Enter Chang Xiangsi and help Jingzhai fight

I took out a big red envelope from my pocket and handed it to her: "Nothing, let's talk about it when he comes back. I'm going to have breakfast first."

Jingui was overjoyed: "Thank you, Miss! I hope you will be healthy and successful this year!"

I thanked her with a smile, turned around, waved goodbye, and went to the kitchenette.

After dinner, I distributed the red envelopes to the nanny and maids, giving an especially large portion to Mama Li. I followed Tu Shanjing's example and finished all that I could do first.

I guess everyone is tired from preparing for the New Year, plus they stayed up all night last night and Tu Shanjing is not at home today, so everyone is listless and lacks energy.

I sat for a while and then said I was tired and wanted to go back for a nap.

After saying goodbye to the maids, I returned to my room, closed the door, and quietly digested what I heard today. I wonder what treasures the four great families have that made Tushan Hou so confident that he could reverse the situation and make Madam Tushan, the nine elders, and other families support him. I think it must not be just precious jewelry, calligraphy, or paintings, but some magical treasures.

However, according to what Guanglin said, Tushan Hou did not have even half a map, and he thought that Tushan Jing only had half a map, so he did not rush to take it. Otherwise, if he knew that Tushan Jing had collected all the maps, he would not come back to celebrate the New Year and would ambush Tang Ge on his way back to Qingqiu.

After thinking it over, I think the only way now is to wait for Tu Shanjing to come back and then discuss what to do next. Just when I thought of this, there was a knock on the door and Ruiyang's voice rang out: "Happy New Year, young lady! I have to go to Butler Hu to wish him a happy new year today. I just got the news that the young master's courtyard has already gone, and it will be our courtyard's turn later. Young lady, make preparations early!"

I opened the door and asked curiously, "Go to Butler Hu's place?!"

Ruiyang was surprised to see me, and he was also surprised: "Huh? Didn't anyone tell the young lady? Oh, look at my memory! I forgot that the young lady didn't remember it. I guess others were too busy during the New Year and forgot about it. Seeing that the young lady is usually very smart, I didn't think of telling her about it. This is what happened. If the maids and servants in our mansion want to go home during the New Year, they can ask for leave in advance. If the master is busy, they can go home for the New Year. If they don't want to go back or their parents have passed away, they can continue to serve in the mansion and get more rewards. Then, Butler Hu is in charge of the whole mansion. He is the greatest elder besides parents and master. Everyone has to go to him to pay New Year's greetings every New Year's Day."

After that, he smiled slyly and whispered, "There are red envelopes when you pay New Year's greetings. For a capable girl like you, you will definitely get some rewards! Girl, pack up quickly and follow us later."

When I heard about this etiquette, I thought of Xiaowei and Xiaohui and asked, "Where are Xiaowei and the others? I'll go look for them right away."

Ruiyang shook his head: "They don't have enough status, so they probably have to wait until the afternoon. At that time, Butler Hu couldn't sit still, so he probably asked the people below to help sit there and give rewards. Only personal servants or maids like us have the opportunity to meet Butler Hu."

I sighed and replied, "Well, you lead me later. I will do whatever you say, so that I won't forget the rules and make a fool of myself. Embarrassment is a small matter, but don't cause any trouble for the young master."

Ruiyang smiled and said, "The etiquette you girls follow is different from that of us men! But don't worry, I'll teach you on the way. You are a kind-hearted girl, and you will definitely learn it right away!"

"So best."

I put on a soft fur brocade cape, locked the door and followed him to Hu's housekeeper. Hu's house was crowded with people, and the courtyard was bustling with maids, servants and servants, and there were many unfamiliar faces I didn't recognize.

On the way, Ruiyang told me that Jingye and Ruofeng had gone out with Tu Shanjing. There were few people in our courtyard, so only the two of us came to the morning session.

The maids and servants who were chatting in groups in the yard saw us enter the room and cast their eyes over to us, whispering to each other and discussing openly yet restrainedly.

On the way here, I had learned the rules from Ruiyang, and I had some confidence. But after seeing this scene, I felt a little guilty. I quietly asked Ruiyang, "Are they talking about us? Is there anything wrong with the way I walked in? Is there anything wrong with stepping in with the left foot first or the right foot first?"

Ruiyang smiled and said, "Miss, don't be too nervous. Our young master has always been the center of attention in the mansion, and the people below are naturally the focus of attention. Especially the two of us, we have been out for so long, not to mention that they haven't seen each other for a long time, and you are usually not good at socializing with them, so naturally you will be looked at more and talked about more."

I said "Oh", pretending to be unaware of the discussions in the yard, and stood in a corner obediently, waiting to be called by the servant.

Not long after, a young man dressed as a servant opened the door of the hall and spoke in a loud voice, as if singing an opera: "Send the maid Lanxiang and the personal servant Ruiyang to the second young master's courtyard!"

I followed Ruiyang into the hall. Two people came out of the hall, one of whom was Guanglin, with whom I had a long conversation in the morning.

He walked past me, winked and smiled, I nodded, and let them go down the stairs first.

The hall was originally decorated in dark tones, with black rosewood furniture and gilded floor lamps, exuding a calm and majestic atmosphere. Now, a few big red lanterns were hung, New Year pictures were posted, and some red silk with pearls were decorated, adding a festive atmosphere.

Butler Hu, wearing a dark red robe with golden patterns, was sitting in the hall, blowing away the hot steam of tea.

Seeing us come in, he put down his teacup and nodded.

Ruiyang knelt down immediately, and I knelt down too. While kneeling, I thought to myself, I have never knelt down to anyone since I was a child. Today, I am kneeling for the first time in my life to you, old man. I hope you will not be ungrateful and give me a big red envelope later. Also, don't stop me from doing things in the future.

"The sun is bright, the moon is shining, wealth and prosperity, longevity and health. I wish Mr. Hu a peaceful new year and long-lasting happiness."*

Ruiyang and I bowed in unison as we had agreed.

"Okay, okay! You are worthy of being the second young master's courtyard. Get up!" Butler Hu smiled happily, his face full of wrinkles almost bursting out, and raised his hand to signal us to get up.

A clever little maid with a small nose and eyes nearby brought a red tray with four thick red envelopes bulging on it.

“The Second Young Master is always very busy with affairs, and it’s all thanks to you guys who take care of everything inside and outside the house and serve him attentively. Especially Lanxiang, I heard him say at the banquet the day the Young Master came back that he got into danger when he went out with him this time, and it was all thanks to your cleverness that you turned danger into safety. You are truly a role model for all the maids and servants!” Butler Hu said with a smile, stroking his beard.

I was very pleased to hear this, and replied with a smile: "No, no, it's my job, this is what Lanxiang should do."

"It is rare that you know your responsibilities. I hope you will stay true to your original aspirations and never forget your duty."

When I heard this, I couldn't help but look up.

A gleam of light flashed in Butler Hu's eyes.

*Quoted from the Book of Songs, Ting Liao Xiao Ya