Chapter 113: The Purpose Behind Feigned Concern

The slave trader arrived the very next day. Speed was of the essence, and since the selection required care, the Old Madam had them all directed to the Heart’s Ease Courtyard.

Qin Wanru arrived early. Only Shui Ruolan was there keeping the Old Madam company. After offering her respects and taking a seat beside the Old Madam, Wanru cast her gaze upon the people the trader had brought.

Today, only maidservants had been brought—over a hundred of them. They stood in the courtyard with lowered heads, yet despite the crowd, not a single sound could be heard. The Old Madam was quite satisfied with their discipline.

"Ruolan, Zhuozhuo, since you arrived first, you should make your selections," the Old Madam said, lifting her teacup for a sip. Her expression was less than pleasant; the fact that Lady Di and Qin Yuru had not yet appeared suggested they did not hold her in high regard.

"Wanru, you choose first," Shui Ruolan said softly.

Qin Wanru nodded and stood up. She indeed needed to select a few people first to prevent Lady Di and Qin Yuru from forcing their own people upon her later; one person from Lady Di’s side was already more than enough.

"Mother, you should also select a few more with me. If we wait for the next trader, we might not find anyone as suitable," Wanru suggested.

The implication was clear. Shui Ruolan smiled, understanding her meaning perfectly.

Qin Wanru selected a considerable number of maids, mostly of the second and third rank. Not entirely at ease, she specifically asked Nanny Duan to vet them afterward, and only when the nanny approved did she keep them. Shui Ruolan also made a generous selection. Though she had originally intended to pick fewer, Wanru’s words convinced her that it was better to be prepared. The Old Madam, less concerned, simply chose two to keep in her courtyard.

The Old Madam had Nanny Duan gather the new maids to instruct them on the General’s Mansion’s rules. Just as the group was being led away, Lady Di and Qin Yuru arrived fashionably late.

After the exchange of greetings, they took their seats.

"Mother, why are there so few people left?" Lady Di asked, looking at the remainder with disdain, her face etched with arrogant mockery. "Perhaps you should change the trader. The capital is not like Jiangzhou; such meager pickings make our Qin estate look terribly provincial."

"Grandmother, this trader brought far too few people. When my maternal grandmother selects maids, she has at least fifty to choose from. Look at this—how am I supposed to pick from this?" Qin Yuru scanned the faces of the remaining maids, her dissatisfaction growing.

They had only just arrived in the capital, yet this mother-daughter pair was already putting on airs, seizing every opportunity to mention the Yongkang Earl’s Mansion. A trace of sarcasm flickered in Qin Wanru’s lowered eyes. They believed that with the backing of the Yongkang Earl’s Mansion, Lady Di could act as she pleased, even using that influence to pressure the Old Madam. Their tardiness was a deliberate display of power, intended to intimidate the household.

She would slowly tear away this so-called protection of the Yongkang Earl’s Mansion.

"You arrived late; we had already finished," the Old Madam replied coolly, her expression unreadable.

"Mother, I hadn't made my choice yet. How could Wanru and her mother have already picked? There is an order to seniority; this is improper," Lady Di said, her smile stiffening.

"How is it improper? We waited for so long, and you didn't come. Does that mean they shouldn't have chosen? Furthermore, I was the one who told them to. Do you have an objection?" The Old Madam frowned. "I sent word for you to come; why did it take so long?"

"I... I didn't sleep well after arriving in the capital last night, so I woke up late. The people you sent didn't dare wake me. It’s just that we’ve only just arrived, and I lack capable servants," Lady Di explained, though she secretly seethed at the Old Madam’s bias. She had intended to assert her authority, but the old woman was not taking the bait.

"Choose for yourself then," the Old Madam said impatiently, gesturing toward the remaining maids.

"Grandmother, I don't want these. They are all… leftovers. There’s nothing good among them." Qin Yuru’s eyes reddened with grievance, and she turned away, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief as if she had been wronged.

"Yuru, don't cry. If you don't like these, we can choose again later. You must be satisfied with the people around you," Lady Di said, standing up to comfort her daughter before turning to the Old Madam. "Mother, since these are just the leftovers, we shall have another batch brought in for Yuru to choose from later. She cannot be expected to settle for the maids her sister didn't want!"

"Suit yourselves," the Old Madam said, rising and retreating into her chambers. She loathed Lady Di’s ostentatious behavior, and Qin Yuru’s weeping reminded her of the concubines and mistresses who used to cause trouble in the house. For a young lady of the household to be so easily moved to tears was utterly tiresome.

Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan followed the Old Madam inside. Lady Di, having comforted Qin Yuru, followed as well, clearly intent on a long discussion. "Mother, now that we are in the capital, we must follow the customs of the capital. Otherwise, we will not only be mocked, but we will also be ostracized from the social circles of the nobility."

"And what exactly are you suggesting?" The Old Madam looked at her, her mood darkening as she realized Lady Di was already playing games, emboldened by the Yongkang Earl’s Mansion.

"I mean that our estate must integrate into the capital’s circles more quickly, which will benefit the General’s career, don't you agree, Mother?" Lady Di said with a smug expression. "It must start with our household rules. Take today, for instance—if the people in your courtyard had been properly trained, they would have woken me up early. I wouldn't have slept until now!"

"Are you saying that Grandmother’s servants lack discipline?" Qin Wanru asked, her clear, watery eyes blinking with feigned confusion. A cold glint passed through her gaze. Lady Di wanted to start with the Old Madam’s servants before moving on to her and her mother. Did she really think she could still dominate the General’s Mansion as she once did? How truly audacious!

Lady Di had intended to imply as much, but her approach had been indirect. She hadn't expected Qin Wanru to lay it out so bluntly. Glancing nervously at the Old Madam and seeing her darkened expression, Lady Di quickly snapped, "Wanru, what are you saying? I wouldn't dream of criticizing Mother’s staff. I was merely using this as an example—that even the people around Mother need proper training!"

"Second Sister, this is the capital, not Jiangzhou. How dare you act so recklessly? You and your mother were already disrespectful by picking people first, and now you dare to speak so insolently to Mother? Who gave you the courage?" Qin Yuru sneered, thinking she had caught Wanru in a mistake.

"Eldest Sister, I was merely speaking logically. Why does it seem to you that I am relying on someone’s influence? Unlike you, I have no family to rely on, so I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. But what influence are you relying on, Eldest Sister, to be so rude before Grandmother? Could it be that this is the 'capital’s etiquette'?" Qin Wanru replied coldly, lifting her head to meet her sister’s gaze.

Qin Wanru had no influence to rely on, but it was obvious to everyone in the room that Qin Yuru and Lady Di were banking on the Yongkang Earl’s Mansion.

Hearing this, Qin Yuru flushed with anger, glaring at Wanru as if she wanted to strike her.

"Wanru, speak properly to your sister. Whether we are out or at home, we must be close. We cannot let people think the Qin family lacks manners," Lady Di chided with a smile. Her tone was light, and her expression suggested she was acting out of benevolence. The Old Madam’s expression softened slightly.

"I was wrong about what happened in Jiangzhou. Now that we are in the capital, those things are in the past. I only hope that you and your sister can be close. There are only two of you in the Qin family; you must support each other to gain a foothold here," Lady Di continued, acting the role of the repentant mother. She even went so far as to fetch a cup of tea and walk over to Wanru. "Wanru, I only wish for you and Yuru to get along. I was in the wrong before, and I hope you will be the bigger person. I will certainly find a way to make it up to you."

She held out the tea, offering a formal apology.

Watching Lady Di’s hypocritical performance, Qin Wanru stood up abruptly, sidestepping toward Qin Yuru and offering a respectful but distant bow to Lady Di. "You are too kind, Madam."

Without another look at Lady Di, she walked behind the Old Madam, dismissed the maid who was massaging her shoulders, and began to gently knead the Old Madam’s back herself. She puffed out her cheeks, maintaining a guarded distance from Lady Di. Having been harmed so many times, she could hardly be expected to harbor no resentment—besides, she was still a child.

"Mother, I would like to bring both sisters to the banquet at the Marquis of Fengyang’s estate. Since we are new to the capital, they must be seen, lest they appear timid or lose face," Lady Di said, suppressing her irritation as she returned to her seat with the tea.

So, this was Lady Di’s true purpose. Qin Wanru rubbed her forehead. Some of her memories from her previous life were fragmented—like how her marriage to that profligate had been arranged. It seemed they had met at a banquet. Could it be this one?

She needed to attend the banquet, but not under the guidance of the treacherous Lady Di. She had a better candidate in mind.

"Grandmother, I do not wish to attend the banquet. I would like to go and offer incense with Aunt Shui tomorrow. The Abbess of Jingxin Nunnery says the Huaguang Temple in the capital is the most auspicious. May we go tomorrow?"

Tomorrow was the third day of the month.