The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

Gossip in the capital always spreads quickly, and everyone in the streets and alleys knew about Wei Jun's defeat in battle.

People lamented and mocked Wei Jun for lacking the prestige of the late Marquis, who, even in death on the battlefield, ended in victory.

However, some people defended Wei Jun, saying that he had only studied literature and classics since childhood and had no knowledge of military strategy. No one in the court was willing to go to the battlefield to fight against the Northern Di, but he was willing to step forward directly without hesitation.

They already possessed immense courage.

But when news of the Northern Barbarians' attack reached the capital from the border, people became increasingly fearful.

Amidst the fear and anxiety, even fewer people were able to rationally view Wei Jun's defeat.

They would only turn this fear into endless anger, and even after Wei Jun died in battle, they would still complain about Wei Jun's incompetence everywhere.

If a different general had been chosen, the situation would not have been like this.

Some say the Marquis is trapped in enemy territory, his fate unknown; others say he led his men in a bloody battle, ultimately succumbing to multiple arrow wounds...

Qi Yunli was doing her makeup in front of the bronze mirror when her hands trembled uncontrollably, but she still managed to suppress her panic.

"Anything else?"

Tingyue continued, "There are also stories that he deserted in the face of battle, and was eventually captured by the Northern Di people, who tortured him to death as a prisoner."

Qi Yunli took a deep breath.

Not only were the people in the capital panicked, but the servants of the Marquis's mansion were also terrified.

When servants went out to buy groceries, they would be scorned and given the cold shoulder if they were recognized as people from the Marquis's mansion.

For several days in a row, the servants walked quietly and dared not speak, for fear that if their masters were unhappy, they would take their anger out on them.

The old lady was sunbathing in the courtyard, fiddling with her Buddhist prayer beads. She was a vegetarian and chanting Buddhist prayers, seeking the Buddha's blessing.

However, the old woman came in a hurry, her steps hurried.

Hearing footsteps, the old lady's fingers trembled, and the prayer beads on her fingertips suddenly fell to the ground, scattering and rolling away one by one.

"Madam... News has come from the court that the Emperor is furious and intends to punish the Marquis..."

The old woman's hand, which was supporting her on the table, suddenly went limp, and she slumped to the ground.

Her clothes were instantly covered in mud, but she didn't even notice.

"Madam..." The nanny quickly helped her up. "The morale of the Marquis's mansion is already precarious. You must hold on at this time, otherwise the mansion will descend into chaos..."

The old lady's kind eyes were now filled with disbelief.

She felt lost and aggrieved.

"condemn."

Her voice was hoarse, and she lowered her head to pick up the prayer beads at her feet, but her fingers trembled so much that she couldn't hold a single bead.

"Nian'an is guarding the border for the Emperor. Everyone in the court knows that the Northern Barbarians are coming with great force. They all shrink back and dare not agree."

"The title of Marquis of Dingyuan was earned by the late emperor through the loyalty of the Wei family's sons from the very beginning!"

The old woman hurriedly knelt on the ground and helped the old lady up:

"The ground is cold, please get up first. The imperial edict hasn't been issued yet, so there's still room for maneuver on the Emperor's side."

The old lady suddenly looked up, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Nian'an's fate is uncertain, yet the Emperor, instead of inquiring about the hardships at the front, is preoccupied with punishing him. The peace on the border was won at the cost of the late Marquis's death, but for Nian'an, merely a single defeat has resulted in him being branded with crimes and facing a fate that will not find peace even in death!"

"grandmother."

Without being informed by the servants, Qi Yunli heard the sound of a fall in the courtyard and rushed forward to help the old lady up.

"Don't be afraid, Grandmother."

Qi Yunli moved very gently, slowly taking the handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the old lady's eyes.

"Don't cry, I'm still here."

The old lady stared at her in surprise, her eyes blurred with tears, but Qi Yunli showed no fear whatsoever.

"You...you're still willing to stay by my side?"

Qi Yunli smiled and said, "I have already acknowledged my status as the mistress of the house in front of everyone, so how can I desert my post?"

"If the Emperor were to question you, you would also be charged with one crime."

Qi Yunli helped the old lady tidy up her disheveled hair.

"The charges have been handed down, so I can only accept them; it was all my choice. But since there is no imperial decree yet, I will stay in the Marquis's residence and wait for the Marquis to return."

The manor has been in turmoil these past few days, but Qi Yunli continues to manage affairs daily without ever showing any sign of panic.

The old lady felt a surge of indescribable emotions.

The person she made things difficult for became the one who stayed by her side during her most difficult time.

The old lady felt a thousand emotions choking her throat, and finally spoke earnestly:

"You should run away..."

"What?" Qi Yunli asked, puzzled.

The old lady grasped her hand, her cloudy eyes fixed on her lower abdomen.

In those eyes was the last glimmer of hope after all the despair: "Go, go now, don't worry about us, you are the last hope of the Marquis's mansion."

"If you are carrying Nian'an's child, then the Marquis's mansion will have no heir. Besides, you were not a bride brought into the Marquis's mansion through the proper marriage ceremony. No matter how the Emperor punishes you, you can escape."

Qi Yunli released the old lady's hand. "Grandmother, what you hoped for cannot be fulfilled. I am very certain that I cannot be carrying a child."

The old lady's eyes lost their light, and she leaned back in her chair, looking much older in an instant.

"That's it. If the Emperor believes Nian'an is dead in battle, he will never be able to come back."

Qi Yunli didn't know how to comfort her. The eldest son of the main branch was the only son, so she could only instruct the nanny to take good care of the old lady.

"Please rest peacefully in the courtyard. Leave the affairs of the manor to me. I will not let the Marquis's manor be destroyed."

When Qi Yunli left, she covered the old lady with a blanket.

These past few days, Qi Yunli has been even busier, and Wei Ruowei has come to the courtyard to look for her several times, only to find that she hadn't arrived.

Tingyue stayed to guard the courtyard, while Rufeng went to manage the guards.

On this sunny day, Qi Yunli was in Jingchen Courtyard, preparing to go to the main hall to summon the steward.

Tingyue couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Madam, are you really going to dismiss those people? Many people in the Marquis's mansion want to leave. If they all leave, who will run the mansion's daily operations?"

Qi Yunli raised her hand, her expression cold and stern.

"In chaotic times, those who are not of one mind should not be allowed to live."

The Marquis's mansion is in turmoil, and what they need is someone to stand together and persevere.

Qi Yunli would not show any mercy.

The manor's finances were already significantly reduced due to the war, and supporting a group of disloyal people would only lead to the depletion of their resources.

The only way to ensure the Marquis's mansion can survive longer is to eliminate unnecessary burdens and cut costs.

"I have taken stock of all the silver fields, shops, and finances in the mansion and its various warehouses."

Qi Yunli said to the housekeeper.

Her voice was soft, yet at this moment it possessed an undeniable, intimidating power.

"Furthermore, pass on my order: all servants in the manor, whether maids, servants, cooks, or housewives, must assemble in the central courtyard. I have something to say."

The butlers were startled and exchanged glances, all knowing that the madam was serious.

Half an hour later, the central courtyard was packed with people, a huge crowd.

Qi Yunli stood on the steps:

"I know some of you have your own plans and are thinking of packing your bags and leaving. The Marquis's mansion will not force you to stay. Today, I'm giving you a choice: if you want to leave, step forward now, and we can settle your wages."

The courtyard was quiet, and the servants and maids looked at each other in bewilderment.

They secretly observed the mistress and knew that after she took over the household, she treated the servants with far more care than other masters, and there were also a series of salary increases.

The mistress of the house is from Jiangnan, so she must have a gentle nature.

They thought about it for a moment, and then quite a few people hesitated before stepping forward. In the end, more than half of them stood up.

All that remained were the elderly who had followed the Wei family for many years and still cherished old friendships.

Qi Yunli's eyes remained calm: "Since you've chosen to leave, you can't take anything from the master's family, including your indentures."

The servants didn't understand; wasn't the mistress going to let them go?

"Your indentures were bought by the Wei family. Now that you've deserted your post, it's considered betrayal. But since I've spoken, I'll make sure your indentures are properly handled."

Qi Yunli looked at the steward beside her and said, "Have someone come over and sell these people's indentures. Settle their wages at the same time, and make sure they are paid on time."

Sold to a matchmaker, working for a wealthy family wouldn't be so easy; being scolded and whipped would be commonplace.

"Madam, spare us! Madam, have mercy! We won't leave!"