Shen Changyuan looked at their expressions and said with a smile,
"Since everyone is here, let's have lunch together."
Mother Shen also smiled and said,
"It just so happens that the manor purchased some beef today, so we'll have stewed beef for lunch!"
[Ding—]
Upon hearing that sound, everyone knew the melon had arrived!
[Host, here's some juicy gossip! Steward Zhao, who's in charge of purchasing, bought beef and even used the Marquis's money to buy a portion for his own family!]
[Ding—Grandma Qian from the inner courtyard secretly took some pastries from the main kitchen home for her little grandson!]
[Ding— Caiwei, a maid in the courtyard of Madam Xie, the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, wants to climb into your father's bed and become his concubine. The Peach Blossom Powder is now ready and prepared to be used tonight!]
Shen Mingzhu sat at the table, calmly drinking her tea.
Shen Qinghong looked at his father and mother at the head of the table in shock.
How is he supposed to tell them all this?
He was so anxious!
He has truly devoted himself to this family!
Shen Mingzhu wanted to lie down again.
Shen Jiaojiao looked at the others with displeasure, hoping that her father and older brother would notice her displeasure and comfort her.
Unfortunately, their minds weren't on this.
Shen Changyuan, in particular, was quite angry!
When did the maid become so bold as to plot against him?
In recent years, besides his wife, he has had two concubines. He is not a lecherous person; he has devoted himself to his official duties, which everyone has seen.
He gestured to Chen's mother with his eyes, telling her to quickly deal with the maid named Caiwei!
"Let's go out, lunch is still a while away. Let's go to the garden to have some tea and pastries."
During this time, Mother Shen secretly instructed her wet nurse, Granny Zhou, to handle the matter.
That day, Shen's mother stayed with Shen Mingzhu the whole time, and even Shen Qinghong, who usually disliked her, spent a long time with her.
Shen Mingzhu left after yawning several times.
"Mom, I'm going to sleep for a while."
[The child is only fifteen years old and still growing!]
Mother Shen looked at her with doting eyes and said with a smile,
"Alright, Mingzhu, you can rest for a while. If you need anything, just have the maid call your mother."
"I understand, Mother."
Shen's mother tucked the blanket around her and then left Shen Mingzhu's in her Courtyard.
Madam Shen went out, her face turning cold. She and Granny Zhou dealt with Steward Zhao, Granny Qian, and the maid Caiwei all on their own!
The matriarch's authority was fully displayed.
For a time, all the servants in the Marquis's mansion were extremely cautious in their actions, fearing that they might be sold off for doing something wrong.
The next day at court, Minister Su saw Shen Changyuan and immediately took a detour. When the ministers saw this, they realized that Minister Shen had won the previous day confrontation!
Imperial Censor Wang walked beside Shen Changyuan, smiling broadly.
"Brother Changyuan, that's impressive!"
"Brother Wang, you flatter me!"
Hahaha~~~
The two looked at each other and laughed.
Clearly, the crisp autumn air today put them in a very good mood.
At this moment, in Yikun Palace.
Consort Li, Su Bao'er, was so angry that she smashed all the porcelain in the palace.
"Damn the Shen family, how dare they treat my father like this."
Yes, Minister Su's youngest daughter is Consort Li, who has a son and a daughter. The son is the current Second Prince Yan Yunxuan, and the daughter is the eldest princess Chang Le.
Over the years, she has enjoyed undiminished favor, and even those in the harem had to avoid her sharp edge. Unexpectedly, the Shen family actually dared to break off their engagement with the Su family.
hateful!
"Your Majesty, the Minister has sent word that you should not interfere, as the Su family is in the wrong in this matter."
"snort!"
Su Bao'er gave a soft snort, clearly dissatisfied with the result.
There's plenty of time ahead, the Shen family just wait!
...
Soon, the annual Mid-Autumn Festival will arrive.
Shen Qingbo, the fourth son of the Shen family, also returned from his education tour.
The maid Lianqiao happily came in to report.
"Miss, the Fourth Young Master has returned to the manor, and he brought many gifts. Everyone is selecting in the flower hall! Please go and choose your favorite gift. Madam just asked you about it!"
Shen Mingzhu, lacking interest, slowly got up.
"All right."
After finishing her business, she washed up, got dressed, and went to the flower hall.
"Mingzhu, Mingzhu, come quickly!"
When Shen's mother saw Shen Mingzhu, she quickly pulled her forward.
The head of the table was still the old lady, Madam Wang.
This was their third meeting since their last one.
Wang lived a secluded life, devoted to Buddhism, and there was even a small Buddhist hall in Shou Kang Yuan.
A flash of disgust crossed Wang's eyes as she looked at Shen Mingzhu.
In the past, she would have simply ignored her granddaughter Shen Mingzhu, but after what happened last time, she now disliked her even more.
To be precise, some people are afraid to have any contact with her granddaughter!
They were afraid that something new would be exposed!
The old lady who's still alive today, whose hands were ever clean when they were young?!
Shen Mingzhu smiled but didn't say anything.
When Shen Qingbo saw her arrive, he completely ignored her and continued to help Shen Jiaojiao choose gifts.
"Little Jiaojiao, what do you think of this jade hairpin? You'll look beautiful wearing it."
"Little Jiaojiao, look at this red coral bracelet, it's a rare find!"
"Little Jiao Jiao, these are the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks. It is said that you can test for poison before eating if you use these chopsticks!"
"Little Jiaojiao..."
Shen Mingzhu rolled her eyes at Shen Qingbo's expression.
Shen Qinghong watched her and chuckled to himself.
Immediately afterwards, everyone heard Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts.
[My darling little sister this, my darling little sister that, you're even gifting her the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks! Your little darling will one day bribe your personal servant to poison you every day until you're terminally ill and beyond cure, and finally be smothered to death with a pillow!]
[I think those Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks are perfect for you! Stop calling her 'little sister all the time! It's incredibly stupid!]
Thud!
The glass lamp in Shen Qingbo's hand fell to the ground and shattered!
He looked at Shen Jiaojiao in disbelief.
Then he glared angrily at Shen Mingzhu.
Shen's mother looked at Shen Qingbo and Shen Jiaojiao in disbelief. Was Qingbo really that miserable?
Is Jiaojiao really that vicious?
Seeing that Shen Qingbo was about to explode, Shen Qinghong quickly grabbed him tightly and whispered in his ear.
"Cool down!"
Shen Qingbo stared at Shen Mingzhu with bloodshot eyes.
That's so vicious!
A woman's heart is as venomous as the stinger of a wasp!
Indeed, the books were right!
Shen Mingzhu is the poison needle in their Shen family, how vicious!
His lips twitched; he wanted nothing more than to go up and punch her.
[Guagua, does Shen Qingbo have conjunctivitis? Look, his eyes are all red!]
[Host, conjunctivitis is an acute inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection. Shen Qingbo has been studying diligently at the academy; he's probably just overusing his eyes. A good rest will fix it!]
Oh well, fine, I can't be bothered with him!
Mother Shen pulled Shen Mingzhu over and took the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks into her hands.
"Mingzhu, you happen to be missing a pair of chopsticks. I think these Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks would be perfect for you!"
Shen Jiaojiao's eyes lit up when she saw the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks in her mother's hand. This was a rare and precious item. She had been thinking of using it to present to Consort Li, the mother of the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan!
The palace is rife with intrigue and deceit, making it impossible to guard against everything. Having a pair of chopsticks like these would make things much easier.
Looking at the chopsticks in her mother's hand, Shen Jiaojiao looked at Shen Qingbo with expectant eyes, hoping that her fourth brother would help her get the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks back.