Chapter 215 World 9 (12)
Hearing this, Lu Yuanhui's eyebrows twitched slightly. When he heard Baoshan mention Wei Mao, he raised his eyes and looked at Baoshan's fragile and pale cheeks due to heart palpitations. Lu Yuanhui easily exposed Baoshan's lies.
"It was the Lu family's mistress who bullied you, why are you covering up for her?"
Baoshan's eyebrows were furrowed, and her slender white hands could not help but shrink slightly, which was enough to show her panic at the moment.
Baoshan lowered his head and explained hesitantly, "I..."
Under Lu Yuanhui's stern gaze, Bao Shan couldn't lie anymore. She could only explain softly, "I'm of humble status, and I'm grateful that you can take care of me. I don't want to disturb your mind with these trivial matters. The Jinyiwei are busy outside, and they shouldn't have any distracting thoughts. I hope everything goes well for you, sir."
Lu Yuanhui's inky black eyes flickered slightly, clearly uneasy with Baoshan's concern. He was accustomed to women showing him favor, showing weakness, always with requests, each with their own hidden agenda. But no one was like Baoshan, so slender and fragile, like a drifting boat, yet still concerned for his safety.
Lu Yuanhui would not let Bao Shan suffer any injustice in vain. He turned around and told Zhenzhu: "Take good care of her."
After saying that, Lu Yuanhui left, taking the Embroidered Spring Knife that was placed on the table with him.
Zhenzhu passed a cup of warm tea to Baoshan's lips and said soothingly, "Young Master is always fair in his actions. He will definitely not let the young lady suffer any injustice."
There was a trace of worry in Baoshan's eyes. Her face, as white as porcelain jade, seemed like fragile glass, translucent and bright in the heat. She spoke softly with worry, "But, Madam Lu is your stepmother. I am worried..."
Zhenzhu consoled Baoshan for a few more words, and finally she relaxed her brows. She then asked curiously, "Mrs. Lu doesn't look very old. How did fate lead her to marry Mr. Lu?"
Zhenzhu had no suspicion and thought Baoshan was just curious, so she told her the truth about how Zhang Qingping married into the Lu family.
No matter what Zhenzhu said, Baoshan held the warm tea and looked at her with clear eyes.
Being stared at by such soft and supportive eyes, Zhenzhu's heart softened. She told Baoshan everything about how Zhang Qingping seemed to be thinking about Lu Yuanhui.
Baoshan lowered his eyelids slightly and remained silent.
When Zhang Qingping learned that Lu Yuan had returned to the mansion, she did not even step into her own yard. She turned around and went to visit Baoshan.
Zhang Qingping knew that there was no possibility for Bao Shan and Lu Yuanhui to come back, but she still couldn't help feeling sad.
There were footsteps outside the door. Zhang Qingping was startled when she heard the sound, thinking that Lu Yuan had come back. Zhang Qingping had no time to redo her makeup and dress, so she hurriedly tidied her clothes. After hearing Zhiyi say "everything is fine", she breathed steadily and looked outside the door as if nothing had happened.
The footsteps stopped outside the door, and Manager Zhao from the mansion walked in with a solemn expression.
Zhang Qingping saw that there was no other figure behind Manager Zhao, and her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally sank again.
Zhang Qingping was only the mistress of the Lu family in name only, but not in reality. So Mr. Lu temporarily handed over the power of the family to the person in charge of the mansion.
Manager Zhao usually treated Zhang Qingping with courtesy and respect, and never did anything inappropriate.
Even though Manager Zhao was thinking a lot, he stood in front of Zhang Qingping and showed his usual smile on his face.
"Madam is well."
Seeing that it wasn't Lu Yuanhui, Zhang Qingping's spirit suddenly became weak, and she asked casually, "What's the urgent matter, Manager Zhao?"
Manager Zhao glanced at Zhiyi beside Zhang Qingping, and seeing that Zhang Qingping had no intention of letting Zhiyi and the maidservant beside her leave, he said sternly, "Master and Madam have been married for a long time. Although Madam is much younger than Master, she is not a newlywed after all.
I believe that when Madam was at home, she must have known many housekeeping matters, and naturally she should understand that when entertaining guests, one must be tactful and never bully or humiliate them."
Zhang Qingping was naturally intelligent; otherwise, before she even married, she wouldn't have been known as the "model of a noble lady." Manager Zhao's words were undoubtedly a veiled allusion to Baoshan's palpitations, which stemmed from her mistress's lack of understanding and deliberate bullying.
Zhang Qingping's face flushed red, and she barely suppressed her anger as she asked, "What do you mean, Manager Zhao?"
Although Zhang Qingping was unwilling to marry Mr. Lu, the power of the housekeeper was held by a servant, which restricted Zhang Qingping's actions. She had long been dissatisfied with the housekeeper Zhao.
At this time, Zhang Qingping felt that Manager Zhao was deliberately questioning her. She was indeed a little impulsive about the matter of the precious fan.
But you can't ask her to bend down and apologize to an unknown woman.
Manager Zhao simply said, "Madam, your words and actions have been inappropriate. According to the rules of the mansion, your monthly salary will be reduced by half for the next three months. You need to rest and recuperate."
——This is to fine Zhang Qingping her monthly salary, and also to detain her in the yard and not allow her to go out at will.
Zhang Qingping stood up from the rosewood chair and looked at Manager Zhao with bright eyes: "You—is this what Lu Yuanhui meant?"
Although Zhang Qingping was filled with anger, her mind remained clear. Without the permission of the Lu family's master, Manager Zhao would not have acted presumptuously.
Zhang Qingping's body swayed, and Zhiyi quickly supported her from behind.
No one else but Lu Yuanhui could punish someone so swiftly and severely.
Zhang Qingping laughed out loud in anger: "Although I am the second wife, I am also considered Lu Yuanhui's mother. Lu Yuanhui is inferior, and I am superior. There is no reason to punish my mother when there is respect for elders and juniors."
When Zhiyi heard this, she was shocked, because since Zhang Qingping married Mr. Lu, she never admitted that she was Lu Yuanhui's stepmother.
It seemed that the feelings between Zhang Qingping and Lu Yuanhui were not completely severed, and there was still a slight possibility.
But now, Zhang Qingping personally acknowledged her identity as Mr. Lu's second wife, which shows that the punishment really made Zhang Qingping sad.
Manager Zhao sighed inwardly, thinking that the rumors in the mansion were indeed not groundless.
This stepmother made no secret of her feelings for Lu Yuanhui and expressed them openly in the mansion, which still caused criticism from the maids and servants in the mansion. If Zhang Qingping did the same thing outside... it might cause trouble for Lu Yuanhui.
Manager Zhao bowed and spoke respectfully, "Madam, please don't make the wrong assumption. As the mistress of the Lu Mansion, how could the young master interfere in this matter? As for the monthly salary, it was the master who gave the order. If you have any objections, please go and explain it to the master. Don't make things difficult for us servants."
Zhang Qingping looked slightly startled: "Yes... Master?"
Manager Zhao said as a matter of course: "Of course it's the master."
Zhang Qingping was slumped in the armchair, and didn't even notice the maids below flirting with each other.
Zhiyi felt uneasy. Mr. Lu's behavior was really a disgrace to Zhang Qingping.
How should a powerless mistress, who is also despised by her master, survive in the mansion in the future?
Within half a day, the news that Zhang Qingping was detained in the yard by Mr. Lu's order due to inappropriate words and deeds spread throughout the Lu family.
Seeing the rumors spreading, Zhiyi wanted to stop them, but she was powerless.
After all, besides Zhang Qingping, there were also a group of maids who were confined in the yard.
When Zhenzhu heard this, she couldn't hide her joy in her eyes.
She was pointed out to Baoshan by Lu Yuan, so she naturally took Baoshan's side in everything.
Moreover, Baoshan has a gentle nature, and her words and actions are extremely soft, which makes people feel pity for her.
In this way, Zhang Qingping and his servant, who bullied the precious fan, became even more hateful.
When Zhenzhu presented Baoshan with fragrant tea, her face looked so relaxed that Baoshan couldn't help but look at her a few more times.
Baoshan missed her late husband Wei Mao, so when she woke up, she changed into plain clothes. Zhenzhu went to find the housekeeper and asked him to make a few more sets of clothes for Baoshan to change into.
Baoshan is wearing a plain dress without any embroidery on it, simple and plain.
Bao Shan took off her hairpin, and her dark black hair all hung down, with only a small plain flower pinned in her hair.
Although it does not have bright colors, its purity and simplicity make its original beautiful colors more apparent.
There was still a hint of sadness in Baoshan's eyebrows. She raised the corners of her lips and asked softly, "Why are you so happy?"
Zhenzhu told Baoshan about Zhang Qingping's punishment.
Seeing Baoshan's worried expression, Zhenzhu hurriedly said, "Young lady, please don't worry about the young master. This was ordered by the master himself. It's reasonable and logical. No one can find fault with it."
Bao Shan then relaxed her dark brows and pursed her lips slightly, "It's me... I'm sorry for causing trouble for you, sir."
Pearl watched from the side, not knowing how to persuade her.
Although he left the treasured fan at the Lu family, Lu Yuanhui still often stayed at the Beizhenfu Division, and sometimes asked Chen Zhang to return to the mansion to get some clothes for changing.
Zhenzhu held the plain dress she had just made for Baoshan and looked at Chen Zhang standing outside the door.
Zhenzhu recognized Chen Zhang. She stood there, thought for a moment, and then walked forward.
"Master Chen."
Chen Zhang turned and looked at her.
Zhenzhu asked, "When will the young master return home, Miss Baoshan..."
When Chen Zhang mentioned the treasured fan, he frowned slightly: "How is the treasured fan? But I'm not feeling well..."
Pearl shook her head gently. "It's nothing serious. It's just the occasional heart palpitations. The doctor said it's not life-threatening, but it's really tormenting."
Every time Miss Baoshan had palpitations, she would break out in cold sweat, her face would turn pale, and she looked very pitiful.
However, if the young master's name was mentioned, Miss Baoshan's palpitations would be relieved a lot.
I asked the doctors, and they just said that maybe when Miss Baoshan first had her heart palpitations, there was someone by her side, and that person protected Miss Baoshan, which made her feel at ease and developed a sense of dependence.
Just hearing the young master's name, Miss Baoshan felt at ease. If she could see the young master, she would probably be in great shape."
Chen Zhang's heart moved slightly, but he didn't agree immediately. He told Lu Yuanhui about this and only asked, "Is it Baoshan who wants to see you, my Lord?"
Pearl quickly shook her head: "That's not the case."
Pearl rolled her eyes, checking that no one was around, then lowered her voice and said, "Ever since the Madam was punished and locked up in the courtyard for reflection, there's been a lot of talk in the mansion. Miss Baoshan has been feeling uneasy, thinking that she has implicated the young master and caused him trouble.
Regarding the matter of palpitations, Miss Baoshan forbade me to mention the young master's name, saying that if others heard it, it would breed new rumors.
The Lu Mansion was strictly managed, and everyone was discussing things in their hearts, but they didn't dare to show it on their faces.
The only one who dared to speculate about the relationship between Bao Shan and Lu Yuanhui was Zhang Qingping.
Chen Zhang naturally understood the reason. He had always felt sorry for Bao Shan. With such a miserable life experience and such a terrible family, it was not easy for her to grow up safely.
If Bao Shan married Wei Mao, she would have lived a smooth life.
But an accident happened, and this weak woman was alone again in the blink of an eye.
But in the current situation, Baoshan is still so kind, unwilling to cause trouble, and protects Lu Yuanhui everywhere.
If Baoshan's subtle action had not been exposed by Zhenzhu, it would probably have been unknown to others.
Chen Zhang gave Zhenzhu some serious instructions, asking her to take good care of the precious fan.
Chen Zhang returned to the Northern Pacification Office, handed the change of clothes to Lu Yuanhui, and reported what Zhenzhu had said.
Chen Zhang was not a talkative man, but he could not help but say, "I hope you will spare her precious fan and help relieve her heart palpitations."
Baoshan was born in poverty, his body was like duckweed, and his home was broken into by thieves. In panic and fear, he developed heart palpitations, which is inevitable to make people feel pity for him.
Lu Yuan looked back, his eyes as calm as a deep pool.
"Don't talk too much about private matters."
Chen Zhang wanted to persuade him again, but seeing the look on Lu Yuanhui's face, he had to give up.
Bao Shan wanted to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings for her late husband Wei Mao, so she went to find Manager Zhao.
Manager Zhao thought for a moment and said that there was a small Buddhist temple in the mansion.
However, it has not been used for a long time, so there is a lot of dust inside and many places may need repairs.
Bao Shan said softly, "It's alright. The most important thing is to pray with a sincere heart; external things are not important."
Manager Zhao ordered his men to clean the small Buddhist hall carefully to prepare it for the use of the treasure fan.
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