Chapter 401: Be careful with your words. This is the general's residence, and the walls have ears.

The next morning, as the sky brightened, two slender figures appeared in the courtyard.

The two women sent by Concubine Shu, one named Yingyue and the other Qinghe, had already dressed up and were waiting respectfully in the courtyard, waiting to pay their respects to Chu Ruohan.

The morning breeze was a bit cool, blowing against their thin clothes.

Gu Junze pushed open the door, wearing a dark casual suit and standing tall.

Upon seeing this, Yingyue's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible joy. She quickly stepped forward, knelt in greeting, and said in a voice that was incredibly soft and charming: "Your servant Yingyue greets the General."

Gu Junze, however, acted as if he had not seen her, not even glancing at her from the corner of his eye. He walked straight past her, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers away.

The smile on Yingyue's face froze for a moment, then returned to normal, as if she was not affected at all, except that her drooping eyelids hid the emotions in her eyes.

Qinghe stood aside with her head lowered and her eyes submissive, without saying a word.

Chu Ruohan didn't rush to get up.

She had a leisurely breakfast, and after Yuling helped her wash up, she changed into a loose and comfortable plain brocade dress. Then she said, "Let them in."

Yuling responded and went out to pass on the message.

Soon, Yingyue and Qinghe walked in one after another.

As Yingyue entered, her face was all smiles, and her tone was even more attentive: "This servant greets the Madam. The Madam looks so well today. The little prince in her belly must be worried about the Madam and hasn't been in any trouble."

As she spoke, she looked at Chu Ruohan carefully, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Qinghe just followed quietly behind, bowed politely, and stood aside with her hands hanging, saying nothing, like a jade sculpture without any emotions.

One is active and the other is quiet; one is eloquent and the other is calm and reserved.

Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup and gently moved the floating leaves, thinking to herself: Concubine Shu really knows how to choose people.

She put down the teacup and said calmly, "I am now in poor health and not in good spirits. From now on, you don't have to come and pay your respects to me every day. Just keep to yourselves and behave yourself."

The smile on Yingyue's face froze slightly, as if she didn't expect Chu Ruohan to be so direct, but she immediately responded, "Yes, I obey your command. If Madam has any instructions, just send me."

Qinghe also bowed.

"Well," Chu Ruohan nodded, "You guys go down first."

"Yes, I'll take my leave." Yingyue and Qinghe bowed and slowly retreated.

As Yingyue walked out of the main courtyard, the smile on her face faded a little.

She originally thought that with her appearance and abilities, even if she couldn't immediately win the general's favor, she could at least win some favor from the lady.

Who would have thought that Chu Ruohan would have such a lukewarm attitude, not even bothering to say anything extra to them.

She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, and couldn't help but complain to Qing He beside her in a low voice: "Humph, no matter how beautiful the Madam is, what's the use? There are many men in this world who don't cheat. The general seems devoted now, but the time has not come yet."

Qinghe remained silent, but her pace quickened slightly, as if she didn't want to talk to her any more.

Their conversation was heard word for word by the maid hiding in the dark, and soon reached Chu Ruohan's ears.

After hearing Yuling's report, Chu Ruohan raised her lips slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes.

She gently stroked her swollen belly, her voice calm and composed, "Send someone to 'serve' them well and keep a close eye on them. Don't let them cause any trouble in the mansion."

Yuling understood: "Yes, madam, I understand."

This general's mansion is not a place where anyone can act recklessly.

Yuling followed Chu Ruohan's instructions and was always very efficient in her work.

In just half an hour, Yingyue and Qinghe were led to a slightly remote courtyard in the mansion.

The yard was clean and tidy, but it seemed a little deserted compared to the quarters of other prestigious maids in the mansion.

"Girls, this is your temporary residence."

Yuling smiled politely and pointed to the two rooms in the courtyard.

"All the provisions have been prepared for you two according to the standards of a noble concubine in the mansion. If there is anything missing, just let me know."

Yingyue looked around, a subtle hint of contempt flashing across her eyes, but she quickly concealed it, still smiling: "Thank you Miss Yuling for your trouble. This courtyard looks quiet, quite nice."

"But, I wonder what taboos or preferences the general and his wife have on a daily basis? We can pay attention to them so as not to offend the master unknowingly, and we can serve them wholeheartedly."

As she spoke, her eyes kept glancing at Yuling's face, trying to find out something from her.

Qinghe stood quietly by the side. When she heard the words, she just raised her eyes slightly to look at Yuling, then lowered her eyes again.

He whispered, "Thank you Miss Yuling for the arrangement."

Yuling took in their expressions and sneered inwardly, but remained more polite on the surface: "The general and his wife's preferences are known to us, the servants who serve them closely. You two girls don't need to worry about it."

"Madam said that the two girls have just arrived, so the most important thing right now is to familiarize themselves with the rules of the mansion and avoid making mistakes and getting themselves into trouble. As for the service, Madam is in good health and usually likes to be quiet, so she doesn't need too many people to disturb her."

"Just stay here and relax. If you are not summoned, just rest in the courtyard."

These words, though polite, clearly defined the boundaries. Not allowing them to serve closely was to cut off their desire to get close to their master.

The smile on Yingyue's face froze slightly, and she thought to herself that Yuling was indeed Chu Ruohan's confidant. Her words were very precise and there was a hint of warning in her words.

She wanted to say something else, but Yuling bowed and said, "I have to go back to serve the lady, so I won't stay any longer. Ladies, please do as you please." After saying that, she turned around and left.

After Yuling walked away, the smile on Yingyue's face completely collapsed. She snorted unhappily and kicked a small stone at her feet.

"What do you mean by a concubine's share? We only have this shabby courtyard, and we were sent here by the Concubine! This Chu Ruohan is clearly trying to intimidate us!"

Qing He walked to the corridor and looked at the half-dead pomegranate tree in the courtyard. Her voice remained calm and unperturbed. "Since we are here, we should make the best of it. Madam's arrangements have their reasons."

"Reason? I think she's just jealous!" Yingyue walked over to Qinghe and lowered her voice, "What man doesn't like novelty? She's pregnant now, it's just us..."

Qing He glanced sideways and interrupted her: "Be careful with your words. This is the general's residence, and the walls have ears."

Her eyes were cold and contained a hint of warning.