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Early the next morning, Lin Yuan woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed, and the kitchen had already prepared breakfast. Although the meal wasn’t as delicious as the ones Lin Yuan made, it was delicate and since they weren’t very hungry after last night’s hot pot, no one complained about breakfast not tasting good.

After breakfast, Lady Liu, accompanied by a few maids, began packing up her luggage in her room, while Lin Jiaxin took little Xiao Yongyan for a stroll around the mansion.

Xiao Linshuang, unable to sit still and full of curiosity, followed along, leaving her luggage for Du Ruo and Lian Qiao to pack.

Lin Wei and Xiao He were more relaxed; they were busy with their things, but since they traveled light, there wasn’t much to pack.

In no time, they were both strolling in the garden, but unfortunately, it was winter, and although the garden was large, there weren’t any flowers to admire except for some evergreen shrubs.

However, the swing set next to the garden seemed quite novel and looked new; it must have been specially prepared by Princess Anle, knowing that the Lin family had several young ladies.

If Lin Yuan saw the swing set, she would definitely find it simple, but for Lin Wei and Xiao He, it was delightful. They took turns pushing each other and had a great time.

Lin Yuan, on the other hand, didn’t have so much interest in playing. She didn’t have to pack her things, as everything was handled by Shui Xian and Yin Xing, so after breakfast, she called Butler Zhou to the front parlor to discuss some matters.

"Butler Zhou, here are the keys to our estate’s accounting room; I’ll hold one set and you’ll hold the other.

If you need anything, just report to me.

If I’m not around, you can go to the master or madam.

Of course, if it’s an urgent matter, you have full authority to deal with it without needing to report to me first," Lin Yuan handed the keys Lady Liu gave her last night to Butler Zhou.

Looking at the keys, Zhou Yang was somewhat startled. Although he was a butler for the first time, he had heard quite a bit before, but it was the first time he had heard of being given full authority to handle emergencies, like Lin Yuan had offered.

He didn’t take the keys and said carefully, "Miss, do you really trust me with full authority? What if I..."

Zhou Yang didn’t finish speaking before Lin Yuan interrupted him with a smile, "Butler Zhou, setting aside the fact that you were sent by Princess Anle, even if you were just an ordinary person, I would still trust you. As the saying goes, ’trust those you employ; don’t employ those you don’t trust.’ As a person working under me, Lin Yuan, I have no other requirements, just loyalty, and absolute loyalty.

I believe, Butler Zhou, that you can surely achieve these two things, can’t you? "

Lin Yuan raised her eyebrows at him, making Zhou Yang grow apprehensive inside.

Despite being just a fourteen-year-old girl, her way of assessing people was no less incisive than Princess Anle’s.

No wonder many in the mansion used to say that this young girl was capable of helping the young master manage the tavern—it seems she must possess considerable skill to have caught the eye of the young master and the princess.

"Miss, rest assured, now that Zhou Yang has joined the Lin Mansion, I am one of its people, and will naturally consider the best interests of the Lin Mansion in everything, without reservation.

" Though he didn’t speak with lofty rhetoric, the moreordinary words he chose conveyed his sincerity all the more clearly.

Lin Yuan was very pleased with Butler Zhou.

After discussing the people and affairs of the mansion with Zhou Yang, Lin Yuan let him go about his tasks.

Just as he was leaving, Lin Yuan suddenly remembered Ding Ming and Ding Liang, who had accompanied them, and called out to Zhou Yang, "Butler Zhou, you need to select some guards for our mansion quickly; let’s have Ding Ming in charge of them.

He has a meticulous mind and his martial skills are not bad; I trust him completely. "

The choice of guards for the mansion was an important issue, and one had to use people they could trust. Zhou Yang had been considering who would be suitable for the role, and now that Lin Yuan had made her selection, it eased one of his worries.

Lin Yuan indeed had a lot of trust in Ding Ming and Ding Liang. With Ding Ming being more stable in temperament—although he often sneakily used Ding Liang’s cream—on major matters, he was totally reliable. Lin Yuan felt at ease entrusting him with the responsibility of the mansion’s guards.

As for Ding Liang, with a more lively nature, Lin Yuan arranged for him to stay by Lin Jiaxin’s side, so that he could serve as a guard for either of the couple when they went out.

After sending Zhou Yang away, just as Lin Yuan was about to get up and take a walk in the back garden, she saw Zhou Yang return, reporting the arrival of Dong Qing from the Xia Mansion.

Lin Yuan was surprised, and Zhou Yang, noticing her thoughts, quickly added, "Dong Qing is the young servant of the young master."