She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

The next day, although the servant women and underlings of Duke An’s Mansion carried on with their tasks as usual, they were distinctly more cautious. Cui Liu made her rounds outside and ran back excitedly to report the news she had gathered to Madam Yin, who was tidying up her clothes and preparing to go out.

As Madam Yin listened to Cui Liu prattle on in chirps and laughs, she couldn’t help but be surprised. Duke An had tried to discipline Ye Hongyang and Maternal Aunt Liu before, but none of those attempts had been effective. So many years had passed, and now he decided to take a hard line; did he really expect to turn Ye Hongyang’s habit of spoiling his concubines around?

"So Nanny Qian is truly managing the middle meal now?" asked Madam Yin.

"Absolutely, wife of the heir apparent," said Cui Liu, her face animated, "Many steward nannies and daughter-in-laws in charge of various errands saw it themselves; this morning, Nanny Qian took charge of the middle meal. Maternal Aunt Liu was also there, but she was just handing over her duties. Several people who saw Maternal Aunt Liu said that she looked very upset, as if she could hardly bear it."

Madam Yin raised an eyebrow but made no comment about the matter. Since the previous warnings by the Duke and Duchess hadn’t been effective, she estimated this attempt wouldn’t be much better. It was highly likely that in a few days, after hearing too much from Maternal Aunt Liu, Ye Hongyang would still secure various rights for her. Duke An and his wife, not wanting to see their son upset, would probably turn a blind eye once again and let the affairs of Duke An’s Mansion revert to how they were before.

No matter how much face Nanny Qian might gain, she was still a servant and couldn’t manage the Duke’s Mansion affairs indefinitely. And as one most qualified to manage the meal affairs, she definitely wouldn’t be working like a horse for Ye Hongyang and Maternal Aunt Liu’s son anymore. Now she had her proper business to run; she needed to earn silver for her Ah Yan. Who would bother with their nonsensical issues?

Seeing Madam Yin’s lack of interest, Cui Liu continued, "It’s true, they are dismissing the surplus servants from Maternal Aunt Liu’s quarters. They’re allowing her only two side rooms for her personal use; the rest have to be cleaned out for decent concubines and servants who will be moved in later. Now only two people remain in Maternal Aunt Liu’s quarters, and the rest have been led out, supposedly to be assigned to other courtyards to perform lowly and exhausting tasks, with little monthly salary in silver."

Nanny Huang, while arranging Madam Yin’s hair, chided with laughter, "Look at how pleased you are, girl. Are you that happy? Don’t just indulge in your happiness; pass me those three hairpins."