The next day, Qin Shuying accompanied Qin Yongtao to the county office to finalize the handover of the properties located in the capital. As for the assets in the southern regions, they could not yet be transferred.

  After spending time dealing with the process, Qin Yongtao no longer underestimated his niece as he had before. He found himself deeply curious: how could this young dy, who rarely stepped outside the inner courtyard, understand documents and ledgers? Could she truly be as gifted as her te third uncle, Qin Yongzhou, who was known for his exceptional intelligence?

  Over the years, through sales or leasing orchestrated by Madam Xu, the properties had significantly diminished. What remained under Qin Shuying’s control were six shops and a dozen farmnds. While a considerable asset, it was a stark contrast to what had been left three years ago. Additionally, most of the staff at these properties had been repced by Madam Xu’s people, with only four shopkeepers still holding indenture contracts under Qin Shuying’s name.

  On the way back, Qin Yongtao addressed her, "Seventh Niece, I’ve been too busy in the past to properly care for you. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to me."

  Beneath her veiled hat, Qin Shuying did not bother to conceal the sneer tugging at her lips. Outwardly, however, she replied with polite words, "Thank you, Uncle, for your concern. The Madam of the house has always treated me well. Now that the likes of Nanny Zhang are no longer around to bully their masters, my days are much more peaceful."

  "That’s good to hear," he said with a nod before instructing his retainer to escort her back home. Qin Yongtao then strode toward the Ministry of Justice.

  Watching his retreating figure against the setting sun, Qin Shuying’s sneer deepened.

  In her previous life, Qin Yongtao had been all about righteousness and family values, always adopting the guise of a stern and dutiful father. He constantly lectured Qin Yaoyao about putting the family first and adhering to the virtues of a proper dy.

  When Qin Yaoyao discovered the retionship between Qin Feifei and Lu Changxuan and reported it to Madam Xu, the tter replied:"Second Daughter, what man doesn’t take concubines? Rather than letting another woman become Changxuan’s mistress, wouldn’t it be better if it’s your own sister? Feifei is gentle and considerate; she can help you maintain your favor and manage the household—a fortune most women can only dream of."

  Qin Yongtao had been present during that conversation. He remained silent, implicitly endorsing Madam Xu’s reasoning.

  That day, Qin Yaoyao’s heart turned half-cold. Though such arrangements were not uncommon in noble households or even the imperial family, had anyone ever considered the sisters' feelings? Had anyone cared whether she was willing?

  Over the years, Qin Yaoyao had come to see through Qin Yongtao’s hypocritical facade. To him, only wealth and power mattered.

  Three years ago, when he went south to bring Qin Shuying back, he had already siphoned off much of Qin Yongzhou’s inheritance. If he could betray his own brother and daughter, how could he be trusted to treat a niece with sincerity? Still, his hypocrisy made him a useful pawn for the present.

  If the original Qin Shuying were faced with this situation, she would likely be at her wit’s end. Eventually, she would have no choice but to seek the help of Qin Yongtao and Madam Xu. The shopkeepers and farm overseers—most of whom were Madam Xu’s people—would never easily yield to her authority.

  But Madam Xu had miscalcuted. Qin Shuying was no longer that ill-fated girl; she was now a revenant returned from the darkness to cim retribution.

  Three days ter, Qin Shuying moved into Yin Garden. Madam Zhou had sent over many helpers, and the entire relocation was completed in a day.

  After the belongings were settled, Nanny Fu, Hongjuan, Luye, and Lanchou conducted a final check. Meanwhile, a woman broker had arrived at the courtyard with a group of people in tow.

  The broker, a stout and cheerful woman named Mother Luo, was well-known in the capital. As soon as she arrived, she showered Qin Shuying with fttery. Qin Shuying, maintaining a faint smile, gestured for Hongjuan to serve tea. From her past life, Qin Shuying knew better than to underestimate people like Mother Luo. Despite their lowly status, such brokers were not to be offended lightly.

  Mother Luo, clearly pleased by the hospitality, excimed, “Seventh Miss, you are both intelligent and graceful. Surely, great fortune awaits you in the future!”

  Nanny Fu also offered a polite smile. In the past, Miss would have disdained interacting with such people, as befitting the daughter of a prominent family. But the current circumstances dictated otherwise. If Miss continued to act aloof, it would only lead to ruin.

  After some pleasantries, Mother Luo tactfully got to the point, saying, “Seventh Miss, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Please, let me know if anyone here catches your eye.”

  Nanny Fu interjected with a smile, “Oh, Mother Luo, who in the capital doesn’t know about your reputation for fairness?”

  After some discussion, they finalized the selection. Qin Shuying purchased fifteen individuals at a reasonable price. Once the arrangements for a follow-up visit were set, Mother Luo left with the remaining people, clearly satisfied.

  There were a few people whose purchase had been pre-arranged. Among them was a family of five. The matriarch, Mi Luo, was twenty-five years old. Qin Shuying bought her entire family, including her husband, two sons, and a daughter.

  Mi Luo was someone Qin Yaoyao had bought years ago and who had remained loyal to her through thick and thin. After Qin Yaoyao lost her position, Mi Luo repeatedly pleaded on her behalf and even visited her in secret, which angered Qin Feifei. Mi Luo’s entire family was soon sold off. Fortunately, Mi Luo, having learned many skills under Qin Yaoyao’s guidance, was purchased by a merchant in the capital who valued her abilities, allowing her to stay nearby.

  A few days ago, Qin Shuying pawned several of her mother's precious heirloom pieces to buy Mi Luo back, going to great lengths to reunite her with her husband and children. It was fortunate she acted quickly; had more time passed, it would have been much harder to locate them.

  Another person Qin Shuying brought back was Ziteng, a fourteen-year-old girl who was once Qin Yaoyao’s cousin, the daughter of her te maternal uncle. Ziteng’s family had perished in a fire when Qin Yaoyao was nineteen. At the time, Yaoyao’s mother had already passed away, and Xu Shi deliberately concealed the tragedy. By the time Qin Yaoyao learned of it, Ziteng was nowhere to be found.

  Years ter, Ziteng resurfaced in the capital as a maidservant. Qin Yaoyao spotted her being violently dragged through the streets by her mistress, her shoes and socks torn off, revealing her six-toed feet—a distinctive feature that made Ziteng unmistakable. This trait, deemed a bad omen by many, caused her to be relegated to the lowest levels of servitude.

  On that fateful day, by the time Qin Yaoyao turned her carriage around, Ziteng had vanished. She never saw her again and soon after fell into her own misfortune. In this life, Qin Shuying tasked Nanny Fu’s husband and son with scouring that same street for Ziteng, eventually finding her.

  When Ziteng stood before her, head bowed, all traces of her once-vibrant and clever personality gone, Qin Shuying felt a wave of grief. Memories of her uncle’s affection and care flooded back, and she struggled to suppress her tears. But what could she say? That she was her cousin reincarnated? No, the truth of her rebirth was something no one could ever know.

  Stifling her emotions, Qin Shuying instructed Nanny Fu to lead Ziteng and the others to the courtyard for instructions.

  Ziteng started as a third-tier maid to avoid raising suspicion. Alongside her, Qin Shuying purchased nine additional maids, ranging in age from nine to thirteen. Most of them had been sold off at a young age and had no recollection of their families or origins.

  As for Mi Luo, she was deeply grateful for Qin Shuying’s generosity in reuniting her family. Being allowed to serve close to her mistress only deepened her sense of loyalty. To a servant, having one’s family together was a lifelong wish come true. To Mi Luo, Qin Shuying was nothing short of a savior, someone she was determined to serve faithfully.

  Qin Shuying had already thought of how to handle any potential inquiries from Xu Shi. Mi Luo and her family were skilled in business, and Qin Shuying just happened to need capable hands. With Qin Yaoyao gone, Mi Luo would likely only provoke mild suspicion or discomfort from Xu Shi.

  After delivering her instructions, Yin Garden was reorganized under a new structure:

  Nanny Fu was in charge of domestic matters, including overseeing Qin Shuying’s daily meals, managing the maids, and handling personnel arrangements.

  Mi Luo was tasked with external affairs, accompanying Qin Shuying on outings and assisting with business management.Hongjuan and Luye were promoted to first-tier maids.

  Lanchou, Zhihua, Zhishu, and Zhiqin became second-tier maids. These three were around twelve years old and had previously served in wealthy households, requiring minimal training.

  The remaining maids were assigned as third-tier servants.

  ------Author's Note:This is a rebirth-and-revenge story. The pace of revenge will pick up significantly ter on. However, revenge requires strength, manpower, connections, and careful preparation. Thus, the early chapters focus on ying the groundwork and developing the plot step by step.