What she said did make some sense.
It was just that Qiu Yun managed the madam's shops and businesses under the banner of the Duke's residence, always putting reputation and trustworthiness first. Naturally, she wouldn't hide that her goods were replicas when selling them, but she had forgotten that in modern society there were other ways for customers to learn the details.
“Thank you.”
After replying, Qiu Yun followed the stranger’s advice and changed the title. She decided that if anyone inquired or made a purchase in the future, she would immediately message them with the details.
The next day.
The young miss got up at 7:30 and left for class at 8:30, meaning Qiu Yun’s workday started at 8:30.
Now familiar with the workflow, she didn’t wait for the two neighbor colleagues to remind her this time. Instead, she changed her clothes early, tied up her hair, and appeared neatly and punctually in the living-dining area.
Fang Jie gave her a surprised glance, and Qiu Yun responded with a polite smile.
With no master at home during the day, the working atmosphere was relatively relaxed. Fang Jie and Yuan Jie chatted while working, and Qiu Yun listened quietly on the side.
“Do you think the eldest young master will come back for the family banquet this weekend?” Fang Jie asked.
“Probably. It’s a family tradition. If the eldest young master doesn’t show up, the second and third branches will surely find fault with our master and madam and make a big fuss.”
The matter of the eldest young master turning against his family for true love was only known in detail among the eldest branch, so they couldn’t help but bring it up now and then.
“Sigh. The old master had high hopes for the eldest young master. If he found out, would it affect…”
“Shh.” Yuan Jie glanced at Qiu Yun, who was working earnestly. “We can’t do anything about it anyway. The master and madam will handle it.”
“True. We’re just wage earners. The power struggles of the wealthy won’t give us a single cent.” At most, it meant a lower status on the estate and fewer perks, but the salary wouldn’t be cut by a cent.
Fang Jie continued grumbling, “I think the eldest young master is determined this time. You know, in all my years working for the Jiang family, this is the first time I’ve heard of the gentle and refined eldest master talking back and arguing with the master and madam!”
Yuan Jie was exasperated. This big-mouthed woman truly couldn’t change her ways! How was that any different from gossiping outright?
Gossiping about the employers behind their backs could be serious or minor. The new worker seemed more composed than in previous days, but you never knew someone’s true heart. They’d better stay cautious.
“Xiao Qiu, you’ve been at Mingyue Tower for a week now. How do you feel? Are you settling in?” Yuan Jie asked warmly, trying to shift the topic.
Qiu Yun didn’t pause in cleaning the carpet. She looked up with a shy smile. “I’m just starting to adapt.”
“Huh?” Fang Jie turned while wiping the window. “What do you mean, ‘just starting to adapt’? You’ve been here a week.”
Qiu Yun’s personality was completely different from the original owner’s, and the two colleagues could most easily spot the change.
“For a while before… the pressure from home was overwhelming. I was distracted and caused a lot of trouble for you two sisters. I’m really sorry.”
Yuan Jie asked with concern, “What happened? Did your family run into trouble? Our madam is very kind. If you really need money, you can ask to advance your salary.”
“No.” Qiu Yun lowered her brows, offering a weak smile. “It’s just that… my family has a younger brother, and he’s about to start high school.”
As soon as she said that, the other two women, being women themselves, immediately understood.
Yuan Jie gently comforted her, “Our estate isn’t easy to enter. Random people can’t even get past the entrance. Don’t be afraid of them troubling you.”
“Exactly. Don’t be foolish enough to use your hard-earned salary to support your brother. That’s a bottomless pit!” Fang Jie couldn’t help but warn.
Qiu Yun shook her head, showing a firm expression. “Don’t worry, sisters. I’ve thought it through. If they come asking for money again, I’ll just turn off my phone and hide here without going out.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s the way to do it.”
Just then, breakfast arrived. Being the youngest, Qiu Yun volunteered to fetch it.
Fang Jie watched Qiu Yun’s retreating figure and sighed, “She’s only… nineteen, right? It’s good that she can see clearly the true faces of parents who favor sons so early.”
Yuan Jie knew about Fang Jie’s own family situation, so she stepped over and patted her shoulder to comfort her. “It’s not too late for us either!”
“Right!” Fang Jie raised a smile. “I’m just over thirty. My life isn’t even halfway over!”
Qiu Yun brought the boxed meals in and distributed them to the two sisters. After the three finished breakfast, they each tended to their own areas. Thanks to Qiu Yun, a young full-time worker, the cleaning was finished before 1 p.m.
Two more days passed, and the weekend arrived.
She had hoped to finally see the young miss, but the young miss was even busier on weekends—shooting, horseback riding, full English tutoring, friend gatherings… She was swamped.
Qiu Yun realized this was a new society that was more open and inclusive toward women.
She thought back to how her madam had worked hard composing poems, only to be forced to let her brother take the credit for fame, and how she managed the household’s finances diligently, yet outsiders only praised the Duke for his skill in controlling his wife.
Sigh.
Qiu Yun returned carrying a new package. If only her madam had been born in this era, she would surely have soared to the heavens and risen straight upward!
“Xiao Qiu, what did you buy? It looks heavy. Your arm veins are bulging. Need help?” Yuan Jie asked when she saw her.
“Thanks, Sister Yuan, it’s not that heavy.” Qiu Yun shifted it to lift it higher. “I just bought some books.”
Fang Jie was surprised. “Wow? What books? I remember you…”
Yuan Jie elbowed her. Young girls cared about face; mentioning that Xiao Qiu had only finished high school wasn’t nice.
“Just some books to pass the time.” Qiu Yun didn’t explain further. She smiled at the two of them and carried the books back to her room.
Actually, the maid job was quite easy. The daily working hours were less than five hours, the environment was comfortable, and the tasks were monotonous. Besides, any instructions from Assistant Chen went through the two veteran colleagues, making it perfect for… what was that term online?
Lying flat, being a salted fish.
But Qiu Yun wasn’t someone who could let herself lie flat. When she was a child in the village during famine, if she didn’t fight, she would go hungry.
When she entered the mansion as a laundry maid, if she didn’t climb up, she would have been a beast of burden exploited for life.
When she served the madam, if she didn’t push herself to stand out, she would never have gained the madam’s trust and regard, becoming the most powerful steward aunt, amassing a substantial private stash—to the point where even the concubines and illegitimate children in the Duke’s residence didn’t have as good a life as she did in her quarters.
All of this she had earned through careful planning and striving to get ahead.
Qiu Yun tore open the package and took out the books she had bought.
—Constitution, Criminal Law, Civil Code, Labor Law, Procedural Law…
To quickly understand a society, the first thing to grasp was its current laws.
Her success in standing out among the madam’s four personal maids and becoming the top confidante in charge of shops and private finances was inseparable from her thorough knowledge of the law.
