Ziteng covered her mouth with a chuckle. “Nanny Mi, we’re not just riding on your coattails. From now on, we’ll be counting on you to keep things running smoothly—so we can keep getting hongbao every day.”

  Luye added cheerfully, “Whatever Miss says, I’ll do. That way, I can keep earning hongbao too.”

  Laughter rippled through the room.

  Hongjuan beamed, knowing full well that Miss was always generous. The hongbao in her hands was at least fifty taels—an amount her entire family would take two to three years to earn!

  Just imagining the joy on her mother’s face when she brought it home filled her with excitement. She grinned and said, “Nanny Mi, since we’ve received such generous hongbao, shouldn’t we treat you to a feast?”

  Everyone eagerly began discussing the banquet.

  Not only did Nanny Fu, Ziteng, and the other close attendants receive hongbao, but all the maids and servants in Yin Courtyard did as well. Even the lowest-ranking rough-hand servants received two taels of silver each.

  News of this spread like wildfire through the Qin household, stirring up envy everywhere.

  A rough-hand maid’s monthly sary was only four hundred copper coins, yet she had suddenly received a bonus worth seven months’ wages—how could the servants in other courtyards not be jealous?

  If even the rough-hand maids were treated this well, what about the personal maids in Seventh Miss’s household? Their rewards must be in the dozens of taels!

  Among those fuming with resentment, Qin Yunyun had the strongest reaction—she smashed an expensive porcein teacup in anger.

  She simply couldn’t understand why Qin Shuying had such good fortune!

  As the legitimate daughter, Qin Yunyun had some knowledge of the Qin family’s financial situation.

  The Qin family had always struggled. Back when Old Madam’s family fell into ruin, the Qin household itself was no noble lineage. They only had a few fields, some shops, and minor savings to their name.

  Old Master Qin and Old Madam had personally tilled the nd and managed businesses to raise their sons and send them to school. Supporting three schors in one household was a heavy burden. By the time Qin Yongtao entered government service, the Qin family had been drained nearly to the bone.

  Fortunately, Qin Yongtao and his two brothers were ambitious and made steady progress in their official careers. Even though Qin Yongluo only held a minor position, he was diligent and hardworking.

  With time, the Qin family’s situation improved. But as soon as the three brothers got married and had children, expenses skyrocketed, plunging the family back into hardship.

  Only in the past few years, through the careful management of their businesses and growing reputation, had the Qin family begun to live comfortably again.

  However, with nearly two hundred people to feed, house, and clothe, the family’s wealth was always stretched thin. Additionally, they had to maintain retionships with noble families and, most importantly, support Consort Lian in the pace.

  After all these years, there were barely any savings left.

  It was no wonder Madam Xu and Qin Yongtao had developed greedy intentions toward the vast wealth of the Third Household.

  Qin Yunyun used to treasure the jewelry she received as gifts from Consort Lian, treating them as her most prized possessions.

  But after seeing the inheritance that Third Aunt Long left for Qin Shuying, she realized—there were great fortunes outside the pace too.

  The treasures in the Long family’s dowry had been dazzling beyond belief, far exceeding even the imperial rewards Qin Yunyun had received.

  Yet, she could only sneak a peek at them in secret—she didn’t dare take them for herself. If Old Madam found out, she would be in serious trouble.

  She had been counting on Madam Xu to eliminate Qin Shuying—so that all those treasures would fall into her hands.

  But who would have thought? Qin Shuying simply refused to die!

  Now, even her own mother had fallen at Qin Shuying’s hands!

  And instead of ying low, Qin Shuying was funting her wealth, vishing Yin Courtyard with rewards.

  This was nothing short of an open provocation! A direct sp in the face!

  Yet, Old Madam said nothing. Father even accepted Qin Shuying’s “filial tribute” with a smile.

  The more Qin Yunyun thought about it, the angrier she became. Her heart burned, especially when she pictured Liu Junqing’s handsome, unmatched face.

  To make matters worse—the Liu family had made no objections to Qin Shuying’s public appearances.

  Could it be that they actually approved of her actions?

  Qin Shuying had made a public spectacle of herself outside the Lu family estate, behaving like a common shrew, yet the Liu family tolerated it?

  Qin Yunyun felt as though she might spit blood from sheer rage.

  “Caiying!”

  She suddenly raised her voice, calling out.

  Caiying had already been terrified, having heard the sound of a teacup shattering from inside the room. She wanted to enter but didn’t have the courage.

  Ever since returning from the pace, Miss’s temper had become unpredictable, and she often shed out in anger. Every day was filled with fear and trembling for those who served her.

  Now that Qin Yunyun had called her name, Caiying’s fear deepened. But she had no choice—she braced herself and stepped inside.

  As expected, Qin Yunyun’s expression was dark and stormy.

  “Where have you been, you worthless wretch? Do you expect me to serve you now, you shameless wench?”

  Caiying immediately dropped to her knees, trembling as she picked up the broken teacup. “Miss, it’s all my fault. I was slow—I won’t dare do it again! Please, don’t be angry!”

  Qin Yunyun scoffed coldly. “What do you mean, you don’t dare? Do you think I don’t know what you’re really thinking? You must be jealous of the maids in Yin Courtyard!

  After all, you’re both first-rank maids, but they each received fifty taels of silver in hongbao, while you got nothing. Tell me honestly—isn’t that what’s on your mind?”

  Caiying inwardly cried out in despair.

  Heavens! Every maid in the Qin household was thinking this way!

  But she swore, of all people, she—Caiying—had never dared entertain such thoughts!

  “Miss, please believe me! I have always been loyal to you, never once harboring disloyalty!”

  Qin Yunyun’s piercing gaze bore into her for a full moment before she finally sneered, “Hmph! As if you’d dare! If I ever catch you being disloyal, I’ll sell your entire family into servitude!”

  Nanny Zhao stood to the side, deeply worried but unable to intervene.

  Miss’s temper had become increasingly erratic.

  Caiying felt utterly wronged.

  The Qin household had only recently started accumuting wealth, and most of the servants had only been purchased in the st ten to fifteen years.

  Her own parents had only entered the Qin household seven or eight years ago, and it had taken years of hard work for them to earn their current positions.

  But just one careless word from Miss, and she could lose everything.

  Caiying’s heart sank, but she could only continue professing loyalty until Qin Yunyun’s anger subsided.

  Finally, she was ordered to summon the maids for dressing and grooming.

  Nanny Zhao’s expression was unreadable as she gnced at Caiying.

  She had tried to advise Miss before, but it was no use.

  Lately, Miss had been obsessed with everything concerning Seventh Miss.

  Any slight mention of Qin Shuying sent her into a frenzy, and she would vent her fury on the servants.

  Now, she seemed to have developed a particur hatred for Caiying, all because the girl had once urged her to stop going against Seventh Miss.