"Anyway, since Madam has spoken, Ill go and attend to our young mistress first... We still have a servant, Yang Mama, watching over the luggage at the inn..."

  Dare to speak in front of the master, naturally its not an ordinary person.

  Thinking of her young niece, she dared to travel alone from Jiangnan to Kyoto, and she couldnt help but take a closer look at the two Huangs.

  Huang realized she had lost her manners and stood behind Shen Yuerong with a red face and lowered head.

  Mr. Li remained calm and asked the name of the inn, calling a woman surnamed Qi to report to General Wang in the outer courtyard, asking him to arrange for someone to pick up their luggage and receive them. He also instructed Mrs. Li to tidy up the house, bring out new bedding, and have the clever maid and capable daughter-in-law serve Shen Yueshuang. He told the kitchen to prepare southern-style food, and after a series of instructions, Mrs. Li responded one by one and took Shen Yueshuang downstairs to rest.

  Madam Wang helped Li into the western wing, and Chens wife busied herself attending to Li on the nanmu bed, seeing that Li looked tired, she ordered a young maid to bring a basin of water, while Shen Muqing cleverly helped Li massage her shoulders.

  Li drank some water and felt a bit better, saying: "Weve starved Muqing to death. Serve the meal!" The last sentence was an order to Chen Niangniang.

  Aunt Chen left at the sound of her name being called.

  Shen Muqing leaned in close to Lis ear and asked, "Elder sister, whats wrong? I thought I heard you crying!"

  Li and his daughter had always been close, and he was happy to chat with Shen Muqing about family matters.

  She took a sip of water and said with a sigh: "The second wife passed away in mid-July. Before the seventh day of her death, the second master gave 500 taels of silver to Moon Sols uncle and wanted to make Ren Shi his successor. Moon Sols uncle accepted the silver, drew a contract, and after the seventh day of the second wifes death, the second master made Ren Shi his legitimate wife. Then he hastily arranged a marriage for Moon Sol, asking her to get married within 100 days, but Moon Sol was unwilling, so she secretly ran away with her wet nurse to Kyoto, wanting Master to intervene on her behalf and cancel the engagement!"

  I didnt expect it to be like this!

  Shen Mu Qing was somewhat stunned.

  Yuè Róng looks soft and weak, but unexpectedly has such courage, not only running away from marriage, but also thinking of seeking help from her uncle in Kyoto, who is a government official thousands of miles away, to solve this thorny problem...

  Shen Muqing wanted to express her admiration, but then thought that someone of Lis generation might not necessarily like Shen Yueshens approach... She just softly said "uh-huh".

  Madam Wang said in confusion, "Could it be that Second Master didnt come to report because he knew he had done something improper and was afraid of being reprimanded? But this matter cant be hidden anyway!"

  Mr. Li sighed: "He has never done anything serious in his life, which is also expected. I just didnt expect that the second lady and he would be married, and he wouldnt even give this little bit of face. According to what Rong Yue said, this marriage was not very reliable either. The other party is a distant nephew of the Ren family, not to mention that his parents are both dead, there is no fixed property at home, only read a few years in private school, and brought a group of people to help with the county government... You say, isnt this just a rogue? I dont know how the Ren family thought of marrying Rong Yue to such a person..." As he spoke, Mr. Li furrowed his brow, "Or maybe this wasnt the Ren familys idea either... Without Old Master Ers consent, I think the Ren family wouldnt have had the guts to do so, after all, she is the newly appointed mistress, and still has to pretend to be a virtuous wife..."

  Wangs mother whispered: "Madam and I have come to an agreement... among the four sons and four daughters of the second house, only Yuexiang is a legitimate daughter."

  Li was taken aback and said: "I had forgotten about this... Second Uncle, isnt he the matchmaker for Second Aunts dowry..."

  "Second Mistress brought over 64 sedan chairs of dowry when she got married," said Wangs mother, "that land alone is a full 4,000 mu, plus the storefronts in Hangzhou, this isnt a small amount!"

  Li listened, silent for a moment, and sighed: "To think that she was six years younger than me... At the time, she was also a shrewd and fierce person who could kill tigers. Who would have thought that after her death, it would be like this? She couldnt even protect her only daughter..." As he spoke, Lis expression became somewhat solemn.

  Shen Muqing saw it and thought Li Shi was still worried about the affairs of the second masters family, so he hurriedly comforted Li Shi: "Birth, old age, illness, death, these are all common things in life. Madam should broaden her horizons and not worry too much, lest she harm her body."

  Li listened and turned her head to look at Shen Muqing.

  Her face was faintly pale, her expression stern, and her eyes stared straight at Shen Muqing, making him feel a chill in his heart without saying a word.

  "Madam, madam, whats wrong?" Shen Muqing forced a smile and pushed Li Shi, trying to liven up the atmosphere with this playful way.

  Lis expression did indeed soften in her push.

  Shen Mu Qings heart suddenly felt a little wider, and he smiled: "How come Auntie went to deliver food, but hasnt returned by this time?"

  Mr. Li responded with a completely unrelated sentence: "Isnt it time for Princess Wang of Zhenan to celebrate her birthday?"

  Shen Mu Qing had always been indifferent to these matters, and his gaze fell on Wang Mama.

  Madam Wang smiled and said: "The lady has a good memory... The princesss birthday is on November 24th."

  Li nodded and suddenly asked calmly: "When will Aunt Du be back?"

  Du Gu Gus maiden name was "Han", originally a skilled embroiderer in the Imperial Workshop, and had even served Empress Dowager. Later, due to poor eyesight, she could no longer do embroidery work and was released. With nowhere to go, she sought help from the Imperial Household Department, hoping to find a new position as an embroiderer. Coincidentally, Shen Zhen was looking for an embroiderer for his daughter, so the department recommended her. The agreed salary was 20 taels of silver per year, plus two sets of seasonal clothing, and additional rewards during festivals and holidays.

  Perhaps because Du Gu Gu was not a female official but an embroidery girl, she was not as strict and stern as everyone imagined, but rather taciturn and cautious in her words and actions. She never stepped out of the house without being summoned by Li Shi, and even when the mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law went to visit her, they were subdued. Although she wasnt particularly close with people, she also didnt misunderstand them. Moreover, she was very attentive to Shen Mu Qings embroidery skills, teaching her seriously and meticulously. In just two short years, Shen Mu Qing could already embroider a pillowcase on her own.

  Li was very satisfied with this. Although she was proud that her family had a former palace maid who was an embroiderer, she also didnt want the embroiderer to point fingers or put on airs in front of her at home, thinking she was really a master... So it can be said that both host and guest were happy.

  Two days ago, Dus aunt suddenly asked Li for leave, saying that a sister living in Cien Temple was unwell and wanted to go see her.

  Jiōn-ji Temple, located at the foot of Nishiyama in Kyoto, is an imperial temple and is called "Yōrōden" by the people of Kyoto. The nuns inside are mostly former palace ladies-in-waiting who have served before the emperors consorts. They either grew too old or their masters passed away, or they had illnesses that made them unable to serve in the palace anymore. Their masters pitied them and sent them to Jiōn-ji Temple to become nuns and spend the rest of their lives in quiet contemplation.

  It was Dus aunts sister, who also lived in Cien Temple. Li heard this and naturally agreed readily. He rewarded her with twenty taels of silver, gave her a set of new clothes and accessories, and assigned a horse carriage and servants to escort her. They agreed that she would return in three days, so today should be the day Dus aunt returns.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and responded with a "yes".

  "Li said: "Aunt Du is back, you discuss with her and embroider two handkerchiefs for me. I plan to give them as a gift to the Queen of King Zhenan on her birthday... If you dont have time, let Aunt Du help you with the embroidery!"

  Zhenan King Yuan Tong, courtesy name Xi Chun, is only in his 40s. He inherited the title and is the only king of a different surname in the Great Zhou Dynasty. He commands 300,000 elite soldiers stationed in Xuandong. In the past 12 years, he has fought over 100 battles against the Mongol Khan, never losing once. He is known as the greatest military general of his time and a hot figure in the Great Zhou court. On his wifes birthday, even the Empress Dowager would attend to join in the celebration.

  "Please rest assured, madam, I wont let you lose face... but Im not sure if the princess has any special preferences, we should investigate carefully."

  "Ah, no need for that," said Li with a smile. "As long as the gift is impressive, its fine... Ah yes, arent you the best at painting peonies? Then embroider some peonies... draw some unique flower patterns yourself... The king of flowers, theres none better than this."

  Serene and clear, this is to secretly support Madame Zhenan Wang without revealing any expression.

  A few people were talking, and the aunt came in to set the table. Mother quickly called in a young servant girl to help Shens mother and daughter wash their hands. Everyone temporarily put aside what had just happened and quietly ate a meal.

  After dinner, Li didnt keep her daughter and herself company as usual, but instead made an excuse that she was a bit tired and had Lis mother send her back. Shen Muqing thought that Li might still have to arrange things for Shen Yueshuang, smiled and bowed his knees, also not asking Lis mother to accompany him, and returned to his own room with Luo Mei and Jinxiu.

  The An Garden is a traditional Chinese courtyard with a five-bay main hall and a three-bay wing, decorated in a grand and luxurious style. The lattice windows of the wing were remade this spring, all featuring the popular "ten brocade" pattern from Jiangnan. The door hangs with crimson silk curtains, the main hall has a silver-inlaid lacquer screen with a landscape painting of fishermen and scholars, a Luo Han bed with a continuous headboard made of purple sandalwood, and a large heated kang in the western wing by the window. The bedroom has an eight-step black-lacquered bed with mother-of-pearl inlay, and inside stands a tall purple sandalwood dressing mirror. On the kang table are placed Yuzhou teacups, on the small table is a self-striking clock, and on the powder wall hang various pendant vases...

  Shen Muqing lay down on the large kang by the window in the western wing, and from the bottom drawer of a small table, she pulled out "The Legend of the White Snake" which someone had secretly brought in for her from outside. She read it with great relish.

  Plum blossoms were seen, covering her mouth and smiling, she took out a small quilt from the Nanmu wood carved flower copper wrapped corner cabinet and put it on Shen Muqings knees, and brought tea and fruit to the kang table.

  The house was quiet and still, with the little maids standing by, all holding their breath.

  Shen Muqing looked at the book, from time to time drinking a mouthful of tea, gradually felt tired, and fell asleep on the big pillow.

  Thank you for the support from all sisters, its on the weekly recommended list! Getting ready to rush into the new book list, click on recommendations and collections, I want them all o(∩_∩)o... Haha