"They didn't search Aunt Liu's courtyard?"

Manhuan thought about it carefully for a moment and said, "There were two maids at the gate of Aunt Liu's courtyard. I went to ask them, but they wouldn't say anything..."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but show some shame, feeling deeply ashamed.

As Shen Mingzhuang listened, he had a feeling that something was amiss with Aunt Liu.

However, there is no description of this event in the book, so she still doesn't know what happened.

At this moment, in Qiongfang Courtyard, Shen Shuchun was gently comforting Aunt Liu, who was crying with tears streaming down her face as she lay on his chest.

"Alright, alright, I believe you. I will definitely find out who did this and give you justice! I have already asked the court for leave today and will stay at home with you."

As he spoke, he gently patted Aunt Liu's back.

Aunt Liu nodded with a sob. She was already a woman who had given birth, but she looked as shy as a young maiden. This made Shen Shuchun's heart flutter, and his hand reached out uncontrollably towards her half-open collar.

Aunt Liu noticed Shen Shuchun's actions and trembled, calling out timidly, "Third Master..."

...

*

In the Moonlit Courtyard.

Lin sat neatly dressed on the kang by the window, her eyes glaring at the mimosa tree outside the window, which was swaying and leaning in the wind and rain. Mimosa, mimosa, what a load of rubbish! She and her husband had finally reconciled, and in such a short time, that woman had seduced him with just a few sobs!

"ah--!"

Lin shouted hysterically, her heart filled with unspeakable resentment.

Granny Jiang sighed and didn't move forward.

She had long felt that Lin's method wouldn't work. Hiring someone to exonerate Concubine Liu was a risky move that could easily result in heavy losses for both sides. Now, instead of harming Concubine Liu, it had aroused the Third Master's suspicion. If he wanted to do anything else in the future, not only would the Third Master not notice, but Concubine Liu herself would definitely be on guard.

She always believed that if you're going to attack, you should either not attack at all, or if you do attack, you must seize the enemy's throat and strike at their vital point, and you must not give them the slightest chance to survive. Otherwise, if they escape and recover their strength, it will be a disaster for you.

For so many years, she had been trying to persuade Lin Shi, and Lin Shi would listen to her. But at some point, Lin Shi started to lose control.

Looking back, it seems that it all started when the Ninth Miss's maid, Ruyi, was beaten by the Third Miss. Lin Shi seemed to have gone mad, acting not only in extreme ways but also completely losing her composure. Like a drunk person facing someone who threatened her life, she randomly punched and kicked, acting entirely recklessly.

Thinking of this, Granny Jiang couldn't help but sigh. After all, the foundation of a merchant family was not as good as that of a prestigious family like the Shen family. As a result, Lin Shi was always at a loss when faced with problems after entering the family. Over the years, she had always been suppressed by her two sisters-in-law. What good was having more money?

Aunt Liu has been serving the Third Master for over ten years since giving birth to the Eighth Miss, and he is completely devoted to her. Lin Shi can't even come close to her skills. Now, she has made a rash move after finally winning over Shen Shuchun. Who can she fool with such clumsy methods? I'm afraid Lin Shi will have a hard time in the coming days.

It was raining heavily when the palace carriage stopped at the gate. Shen Mingxi, dressed in a lilac summer dress, frowned as she looked at the continuous raindrops. However, the two eunuchs already looked displeased, as if they would push her off if she didn't get off soon.

She had no choice but to brave the rain, and with the help of her maid Chunlan, she got off the carriage and ran towards her home in the downpour.

Chunlan was the maid who served the cats by the old lady's side. Shen Mingxi was going to enter the palace. The palace was not like the outside world. If she made a mistake, it could implicate the entire Shen family. Chunlan had been serving in Meishou Hall and was the most meticulous person. That's why the old lady assigned her to the seventh young lady.

During her time in the palace, Chunlan witnessed how the Seventh Miss was humiliated. Now that she has returned to the manor, she is pondering how to respond to the Old Madam.

These two eunuchs must have done it on purpose. Knowing it was raining so heavily, they still stopped the carriage in the middle of the road. Were they afraid she wouldn't get wet? Shen Mingxi's hair was all wet. Although it was early summer, it was still easy to catch a cold if you got wet in the rain. After walking a few steps, Shen Mingxi sneezed several times.

Seeing this, Chunlan suggested, "The Second Madam's courtyard is the closest to here. Why don't we go to the Second Madam's place first to change into clean clothes before going to the Old Madam's place? If the Seventh Miss catches a cold, she probably won't be able to enter the palace in two days, and the Old Madam will be worried too."

Chunlan's words, however, reminded Shen Mingxi.

Yes, if you are sick, you don't need to go to the palace.

"No need, we've just gotten caught in the rain. Let's go to Grandma's first."

Chunlan hesitated, but seeing that Shen Mingxi had made up her mind, she didn't say anything more.

*

Meishou Hall.

"Madam, we've searched the entire place and found no one suspicious. Can we trust what Aunt Liu is saying?"

The old lady got up from the small Buddhist shrine in the west room, returned to the main room without saying a word, and sat down on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window.

“Aunt Liu wouldn’t joke about her reputation, but there’s no need to take it too seriously. She’s investigated everything that needed to be investigated, and if she still found nothing, then it can only be said that the thief was very clever, and she can’t blame anyone else.”

Granny Tian paused upon hearing this. Did these words imply that she should turn a blind eye and not pursue the matter any further?

It seems that the old lady has a plan. She just doesn't want this matter to escalate, otherwise it will be difficult to handle. With a quick thought, Granny Tian vaguely guessed what was going on.

"When Miss Seven returns later, have Third Madam come over."

As the old lady spoke, she closed her eyes and lay down to rest.

"With such heavy rain, I wonder if Miss Seven will be able to return today."

Whenever it rained, the old lady's wrists and ankles would ache. While massaging the old lady's wrists, Granny Tian would glance up at the rain outside.

The old lady leaned against the large bolster, her hand holding sandalwood prayer beads. She didn't say anything when she heard this, but the speed at which the prayer beads spun in her hand slowed down.

After a short while, the maid announced that the Seventh Miss had returned. Granny Tian was surprised to hear this. The rain was pouring down; it was impossible for it not to be raining in the palace. Why didn't they let the Seventh Miss take shelter from the rain before leaving? Coming back in this heavy rain, she might fall ill.

She glanced at the old lady's expression and instructed the maid, "Have the kitchen prepare ginger soup and bring it over later."

Soon, Shen Mingxi entered Meishoutang soaking wet. Her face was covered in water, and her eyes were red. It was clear that she had suffered a great injustice.

Chunlan glanced guiltily at the old lady, then stepped forward and knelt on the ground.

Seeing this commotion, Granny Tian immediately dismissed the maids serving in the room, then personally closed the door and brought Shen Mingxi a blanket.