Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 518 - 271: Meeting Again_2

Chapter 518: Chapter 271: Meeting Again_2

Qian Yixiu sized up Sister Qin. Approaching forty, she had fair skin and a medium build, appearing sharp and nimble, with proper manners. She stood with her eyes slightly lowered, reminding Yixiu of a female executive from her previous life. She hoped that Sister Qin would not disappoint her.

When Qian Yixiu raised her hand, Zi Zhu handed out a purse filled with small silver ingots to each person.

Sister Qin and the others happily accepted them, bending their knees and saying, "We thank the young miss for her reward."

Qian Yixiu reiterated the staffing arrangements. Madam Song seemed a little stunned, as this did not match what had been originally mentioned to her. After a moment, her stiff expression eased.

Qian Yixiu smiled and said, "I am young and new here, and there are many things I do not understand, so in the future I will rely on all the sisters and madams for advice."

Sister Qin hastily replied, "This old servant wouldn’t dare. Whatever tasks the young miss assigns, this old servant will do her utmost to carry them out."

Sister Gong and the others also politely exchanged a few courteous remarks, while Madam Song opened her mouth but could not find the words to speak.

Qian Yixiu then smiled at Sister Gong, "My mother has lived in the countryside for over a decade, and her disposition has changed somewhat. When offering advice, please be patient with her."

Sister Gong wiped away a tear and bowed, saying, "The young miss is too courteous. The Commandery Princess is someone whom I’ve watched grow up, and she is very dear to me."

Sister Qin and Madam Song, upon hearing this, also wiped away tears. These were all old servants who had served Pan Yue up close.

After they left, Qian Yixiu finally exited the hall. Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister, who had been waiting impatiently at the door, were growing restless. Dashan and White Wolf had already been taken to Prince Ning Mansion by Qian Xiaolei, and Shan Dian went with Jingjing and Ming Wa to a small side courtyard in Xiyue Pavilion. As their masters had parted ways, the House of Animals too had divided into branches.

Since she was too tired, and it took a quarter of an hour to walk from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard, Qian Yixiu took a sedan chair back, followed by Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister on foot.

The courtyard where Qian Yixiu lived was called Xiangxue Courtyard. It was named for the dozens of lilac trees that surrounded the yard; when in bloom, it appeared from afar as if purple snowflakes hung on the trees, with a rich fragrance.

The sedan chair was set down at the entrance of the courtyard. Behind the lilac trees was a white courtyard wall, and at the door stood four maidservants and two older women—these were the servants of Xiangxue Courtyard.

The young lady’s courtyard was staffed with a managing madam, two senior maids, two mid-level maids, two junior maids, and also two coarse maids.

Having Zi Zhu and Bai Zhu already, she thought four more maids would suffice. Usually, the managing madam was the wet nurse, but since Qian Yixiu did not have a wet nurse, it was likely that Grandpa Pan would later bring over a Sister etiquette teaching for her.

All the servants curtsied, saying, "We, your humble servants, have the honor of seeing the young miss."

Qian Yixiu nodded and entered the yard.

Under the starlight, ahead were three main rooms with a small chamber to the east. The eastern side of the courtyard was shaded by green trees, and there was a clear creek by the western wall, complete with a delicate stone arch bridge and a small pavilion.

She walked down the cobblestone path and entered the main room. At the very end were twelve folding screens depicting the four gentlemen plants—plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. In front of the screen was a chicken-wing wood couch, covered with a light purple embroidered cushion, with a small lacquered gold table in the middle. The room also featured a carved rosewood round table with a Ru ware colored-glaze porcelain vase on top, filled with chrysanthemums, and several embroidered stools around it. There was also a Duobao Pavilion shelf, which displayed various antiques and decorative objects.

Zhang Yixiu sat on the couch, and the servants came forward to kowtow to her. Qian Yixiu promptly renamed the two older maids Blue Bead and Pink Pearl. With that, the set of four different bead names was complete.

Blue Bead, fifteen years old and appearing quite mature, was Sister Qin’s young daughter. She, along with thirteen-year-old Zi Zhu, would act as senior maids. The two mid-level maids were twelve-year-old Bai Zhu and thirteen-year-old Pink Pearl.

The other two maids, both twelve years old, were named Xiao Hong and Xiao Qing, assigned as junior maids. The two coarse maids were Old Grandma Wang and Grandma Ding.

Qian Yixiu had Zi Zhu hand out a purse to each of them as well.

She rose to continue inspecting her new residence. The western chamber was a study, with a writing desk by the window, a whole wall of bookshelves inside, and a few more items by the west wall including an ancient zither lying on a table with a white porcelain incense burner with a bird design next to it.

Qian Yixiu blushed at the thought that she was not so dedicated to studying and refinement. The bookshelves would need to be altered, with half of the space used for storing treasures.

The eastern chamber was a bedroom, furnished with an elaborately carved gold inlaid wardrobe, a carved bed with jade inlays, and a dressing table with an oval glass mirror fifty centimeters tall set into it. By the window was a beauty couch, and beside it, on a flower stand, was a Tray with flowers inserted into it.