The Old Madam, though sharp and decisive, had grown soft-hearted with age. Since Qin Yongzhou's death, her health had rapidly declined, and she had spent much of her time chanting Buddhist scriptures and observing vegetarianism. It had been years since she had ordered any severe punishment for anyone.

  But today, she had ordered Nanny Zhang’s execution without trial—a first. No one dared to plead for mercy or utter a word.

  Madam Xu wanted to defend herself, but Qin Yongtao’s sharp gre silenced her immediately.

  The Old Madam understood everything clearly. Nanny Zhang was merely a scapegoat; the true target of her anger was Madam Xu. Qin Yongtao cursed Madam Xu inwardly for being such a fool.

  Qin Shuying lowered her gaze. By forbidding further audits, the Old Madam was implicitly allowing the items already taken to remain unaccounted for. As for copying Admonitions for Women and Instructions for Women one hundred times, though a punishment, it had no set deadline—a sign of the Old Madam’s partiality toward her.

  The outcome had rgely been what Qin Shuying anticipated. Still, letting Madam Xu off so lightly was frustrating, though inevitable—she was, after all, Consort Lian’s mother.

  The Old Madam’s order to execute Nanny Zhang was less about justice and more about sending a warning to Madam Xu.

  “Eldest daughter-in-w,” the Old Madam said, “you’ve been overworked tely, which has clearly affected your judgment and allowed such a despicable servant to exploit you. Take a month’s rest to recover. Second daughter-in-w, you’ll handle the household affairs for the time being. Once the eldest daughter-in-w is well-rested, we’ll revisit the matter.”

  Madam Xu looked up in disbelief at the Old Madam, who met her gaze with calm indifference. Instinctively, Madam Xu wanted to argue, but before she could speak, Qin Yongtao cut in. “Mother is right. It’s my failure as a son to let you worry so much.”

  The Old Madam noticed Madam Xu’s defiance but felt too weary to deal with her. She waved her hand dismissively. “Enough, I’m tired. Unless it’s urgent, don’t disturb me for the next few days.”

  Though surprised, Madam Zhou (the second daughter-in-w) agreed to take over the household duties. Madam Xu shot her a furious gre, but Madam Zhou merely lowered her gaze without fear.

  The decision was final.

  ____

  Back at Spring Garden, Qin Shuying reclined on her chaise longue, urged by Nanny Fu to rest. She took a moment to review the day’s events.

  Sipping a cup of tea, her thoughts gradually settled. Finally, she summoned Nanny Fu. “Nanny, whatever you’ve been wanting to say, now’s the time.”

  Earlier, Nanny Fu had been pacing anxiously outside, clearly distressed.

  The nanny exhaled heavily. “Miss, you were far too reckless today! By the time I heard about what happened in the morning, it was already lunchtime. I was so worried I could’ve coughed blood! If something had happened to you, how could I face your parents in the afterlife?”

  Tears welled in Nanny Fu’s eyes as she continued, “Back then, I should never have encouraged you to fight against Madam Xu. As long as you’re alive, it doesn’t matter if Madam Xu hoards your parents’ inheritance. Money is just worldly possession—you can’t take it with you when you die. What’s more precious than your life? I regret it to death!”

  Qin Shuying sipped her tea calmly. “And how do you feel now?”

  “Miss, I’m still terrified! Madam Xu isn’t easy to deal with. Now that you’ve taken this step, there’s no turning back. If you retreat, you’ll be stepping off a cliff. Before, Madam Xu could afford to spare your life. But now? If you back down, she won’t hesitate to eliminate you.

  “With the Old Madam supporting you, we must stay vigint and win every battle. Miss, please, don’t ever act alone like this again. Let me know beforehand—it’s far too dangerous!”

  Qin Shuying felt a glimmer of warmth at Nanny Fu’s words. Though she appreciated the sentiment, she couldn’t entirely agree.

  Nanny Fu had already risked her family for her sake. Her brother’s life outside the estate was far from easy. Whenever he found decent work, Madam Xu would meddle and disrupt it. If Nanny Fu were involved in everything, Madam Xu might find a way to send her away entirely. Still, if Qin Shuying couldn’t secure her position, Nanny Fu’s family would be the first to suffer.

  I must win.

  After a moment’s thought, Qin Shuying asked, “Nanny, how did you come to serve me?”

  Nanny Fu paused, startled by the unexpected question. Why would she ask that now?

  Before answering, Nanny Fu shared her story honestly:

  “Before you were born, Miss, the master and madam went to offer incense. On the way, they saw me fainted from hunger on the roadside. Out of pity, they brought me home, saved my life, and even gave me some money to start over. When I returned to my hometown, I found that my parents had already passed away, and my only brother had gone missing. As a weak woman, I had no choice but to marry to survive. I ended up with an honest businessman. Later, when I had a child, it so happened that the madam was looking for a wet nurse for you, and that’s how I came to serve you.”

  Qin Shuying did some quick calcutions. Nanny Fu was now in her early forties. Based on her story, she must have first met her parents around the age of 24 or 25. That raised a question: was she unmarried before that age?

  Sensing Qin Shuying’s curiosity, Nanny Fu added, “Miss, I entered the pace at ten years old and was released when I was twenty-five. I first met the master and madam after losing my travel money, fainting on the roadside from hunger. The madam was truly kind-hearted, not only saving me but also helping Luye. Back when they were in the south, the master and madam often helped the needy, earning great respect from the common people.”

  Qin Shuying suddenly understood.

  No wonder Nanny Fu had sharper eyes and better schemes than the average servant. Her experiences in the pace must have exposed her to all manner of sordid affairs. While many pace women eventually became respected nannies, Nanny Fu’s straightforward nature likely limited her prospects.

  Qin Yongzhou truly was an extraordinary figure—earning not only a stelr reputation but also accumuting immense wealth. No wonder the Old Madam favored her youngest son so deeply.

  As she was reflecting, Luye entered the room. “Madam Xu’s Nanny Liu is here,” she announced.

  Qin Shuying nodded. “Let her in.”

  Nanny Liu entered. She, like Nanny Zhang, was one of Madam Xu’s closest aides. She rarely visited Spring Garden and had little direct interaction with Qin Shuying. However, with Nanny Zhang now executed, Nanny Liu couldn’t help but feel a chill of fear. Her prior disdain for Qin Shuying had turned into careful respect.

  “Seventh Miss, this servant greets you,” Nanny Liu said with a bow.

  Qin Shuying, unhurried, continued sipping her tea. “There’s no need for such formalities, Nanny.”

  Her serene, noble demeanor was a stark contrast to her previous timid self, startling Nanny Liu, who instinctively stepped back before realizing her mistake. She quickly added, “Seventh Miss, here are the indentures for the maids and servants.”

  “Hand them to Nanny Fu,” Qin Shuying replied calmly.

  “Yes.”

  Nanny Liu passed the indentures to Nanny Fu, who carefully reviewed them while Qin Shuying continued to sip her tea. Nanny Liu remained bent in a deferential posture.

  Though she hadn’t attended the banquet earlier, Nanny Liu had witnessed Nanny Zhang’s execution. She would never forget the despair in Nanny Zhang’s eyes or the anguished cries of her family.

  The Old Madam hadn’t uttered a single word of reproach toward Madam Xu, but Nanny Zhang’s execution alone sent a clear message—Madam Xu had made a grave mistake.