"Miss, I don't want to be separated from you."
Qingtan held onto Chen Danru with some reluctance; to an outsider, it would seem like a separation of life and death.
After Shen Danru moved to Muxue Garden, Shen Shi arranged for twelve servants to serve her.
This included four first-class maids, four maids of lower rank, a nanny, an old woman, and two cooks.
In addition, at Shen Danru's request, Qingtan was also allocated a fine courtyard and settled in as a cousin of the Duke's family.
However, Qingtan and Shen Danru had been together for a long time, and the sudden separation made her feel uncomfortable.
"Silly girl, you can't be my maid forever, you'll get married eventually."
"Besides, don't you want to be my second sister-in-law anymore?"
Qingtan blushed and nodded.
Shen Danru only learned some time ago at the border that Qingtan had known her second brother for four years.
Her family was killed by her enemies, and she was left to wander the streets, where she fainted from hunger.
It just so happened that the second brother was on his way to join the army and gave all the money he had to Qingtan.
Although it wasn't much money, it was the first kindness she had encountered since falling on hard times, and she remembered it deeply.
She often wondered when she could reunite with that brother.
Later, when she encountered Shen Yutang again, he had collapsed by the roadside, and Qingtan recognized him at a glance.
Shen Yutang was also very surprised when he found out. He had long forgotten what happened four years ago, but he did not expect that this little girl would still remember it.
By a twist of fate, Qingtan became the second sister's maid.
During the time Qingtan took care of Shen Yutang, their feelings for each other quickly deepened, and they had already secretly pledged their lives to each other.
But this matter could not be kept from Shen Danru.
He was also happy for Qingtan, thinking it was good that she could marry his second brother.
With her second brother taking care of her, she felt more at ease than marrying an outsider.
Shen Danru didn't care about Qingtan's background; she firmly believed that this girl would never hurt her.
Qingtan didn't want to talk about the past, and Shen Danru naturally didn't press her for details.
"Luckily, you live in the yard next to mine, so you can come over anytime you want to see me."
Qingtan glanced outside and said, "Miss, you should take care of your health and be wary of the people around you."
"Don't worry, these are all people arranged by my grandfather, so they should all be trustworthy."
Shen Danru pulled Qingtan into the neighboring courtyard, and the Liuli Pavilion came into view.
Then Zhou and Shen Xiaohua directed their servants to busily move items.
Shen Danru stopped a servant and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Reporting to Second Miss, it is the Madam's order."
The servant replied respectfully.
Hearing the sound, Madam Zhou looked up and said with a smile, "Ru'er has arrived. Your little sister Xiaohua has no place to live yet, so this courtyard will belong to her."
Shen Xiaohua quickly said, "Second Aunt, you don't need to make arrangements for me. Xiaohua is willing to stay by your side. A small house is enough for me to settle down."
Despite his words, his eyes betrayed his joy.
After hearing this, Zhou was even more satisfied with Shen Xiaohua.
Compared to her two daughters, Xiaohua is more considerate.
This reminded her of the thoughtfulness of her daughters when she was in Shangqing Village.
Knowing that the children would drift further and further away after returning to Shengjing, I really don't know if I should have come to Shengjing at all.
"How can that be? What your two older sisters have, you should have too. Don't worry, your second aunt will never mistreat you."
Shen Danru never expected that she would witness such a scene of motherly love and filial piety as soon as she stepped into the courtyard.
"Since you are willing to serve my mother for the rest of your life, then I will grant your wish and you may serve her in her room."
Shen Danru's voice was full of disdain.
Shen Xiaohua was stunned, and the fake smile on her face vanished instantly.
Her eyes reddened, and she stood there at a loss, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Seeing Shen Danru's words, Madam Zhou sighed and said, "Ru'er, you are already the daughter of the Duke's mansion, are you still not satisfied? Why can't you even tolerate Xiaohua?"
Shen Danru was amused by Zhou's words: "Fine, Mother, if you think I can't tolerate her, then I can't tolerate her."
Unable to explain to this ignorant mother, she then ordered the servants, "Throw these things out the way they were brought in. Remember, she is the mistress of your Liuli Pavilion."
Shen Danru, holding Qingtan's hand, introduced her to everyone.
"Yes, I've met Miss Biao."
The servants of Liuli Pavilion all greeted Qingtan.
They already knew that, apart from the Duke, the second young lady was the most important person in the mansion.
She was bestowed the title of Princess Chaoyun by the Emperor and was deeply favored by the Duke.
They weren't stupid; they knew that the second young lady couldn't be offended.
Upon seeing this, Madam Zhou was so angry that her chest ached: "Ru'er, how have you become like this? You'd rather give this courtyard to your maid than to your sister."
Shen Danru said expressionlessly, "Where did I get a sister? Is Xiaohua your daughter or my father's? She's just a servant I bought for eighty taels of silver."
She took a breath and said, "If we're talking about sisters, Qingtan is my sister. Although we're not related by blood, she has saved my life many times, and she's closer to me than any blood relative."
Zhou choked, realizing that Liuli Pavilion could not be used for Xiaohua's stay today.
Fearing that Shen Xiaohua would be unhappy, she comforted her, "Don't worry, Xiaohua, your second aunt will definitely arrange a better courtyard for you."
Shen Xiaohua said something else, but Shen Danru didn't hear a single word.
She didn't want to see the mother and son being so affectionate, so she decided to avoid it and ordered, "Show them out."
He then pulled Qingtan into the house.
The next day, after having breakfast, Shen Danru thought about going to check on how the restaurant was doing.
She went to the frontier for several months. During this time, with her elder brother's arrangement, the restaurant opened and is said to be doing very well.
Just then, the maid Chunmei rushed in, panting, and said, "Miss, the Emperor's decree has arrived. Madam Xu wants you to go out and receive it."
Chunlan: "Miss, let me help you change your clothes and comb your hair."
Shen Danru glanced at her clothes and saw nothing wrong with them.
"No need."
Chunmei and Chunlan quickly helped her up, carefully straightened her collar, and then put pearl hairpins and hair ornaments on her.
Shen Danru looked at herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Upon reaching the front courtyard, one sees the masters of each courtyard of the Duke's mansion standing in the courtyard.
The front courtyard had been prepared for receiving the imperial edict. The golden edict was placed on the table, and a eunuch was standing beside it to announce the edict.
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was someone Shen Danru had met before; he was Eunuch Yu, who served the emperor.
Eunuch Yu looked at Shen Danru and said with a smile, "Princess Chaoyun, please kneel down to receive the imperial decree."
Shen Danru responded, walked to the table, and knelt down to pay her respects.
"Your subject receives the imperial decree."
Everyone else from the Duke's mansion knelt down as well.
Eunuch Yu picked up the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen family daughter Danru is of virtuous character, intelligent and wise. I am pleased with her and hereby bestow upon her the title of Princess Chaoyun. This is my decree."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I accept your decree."
After receiving the imperial decree and expressing his gratitude, Shen Danru whispered to the maid beside him, "Go and prepare a generous gift for Eunuch Yu."
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