"Chen Pi is your younger brother. How can you, as his sister, say he's rough?" Qin Liu Xi chided with a smile. "If it were before, both of you could accompany me. But now, with so many people at home, and they've only recently arrived, everything inside and outside the house hasn't been settled yet. You stay at home and assist Madam."
Qihuang said, "Madam is quite capable, and she has competent maidservants by her side. She doesn't need me. Even without me, Madam can manage everything well. But around you, if there's no one, that would be a problem. Miss, shall we buy a couple more maidservants to serve them? We have enough money, and anyway, I'll be by your side. I don't want to be the head of household affairs."
Qin Liu Xi teased, "Oh, even the head doesn't want to do it. Are you also not seeking progress like your young master?"
"Following you is my greatest progress," Qihuang retorted. "In my heart, you are my master. How can I let others use me elsewhere when you need someone by your side? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"
"In that case, I'm assigning you this task: in the coming days, stay with Madam and manage everything in and out of the house. Then, you can stay by my side, never leaving even a step. Is that okay?"
Qihuang gave her a stern look.
"If maidservants can be bought, any problem that can be solved with money isn't a big problem. But you also know the situation of the Qin family. They were expelled from their home, and this mansion is the only shelter granted by the old lady's plea. Speaking frankly, the residence isn't a big deal. But if someone with ill intentions finds out that the Qin family has returned to their old mansion, living comfortably with servants bustling around, what do you think the consequences would be?"
Qin Liu Xi tapped her tea cup thoughtfully. "The troubles faced by the Qin family were plotted by someone. If someone with ill intentions investigates and finds out how well-off they are even after being expelled, that's a ready-made handle. How do you think the emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, will react when he finds out? If he can't think of anything for a moment, as soon as he hears the wind blowing in a different direction, he'll wonder if he's been too lenient, allowing the Qin family to act so brazenly."
Qihuang remained silent.
"No one wants their authority and prestige challenged and disrespected, especially the emperor. Challenging imperial authority is absolutely intolerable. If the emperor doesn't tolerate you, there are plenty of excuses to deal with you. Then it'll be a disaster."
Qin Liu Xi continued, "The Qin family is still in a precarious position. It's best not to attract attention, but to lay low and wait for this wave to pass. Once things calm down and we no longer draw attention, there's hope for a comeback."
"But with you around, how can the Qin family lay low?" Qihuang asked.
"You're pushing me to my limits," Qin Liu Xi sighed lightly. "So, to stay low-key, it's right not to seek progress."
"Then you have to endure hardship and sacrifice yourself?"
"No, I can't," Qin Liu Xi said firmly. Sacrificing oneself for whom? There's no point in living like that.
Qihuang could only sigh. It was like only the authorities could set fires, while the common people couldn't even light a lamp.
"Let's leave it at that. You stay with Madam for now. You can still offer some advice. Madam and the old lady only need to restrain these people, and that's enough. As for food and drink, they can't do without them."
"I'm just a maidservant. How can I advise a lady of the house? It's up to you to say. Besides, it seems the old lady is still thinking about finding something to do herself!"
Qin Liu Xi raised an eyebrow. "My aunt?"
Qihuang nodded.
"Miss, Madam is calling for you," came a voice from outside the door.