"Look at that glare. As if I was some scheming consort whispering poison into the emperor's ear." This line had me in stitches XD The scriptwriter really knows their job.
It's a few months. Of course he's the new guy. For a wealthy clan like the Rong, many of their servants are either slaves or indentured. Generations of the same family may serve the clan. A new guy or stranger will stand out immediately.
Her battle of wits with ML is a pleasure to watch.