Nanny Rong took action, and naturally everything went smoothly.
Dozens of people from Wutong Garden gathered in the courtyard, reporting their names one by one, the tasks they performed, under whose jurisdiction they were, and who distributed their monthly wages.
Cui Ming and Hong Ye worked together, one recording while the other checked the roster against the actual people.
Qin Yuan sat on the Taishi Chair, silently noting each person, observing their temperament and expressions, judging whether they could be of use.
Nanny Rong, having been by Old Madam's side for many years, stood behind Qin Yuan, ensuring no one dared to act recklessly.
The Housekeeper and Sixth Lady Gu were also invited to attend.
Upon learning that Qin Yuan was taking over Wutong Garden, Sixth Lady Gu briefly showed surprise but quickly masked it.
Everyone knew Gu Jinghui had been frequenting Fengxuan Pavilion for the past two days, yet Qin Yuan neither complained nor made a fuss, and instead gained the support of the Old Madam.
Sixth Lady Gu felt uncertain.
This new sister-in-law, was she deeply hidden, or was she soft and delicate, having sought the Old Madam's help.
Sixth Lady Gu smiled as she handed a booklet to Qin Yuan, saying, "This is the record book for Third Sister-in-law's courtyard. It details how many people are assigned there, what positions are occupied, and how many allocations there are—all are recorded. If Third Sister-in-law has any questions, just ask me. The people, finances, and materials in the courtyard follow the customary allocation, so if there's anything Third Sister-in-law wishes to add, just let me know in advance to register with the accountant."
Nanny Rong glanced at the booklet and asked, "Sixth Madam, who assigned the people in this courtyard?"
"Mostly it was Housekeeper Zhang and I, Marquis also reviewed them."
Nanny Rong remained silent.
Marquis never concerns himself with inner affairs, so what difference does it make whether he reviews them or not?
But since the Housekeeper now is Sixth Madam, and she's handling Marquis's wedding affairs, it's only logical she arranges Wutong Garden as well.
Qin Yuan said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. I'll keep this booklet to read slowly. I heard that those serving in the Marquis Mansion are family servants who have been here for generations. I want to understand which relatives of the people in Wutong Garden hold what positions. Who should I ask about this?"
This concerns the relational network. By investigating according to this, one quickly knows who is reliable and who is planted by outsiders.
Sixth Lady Gu paused, then replied, "Perhaps this needs to be asked of the Housekeeper."
Qin Yuan then looked at Housekeeper Zhang.
Housekeeper Zhang said, "Some old servants might not remember clearly."
Nanny Rong chuckled, "No worries. I'm here."
Housekeeper Zhang nodded, "Indeed, Nanny Rong has been helping the Old Madam manage the mansion; she's familiar with everyone here."
Qin Yuan was delighted, holding Nanny Rong's hand, softly saying, "It's no wonder Mother sent Nanny Rong to help me. With you here, what do I have to fear?"
Nanny Rong showed a pleased expression.
Yet she humbly replied, "Madam, you're overpraising. This old servant doesn't know much, just knows more from staying here for so long."
Sixth Lady Gu could barely maintain her smile.
The new sister-in-law was not favored by the Marquis, but seems to have won the Old Madam's appreciation.
If this continued, she might soon find her footing in the mansion.
Claiming to have many things to tend to, Sixth Lady Gu left after a short stay.
Exiting Wutong Garden, she said to her maid, "Who would have thought the new sister-in-law is so young and yet quite capable, already winning the Old Madam's favor and having Nanny Rong assist her."
The maid, knowing her mistress's thoughts, replied, "The Marquis has been spending time with the children in Fengxuan Pavilion these days. At this rate, the couple will grow distant. I noticed how Lady Zhao is eager to cling to the Marquis and enter the door once the mourning period is over."
Sixth Lady Gu dismissively curled her lips, saying, "Only the Marquis is foolish enough not to see through Lady Zhao's intentions. This serves them right; unless the new Marchioness is a turtle, she can't tolerate this. I don't believe she wouldn't make a fuss; doesn't she already run to the Old Madam for backup today?"
The maid laughed, "The Marquis certainly wouldn't be pleased to know."
Sixth Lady Gu covered her face with a round fan, chuckling, "Indeed."
Following Nanny Rong's guidance, Qin Yuan swiftly gained a grasp of the Marquis Mansion's situation, though she did not plan to reveal much. Instead, she heeded Nanny Rong's advice to reorganize Wutong Garden.
Particularly, the nanny at the gate and the maids and servants in the corridor were singled out for special handling.
The unsuitable were sent back to the Housekeeper, and new attendants were requested.
Those sent back were left embarrassed.
Each of those who remained received a reward of one tael of silver.
With rewards and penalties, the authority of the Marchioness was established.
Qin Yuan kept Nanny Rong for a chat and asked someone to fetch a meal from the kitchen, intending to invite Nanny Rong for dinner. But Nanny Rong insisted on declining, and Qin Yuan, thinking it unwise to press, did not insist. Instead, she had Cui Ming bring out a pouch containing her own concocted Sandalwood Dragon Brain Pills for Nanny Rong.
"Nanny Rong, I made this while I was at my mother's; it calms the mind and is suitable for lighting during prayer."
Qin Yuan knew that Nanny Rong was a valued elder by Old Madam Gu, and in a noble family, there was a rule that all small animals from the elders' quarters must be respected by the juniors—to an even greater extent with someone like Nanny Rong.
Nanny Rong, well-versed in worldly affairs, wouldn't be impressed by ordinary favors, so Qin Yuan simply offered her own concocted incense pills.
Not expensive, but distinctive.
Indeed, Nanny Rong happily accepted, saying, "So Madame has this refined interest, I will show it to the Old Madam when I return."
Being older, emotions fluctuate easily, making this most suitable.
Moreover, Old Madam Gu had a Buddha shrine in her inner chamber, where she performed her daily spiritual practices and recited scriptures.
Qin Yuan said gently, "I'm glad you like it, Nanny. If the Old Madam likes it too, even better, for I've been worried about finding ways to show my filial gratitude. Incense pills, incense tablets, fragrant dew—I've always loved tinkering with these things at home."
Nanny Rong was even more pleased and returned to tell Old Madam Gu, "Though young, the Marchioness is calm and composed, speaks appropriately, and shows great insight in household management. I asked her maid, and she never learned these at her mother's place; Marquis is certainly fortunate."
Old Madam Gu was also pleased and sent Qiujie to Wutong Garden, asking Qin Yuan and the Marquis to review the gift list and see if anything needed to be added.
Gu Jinghui immediately sensed a change upon entering Wutong Garden.
The familiar faces of the gate nanny, corridor maids, and servants had been replaced with cautious and careful new ones. The servants in the courtyard moved briskly, no longer whispering and being lazy.
He recalled promising Qin Yuan to accompany her in the handover of Wutong Garden and paused to ask Gu Shiliu, "Go find out what Madame did this afternoon."
Soon, Gu Shiliu reported back, "Madame went to see the Old Madam, who sent Nanny Rong to help her reorganize Wutong Garden. Now, Sixth Madam and the Housekeeper have handed over the registration for Wutong Garden to her, and several courtyard servants have been replaced…"
Gu Jinghui furrowed his brows deeply, a cloud of gloom covering his handsome face.