"Ruby Hall is amiable with people and conducts herself appropriately. I can't really see anything else about her for now." Fiona Quinn thought carefully for a moment, but could only say this, then shook her head. "She came from outside, and has only served the old madam for a year before being promoted from third-class to second-class. She must be extremely clever. I am foolish and useless, and can't figure out her temperament."

Fiona Quinn's words did not surprise Lauren Brooks. She had managed recruitment and training before, and even she could only tell that Ruby Hall was a person with strong opinions, even a certain indescribable stubbornness. So after smiling, she teased Fiona Quinn a little. The mistress and servant chatted for a while, then Lauren Brooks suddenly asked, "Have you reminded Evelyn Young not to always be at odds with Ruby Hall?"

"Evelyn Young—that little minx—it's not like she doesn't know. She's proud, sharp-tongued, but whenever something was missing in the courtyard before, she was always the one to put herself out there and fight for it. She has a good heart. Even in front of me, she often talks back, let alone when someone suddenly comes in over her head. But all she does is mutter that Ruby Hall was bought from outside, her background is completely unknown, not as reliable as someone born in the household. She hasn't said much else. I did say a few words to her, but she said the young lady likes that she wears everything on her face and doesn't hide any other thoughts in her heart. With that, I couldn't say anything more."

Lauren Brooks raised the corner of her mouth, picked up a small lidded bowl, gently filtered the tea leaves off the top with the lid, took a sip, and said softly, "Wearing everything on your face isn't wrong. I just hope she can be a bit softer. Ruby Hall was given by the old madam. Even you and I have to show her some respect. If Evelyn Young keeps giving her attitude, what will others think? Never mind, later pick two complicated embroidery tasks for her, let her calm down a bit. If she doesn't listen, tell me again and I'll think of something. Also, when Fourth Brother comes in the future, keep an eye on her."

Everything before made sense, so Fiona Quinn nodded repeatedly, but at the last sentence, she was suddenly startled. Thinking carefully, whenever Ian Brooks came over, Evelyn Young was always there, either serving tea and water or chatting with him—every time, without exception. Although Fourth Young Master was only eleven, Evelyn Young was just thirteen. When they get a bit older, who knows what might happen. So, she took a deep breath to steady herself, then knelt and bowed.

"Yes, I understand."

In the evening, as usual, each household went to Liao Xiang Courtyard to pay respects to Ms. Turner after dinner. The large warm chamber was naturally packed with people, even the rarely seen Marquis Yangning, Julia Brooks, made an appearance. However, he probably knew his dark circles and tired face were too conspicuous, so he just showed up briefly and left in a hurry. As soon as he left, Second Madam Ms. Harris couldn't sit still either. Ms. Turner understood perfectly, and excused herself to rest, so before long, the whole room dispersed.

After leaving Liao Xiang Courtyard, Ian Brooks naturally took Lauren Brooks's hand. Lauren Brooks had gotten used to his affection these days and simply let him be. When they reached a corner, they could see a row of bright-tiled lamps in the distance along the corridor, and with lanterns in front and behind, the whole path was brightly lit. As Ian Brooks walked, he started kicking a small stone for fun and casually said, "Sis, when I become an official in the future, we won't have to put up with others anymore..."

Before he could finish, he felt his hand squeezed hard, and couldn't help but look up at Lauren Brooks. Lauren Brooks glanced around, then signaled to Fiona Quinn with her eyes. Fiona Quinn quickly went up to chat with the maid carrying the lantern ahead, while Ruby Hall had been lagging behind from the start, talking with two third-class maids, as if she hadn't heard that muttered remark at all.

"Fourth Brother, do you know how many people in our Marquis Yangning household have become xiucai, and how many have become juren or jinshi over the past hundred years?"

Hearing his sister's low voice beside him, Ian Brooks was stunned for a moment, then uncertainly said, "There are quite a few xiucai, probably four or five juren, and as for jinshi, I think only one great-uncle before, and two distant relatives."

"And among these three jinshi, what kind of officials did they become?"

Ian Brooks racked his brains for a while, then shook his head in confusion. At this, Lauren Brooks gripped his hand tightly and said slowly, "It's not strange you don't know, because almost no one remembers them. That great-uncle was extremely diligent, but only passed the second class after the age of forty, then was posted as a county magistrate, slowly climbed the ranks, and by the time he died more than ten years later, he was just a fourth-rank prefect. The two distant relatives had even more stagnant careers, retiring at fifth rank, and none became capital officials. Do you know why, even though we're a marquis household, so few of us become civil officials?"

Seeing Ian Brooks shake his head again, Lauren Brooks sighed softly, stopped to straighten his wind-blown cloak, and then said quietly, "Our family is a hereditary marquisate, and over a hundred years we've built many connections in the military. So for those in the family who want to become officials through study, not only do they not benefit from the family's protection, they're actually held back by our name."

To Lauren Brooks's surprise, Ian Brooks only tilted his head and thought for a while before seeming to understand, and nodded. Then he asked curiously, "Sis, then why did you always push me to study before..."

"I used to want you to be diligent, so we wouldn't be looked down on even more at home. But now, things are different."