"Bastard!" Shen Muqing was furious, "It's my fault that I let you bully me in the Medicine King Temple... If the inner courtyard of the Shen family still lets you bully me, I'd rather die." She said as she rushed out.

  Xiao Xiao swiftly grabbed her arm: "Look again!"

  Shen Muqing was pulled by Xiao Xiao and stumbled into his arms, and she stood there like a wax figure.

  Xiao Xiao let out a low laugh, and even through the thick robes, she could feel the vibrations of his chest.

  "How could this be?" Shen Muqing muttered to herself.

  "So, you should grow up. Don't be so impulsive when doing things, don't make a storm in a teacup." Xiao Sa's laughter became even more pleasant.

  In the woods beside Taihu Stone Archway, a man in a sheepskin-lined jacket and Zhuiji, who had been struggling with all her might, were tightly embracing each other. Zhuiji even rested her head on the man's chest, her demeanor extremely gentle.

  First there was brocade, then there were pearls... who else is there?

  Shen Muqing was driven crazy by this change.

  "Hmm," Xiao Sa pushed her, "I have an idea."

  Shen Muqing hadn't yet recovered from this change when she heard Xiao Sa speaking to her, and merely hummed a soft response.

  "You sneak up behind them and pretend to run into them suddenly." Xiao Sa whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her ear and making her shiver slightly. "You've got a hold on her now, and she won't dare bully you again. Next time, even if it's your own sister-in-law who's trying to make things difficult for you, you'll have someone to rely on."

  It seems like Shen Muqing smelled that faint scent of cedar again, and absent-mindedly said: "Yes, when the time comes, someone will know about it, she'll definitely think I'm the one who spread it around...and hate me to death first..."

  "Dummy!" Xiao Sa's voice was laced with a smile, warm and endearing. "When you go to catch them, I'll help... isn't there a tree nearby? When the time comes, I'll step on a branch and make some noise. When you return to the house, take a close look at what colors the sisters are wearing..." He lowered his head, but caught sight of a snowy neck amidst a sea of black hair, as white as snow. His heart skipped a beat, his entire body felt soft and weak, unable to muster any energy. His voice became low and husky, completely unlike his usual bright and cheerful tone. "If this gets out, just tell her that you saw a corner of clothing... whoever is mean to you or looks at you with disapproval, just tell her what color the corner of their clothing was... she'll go find them and make them miserable, it has nothing to do with you!"

  That's a good plan!

  Shen Mu Qing suddenly felt a shock all over his body, turned around and stared at him in surprise: "How do you have so many evil ideas!"

  The sound was crisp and pleasant, like a brook babbling against his heart.

  Xiao Xiao felt a chill in her heart and immediately stood up straight: "If you want to use it, then use it. If not, then forget it!" However, her eyes couldn't help but drift back to the collar again.

  A white scarf is tied around her neck, covering it tightly, but this only makes her neck look more slender and snowy white, weak as jade, as if it would break with a single twist.

  He couldn't help but lower his head and look at his own hands.

  His joints were distinct, his fingers were slender and long, with thin calluses on the palmar surface of his fingers, tiger's mouth, and palm heart. The little finger of his left hand was slightly bent inward due to being broken when he was fighting with others, leaving a not very obvious seam... Indeed, it didn't look like a scholar's hand, but he could easily pinch off the skeleton of a mule, let alone the slender neck of this little girl in front of him!

  Xiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly shook off the thought that made him shudder... Nevertheless, his gaze at Shen Muqing had a few more gentle and loving looks that even he himself didn't notice. Then, he gently pushed Shen Muqing: "Go!"

  Shen Muqing was pushed out of the Taihu stone corridor with a stumble.

  Heavy snowflakes danced in the air, rushing towards me, and immediately turned into icy cold water droplets.

  Shen Mu Qing turned around and saw Xiao Sa walking out from the other side of the corridor with big strides.

  He walked while turning his head back to stare at Shen Muqing, meaning she should follow her own words.

  Shen Muqing was still hesitating when Xiao Saoye suddenly jumped up and vanished from her sight like a ghost.

  Without the obstruction of Taihu stone, the wind and snow hit Shen Muqing's body unscrupulously, she couldn't help but shiver a few times, her brain quickly turned around.

  Originally, there was still a glimmer of luck, but after hearing Xiao Xiao's words, Li Shi was afraid that she had made up her mind to deal with the maids by her side. Now, she was only concerned about her own dignity and didn't want to take drastic measures, so she used the method of gradual elimination... If it were like this, it would be better for herself to take action early on and find a good place for each of the maids by her side. If Zhu Ji and that man were mutually in love, then she would help them fulfill their wishes... Having the ability to protect those around her was what allowed others to work wholeheartedly for her sake.

  Shen Mu calmly thought for a moment and decided to follow Xiao Xiao's words.

  She darted into the woods, made a turn and appeared behind Zhu Di.

  The appearance of the man opposite her was suddenly revealed before her eyes.

  Shen Mu Qing was shocked, that man wearing a sheepskin-lined robe was none other than Zhou Bai Mu, Shen Zhen's long-time attendant.

  Many inexplicable scenes have been answered.

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but laugh silently. Then, she saw Zhou Bai Mu take out a crimson gold pomegranate flower wrapped silk wristlet from his pocket and put it on Zhu Ji's wrist.

  Pomegranate... pearls were born in September.

  I really didn't expect Zhou Baomu to have such a romantic sentiment.

  "It's almost the end of the year, when my father arrives, I'll ask him to propose to Madam on my behalf!" Zhou Bai Mu gazed at Zhu Ji with deep affection.

  Zhou Bing was in charge of the account room. Every year from January to September, he would go to Jiangnan to settle accounts with the managers of several shops owned by the Shen family. In December, he would definitely bring back silver bills to celebrate the New Year.

  Shen Muqing couldn't see Zhu Yi's expression, but only heard her softly say "uh-huh" before burying her head in Zhou Bai Mu's chest.

  Zhou Bai Mu smiled with his mouth ajar, just wanting to hold Zhu Di in his arms, when he caught sight of a touch of peach red in the vast expanse of white.

  He immediately broke out in a cold sweat and turned around to pull the pearl behind his back, stiffly shouting "Miss".

  Zhu Qi was dragged by Zhou Bai Mu until she was dizzy and disoriented, but that voice "young lady" still clearly echoed in her ears.

  At this moment, Shen Muqing also heard a very clear creaking sound of footsteps on the tree branches.

  She couldn't help but smile slightly.

  Zhu Qi raised her head and happened to see Shen Mu's thoughtful smile.

  Her legs went limp and she slid down.

  Zhou Baimu saw this and hastily wrapped her in his arms: "Miss, it's all my fault, has nothing to do with Zhuji."

  Shen Mu nodded slightly and said: "Zhu Ji, quickly give me my cloak, I'm freezing to death."

  Zhu Qi listened and immediately broke free from Zhou Bai Mu's arms, walking towards her with a quivering heart.

  Zhou Bai Mu saw her, his face full of anxiety. With a "thud" he knelt on the snowy ground and called out in a low voice "Miss", his tone as sorrowful as a small animal falling into a trap: "Considering that Zhu Yi has served you for so many years without any major mistakes, please Miss, have mercy and spare Zhu Yi's life. It was all my fault, I was blinded by evil spirits, that's why I did something so shameful..."

  Zhu Qi saw it, also knelt on the ground with Shen Muqing and kowtowed: "Young lady, don't get involved with him... Begging young lady not to make a sound in front of the old master, I'll die or sell myself, I won't say another word."

  "Come on, get up quickly. You've almost frozen me to illness. Even if I don't say anything, the mistress won't let you off easily."

  The two of them heard it and were both overjoyed. They exchanged a look of joy that was like escaping death, and supported each other as they stood up.

  Zhu Qi hurriedly helped Shen Muqing put on his cloak.

  Shen Muqing smiled at Zhou Baomu and said, "The night is long and dreams are many, you'd better settle this matter quickly!"

  Zhou Bai Mu and Zhu Ji both blushed.

  Shen Muqing smiled and took Zhu Yiqi away.

  As soon as they left the garden gate, Zhu Di couldn't help but make small talk: "Miss, did you see Mr. Liu? What did he say? Is Madam okay?"

  Mrs. Shen Mu Qing heard this and hesitated, her voice trembling as she said: "I'm afraid it's not quite right..."

  When Shen Mu Qing let her secretly ask Fang Zi, Zhu Ji had already guessed a few points in her heart. Now that this guess has been confirmed, how can Zhu Ji not be flustered?

  She tightly grasped Shen Muqing's sleeve.

  Looking at the white fingertips on her peach-red sleeves, Shen Muqing suddenly realized that once the pattern of the Shen Mansion changed, it was not just her who would be worried and afraid, but many others as well...

  For a moment, the two of them stood there speechlessly facing each other.

  On the winding corridor, Orange Fragrance was hurrying along with two little maidservants. From a distance, she called out without regard for propriety: "Miss, I've been searching everywhere for you."

  Shen Mu Qing was shocked.

  It's time for lunch now, and the Li family should have set up their table too. If I linger here, and don't see myself going back, I'm afraid Orange Fragrance will be sent to fetch me.

  She hurried over: "How's it going on your wife's side? Has dinner been served?"

  Tangerine hastily gave her a bow, with a hint of anxiety in his expression: "Miss, Madam is being taken care of by Old Mother Wang on that side, everything is going smoothly. However, the wife of Duke Dingyuan, Mrs. Liang, has brought their daughter... The mistress asks you to take Miss Liang to An Garden for lunch."

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment.

  How did Mrs. Liang bring her daughter to this kind of occasion today?

  Although she had doubts in her mind, she still responded with a sound and hastily went to Chaoxitang with Chengxiang.

  A few madams had a banquet in the eastern wing of the corridor, where twelve green silk windows were only open to two doors on the left corner. The red copper beast head tripod brazier was burning brightly against the wall, and the low laughter could be heard from inside.

  A young and capable daughter-in-law stood in front of the open door, taking over the food boxes handed over by the mothers-in-law and passing them inside. Seeing Shen Muqing enter, they all bowed to her and called out "Young Lady" in a low voice.

  Shen Muqing nodded towards the direction of the green silk curtain and slightly raised her chin, indicating that they should not disturb the person inside.

  But the people inside still heard the noise, and after a few whispers, Wang's mother smiled and appeared at the door: "Miss, Mrs. Hu invites you in!"

  Shen Muqing didn't know what was going on, but she still tidied up her collar and asked Zhuji in a low voice, "Is my hair messy?"

  Zhu Qi looked at her seriously and shook his head.

  Shen Muqing finally took off his cloak and walked in with Wang's mother.

  (Tomorrow around 12 noon, there will be an update! O(∩_∩)O Haha ~ Please continue to support Xiao Xiao with the remaining votes, thank you!)