But she really needs to give it a try.
Furthermore, now is indeed a pretty good time.
Right now, everyone in the manor knows each other inside and out. It's obvious who can go and who won't, without even thinking about it.
It's just one Baijia clan member, or maybe one more Song clan member.
In just two months, following the Fourth Master north to serve him would indeed earn him some favor, but this was naturally unavoidable.
Even without Bai Jia and Song, there would be others in the future.
In the backyard, it's always the case that you only see the new lover laughing while the old one cries. If you want to have the Fourth Prince's favor for a long time, then you have to be remembered by the Fourth Prince.
Li Chenjiao was in a fairly good mood. She pondered for a while and said, "I expect Fourth Master will come to the East Courtyard tonight. Let's prepare some things in advance."
Qiu Ci then asked, "Should we prepare a brighter outfit for our master?"
Li Chenjiao shook her head and glanced down at the outfit she was wearing today.
Since there was no need to pay respects or attend to any other matters in the East Courtyard, Li Chenjiao dressed very simply today. Her light orange cheongsam was embroidered with fragrant osmanthus blossoms, making her look elegant and refined.
Li Chenjiao recovered very well after giving birth. By the time she finished her postpartum confinement, her belly was barely visible, and now her waist was incredibly slender. However, Qiu Ci couldn't help but touch the soft flesh on her waist.
Upon hearing her mistress's words, Qiu Ci also took a look and said sweetly, "That's right, mistress looks very beautiful in this outfit. This servant can hardly take her eyes off you."
Before Li Chenjiao could speak first, Qiu Hu couldn't help but pinch the little girl's nose: "Where did you learn these glib tongue habits from?"
Li Chenjiao laughed to the side; if it were summer, she would probably just be watching the show while fanning herself with a round fan.
After laughing, Li Chenjiao went inside and leaned against the couch to read a storybook.
But she got sleepy as she read, and when she closed her eyes, she was still holding the storybook in her hand.
Two maids were doing their work outside when they suddenly saw Dongsheng arrive, walking in a flustered manner. He glanced around first, and then whispered.
"She's made a move."
Qiu Ci's eyes widened instantly. She glanced at the sky outside and exclaimed, "How dare she do this at such a young age? Does she think we're all dead?"
Qiu Hu tugged at her arm, saying, "Don't rush." She then turned to Dong Sheng and asked, "Did Xiao Luzi go with them?"
Dongsheng nodded: "He secretly followed to see where Lülan went. He was afraid that he had misunderstood Lülan, so he asked me to come back and inform the two elder sisters."
Qiu Hu said, "I understand. Go and look after the frozen pears. The master is still resting inside."
Everyone had already figured out Green Orchid's intentions. Even Green Bamboo, who was usually a bit slow to react in the East Courtyard, had noticed something and had secretly come to talk to Autumn Pot about it.
However, she was not there to complain; she was simply asking Qiu Hu to keep a closer eye on things.
Although this girl is greedy, she is pure of heart and very clean in the small kitchen. She is also truly loyal and honest. She knows that Lvlan's mind has been wandering lately, but she has not pointed it out because they work together.
After Dongsheng left, the two maids looked at each other, and one of them sighed first.
"It's a real shame that this has caused such a commotion."
Qiu Hu didn't say anything, but she still nodded slightly.
"Let's ask Master for his opinion after he wakes up. Some people will have to be dealt with eventually."
The two maids seemed to be speaking in cryptic language; only the two maids knew what they were thinking.
By the time Li Chenjiao woke up, Xiao Luzi had already returned.
The two maids' expressions changed when Xiao Luzi nodded in approval; their mistress hadn't even returned by the time she woke up.
Li Chenjiao wasn't too surprised: "Let's deal with her while Fourth Master is here tonight."
"Is Master referring to her or—"
"Naturally, it's the one in front."
However, Li Chenjiao hadn't figured out how to deal with her yet. Finding a pretext? That would be making a mountain out of a molehill. She lowered her eyes and gave her instructions.
"Go ask if Fulu is in the front yard?"
Since she's said that, it means she doesn't intend to let the Fourth Master know or punish her.
Li Chenjiao handled the matters in the backyard herself as best she could.
However, it was quite a coincidence that just as Fulu came to take He Shi away, Lülan also returned from outside.
When Fu Lu wasn't being playful, he displayed some of the authority of his master, Su Peisheng: "He Shi, serving the concubine and still stealing from her, who gave you the audacity? Guards, seize her!"
Fu Lu waved his hand, and soon someone stepped forward to gag He Shi, ignoring her wails and cries for justice, and dragged her away alive.
Green Orchid stood at the entrance of the East Courtyard and watched as Madam He was dragged out by the eunuchs right before her eyes.
The silver in her sleeve seemed to have become hot to the touch, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably. She leaned most of her body against the wall, which was cold, but her heart was pounding wildly.
At this moment, Qiu Ci stood under the corridor and spoke up: "Everyone see clearly. Those who serve by the master's side still dare to steal the master's things. I don't need to say how the master usually treats everyone. If there are any more dishonest people, today's He Shi will be your fate in the future."
Upon hearing this, Green Orchid trembled again.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Qiu Ci suddenly called out Lu Lan's name.
"Lvlan, where have you been slacking off again? Granny Lin has been looking for you but hasn't seen you anywhere. Be careful that it doesn't rain tonight and ruin the flowers that the master has been carefully tending."
Green Orchid quickly apologized, "Sister, please forgive me. I had an upset stomach at lunch, which is why I was late in serving you. I'll go find the nanny right away—"
Qiu Ci coldly looked at her: "Have you forgotten the rule that you should report to the nanny or Qiu Hu and me first? Get down now."
After she finished speaking, she lifted the curtain and went back into the inner room. When she turned around again, the coldness on her face had faded considerably.
"Master, Green Orchid is back."
Li Chenjiao yawned and asked first, "Has dinner been served?"
Qiu Ci said, "That girl, Lü Zhu, left a long time ago. It's just that the small kitchen is quite deserted now."
He had been staying in the East Courtyard for a long time, so it was no surprise that she hadn't done anything wrong.
But ever since Green Orchid arrived, she's been going to the small kitchen more often, and the two of them have gotten along much better in private.
Madam He was timid and hadn't dared to have any other thoughts even after staying in the East Courtyard for so long. However, after being given some silver by the girl Lülan, she started to have more ideas.
Li Chenjiao is making an example of someone to scare others. Madam He hasn't actually taken any action yet, but she's a cook, and if she's really instigated, it will definitely lead to a big problem.
Compared to Green Orchid, who only tipped off others, it was He Shi who absolutely had to be eliminated.
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