Chapter 89 Stunning: The girl in green was exquisitely beautiful, resembling a character from the Dream of the Red Chamber…
*
It was still dark when the servants in the mansion got up one after another.
The light under the stove was the first to come on, and the entire kitchen was quickly filled with steam.
Among the busy old women and maids, the former young lady Yu Liuzhu stood out. She tended a red clay stove, adding firewood to it from time to time.
Everyone who saw her felt sorry for her, and some sighed, but no one went up to talk to her.
She was pale and looked somewhat weak, but she did everything herself, from preparing the food to cooking, without letting Dengzhi interfere.
When a master falls from grace, those around him naturally lose power as well. Those who used to fawn over Dengzhi now keep their distance, unsure of how to treat the master and servant.
The aroma of the chicken soup quickly filled the air, blending with the fragrance of the other foods.
The old woman in charge directed everyone, and didn't forget to instruct the cook, "The young lady prefers light flavors, so put less salt in this dish."
The cook responded loudly, his spatula flying across the surface.
"You," the head maid pointed to a servant girl and said, "Remember to send food to that young lady in Pear Garden later. She's someone the eldest young lady brought back, so don't neglect her."
Hearing these words, Yu Liuzhu paused in her act of stuffing firewood. The firelight from the stove reflected on her face, turning it an unnatural red, and her eyes looked somewhat frightening.
Suddenly someone walked towards her, speaking softly, "Your soup tastes good, give me a bowl."
She looked up and saw a thin-looking but unfamiliar girl, and immediately guessed who she was.
The head maid came over and asked, "You must be the guest the eldest young lady brought back, right? Why did you come to get your food yourself? I was thinking of having someone deliver the food to you later."
"Don't you need to do it yourself?" Mei Xiaomei asked awkwardly. "I've never been waited on before... Could I have a bowl of this soup?"
"Miss Tang'er, this soup..."
“Sure.” Yu Liuzhu interrupted the stewardess, her smile not reaching her eyes. “If you like it, I can give you a bowl whenever I make soup in the future.”
They're just asking for trouble; one more won't hurt.
Mei Xiaomei thanked her shyly and told the steward that since everyone was there, she would take the food herself this time to save others the trouble of making the trip.
The head maid had no reason to disagree, so she let her have her way.
She returned to her residence and immediately saw the person standing in front of the window.
Her green dress flowed like water, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and when she turned around, she had a face as beautiful as a lotus without any makeup, just like a lotus leaf setting off a lotus flower, simple and unpretentious, yet full of charm.
Xia Chan immediately stepped forward and helped her close the door.
She placed the food on the table, took out the soup separately, drank several mouthfuls in a row, and frowned slowly, forming a deep frown. "Miss, the ingredients in this soup are a bit too strong."
They're really in a hurry.
Shen Qinglu lowered her eyelids. "Is there a solution?"
"This isn't poison, and there's no antidote. If you haven't taken it many times, you'll be fine once you stop." She thought for a moment and said, "If you're worried about harming your health, there is a way: just vomit it out afterwards, though it will be a bit painful."
"I see."
It seems this is the only way.
Shen Qinglu glanced at the morning light outside the window. The morning light contained its own magnificent colors, a sign that the rosy clouds would soon fill the sky, and soon the sun would rise and shine on all things.
This is a beautiful sight that only the living can see.
"Miss." Ren Chun's voice rang out from outside, tinged with urgency.
Xia Chan quickly opened the door and let her in.
Upon seeing Shen Qinglu, she reported, "Miss, Chief Censor Guan has arrived."
*
Guan Bao came to apologize sincerely.
The table piled high with apologies, and the sincere attitude, were quite different from what I had seen last time. Because he was not wearing official robes, but rather an elegant and refined dress, his handsome features stood out even more, giving him a rather scholarly air.
After he was invited to the main hall in the front yard, he was greeted not by Shen Linlang, but by Granny Yu.
After Yu Mama bowed to him, she said, "My lady said that Guan Tixing is just doing his job impartially, and there is no need to be so polite."
Shen Linlang naturally didn't want to see him, which is why she sent Granny Yu to get rid of him.
He lowered his gaze, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Please pass on a message to your wife: my presence here today is at my brother's behest. If I cannot personally apologize to Miss Shen, I fear I will have difficulty explaining myself to my brother."
Guan Hu himself is nothing to be afraid of for the Shen family, but he is backed by Prince Xin, which makes people think too much.
Of course, Granny Yu couldn't make the decision on this matter, so she could only take her leave.
Just as she stepped outside, she saw someone approaching, "Young lady..."
Guan Bao, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, turned around upon hearing this and was instantly captivated by the stunning sight.
The girl in green was exquisitely beautiful, like a willow swaying in the breeze above a red pavilion, stirring the heart and arousing the most sordid and lingering thoughts, making one eager to share a passionate encounter with her.
Shen Qinglu did not avoid his malevolent gaze, responding with a cold and icy demeanor.
The atmosphere became strange and inexplicable.
The amazement in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by curiosity and surprise.
Ordinary unmarried girls would instinctively look away, let alone be stared at like that, or even just glance at him. But this Miss Shen not only didn't avoid him, but actually tried to suppress him, which was truly unusual.
"I was so eager to investigate the case earlier that I was afraid I had startled the young lady, so I came here to apologize."
“It’s all official business. What wrong has Judge Guan done? I understand your intentions. Please take these things back.”
"I have come to sincerely apologize. Please consider these gifts as a way to calm Miss Shen's nerves." He said, taking steps closer, his gaze becoming increasingly unsettling.
Shen Qinglu raised her wrist as if unconsciously, revealing a corner of her sleeve dart, her face expressionless. "I said I don't need it, and I don't need it. Surely Guan Tixing understands the principle of 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'?"
He squinted, his eyes growing increasingly moist. "The case is closed. That beggar girl has nowhere to go and is willing to sell herself into slavery, begging our criminal justice department to find her a good family."
"This is a matter for your Ministry of Justice; Chief Justice Guan need not inform me."
"I heard that Miss Shen bumped into someone on the road and took them in, which shows her kind heart. She must also be willing to buy that flower girl. If she becomes yours, her life and death will be in your hands. What do you think?"
These people are really relentless; they're desperate to squeeze people into her life.
She shook her head blankly, "It doesn't matter, I have plenty of servants around me."
“Miss Chen, I know you are frightened and resentful. This is a rare opportunity. Aren’t you tempted at all?” Guan Bao said, moving closer. But as soon as he moved his foot, he saw her casually playing with the hidden arrow in her sleeve.
Those dark eyes stared straight at people, yet seemed somewhat empty.
Guan Bao was suspicious, unable to figure out whether she was still suffering from a mental illness or was incredibly cunning.
"Ah Li!"
Yu Jingliang's voice arrived before her husband did.
Accompanying him was Cheng Ying.
Both men were dressed in the uniforms of the Divine Martial Guards, clearly having rushed over after learning of Guan Bao's arrival while on duty.
Upon seeing them, Guan Bao's expression turned even more sinister.
"The case is closed. Is it not appropriate for Lord Guan to come here so abruptly?" Yu Jingliang's eyes were unfriendly as he stood in front of his sister, staring sharply at Guan Bao.
Guan Bao had dealt with them all before; they weren't exactly enemies, but they certainly didn't get along.
Firstly, while the Divine Martial Camp and the Ministry of Justice appear to be complementary, they are actually quite mutually restrictive, making their relationship rather delicate. Secondly, due to their different backgrounds, Guan Bao, like his cousin, disliked these scions of aristocratic families.
"I came here specifically to apologize to Miss Shen."
"So even Lord Guan knows that his actions were inappropriate."
"No. I have done nothing wrong in public matters, but in private matters, Miss Shen was indeed surprised, and I feel uneasy about it."
"That's really laughable. I never knew you had a conscience." Yu Jingliang sneered, glancing at the things on the table, and said, "Stop pretending here. Take your things too."
Guan Bao gave him a deep look, his hostility fully revealed.
He showed no fear whatsoever and threw the things away directly. This open confrontation clearly indicated that he had no intention of engaging in any pretense or pretense.
For a moment, they were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere was tense and ready to fight.
Guan Bao's expression changed, growing increasingly grim. Before leaving, he didn't forget to say to Shen Qinglu, who was completely hidden from view, "Miss Shen, please consider what I said carefully. If you've made up your mind, please send someone to let me know. I'll wait for your reply in three days."
Shen Qinglu replied without any hesitation, "No need, I have plenty of servants."
"What did he ask you to consider?" Yu Jingliang asked urgently.
There's no point in hiding this.
After Shen Qinglu finished speaking, Yu Jingliang gritted his teeth and said, "This Guan Bao was arrogant at first but then became obsequious. He definitely didn't have anything good up his sleeve."
“Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious.” Cheng Ying rested her chin on her hand and looked at Shen Qinglu with arrogance. “Miss Ali, if you see this person in the future, remember to stay away from him, lest you get entangled with him.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingliang's expression immediately changed.
The Guan brothers did not have a good reputation in the capital. Guan Hu was arrogant and domineering, with a bad temper and a ruthless nature. He offended many people. Although he was unmarried, he had a large number of concubines.
In contrast, Guan Bao was a man who preferred to use underhanded tactics, which made him even more detestable. What was particularly chilling was that he married three times, and both his first and second wives died young.
“Ali, Lord Cheng is right. This man is wicked. You should avoid him in the future.”
Shen Qinglu obediently agreed and then thanked Cheng Ying.
Cheng Ying crossed her arms, her gaze becoming increasingly unrestrained. Her delicate features were striking, and her gentle smile was enough to make any young woman blush and her heart race.
"Miss Ali kept thanking me, but I didn't do anything in return. The first time we met, she said she would treat me to something delicious, which made me wait so long."
Shen Qinglu remembered this and felt somewhat ashamed. "It was my fault. There's no time like the present. How about I treat you to dinner today?"
“Alright.” Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow and glanced at Yu Jingliang. “You’ll keep me company.”
Yu Jingliang laughed heartily and put his arm around his shoulder, "Then it's settled."
His body stiffened slightly before returning to normal.
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