After hearing these words, Sheng Shuyan still looked unhappy. She gently patted her waist, which was a little stiff and sore from sitting for a long time, and couldn't help but complain softly, "It's so cumbersome! These etiquettes in the capital are really complicated and particular."

Faced with this reaction, Wen Zhu remained patient and gently persuaded, "Second Miss, you must be exhausted both physically and mentally after your long journey. Please return home and rest as soon as possible. We can discuss everything slowly once we're in a safe and comfortable place."

Then, on the way into the courtyard, Sheng Shuyan suddenly stopped, looked directly at the strange girl and asked, "Who are you? Why are you the only one here to greet me today? Is my mother not home? And why didn't my eldest sister-in-law come to greet me in person?"

It's hard to hide the inner dissatisfaction between words.

Although Wen Zhu already knew the answer, she nodded tactfully and continued politely and considerately, "Second Miss, my name is Wen Zhu, and I'm a maid serving the Eldest Young Madam. The Duke's wife is always concerned about your well-being and is currently arranging for the chef to prepare a variety of delicious dishes to welcome you back. As for the Eldest Young Madam, she's been feeling a little unwell lately, so she's asked me to go ahead and greet you on her behalf."

While speaking, she always maintained that gentle smile.

After hearing this explanation, Sheng Shuyan snorted coldly, as if she was not completely convinced.

"If I had known that no one would truly look forward to my return, I would have stayed far away."

After saying that, he no longer paid attention to others, turned around and walked straight into the depths of the mansion.

Noticing the young lady's change of mood, Wen Zhu, who was walking in front and leading the way, quickly added, "The Duke's wife specifically instructed us to temporarily house you in the beautiful Guanshui Courtyard. Not only is the air there fresh and the scenery pleasant, it's also adjacent to a tranquil and beautiful lake. It's also very close to Danxia Courtyard, where Concubine Liu resides. I believe you'll be comfortable and happy there."

She carefully chose a more lighthearted topic to try to divert the other person's attention.

"Guanshuiyuan? It's winter already, and it's freezing outside. It's freezing cold, and it's snowing everywhere. What's the point of asking me to live by the lake? It's fine if I'm freezing in the north, but I have to suffer the cold again when I come back?"

Sheng Shuyan immediately interrupted her with obvious dissatisfaction in her tone.

Hearing this, Wen Zhu was speechless for a moment.

She felt a little dissatisfied with the Duke's wife and thought that the arrangement was not appropriate. After all, it was not appropriate to let the second young lady live by the lake in such cold weather.

After calming down, Wen Zhu said with a smile, "Second Miss may not know that the rooms in our mansion are all equipped with advanced heating facilities. There are also charcoal basins in the rooms. Even if you live by the lake, you won't feel cold. Please rest assured, you will definitely not be frozen."

"You don't have to lecture me!"

Sheng Shuyan quickened her pace and walked forward, obviously angered by these words.

Wen Zhu bit her lip, suppressed the grievance in her heart, and followed with her head down.

She knew it was best to remain silent at this time so as not to annoy the Second Young Lady again.

As soon as she entered the hall of Guanshuiyuan, Sheng Shuyan frowned and looked around.

"Is this room... habitable?! Why does it look so shabby!"

Sheng Shuyan turned her head and stared at Wen Zhu, her tone full of dissatisfaction and surprise.

Why can’t people live here?

This room is at least not worse than Zhao Manxiang's, right?

In order to maintain the family's reputation, the Duke's wife would not treat her concubine's daughter harshly in such a small matter.

In fact, Wen Zhu had personally supervised the decoration of this room. Because it was for Sheng Shuyan to live in, the Duke's wife also specially selected several exquisite ornaments from the warehouse for decoration.

"Second Miss, are you dissatisfied with anything?"

Wen Zhu asked cautiously in a low voice.

“The carpet isn’t soft enough.”

Sheng Shuyan said coldly.

"This is the thickest and best quality carpet in our house," Wen Zhu explained quickly, "and it's specially prepared for you."

"Then lay two layers!"

Sheng Shuyan snorted coldly and spoke in a tough tone.

Wen Zhu was speechless for a moment and could only nod silently to indicate that he understood.

"Also, there are too few jade ornaments. This palace lantern is too ordinary. Why not replace it with the Changping Palace lantern? It should have something like a reward from the palace, right? Take away this Boshan furnace and get something better! And this bed is too plain. It needs to be replaced too!"

Sheng Shuyan pointed here and there in dissatisfaction while expressing her demands bluntly.

After making a fuss for a long time, Sheng Shuyan realized that Wen Zhu didn't say anything. She immediately turned around and yelled, "Did you hear that?! Go find mother and ask for it!"

Her eyes were full of dissatisfaction and anger, as if she would not give up until she achieved her goal.

Wen Zhu finally spoke, his tone calm but with a hint of helplessness: "The rule in the mansion is that the second lady's room should be furnished the same way as the eldest lady's. If you add anything else, it will exceed the regulations and be inappropriate. Besides, the third lady's room is also furnished to the same standard. If you go beyond that right after you come back, it would seem unfair."

She spoke clearly and logically, obviously after careful consideration.

"How dare you! Father told me to come back because life in the capital was more affluent. I only made a few small requests, and yet you're still trying to make excuses! You're truly lawless! Others say my stepmother is a master at running the household, but I think it's all just empty talk. Otherwise, how could he allow a servant like you to run rampant in the mansion?"

Sheng Shuyan was furious and pointed at Wen Zhu's nose and cursed.

Her face was full of anger, and she was obviously extremely dissatisfied with Wen Zhu's answer.

"Then the Second Miss should go and talk to the Duke's wife herself."

Wen Zhu lowered her head and spoke, her voice low and firm. Although she was afraid in her heart, she decided to stick to her position.

Sheng Shuyan was furious and turned to the maidservant beside her: "Man Gong, beat her!"

Her voice was sharp and her eyes were menacing.

Man Gong responded and came forward, seemingly ready to carry out Sheng Shuyan's order.

"You dare?!"

Wen Zhu stared at her angrily, with intense anger bursting out of her eyes. She couldn't believe that she was being treated like this.

Hongyu stood in front of Wen Zhu with a serious and determined expression.

The maids and old women behind Wen Zhu also seemed very dissatisfied, with anger showing in their eyes.

Faced with this situation, Wen Zhu and her followers still stood there fearlessly, their posture revealing an air of arrogance.

Man Gong suddenly didn't dare to get close, as if there was an invisible pressure that made her stop.

Wen Zhu pushed Hong Yu away, with a respectful but resolute expression on her face, and slowly said, "Second Miss, I am the young lady's maid, you have no right to control the people in Qifangyuan.