Chapter 13: A Grand Departure and the Rise of a Manager

In Chapter 13, the passing of Qin Keqing plunges the Ningguo Mansion into a state of profound grief and logistical chaos. Jia Zhen, consumed by an almost excessive sorrow, spares no expense for the funeral, even purchasing a high-ranking imperial title for his son, Jia Rong, to ensure the ceremony's prestige. Beneath the white mourning robes and the heavy scent of incense, the mansion struggles with its own internal disorder, as the lack of a strong hand leads to negligence and theft among the unruly servants.

However, the need for order brings a formidable new power to the forefront. Recognizing that his own wife is too ill to manage the massive undertaking, Jia Zhen turns to Wang Xifeng. Stepping into the Ningguo Mansion with absolute authority, Xifeng transitions from a socialite to a high-powered executive. She immediately identifies the systemic failures of the household and imposes a rigid, militaristic schedule. This is Xifeng at her most dominant—efficient, cold, and utterly capable—demonstrating the iron-fisted management skills that cement her status as the most powerful woman in the Jia clan.

In this episode:

• The tragic and elaborate passing of the enigmatic Qin Keqing.
• Jia Zhen’s desperate and lavish display of mourning and social climbing.
• The official appointment of Wang Xifeng as the "Adjuvant Manager" of the Ningguo Mansion.
• The chillingly efficient implementation of Xifeng’s new organizational reforms.