Chapter 287
Xiao Ju quickly brought in water to help Shen Qingnian wash up.
As she did Shen Qingnian's hair and makeup, she softly suggested, "Miss, why don't you wear a Shu brocade ruqun today? And put on that hairpin made of dream crystal?"
Shen Qingnian knew exactly what Xiaoju was thinking. Looking at herself in the mirror, she said, "Then bring out that moon-white Shu brocade, simply tie your hair up at the back of your head, and then secure it with the Dream Crystal Hairpin."
The visitor was clearly hostile, so she was not going to stand idly by. Since they had come to provoke her, how could she not fight back?
Xiaoju happily agreed and quickly began to help her get dressed.
Half an hour later, Shen Qingnian, dressed in gorgeous clothes and with her face covered by a light veil, was helped out of the bedroom by Xiao Ju.
Inside the flower hall, Shen Man was getting impatient. She paced back and forth, and couldn't help but ask Zhu Lan, who was standing guard beside her, "When will your young lady arrive? I promised, yet she is so disrespectful to me. She is truly taking advantage of my favor."
Shen Man was bought by Shen Zheng two years ago. She was originally the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant from another place. Out of jealousy for the daughter of the wealthy merchant's wife, she pushed her into the icy lake. This act angered the wealthy merchant's wife, and she was sold to a human trafficker that same day.
After being bought by Shen Zheng, she began to be disciplined according to his requirements, but she was impulsive and easily angered, and had no knowledge of literature, so she was not very smart.
Zhu Lan sensed that Shen Man's tone was unpleasant, so she replied, "Please be patient, Ms. Shen. Our young lady should be here soon."
This newly arrived concubine, though somewhat similar in appearance to her mistress, was far inferior to her mistress, who was the true mistress.
It's just a poor imitation.
A hint of disdain arose in Zhu Lan's heart. During the time she had been following Shen Qingnian, her fear had long since turned into loyalty.
She had been a palace maid for several years and understood very well that loyalty to one's master was more important than anything else. Besides, she knew very well how capable Miss Liu was.
This Concubine Shen is clearly not very clever; she's just a clown who brought shame upon herself...
Zhu Lan had a rich inner life, but she didn't show it on her face.
When Shen Man heard that Zhu Lan was going to make her wait, her face turned angry. She sneered, "Then why don't you hurry up and urge your young lady?"
She had promised, yet that Miss Liu, a mere commoner, dared to give her a hard time!
Zhu Lan lowered her head and said apologetically, "Please forgive me, Miss Liu, but we servants are not allowed to disturb her while she is getting ready."
Shen Man was furious when she saw Zhu Lan. This wretched maid had led her in and left her waiting here without even bringing a stool, let alone a cup of hot tea.
"You lowly servant, go when I command you!" Shen Man ordered.
Zhu Lan knelt down and kowtowed: "Please forgive me, please spare me, Consort Shen."
Seeing Zhu Lan kneeling on the ground begging for mercy filled Shen Man with a sense of exhilaration, a feeling she had never experienced before—the feeling of being in control of power.
Before she was sold off, she was a concubine's daughter and a young lady in her family, but she had no maids and had to do everything herself. She also had to rely on the madam for a living. Although the madam never mistreated her, she felt extremely aggrieved.
When she was chosen by Shen Zheng, she was incredibly excited. She felt this was her chance to rise above others. She wanted to live a life of luxury and have a large retinue of servants!
Shen Man looked down at Zhu Lan and ordered the maid beside her, "This maid has committed insubordination. Take her away and slap her twenty times."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Lan looked up in disbelief.
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