The faces of everyone in the room showed expressions of disbelief.

Although Cui Ming knew Hong Mian was testing her, she couldn’t help but sneer, "Why are you still looking for Hong Ye? Hong Ye has been exhausted all day from asking for leave for you, just took her medicine and rested. Besides, I’m not used to sharing a room with others. I suppose the people in your room don’t want to share a bed with you either, better find someone else."

Suppressing her unease, Hong Mian forced a smile and said, "Well, I can only do that."

Cui Ming rolled her eyes at her and gracefully walked away.

Hong Mian silently picked up her clothes and went to another room to find an empty bed to sleep in. Fortunately, it wasn’t too cold at night now, and she could endure it.

Back in the inner chamber, Cui Ming couldn’t help complaining to Qin Yuan, "I really admire her, doing something that’s wrong to others yet acting like nothing happened, even wanting to squeeze into a bed with someone. Calling her a ’white-eyed wolf’ would be too mild."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "There are all sorts of people in this world. After all, Hong Ye’s intentions were misplaced, but realizing it sooner is better than later. It’s less painful than finding out in the future."

Cui Ming asked, "Will Mistress still use her in the future?"

"She’s such a smart and capable person; why wouldn’t we use her? But staying in Wutong Garden is no longer appropriate. It’s better to assign her to another place; where do you think?" Qin Yuan smiled and looked at Cui Ming.

Cui Ming thought for a moment and said, "Why not let her go to the sewing room? Mrs. Li and Mrs. Lu often clash, and they need someone like her to stir things up. It would save me some effort."

Qin Yuan smiled and agreed.

Cui Ming usually didn’t stand out much and spoke little, but she was much more decisive in handling matters than Hong Ye.

It would be beneficial for Hong Mian to learn a lengthy lesson.

However, given Hong Mian’s temperament, she probably wouldn’t stay out of trouble for long.

Qin Yuan sighed.

Cui Ming understood her concern and comforted, "Don’t worry, Mistress. Now that we’ve established ourselves in the mansion, the steward and housekeeper won’t dare to disobey. There are quite a few good maids in the garden. Though not as outstanding as Hong Mian, with time and guidance, they’ll do well."

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "I’m not worried about tiring the two of you out. Initially, I wanted to train more capable people to avoid a mess in Wutong Garden."

Unexpectedly, a lot of things happened in the mansion, and the power of the Housekeeper fell into our hands easily.

Cui Ming laughed and said, "It’s just like the saying goes, ’What’s meant to be will be yours.’

Qin Yuan clicked her tongue and replied, "You might as well say ’everything’s predestined; man proposes, God disposes.’ If others hear this, they might think I became arrogant after sudden wealth."

Cui Ming said, "I’m not flattering, but since entering the Marquis Mansion, everyone is very impressed with you. Even the ladies in the family can’t help but speak well of you."

The implication was that even the late Sixth Madam couldn’t compare, so others shouldn’t hold grudges.

There’s no need to bother with other people at all.

Qin Yuan said, "When you’re in a high position, who wouldn’t know better than to gossip. The more praise we get, the more we can’t make even the slightest mistake. The old saying goes that you can’t please everyone, even if we think we’ve done well, those we’ve offended might still hold grudges, waiting for an opportunity to act. Now everyone praises me thanks to the Old Madam and the Marquis’s protection; we’re in an advantageous position, so no one dares to speak openly. But we must be very careful, lest complacency leads to mistakes, and then we’ll know what’s it like for a phoenix to fall lower than a chicken."

Cui Ming was stunned and sighed, "Mistress talks not like a sixteen-year-old but like a sixty-year-old."

Qin Yuan was taken aback, then burst out laughing, "Alright, let’s sleep. We shouldn’t worry about others here, even Hong Ye and Hong Mian have gone to sleep."

Cui Ming also laughed, and after helping the Mistress to bed, she sat outside the threshold, lost in thought.

Marquis Gu returned home under the starlight. Seeing the dim lights in the main room, he knew Qin Yuan was already asleep. In the darkness of the corridor sat a small, frail figure, seemingly the personal maid by his young wife’s side. He asked, "Is it your turn to stand guard tonight?"

Only then did Cui Ming snap back to reality. Seeing the Marquis, she hurriedly stood up and saluted, "Marquis is back. Mistress has already gone to bed. It was supposed to be Hong Ye’s turn tonight; she cried a lot. Mistress gave her some medicine and lit incense, so she let her sleep and I took her shift."

Marquis Gu frowned and said, "Why is Hong Ye still crying? Isn’t the matter resolved?"

It was rare for the Marquis to show concern for their matters. Cui Ming was flattered and quickly explained, "Hong Ye is crying because she trusted the wrong person, causing such a scene, and feels wronged."

The grievance was clearly from Gu Shiliu.

Marquis Gu sighed, "You women are really troublesome, not like Mistress who is understanding and magnanimous. Gu Shiliu probably doesn’t even know about this right now."

Cui Ming was surprised, "Gu Shiliu doesn’t know about this yet?"

Marquis Gu nodded, "If he knew, how could he let things escalate in front of Hong Ye? If he couldn’t handle even this, how could I have arranged for him and Hong Ye together back then? If you’re upset about trusting the wrong person, then just be more cautious next time, who doesn’t make mistakes?"

Cui Ming quickly lowered her head and said, "I understand."

Marquis Gu waved his hand, "Now that I’m back, you don’t need to keep watch, go rest. When Hong Ye wakes up, explain everything to her. Mistress cares about you two and has worried a lot over Hong Ye’s matter, so you shouldn’t let her continue to be anxious."

Cui Ming hastily agreed and withdrew.

Returning to the room, looking at the sleeping Hong Ye, she sighed, "Truly, foolish people have their fortune. The Master is worrying so much about you, you really should be more thoughtful."

Thinking about the Marquis’s attentiveness to Qin Yuan, she laughed and said, "Mistress is really blessed. Who thought such a good match would be brought by the ever-competitive Second Miss, bringing us good fortune as well. This shows that man’s plans can’t match Heaven’s, Heaven has its arrangements. In the future, we should keep an open heart and accumulate more virtues."

At this thought, Cui Ming felt both body and mind relax, and enveloped by drowsiness, she drifted into slumber.

From this day on, the ever-contemplative Cui Ming changed her ways, gradually became more carefree, and with Qin Yuan’s help, she lived over thirty years longer than in her previous life.

When Qin Yuan woke up in the morning, she saw Marquis Gu lying beside her with closed eyes, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

"Why are you laughing?"

Marquis Gu, hearing the noise, opened his eyes and looked over, his once serene face turning sharp.

Qin Yuan murmured, "Seeing that my husband is by my side, I couldn’t help but smile. These past few days..."

Before she finished speaking, Marquis Gu grew smug, warmth and affection evident in his features, and he whispered with a gentle laugh, "Dear Yuan’er, I knew you couldn’t live without me."