Chapter 36: Don't Think of Taking Advantage

As soon as Shen Qingyun spoke, everyone fell silent.

Old Madam Tian was momentarily stunned before she realized the implication of Shen Qingyun’s words: she meant to remove her from her position. With a startled scream, she protested, “Second Miss, what are you doing? You're driving me away without distinguishing right from wrong—how unjust this is! If you act like this, who will dare to serve the Duke’s household? You’re breaking the hearts of us old servants!”

“If that’s the case, let us discuss this thoroughly,” Shen Qingyun replied, her voice unhurried yet laden with authority.

Old Madam Tian widened her aged eyes but dared not defend herself rashly. She waited to see what the Second Miss would say.

“Let’s start with the meals. Grandmother is devoted to Buddhist practice, and the food in Yansong Hall has always been light. Yet look at the dishes served these past few days: crystal pork knuckle, phoenix tail shark fin, creamy dumplings, twin dragons in flight, golden Buddha’s hand rolls, embroidered scallops, stir-fried pearl chicken, creamy fish fillet, dry sea cucumber from Fuhai…” Shen Qingyun smiled at Old Madam Tian. “Do you truly believe my grandmother, so devoted to her faith, would indulge daily in such extravagant, meat-laden dishes?”

Old Madam Tian was dumbfounded. Could she admit that the old madam actually feasted at every meal?

Of course, Shen Qingyun knew that the old madam merely put on a show when they visited, which was why she didn’t require daily morning greetings. But would Old Madam Tian dare expose this? If she did, the old madam would surely deny it!

“The old madam is elderly, surely she must be nourished and cared for…” Old Madam Tian muttered, her gaze darting nervously.

“Is that so? Grandmother often instructs me not to be wasteful, to eat more vegetarian meals, and to lessen the burden of taking lives. Vegetarian food harmonizes the four elements, clears the senses, promotes healthy circulation, and enhances discipline. Knowing restraint in diet and satisfaction in moderation are essential to achieving meditative insight and spiritual power.”

Shen Qingyun propped her chin thoughtfully. “Yicui, why don’t you take Old Madam Tian to Yansong Hall and question Grandmother directly—let’s see whether Grandmother truly feasts, or if some servants are brazen enough to embezzle!”

By the end of her words, Old Madam Tian felt dizzy and rushed to volunteer, “Second Miss, leave it to me! I’ll investigate thoroughly these next few days. The old madam is compassionate; it must be those unruly maids causing trouble.”

“Oh?” Shen Qingyun turned a page of the book in her hand, which recorded each room’s daily menu. She continued, “And that’s not all. Sister Sisi is petite and lovely, but her appetite is quite large! Eight treasures rabbit, jade bamboo, small steamed buns, golden threads roast, Luohan prawns, skewered scallops, scallion beef, stewed chicken, fresh mushrooms with greens, and let’s not forget that every day there are two servings of bird’s nest. This…”

“Oh, the supreme abalone from Nuanyu Pavilion—I didn’t have it yesterday. Did Mother have a late-night snack and not tell me?”

With each word from Shen Qingyun, the cold sweat on Old Madam Tian’s back deepened.

“Now, do you still think the kitchen’s expenses are reasonable?” Shen Qingyun asked.

“It’s… my fault, Miss, for poor supervision…” Old Madam Tian stammered.

Hearing this, Shen Qingyun’s smile blossomed like spring flowers, but to Old Madam Tian, the darkness of those eyes was as chilling as a soul-stealing phantom.

“Someone, take this lying, insolent servant away. The Duke’s household cannot afford such parasites! Madam Sun, you’ll temporarily oversee the kitchen. Tomorrow, I expect a detailed and appropriate budget for the kitchen. If you do well, the position will be yours!”

Madam Sun, the kitchen’s second-in-command, had long been overshadowed by Old Madam Tian. Now, opportunity had fallen from the heavens, and she was overjoyed. “Thank you, Second Miss, for your trust. I will fulfill the task and not disappoint you!”

As the maids dragged Old Madam Tian away, she shrieked like a slaughtered pig, pleading loudly for mercy, but was nonetheless hauled off.

Shen Qingyun was not yet satisfied. “Steward Zhou, you’re responsible for the household’s furnishings. Sister Sisi replaced five vases, two tea sets, and eight bowls and plates this week. What does this mean?”

Steward Zhou wiped the sweat from his brow. “Reporting to Second Miss, the maids in the eldest miss’s room are careless. They broke these items while cleaning. The eldest miss is kind and didn’t pursue the matter.”

“Sister Sisi is too soft-hearted, easily deceived by servants. What maid is so clumsy? Better to sell her and hire someone competent. To prevent further incidents, every room may replace no more than three items per month. Pass this instruction down.”

“Yes, yes,” Steward Zhou answered, though he looked troubled. With Old Madam Tian’s fate as a warning, he dared not argue.

“For the rest, I won’t point out every issue today. Each of you go and discuss among yourselves. Tomorrow, present me with a set of regulations. If you do poorly, you’ll be replaced. If you perform well, or have good ideas, come report to me. Rewards or promotions will be granted at my discretion.”

With this blend of reward and punishment, the assembled staff lost their earlier ease, now responding nervously, no longer daring to underestimate Shen Qingyun.

And thus, the household underwent sweeping reforms.

The most immediate changes appeared in the daily meals. The old madam and Shen Sisi did not eat much, but their habits were extravagant—many dishes, each barely tasted, the rest discarded.

Now, that was no longer allowed. For a single diner, each room was limited to no more than four dishes and one soup per meal. For additional guests, one more dish per person was permitted, and so forth.

Bird’s nest and nourishing soups were restricted to one serving per room per day.

Yansong Hall, the old madam’s residence, was allowed one extra vegetarian dish.

If anyone wanted more, they could pay out of pocket for the kitchen to prepare it.

Madam Han raised no objections; she had always been frugal, never given to excess in food, clothing, or household items.

Shen Zhifeng was often away and didn’t care how the expense cuts might affect him.

But the old madam and Shen Sisi were furious.

“Shen Qingyun, you’ve only just acquired the right to manage the household, and already you dare to cut our food and clothing. How dare you!” The old madam’s cane banged loudly on the floor.

“Grandmother, Second Sister may manage the household, but she can’t arbitrarily dispose of my chief maid! How am I to face the servants?” Shen Sisi complained tearfully beside her.

But crying was hardly a skill exclusive to them.

Shen Qingyun dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief—the scent of chili on it stung her so much that tears streamed down her face.

“Grandmother, you are kind and devout. When I visited Yansong Hall, I saw you with three or four plates of vegetarian dishes, adding one or two meat dishes only for our sake. Yet Old Madam Tian claimed you consumed enough for three people at every meal—wasn’t that pure fabrication, meant to line her own pockets? Now that I’ve rooted out the traitor, why are you so displeased?”