My elder sister is so noble, this time it's my turn to strike back

Qiuyao's cold face froze for a moment, her brows furrowed. "Didn't they say the mansion could provide one? This servant girl can use the quota provided by the mansion."

Taohong: "Then this Xianghe..."

Qiuyao glanced at Xianghe and replied as a matter of course: "Xianghe has been with me for many years, how can I abandon her? I will raise her myself!"

Xiang He on the side: "..."

She didn't know how much money Qiuyao had, but Xianghe knew she wouldn't get any monthly allowance from now on, meaning she would be serving Qiuyao for free. If she needed anything, she might even have to pay out of her own pocket.

Unless Qiuyao can really gain the favor of the prince and receive generous rewards, perhaps he will still remember to give her a monthly allowance.

At this moment, Xiang He's regret level rose to a new level.

But in front of others, she still had to cooperate with Qiuyao and perform the deep love between master and servant.

She adjusted her facial expression and said, "Thank you very much, little...auntie. Xianghe has volunteered to follow me and is willing to serve you at your service to repay you."

Tao Hong, who was watching from the sidelines, saw through it but didn't say anything. She rolled her eyes almost to the sky.

Ah!

Aloof and hypocritical.

She did not forget the painful expression on Xianghe's face when she took out the reward money for her yesterday.

He was obviously a poor man who couldn't make any money, but he insisted on acting out the deep love between master and servant in front of her. Taohong even felt a little sympathy for Xianghe.

"Okay, I understand. I'll bring them to Auntie's yard later and you can choose one.

As for renovating the courtyard, when Auntie goes to pay her respects later, she can speak to the princess herself. If the princess agrees, it can be arranged quickly."

Qiuyao froze again!

"Excuse me?"

Taohong: "Yes, according to the rules. The concubines in the mansion need to get up at 12:00 AM and help the mistress get up and wash. The masters of each courtyard will also arrive one after another to pay their respects to the princess. However, the princess is kind and does not have the habit of torturing or harshly treating the concubines. All you need to do is arrive at the princess's courtyard before 12:00 AM every day, pay your respects, and listen to her instructions."

After hearing what Taohong said, Qiuyao remembered that all the wealthy and prominent families in the capital city did have the rule that concubines had to pay their respects to the mistress. However, when she was in the prime minister's residence, her mother Zhang was weak and didn't like trouble, so she only allowed the two concubines to pay their respects to her courtyard on the first and fifteenth day of every month.

But even so, the two concubines only came to show up, chatted with my mother for a while and then left, and my mother never cared about it.

This gave Qiuyao the illusion that the mistresses and concubines of every mansion were the same as those in the Prime Minister's Mansion, without all the conspiracies and intrigues.

Furthermore, Qiuyao had spent the previous decade or so absorbed in learning various arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, literature, and etiquette. She had only come into contact with high-ranking noble ladies, all aiming for positions like princess and prince's consort. Who could have known that one day she would become someone's concubine, living a humble life every day?

At this moment, Qiuyao's mentality collapsed and she couldn't convince herself anymore.

"Do I have to go every day?" Qiuyao asked.

The palace covers a vast area. It takes half an hour just to walk from this shabby courtyard to the main courtyard. Doesn't that mean I have to get up before the hour of Mao every day?

He even helps the princess wash and dress. What’s the difference between him and a servant?

The reason why she chose to be with Prince Yong was to enjoy the good life, not to be tortured!

Taohong glanced at her and said with disdain, "Of course, but since this is my first time paying respects today, it's okay to be a little late. The princess has already sent the others away, so I have some free time."

"It's still early, Auntie, why don't you have your meal first? I'll be going downstairs first."

Taohong said this and then stepped back.

Only Qiuyao and Xianghe, the master and servant who had been through thick and thin together, were left standing there in a daze.

After a while, Taohong returned, this time with two servant girls: the taller one was called Ling'er, and the shorter one was called Cui'er.

Qiuyao was now thinking about how to meet the prince. She stretched out her hand and pointed at the two of them casually, choosing Cui'er.

"You, what's your name?"

Cui Er immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am Cui Er, your servant, and I greet you, my aunt."

Qiuyao first hummed, then instructed: "From now on, you will be responsible for the rough housework of sweeping the yard. If you have any questions, you can ask Xianghe directly."

After making arrangements for Cui'er, Qiuyao prepared to set off for Princess Yong's courtyard.

Princess Murong Zhi of Prince Yong's family, whose grandfather was once the current emperor's tutor, was a great scholar of literature in the dynasty with countless students. He also held an important position in the literary world.

I heard that Murong Zhi was famous in the capital for her outstanding paintings when she was still a girl. She was also very outstanding in poetry, calligraphy and etiquette. She was someone that many daughters of wealthy families tried their best to surpass.

Murong Zhi has been married to Prince Yong's Mansion for more than two years and has no children yet. In contrast, Concubine Su has given birth to a son and a princess in succession, and her status in the palace is vaguely rivaling that of Murong Zhi.

The servants were saying that the real mistress of Prince Yong's mansion was Consort Su. The princess was not favored at all, so she still had no children.

When Qiuyao and Xianghe arrived at Bixia Garden, all the concubines who came to pay their respects had left.

After waiting for the message, a maid wearing a light blue bodice led Qiuyao in.

As soon as you step into Bixia Garden, you're immediately struck by its elegant charm. The winding corridors are intricately carved with floral and bird designs, and the bluestone floor is smooth and mirror-like. Not far away, a Taihu-stone rockery stands, its mottled stone patterns reminiscent of celestial clouds.

Coupled with the green plants and trees all over the yard, people feel like they are in a fairyland.

Even though Qiuyao was born in the prime minister's mansion, she had never seen such an elegant, grand and peaceful courtyard. It was like a beautiful painting.

She walked and looked, and soon arrived at the flower hall on the north side of the courtyard.

Qiuyao looked up and soon saw the elegant and noble figure sitting on the main seat. It was Prince Yong's wife Murong Zhi.

She was wearing a crescent-white dress of fine texture. She had a slender figure, fair skin, and eyes like a clear spring. Even when she was not smiling, she looked calm and deep.

"My maidservant Qiuyao greets the princess and pays her respects!" Qiuyao knelt respectfully and bowed to Murong Zhi, her voice neither humble nor arrogant.

"Get up." After a while, Murong Zhi said in a faint voice and ordered the maid beside her to give Qiuyao a seat.

After thanking him, Qiuyao sat down, her back straight, her eyes fixed, looking very proper.

After a while, a soft yet majestic voice was heard from above.

"Raise your head and let me take a closer look!"

Qiuyao slowly raised her head as instructed, and what came into view was Murong Zhi's elegant and tranquil face. And those bright eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts were staring at her without blinking.

"As expected of the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family, she is indeed a beauty. It's just a pity!"