Shen Changyuan observed everyone's expressions and said with a smile,
"Since everyone is here, let's have lunch together."
Shen Mu also smiled and said,
"Perfect timing! The estate just purchased some beef today. We'll have stewed beef for lunch!"
[Ding—]
Hearing this sound, everyone knew a scandal was coming!
[Host, scandal incoming! Steward Zhao, the procurement manager, bought beef using the Marquis Estate's funds and also purchased an extra portion for his own family!]
[Ding— Old Mrs. Qian from the inner courtyard secretly took pastries from the main kitchen home for her grandson!]
[Ding— Your mother, Lady Xie, the matriarch of the Marquis Estate—her maid Caiwei wants to climb into your father's bed to become a concubine! She has already prepared peach blossom powder and plans to carry out her scheme tonight!]
Shen Mingzhu sat at the table sipping tea without changing her expression.
Shen Qinghong stared in shock at his parents at the head of the table.
How should he tell them about these matters!
He was so anxious!
For this family, he was truly worrying himself to death!
Shen Mingzhu felt like lying down again.
Shen Jiaojiao looked displeased at the others, hoping her father and eldest brother would notice her displeasure and comfort her.
Unfortunately, their minds were elsewhere.
Especially Shen Changyuan—he was quite angry!
Since when did maids become so bold as to scheme against him?
Over the years, besides Shen Mu, he only had two concubines. He wasn't a lustful man, devoting himself entirely to official duties—this was evident to all.
He signaled with his eyes to Shen Mu to quickly deal with that maid named Caiwei!
"Let's go. Lunch will still be a while. We can have some tea and pastries in the garden."
During this time, Shen Mu quietly instructed her wet nurse, Old Mrs. Zhou, to handle the matter.
That day, Shen Mu stayed with Shen Mingzhu the whole time. Even Shen Qinghong, who usually disliked her, remained with her for quite a while.
It wasn't until Shen Mingzhu had yawned several times that they left.
"Mother, I'm going to sleep for a while."
[The baby is only fifteen and still growing!]
Shen Mu looked at her dotingly and said with a smile,
"Alright, Mingzhu, rest for a while. If you need anything, have the maid call for me."
"Understood, Mother."
Shen Mu tucked her in properly before leaving Shen Mingzhu's Mingzhu Courtyard.
Once she turned away, Shen Mu's expression turned cold. She took Old Mrs. Zhou and directly dealt with Steward Zhao, Old Mrs. Qian, and the maid Caiwei!
The authority of the matriarch was displayed to the fullest.
For a time, all the servants in the Marquis Estate worked with extreme caution, afraid of making any mistake that might lead to being sold off.
The next day at court, Minister Su immediately changed his path upon seeing Shen Changyuan. The other ministers saw this and knew Minister Shen had won yesterday's confrontation!
Royal Censor Wang walked beside Shen Changyuan, chuckling as he said,
"Brother Xueming, well done!"
"Brother Wang, you flatter me!"
"Hahaha—"
The two looked at each other and laughed.
Clearly, the crisp autumn weather matched their excellent moods.
Meanwhile, at Yikun Palace.
Li Consort Su Bao'er was so furious she smashed all the porcelain in her palace.
"Damn the Shen family! How dare they treat Father like this!"
Indeed, Minister Su's youngest daughter was the current Li Consort. She had borne one son and one daughter—the son being the current Second Prince Yan Yunxuan, and the daughter being the Eldest Princess Changle.
Over the years, she had enjoyed unwavering favor, making even the empress avoid confronting her. Yet the Shen family dared to break off the engagement with their Su family.
How infuriating!
"Your Highness, the Minister of Personnel has sent word advising you not to interfere. The Su family is at fault in this matter."
"Hmph!"
Su Bao'er let out a light snort, clearly dissatisfied with this outcome.
There will be plenty of time—just wait and see, Shen family!
…………
Soon, the annual Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
Shen Qingbo, the fourth son of the Shen family, had also returned from outside.
The maid Liangqiao happily came in to report,
"Eldest Miss, the Fourth Young Master has returned to the mansion and brought many gifts. Everyone is distributing them in the Flower Hall right now! Hurry and choose the gifts you like. Just now, Madam was asking about you!"
Shen Mingzhu showed little interest and slowly rose to her feet.
"Alright."
After saying this, she washed up, dressed, and went to the Flower Hall.
"Mingzhu, Mingzhu, come quickly!"
Shen Mu, upon seeing Shen Mingzhu, quickly pulled her forward.
Seated at the head was still Old Madam Wangshi.
This was their third meeting since their last encounter.
Wangshi lived a secluded life, wholly devoted to Buddhist practices, and even had a small prayer hall in Shoukang Courtyard.
As she looked at Shen Mingzhu, a flicker of disgust passed through Wangshi's eyes.
In the past, she would have simply ignored this granddaughter, but after the previous incident, she had grown somewhat averse to her!
To be precise, she was somewhat afraid to interact with this granddaughter!
Fearful that more secrets might be exposed!
Which elderly madam who had lived this long hadn't had questionable deeds in her youth?!
Shen Mingzhu smiled but said nothing.
Shen Qingbo, upon seeing her arrival, paid her no attention and continued helping Shen Jiaojiao select gifts.
"Jiaojiao, look at this jade hairpin—it would surely look beautiful on you."
"Jiaojiao, see this red coral bracelet? It's a rare find!"
"Jiaojiao, these are Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks. They say using these chopsticks while eating can detect poison in advance!"
"Jiaojiao…………"
…………
Shen Mingzhu watched Shen Qingbo's behavior and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Shen Qinghong, observing her reaction, snickered beside her.
Immediately after, all of them heard Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts.
[Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, and even Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks! Your dear Jiaojiao will later bribe your personal attendant to poison you daily until you're beyond cure, and finally, you'll be smothered to death with a pillow!]
[I think those Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks are perfect for you! Stop calling her "Jiaojiao" nonstop! How utterly foolish!]
Clatter!
The glass lantern in Shen Qingbo's hand fell to the ground and shattered!
He stared at Shen Jiaojiao in disbelief.
Then he glared furiously at Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Mu looked at Shen Qingbo and Shen Jiaojiao in shock—was Qingbo's fate so tragic?
Was Jiaojiao really so vicious?
Shen Qinghong, seeing Shen Qingbo about to erupt, quickly grabbed him firmly and whispered sharply in his ear.
"Shut up!"
Shen Qingbo stared at Shen Mingzhu with bloodshot eyes.
How malicious!
Like a scorpion's sting or a serpent's bite—truly, the most venomous is a woman's heart!
Indeed, the books do not lie!
Shen Mingzhu was that venomous needle in their Shen family—so wicked!
The corner of his mouth twitched, and he longed to rush over and strike her.
[Gua Gua, does Shen Qingbo have pink eye? Look how red his eyes are!]
[Host, pink eye is an acute inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection. Shen Qingbo has been studying diligently at the academy—it's probably due to eye strain. He'll be fine with proper rest!]
[Oh, alright then. Can't be bothered with him!]
Shen Mu pulled Shen Mingzhu over and took the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks into her hand.
"Mingzhu, since you're in need of a pair of chopsticks, I think these Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks would be perfect for you!"
Shen Jiaojiao's eyes sparkled as she stared at the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks in Shen Mu's hands. These were rare treasures she had been hoping to present to Li Consort, the mother of Second Prince Yan Yunxuan, as a gift!
In the palace full of schemes and intrigues that were hard to guard against, having such a pair of chopsticks would provide great convenience.
Gazing at the chopsticks in Shen Mu's hands, Shen Jiaojiao looked at Shen Qingbo with hopeful eyes, wishing her fourth brother would help retrieve the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks.