Upon returning to Pei Manor, Xiao Liuzi and Zhao Chu Zi followed behind Jiang Yao carrying two large bags of dried goods.
This Zhao Chu Zi had also served in the Jiang family for over a decade.
He was a bondservant of the Jiang family with excellent culinary skills.
In the coming days, Jiang Fu and his wife were likely to send all the Zhao family members to Jiang Yao’s side.
When they reached the Chuihua Gate, Jiang Yao noticed the plaque above still bore the three large characters “Muyun Yuan.”
She turned to Chun Yu, the third-class maid guarding the courtyard, and asked, “Chun Yu, I recall instructing you ten days ago to remove this plaque and have it replaced with one reading ‘Hanmei Yuan.’ Ten days have passed, and this matter remains unresolved? Even if the new plaque isn’t ready, why hasn’t this one been taken down and discarded?”
Chun Yu hurriedly explained, “Young Madam, Sister You Qin said you were only speaking in anger at the time, so she told me not to remove the plaque.”
“Is that so?” Jiang Yao’s voice turned cold. “So she is your master now?”
Chun Yu was startled, her face pale as she dropped to her knees with a thud.
“No, no, this servant was wrong. I beg for Young Madam’s punishment.”
Only then did Chun Yu realize her mistake.
The Young Madam was her true master – why had she listened to Sister You Qin back then?
Regardless of whether the Young Madam had been angry, she should have carried out her assigned task properly. Only the Young Madam was her true master.
Jiang Yao declared, “Within one day, I want to see this courtyard’s plaque changed to ‘Hanmei Yuan.'”
Chun Yu immediately responded, “Young Madam, rest assured. This servant will see to it right away.”
The young maid was clever enough to understand that while the Young Madam wouldn’t pursue the matter further this time, she wouldn’t be given another chance.
“Go ahead.”
Chun Yu quickly rose and went to handle the matter.
Jiang Yao had no intention of investigating Chun Yu’s actions further.
She herself was partly to blame – she had given You Qin too much authority before, thinking that as the senior maid who had served her the longest, it was natural for the second and third-class maids to follow her instructions.
But now, Jiang Yao could no longer grant You Qin such privileges.
She had proven disloyal.
Returning to her room, Jiang Yao instructed Zhenzhu to summon all the maids and servants.
Jiang Yao had six maids in total:
Senior maids You Qin and Zhenzhu,
Second-class maids Xi Fu and Xi Lan,
Third-class maids Chun Yu and Chun Zhu.
The first and second-class maids, along with Chen Momo, attended to her personal needs and daily routines within the inner courtyard.
The two third-class maids mainly took turns guarding the courtyard during daytime, announcing visitors when they arrived.
There were also several rough work maids and older servants who remained in the outer courtyard, performing miscellaneous tasks with no direct access to Jiang Yao.
Soon, all five maids except Chun Yu, along with Chen Momo, had gathered.
You Qin appeared delighted upon seeing Jiang Yao.
“Young Madam, you’ve finally returned! I’ve missed you so. Next time you go out, why not take me along?”
Truth be told, during Jiang Yao’s absence these past few days, she had found life in the manor quite dull.
The Young Madam had also granted the Guanjia Quan to Chen Momo.
With Chen Momo handling everything personally, there was little left for her to do.
Holding a cup of hot tea, Jiang Yao reclined halfway on her couch and asked leisurely, “During these days you remained in the manor, has anything noteworthy occurred?”
You Qin hurriedly said, “Madam and Second Young Miss have come by twice, but Momo didn’t allow them to enter. Young Madam, this servant feels you’ve gone too far this time. After all, they are your mother-in-law and sister-in-law – how could you embarrass them like this? When the Master finds out, he will surely resent you for this, which won’t be good for your relationship with him.”
She truly believed she had the Young Madam’s best interests at heart.
In her opinion, the Young Madam had indeed gone too far this time.
The Master was already working hard enough in the Grand Secretariat, yet instead of helping manage household affairs, the Young Madam had caused such conflict with his family.
Wouldn’t this only add to the Master’s worries and distract him from his official duties?
Moreover, it was true that the Young Madam had married above her station when joining the Pei family.
Some of Second Young Miss’s comments weren’t entirely wrong.
Hearing You Qin’s words, the other five maids and Chen Momo all changed their expressions.
As those who attended closely to the Young Madam, they knew exactly what had happened in the Pei family that day.
That Pei sister-in-law had coveted the most valuable dowry jewelry given to the Young Madam by her mother, even attempting to snatch it directly! When she failed, she had the audacity to spew venomous words!
She even said it would have been better if the Young Madam had died when the Guogong Fu encountered trouble, so they could have sunk her in the pond.
How could a thirteen-year-old girl harbor such malicious thoughts, especially toward the sister-in-law who had always indulged and cared for her!
And yet You Qin still thought it was the Young Madam’s fault?
Furthermore, when the Master was pursuing his official career, the Jiang family had provided both financial support and assistance – it wasn’t as if they had taken advantage of the Pei family for nothing.
Jiang Yao showed no anger on her face and continued in a calm voice, “So, You Qin, what do you think I should have done? Should I have willingly handed over the Pearl Buyao my mother left me to my sister-in-law? Or should I have let my mother-in-law enter my courtyard and open my storage rooms? Or perhaps you also agree with my sister-in-law? That the one who should be defamed is me? That I should be sunk in the pond?”
At this point, Jiang Yao slammed the teacup in her hand heavily onto the side table.
Though the sound wasn’t loud, it frightened all the maids in the room.
This was the first time they had seen the Young Madam so angry.
All the maids in the room immediately knelt down.
Chen Momo also moved to kneel, but Jiang Yao reached out to stop her.
You Qin was quite frightened too and knelt down.
But inwardly she wasn’t particularly afraid, thinking nothing much would come of this.
After all, she had grown up with the Young Madam since childhood.
Before marriage, though occasionally mischievous, the Young Madam had always been easy to get along with.
After marriage, she had been even more devoted to serving her in-laws, gentle and virtuous.
She never scolded servants.
And had always been kind to her maids.
You Qin bowed her head and defended herself. “Madam, this servant didn’t mean that…”
Jiang Yao didn’t let her continue on that topic and asked instead, “Some days ago, I instructed Chun Yu to take down the courtyard plaque and change the courtyard’s name to Hanmei Yuan. Why did you stop Chun Yu from doing so? Or is it that you’re the one in charge of this courtyard now?”
You Qin finally began to feel panicked. “Th-this servant only thought… the courtyard’s name represents your feelings for the Master… I was afraid you might regret it later…”
Not a single maid in the room dared to breathe loudly.
You Qin was still trying to defend herself.
Jiang Yao said, “Since you dare to disregard my orders, it’s clear you genuinely believe you should be the one in charge of this courtyard. With such grand ambitions, there’s no need for you to serve by my side anymore. Go to the outer courtyard for now—I cannot afford a maid who presumes to make decisions for her mistress.”
Upon hearing this, You Qin was stunned and panicked.
She looked up at Jiang Yao, tears streaming down her face. “Young Madam, this servant knows she was wrong. I would never dare again—please give me another chance.”
This time, her fear was genuine.
Being sent to the outer courtyard meant not only enduring mockery and oppression from the rough-handed maids and matrons there but also facing near-impossible odds of returning to the inner courtyard.
Jiang Yao waved her hand dismissively. “Chen Momo, take her away. From now on, You Qin will serve in the outer courtyard. The rest of you may remain in your current positions for now.”
With Zhenzhu and two second-rank maids in her chamber, there were enough attendants to manage the workload.
You Qin continued to weep, but Chen Momo gave her no further opportunity. She summoned Xi Fu and Xi Lan to cover You Qin’s mouth and escort her out.
By summoning all the maids to witness You Qin’s dismissal, Jiang Yao aimed to make one thing clear to everyone in her courtyard:
She was the mistress.
She needed no maids making decisions on her behalf.
She only required their obedience.
In this manor, they must obey her alone!
To confront the Pei family, to ensure they met a wretched end and received their just deserts, she needed absolute loyalty from those in her courtyard—not a shred of disloyalty could be tolerated.
When Chen Momo and the two maids returned, Jiang Yao smiled. “Chen Momo, Xi Fu, Xi Lan—you’ve guarded the courtyard well. Each of you shall be rewarded.”
She granted Chen Momo five taels of silver, while the two second-rank maids received two taels each, and the third-rank maids one tael. Even those in the outer courtyard and the kitchen received their share of rewards.
All except You Qin.
After dealing with You Qin, Jiang Yao felt somewhat weary.
Having eaten heartily at the Jiang family at noon, she had little appetite for dinner.
It was Zhenzhu who expressed concern for her health. “Young Madam, Zhao Chu Zi has prepared Salty Pork Rib and Scallop Vegetable Porridge for tonight—it’s savory, delicious, and easy to digest. Would you like to have a little later?”
The salty pork ribs and scallops were gifts from Jiang Fu earlier. The ribs were premium quality, sun-dried in the southern style.
Jiang Yao nodded. “Very well.”
Within half an hour, the courtyard was filled with an irresistibly savory and fragrant aroma.
The scent was so tantalizing that even though Jiang Yao wasn’t particularly hungry, it stirred her appetite.
Later, a small clay pot of salty pork rib and scallop porridge, accompanied by two side dishes of pickles, was delivered to her room.
Jiang Yao tasted it and found it exceptionally delicious. Her appetite awakened, she enjoyed a satisfying meal.
While she dined in comfort, others in Pei Manor were not so fortunate.
Jiang Yao’s courtyard was not far from the Main Courtyard.
During the evening meal, the Main Courtyard was also dining.
The rich aroma of the salty pork rib and scallop porridge from Jiang Yao’s courtyard proved overwhelmingly potent, wafting all the way to the Main Courtyard.