After finishing this, the sky had darkened, and the housekeeper's mother came to ask about Shen Muqing's dinner party. Shen Muqing was busy explaining the details of the dinner party. Liang Youhui stood quietly beside him, watching him with admiring eyes after the housekeeper's mother left: "You're a year younger than me, how do you know so much!"

  "I learned it from my wife!" Shen Muqing said sincerely. But then she thought of Li's illness and Jinxiu's future... Her expression turned gloomy.

  Liang Youhui was unaware of the reason for Shen Muqing's emotional change and thought she was tired, so she said with concern: "Do you want to lie down? I'll call you when it's time to eat?"

  It's really tiring, and I also can't lie down in front of guests.

  "It's okay! It's okay!"

  Liang Youhui's face showed sympathy: "My grandmother was the same - spirited in front of others, but as soon as they left, she seemed to have aged ten years!"

  Shen Mu Qing was somewhat strange.

  Logically, the Liang family is a hereditary marquis, and Liang Yuan is also a proud person. What's more, Old Lady Liang still has to maintain a tough image in front of outsiders... However, every family has its own unspeakable secrets, who knows what's hidden behind this?

  Shen Mu Qing lightly shook her head and decided not to think about the Liang family's affairs anymore.

  Liang Youhui walked behind Shen Muqing and massaged her neck: "I often did this for my grandmother!"

  Although it was unnecessary, Shen Muqing was still slightly moved.

  ******

  That evening's banquet went smoothly, and by the time the lanterns were lit, the guests began to bid their farewells one after another.

  Shen Muqing stood at the corner gate with Li Shi and saw off the female relatives.

  Qin Wei's wife smiled and pulled Shen Muqing's hand: "The more I look, the more I like... good-looking, understanding of reason, and filial... Mrs. Shen, this one of yours is worth ten from other families!"

  Mr. Li smiled and exchanged pleasantries with her: "This is a great honor for my wife!"

  "You're too modest!" Qin Wei's wife said with a smile. Then she spoke seriously, "If the lady has decided on a time to go to the temple, just come and report, don't be polite with me."

  Mr. Li smiled and nodded: "I'll trouble you then, madam!"

  Qin Wei's wife laughed and said: "No trouble, no trouble! I'm more than happy to oblige!"

  As she spoke, she exchanged a glance with Madame Hu Xian, then stepped into the sedan chair with a swish of her skirts.

  When Liang Yuan's wife took her leave, it was a different scene.

  Liang Youhui pulled Shen Muqing's hand: "Sister, don't forget to send me the orchid!" As she spoke, she pinched Shen Muqing's hand hard.

  I don't even know if I've been taken advantage of! It's just a reminder, no need to be like this!

  Shen Muqing was secretly grumbling in her heart, but a smile appeared on her face: "Sister, rest assured, I'll send it over first thing tomorrow morning!"

  Madam Liang looked at her and smiled apologetically: "Our family has several children, this one is the most stupid, even though Madam herself raised him personally, he hasn't made any progress, please don't mind..."

  Mr. Li smiled politely: "The children are about the same age and can talk to each other."

  "This is also the fate of two children!"

  Mr. Li smiled and nodded, Mrs. Liang's mouth slightly opened as if she wanted to say something, the ladies accompanying her came to bid farewell to Mr. Li, Mrs. Liang smiled and closed her mouth, after those ladies chatted with Mr. Li, she also smiled and left with them.

  After seeing off the guests, it was already completely dark. Shen Muqing couldn't rest yet. Firstly, she had to settle accounts with her mother who was in charge of managing the household. Secondly, she had to check various ledgers and physical items to see if anything was missing and whose responsibility it was. Thirdly, she also had to give some encouragement to those who were handling matters. By the time she finished all these tasks, it was already midnight. Perhaps due to exhaustion, she couldn't sleep well after going to bed and only dozed off when the sky began to brighten up. Then, she personally went with Ying Fen to the greenhouse to arrange for the orchids to be sent to the Liang family's house before heading to the Li family's residence to pay her respects.

  As she arrived a bit late, when she got to Chaohui Hall, Shen Yuesong and Dashu, Tian Mama were just leaving. Everyone saw each other, exchanged greetings, and asked about each other's well-being. Shen Yuesong smiled and said: "I heard that yesterday the second daughter of Dingyuan Hou's family, the Liang family, came to our house as a guest?"

  Shen Mu nodded slightly.

  Shen Yue said with a scowl: "Why didn't you call me over? We two sisters can go together, and you won't have to lose money to Liang's daughter either."

  Shen Muqing just felt a headache and couldn't wait for this sister to return to Taicang as soon as possible.

  "Sister is a guest, how can we disturb her!" She vaguely responded to her for a few sentences and then went into Li's room.

  Li saw Shen Muqing, her eyebrows and eyes were all smiling. She pulled her onto the kang, stroked her head and sighed: "Our family's Muqing has grown up, even without me by her side, she can still develop freely."

  Shen Mu Qing saw that she had a somewhat despondent tone, thinking that she had an empty nest syndrome, and hurriedly comforted her with a smile: "If Madam wasn't supporting me from behind, I wouldn't have such great confidence."

  Li's eyes gazed lovingly at Shen Muqing, and he comfortingly patted her hand: "Don't worry, I'll always be behind you to support you."

  Just then, a little maid brought over some hot milk with sugar and cream that had been simmered to perfection. Li handed it to Shen Muqing personally, saying: "I know you don't like this flavor, but this stuff is nourishing, so be sure to drink it every day."

  Shen Mu Qing responded with a single sound, and then downed it in one gulp, as if drinking medicine.

  Li saw it and smiled with a pursed mouth: "Fruits should be eaten regularly, or one will become dull!"

  Shen Mu Qing nodded repeatedly: "Got it!"

  Simple clothes have simple elegance, and beautiful clothes also have a beautiful atmosphere. Sometimes, don't be stubborn!

  Shen Mu nodded quietly.

  "Although wearing a head full of pearls and jade is troublesome, you can't not wear them. Since you're wearing them, be more dignified and don't worry about losing them."

  Shen Mu Qing's face turned slightly red.

  Thinking of the value of those jewels, she was really afraid of losing them... After all, she still had more petty bourgeois consciousness in her bones!

  "All the hundred schools of thought must be studied, but even a pair of Weiqi pieces cannot be left unlearned."

  Shen Muqing nodded in agreement again.

  But in her heart, she felt strange: what's wrong with Li today, saying such strange words, as if he was making a will!

  A thought flashed, Shen Mu Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he was thinking about whether to probe Li Shi's tone, when a little maid came in and said: "Lin Guanjia has come to pay respects to the madam!"

  Has Lin Jinchai returned from Taicang?

  So Shen Yu Rong's case should have a conclusion now!

  Shen Mu Qing listened and let out a breath, stood up to withdraw, but Li Shi said: "You little girl who hasn't even had your hair pinned up yet - sit back down!"

  It wasn't always like this for Li...

  Although she had doubts in her mind, as soon as she thought that Lin Guan Jia would bring news from the Tao Cang Lao's home, she eagerly sat down.

  Lin Guanjia came in and saw Shen Muqing and Li Shi sitting shoulder to shoulder on the kang, a look of surprise flashing across his face. He respectfully paid his respects to Li Shi and Shen Muqing, and also congratulated Li Shi on Shen Zhen's promotion.

  Li smiled and dismissed all the servants around her, asking Lin, "What's going on at the granary?"

  Lin Guan's family respectfully said: "Everyone is grateful for the old master and madam's kindness, and several elders in the clan also came out to criticize the second master's wrongdoings."

  "What did Second Master say about the moon's eclipse?"

  Lin Guan said tactfully: "The second master says that he owes Mr. Ren five thousand taels of white silver... As for the matter of breaking off the engagement, it's really hard to bring up!"

  Mr. Li burst into anger: "This old good-for-nothing!"

  Lin Guan's family was busy and lowered his head, Shen Muqing was busy pouring a cup of water for Li Shi.

  Li drank a mouthful of hot tea, suppressed his anger and said: "That rascal from the Ren family, have you seen him?"

  Lin Guan's family hesitated for a moment and responded in a low voice, "I've seen it."

  "Go ahead and say it!" Li's tone was full of disdain.

  Lin Guan's family replied irrelevantly: "That Mr. Ren is with me from Kyoto, he is outside the door and wants to see you, madam."

  Li and Shen Muqing were both taken aback.

  "This Mr. Ren is quite the dignified gentleman, eloquent and charismatic, with a flair for grand gestures." Lin, the steward, recalled, "The night I arrived at Taicang, he had already sent someone to invite me to dinner, but I remembered Madam's instructions and didn't dare to indulge in frivolous activities outside. Three or five times, I declined his invitation. But when I returned, Mr. Ren had somehow managed to board the ship before me, and it wasn't until we were fifty miles out that I discovered... No matter how much I protested, Mr. Ren insisted on accompanying me to Kyoto. He even said he wanted to pay his respects to Master... I was really unable to dissuade him, so I had no choice but to..." Lin's face turned bright red with embarrassment as he spoke.

  Li was really not pleased with this "Mr. Ren" and lightly snorted, saying: "He actually knows that Yuè Róng is at our house."

  Lin Guan hastily said: "I didn't dare reveal a single word."

  Li smiled coldly: "You don't say it, but others may say it, and others may guess." As she spoke, she called in Wang's mother.

  "Go and tell Wang Fu that with so many guests at home these days, I won't see that man with the surname Ren again. Have someone take him out to have a meal, don't let him come in."

  Wang's mother left at his call.

  Lin Guan's family was embarrassed.

  Li saw but did not see, and asked Lin's housekeeper: "How is Yuexin at her mother's home?"

  Lin Guan's family way: "Everyone says that the fourth girl is clever and capable. When the second lady was there, she could take care of the whole family."

  Mr. Li nodded and pondered for a long time.

  Although Lin was dressed neatly and had a calm demeanor, his expression betrayed a deep-seated fatigue. Knowing he had been traveling extensively, she gently reminded Mrs. Li, "Madam, Lin has been working hard on the road, let him go back and rest for a while!"

  "Mr. Lin, you can go and rest now!"

  Lin Zongguan looked at Shen Muqing with gratitude and bowed his head before retreating.

  Li's eyes hesitated and looked at Shen Muqing with a hesitant expression.

  "Does Madam want to instruct me in something? Can't she just speak up?"

  Li suddenly smiled at her.

  That smile had an unusualness that Shen Mu Qing didn't know about.

  "Tomorrow is the fifteenth, Mrs. Hu invited me to go to the temple to eat vegetarian food. Do you want to go?"

  Deeply shocked and saddened.

  "Last time, I was too careless." Li sighed faintly, "Originally thinking that the emperor's feet were under heaven and the capital was a heavily guarded place, that Medicine King Temple was just a small temple, usually no one goes there, from top to bottom everyone knew each other, yet didn't think that the more it is like this, the more accidents happen..."

  Wow! 1840 points (*^__^*) Hehe...... Additional update at 9 o'clock! Thanks to all the sisters!