Chapter 18 Subduing Shen Qinglu Their gazes met, and instead of answering, she asked a question…
*
The night is deep and quiet, and the air is cool as water.
Yu Jingliang escorted Shen Qinglu to the outside of Ruian Residence and watched her go inside before leaving.
She gently pushed open the door to the left wing room, carefully slipped inside, and made a soft creaking sound as the door opened and closed.
The room was quiet, and everything was blurred in the dim light. On the small bed in the outer room, the bulge of someone sleeping under the covers was vaguely visible, no different from when she left.
She tiptoed closer and bent down to look at the person on the bed.
"Summer Cicadas".
No one responded to her.
She stood there for a while before taking off her clothes and getting into bed. But instead of falling asleep quietly, she waited patiently like a lurking hunter, without moving an inch.
About half an hour later, a slight sound came from the small bed in the outer room, as if someone had sighed.
They remained silent all night until the first light of dawn.
The servants got up first and busied themselves with their tasks.
Autumn Dew brought over some things and chatted with Summer Cicada at the door.
"Last night, the old lady instructed that from now on, the young lady will live in Ruian Residence, and her allowances will be the same as those of the eldest young lady. This is what you are entitled to this month, and I am bringing it to you first."
Xia Chan thanked her, saying it was hard work and trouble for her.
She smiled slightly, with a touch of emotion, "I was worried about you before, afraid that you weren't having a good time at the Jingxin Courtyard. Now that you're back, I feel much better."
Both women were once head maids of the Xie family, on equal footing, and their relationship was not shallow. Although they still serve in the same courtyard now, their statuses are clearly different.
“It’s just that Miss Cousin is different from ordinary people. You have no future if you follow her. I really feel sorry for you. When the masters fight, it’s always us servants who suffer.”
"I think this is great. The girl is easy to serve. Maybe this is my good fortune."
"I'm relieved that you can think this way."
Qiu Lu said this, but her gaze towards Xia Chan was full of sympathy.
Xia Chan didn't explain further. After accepting the gifts, she turned around and suddenly discovered a pair of dark eyes staring at her from behind the half-open carved window.
She hurried into the house and soon arrived in front of Shen Qinglu.
Shen Qinglu didn't turn around. "I know people in the manor say behind my back that I'm a fool and shouldn't be alive. You were originally a useful person to my grandmother, but I took you away. Are you willing to accept that?"
"Don't worry, young lady, I'm doing this willingly."
"Why?" Shen Qinglu slowly turned around and looked at her seriously.
If last night was a test, then this is a declaration.
Just like when we first met, her eyes were gentle, neither looking away nor avoiding our gaze.
"Please don't be angry if I tell you."
"Tell me about it."
“I have a younger sister who had a high fever when she was two years old, which damaged her brain. When she was five, my parents took us to the market in town. I lost sight of her for a moment and never found her again.”
She meant that she wouldn't look down on Shen Qinglu; to put it more grandly, she considered Shen Qinglu as her younger sister, but she couldn't say it outright, since there was a difference between master and servant.
The water in the silver basin was getting cold and was no longer suitable for washing. She waited for a long time but did not get a response from Shen Qinglu. She was a little disappointed and was about to change the water when she heard Shen Qinglu say, "I told you, it might be your good fortune to be with me. When I have the ability in the future, I will help you find her."
"Girl, what...what did you say?"
Years ago, someone saw her younger sister being carried onto a carriage. Her whole family searched for a long time but couldn't find her. Her mother became heartbroken because of this and passed away early. Her father broke his leg while traveling at night to find her sister. It was because of the need to treat her father's leg that she begged a slave trader to take her in, and she was then sold into the Yu family.
For many years, she has been deeply troubled by her sister's abduction and has searched for her in secret, but to no avail.
"Miss, are you really willing to help me?"
Shen Qinglu met her gaze, and instead of answering, asked, "Xia Chan, can I trust you?"
She had already seen through the disguise of the person before her, and her heart was pounding, but after a brief moment of thought, she made a solemn decision. "Don't worry, Miss, from now on you will be my only mistress, and I will only listen to you."
Shen Qinglu was very satisfied. The darkness in her eyes was like an underground river under the night sky, slowly spreading over, as if to drown and devour people.
"Then it's settled."
*
Stepping outside, the cool air that hits you gives you a jolt, but also instantly refreshes you.
Last night the moon and stars shone brightly, and today the sky is clear and bright. This ordinary day is the tomorrow that those who died yesterday longed for.
Since we're alive, let's live well.
Thinking this, Shen Qinglu turned and entered Xie's house.
This meal contained more meat, and minced meat could be seen. She still ate quite a lot. In Xie's eyes, this naturally brought both relief and unspoken guilt.
After the meal, Xie asked her to go to the storeroom to select fabrics.
The Xie family's storeroom didn't have much stock, and there weren't many bolts of fabric either, mostly in dark colors. She selected the only red one and a green one.
When they returned after selecting the fabric, besides Madam Xie, Shen Linlang and her daughter Yu Liuzhu were also in the house.
Before even entering the house, she heard Shen Linlang's voice, which was clearly displeased, "Mother, do you really want Ali to go with us?"
"The people from the Marquis's residence specifically mentioned that it might not be good if we don't let Ali go." Madam Xie frowned, her brows furrowed with worry.
Just now, someone from the Marquis of Yongyi's residence sent an invitation, inviting them to visit the residence in three days, and also conveyed the words of Old Madam Mu.
Madam Mu said that both families had few daughters, and the Mu family's daughters were too young, so no one could take care of Yu Liuzhu. She heard that Madam Xie was raising her granddaughter, so she suggested that they bring Shen Qinglu along, so that she could keep Yu Liuzhu company.
The words are not wrong, reasonable and understandable, but people can't help but think about them.
"But Ali is different from ordinary people. What if something goes wrong?" Shen Linlang appeared to be worried about Shen Qinglu, but in reality, she was also worried.
Although her daughter did not want to marry into the Mu family, a family of Mu's social standing would never agree to let the daughter of a disgraced official enter their home.
"Mother, don't worry, I will keep a close eye on Ali."
Yu Liuzhu's words were very magnanimous, but Shen Linlang knew her thoughts and felt a mix of heartache and dissatisfaction. "Mother, I'm wondering if it's possible that Ah Lin mentioned Ah Li after going back?"
These words, though spoken in a veiled and subtle manner, actually implied that Mu Lin had a special feeling for Shen Qinglu and blamed Xie for keeping Shen Qinglu by his side.
Madam Xie could understand what was going on, but she couldn't say anything. She could only say to Shen Linlang in a slightly pleading tone, "Ali is getting older and can't stay at home forever. It's good to let her go out and show her face more often. You might have to take care of her in the future."
Shen Linlang was even more dissatisfied, but she suppressed her dissatisfaction. Just as she was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of Shen Qinglu coming in. Her dark eyes were looking at her, as if she had some grievances and pain to tell her.
In an instant, she felt unwell.
That's enough.
This child is innocent and pitiful.
"Don't worry, Mother. I am her aunt, and I will naturally take care of her when the time comes."
This was the first thing Yu Qingxue heard upon arriving.
Knowing she was too late to stop him in front of Madam Xie, she pretended to be extremely grateful, thanking Shen Linlang repeatedly and making many requests, appearing every bit the loving mother.
In Shen Linlang's eyes, such an attitude and behavior was simply immature. The more she listened to Shen Qinglu's explanation, the angrier she became. She almost changed her mind, but after several times when she was about to speak, she swallowed her words back when she met Shen Qinglu's gaze.
Shen Qinglu remained indifferent to her feigned affection, but a hint of emotion appeared in her otherwise vacant eyes when she heard that she would make new clothes for herself.
There was mockery, but also caution.
She worked quickly, saying she hadn't slept for two days and one night, and together with Qin's mother, she made a new set of clothes.
Wrapped in a bright red cloth, revealing a new red garment underneath, its smooth and lustrous texture clearly indicating fine material. When Qin's mother placed the bundle on the table, her movements were somewhat deliberate; she seemed to place it carefully and gently, yet when she put it down, she appeared rather impatient, as if afraid of it getting stained with something it shouldn't.
Shen Qinglu's eyes flickered slightly upon seeing this.
"Ali, this is something your mother made for you herself. It's your favorite color. Try it on and see if it fits," Yu Qingxue said softly, forcing a smile that she thought was loving.
Seeing Shen Qinglu looking blank and ignoring her words, she was naturally annoyed. She had to suppress her irritation and impatience and turned to Xia Chan, saying, "Help Ali change her clothes."
"Miss," Xia Chan called out, as if she had no choice but to comply.
Shen Qinglu remained motionless, like a wooden statue.
"girl……"
"Ah!" Shen Qinglu suddenly screamed, her eyes filled with terror as she looked at Yu Qingxue. "Don't hit me, don't hit me, you bad person!"
Yu Qingxue was afraid that she would attract Xie Shi's attention, so she quickly retreated towards the door.
Xia Chan quickly smoothed things over, "Grandma, the young lady is probably not recognizing anyone right now. How about I help her change again once she's feeling better?"
"Then remember to change it for her. If there's anything that doesn't fit, remember to send it back and I'll fix it for her."
After saying that, he didn't dare to look into Shen Qinglu's frighteningly dark eyes and quickly left with Qin's mother.
As soon as they left, Xia Chan prepared to open the bundle.
"Don't move!" Shen Qinglu immediately stopped her.
She was startled. "Miss, is there something wrong with this?"
Whether it's appropriate or not, Shen Qinglu doesn't know, and she won't try it herself.
If we really want to give it a try, there is a more suitable candidate.
A note from the author:
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
