Returning to the small courtyard, Jiang Yueheng greeted her briefly before heading to the study.
Liu Qingwu went straight into the room, instructing the maids to take down her hair bun, then told Fuling and Lianxin, “I’ll take a short nap. Wake me in two hours.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Now that I’m married, you should address me as Madam from now on.” Noticing her dowry maids still using her maidenhood address, Liu Qingwu reminded them mildly. She didn’t particularly care about titles, but in these noble households where many mouths could gossip, being overheard might lead some to think she was dissatisfied with this marriage.
“Yes, Madam.” The maids bowed in response.
“You’ve all been exhausted these past few days. Go rest for a while.” Liu Qingwu waved her hand and fell asleep instantly upon lying down.
Though she said this, the maids still had plenty to do after withdrawing. With the Madam newly married and short-handed, the dowry brought from the Liu Estate needed to be sorted and stored in the treasury, while the congratulatory gifts and rewards received over the past two days required cataloging. How could they sleep with tasks unfinished? Leaving Lianxin to keep watch in the outer chamber, Fuling led Cuiguo and Qingxing to work busily in the storeroom.
Two hours later, Lianxin woke Liu Qingwu precisely on time.
After styling a simple hair bun and changing into home clothes, Liu Qingwu gulped down two mouthfuls of strong tea.
Clearing her mind, Liu Qingwu instructed, “Gather all the servants working in this courtyard together. It’s time for everyone to meet.”
The number of people in the small courtyard wasn’t particularly large, but neither was it small.
There were maids serving in the study, the cook and kitchen maid from the small kitchen, the Mammy managing the Shizi’s private treasury, several maids and older women responsible for cleaning and guarding the gates, plus the Shizi’s attendants and followers from the front courtyard. Excluding the four maids Liu Qingwu brought from the Liu Estate, there were over ten people in total.
When Liu Qingwu stepped out of her room, the female servants led by the two study maids and the male servants led by Li Yong bowed to her in unison.
Their movements were crisp and efficient—truly worthy of being servants from the Hou Manor.
Liu Qingwu gracefully took her seat at the head position: “Rise.”
Fuling stepped forward and announced clearly, “Everyone line up according to your respective duties, with team leaders at the front!”
The crowd promptly began moving, forming several lines. From left to right stood those from the front courtyard followed by the rear courtyard.
“Let’s start from the front courtyard then.”
Hearing this, Fuling spoke loudly again, “Beginning from the front courtyard, each of you briefly introduce your name, position, and main responsibilities.”
“This humble servant Li Yong, attendant to the Shizi, mainly responsible for His Lordship’s daily service and living arrangements.”
“This humble servant Sanqing, footman in the front courtyard, mainly responsible for…”
“This humble servant Sanshui, footman in the front courtyard, mainly responsible for…”
“This maid Hongye, serving in the front courtyard study, currently temporarily managing the courtyard’s accounts.”
“This maid Hongshuang, serving in the front courtyard study, assisting Hongshuang in managing the courtyard’s accounts.”
“This old servant Qian-shi, Mammy in charge of the front courtyard, responsible for the front courtyard treasury…”
After everyone had spoken, Liu Qingwu and her maids had gained a general understanding of the courtyard’s structure. Li Yong needed no introduction—he was whom Jiang Yueheng had brought along during their previous meeting. The others were fairly straightforward. Only Hongye and Hongshuang were particularly interesting—serving in the study? What kind of service? Could it be that Jiang Yueheng also enjoyed having beauties attend to his scholarly pursuits?
Liu Qingwu didn’t inquire about previous affairs in the courtyard. After the round of introductions, she rewarded everyone with an extra month’s allowance before dismissing them.
By the time the questioning concluded, it was already 4 p.m. The midday meal at Zheng courtyard had been quite light, and Liu Qingwu’s stomach was now growling with hunger.
“Cuiguo, for dinner I’d like braised pork ribs, boiled spicy sliced pork, shredded pork with yellow chives, dry-fried green beans, and a century egg with cucumber soup.” Vivid images of spicy and fragrant dishes involuntarily surfaced in Liu Qingwu’s mind as she placed her order, feeling like she was nearly drooling.
“Add one more dish of shredded pork with garlic sprouts and blanched heart of greens.” Liu Qingwu added two more dishes, having nearly forgotten her newlywed husband. The dishes she had initially ordered were all strongly flavored, but the meals at Hou Manor these past two days had been quite bland, and she worried Jiang Yueheng might not be accustomed to it.
As dinnertime approached, Cuiguo’s voice sounded outside the door: “The Shizi has returned.”
Liu Qingwu, who had been reclining on the couch reading a storybook, quickly stuffed it behind her back upon hearing the voice. Straightening her posture, she looked primly at the newcomer: “Huaijin, you’re here.”
“What was Third Sister reading just now?” Jiang Yueheng asked, sitting beside her with a sidelong glance, as if he knew something.
“Nothing much, just some casual reading,” Liu Qingwu replied evasively, trying to brush it off.
“Oh? What kind of casual reading? I also read some casual books. Perhaps we could exchange thoughts sometime.”
“Nothing, nothing. Is dinner almost ready?” Liu Qingwu abruptly changed the subject. She had been reading a story about a destitute scholar and a young lady from a wealthy family eloping—now was not the right time to bring it up.
Jiang Yueheng gazed at her steadily for a moment before agreeing: “It should be ready soon.”
When dinner was served, Jiang Yueheng glanced silently at the several red, spicy dishes across the table, his chopsticks reaching only for the two plates in front of him. The food on those plates visibly diminished rapidly.
This made Liu Qingwu feel somewhat embarrassed. She picked up a piece of rib and placed it in Jiang Yueheng’s bowl: “Huaijin, try this rib. It’s first fried and then slow-braised until tender and falling off the bone, with a mild spiciness and savory flavor.”
The servant attending behind them widened his eyes in shock—their Shizi was known for his fastidiousness. Not to mention using someone else’s chopsticks, even during regular meals at Zheng courtyard, he would only take food from untouched corners of the dishes.
Jiang Yueheng looked down at the rib in his bowl, its red sauce seeping into the white rice, then lifted his gaze to the smiling face before him. Under the servant’s horrified stare, he placed the rib into his mouth.
Seeing the servant’s expression, Liu Qingwu sensed trouble and thought about retracting her offer, but she also wanted to test the waters.
“Not bad,” Jiang Yueheng commented with a serious nod.
As he spoke, while the person across from him was busy eating, he inconspicuously took a large mouthful of rice.
Finally having a meal to her liking, Liu Qingwu couldn’t control herself and ate more than usual during dinner. So full that she collapsed onto the soft couch, groaning softly.
Lianxin skillfully brought over a cup of hawthorn digestion tea, which Liu Qingwu drank half of with a pained expression.
Jiang Yueheng’s expression shifted slightly: “Are you alright? Should we call a physician?”
“No, no, no, no, no! I’m fine!” Liu Qingwu shook her head like a rattle drum. If word got out that she needed a physician on the first day of marriage because she overate, how could she ever show her face again?
“Husband, could you rub my stomach for me?” Liu Qingwu asked tentatively, but her body honestly shifted closer to Jiang Yueheng.
Hearing the term “husband,” Jiang Yueheng paused for a moment before pulling her into his embrace. His broad palm pressed against her rounded belly, gently massaging: “Is this pressure alright?”
“Alright.” Liu Qingwu relaxed into the embrace of the person behind her.
As dusk approached, lamps were lit indoors. Neither of them spoke, quietly savoring this moment of tranquility.
Warm palms gently rubbed her stomach, lulling Liu Qingwu into drowsiness in this atmosphere.
Before long, the person in his arms had unknowingly fallen asleep. Jiang Yueheng paused his movements, carefully studying the slumbering face against his chest, then hesitated for a moment before raising his hand to give it a soft pinch.