They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 449 The cunning servant harbors treacherous intentions

Granny Feng was taken aback, and subconsciously wanted to say something, but she held back in time and bowed: "Yes, Madam."

Xu Zhichun nodded slightly in satisfaction.

This was the first order she issued while Liang Minglang was not at home. If Granny Feng went on and on with a long list of reasons to try and persuade her to change her mind, she would get angry.

Although Minglang doesn't concern himself with household affairs, he says that those who are capable can indeed be capable.

Xu Zhichun decided that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would trust and heavily rely on Steward Zhang and Granny Feng, the two people her man had endorsed.

Unexpectedly, Granny Feng did not object, and Lady Qi rushed over after learning about it.

Madam Qi smiled obsequiously, "Madam, you are of noble status and should have more people serving you, otherwise it would be against the rules. Why don't you keep them? If you go out in the future and your entourage is too shabby, people will laugh at you."

Xu Zhichun's initial excitement vanished instantly. "No need. Even if I'm not very knowledgeable, I can see clearly that whether someone is ridiculed or not when visiting someone's home doesn't depend on who they bring with them, but on the Marquis!"

As long as Liang Minglang has real power, enjoys the emperor's favor, and has a certain status, who would dare to look down on her?

Granny Feng's eyes flickered, she lowered her head, and her attitude became even more humble. Just from these words, it was clear that the Madam was not a weak or muddle-headed person.

This Lady Qi is too proud and arrogant; she's probably going to run into a brick wall today.

Madam Qi was also somewhat surprised that Xu Zhichun would say that, and quickly smiled and said, "What you say makes sense, but as the saying goes, 'Buddha is made of gold and people are made of clothes.' Only when the maids serving the master are presentable can the master appear noble and distinguished. If the maids serving the master are timid and clumsy, wouldn't it be a loss of face?"

“If Madam finds the courtyard too crowded, why not leave Qinghe and the others here, and have Muxiang and Chunfen, whom you brought, go out first? If I may be so bold as to say that they have just arrived, they should indeed learn the rules properly first. The capital is not like other places. Madam and young ladies are particular, and maids and servants also have rules. If they make a fool of themselves when they go out with their mistresses, their mistresses and the entire mansion will be laughed at.”

Chunfen didn't understand these things and didn't react much after hearing them, while Muxiang looked panicked and nervously bit her lip while secretly glancing at her wife.

She is afraid.

Xu Zhichun smiled enigmatically: "Madam Qi has certainly made the decision for me."

Whether she genuinely didn't understand or was pretending not to, Madam Qi immediately smiled obsequiously and said, "It is my duty to make decisions for you, Madam. I am utterly loyal to you and have no other intentions. If you have no objections, then let's proceed as planned?"

“No need,” Xu Zhichun glanced at her, “Granny Feng, take Qinghe and the others away.”

Lady Qi froze.

The four maids, including Qinghe, were so flustered that they knelt down and cried out for mercy, looking quite pitiful.

"Please forgive me, Madam!"

"Please, Madam, don't send me away! Please, Madam!"

"This servant is utterly loyal to Madam and will certainly obey Madam's orders. Please, Madam, allow this servant to stay."

"Please, madam, please, madam, sob sob."

"Madam." Xu Zhichun gave Feng Mama a cool look. Feng Mama was startled and immediately scolded, "What kind of behavior is this, crying and shouting in front of Madam? Shut up."

Qinghe and the others were somewhat afraid of Granny Feng, but not that afraid. Although their voices weren't as exaggerated as before, they were still teary-eyed and sobbing softly as they begged Xu Zhichun to let them stay.

Putting everything else aside, serving in the madam's courtyard is much more prestigious, making one feel superior. I've heard that the Marquis's wife comes from a remote village and is completely unfamiliar with the ways of high-ranking families in the capital. I'm afraid she doesn't even know how to be the Marquis's wife.

Such a master is the easiest to fool and deceive. If you can trick her into gaining countless benefits and advantages, only a fool would be willing to leave.

Seeing their rudeness, Granny Feng's face turned ashen, and she sneered, "You really have no manners in front of Madam. I see that none of you can learn proper etiquette. How dare you stay in Madam's courtyard? Zhang Sao, why don't you have someone take them away?"

Since the lady has just arrived, it's not appropriate for her to play the villain; let her be the villain.

"Yes, Granny Feng!"

Zhang Sao immediately called several maids forward and pulled the man away.

Qinghe was getting impatient, but if she started shouting and crying again, it would confirm that she didn't know the rules and was improper, and whatever punishment Granny Feng gave them would be their own fault.

In her desperation, Qinghe pointed at Muxiang and Chunfen and shouted, "Madam, Madam, this servant is not convinced! If this servant is ignorant of the rules, then Chunfen and Muxiang are even more ignorant! Especially Chunfen, who is an idiot. Even if people are to leave this courtyard, it should be them who leave!"

Madam Qi hurriedly added, "Yes, Madam. Qinghe is a straightforward girl, but what she said is true. Madam's decision is unlikely to convince everyone."

Granny Feng looked at the two of them as if they were fools, thinking to herself that since Madam Qi was in charge of this courtyard, it wouldn't be right for her to be sent away as soon as she arrived. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to stay, and she wouldn't even have the audacity to interfere in Qinghe and the others' affairs.

Xu Zhichun was furious and sneered, "I, as the Lady of the Marquis, don't even understand the etiquette among the high-ranking and powerful families in the capital. It seems I'm not worthy of being the Lady of the Marquis. Why don't you take over? Lady Qi?"

Lady Qi was taken aback, somewhat uneasy: "This servant...this servant wouldn't dare—"

"You wouldn't dare? You've already dared to do this, if you really dared, wouldn't you be able to trample me under your feet?"

"The slaves dare not!"

Lady Qi was so frightened that she knelt down.

Xu Zhichun sneered: "What? You want to get rid of the people around me, and then what? What do you want to do? Hmm? To sideline me as the Lady of the Marquis, so that you can bully and tyrannize the people in this mansion from now on?"

These words were too harsh, and Granny Feng and the others hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Please forgive us, Madam."

Xu Zhichun: "I would like to be magnanimous and kind, but some people think I'm easy to bully and are taking advantage of me. If you understand what I'm saying and can get things done, then do it, each of you should do your job properly. If you can't, I'll find someone who can. If there's no one in the manor who can do it, then go buy some. I don't believe we can't find good people anywhere! What do you mean by laughing at me? I'm not afraid of anything. They have a history of over a hundred years, and my husband was only recently granted the title of Marquis. Naturally, we can't compare to others in every way. If anyone laughs at me, it's not my fault, it's their lack of manners and upbringing. Isn't that right?"

"Trying to use this to control me? Think again! You don't even know the proper hierarchy, yet you dare to talk about rules and etiquette? What a joke!"

The scene was completely silent. Granny Feng was on tenterhooks, and Madam Qi was drenched in cold sweat.

She...she hadn't expected this Lady Hou to be so formidable and so unreasonable.

"Also, Chunfen isn't very bright, but she's someone I value. Anyone who dares to bully her or gossip about her behind her back will be kicked out immediately if I find out."