Chapter 53 Pink Skull, don't you know how... you look?
The only difference is that this bottle has two words written on it: Scar Eliminator.
The aura of the bamboo instantly dissipated, and when she looked up again, Mu Hanshi was nowhere to be seen; only the night was as still as water.
"This Lord Mu is truly a strange person," Xia Chan muttered, then asked her, "Miss, is there anything wrong with this medicine?"
She shook her head, also feeling a sense of unease.
Upon returning to her lodgings, she placed the two bottles of medicine side by side for comparison. From the appearance of the bottles, there was no difference, and the smell of the ointment inside was exactly the same.
“Miss, these two bottles of medicine look exactly the same.” Xia Chan murmured, as if she had just thought of something, “What exactly does that Lord Mu mean?”
Shen Qinglu also wanted to ask.
She could guess why Mu Lin brought her medicine, but what did Mu Lao Jiu mean by that?
She frowned, turning the porcelain bottle in her hand over and over. Apart from those two words, there was no other information. After wiping away the words on the bottle, she could not distinguish them at all.
If Mu Hanshi really wanted to harm her, with his elusive skills, he could have taken her life silently without alerting anyone, without going to such lengths.
If there's nothing wrong with the medicine, then it really doesn't make sense.
While she was pondering, she unconsciously fiddled with the two bottles of medicine. When she came to her senses, she had already mixed them up and couldn't tell which bottle was given by Mu Lin and which bottle was given by Mu Han just now.
"Put them all away."
"Didn't the second young master say that this medicine is extremely effective in removing scars? Wouldn't you like some, young lady?"
"Who knows which bottle was given by my second brother? It's best to be careful."
"Is the young lady worried that the medicine sent by Lord Mu is not suitable?" Xia Chan asked, somewhat puzzled.
Shen Qinglu remained noncommittal. Although she thought Mu Hanshi wouldn't go to such lengths to harm her, it was always better to be safe than sorry, especially for someone like her who valued her life.
After Xia Chan put away all the medicine, she began to undo the girl's hair. First, she removed the hair ornaments, then loosened the complicated hair and combed it out little by little.
All around was quiet, and the room was warm and fragrant.
The mirror's edge is carved with floral and leaf patterns, clearly reflecting the faces of the master and servant.
Xia Chan glanced around from time to time, each time marveling at the girl in the mirror who looked like a peony just beginning to bloom.
"This servant believes that the medicine sent by Lord Mu must be of excellent quality, and there should be nothing wrong with the medicine itself."
"His actions are illogical; one should always be wary of him." Shen Qinglu has always been thoughtful and calculating.
In the candlelight, as yellow as pearls, her features became even more indescribable, like the radiant glow of a naturally beautiful jade, a visual delight beyond words. Faced with such beauty, even the most upright and aloof man might act unexpectedly.
You see cicadas every day, but seeing one each time is still a truly amazing experience.
"Girl, don't you know how beautiful you are?"
Shen Qinglu subconsciously raised her eyelids and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her features delicate and exquisite. She was as beautiful as a peach blossom, but her temperament was as delicate as a white pear. From afar, she appeared bold and colorful, but up close, she was elegant and fragrant.
Xia Chan understood what she meant; she must have thought that Mu Hanshi was captivated by her face, which was why he secretly sent her medicine.
She gave a self-deprecating laugh, "No matter how beautiful I am, to someone like Lord Mu, I'm probably nothing more than a beautiful skeleton."
"How could that be?" Xia Chan exclaimed in astonishment. "What you're saying is too frightening."
There's something even scarier!
Shen Qinglu thought this to herself and said nothing more.
Xia Chan had already combed her hair and then helped her with her makeup and face washing.
After all that fuss, it was already very late.
The master and servant rested separately, one in the inner room and the other guarding the outer room. The lanterns under the eaves and the candles inside silently offered their light, like messengers of illumination.
After a night of chaotic dreams, Shen Qinglu opened her eyes, which were filled with pain.
She rubbed her temples, thinking about the absurdity of that chaotic dream, and shook her head.
Perhaps her mind was too cluttered, or perhaps she was thinking too much, she not only dreamed that her brother's face was replaced by Mu Lin, but she also dreamed that he became Mu Hanshi.
That's utterly absurd!
Just as she finished tidying up, Bao Kui came over to invite her, saying that Shen Linlang had been waiting for her to have breakfast.
While the mother and daughter were eating, the stewards from various departments were waiting outside.
There have been many things happening in the manor lately, one after another, so the atmosphere is not good. This can be seen from the tense postures and serious expressions of everyone.
After they finished their meal and tidied everything up, they allowed people to enter, report to them one by one, and follow their instructions.
Shen Qinglu had been observing the proceedings for two days, and today she officially took over. Those people, seeing her in the center while Shen Linlang sat beside her, all understood the situation.
"We've been working day and night, and only finished this morning. Please take a look, young lady." The head maid of the sewing room stepped forward and presented the newly made clothes.
Xia Chan took the clothes and asked her daughter to take a look.
The pomegranate red color and smooth, glossy fabric were not the same fabric she had chosen from Xie's warehouse, and she probably wouldn't have seen the clothes made from that fabric.
"If you feel anything is inappropriate, please tell me and I will change it right away." The head maid's tone was clearly ingratiating, and also somewhat apprehensive.
Over the years, Shen Linlang has gradually relinquished control over matters concerning the inner quarters, with Yu Liuzhu managing most of the affairs.
A new emperor brings a new court. Now the eldest daughter's position has changed hands, and the affairs of the inner quarters have also changed hands. For some people, the most unsettling thing is the fear of a change in leadership.
"It looks good to me; you've put in a lot of effort."
"This is all I should do." The head maid visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and her body was no longer tense as she retreated.
Shen Qinglu took it all in, but remained unmoved.
All of them were servants of the Shen family, who accompanied Shen Linlang to the Yu family as part of her dowry. Their previous respect and loyalty to Yu Liuzhu was not because of Yu Liuzhu herself.
Similarly, the reason they are currently showing her respect and trying to please her is not because of her as a person, but because of her identity as the daughter of Shen Linlang.
That's why she won't replace anyone or make things difficult for anyone.
Between the two young ladies, it's inevitable that people will compare them in their minds. Compared to Yu Liuzhu's slight panic when she took over the affairs of the manor, she seemed quite at ease, issuing a series of instructions without any omissions.
As the managers left, their previous anxiety subsided, and they felt more relaxed and at ease, showing her a greater sense of respect. They all thought to themselves that this new young woman was no ordinary person.
Shen Linlang saw everyone's reactions and exchanged a smile with Granny Yu.
Granny Yu whispered, "I have never seen anyone as intelligent as the eldest young lady."
Putting everything else aside, if anyone hadn't seen and heard it with their own eyes and ears, they wouldn't believe that the person who had been so methodically arranging all those things was a fool not long ago.
"Although I started learning a little late, this is enough." While feeling gratified, Shen Linlang also felt a pang of sorrow and resentment in her heart.
Her eyes were slightly red, but her gaze towards Shen Qinglu was filled with a smile. Just as she was about to say a few words of praise, a servant came from the front yard to report that a guest had come to see her.
"That lady said she was from Pingyang County and was an old acquaintance of the old lady and the eldest aunt."
In the past, if someone from her husband's hometown came, she would definitely invite them in.
Now that she regarded Xie Shi and Yu Qingxue as enemies, she was unwilling to give them any face. Her face darkened and she said, "Just say that the old lady is ill and not fit to receive guests, and send them away."
“Mother.” Shen Qinglu frowned slightly and said with some worry, “Since that lady is a fellow villager of Father and has a past relationship with the Yu family, it would be better to invite her in, lest she go back to her hometown and speak ill of you.”
“Ah Li, after what they did, I really don’t want to give them any face.”
“If it were just them, we wouldn’t need to worry about it, but you can’t disregard Father’s feelings.” Shen Qinglu pretended to think it over and then said, “Why don’t we invite them in for a cup of tea, show them our manners, and then tell them that Grandmother is ill? We can then politely send them off, which would save face for us and avoid offending them. What do you think?”
"You child..." Shen Linlang didn't finish her sentence, but the praise in her eyes was obvious.
She turned to the servant and said, "Listen to the young lady, go and invite the person in."
These words were meant to give Shen Qinglu face, and to tell everyone in the mansion about Shen Qinglu's importance in her heart.
Shen Qinglu looked at her with admiration, her eyes shining brightly. But as she lowered her head as if in embarrassment, the bright light suddenly dimmed, replaced by complete darkness.
*
A carriage was parked outside the gate of the Yu residence.
A bullock cart followed behind the horse-drawn carriage.
At first glance, the carriage appears quite impressive, but upon closer inspection, it bears neither insignia nor carvings that symbolize status. It's not hard to guess that the owner is either of humble origin or deliberately concealing his identity.
The oxcart was piled high with gifts, indicating the abundance of the visiting gifts. It was hard to guess who this lady, who called herself Fang from Pingyang, really was.
Beside the carriage stood a master and servant.
The old woman gazed at the gate of the Yu residence with a hint of awe. "Miss, the Yu family is quite impressive these days. I've heard that Lord Yu's wife comes from a general's family. Do you think she will see us?"
“I am an old acquaintance of Aunt Yu and Qingxue, and I also know Brother Yu. This is a proper visit, so there is no reason for her not to see me.”
The woman referred to as "Miss" was quite beautiful, with fair skin and a full figure. However, she appeared to be about the same age as Yu Qingxue, yet she wore her hair in the style of an unmarried woman, and her brows revealed an immaturity stemming from a lack of experience, as if all her thoughts were written on her face.
“Recently, many people in the capital have been talking about the Yu family. Madam Yu is probably in a bad mood. I feel it’s inappropriate for you to come at this time…”
Before the old woman could finish speaking, Fang glared at her and said, "I only know that Qingxue is having a hard time. We've known each other for a while, and she wrote a letter crying about it. I can't just ignore her."
As they were talking, the servant who had said he was going in to report to his master came out and invited them in.
The layout of the Yu Mansion was far beyond the reach of ordinary sixth-rank officials. They were all stunned when they stepped across the threshold of the side gate.
The rockery, artificial hills, winding corridors, and secluded paths create a picturesque scene at every turn, dazzling the eye and leaving a profound impact.
“Miss, this…this house is even more magnificent than the Earl’s Mansion we visited before.” The old woman said in a low voice, with a hint of unease.
Fang glanced at the gifts she had brought and mustered her courage. "What are you afraid of? We're here to pay a visit. It's never wrong to be polite. Madam Yu will definitely treat us with courtesy."
The old woman thought about it and realized it made sense, so she straightened up a bit.
The master and servant were led to the main courtyard, and the guide went to inform Yinping, who was guarding outside the gate.
Yinping glanced at them, then lifted the curtain and went in to announce their arrival.
When she entered, she immediately saw Shen Linlang and Shen Qinglu standing behind the half-open carved window. They tactfully stood aside and did not rush to report.
“This Madam Fang looks like she’s unmarried,” said Granny Yu, who was right behind them and had also noticed Madam Fang’s attire.
Shen Linlang hadn't expected that Fang Shi would be an unmarried woman. Perhaps because of Mu Miaohua, she wasn't particularly surprised.
After pondering for a moment, he gave Yinping a wink.
Yinping then went out and invited the person in.
Fang adjusted the newly made gold-inlaid jade hairpin in her hair, and followed behind Yinping with feigned elegance. Just as she caught sight of Shen Linlang and her daughter Shen Qinglu, she exclaimed in surprise, "Qingxue?"
“This is my eldest daughter,” Yinping reminded her, her tone somewhat unfriendly.
She realized what was happening and said, "I'm so sorry, I haven't seen Qingxue for many years, I thought it was her."
A discerning person can tell a lot about someone at a glance.
Not to mention Shen Linlang, even Granny Yu and the others could see that she was by no means a steady person, and could even be said to be a person who was not good at manners and etiquette.
Actually, it's not her fault.
She was the only daughter of the Fang family, the richest family in Pingyang County.
Pingyang County is located in a remote area, and the county magistrate is the most powerful person in the county. In order to achieve political achievements, the previous magistrates have received a lot of financial assistance from the Fang family. Therefore, in recent years, she has been able to do whatever she wants in the entire county.
If she hadn't entered the capital and been surrounded by nobles who made her deeply aware of her own insignificance, she probably would never have known how to read other people's expressions in her entire life.
She had the gifts brought in, saying the polite phrases she had just learned, "Just a few things, nothing to show your respect."
Those things were carried up, and they looked quite heavy.
"I heard that your household is currently short of bedding and charcoal, so I have specially prepared some for you, as well as some cloth, to help alleviate your urgent needs."
The atmosphere immediately turned sour after she said that.
Unfortunately, she didn't notice and even had the old woman open all the bags and boxes. "These fabrics are all of the finest quality. The quilt cover is made of brocade, and the lining is the finest cotton. The charcoal is top-grade silver frost charcoal, colorless and odorless..."
"Who told you that my family is short of clothes and charcoal?" Shen Linlang came back to her senses and asked her with a frown.
“Qingxue is the eldest aunt of the Yu family. Her room is terribly cold, and she wakes up several times at night from the cold. I feel sorry for her. I have known the Yu family for a long time, so please don’t stand on ceremony with me, Madam Yu. If you think it’s not enough, I will have someone send some more over.”
Shen Linlang initially wondered if there were some rumors circulating outside that were causing this misconception, but upon hearing that it was related to Yu Qingxue, her expression immediately changed.
"Someone, throw these things out of here!"
"Madam Yu, I brought this gift out of kindness, and you not only didn't appreciate it, but you also threw it away?" Fang Shi was displeased at being humiliated, and her gaze towards Shen Linlang was filled with disdain.
As the legitimate daughter of a general's mansion, it's one thing to be of average appearance, but how can she be so ungrateful, suffering for the sake of saving face?
She knew better than anyone that no matter how good someone's background or how prestigious their reputation, there would always be times when they faced hardship and poverty. For example, she had seen several county magistrates plead poverty to her father, and one magistrate even asked her family to pay for the repairs and renovations of the county government's back office.
Seeing her completely clueless expression, Shen Linlang almost laughed out of exasperation.
"Get this person out of here too. I don't want to see her again!"
Granny Yu, Yinping, and the others stepped forward, making a gesture to drive them away.
Fang stamped her foot. "How can you be so unreasonable? I brought gifts to your door, why are you turning me away? I want to see Brother Yu. I want to ask him if there's any justice in this world?"
When she mentioned Yu Zhiheng, her eyes were filled with affection, and her face showed a shy blush.
The words "Brother Yu" infuriated Shen Linlang, who then made a gesture.
Granny Yu was no longer polite and dragged the person outside.
The boxes and bags were thrown out of the mansion gate, and the cloth, bedding, and charcoal inside were scattered on the ground. Then, the Fang family and their servants were pushed out.
Fang was furious and embarrassed. "So what if she's the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion? This is really going too far! I came to visit with good intentions, bringing gifts. It's one thing if she doesn't accept the gifts, but why throw them out? Even if she cares about her reputation, this is still unreasonable!"
“Miss, I’ve long heard that the nobles in the capital are not easy to please. There are rules to giving gifts, and it’s never appropriate to just offer them directly to their door.”
"I deliberately delivered the things directly to her door. Who told her to be so irresponsible? It's not like Qingxue was the one who had the baby. Why should she mistreat Qingxue? It's one thing that there wasn't enough charcoal, but she even gave us a thin blanket."
I've seen wicked sisters-in-law before, but never one like this! It's such a pity that someone as kind and handsome as Brother Yu married such an ordinary-looking and unvirtuous wife!
"My girl, please keep your voice down. I've heard people say that Madam Yu's family, including her father and brothers, are very powerful and not people we can afford to offend." The old woman looked left and right, and seeing that no one was around, she patted her chest with lingering fear.
Fang was somewhat dissatisfied, but her voice was much softer, "There are so many rules in Donglin City. It's a wonder I managed to persuade my father all these years before he finally agreed to open a shop in the capital. If Brother Yu hadn't come to the capital back then..."
Before he could finish speaking, the side door, which had been closed, suddenly opened, and someone came out.
"You...you're the child who was switched?"
Shen Qinglu had already reached her. As she nodded, she looked back anxiously, as if afraid someone would see her.
“Miss Fang, I’ve heard my mother mention you before.”
"Your mother?" she realized. "You mean Qingxue? Qingxue talked about me to you. What did she say about me?"
Shen Qinglu feigned sadness, "You must have heard about my story. I originally lived with my mother, who raised me for sixteen years and endured a lot of hardship. She once said that she was very close to you, and if you and she had become family, our lives would definitely have been much better."
“I knew she would remember my kindness. You have no idea how close your mother and I are. I always think of her when it comes to food, clothes, or anything good. If she and I were to get together… I certainly wouldn’t mistreat her.” At this point, Madam Fang blushed. “I also know your father. Has he mentioned me all these years?”
"You know my father too??" Shen Qinglu pretended to be surprised, then gently shook her head. "After I was recognized, I didn't see my father often. He rarely returned to the main house and slept in the study every day. I hardly ever spoke to him."
Fang's flushed face lit up with surprise and delight. "It must be because his wife is too inconsiderate, otherwise he wouldn't be resting in the study."
Shen Qinglu seemed not to understand the meaning behind these words, and appeared somewhat bewildered.
“My current mother is the legitimate daughter of a general, and she has an extraordinary temper. She was angry that my grandmother switched the babies, and she took it out on my father and mother. My father is a man, so she can't be too harsh on him, but she is very harsh on my mother…”
"Does she even dare to hit your mother?"
Shen Qinglu's silence made her gasp.
"With her fierce personality, how could your father... your mother have tolerated her? If she were gentle, virtuous and generous, your grandmother probably thought of exchanging children because she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to tolerate her daughter and granddaughter."
“My mother’s own daughter absolutely refuses to go back and doesn’t recognize my mother at all. My mother is heartbroken. It’s rare that she still has a friend like you who remembers her and thinks about her. Unfortunately, after this incident, you will probably never be able to enter my house again. In fact, my mother now will definitely keep an eye on my mother and prevent her from having any contact with you.”
"She's truly an unvirtuous person; calling her a shrew wouldn't be an exaggeration." As Fang spoke, she suddenly remembered something and grabbed Shen Qinglu's hand. "Child, you're a sensible child. Can you help me in the future?"
“This…” Shen Qinglu seemed very embarrassed, “I dare not let you in.”
Fang noticed the wavering in her tone and immediately took off the jade bracelet from her hand and slipped it onto her wrist. "I don't need you to do anything else. You just need to deliver some messages for me."
She seemed to hesitate, then lowered her head to touch the bracelet.
Seeing this, Fang felt there was something to be done, so she immediately took off the other gold bracelet and stuffed it into her hand.
"If you can help me, you'll reap the rewards in the future."
She clutched the gold bracelet tightly, looking timid yet greedy. Beneath her drooping eyelids, her dark pupils resembled the black sea beneath the ice. "Then... if you want to send any messages in the future, have someone come to me."
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