getting married, not one of the four maids who came with his wife as part of her dowry was spared. Because of this, his wife had made a big fuss. Zhang Shi originally wanted to protect her son, but she also coveted her daughter-in-laws dowry silver and so scolded her son several times in front of her daughter-in-law. Probably after having a private talk with her son, the matter was temporarily settled for over a month. Letting his wife and fourth wife manage the household was actually meant to placate them.

  Xiao Ting was just a concubine of Old Lady Wu. Carrying her, Qiu Wu still secretly flirted with women, wasnt it delightful? Its only right that Qiu Wu had good fortune because he was born with a handsome face and spent money like flowing water. Women who were slightly promiscuous easily hooked up with him and could also get gold and silver from him, why not be happy about it? In his courtyard, all the maidservants were capable people, competing for favor, vying for attention, comparing themselves to each other, flattering and belittling, never truly quiet.

  Mozhi has recently stopped causing trouble for Wu Nainai, guessing that she only has the thought of guarding her position as the legitimate wife. Pitiful, having been married into the family for less than two years, her youth was wasted in the hands of Qiuwu.

  The deepest evil and pain is that this kind of ancient man who has three wives and four concubines is especially common in this mansion, even the steward has one wife and two concubines.

  The footsteps quickened, and after turning another bend, they would arrive at the Nine Turns Bridge. Suddenly, a small golden pendant that was shining brightly appeared on the stone road, and in his heart, he cried out "not good". Such an expensive and showy ornament, apart from Qiu Wu, no one else would think of it. Moreover, beside him were layers of artificial hills, according to the masters thoughts, who knows how many hidden holes and caves were concealed within.

  For goodness sake, for goodness sake, dont let her run into bad luck.

  Mei Zi thought for a moment, and quickly shifted her gaze to the other side, especially trying to ignore that golden ball. As a result? A bright red bra that was almost floating in mid-air nearly blinded her eyes.

  Im so angry I could grit my teeth.

  Fine, shes going to have a hard time, isnt she? Afraid of causing trouble, she always dodges and hides, as if some nerve is missing, bowing her head and practicing humility. So, when good fortune comes to guide her way, she passes over this mountain and onto that bridge, and the two people following behind her can roll around in waves, but its none of her business.

  She lifted her skirt and was about to make a run for it. After all, the life of a servant girl was worthless; if she stumbled upon her masters illicit affair, she might be beaten to death with a stick and casually buried in the backyard as fertilizer.

  Unfortunately, it was a step too late. Behind the artificial hill, there were rustling sounds, and half of a mans loose-hanging sleeve appeared.

  Deep purple autumn water ripples in her eyes, her eyebrows slightly raised, wisdom born of urgency.