Xingzhi's problem, Qin Miao hadn't thought of a way to deal with it, because recently she was really busy and couldn't spare the energy to think carefully. But later, something happened that made Qin Miao come back to her senses and face Xingzhi's problem properly.

  On the same day, after discussing the overall plan with Xie Yan, Qin Miao devoted himself to formulating the details. It's easier to save money than to make money, but after Qin Miao had worked on the regulations for several days, he found that it was extremely difficult to get each house and courtyard to willingly reduce their expenses.

  One day, Xie Yun returned to the mansion and went to listen to the rain in his study. He changed out of his court attire and put on casual clothes before heading to the Chorus of Dawn Institute. The sky was already near dusk, but the institute's lights had not been lit yet, making the three characters "Chorus of Dawn Institute" on the plaque barely visible. He casually called out to a maid in the institute, who turned out to be as beautiful as a painting.

  Ruhua hastened to attend, and Qiushui softly called out in a gentle voice, "Houye". Usually, there's no chance to speak up close, but today is an auspicious day, so she must make a good impression.

  "It's getting dark, why haven't you lit the lamp yet?" Xie Lin was actually very used to such meticulous care, after all, he had been serving him since childhood and had always been very considerate of himself. However, that was all there was, nothing more.

  As soon as Xie Yun asked about this, the servant thought he was quite annoyed by the fact that no one lit lanterns in the dark of night. He immediately added fuel to the fire and said: "This is what the lady ordered today, saying that from now on, until it's not dark, no one in the courtyard is allowed to light lanterns." After finishing speaking, he also raised his eyes to steal a glance at Xie Yun, and indeed saw Xie Yun's slightly furrowed brow. He became even more energetic: "Your Lordship doesn't know, although today is a long day, how can we do our work without a bright light? Not to mention other things, just picking insects from the flower trees, don't you have to see clearly to do it?"

  Before she finished complaining, Xie Xun had already rushed into the hall. Ruhua was still running behind her in small steps, "Ah... Ah... Master Hou... I haven't finished speaking yet..."

  Ru Mo, who had been paying attention to all this, suddenly became spirited and poked Li Mama's arm. Mama quickly intercepted Ru Hua, who was already walking down the corridor: "What's going on? You're in such a hurry. If the younger maids see you, they'll learn from your example..." Ru Hua reluctantly withdrew her foot, which had just stepped out, and gazed intensely inside with an expression of resentment, as if she were a wronged wife.

  Of course, Xie Yan had not seen this side. Entering the hall, he casually looked around and didn't see anyone, feeling relieved. He then felt his way to a study on one side and indeed saw a handsome young man with a pale face staring blankly at a desk.

  His footsteps were light and he had walked close, but Qin Miao didn't notice either.

  "What's on his mind, being so absorbed?" Xie Yun thought to herself. However, he still consciously let out a light cough, which made Qin Miao suddenly realize.

  "Huh? How come you came without even letting the girls report?" She suddenly raised her head to glance at Xie Yan, her gaze still fixed on the paper scraps on the table.

  Xie Xuan was standing on one side of the desk, his tall body casting a shadow over Qin Miao's.

  Because she was too into it, Qin Miao habitually waved her hand and still didn't lift her head much: "You're blocking me."

  That gesture had a somewhat disdainful meaning, which made the usually elegant and handsome Marquis Xie feel quite embarrassed. For the time being, he couldn't lose his temper, so he could only quietly shift his body to make way for some light. However, he still muttered in dissatisfaction: "What are you doing, not even lighting a lamp..." After thinking carefully, it was still not very proper, and he hastily added another sentence: "Be careful not to ruin your eyes..."

  The little person who was just buried in thought, now raised his head and stared at her with a pool of autumn water, looking quite incredulous, with a hint of surprise and doubt in his eyes.

  Qin Miao suddenly regained her energy due to her husband's concern and shouted at Yulu who was standing by the door: "Zhaolu Courtyard, light the lanterns!"

  One after another, the wind lanterns swayed in the wind as the girls with braids came out, revealing a different charm. Meanwhile, Qin Miao was pouring her heart out to Xie Yan, telling him about her confusion and difficulties over the past few days.

  "If I hadn't married you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have had the chance to get entangled in such a sticky situation. These past few days, I finally managed to talk things through with the second wife, and although she's not happy about reducing expenses, at least she's someone who understands things and knows that it's hard for me to make ends meet without any resources. But as for the third wife... sigh..."

  Xie Xuan saw a small head swaying back and forth in front of her, with a pair of pale hands waving papers in the air, often turning around to stare at her eyes without warning, as if wanting her to join forces with her.

  It has to be said that Qin Miaocai hadn't been at the Hou residence for a few days, but she had already grasped all the mundane tasks of each house and courtyard. This made Xie Lin once again realize that the reputation of "cai nu" in Hangzhou was not undeserved, and she was indeed a capable person who took charge of the household. However, perhaps due to her young age or her natural disposition, many of her methods and actions were quite calculating, which didn't quite match with her harmless and charming face.

  For example, nowadays she clearly knows that the second house is a concubine's child, and her status in the mansion is quite embarrassing. Moreover, the second uncle is incompetent, so it's not difficult to control him. However, the third house is different. Like the first house, they are both legitimate children of the old lady, and the third aunt's mother's family is the Marquis of Huainan. Although she is a noblewoman without real power, the third aunt who came out of the marquis' mansion is not someone easy to get along with. Therefore, Qin Miao is now pouring her heart out in front of herself, which is also a sign of weakness towards herself, borrowing herself to persuade the third house to obey the overall situation.

  After saying a lot, Qin Miao felt that the fire was almost ready, so he went to see Xie Yan's reaction. Good guy, really able to endure. Our Lord Xie is safely occupying the position of the previous madam, somewhat boredly fiddling with the pen holder.

  One plan fails, another is born. Qin Miao clenched her teeth and slowly suppressed the flames of anger in her heart, then suddenly let out a soft and gentle voice: "Sir, would you like to help me persuade Third Uncle? That way, I can also talk to Third Aunt again."

  "You can't handle it yourself, so you come to me?" Xie Yan broke through Qin Miao's little thoughts without any intention, and he actually wanted to tease her some more.

  However, Qin Miao didn't give him the chance. She rolled her eyes unceremoniously, threw down the paper in her hand and walked out with a swish of her hips.

  "Master Hou is hungry, serve the meal!" Then Xie Yun heard her whispering to the servants for a long time.

  When a dish of non-spicy and salty food was served, Xie Yun finally understood why Qin Miao had been whispering to the people around him for so long, it turned out that he had been waiting for him here.

  Seeing Xie Yan's bewildered expression, Qin Miao felt a lot more at ease in her heart and happily ate half a bowl more of rice.

  "I think it's quite humid today, so I had the kitchen make a few more dishes to help us sweat it out. Doesn't sir like that?"

  "Hmm, delicious... really delicious. That dish of braised eggplant looks ordinary, but as soon as it enters the mouth, I realize my tongue is almost numb. For a moment, Xie Yu feels like she's about to lose her sense of taste... This little vixen is really ruthless, he didn't even do anything to her, just didn't take her bait, and yet she's so vicious."

  Xie Xuan was still fighting with a table of colorful dinner, Qin Miao had already rinsed her mouth and washed her hands happily. Looking at the gentle and elegant beauty opposite him, his face seemed to be somewhat stifled, just like...just like a yellow cow in the countryside that had been provoked when he was a child, which could rush over and bump into you at any time.

  Not good, not good... Qin Miao secretly calculated in her heart. After all, the matter of the three rooms was very tricky and still had to rely on the help of her own Lord Hou. She didn't want to really offend him. At this time, Qin Miao let Zi Xuan go to the kitchen and bring up a bowl of Jiangnan wontons instead.

  "How is it? Is it delicious?" Qin Miao stared at Xie Xun's face, which was still flushed with a hint of redness, and asked with feigned concern.

  Xie Xun maintained a elegant demeanor while eating, her face cold and silent as she ate.

  "I'm telling you, Zi Xuan's wonton-making skills are unparalleled in Jiangnan!"

  Pfft! Xie Yun couldn't hold it in and spat out the spoonful of chicken soup she had just taken. Her phoenix eyes slanted, looking at him with disdain. "You really are... speaking without thinking!" Although the wontons in her mouth tasted good, they weren't that amazing... Jiangnan's number one, indeed! This Qin Miao was truly garrulous.

  Zixuan beside him was also embarrassed by his master's praise, and he couldn't help but lower his eyebrows, wishing to stare at the green stone under his feet forever.

  Qin Miao pouted and thought to herself, "I'm already giving you food, what more do you want? You're being so picky." But soon, she returned to her usual flattering self.

  "Master, I'm not convenient to talk to Third Uncle, so I need your help." Those almond eyes blinked repeatedly, and it was hard to refuse. Even the cold and unfeeling Xie Yan could only agree to come along. Although he had originally wanted to help...