Jiang originally intended to enter the Marquis’s mansion as a concubine. Unexpectedly, due to the Anping Marquis Mansion’s family rule against taking concubines, she unexpectedly rose to become the Marquis’s heir’s successor wife. Although she entered the capital, her husband disliked her, her family was powerless, and after giving birth to a daughter, she was neglected. Her mother-in-law was also warm on the surface but cold at heart, and her husband’s son from his first marriage would inherit the title. How could she find a place for herself in the Marquis’s mansion?

She deliberately lowered her profile. Although she held the title of Marchioness, the Marquis hadn’t bestowed any official rank upon her. She was without rank, making her different from the other noble ladies of the capital. As for the power to manage the household, she didn’t dare to touch it, claiming she lacked the talent to manage servants and leaving it to the second wife.

For many years, Jiang remained silent and unassuming, appearing merely as a pitiful woman struggling to survive in the grand mansion.  However, she wasn’t stupid; otherwise, how could she have risen from the daughter of an insignificant official to become a Marchioness in the capital? Although she appeared timid, she taught her daughter to be assertive from a young age. Even if it displeased her mother-in-law and husband, the biological bond would prevent them from completely abandoning her. She focused on her daughter’s future, but even more so on preserving her own status and wealth.

Jiang wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, “Mother knows she’s useless, I only hope that Fu’er will be successful, and you should socialize more often so your father and grandmother can see you. Mother doesn’t ask you to be as wealthy as your elder sister, only that you marry well and live a peaceful life.”

Lin Zhaofu, upon hearing this, was like a lit fuse: “I am the elder sister’s own younger sister! She became a concubine with a noble title, both daughters of the same father, yet I can only marry a commoner? The second wife’s daughter always outshines me, and now there’s a third daughter from an outside relationship, they will all ride on my head! I am the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s mansion, if not for the fact that the family hasn’t divided their property yet, they’re just relatives living in the Marquis’s mansion. Why am I inferior to them?”

Jiang cried out in distress, “Fu’er, don’t talk nonsense. The third daughter has always been registered under your grandmother’s name, and she is considered a legitimate daughter to the outside world. Don’t mention the matter of an outside relationship again. Mother knows you’re wronged, it’s all my fault as a mother, I can’t fight for you…”

Lin Zhaofu was annoyed by her mother’s constant weeping. Her mother was always timid and weak, never daring to stand up for herself. Her father never cared, her grandmother didn’t love her, and her stepbrother, the Marquis’s heir, disliked her. If it weren’t for her own constant efforts, she and her mother would have been driven out of the Marquis’s mansion long ago!

In another part of the courtyard, the second wife, Yu, summoned the steward and led a group of maidservants towards Lu’s courtyard.

“My younger sister-in-law has just arrived at the Marquis’s mansion, and I see she lacks servants. I’ve asked the steward to select some capable maidservants. If my younger sister-in-law finds any she likes, feel free to keep them.”

Lu nodded and smiled, “I came in a hurry, thank you, second sister-in-law, for your care.”

“We’re all family, no need for thanks.” Yu gave her a feigned reproachful look and continued, “There’s one more thing I need to explain to my younger sister-in-law. In our mansion, when the girls reach the appropriate age, they move into their own courtyards. This is the old madam’s intention, to let the girls learn to manage a household before marriage. I see that the third miss has come of age, so should we follow the mansion’s rules and let her have a separate courtyard, or…”

Yu paused, waiting for Lu to respond. Lu understood and quickly said, “We should follow the mansion’s rules.”

“Good.” Yu nodded and turned to instruct, “The courtyard in the East Garden is still vacant, and it will be the third miss’s residence from now on. Steward Zou, have someone clean and tidy it up.”

The middle-aged steward behind her bowed and responded, then led some maidservants and servants towards the East Garden.

Lin Wanji entered the small garden, climbed the steps, perhaps because of the winter season, the plants in the courtyard were sparse, only a few red plum trees bloomed vividly in the bleakness.

“Crimson Flower Pavilion,” Lin Wanji read the name of the courtyard plaque aloud, savoring it slightly, and smiled, “It’s a good name, I like it.”

The steward Zou, upon hearing this, quickly flattered, “Third Miss has excellent taste. The name of this garden was chosen by the concubine before she left the mansion. In the past, the concubine loved to come here to admire the flowers.”

Upon mentioning her sister, the concubine, Lin Wanji understood, “It seems that the elder sister is quite talented.”

After the servants finished cleaning and tidying, Steward Zou led a row of maidservants and bowed to Lin Wanji, “Third Miss, the second madam asked you to choose a few maidservants to serve you in the courtyard. If you like any of them, keep them.”

Lin Wanji nodded, thanked her, and gave Steward Zou a bag of loose silver through Ying Shi.

Lin Wanji scanned the group, casually choosing two old maids and two cleaning maids. She noticed a maid with a pretty face, dressed differently from the others, looking quite outstanding, and asked, “What’s your name? What can you do? Can you read?”

The maid’s face lit up, and she quickly replied, “Reporting to the third miss, my name is Xiu Xia, I’m a home-born servant of the mansion. I can do some needlework, comb hair, and I can read a little.”

Many maidservants in the Marquis’s mansion had names related to seasons, flowers, birds, etc., and Xiu Xia’s name was likely chosen in the same way.

Lin Wanji nodded, “Then you stay, along with Ying Shi, as my personal maidservants.”

Xiu Xia was overjoyed and bowed, “Thank you, third miss, for your kindness. I will do my best to serve you.”

After Steward Zou left with the remaining servants, Lin Wanji signaled Ying Shi to give the maidservants and old maids some money, “You have signed contracts with the Marquis’s mansion, and the mansion will pay you your monthly wages. This is extra money from me, I hope you will work diligently.”

The maidservants and old maids were all delighted, accepting the loose silver and thanking her repeatedly. Lin Wanji watched them disperse, looked at Xiu Xia beside her, and said, “Your monthly wages will not be deducted. Since you are my personal maid, you will not be treated poorly. I’m new here, and I’ll need your help with things in the mansion.”

Xiu Xia and Ying Shi followed Lin Wanji into the hall and quickly flattered, “Miss, you’re too kind. Since you’ve taken a liking to me, I will always put you first.”

Lin Wanji carefully examined the furnishings and decorations in the hall. They were simple, elegant, and yet noble, showing that the second wife, Yu, was indeed a clever person, and her actions were impeccable. No wonder she managed the household affairs so well.

“You’re a home-born servant? What do your parents do in the mansion? Do you have any siblings?”

Lin Wanji sat down slowly on the soft couch in the inner hall and gestured for Xiu Xia to come closer, asking with a smile.

Xiu Xia replied, “Reporting to the third miss, my father is the steward of the shop in the east city, my mother works for the second madam, and I have a brother who is the second young master’s bookboy, now living in the academy with the second young master.”

While asking, she saw Ying Shi bring tea, Lin Wanji took the teacup, took a sip, nodded, and said, “Your family has served the Marquis’s mansion diligently, but it’s a pity that you were assigned to the third branch, it’s not as good as being with the first and second madam. But don’t worry, since you are my personal maid along with Ying Shi, your food and clothing will not be lacking. As for your future marriage, it’s up to you.”

Xiu Xia saw that this new third miss was kind and didn’t blame the servants in the courtyard, she knew she had come to the right place, her face filled with joy: “Miss, what are you saying, if it weren’t for your kindness, I would still be doing cleaning work. Although I’m clumsy, I do have some skills, and I know many people in the mansion, I only hope to help you.”

Lin Wanji put down the teacup, took Xiu Xia’s hand, and saw that her hands were white and well-maintained, knowing that they weren’t the hands of someone who had done rough work for years, but her expression didn’t change, she just smiled, “Ying Shi and I are new here, and we don’t know our way around, so we’ll need your help a lot. It’s almost noon, and I’m a little hungry, go to the kitchen and get me a food box, just follow the mansion’s rules.”

Xiu Xia nodded and said, “I used to help out in the kitchen and know the cooks, if you want to eat anything, just ask the kitchen to make it.”

Xiu Xia bowed and quickly walked out of the hall. After seeing her leave, Lin Wanji whispered to Ying Shi, “My father manages the mansion’s shops and properties, my mother is the housekeeper’s manager, and my brother can go to the academy with the young master. Ying Shi, do you think a daughter from such a family would do rough work in the kitchen?”

Ying Shi thought for a moment and shook her head, “When I was in the courtyard, I saw that her clothes were different from ordinary servants, and she was very fair, looking like she was well-raised, not like someone who does rough work all year round. Since Miss is suspicious, why did you still take her in?”

Lin Wanji leaned lazily on the soft couch, “The second madam sent her, how could I not accept her? Besides, we’re not here to fight for power or titles, we’re just staying here because the grandmother hasn’t divided the family property yet. Since there’s no conflict, the second madam won’t cause any trouble for me, and she wants me to stay well in this mansion to show off her housekeeping skills.”

Ying Shi pondered, “Miss is right, I don’t think the first and second madam will cause trouble for us, but Xiu Xia is indeed suspicious, her parents are influential stewards in the mansion, and she can read and write, her family must be quite well-off, why would she be willing to do such menial work?”

“That’s simple.” Lin Wanji smiled, “Although we don’t know our way around, we have plenty of money, and we’re not afraid of not finding out the truth. If you’re really worried, use some loose silver to ask a few maidservants and old maids to find out.

Compared to other maids, Xiu Xia is a home-born servant of the mansion, and her parents are influential, so it will be easier for her to move around in the mansion. I only brought you with me to the capital, leaving the others in Yangzhou, and the second madam will add more people for me, I think Xiu Xia is better than other maids.”

Ying Shi nodded, “Miss is right, I’ll find a chance to investigate, I just hope she doesn’t have any bad intentions.”