"Miss, please rest assured, Qingfeng Courtyard is all the Heir's people," Chunfeng said. "We few maids spent a few days getting familiar with the courtyard before being sent to Miss's side. This was so that Miss could adapt quickly upon arrival. Inside the rooms, it is just us few serving, and outside, the sweeping is done by a few old women. There is also a needlework room, also arranged by the Heir. These are not maids, but skilled embroiderers found from outside, specifically to make clothes for Miss."
"Sister Chunfeng, why do you still call her Miss? From today onwards, we should be calling her Heir Consort," Xiayu said cheerfully.
"Yes, yes, we should change our address," Chunfeng replied.
Feixu and Erxi also playfully called out Heir Consort, and a surge of sweetness rose in Qi Zhenzhen's heart. The change in address represented the deepening intimacy between her and Gu Sinian.
A knock sounded from outside. Chunfeng announced it and went to open the door. She returned a moment later, beaming, "Our Heir, fearing that Heir Consort would go hungry, specially sent someone with freshly made pastries. They are still warm, Heir Consort, please have some to tide you over."
"I always feel that calling her Heir Consort is not intimate enough. How about calling her Young Madam in private?" Dongxue, who spoke less, suddenly said.
Qi Zhenzhen also felt that calling her Heir Consort with every utterance was a bit awkward, so she said, "Dongxue is right. In formal occasions outside, you may call me Heir Consort."
Feixu took out pastries from the food box and said, "They are all Miss's favorite flavors. These pastries are made to be more delicate and exquisite than those in our manor. You can eat one in a single bite, not only avoiding dropping crumbs but also preventing your cheeks from puffing out too much while chewing."
Feixu used a clean handkerchief to hold the pastries for Qi Zhenzhen. Qi Zhenzhen ate a piece of the White Jade Roll. The fragrance of rice and red beans blended perfectly. In terms of taste and texture, it was indeed better than what was made in the Marquis's kitchen.
After eating six pieces, Qi Zhenzhen asked Feixu and the others to share the rest. She couldn't eat too much at the moment, and it would be a waste to let them cool.
Feixu and Erxi had been by Qi Zhenzhen's side for a long time and were accustomed to her sharing food with them. Chunfeng and the others, when they first arrived by Qi Zhenzhen's side, were always a bit apprehensive whenever such a situation arose. After two months, they had become accustomed to it.
The six plates of pastries were divided, five pieces per person, and they ate them while chatting.
"Chunfeng, you said earlier that you came to Qingfeng Courtyard to stay in advance. Besides Qingfeng Courtyard..." Qi Zhenzhen began.
Chunfeng understood. "The First Young Master's courtyard is not close to ours. Qingfeng Courtyard is the best courtyard in the manor, apart from the Duke and Duchess and the Old Madam. According to regulations, it is for the Heir to reside in. The First Young Master's side has the most scenic courtyard, being warm in winter and cool in summer, and also very large. Furthermore, it is very close to the Duke's outer study."
Qi Zhenzhen chuckled. It was indeed because the First Young Master was born to the woman the Duke loved the most, wasn't it? Apart from not being able to surpass Ah Nian, everything else was better than Ah Nian. Truly full of fatherly love!
"Currently, the Duke does not live with the Duchess. He either stays in the outer study or in Lanxin Courtyard. Lanxin Courtyard is currently occupied by Concubine Dong, who is the First Young Master's aunt," Chunfeng continued. "Concubine Dong currently manages the household affairs."
With the main wife alive, yet an姨娘 managing the household, her father-in-law was indeed deeply devoted. Now that she had entered the household, she wondered if Concubine Dong would willingly hand over the power she held.