The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

A hint of doubt flashed in Xue Qingwan's eyes as she asked, "Isn't the young mistress going to give a speech?"

She had seen it in TV dramas; newly acquired concubines or wives would always give the first wife a hard time.

They'll either have to stand as punishment or kneel.

The purpose was to quell the concubine's arrogance and prevent her from disobeying the principal wife.

Even worse, some men would have their concubines wash the feet of the principal wife, and serve her even during meals.

Xue Qingwan knew these inside stories, which is why she didn't want to be a concubine.

But Song Wenjun not only didn't mistreat her, she also gave her so many benefits, which is really unbelievable.

Song Wenjun understood. She smiled and said, "Those are things that only people from humble families do. Our Marquis's Mansion is a prominent family. We treat our servants with kindness, let alone our concubines. As long as you behave yourself, I will not punish you easily."

Xue Qingwan's pupils trembled violently. If she had known this would happen, she would have agreed sooner.

The manor provides food and drink and even a monthly allowance; isn't that better than being a concubine's daughter?

Back when she lived in Xuzhou, she was scolded every day.

Not to mention the money, they were barely better off than servants.

"Your priority is to produce offspring for the Marquis's family as soon as possible. That's the important thing. Tonight, you should consummate your marriage with the Marquis."

Xue Qingwan was shocked again. Not only did Song Wenjun not guard against her, but she also encouraged her to consummate her marriage with Gu Huaizhou.

Is she perhaps an idiot?

If she gets pregnant one day, will she still be able to keep her position as the legal wife?

Xue Qingwan was secretly pleased, but on her face she showed a respectful expression: "This concubine will follow the young mistress's teachings."

"Alright, you can go now if there's nothing else," Song Wenjun said.

As Xu Mama led Xue Qingwan out, once they were outside Qiufeng Courtyard, she said, "Our young mistress is kind and generous, but you shouldn't overstep your bounds, Aunt. You should know who's in charge of this household, who gave you the benefits, and who you should be loyal to."

Xue Qingwan secretly rolled her eyes. How dare a servant scold her? Who did she think she was?

It's utterly ridiculous that Song Wenjun would expect her to pledge allegiance with just a broken hairpin and ten taels of silver.

“What you’re saying, Madam Xu, is unbelievable. Since I’m the Marquis’s woman, I’m naturally of one mind with him. Don’t you think so?” Xue Qingwan retorted. Who did Song Wenjun think she was? Did she really think she had control of the Marquis’s mansion and wanted everyone to bow down to her?

This Marquis's residence naturally belongs to Gu Huaizhou.

If she doesn't cling to her own husband's coattails, is she going to cling to Song Wenjun's coattails instead?

What a joke.

Mrs. Xu smiled slightly: "Of course."

Xue Qingwan's face was full of smugness. She snorted and led her people away.

Madam Xu returned to Qiufeng Courtyard and reported to Song Wenjun truthfully: "This Concubine Xue is probably not a peaceful person. Young Madam, you should not be too kind to her. When I went there, I heard her spouting nonsense, saying that she wanted to wear bright red instead of peach pink. I couldn't stand it and gave her a warning, but she was completely unresponsive."

Song Wenjun laughed: "She's feeling pretty smug right now, so she won't give in so easily. Let her be smug for a few more days, and she'll get her comeuppance."

"Yes, young mistress, this old servant will have someone keep a close eye on her."

"Okay, let's go."

Xue Qingwan is not a peaceful person; if she is not kept in close watch, she may cause trouble.

Madam Xu remembered something else and said to Song Wenjun, "On the way here, this old servant met the Third Young Master."

Song Wenjun's long eyelashes drooped. She had no impression of Gu Huai'an. Since Mama Xu brought it up, something must have happened.

She asked, "What happened?"

Mother Xu spoke with some difficulty: "He... he flirted with Aunt Xue."

"Oh...is that so?" Song Wenjun put down her cup, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

It seems there's no one easy to deal with in this household.

She thought Gu Huai'an was just a random passerby, but he surprised her in this life.

"What was Aunt Xue's reaction?" Song Wenjun asked again.

“This Aunt Xue is indeed different from ordinary people. She was neither shy nor dodging. Instead, she glared at the Third Young Master.”

Song Wenjun couldn't help but laugh; this show was getting more and more exciting.

As soon as she set up the stage, people couldn't wait to go on stage and perform.

"There's no need to concern yourself with the Third Young Master, and certainly no need to mention it to the Marquis."

After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Xu asked again, "Then, should we keep an eye on it?"

"No need."

"Yes, this old servant understands."

After Xu Mama left, Xiao Tao asked Song Wenjun in confusion, "This third young master behaves dissolutely, why doesn't Madam keep an eye on him?"

Song Wenjun tapped her fingers lightly on the table and said, "I'm afraid his dissolute behavior is just a deliberate act. Before we figure out his background, it's best not to alert him."

In his previous life, Gu Huai'an did not do anything outrageous, and after the Marquis's mansion fell into ruin, he disappeared without a trace.

But this time, when he returned to the manor with the old Marquis, he seemed a little too eager.

First, he showed his face in front of everyone, and then he flirted with Xue Qingwan. His purpose in doing so was simply to solidify his image as a playboy.

The more someone acts this way, the more likely they are to lower your guard.

Something unusual must be going on. Song Wenjun did not let her guard down; on the contrary, she made him a key person to watch.

……

After leaving Qiufeng Courtyard, Xue Qingwan moved into Luoyuxuan, which Song Wenjun had prepared for her.

Now that she is a concubine, Song Wenjun has given her a maid, two rough-working old women, and a servant boy.

When she entered, the servants were all waiting respectfully in the courtyard.

"Greetings to Auntie," the servants said in unison.

Xue Qingwan is now able to accept her status as a concubine, and she feels even more smug seeing so many people bowing and scraping before her.

She raised her hand and said, "Get up. My Luoyuxuan is different from other masters' courtyards. There are not so many rules. You don't need to bow to me all day long. As long as you serve me well, you will be rewarded. You don't need to keep calling me 'slave' here. I don't like it."

A bold old woman asked, "Then how should a servant girl refer to herself?"

"Take me for example."

"what……"

It is really against the rules for a servant not to refer to herself as a servant, but to say "I".

The servants looked at each other.

They all looked puzzled.

Such a rare thing exists in the world.

Xue Qingwan, however, felt that there was nothing wrong with what she did, and that all the talk about using gold and silver to win people's hearts was just a lie.

Only sincerity can be exchanged for sincerity.

She treated these servants with sincerity and befriended them, so she wasn't afraid that they wouldn't be devoted to her.

Unlike Song Wenjun, who was so demanding and treated the servants in her courtyard like cattle, these people outwardly obeyed her, but inwardly they all resented her.

Once she loses power, won't they all turn against her?

Once she has established herself in the mansion, let's see how she gradually takes everything from Song Wenjun.

Her husband is hers, and the Marquis's mansion is hers too.