Chapter 2, Shen Residence

The night had grown late. After Chulan finished her washing, she asked someone for ointment to apply to her face. Only then did she, feeling exhausted, lie down to sleep, and soon the sound of her even breathing could be heard

The snow-white forearm was covered in bluish-gray bruises, devoid of any vitality. Only the jade bracelet on the wrist looked familiar to Chulan—suddenly, a scene from the charcoal room appeared before her eyes: a jade hand painted with bright vermilion was caressing the jade bracelet on her wrist, her face full of proud satisfaction

Why aren't you leaving quickly? What are you sneakily peeking at!

Hearing such serious words, and with a mention of the former Lord Hou, everyone was taken aback and immediately knelt down in unison

Chulan desperately covered her mouth, preventing herself from screaming. Her whole body trembled like a sieve, and her legs felt so weak that she was about to fall.

It felt as if someone had grasped their throat, the scream suddenly ceased, yet it left one trembling all over, with a fine layer of goosebumps rising on the skin

The old lady pointed at her eldest son and coldly laughed, "He actually wants to find a good burial site for that wretched woman—it's simply insane!"

Chulan was caught off guard and fell to the ground, her face suddenly feeling hot all over. At this moment, the commotion in the west side room grew louder, as someone was carrying out a large roll of some object. The flickering lights created an eerie atmosphere, and there was a faint, strange smell in the air—was it the scent of blood?

The sound of the prayer beads striking the zitan soft couch was crisp and resonant, causing all present to bow their heads in solemnity and listen attentively to the admonition

Chulan was so frightened that her little face turned pale. Just as she was about to urge Xiaogu to walk faster, she suddenly saw several old women and young wives rushing out from the corridor of Rongxiang Courtyard on the east side, their expressions frantic and anxious, nearly colliding with the two of them in their haste

After receiving this reprimand, Chulan felt that the situation was dire, wishing she could sprout wings and fly away. She hurried to get up but realized she had twisted her ankle. Just as she was in a state of panic, Xiao Gu beside her pulled her up with one hand, lifting her off the ground and walking away, while effortlessly carrying the water bucket with the other hand, turning and striding away.

At this moment, her expression was cold, and her pair of eyes shone brightly as she looked at the middle-aged man in the first position on the lower left, "Are you determined to ruin the Shen family completely, to the point of confiscation and exile, before you feel satisfied—how can you face your father's spirit in heaven!"

At this moment, Chulan had already felt that her feet had gone numb, completely devoid of sensation—then she realized that she was practically being dragged along by Xiao Gu.

At the center, there sits an elderly woman with graying hair, dressed in plain attire, her hands adorned with prayer beads, exuding an air of dignity and grace. Her overall appearance is exceedingly simple, with the exception of a headband inlaid with South Sea pearls, which adds a touch of elegance—its style clearly indicative of a royal gift.

The old lady did not even glance at her, merely stating淡淡道: "I have always been well aware of what kind of character Xi'er possesses—your excessive virtue is rather unwarranted"

Thick, fresh blood continuously dripped down, and one end of the bamboo mat lay crooked on the ground, dragging out a long and eerie bloodstain that was particularly shocking. Someone accidentally jostled it, causing the end of the bamboo mat resting on the ground to loosen slightly, revealing half of a snow-white arm sliding out from within.

Once again, someone quietly approached to clean the bloodstains on the path, then splashed it with clean water and filled it with silver charcoal, and finally ground it with incense ash, restoring the tranquil and elegant atmosphere of the courtyard

A hand beside her supported her, and Chulan turned her head to look. She saw that Xiaogu still wore the same blank expression as always, as if he had seen nothing. One hand held her up, while the other hand did not forget to carry the water bucket

He shook his head and stopped speaking. Beside him, Shen Xi was already so frightened that her face turned pale, and she trembled as she said: "But, but I did not harbor any criminals. These people were all granted by His Majesty. I merely thought she was beautiful and flirtatious, and that is why..."

She paused with the prayer beads in her hand, sighed, and said: "Your father's three-year mourning period has ended, yet the decree for the title to be passed down has still not been issued— you should think this over carefully."

While Chulan was lost in thought, the old women had already dragged the person away. Coming from a distance was Steward Zhou from the outer courtyard, followed by two male servants, who silently took over the mat and carried it away.

The two individuals reached the right side of the corridor, where they paused to catch their breath. Meanwhile, the strong women and the rough servants from the west wing were also bustling about, carrying a large roll of bamboo mat.

They hurried along, and something was dripping down from the bamboo mat. Chulan leaned in closer and saw clearly— it was actually blood

She is surprisingly not afraid at all

Kefang is pregnant with my child

She closed her eyes, without any light, nor the need to see her own appearance—because she was already familiar with every inch of her bones, muscles, and skin

The old lady's face was as cold as frost, her eyes like cold lightning. Although her voice was not loud, it inexplicably tightened people's hearts. "The current emperor has always been wise and resolute, and throughout his life, he has hated the traitors of Jianwen the most. Anyone who gets involved with them..."

Before he could finish speaking, the old lady forcefully smashed the porcelain cup, splattering scalding tea all over his head and face

The old lady did not even glance at him, and while twisting the prayer beads, she said: "When I had someone drag her out, I spread the word that she was unclean, that she had stolen the jade Buddha statue from my room—a mere little sinner, I doubt anyone would deliberately come to inquire."

He was momentarily flustered and stammered, "What should we do about this?"

You have done a good deed!

Upon hearing this, the elder master Shen Yuan was also taken aback and hurriedly advised his elder brother, "Absolutely not, this is a ready-made opportunity for others to take advantage! If the censor were to find out, the consequences would be unimaginable"

Separated by only a thin wall, Xiao Gu lay awake in the darkness, listening to the sounds from outside. After a long while, she finally got out of bed, her movements quick and gentle, making not a single sound

Amidst the dazzling array of powders and creams, along with cotton swabs, pieces of cloth, and various tools, she navigated the darkness with ease, smoothly beginning to remove her makeup.

She let out a cold laugh and ceased to speak. At this moment, the second elder, Shen Yuan, quickly interjected: "There is already a cautionary tale. I have just heard that the young master of Guangping Bo is a close friend of Wang Du's son. Unable to bear seeing him sold into slavery, he secretly went to redeem him and hid him in the estate. However, he was reported by someone through a secret edict, resulting in Guangping Bo losing his position and being publicly reprimanded by the imperial decree—his entire family had to kneel at the gate in the cold winter snow to receive the edict. His elderly matriarch was both ashamed and angry, and she has already fallen ill, unable to get out of bed. It seems that in a few days..."

The middle-aged man in second place hurriedly knelt a few steps forward and reported, "Mother, please do not be angry! Eldest brother was confused and made a mistake in a moment of folly. Thanks to your keen insight, you timely covered for him—this matter can be considered resolved. Please set it aside for now and do not let it harm your health."

If it were any other girl, it would be fine; managing the household and taking care of the concubines are matters within your courtyard, and I would have been too lazy to interfere. However, her status is that of a lowly servant! She is a descendant of the traitors from the Jianwen era! Do you wish to drag this entire family down to accompany your beloved to the grave?

Having said this, he did not call her to rise, but closed his eyes and said: "I am tired, you may all leave."

Upon hearing this, the matron Chen in the lower right corner immediately panicked. She bowed deeply and, with a sobbing tone, said: "Madam, this is all my fault. I have not properly disciplined these seductresses, and I have caused trouble for the master"

In this dimly lit, windowless room, she groped in the dark to retrieve a large water jar, and then took out a large box from beneath the straw under the bed, opening it.

It is already past the hour of the dog, and each courtyard has lit their lamps for dinner, yet the atmosphere in the main hall of the Dayuan Hall remains tense

I would like to let go, but this burden does not allow me to have peace of mind

Lord Shen Xiwei held his neck stiffly, with faint dark shadows under his eyes. His face, hollowed out by indulgence in wine and pleasure, still bore a hint of defiance. "I have only two sons and one daughter under my knees; if this child can be preserved—"

Under her gentle wiping, the dry and yellowed skin gradually became fair and delicate, starting with the hands and feet, then the neck, and finally the face

The leader was dressed in a Lu silk shirt, with exquisitely embroidered patterns on her dress. Although she was in her forties, her hair was still styled smoothly and lustrously, adorned with a shining golden hairpin. Without further ado, she slapped Chulan and exclaimed, "What are you running around for without reason!"

It is that young lady Fang