"Instead of thinking about contending for favor with siblings in the residence, it would be better to focus more energy on accomplishing something outside."

"And you, with Third Brother’s Wife, prioritize good relations. Enhance the preferential treatment for Third Brother’s Wife, according to the standards when Third Brother was here." Minister Qi is a very intelligent person, aware that Third Madam Qi is dissatisfied with the Third Household’s possessions being confiscated.

Since that’s the case, using some obvious gestures to appease the other party is worthwhile.

After all, it’s only a few expenditures among the women in the residence, how much silver could it cost?

It’s not even as much as what was previously divided to Third Brother; he can afford it.

Although Lady Qi was displeased, she also knew she had no grounds to refute Minister Qi’s words, so she could only go ahead and arrange it.

When Third Madam Qi heard of the change in treatment, she let out a cold laugh.

Nanny Guo happily said, "Young miss, fortunately, we notified the master in time, or else the young miss’s status might be unstable now."

"Hmph, wanting to use my Wang family for business, offering only small favors, once my Wang family outlives its usefulness, they could just kick us aside." Third Madam Qi sneered, "Do they truly believe my Wang family can only survive off the Qi family?"

"Young miss..." Nanny Guo was a bit shocked, hurriedly advising, "As long as the master is here, the Qi family won’t bully you. If you are well, the several young misses who married out can also be well; why contend against the Qi family?"

"Nanny, you mentioned it yourself. Only if my father remains safe can I have these good days. Once my father encounters trouble, do you think the Qi family will still keep providing for our Third Household for free?"

"This..." Nanny Guo hesitated a bit, "Then young miss, why don’t we save more private funds now, to help the several young misses who will marry out later; the Qi family wouldn’t go to the extreme."

"It’s not a matter of silver; it’s that the Qi family values Qi Yun. When Qi Yun takes control of the Third Household in the future, can I still live well?"

"Then young miss, what do you mean?" Nanny Guo actually felt that the third madam had grown increasingly paranoid due to being betrayed by Third Master, but she had watched the young miss grow up and naturally didn’t want her to suffer, thought a bit, and did not refuse.

"So, I also want the Qi family to taste the outcome of chasing coveted things only to find them vanished in the end." Third Madam Qi obviously harbored resentment towards the Qi family, clearly not someone easily drawn in.

Soon, Qi Yun received news from Third Madam Qi’s side, sent by one of her people, advising him to study well.

Although Qi Yun had some cleverness, he wasn’t particularly proficient in study, because previously he had thought of escaping Elder Qi San, and had no way forward in his studies, dabbling in various miscellaneous subjects.

Now, hearing Third Madam Qi’s instruction, he immediately sought out his mother to discuss the matter.

Madame Yue listened and was delighted, "Yun’er, this is a great opportunity, no matter the attitude the Qi family has towards us. If you can enter civil service, it’s a boon for the Qi family; at most they’ll ignore us, but won’t act against us." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What’s more, now the madam is willing; we must seize this opportunity." Madame Yue, though gentle in character, wasn’t foolish, she had her perspectives on this era; in the end, noble clans and great families could ally together as long as there is interest."

If Elder Qi San hadn’t died, the Qi family wouldn’t bully the Third Household, simply because Elder Qi San was beneficial to the Qi family.

Qi Yun scratched his head, "But should I act in a good way or a bad way?"

He didn’t understand why Third Madam Qi suddenly gave such an instruction.