Chapter Fifty-One: The Same Name as in My Previous Life

"Wanru, have you chosen your people?" Shui Ruolan withdrew her gaze from Qin Yuru's departing figure and looked at Qin Wanru with concern.

"Aunt Shui, let's go with these few. I trust Granny Yu's judgment," Qin Wanru nodded.

"Come inside for a moment," Shui Ruolan said, rising and walking toward the inner room. She clearly had something to say in private. Qin Wanru, understanding this, followed her in.

"Wanru, your elder sister's visit today was very odd," Shui Ruolan hesitated, furrowing her brows as she warned once Qin Wanru had entered.

"Don't worry, Aunt Shui. I'll be cautious of her," Qin Wanru replied with a faint smile, her suspicions already piqued.

"Should you perhaps give up all these maids for now and have the matchmaker bring another group tomorrow for you to choose from?" Shui Ruolan's eyes flickered with unease. Though she knew Qin Wanru was already wary of Qin Yuru and her mother, she couldn't help but worry.

"Today's events were too coincidental, and Yuru seems to have an ulterior motive," Shui Ruolan reminded her again.

Qin Wanru, clever as she was, remained a child in the eyes of Shui Ruolan, who had watched her grow. Compared to the cunning and scheming Lady Di, she was still far too innocent.

"Aunt Shui, I'll be careful. And besides, with you here, I'm not afraid!" Qin Wanru looked up, her dark eyes shining with trust and reliance. Her words carried deeper meaning, but her gaze was full of confidence in Shui Ruolan.

She knew Shui Ruolan sometimes hesitated, so she seized the opportunity to dispel all her doubts by leveraging Qin Yuru's actions.

Shui Ruolan's hand trembled slightly, as if recalling something, her head lowering in confusion. "Wanru, I… I haven't actually…"

"Aunt Shui, Grandmother is elderly, and I'm still too young," Qin Wanru's watery eyes shifted. "Did someone say something to you?"

Shui Ruolan was indeed wavering, but Qin Wanru did not approve of this hesitation. At this point, it was no longer about Shui Ruolan's indecisiveness; any retreat would only embolden Lady Di, accelerating her schemes and placing Shui Ruolan herself in greater danger.

In her previous life, Shui Ruolan had likely paid dearly for this, losing even her unborn child.

"But your father and I… genuinely, there's nothing between us," Shui Ruolan said, her mood sinking.

"But so what? Who would believe you?" Qin Wanru retorted abruptly, leaving Shui Ruolan speechless, staring at her in silence.

"Miss, I agree with Second Miss. Now that you've already opposed the Lady, any retreat will only invite her wrath. Besides, you've turned down the General's support," Qionghua nudged her, speaking quietly.

"But…" Shui Ruolan was still wavering.

"Aunt Shui, go back and think it over carefully. It's not just about you; Grandmother and I both need you," Qin Wanru's face showed a trace of sadness, though she restrained her emotions, appearing aggrieved.

"Wanru!" Seeing her like this, Shui Ruolan's doubts melted away. "Rest assured, I know what to do next!"

What had this child experienced, to be so young yet so wise, even plotting for her sake?

She was only eleven, her figure still frail and slight, her face still with a hint of baby fat, looking even smaller than most her age.

Pain flickered across Shui Ruolan's face. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, a faint smile had appeared, her gaze resolute. "Wanru, don't worry. Aunt Shui will take care of matters concerning you and your aunt. Since I can do so openly, I won't hesitate again!"

If there had been any lingering doubts before, they vanished when Shui Ruolan saw the sadness and reliance in Qin Wanru's eyes.

"Miss, you've finally thought it all through!" Qionghua exclaimed with delight.

Shui Ruolan nodded, giving Qin Wanru a few more careful instructions before leaving with Qionghua. As she departed, she glanced again at the selected maids. Even if Lady Di and her daughter plotted against Qin Wanru, they would have to get past her first. A child might make mistakes, but with her watching, things would be much safer.

She would no longer let Lady Di rule the rear courtyard of the General's residence, nor watch helplessly as Qin Wanru suffered at their hands!

Behind her, Qin Wanru's cherry lips curved, her smile blooming like a fresh flower.

"From now on, your name will be Qingxue," Qin Wanru said, her gaze settling on Liu Xue, the maid whom Qin Yuru had deliberately maneuvered her to choose.

A maid delivered into her hands.

"Yes, Second Miss," Qingxue replied quietly, her demeanor respectful and proper, showing no unease despite Qin Yuru's interference.

Qin Wanru then bestowed names upon the other maids. Her gaze finally settled on another girl, whom she named Qule—the same name she had borne in her previous life.

The difference was, last time, she had served beside Qin Yuru; now, she would serve Qin Wanru.

"Were you sold by your family?" Qin Wanru asked casually, sipping her tea.

"Yes, Miss," Qule answered, head lowered.

"Tell me about your family," Qin Wanru said offhandedly.

"I have two older sisters and two younger sisters," Qule replied, growing more cautious. She was the middle child in a family of five daughters, all born to her mother. Her father was furious, considering them burdens, and both her older sisters had been sold. Her younger sisters would likely follow.

"Do you wish to see them again?" Qin Wanru asked, pointedly.

"No, Miss. My parents don't care for me. My sisters were sold and never returned. My younger sisters will probably be sold as well—they want a son," Qule said bitterly.

It was because she and her sisters were daughters that they were disliked and sold off.

"Since that's so, serve well here. Remember, your loyalty must be to our Second Miss," Qingyue said coldly, her gaze, like Qin Wanru's, fixed on Qule. She had seen Qin Yuru's scheming and worried Qule and Qingxue might harm Qin Wanru.

"I understand. I will be loyal to Second Miss," Qule nodded, even more respectful.

"If you show the slightest disloyalty, the consequences won't be merely a beating. The previous matron here, Granny Fang, was Lady Di's person, sent specifically to attend Second Miss, but she was unfaithful and just recently punished to death," Qingyue said sternly.

Qin Wanru's lips curled in satisfaction as she leaned back. Qingyue was beginning to show the bearing of a close attendant, her words carrying weight and authority, intimidating as needed.

Sure enough, the maids all shivered. Household rules were strict, and the matchmaker had repeatedly warned them upon entry, but they hadn't expected such things to happen so recently.

And involving their new mistress directly.

Though Second Miss appeared soft and adorable, no one dared underestimate her now.

Even Qingxue, who seemed calm, stole a nervous glance at Qin Wanru, her face slightly pale.

"Since we've reached this point, don't blame me for speaking harshly. If you can't tell who's master, you know what fate awaits you. Now go—Granny Yu will assign your duties and living quarters," Qingyue announced loudly.

"Yes!" The maids saluted Qin Wanru respectfully and withdrew.

"Miss, you…" Only when the maids had left did Qingyue express her worry. She had forced herself to act confident, but at thirteen, she was still a girl. Now, she fretted, "Was the eldest miss really just here to pick a few maids?"

"Probably not," Qin Wanru said calmly.

"So… what should we do?" Qingyue grew anxious, remembering the trouble caused by Qingcui. If more like her appeared, it would be disastrous.

"Nothing. Wait and see. Qingxue has the position of head maid, but don't let her serve alone in my room," Qin Wanru instructed quietly.

She wanted to observe Qingxue further.

"Yes, Miss," Qingyue replied solemnly.

"Have Granny Yu investigate Qingxue and Qule," Qin Wanru added after a moment's thought. "Ask the matchmaker for details, probe as much as possible."

Qin Wanru had arranged for the matchmaker to return tomorrow for payment, giving Granny Yu a chance to inquire further. If necessary, Wang Feng could investigate outside the residence. Both maids' accents suggested they were natives of Jiangzhou, likely from the city.

"I understand. No wonder you didn't have the matchmaker settle accounts right away," Qingyue said admiringly.

As they spoke, Granny Yu entered, having finished arranging the maids' assignments.

"Granny Yu, tomorrow when you settle accounts with the matchmaker, ask more about Qingxue and Qule's families. It would be best if Fengzi could verify their stories," Qingyue said promptly.

"Don't worry, Miss. I'll find out everything," Granny Yu agreed.

"Granny Yu, there's no need to go early. Wait until the matchmaker has waited a while before heading over," Qin Wanru added meaningfully.

How had she chosen? Who had she selected? If Lady Di and Qin Yuru truly had designs, they would surely seek information tomorrow. By delaying, she gave them time to reveal themselves. If Lady Di sent someone, it would prove her suspicions.

She was in no hurry. She would wait for Lady Di to expose herself…