"The d.u.c.h.ess?" Qing Yu blinked. "Hasn’t she lived in seclusion for so many years and does not ask about worldly affairs?"

For her to suddenly decide to jump back out, could it be a signal that more was at play?

"Because Father told the Chief Steward yesterday that he wants to employ people to flatten and rebuild the Tranquil Abode as the age of the courtyard has become too old and has gotten dilapidated, making it unsafe for us to live in here. He intends to move us into the main lodge up front and live there." Qing Bei then slowly told her about the news he had heard just last night.

"Har?" Qing Yu was filled with delight when she heard that. "Isn’t that just appalling enough news to get the Royal Concubines and Lady Concubines jumping up in a fit?"

"Of course it would!" Seeing Qing Yu gloating at others’ misfortune, Qing Bei could not help but laugh.

"But, based on that reason, she would definitely come to seek trouble with us here, but it’s still so quiet....."

"That’s why I say the d.u.c.h.ess is coming out from seclusion. With the main chief having not spoken a word about it yet, how could the others possibly dare to play any tricks?"

’Knock knock knock.’

While the two of them were chatting merrily, a series of knocks sounded from the outside of the door.

Qing Yu arched up an eyebrow and silently signalled for Qing Bei to go inside the room, before she went to open the door. She saw a pretty little la.s.s dressed in maroon coloured clothes standing outside, the smiling eyes on her highly lovable.

She first bowed respectfully and then said smilingly: "Sixth Young Miss, I am the d.u.c.h.ess’ personal maid in waiting and my name is Yan Fei. The d.u.c.h.ess has ordered me to come extend an invitation to the Sixth Young Miss and the Second Young Master. Today is the d.u.c.h.ess’ fulfilment of her vegetarian fast and she has specially arranged for a banquet to be held, and all the Young Masters and Young Misses in the manor are invited to come for a meal."

Qing Yu smiled. "Thank you Miss, we know it now."

Yan Fei was stood there frozen for a moment, seemingly not expecting to hear such a short and curt reply after she had said so much, and the usually glib tongued little maid suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

"Is there anything else?" Qing Yu asked as she looked at her frozen in her spot, finding it a little amusing.

Yan Fei snapped back to her senses. "There’s nothing else. Yan Fei will then take her leave."

Finishing what she came to say, she turned and left with hurried steps.

"What was that for?" Qing Bei stuck his head out from inside and asked, looking at the figure who had gone a good distance away.

Qing Yu pulled him inside the house. "The d.u.c.h.ess is holding a highly duplicitous banquet, and has specially invited everyone to attend. I am guessing that she is seeking to make it a threatening show of the power she holds, to make us stay in line and not dare dream of doing anything impractical."

"Looks like the manner that Father is treating us has gotten under her skin this time." Qing Bei’s eyes dimmed. "Vegetarian fast? Humph! It’s just an excuse."

[That vicious woman will really follow the way of Buddha? Having committed so many evil deeds, it would be too good for her if she is not condemned into h.e.l.l.]

"If we do not go, then she might very well pin onto our heads the crime of showing contempt to the d.u.c.h.ess, and we will not be able to live in peace." Qing Bei shook his head as he said with a bitter laugh.

"What you are saying sounds reasonable enough." Qing Yu commented as she tapped the tip of her finger upon the table. "In that case, I shall then take the first step to make a deterring show of power first."

She had always like to make the first move, and was not used to allowing herself to suffer in a disadvantaged position.

Hence, when high noon came, the inside of the main house was already filled with people seated inside.

The two Royal Concubines were seated directly one seat down from the main seat on the left and right, followed by the four Lady Concubines according to rank, and three other concubines, with the other five Young Misses of the Duke’s Manor at the end.

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