Chapter 362 Conflict in the Yard
Song Zhi, who was standing by, spoke coldly: "Mother Lai, since you are the manager of this courtyard, how come you don't know the rules? Don't you know how to show respect when you meet the princess?"

Songzhi's shout startled Lai's mother. After she came to her senses, she subconsciously looked at Qin Xiaoning.

But the little princess didn't look at her.

I saw his head turned to the side.

Lai Pozi frowned and knelt down: "This servant greets the princess."

"Get up." Qin Xiaoning said slowly. Lai Pozi stood up and stood aside with her hands hanging down. Qin Xiaoning asked directly, "Just now I saw you scolding the little maid in the yard. What's going on?"

Mother Lai cleared her throat and replied in one breath, "That girl's name is Fuling, she's a second-class maid, she has some skills, so I arranged for her to work in the small kitchen. But this girl is not willing to work, and she even gossips and complains to the people below her. A while ago, she dug a hole in the door and asked the chief steward in the mansion to transfer her out of our Qingsong Garden. I found out about it, so I blamed her."

Qin Xiaoning listened to her words patiently, and then asked: "This maid is in her prime, maybe she doesn't like being immersed in the kitchen fumes, this is understandable."

Mother Lai grinned and said, "Princess, you are wrong. The small kitchens in each courtyard have always been the most profitable places. During festivals, the kitchens in each courtyard receive the most rewards, so the maids and servants all like to work in the kitchens."

Although Qin Xiaoning was an insignificant person in this noble family, she lived a life of luxury even before she became Lu Ji's concubine. Therefore, she knew very little about the things going on below.

After hearing what Lai's mother said, Qin Xiaoning was surprised: "Since the small kitchen is beneficial, this Fuling still needs to find a way to go. This makes me confused."

Mother Lai smiled faintly upon hearing this, with a hint of pride on her face: "Princess, you are still young, so naturally you don't know what's going on."

The old woman kept it a secret, and seeing that the little princess didn't respond, she frowned and said, "In my opinion, this Fuling just looks down on our Qingsong Garden and wants to climb up the social ladder."

The future of slaves depends on their masters.

After hearing what Mrs. Lai said, Qin Xiaoning understood a little.

If this is true, it seems that Fuling is worried that she will have no future in Qingsong Garden following her, a master of humble origins.

Although she had some thoughts, Qin Xiaoning did not jump to conclusions. Instead, she asked, "So, Fuling, where are you going to work?"

Mother Lai had been observing Qin Xiaoning's expression carefully. She thought that the little princess would be furious after what she had said just now. She might even sell the flattering Fuling right away. If that happened, she, as the manager, would be very powerful. However, seeing that Qin Xiaoning remained calm after hearing what she had said, Mother Lai became unsure.

It turns out that this little princess is a calm and steady person.

It's not that easy to grasp.

Mother Lai replied, "I heard that Fuling asked the housekeeper to go to Lin Yaju."

Lin Yaju is the courtyard of the eldest son Lu Yu and Li Lanchun.

When this was mentioned, Lai Mama subconsciously took two steps forward, looking like she had seen through the world: "Princess, our Qingsong Garden and Lin Yaju are both main courtyards. Tell me, why is this Fuling trying to find a way to transfer from us to Lin Yaju? Is she trying to climb up to the high branch of Grandmother?"

Even though Lai's mother said this, Qin Xiaoning still looked indifferent.

Mother Lai glanced at the little princess's actions, thinking deeply in her mind.

Is this lady too cunning or is she just naturally good-tempered? Seeing her gentle and fragile appearance, she doesn't look like a cunning person. Maybe she is just naturally good-tempered.

"Lin Yaju is short of people?"

Mother Lai was just trying to figure out her master's temper, but she didn't expect the little princess to suddenly ask such a question.

She really didn't know much about this, so she stammered, "It seems that there is a shortage of people. I heard that a while ago, the eldest lady sent a group of maids who were old enough to get married. Maybe that's why there is a vacancy."

After saying this, Lai's mother still glanced at Qin Xiaoning curiously.

I don't know what her temper is like.

Because of ignorance, I am curious.

But Qin Xiaoning didn't give her more chances to speculate. After asking the question, she said calmly, "Since Fuling wants to leave and has already cut off ties, then let her go."

This was far beyond Lai's mother's expectations.

"Princess, if you open this door, these little girls will become ambitious and it will be difficult to control them. They will think you are weak and can be bullied, and they will be even more unruly in the future."

Qin Xiaoning smiled faintly: "The one who can control them cannot control their hearts."

Seeing that Lai Mama was still puzzled, Qin Xiaoning did not explain to her any more, and only ordered: "Which Fuling wants to leave, let her do so. Other maids and servants who do not want to stay in Qingsong Garden will not be forced to stay. If they are capable of finding a place to go, it is up to them."

"princess--"

Seeing Qin Xiaoning's order, Lai Mama wanted to say more, but Qin Xiaoning gave her a look and Songzhi came over to drive her away: "Lai Mama, just follow the princess's order. Our princess is tired and needs to rest. You go down first."

After driving them out, Songzhi began to feel indignant: "I didn't expect these servants to be so rude. They really dared not to take you seriously. This Lai Mama is really annoying, but what she said is not bad. This Fuling just wants to climb up the social ladder."

Qin Xiaoning took a sip of tea and said calmly, "My eldest sister-in-law comes from a famous family and has been in charge of the household for many years. She is also straightforward and generous. If it were me, I would most likely be willing to follow such a master."

"That's human nature, and it's understandable."

"A Ning——" In a hurry, Song Zhi called out Qin Xiaoning's nickname again: "How can you be so self-deprecating?"

"I'm not belittling myself, but that's the truth." She stuffed a fresh fruit into Songzhi's hand and said, "I still say the same thing. If you want to be respected by others and have others want to cling to you, you can only become stronger. Once you are strong enough, others will naturally respect and support you."

“That’s human nature.”

Songzhi didn't quite understand what he said: "You've been educated, and you've seen the world with the prince. My mind and vision are naturally not as broad as yours."

The little maid frowned: "But now you want to control our courtyard, how do you start?"

Qin Xiaoning thought for a moment and said, "Go find Si'er first."