Taipu Mansion
When Liu Jiaojiao went to pay her respects in the morning, she heard the news that Su Miao had moved next to Shen Changji.
"And what is this Su Miao? Jiaojiao, don't blame your mother for not reminding you, you have to hold on to more men. Especially someone like General Shen, who may seem cold on the outside, but who knows what he might be more cunning than you think..." Madam Liu didn't say it outright, but her eyes were filled with a smile, hinting at Liu Jiaojiao.
“Mother! I know! As for that Su Miao… I’ve met her. Mu Xuan seems to like her quite a bit; who knows, we might end up as family in the future,” Liu Jiaojiao explained.
When Liu Muxuan was mentioned, Madam Liu's face showed a hint of displeasure.
After all, this child belongs to the first wife.
The first wife's womb was uncooperative; she gave birth to a child, but it was a girl.
Originally, it was thought that the main wife's life would end like this, but unexpectedly, she actually became pregnant. However, her good fortune was short-lived, and she suffered a severe hemorrhage the night she gave birth to Liu Muxuan.
The master remembered her good deeds, so after the first wife passed away, he made her his second wife.
"Family? This Su Miao is fostered in the Duke's mansion, isn't she? That sounds nice, but her status is nothing special! If I could, I would think my distant cousin would be a better match for Mu Xuan."
After all, Liu Muxuan will become the head of the family sooner or later, and he's not her own child, so she might as well choose someone of her own to keep him in check!
"It's all up to Mother to decide. Right now, my greatest wish is to marry into the Duke's mansion smoothly, become his lawfully wedded wife, and bear him a son or daughter!" Hope appeared in Liu Jiaojiao's eyes.
"That's for sure!"
"But... Mother, I'm still scared. I'm afraid that what happened back then will be exposed!" Liu Jiaojiao's face showed a hint of worry.
"This matter has been settled. Fortunately, he's just an ordinary commoner with no family, so it wasn't difficult to handle. No one else knows about this, so don't worry! Now you just need to rest and recuperate, and marry into the Duke's mansion in style!"
Liu Wangshi gently patted Liu Jiaojiao's hand and said with a charming smile.
"Yes, Mother! The weather is quite nice today. I'll take some things to visit Brother Changji."
"good!"
After saying that, Liu Jiaojiao got up and went to the small kitchen to prepare some food before going to find Shen Changji.
...
Liu Jiaojiao chose a time close to the end of her duty to go to the Duke's mansion.
She first paid her respects to Old Madam Shen, and then took her things to the courtyard where Shen Changji lived.
She thought of what her mother had told her, and as she passed by Su Miao's courtyard, she couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.
Su Miao was sitting in the courtyard embroidering.
Sunlight enveloped her slender figure; her skin was as white as jade, her appearance was elegant and refined, and her figure was graceful.
She hadn't paid much attention to her before, but now, at first glance, she did have some good looks.
She is delicate yet not seductive, alluring yet not vulgar; she is a rare beauty.
Su Miao seemed to hear the sound. She raised her head slightly and looked at Liu Jiaojiao.
Su Miao smiled slightly and called out, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
That slight upward gaze caused Liu Jiaojiao's eyes to unconsciously fix on Su Miao's face.
For a moment, it seemed as if the flowers in the yard had become mere decorations.
Her voice was soft, clear, and melodious; her face was beautiful and graceful.
Liu Jiaojiao realized that her gaze was abrupt and quickly looked away, smiling lightly, "I came to deliver some things to Ziji."
"My brother has gone to work."
"It's okay, he'll probably be dissipating soon, I'll wait for him."
As she spoke, Liu Jiaojiao walked closer to Su Miao.
Looking at the embroidery pattern in her hands, her eyes were full of tenderness, and her words were tinged with a hint of probing.
"Is this something that Sister Miao'er is planning to embroider for Mu Xuan?"
"Sister-in-law, you're joking."
Liu Jiaojiao smiled faintly, reached out and touched it, a hint of disdain in her eyes, but she didn't show it.
Because this embroidery skill is far inferior to hers!
It's as if Su Miao is inferior to me in terms of background, upbringing, and skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
What can she use to compete with me?
She doesn't even qualify!
A woman like her would probably not get much attention from Shen Changji, since she has no substance whatsoever and is just petty and narrow-minded to the core.
Thinking about this, Liu Jiaojiao felt much more at ease.
She sat down next to Su Miao, took a sip of tea, and asked gently, "Does Sister Su like Mu Xuan?"
"Why do you ask that, sister-in-law? Do you feel that my existence is a threat to you? I know that I am just being fostered in the Duke's mansion and am not a member of the Duke's family, so it is inevitable that some rumors will spread outside."
Liu Jiaojiao did not expect Su Miao to say that.
She was indeed worried about this.
Su Miao's gaze lingered on Liu Jiaojiao's face for a moment, then she suddenly smiled and said calmly, "I know my identity, and Ah Xuan is very good too. It's just a pity... If you don't trust me, how about I reassure you?"
As she spoke, Su Miao pulled the hairpin from her hair and pointed it directly at her face.
"After all, I have no one to rely on, and the Duke's mansion is my home. I don't want to become the bad guy!"
Su Miao's movements were swift and agile, catching Liu Jiaojiao completely off guard.
She quickly stepped forward to stop her, saying, "Sister! I didn't mean that, don't do anything foolish!"
At this moment, Shen Changji had just returned from his shift and happened to witness this farce.
He quickly stepped forward, pulled Liu Jiaojiao away, and led her back to his courtyard.
But his mind wasn't on that; it was full of the information Lone Eagle had reported to him.
The Su Miao currently residing in the Duke's mansion has a personality that differs from the "Su Miao" identified in the investigation.
Most importantly, the real Su Miao has a birthmark on her back.
In that night of indulgence, his desire was too intense, and he failed to notice Su Miao's back...
For some reason, when Shen Changji thought of the osmanthus cake from this morning, a strange sense of anticipation arose in his mind.
He wants to see Su Miao!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
