In fact, as early as when the Pei family sent the people back, Shen Yunjiao had sent Granny Lin to interrogate these maids, hoping to pry some evidence about Liu Shi's crimes out of them.
But it was clear that the two had been warned by Madam Liu, because they refused to say a word and even took all the blame upon themselves.
Shen Yunjiao felt that Liu must have something on them, and she couldn't get the information out of them even if she wanted to.
But to everyone's surprise, Liu sold them off directly, showing absolutely no mercy.
"I just hope that the eldest daughter won't hold a grudge against me. I was worried that she would be bullied after she married into the family, so I thought of sending a few maids to support you. I never expected such a disgraceful thing to happen." Aunt Liu held Shen Yunjiao's hand and replied with feigned guilt.
"Since it's already been returned, it must be nothing serious," Shen Zhizhang comforted Aunt Liu, clearly not very interested in such domestic matters.
Shen Yunjiao calmly withdrew her hand and said with a smile, "Father is right, Aunt Liu, you don't need to blame yourself."
The meal was almost over, and Shen Yunjiao stood up, bowed, and walked out.
Fu Xia whispered beside her, "The maid that Aunt Liu assigned to the young lady is really impatient. The young lady has only been away from the Pei residence for a few days, and she is already eager to climb into the young master's bed."
"I'm curious, what exactly is it about them that Aunt Liu has that makes them so loyal?"
"Miss, should we send someone to investigate?" Fu Xia said casually.
Shen Yunjiao paused, a sudden idea forming in her mind.
The two, mistress and servant, walked back to their room from the main hall. After resting for a while, Shen Yunjiao asked Fuxia to arrange a carriage.
She is going to Ziyun Tower today.
Fearing that their identities would be too conspicuous, Shen Yunjiao dressed herself and Fu Xia in men's clothing.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the waiter at the door saw that they were a handsome young master dressed in fine clothes, followed by a servant dressed in expensive fabrics that only upper-class families would wear. He immediately regarded them as honored guests and invited them upstairs.
"Sir, what would you like to order? Our signature dishes include braised pork knuckle with egg white and sweet and sour fish," the waiter said respectfully with a small notebook in hand.
"You can go wherever you want, but I'm looking for Lady Miaoyin. I wonder if she's here?"
The waiter hesitated for a moment and said, "Well, Lady Miaoyin usually doesn't serve unfamiliar guests, and today isn't her performance day, so she probably won't come here."
Shen Yunjiao shook the fan in her hand and smiled, "Then please invite the shopkeeper over."
As soon as the innkeeper entered the private room, he bowed to Shen Yunjiao and said, "I heard that you are looking for Lady Miaoyin, but unfortunately she is not in the shop today."
Shen Yun smiled and said, "Shopkeeper, is your master here? I've eaten with him before. Just say that a member of the Shen family has come."
The shopkeeper secretly glanced at Shen Yunjiao. Although this handsome young man looked unfamiliar, what if he really knew his young master?
It would be better to talk to the master about it.
The shopkeeper hurriedly bowed respectfully and said, "Young master, please wait here for a moment while I go and ask."
Sure enough, he returned shortly afterward and said, "Young master, please come with me."
Shen Yunjiao got up and followed the shopkeeper up to the third floor of Ziyun Tower.
The third floor was also filled with private rooms, and the innkeeper led them to the last room at the very end.
Fu Xia tugged at Shen Yunjiao's sleeve in fear, and the latter patted her hand reassuringly.
It's not Fu Xia's fault; it's natural for her to be scared since it's her first time here.
"Young master, the master is in this room. You may go in directly."
Shen Yunjiao thanked the shopkeeper and then gently pushed open the door and went inside.
Yan Shiman was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, dressing up. He was still dressed in women's clothing today. He wore a peony-red silk wide-sleeved blouse and a phoenix-patterned skirt. He also wore a green belt with jade pendants, which made his waist look graceful.
From a modern aesthetic perspective, Shen Yunjiao also thinks his clothing style is very tasteful.
Although Yan Shiman was born in ancient times, he was an unconventional young man at heart, which Shen Yunjiao liked very much.
Yan Shiman stood up with a smile when he saw Shen Yunjiao. Shen Yunjiao also went to greet him, bowed, and asked, "I am sorry to have disturbed you, Young Master Yan, with my unannounced visit today."
Yan Shiman, with her bright and clear eyes, replied softly, "How could that be? I happen to be free today. Please sit here, Miss Chen."
Shen Yunjiao did not refuse and sat down at the table next to the screen.
Yan Shiman was slightly surprised to see her poised and unpretentious demeanor.
This Miss Shen seems to be somewhat different from ordinary women from aristocratic families.
At least she's willing to associate with someone like me, instead of avoiding me like the plague.
"Young Master Yan, the reason I came here this time is actually to ask you for a favor." Shen Yunjiao said seriously as Yan Shiman sat down in front of her.
“Miss Shen, just tell me what's on your mind, don't worry,” Yan Shiman replied, giving Shen Yunjiao a mischievous smile. “After all, my cousin specifically instructed me to do so.”
“Okay.” Shen Yunjiao pursed her lips slightly, feeling a little awkward when he mentioned Xiao Huaijin.
"I came here today to ask if you know a famous doctor in Qingzhou named Yao Yi. I would like to ask you to investigate his background."
Shen Yunjiao came to find Yan Shiman this time because she wanted to use his connections to investigate the famous doctor that Aunt Liu had hired for her when she was young. She heard from Granny Lin that he was the most famous doctor in Aunt Liu's hometown, named Yao Yi, but later he stopped treating patients for some reason.
Her intuition told her that something fishy was going on.
However, due to Aunt Liu's status, Shen Yunjiao could not openly ask Shen Zhizhang to help her investigate. After thinking it over, she realized that only Yan Shiman could help her.
“That’s easy. Miss Shen, you may not know, but my father, the Prince of Runan, is also from Qingzhou. I visited him a few times when I was young. The current governor of Qingzhou is my former teacher. I’ll ask him about it for you when I go back to visit him these next few days,” Yan Shiman replied.
A light flashed in Shen Yunjiao's eyes, "Really? That's great!"
"It's nothing." Yan Shiman waved his hand with a light smile, but then he saw Shen Yunjiao glance at the maid behind her. The maid immediately understood and presented the brocade box in her hand.
“Miss Shen, there’s no need to be so polite.” Yan Shiman hurriedly shook his head and pushed the brocade box away, but Shen Yunjiao pushed it back in front of him. “How can you ask for a favor without bringing a gift? I know that Young Master Yan has seen too many precious things, so naturally nothing interests you. But this one is really useful. Why don’t you open it and take a look?”
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