Nanny Fu carefully reviewed the contracts before respectfully saying, "Miss, I’ve checked everything, and there’s no problem. Please take a look yourself."

  Qin Shuying replied calmly, "If you’ve reviewed it, Nanny, then that’s sufficient. Nanny Liu, you must return to report to the First Madam, so I won’t keep you any longer."

  Nanny Liu curtsied and left to deliver her report.

  Walking out of Spring Garden, she felt a bit dazed.

  For reasons she couldn’t quite expin, Nanny Liu found herself deeply unsettled. This “Seventh Miss,” though quiet and composed, seemed entirely unlike the timid girl she once knew. The aura around her felt dangerous, as though at any moment, she might snap and bite.

  Even so, Nanny Liu couldn’t articute this impression clearly.

  The bundle contained over thirty indentures, including Luye’s and those of the stewards and overseers of the shops and estates Qin Yongzhou had left behind. As for the personal maids who had originally served Shuying, they had long since been sold off by the First Madam. The new servants’ contracts were also included in the package.

  "Miss, Nanny Gu is here!" Hongjuan announced.

  "Nanny Gu?" Qin Shuying’s lips curled slightly. She quickly rose and said, "Please, invite her in."

  Nanny Gu entered and curtsied, but Shuying hurriedly helped her up. "Nanny, you shouldn’t bow to me like this!"

  Nanny Gu smiled warmly. "Seventh Miss, the Old Madam asked me to bring you the indentures of Hongjuan’s family. She said the future of the Third Branch depends on you."

  Those words...

  Qin Shuying’s eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion. "Please thank the Old Madam for her kindness. Nanny, I’ve been foolish and unfilial these past years. It wasn’t until Father appeared in my dreams to guide me that I realized my mistakes. Now, all I wish for is to stay by the Old Madam’s side and make amends. I hope the heavens will grant me this chance."

  "With such filial devotion, the Old Madam will be overjoyed."

  "Luye, bring Father’s hand balm," Shuying instructed. When the balm was retrieved, she handed it to Nanny Gu.

  "Nanny Gu, the Old Madam can’t do without you. But even the most capable person needs rest. The autumn winds are harsh, and hands are prone to cracking, which can be very troublesome. This hand balm was left by my father, and I’ve used it since childhood. It’s especially effective for protecting the hands. Please accept it as a small token of my gratitude."

  Nanny Gu chuckled as she accepted the gift, but in her heart, she was moved. The timing of this gift was impeccable. A thoughtful gesture like this was worth more than gold. Could it truly be that the Seventh Miss was guided by her father in a dream? Nanny Gu found it hard to believe. The Seventh Miss had changed so dramatically—she now carried an air of refinement and shrewdness. Was her former timidity just an act?

  The Old Madam likely shared simir suspicions. It was precisely because she had so many doubts that she decided to return the Third Branch’s assets to Shuying.

  After seeing Nanny Gu off, Nanny Fu returned to find Qin Shuying reviewing the indentures.

  "Miss, how are the maids and servants who came with us from the south faring now?"

  Nanny Fu sighed. "Most of them were sold far away by the First Madam. I don’t know where they’ve ended up."

  "Then, Nanny, please find someone to inquire about their whereabouts when you have time. If their circumstances are poor, I’ll think of a way to help them. They traveled so far with me, leaving their homes; it wasn’t easy."

  "Yes, Miss," Nanny Fu replied.

  "Gather all the maids and servants in the courtyard," Shuying instructed.

  Nanny Fu was delighted—this should have been done long ago. She quickly complied.

  After Nanny Fu left, Shuying reclined on the chaise longue to rest for a moment. She knew that after suffering such a loss, the First Madam would not let this go.

  The courtyard needed to be reorganized to prepare for the battles ahead.

  After going over her pns repeatedly, Shuying called out, "Luye, what time is it now?"

  "One quarter past the hour of Xu," Luye replied.

  "Have Nanny Fu gather everyone and let them stand in the courtyard. Call me at the end of Xu hour," Qin Shuying instructed.

  Luye agreed and left to carry out the order. Exhausted from the careful pnning and tension of the day's events, Qin Shuying turned over on the chaise longue and fell into a restless sleep.

  Her dreams were fragmented and chaotic: Feng'er's desperate cries, Qin Feifei's smug ughter, Lu Changxuan's cold and disdainful gaze... Eventually, Madam Xu's menacing face loomed close, trying to grab her. Qin Shuying dodged, causing Madam Xu to miss her target.

  “You little wretch, how dare you dodge!” Madam Xu snarled.

  Then, a heavy blow struck the back of Qin Shuying's head. Struggling to turn, she saw Qin Lianlian holding a vase, triumphant.

  Beside Qin Lianlian stood the Sixth Prince, his eyes icy and scornful. "Mother, why waste your effort on such lowly filth? They're not worth dirtying your hands."

  Caressing the Sixth Prince's face tenderly, Qin Lianlian replied, "My dear son, I will personally rid you of such vile creatures. As my noble prince, your path must be paved with perfection."

  ...

  “Miss, Miss!”

  The sound of Luye shaking her arm pulled Qin Shuying from her dream. She opened her eyes, drenched in cold sweat.

  “Miss, you were having a nightmare. Please, have some water.”

  Taking the cup from Luye's hand, Qin Shuying drank and straightened her robes. Her eyes gleamed coldly like unsheathed bdes. Lowly filth? she mused, a bitter smile curling her lips. "Very well, let’s see how this so-called 'lowly filth' will bring you esteemed ones down," she muttered. With a sharp, determined look, she rested her hand on Luye's and walked out into the courtyard.

  The courtyard was brightly lit, and the maids and stewards had been standing for nearly an hour. At first, some had shown impatience, but after being made to stand for so long, most had begun to feel a subtle sense of awe toward Qin Shuying. Still, awe alone wasn't enough to inspire loyalty—after all, the young dy was frail and cked powerful support. How could she possibly stand against the house's authoritative mistress?

  Luye pced a freshly brewed cup of tea in Qin Shuying's hands. She took a sip with deliberate composure, her demeanor calm and collected.

  Her poise caught the assembled servants off guard.

  When had they ever seen the timid, withdrawn Seventh Miss act like this?

  The Qin Shuying they had known was a fragile recluse, a fading blossom with neither vitality nor color. But now, while she still wore her usual simple attire, her posture was different, and her spirit seemed revived.

  Everyone had heard the rumors—was it true that the Third Master had visited her in a dream to awaken her resolve? How else could one expin the striking transformation in her bearing?

  “Miss, everyone is present,” Nanny Fu said with a respectful nod.

  Qin Shuying scanned the group from her elevated seat: two senior maids, two second-rank maids, six third-rank maids, three stewardesses, and Nanny Fu—fourteen people in total.

  This was the standard staffing level for a legitimate daughter of the Qin family. However, there were usually minor variances in headcount. As always, Madam Xu had ensured appearances were kept perfectly intact.