Chapter 95 Spring Outing Upon seeing this, Cheng Ying rushed over and caught her in her arms…

*

The autumn dew stayed far away from the left wing, as if afraid of being tainted by bad luck.

In her frequent glances towards the outside of the courtyard, there was a mixture of unease and relief. Unease stemmed from the fear of being implicated by Yu Liuzhu, while relief came from the fact that she was considered one of Shen Qinglu's people.

The servants inside the high walls of the mansion had their honor and disgrace tied to their masters. When their masters were rich and powerful, they benefited from it; when their masters were poor and destitute, they had no good life either.

She nervously rubbed her hands together; the dark circles under her eyes showed that she hadn't slept all night. The moment she saw Shen Linlang and Shen Qinglu return, her heart leaped into her throat.

Shen Qinglu came out shortly after escorting Shen Linlang into the main house. She paused as she passed by Shen Linlang and said, "Come with me."

Upon entering the right wing, Shen Qinglu dismissed everyone else, leaving only Xia Chan behind.

Xia Chan handed over something—her contract of indenture.

Her heart pounded as she looked at the contract.

Shen Qinglu didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "We've settled the matter from before. You've helped me a bit these past few days. Although you have your own selfish motives, it's only natural."

“Young lady, I was blinded by greed before. But ever since I learned that you are the madam’s biological daughter, I have only loyalty to you.”

"Enough with the hypocrisy. I know exactly what you've done." Shen Qinglu's face was expressionless, but her dark eyes seemed to see right through people.

Her wildly beating heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she felt incredibly guilty. Thinking of this young woman's methods and style, she trembled, her legs gave way, and she knelt down.

"Young Miss, there are some things I didn't have time to tell you because I was afraid of arousing Miss Tang'er's suspicion..."

"No need to explain, and no need to be nervous." Shen Qinglu got up and walked over, reaching out to help her up. "The matter is over. Whether you want to go back to my grandmother's side or take the indenture and leave is up to you."

She was overjoyed at first, then became suspicious and unsure whether Shen Qinglu was telling the truth or testing her. "How can this servant decide for herself? Everything is up to the eldest young lady to arrange."

“You were originally my grandmother’s person, how can I make arrangements for you? Don’t worry, I’m not testing you. Just tell me what you think.”

Shen Qinglu's words rekindled her hope, but she still couldn't believe it.

She subconsciously looked at Xia Chan, and when she saw Xia Chan nod slightly at her, her heart pounded again. "I have been away from home for many years, but my parents are still alive. I wish to go back and fulfill my filial duties. Please grant my request, young lady!"

She was a servant of a different master, and since her former master had already lost power, there was no future for her if she went back. It would be better for her to go home.

Without saying a word, Shen Qinglu handed over the indenture to her and attached twenty taels of silver.

She was shocked and looked at Shen Qinglu in disbelief.

"Young lady..."

"In that case, we're even again."

After Shen Qinglu finished speaking, she gestured that she could leave.

Her expression kept changing as she tightly gripped the indenture and the twenty taels of silver. She knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed three times. "Young lady, you are so generous. I will never forget you. May you have a smooth and worry-free life."

Xia Chan came over to help her and saw her out.

The two had known each other for many years and were practically sisters, so they naturally had a lot to talk about.

She gazed at the high walls and gates of the Shen residence, filled with emotion. "I still remember how much we hoped to be chosen by the master when we were brought here that year. Later, our wish finally came true, and we ate meat dishes for our first meal in the residence. You told me that you hoped to stay here forever."

Xia Chan followed her gaze and landed on the newly replaced plaque at the Shen residence.

This mansion has changed owners, and so has she. If she could make a choice again, she would still be willing to stay here forever.

“You told me that your parents favor your younger brother, and that after you return home, you should not let them control you anymore, but instead try to find a good marriage for yourself.”

"I understand."

For ordinary people, her past as a maidservant was highly coveted, and given her good looks, she should be able to marry into a wealthy family.

Today's farewell may be the last time we meet. Any envy or jealousy we felt before has vanished in this moment.

She held Xia Chan's hand and said sincerely, "The eldest young lady is a good mistress. She even offered five hundred taels of silver to help you find your sister, which shows how much she values ​​you. You are a lucky person. Serve the eldest young lady well in the future, and she will definitely not treat you badly."

Xia Chan didn't need her to remind her of this, and nodded upon hearing it.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; though jade and vermilion are not trees, there is still more than one person by one's side.

Shen Qinglu could decide whether she stayed or left, while Dengzhi would be handled by Shen Linlang.

When Dengzhi's parents were summoned from the village, they were both shocked to hear what their daughter had done.

"Smack!"

A very heavy slap came, and Dengzhi's face turned red instantly.

She stood there, stunned, staring at her own mother as if she were in a daze.

"How could you do such a thing?" Deng Zhiniang roared, her eyes red. "We are members of the Shen family, and we are loyal to the Madam. The Madam is our master!"

"Dengzhi, tell me, why did you do this?" Shen Linlang wasn't particularly angry. Compared to what Yu Liuzhu had done, the betrayals of others were nothing.

"This servant...this servant is not reconciled!" Dengzhi seemed to have come back to life, covering her face. "This servant's younger brother learns to read faster than others. If he were born a commoner, he would surely be able to go to school and earn a degree. Even Dujuan's younger brother was able to be granted permission by the master to leave his household registration and study. Why can't this servant's younger brother do the same?"

"So, it was Tang'er who promised you that."

Now that things have come to this, Dengzhi has nothing left to hide. "The eldest young lady said that as long as her matter is settled, she will help our whole family get rid of our status. At that time, I will no longer be a servant, but can also become a mistress."

Her parents helped Shen Linlang manage the estate; they were very respectable servants and had accumulated a considerable amount of money over the years.

If Yu Liuzhu's promise to her is followed, once the Shen family falls, the servants will be sold off, and Yu Liuzhu will buy them all and give them their freedom.

"Smack!"

Dengzhiniang slapped her again, almost knocking her off her feet.

"You ignorant fool, how could you be fooled by others? If your little brother were truly suited for studying, would Madam have prevented him from going to school?"

"Who says I'm not cut out for studying..."

"Shut up!" Dengzhi's mother said, pulling her to kneel down with her.

“Madam, she has committed such a wrong act, and I have no face to ask for your forgiveness. Please forgive her and let me take her back and discipline her properly. I promise that she will never be allowed to see anyone again.”

"Mother!" she cried out.

Her father, fearing she might say something offensive, raised his hand and slapped her as well. "Shut up! You've committed such a terrible mistake; it's only out of mercy that Madam hasn't killed you."

Servants who betray their masters will either be sold off or beaten to death.

"Madam, please spare her life for the sake of my loyalty over the years. I promise I will keep a close eye on her from now on."

Shen Linlang hesitated, after all, the couple were people she relied on.

The couple exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring each other's.

Deng Zhiniang kowtowed again, "Madam, you don't need to show leniency for the sake of my years of service to you. If you must hit me, then hit me. Don't hold back."

Shen Linlang sighed softly, her expression somewhat complicated.

The room fell silent, the atmosphere subtle and heavy.

Dengzhi's parents looked at each other, conveying their thoughts through their expressions. They were perfectly in sync, deliberately avoiding looking to the side, as if their minds were completely focused on the matter at hand.

To Shen Linlang's left was none other than Shen Qinglu.

Shen Qinglu did not say a word from the moment they entered.

When Shen Linlang looked at her, she said softly, "Mother, you have always valued them. For their sake, this matter should not be pursued any further."

Upon hearing this, they seemed to finally see her, each showing a surprised expression. After learning her identity, they all looked happy for Shen Linlang.

"The eldest daughter and the madam are both kind-hearted people. It's hateful that those black-hearted bastards caused the madam and the eldest daughter to be separated for many years. After hearing about this, I was so angry that I couldn't sleep all night. I wish I could vent my anger for the madam."

Deng Zhiniang's words must have reminded Shen Linlang of many things that happened between them, mistress and servant, many years ago, and her serious and complicated expression softened.

“Mother, Dengzhi made a mistake entirely to help the family members get out of poverty. They have been loyal to you for many years, so why don’t you take this opportunity to give them a favor?”

"Young lady, you mustn't!"

“We do not want to relinquish our citizenship; we are willing to serve the lady for life.”

Dengzhi's parents spoke almost in unison, each more anxious than the last. If it weren't for their slightly bowed bodies and humble postures, judging solely from their clothing, they wouldn't really look like servants.

The servants of wealthy families were indeed far superior to those of ordinary people.

“Madam, I want to serve you for the rest of my life and have never thought of leaving you.” Dengzhi’s mother said with tears in her eyes. “You know me. My loyalty to you is as clear as day.”

Shen Linlang believed her, of course, but Dengzhi's matter remained a thorn in her side.

Seeing Shen Linlang hesitate, she suddenly pushed Dengzhi, "You are so ignorant. You were instigated by others and made such a mistake. You have caused Madam a lot of trouble. I don't have a daughter like you. I can't care whether you live or die."

Dengzhi swayed and almost fell to the ground.

“Your mother is right. Since you’ve done such a wrong thing, we’ll pretend we don’t have a daughter like you,” Dengzhi’s father chimed in.

The couple's meaning was clear: they would rather not acknowledge Dengzhi as their daughter than leave the Shen family.

Such words would sound like words of loyalty to anyone else. But to Shen Qinglu, the so-called "sacrifice of family for the greater good" was merely the result of weighing the pros and cons.

“Mother, they are so loyal, we must not let them down, but we also cannot let Dengzhi go unpunished. If others find out that Dengzhi helped outsiders kill you, and her parents can continue to manage the estate for you without any consequences, wouldn’t that encourage some bad practices?”

"Young lady, I swear to heaven, I have never been disloyal to Madam!" Dengzhi Niang looked at Shen Linlang expectantly, "Madam..."

Shen Linlang turned to look at Shen Qinglu, who stopped talking, but her dark, jade-like eyes seemed to hold a lot of unspoken words and worries.

In a moment, Shen Linlang understood what she hadn't said and her worries.

There is no comparison between the former maid and her own biological daughter, and it is not difficult to choose between them.

After a moment's thought, Shen Linlang instructed Granny Yu to retrieve their indentures.

"Madam!" Denzhi Niang was very anxious.

"Since you are loyal to my mother, you will not make things difficult for her."

Shen Qinglu's voice was extremely calm, yet it possessed an undeniable firmness.

Upon hearing this, Dengzhi Niang was naturally astonished.

This young woman had been mentally challenged for many years. She thought that even if she recovered, she wouldn't be much better. She never expected her to be such a person, not only outstanding in appearance but also far from being a simple individual.

Granny Yu quickly retrieved the family's indentures, showed them to Shen Linlang, and then handed them to her.

“Young lady, I am reluctant to part with Madam. Madam has made up her mind, and I will obey. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay Madam. If Madam ever needs anything, just send someone to let me know.”

“No need,” Shen Qinglu replied on behalf of Shen Linlang. “After leaving the Shen family, you will no longer be members of the Shen family. The Shen family will have no relation to you whatsoever, and will no longer order you around.”

Upon hearing her words, Dengzhi's parents, who were staring at the indentured Dengzhi, all changed color.

They refused to leave the Shen family undoubtedly because it was a safe and comfortable place to live; not only were they well-off, but no one dared to bully them. Without the Shen family's protection, who would give them any face?

“Madam…” Dengzhi’s mother was naturally unwilling to lose the Shen family as her backer, and was about to kneel down to Shen Linlang again, but unexpectedly Shen Qinglu stopped her.

“Dengzhi’s mistakes are enough to sell your whole family. You should know that a person who has turned away from his master is not worthy to speak of his master again.”

"This servant..."

"Giving you your freedom is already more than enough; I hope you will take good care of yourselves."

Dengzhi Niang was naturally unwilling and looked pleadingly at Shen Linlang.

Shen Linlang closed her eyes in sorrow for a moment, "You should all take care of yourselves from now on."

*

Springtime, when flowers bloom, is the time of year when poetry gatherings and elegant poetry recitals frequently take place in Donglin City.

The first invitation Shen Qinglu received came from the Prince Xin's mansion. It was a spring outing hosted by the Prince Xin's legitimate daughter, Princess Fangfei, and the location was Luming Manor.

She has no close friends, so if she were to attend the gathering, she would definitely be the one who doesn't fit in.

Shen Linlang meant that if she didn't want to go, she should simply not go, and find a suitable excuse, such as feeling unwell, to cancel the trip.

Shen Qinglu pondered for a moment and said, "I can't keep avoiding it. Even if I can avoid it this time, there will be a next time. If I refuse Princess Fangfei's invitation, but then accept someone else's invitation later, wouldn't that make the Prince Xin's Mansion lose face? So no matter what's inappropriate about this spring outing, I'm going."

That's the logic.

Even if there were disagreements in private, the rules and etiquette on the surface could not be ignored, and she could not possibly disregard the face of the Prince Xin's Mansion. Not to mention her, even the General's Mansion would not dare to refuse her outright.

Upon receiving the news, Gu Ruxu regretfully remarked that it was a pity Gu Shizhi was too young to be invited to such an elegant gathering, otherwise he would have been an excellent companion.

She searched among her relatives and found someone she was close to who would be attending the banquet: Zhao Danxin.

When Zhao Danxin first saw her, he was immediately struck by her beauty, then his gaze became subtle, and when they turned their backs, he quietly inquired about the rumors circulating outside.

"Was my aunt really poisoned?"

The matter of Yu Liuzhu poisoning someone had already become a hot topic in the capital.

This was naturally her doing; she specifically instructed Mei Wu to keep an eye on things and ensure that Yu Liuzhu was firmly implicated in the public opinion that she had poisoned her adoptive mother.

"It is true that my mother was poisoned, but fortunately she was blessed by the heavens and the evildoer's plot did not succeed."

“…This is truly appalling.” Zhao Danxin murmured, her gaze towards her becoming increasingly subtle.

The other girls looked at her and whispered among themselves.

Because of the loud voices, she inevitably heard some gossip, such as the rumors being unfounded, or that Shen Linlang was deliberately slandering her adopted daughter to vent her anger.

Princess Fangfei, being the legitimate daughter of a prince, even when she holds a spring outing, has dozens of attendants and several Divine Martial Guards.

To Shen Qinglu's surprise, Cheng Ying was also there.

Cheng Ying told her that she had returned to Beijing ahead of schedule and had been temporarily assigned to protect the site.

In the bright spring sunshine, even the gentle boy seemed to be bathed in sunlight, becoming vibrant and lively.

She shouldn't talk to Cheng Ying too much. After a brief conversation, she found a quiet place to enjoy the scenery and people.

Not far away, a group of noble ladies surrounded a young girl. The girl was beautiful and had a noble air. Judging from Zhuang Lanyi, who was closely following her, it was not difficult to tell that she should be Princess Fangfei.

As her name suggests, the mistress of Fangfei County wore peach blossom clothes and makeup, which complemented the colorful flowers in the manor.

When Zhuang Lanyi saw Shen Qinglu, she deliberately pointed her out to her, and Shen Qinglu led everyone toward her.

"I have long admired Miss Shen's reputation; it is a pleasure to meet you."

One thing after another happened in the Shen family; there should be very few people in the capital who are unaware of it.

Shen Qinglu greeted her politely, in a very proper and respectful manner.

"Miss Shen, this must be your first time attending such an elegant event. Please don't stand on ceremony and feel at ease."

She was undoubtedly the most noble lady in the capital, exuding an air of nobility with every gesture, and every expression was perfect, even the curve of her lips seemed to have been measured with a ruler.

Shen Qinglu was unconventional, but not casual either, especially when Zhuang Lanyi was staring at her with jealous eyes.

Zhuang Lanyi snorted coldly, "Your family is really lively, with all the truth and lies. There's divorce, jail time, and rumors that Yu Liuzhu poisoned your mother. It's like a grand opera, with so many different faces that it's hard to tell them apart."

After saying that, he deliberately asked, "Miss Chen, did Yu Liuzhu really poison your mother?"

In an instant, countless eyes turned to Shen Qinglu.

"Of course it's true."

"It's true! I told you long ago that Yu Liuzhu is a master of pretense. I don't know if he's naturally wicked or if he was taught it by someone."

An exaggerated, somewhat shrill voice came from the crowd.

Shen Qinglu looked at Jiang Xinyue's heavily made-up face, which was even more gaunt and terrifying than before.

After Jiang Xinyue finished speaking, a provocative look appeared in her eyes.

But Shen Qinglu's gaze swept across her face, and she seemed not to have heard her speak, retreating to the side as if nothing had happened.

She was rebuffed and her face darkened.

"Miss Chen, why don't you dare to answer me? Are you feeling guilty?"

"If the dog barks at me a few times, should I respond?"

"You... dare to call me a dog?" Jiang Xinyue's gaunt face was contorted with shame and anger.

Some people couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.

She was furious and pointed at Shen Qinglu, "I'm magnanimous and won't argue with someone who's been mentally challenged for years."

"I may be stupid, but I wouldn't be stupid enough to bite a dog, and I won't hold it against you."

Shen Qinglu remained expressionless, and her words were devoid of any emotional fluctuation, making them all the more ironic.

"You've gone too far!" She rushed over, but before she could even touch Shen Qinglu, Shen Qinglu grabbed her.

“I will not deceive others if they do not deceive me. Miss Jiang, it was you who were rude first.”

The fragrance emanating from her was incredibly strong, a sweet floral scent that was almost pungent. Especially up close, it felt as if you could inhale a lot of the dust that had fallen from her body with each breath.

As Shen Qinglu released her, she subconsciously took several steps back.

She was not about to give up so easily and wanted to do something else, but Princess Fangfei stopped her, saying, "Today we are all gathered here to appreciate the scenery and flowers and cultivate our minds, and to praise the spring with poetry. As for the mundane world, you can talk about it in private."

Since the organizer had spoken, she naturally had to give him face and reluctantly gave up.

Princess Fangfei told Shen Qinglu to do as she pleased, and then she was surrounded by people as she went to the Wenchang Wall.

The girls accompanying her did everything they could to please Princess Fangfei, with constant flattery and the sound of them reciting poems to show off their talents.

Entrusted by Gu Ruxu and instructed by her elders, Zhao Danxin could only stay by Shen Qinglu's side, appearing somewhat unwilling and absent-minded.

Upon seeing this, Shen Qinglu told Zhao Danxin that she didn't need to stay. Zhao Danxin pretended to ask her if it was alright, and after receiving an affirmative answer, she then pretended to go over.

She wasn't too far from the crowd, and continued to enjoy the scenery and people.

The girls, dressed in various colors, were like flowers blooming in spring, each with their own unique charm. Their voices were also different, one sweet and the other clear and crisp.

If you ignore the people you dislike, it's actually quite pleasing to the eye.

Suddenly, her eyes met Zhuang Lanyi's.

Even from a distance, she could sense something amiss in Zhuang Lanyi's eyes. Looking around, apart from Zhao Danxin, who couldn't distinguish friend from foe, there was no one who could help her.

That's not right either.

And Cheng Ying.

Looking at the effeminate young man who was always not far from her, she felt somewhat reassured, thinking to herself that if anything unusual happened, she could ask him for help.

Of course, it's best if nothing happens at all.

Perhaps it was a case of what you fear most coming true; when she sensed something was wrong with her body, her dark eyes changed, and she walked towards Cheng Ying without hesitation.

She had anticipated that the banquet would not be a good one, but she still underestimated human nature.

Her whole body felt like it was on fire, surging with an indescribable heat that made her want to tear her clothes apart. In this state, every step was extremely difficult; the fire not only burned her body but also consumed her reason.

"Miss Zhao, look! What's wrong with Miss Chen?" someone shouted.

In an instant, all the girls turned to look this way.

She pinched her thigh, the pain easing her feverishness and giving her a bit more strength. Then, lifting her skirt, she ran wildly without a care in the world.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Ying rushed over and caught her.

"Ah Li!"