While Qi Zhenzhen was making such a grand show of selecting maids, rumors began to circulate within the mansion. They said Qi Zhenzhen, being from the countryside, had never seen the world before. The fact that she didn't have the same maid by her side every time she went out was proof of her ostentation.
For the principal maids by the side of the masters in the mansion, unless they committed a major offense, they would not be replaced.
For the second young lady to change her maids from time to time, wasn't that just showing off?
Nanny Fang recounted this matter as an amusing anecdote to the Old Madam.
"Do you mean to say that Zhenzhen is truly such a person?" the Old Madam asked Nanny Fang.
"I have been with the second young lady for a few days, and she is a person with her own firm ideas. She doesn't seem like someone with such shallow vision. Could there be a reason behind this?" Nanny Fang said.
The Old Madam nodded in agreement, "I also feel that this girl doesn't seem like that kind of person."
"Then should we suppress the rumors in the mansion?" Nanny Fang asked again.
The Old Madam narrowed her eyes, "They seem to have forgotten the rules of the mansion. The first rule is not to speak ill of the masters. Let's see whose mouth these words are coming from."
Nanny Fang was efficient in her work. In less than half a day, she had traced the source. It turned out to be an old woman who managed the garden, known for her gossiping.
"Tell the Madam to discipline her properly. If these rumors spread wantonly within the mansion, who knows when they might spread outside. By then, the entire Changping Marquis's Mansion will lose face," the Old Madam said.
In Jinghua Courtyard, Madam Qin personally saw Nanny Fang out. After turning back into the room, she angrily smashed the two vases on the low table.
"This is saying I don't know how to manage the Marquis's Mansion, accusing me of letting the servants gossip about that little vixen! There are five to six hundred people in this Marquis's Mansion, how can I control what everyone says?" Madam Qin said indignantly, "I think it's not just the Marquis who has lost his senses, but the Old Madam has also been charmed by that cunning mother and daughter."
"My dear girl, please calm down. She hasn't gone far yet!" Nanny Qin comforted Madam Qin, "It's just an old woman who manages the garden. A reprimand should suffice."
"Nanny, how can it be that simple? The Old Madam is warning me. She probably thinks that old woman is my person," Madam Qin said huffily.
"No matter what they think on that side, you must handle this matter properly and shut their mouths," Nanny Qin said.
Undeniably, this was something that needed to be done. Even though Madam Qin was furious, she had to do it.
Qi Zhenzhen, the instigator, had finally tried out all nine maids over the past few days and finally decided on the candidate for her other main maid, Fei Xu.
The remaining eight had also been assigned: four second-class maids and four third-class maids. Among the second-class maids, two were capable of serving in the inner chambers: Er Xi, who was skilled at hairstyling, and Qing Zhi, who was outstanding at matching clothes and accessories. Although they were all second-class maids, they were more favored by the mistress than the other two second-class maids.
"Fei Xu, you are older. Please supervise these few girls and don't let them cause trouble. We must be well-behaved in this mansion," Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
Fei Xu nodded, "Second Young Lady, please rest assured, your servant will keep a close eye on them."
"When you have free time, pick two clever ones and teach them to read. Of course, the most important thing is that they have good intentions. I don't want you to train a white-eyed wolf," she added.
"How about Fang Cao and Fang Xing? They are young and clever, and most importantly, they don't have many ulterior motives," Fei Xu said after a moment of thought, picking out two names.
"The sisters who are a bit gluttonous?"
"Yes, your servant lived in the same room with them. Those two little maids were sold by their relatives. As for their family members... it's better not to mention them! As for their gluttony, it's because they were starved. It's not a serious flaw. I believe they can change once they are in our courtyard," Fei Xu said.
Qi Zhenzhen thought for a moment, "You decide."
The next day, Qi Zhenzhen was summoned by the Old Madam and went to Zhaohui Hall with Lian Bei and Fei Xu.
"Have you chosen your main maids?" the Old Madam asked her.
Qi Zhenzhen first paid her respects to the Old Madam upon entering the room. After the salutation, she did not sit down but went behind the Old Madam to massage her shoulders and neck. Her hands were strong. When she was studying methods of killing as a mercenary, she had also put in extra effort to study the human acupoints and meridians. Therefore, massaging was not a problem for her.
"How did Grandmother know I had chosen my people?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, feigning ignorance and a hint of genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Those people before were changed every two days. This is the third day," the Old Madam said with a smile. "What, has your grandmother become senile and can't even remember this?"
"How is Grandmother old? I see Grandmother is full of vigor, no less than a young person."
As people age, they become more reluctant to admit they are old. Qi Zhenzhen's words made the Old Madam's smile deepen.
"Grandmother, your granddaughter has something to say to you."
Qi Zhenzhen genuinely intended to foster a good relationship with the Old Madam. Although she didn't expect her to dote on her sincerely, even a fraction of her attention would be good, at least a source of support.
"Say whatever you want to say to Grandmother. There's no need to be so hesitant," the Old Madam said with a smile.
"Your granddaughter lived in the countryside for three years," Qi Zhenzhen began.
The Old Madam's body stiffened, and Qi Zhenzhen immediately noticed it. She pretended not to notice, continuing to massage the Old Madam with appropriate force, and said, "Life in the countryside was rough and simple. A pot of stewed meat was considered an exceptionally delicious meal. Almost no families could eat meat every few days; it was good enough to have meat on festivals and holidays. Logically, these people's bodies should have failed them long ago, but in reality, it was not so. According to your granddaughter's observation, the elderly people there were still robust. I was very curious, so I asked the village doctor. Grandmother, guess what the doctor said?"
The Old Madam didn't know what Qi Zhenzhen's intentions were, and hearing her talk about her time in the countryside, although her expression remained unchanged, she was already displeased.
"You girl, you're playing coy with Grandmother now. How would Grandmother know what the doctor said?" the Old Madam asked.
Qi Zhenzhen continued, "They said the reason their old bodies were still strong was because they had always worked, had regular routines, ate light meals, and followed the ways of Yin and Yang. Therefore, their vital energy was contained, and they remained healthy even in old age."
Hearing Qi Zhenzhen say this, the Old Madam felt a flicker of curiosity. Who wouldn't want to remain healthy as they aged? She patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand, signaling her to stop massaging, and pulled her hand, inviting her to sit beside her. "Tell Grandmother properly. Grandmother has lived in this mansion her whole life and doesn't know what the countryside is like!"
The Old Madam knew that Qi Zhenzhen's sudden mention of this was not a whim. Based on her judgment of people, this girl had a purpose.