Quick Transmigration: The Control Group in Sweet Novels

Seeing that this important matter in her heart was settled, Madam Xie did not mention the marriage any further. After giving him a few more words of thoughtful advice, she sent him away, saying, "It's getting late. You've had a long and tiring journey back to the capital. Go back to your courtyard and get some rest. Don't linger here with me."

Shen Hengzhi nodded upon hearing this, "Your son understands."

After saying this, he stood up, bowed, and slowly turned and left the hall.

Madam Xie watched Shen Hengzhi's figure disappear into the covered corridor before slowly withdrawing her gaze. She raised her hand to rub her temples, stood up and moved away. Her personal maidservant hurriedly stepped forward to support her as they turned into the back chambers.

The fragrance of orchids wafted gently from the incense burner.

The old nanny, who had served the lady for many years, skillfully served her a cup of lukewarm tea and said softly, "It's been three years since we last met. His Highness has become even more composed and dignified. He truly deserves to be called a fine and elegant gentleman, even surpassing our Marquis."

Madam Xie took the teacup, took a small sip, and upon hearing this, her eyes were filled with relief. "Yes, this child has never caused us any trouble since he was little, and now he is becoming more and more mature and sensible, so I don't need to worry about him anymore."

She put down her teacup, then remembered something. "Later, go and make some arrangements. Select a few well-behaved and obedient maids from among the servants in the manor and send them to his courtyard. He has always been a man of few desires, but today I saw that he didn't even have a proper maid by his side, and he was just making do with whatever he could."

The old nanny quickly agreed, "What Madam says is absolutely right. This old servant understands. I will definitely select some well-behaved and obedient maids to serve His Highness."

*

After Qi Yang followed the group of maids and bowed her head to leave the hall, she was immediately hit by a cold wind as she left the warm indoors, causing her to hunch her shoulders slightly.

Even after the master rests, the servants are still busy.

Qi Yang went to the other courtyard to sweep and clean, but unexpectedly, Liu Mama came looking for her in the afternoon. Her gaze fell on her, and her expression was a little gentler than in the morning.

"A-Yang, stop what you're doing and come here for a moment."

Qi Yang put down the broom, thinking that she was probably going to be transferred to Shen Hengzhi's courtyard. She pursed her lips and walked over.

Sure enough, Granny Liu looked her up and down and said with a smile, "Madam has ordered that some maids be selected to serve in the Prince's courtyard. I think you are suitable, so I reported you."

Ever since Qi Yang came to this Marquis's mansion, Granny Liu has taken good care of her because she is quiet and well-behaved. Now that such a good thing has happened, she is the first person she thinks of.

Qi Yang quickly curtsied and gave a grateful smile, "A-Yang thanks Granny Liu."

Granny Liu quickly raised her hand to help him up, her eyes filled with increasing satisfaction. She whispered, "The young master is gentle and doesn't punish people easily, but once you get there, you must behave yourself and do your job well. You mustn't have any improper thoughts whatsoever."

This was both an instruction and a reminder to her.

Qi Yang lowered her eyes and respectfully agreed, "A-Yang will remember this, and will never overstep the bounds in the slightest."

Granny Liu granted Qi Yang half a day of free time, allowing her to go back and tidy up.

When Qi Yang returned to the dormitory, Chun Ya, who shared a room with her, was resting. Seeing Qi Yang enter, Chun Ya packed her things, sat up, and looked surprised. "Where are you going?"

Qi Yang replied, "I've been transferred to the Crown Prince's residence."

Chun Ya was taken aback for a moment, then exclaimed with delight, "The Prince's courtyard? That's a great job!"

Qi Yang didn't say anything, and tied up the bundle.

Seeing her remain silent, Chun Ya asked in confusion, "You've already been transferred to the Prince's residence, why do you still seem unhappy?"

Qi Yang shook her head. "No, it was just too sudden, I haven't reacted yet."

Chun Ya laughed and said, "I think you're just too happy to think straight."

Qi Yang smiled, her eyes crinkling, which was taken as tacit agreement.

She went to serve Shen Hengzhi, and her monthly salary increased. She would also receive extra rewards from her master during festivals, and she no longer needed to get up early to sweep snow in the dead of winter.

To anyone else, this would certainly seem like a good job.

As long as she behaves herself.

Chun Ya rested her chin on her hand. "You should be secretly happy. Although I've only met the Crown Prince a few times, I've never seen him get angry. He's always very kind to the servants. I wonder if he ever gets angry..."

Qi Yang muttered in agreement, "I don't know either."

"You'll find out when you get there."

Chun Ya and Qi Yang got along the best in this room, and I'm genuinely happy for her right now.

Qi Yang felt a warmth in her heart, smiled, chatted with Chun Ya for a while, and then packed her luggage and left.

The heir apparent's courtyard was located to the east of the Marquis's residence, separated from the main courtyard by two moon gates and a long passageway.

Qi Yang had come here before when he was sweeping, but he had never been inside the courtyard. Today, when he went in, he found that it was even more spacious than he had imagined.

The courtyard has three sections, with the main house facing north and side rooms on the east and west sides. The covered corridors connect the two sections, and the vermilion lacquer on the pillars stands out brightly in the snow.

The snow in the courtyard had been swept away, revealing the blue bricks and tiles beneath one's feet. As soon as Qi Yangfu entered, he saw a nanny under the eaves, giving instructions to two young maids.

Qi Yang hurried over and respectfully curtsied, "Greetings, Granny. This servant is A Yang, here to serve in the Prince's courtyard on the orders of Granny Liu."

Granny Li didn't rush to speak. She looked the girl up and down and asked gently, "A-Yang, how old are you?"

"Seventeen."

Granny Li nodded, her expression softening. Seeing that the young master was sitting upright with a stiff face, she smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. Now that you've entered the young master's courtyard, you're part of the family. You can call me Granny Li. I've been serving the young master since he was a child."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yang's expression became even more respectful.

Granny Li was a gentle person. Seeing the bundle on her back, she said, "Take a moment to tidy up, and come find me later. I'll explain the rules to you."

"Yes."

In one afternoon, Granny Li led her and several other maids on a tour of the entire Prince's courtyard.

The main house was where the young master lived. In the past, only Granny Li and two personal servants were allowed to enter; no one else was allowed to enter without being summoned.

The west wing was converted into a study, where Shen Hengzhi spent most of his time every day. The back room served as a storeroom and kitchen, from which food and tea for the courtyard were prepared.

Qi Yang walked towards the side room. The bed she was assigned was on the south side, next to the window, where some light could see in during the day.

There were two maids in the same room, one named Ahe and the other Yun'er. Both of them were easy to get along with. After chatting for a while, they all went about their own business.

The next day, at the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), before dawn, Qi Yang woke up.

Today was her first day working in the Prince's residence, and Li Mama's instructions from yesterday were still clearly imprinted in her mind. After a while, Qi Yang quietly got out of bed.

Just like in the story, she was assigned to be Shen Hengzhi's personal maid, and today happened to be her turn to be on duty.

As Fang entered Shen Hengzhi's room, a faint yet lingering fragrance of bamboo wafted into his nostrils, dispelling most of Qi Yang's drowsiness.