Shen Jintang's movements as she washed her face with water suddenly stopped. Crystal-clear water droplets slid down her fingertips, dripping into the basin and creating slight ripples, as if reflecting the turmoil in her heart.
However, she quickly composed herself and continued washing up.
Xing Hui stood by and served, and seeing that Shen Jintang had finished washing, she hurriedly handed her a soft handkerchief.
Shen Jintang took the handkerchief, gently wiped her face clean, and asked softly as she walked towards the dressing table, "Grand Tutor Shen? Or Shen Huaixu?"
Xinghui shook her head slightly, her expression hesitant, and said softly, "Neither, it's Aunt Qiu."
She respectfully held the visiting card with both hands and gently handed it to Shen Jintang.
Shen Jintang accepted the visiting card, his slender fingers gently stroking the slightly gleaming paper, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were pondering something.
She slowly unfolded the visiting card, her gaze lingering on the handwriting. After a moment, a faint smile appeared on her lips, as if she had seen through something.
"Should I send them away?" Xing Hui asked cautiously, his voice low and respectful.
She was filled with worry. The Shen family was highly suspected of involvement in her master's assassination attempt some time ago. Now, the Shen family dared to openly send a visiting card, clearly harboring ulterior motives. It would be best to refuse them.
Shen Jintang's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the dressing table, the crisp sound echoing in the quiet room.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze passing through the bronze mirror, as if piercing through the chaos before her and looking into the distance.
After a long silence, she spoke slowly, her voice soft yet firm: "Since they have extended such a warm invitation, wouldn't it seem impolite of us not to go?"
Xing Hui was taken aback, then felt a chill in his heart. Although his master's words were light, they seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight.
She quickly lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
Xinghui gathered up Shen Jintang's hair and gently threaded a silver hairpin through the bun. The tassels on the hairpin swayed slightly with the movement, making a soft rustling sound.
She then gently draped a plain-colored dress over Shen Jintang's shoulders. The hem of the dress draped gently like water, and the soft fabric clung to Shen Jintang's figure, outlining her slender and elegant silhouette.
The plain color of her clothes accentuated Shen Jintang's fair and jade-like skin, as if even the sunlight gave way to her with a touch of soft light.
She stood there, elegant and refined, like a beautiful woman who had stepped out of an ancient painting, exuding an otherworldly charm.
Shen Jintang smiled gently at the bronze mirror. Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, deep and bright, as if they held the stars and the sea.
Her face was already beautiful, and under Gu Zhixing's careful care during this time, she regained some of her former radiance.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, like newly blossoming peach blossoms, beautiful yet gentle, her lips slightly pursed, as if carrying a faint smile, making one feel tenderness.
Shen Jintang gently stroked the silver hairpin in her hair, the tassels swaying gently with her movements, just like her mood at this moment, which was somewhat turbulent but also calm and composed.
She stood up, gently straightened her clothes, and walked steadily and calmly towards the door.
Xinghui followed closely behind, her eyes filled with worry, yet she dared not ask any further questions.
Shen Jintang walked steadily toward the carriage parked at the gate of the mansion.
The carriage gleamed softly in the sunlight, its body adorned with exquisite carvings, giving it an exceptionally luxurious appearance.
Xinghui followed closely behind her, his hands slightly clasped together, his eyes showing a hint of respect.
"Master, please be careful," Xinghui said softly, bending slightly and reaching out to hold the carriage door.
Shen Jintang nodded slightly, stepped onto the carriage's footrest, her clothes fluttering gently, her movements light and elegant.
Once Shen Jintang was settled, Xing Hui breathed a sigh of relief, gently closed the car door, and got into the car as well.
The interior of the car is spacious and comfortable, with a faint scent of sandalwood that creates a sense of tranquility and peace.
Shen Jintang sat by the car window, tilting her head slightly, her gaze peering through the gap at the street outside, her expression cold and aloof, as if all of this had nothing to do with her.
Xinghui sat opposite him, her hands neatly placed on her knees, her eyes filled with a hint of awe.
The carriage started slowly, its wheels making a soft creaking sound on the stone pavement.
Shen Jintang closed her eyes slightly, her fingers gently tapping her knees, her movements unhurried and steady.
Xinghui secretly observed her expression, her heart filled with unease, her brows furrowed with worry: "Master, the Shen family is, after all, their territory. What if we fall into a trap on this trip..."
Although the voice was soft, it carried a hint of worry and unease.
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, reached out and took Xinghui's hand, patted it gently, and said nothing more.
Xinghui had been by Shen Jintang's side since childhood, so she naturally understood Shen Jintang's meaning and did not try to persuade her further.
The carriage swayed along, and Shen Jintang closed her eyes to rest.
"Master, we've arrived." Xinghui's voice rang in my ears.
Shen Jintang gently lifted the car curtain and stepped out of the car with steady and elegant steps.
She slightly raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the plaque in front of the mansion gate, her expression indifferent.
Just like last time, Shen Jintang was personally welcomed into the mansion by the steward.
However, this time, the butler's attitude was noticeably different.
His face was full of smiles, with a hint of deliberate flattery, as if he was afraid that Shen Jintang would not notice his enthusiasm.
He waited at the door, and when he saw Shen Jintang get out of the car, he bowed and greeted her with a respectful tone tinged with flattery: "Miss, you've finally returned. Master and Aunt Qiu have been thinking of you these days, and have instructed this old servant to clean your residence every day, hoping for your early return. This will always be your home."
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
She sneered inwardly. Was he thinking of her?
They probably wished for her death!
The housekeeper's words were so hypocritical that they made her feel nauseous.
Xinghui glanced at Shen Jintang's expression, then stepped forward, her tone respectful and proper: "Steward, you flatter me. These days, the master has often thought of the kindness of the Grand Tutor and Aunt Qiu, and hopes to return to the manor to reunite with them as soon as possible."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of shrewdness.
Upon hearing this, the steward's smile grew even brighter, and he nodded hurriedly: "Miss Xinghui is absolutely right. We all know that our master is kind-hearted."
He flattered them as he led them toward the reception room.
Aunt Qiu was already waiting in the reception room. When she heard that Shen Jintang had arrived, she immediately stood up, her face full of smiles, as gentle as the warm spring sun.
She moved gracefully to greet him, her voice so gentle it seemed to melt hearts: "Miss, you're finally back. Please, please have a seat and some tea."
She turned around and gave an order, her gaze falling on Shen Jintang with a hint of flattery: "This is newly harvested Longjing tea, just transported from Jiangnan. Jintang, try it and see if it suits your taste."
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