Awesome
Looking around, most of the room was filled with bookshelves.
The center was separated by an embroidered screen with an ordinary appearance. At the back, there was a very small bedroom with a half-new bed and a small red-painted wooden bedside cabinet.
Jiujin nearly exploded with anger on the spot. He grabbed Madam Hu's collar, pulled her into the house, pointed at the decorations, and said sarcastically, "This is what you call ready? Everything is prepared??"
Who are you trying to fool? It looks like a collection of old junk.
How could anyone mistake this shabby mansion for the dignified governor's residence?
Madam Hu shrank her neck, hunched her shoulders, and raised her hands to protect her head, afraid of being hit again. She quickly cried out, "Oh, Miss Yu, good girl, please have mercy! This old woman has been running back and forth with you, sleeping in the open. How could I have had time to prepare the mansion properly? This isn't my fault!"
"Fine, let's move all the things from our carriage first," Yu Linlang said, her expression still calm.
"Get out of my sight!" Jiujin bellowed. He grabbed Madam Hu's collar again and strode out. "Don't play tricks with me! Get more people over here! Stop dawdling!"
At that moment, she was like a small powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Madam Hu dared not push her luck, so she scurried away timidly.
After three trips back and forth, all the items from the carriage had been transported to the courtyard.
Madam Hu stood in the patio, her mouth twitching as she stared at the bed and utensils thrown at the door. She hesitated. "Are we moving all of these out?"
"Why else would we bring them in?" Jiujin fumed. "Who are you trying to fool? My girl isn't going to sleep in a bed where others have already slept!"
"Your precious girl is so noble," she muttered. "Then just carry everything back and return it to her. My girl can't afford such luxury."
Madam Hu looked troubled. "But if we throw everything out, where will the young lady sleep tonight? The madam is busy with daily affairs, and she may have simply forgotten to have the room prepared. Why not let the young lady make do for the night? Tomorrow, we can report this to Madam—"
"Forget it!" Jiujin snapped, waving a hand dismissively. "Take all this junk out! We'll handle the rest ourselves. Now, move it!"
"Hey, hey, Miss Jiujin—" Madam Hu protested as she was shoved out of the door. She could only sigh in defeat as the maids exchanged glances and hurried to remove the discarded items from the courtyard.
A sneering voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Oh, what a grand spectacle. Are you planning to tear down the house?"
"The eldest lady has returned," Madam Hu murmured, lowering her head quickly, the amusement in her eyes hidden.
Haha, Miss Yu and the eldest lady are about to clash. This will be entertaining.
Neither of them is easy to deal with.
"I wouldn't have known," Yu Qiuping said mockingly as she stepped inside, a silk ribbon in her hand. "I might have mistaken this place for a palace, judging by all the commotion. Just look at this mess! Who is responsible for this?"
She scanned the courtyard, her sharp eyes landing on the various piles of discarded items. She narrowed her eyes.
"What's going on here?" Yu Qiuping's voice turned stern. "This courtyard isn't some private chamber! Who left all these broken wooden sticks and weeds lying around? Honglai, Lvcai, why are you standing there? Get rid of this mess at once!"
"Yes, my lady," the two young maids responded.
Before their hands could touch Yu Linlang's belongings, however, they were nearly struck by a fire stick. They recoiled in fear.
"Let's see who dares touch my girl's things," Jiujin said coldly, gripping the stick as she glared at Yu Qiuping.
Yu Linlang emerged from the room, her gaze settling on Yu Qiuping.
Compared to the delicate and refined second young lady, this eldest lady appeared much plainer. She was only somewhat pretty, and her slightly yellow complexion gave her a dull appearance.
"Jiujin, move everything into the house," Yu Linlang said, not bothering to engage in conversation. She turned to Madam Hu. "Clear out all the miscellaneous items at the courtyard entrance."
Madam Hu curled her lips in disappointment. She had hoped for a spectacle between the eldest lady and Yu Linlang.
Yu Qiuping stared deeply at Yu Linlang as she turned away, then scoffed. "Hmph. Some people think they can reclaim their status just by coming back. The title of the legitimate daughter has long been taken. If you think you can take it back, you're dreaming. You'd best let go of such foolish ambitions before you bring trouble upon yourself."
She turned and entered the western chalet. Just before stepping inside, she paused and said coldly, "Yu Pianpian is a bookworm. I advise you not to touch her treasured books. If you do, my mother will have you thrown out overnight. Also, this patio is a shared space. Don't pile your junk outside and disturb others."
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Jiujin lifted the fire stick as if she wanted to smash the door but then snorted instead.
She moved swiftly, bringing over a dozen boxes and potted plants into the house in mere moments. Then, rolling up her sleeves, she glanced at the bookshelves. "Miss, should I move these shelves to the side?"
"No need. I'll do it myself," Yu Linlang said casually. "Just set up the table, chairs, bed, and cabinet first."
"Got it!" Jiujin nodded and ran to the doorway, picking up the wooden planks stacked outside.
"Good thing we came prepared. Otherwise, we'd have been caught off guard," she muttered as she swiftly assembled the furniture.
The thin wooden planks were like toys in her hands, and within moments, the tables and chairs were put together.
If any skilled carpenter were present, they would have been astounded.
Yu Linlang walked straight to the bookshelves. With a simple wave of her hand, the rows of shelves suddenly vanished.
When they reappeared, three rows were neatly placed against the north wall. Only the front row remained accessible for reading, while the others were stacked behind.
This arrangement cleared a large space near the window, making the eastern wing feel much less cramped.
Jiujin paid no mind to her mistress's casual display of magic, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She finished assembling the furniture, then took a broom and dustpan from their belongings and began cleaning the house.
In just half an hour, the place looked spotless and organized.
Jiujin then set up a beauty couch, covered it with soft brocade, and placed it near the window. She also pulled a simple curtain over the bed for privacy.
Standing back with her hands on her hips, she surveyed the room. "We'll need to buy a few things tomorrow."
"No need to go through that trouble," Yu Linlang said lightly as she sat down. "I won't be here for long anyway."
"At the very least, we need a proper screen," Jiujin argued. "The windows and doors also need fixing, and we should add a lock."
Yu Linlang didn't object. After all, they weren't the only ones living in this courtyard.
"Miss, you must be tired. I'll fetch some water for you to wash up," Jiujin said before hurrying out.