When Shen Muqing woke up, it was already three oclock in the afternoon. Ying Fen and Ming Xia helped Shen Muqing to wash her face again and comb her hair. A little maid came in to report: "Dus aunt has returned!"

  Before long, Jinzhu accompanied a woman with some wet hair to walk in.

  She wore a white silk standing collar jacket, with pink lotus patterned clean makeup and a flower apron. She was not tall and very thin, from afar she looked like a 14 or 15 year old girl, slender and delicate. But when you got closer, seeing the fine lines at the corners of her eyes and on her forehead, only then did you feel that she was no longer young. This person was precisely Shen Muqings needlework teacher Du Han.

  Shen Muqing got along well with her, and there was a sense of both teacher and friend. Seeing her come in, she hurriedly greeted her: "Auntie, have you eaten yet?"

  "Ive eaten!" said Du Gu Gu with a smile, "I ate at the temple. I went to pay my respects to the mistress, changed into some clean clothes, and then came here." As she spoke, her big eyes smiled like crescent moons, exuding a tranquil air.

  Plum blossoms invited Aunt Du to sit on a cold pine inlaid wooden bed by the window and served tea.

  Shen Muqin finished combing her hair and got onto the inlaid wooden bed.

  After being away for two days, Dus aunt was most concerned about Shen Muqings embroidery and asked as soon as she opened her mouth: "How is the embroidered canopy of Flowers Blooming in Wealth and Honor coming along?"

  Shen Muqing had been studying embroidery with Du Gu for five years and had made some progress in sewing, shoe-making and embroidery. She wanted to try her hand at embroidering something bigger. After discussing it with Du Gu, the latter suggested that she embroider a canopy, saying: "The patterns on the canopy are intricate and complex, and all the needlework techniques Ive taught you can be used. Why dont you give it a try?" As it happened, Shen Muqing loved painting peonies, so she drew a picture of a peony in full bloom as a pattern, using red silk as the base material, to embroider a canopy for Li Shi.

  Luo Mei and Jin Si moved the embroidered flower stand from the east room over here.

  Grandma Du narrowed her eyes, bent over to take a closer look for a long time, and nodded happily: "The embroidery is really not bad. If you dont say so, others will definitely think its something I embroidered." Grandma Du entered the palace at the age of 13 and served in the Cining Palace at the age of 17. Her vision was naturally not comparable to that of ordinary people. Shen Muqing was very happy to get her approval, and asked Luo Mei to bring out a few sheets of white rice paper, on which she sketched a picture of a young chicken peony.

  Dus aunt saw it and smiled: "Is this the handkerchief you are preparing to embroider for Princess Wang of Zhenan? Isnt your work still unfinished? Do you want me to help?"

  It seems that Li has already told Du about the handkerchief.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "The canopy is my own embroidery, Im not in a hurry, Ill just take my time to do it."

  Grandma Dus eyes were not good, unless it was special, she wouldnt let Grandma Du help with the embroidery. Grandma Du had been with Shen Muqing for so long, how could she not know her thoughts? She listened and was very moved. But she wasnt someone who usually said nice things, so she just smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth, lowered her head to carefully look at the embroidery pattern drawn by Shen Muqing, and changed the subject to what kind of embroidery method would better show the majesty and elegance of the peony.

  When you have something to do, time always passes quickly.

  The light in the room gradually dimmed down.

  Grandma Dus eyes were already blurry, and she lifted her head, tears streaming from her eye sockets. Shen Muqing hastily handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, jokingly saying: "Could it be that the things I embroidered are really not presentable, and youre so anxious that youve started crying?"

  Several maids also burst out laughing.

  Dus aunt wiped away her tears and scolded: "This foster sister of mine!"

  Shen Muqing also smiled, and called Lao Mei to pack up the things. "The princess is usually dignified and elegant, so Im afraid she wont like anything too flashy," she said. "Ive prepared two handkerchiefs, one in bright blue and one in grape purple. Since they both have a deep base color, it would be perfect for this years Suzhou and Hangzhou trend of selling gold on handkerchiefs. Well embroider peonies on them, but why not also add some gold to make them look new and luxurious?"

  "Thats best!" Aunt Du nodded directly, "Its just that Old Jins sales are not going well."

  "Later Ill go to my wifes place and get some new gold with good color!"

  The two of them chatted and laughed, unable to bear parting, and discussed a few more sentences about the handkerchief. As they approached the time for lighting the lamps, Du Gu Gu still showed no intention of leaving. Shen Mu Qing feared that if he went to Lis place late, he would miss serving Li at dinner, and was thinking about how to open his mouth when he saw Du Gu Gu ask somewhat awkwardly: "I dont know if Madam is busy today, otherwise Ill take this flower pattern over for her to see!"

  Shen Muqing was always quick-witted and had a good ear for music. Upon hearing the news, he smiled and said, "The second wife of Old Tais family has passed away, and Madam is feeling quite uncomfortable about it."

  Aunt Du listened and looked very disappointed.

  "If its nothing serious, you can tell Aunt Wang about it." Shen Muqing said with a smile.

  "Aunt Du forced a smile: No, no need."

  Shen Muqings heart softened, thinking back to when she was in the company... some things were trivial for those with a family background, but for those from humble beginnings, they were as difficult as ascending to heaven. She couldnt help but say: "Or, Auntie can tell me! Ill take the opportunity to mention it to Madam."

  Dus aunt hesitated for a long time before stuttering: "I went to see my sister. Shes not in good health... Ive saved some money over the years and want to buy a house outside, bring my sister over... But shes still on the roster at the Imperial Household Department... hoping to ask Madam for a favor..."

  Shen Mu was shocked in silence.

  The palace maids situation is difficult to resolve. Even if she were to encounter a general amnesty, she would still need to navigate some internal channels... Now, Du Gu wants to help her sister escape, but not even Li Shi would dare agree to it, let alone Shen Muqing. Unless they begged Shen Jian. And even then, Shen Jian would have to be willing to take on the responsibility... But even if Du Han was from the palace and had a good relationship with Shen Muqing, she probably wouldnt have the face to ask Shen Jian to help her out. Moreover, last year the palace released a batch of people, so if Du Gu could navigate the internal channels, why would they need to come beg the Shen family... And now, the situation in the palace is complicated, who knows what kind of trouble her sister has gotten into, whether shes offended someone she shouldnt have...

  Shen Muqing hadnt yet reached the point where she could help others while also putting her own family in a difficult position. She said vaguely, "Auntie, Im not sure if my family can be of any use in this matter... Ill try to find an opportunity to ask my wife, and Auntie can also see if there are any other ways..."

  Dus aunt and Shen Muqing had been together for a long time, and as an inferior observer of Shen Muqing, she naturally knew more about Shen Muqings cleverness and ability under his seemingly honest and kind appearance than others in the mansion. She had also marveled at her disciples intelligence and cleverness many times. But at this moment, Shen Muqings cleverness turned into a cup of bitter tea.

  She explained helplessly: "Last year, the emperor had a son, and my sister served in front of the empress. She didnt think about coming out. Who knew that this spring, she got a disease that made her spit blood? After taking several doses of medicine, it didnt get better. Her master went to the empress dowager to ask for a favor, and they moved into Cien Temple. The temple is simple and plain, always vegetarian, and lacks medical care, really cant stay there... No matter what, Miss will help me try... " As she spoke, her eyebrows flashed with a rare pleading color, "I will never forget Misss kindness in this life."

  ******

  When Shen Muqing arrived at the Chaoxi Hall, Li was talking to Wangs mother: "...He didnt come, well go. Cant let people gossip: The brothers wife died, and not even a pillar of incense went up. Dont mention old customs anymore, let Lin Jinfu take 500 taels of silver for the funeral rites, and each household will contribute 2 taels of silver to buy some earth offerings and bring them to Taicang together...".

  Seeing Shen Muqing enter, Li Shi put down her needlework and smiled: "Aunt Du is back! How did the discussion about the handkerchief go?"

  Shen Muqing greeted Mrs. Li and took out a pattern of flowers to show her: "Id like to ask you, madam, for some new gold to sell."

  Li looked at it and nodded repeatedly, instructing Cui Lian to bring two taels of gold.

  "You dont need that many."

  "Its fashionable now, you should also make a handkerchief for yourself." Li Shi didnt think so and smiled as she ordered dinner to be served.

  Lis words reminded Shen Muqing.

  Since Ive already made two handkerchiefs for Princess Zhenan, I might as well make one for Lady Li too...

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and let Luo Mei take it.

  Aunt Chen called the rough servant woman An to set the table. Before long, the servant women had brought in the food boxes. Aunt Chen and Old Mother Wang were just arranging the dishes when a small maid came in to announce: "The master has returned!"

  The maids and daughters-in-law in the house all retreated to one side on tiptoe, and a tall man walked in.

  He wore a black gauze hat, a crimson silk robe with a crane-embroidered collar, his skin was fair and delicate, his face was lean and gaunt, and between his eyebrows, there was a hint of an awe-inspiring majesty. Due to his long stay in high positions and good self-care, Shen Zhen, who was nearly sixty years old, looked like he was only in his forties from afar. However, when one approached him, the loose skin on his neck revealed his true age.

  Seeing Shen Muqing, he immediately broke into a warm smile like spring breeze: "Miss is also here!"

  Everyone in the house, except for Li, knelt down to pay their respects to Shen Jian. Shen Jian didnt even glance at them and walked straight up to Shen Muqing, bowed his head, and personally helped him up.

  Shen Zhen is a typical feudal man, who never interferes with the household chores and cant even mention playing with children or showing affection. Despite this, Shen Muqing, who has experienced two lifetimes as a person, can still sense his fondness for her from many small details.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and stood up with the momentum, tilting his head, smiling and greeting him: "The old master has gone to court!"

  Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her dark eyes sparkled with cleverness, exuding an indescribable charm.

  Shen Zhen looked at him and suddenly felt that all his unhappiness had disappeared.

  He smiled even more brightly, patted Shen Muqings head, and then went to change his clothes under Chen Niangs service. After washing his face, he sat down on the inlaid wooden bed opposite Li Shi.

  "How is it today? Is it better?" he asked Li with concern.

  Li smiled and said: "Thanks to the Empress Dowagers reward of that Tian Shan Snow Lotus, it really is a good thing. I was able to get out of bed today and walk around in my room."

  Shen Zhen hummed, "This thing is rare, but its not impossible to find. Since it tastes good, Ill let Brother Ru Hai help look for it. Hes currently under the command of Town An Wang, fighting against the Mongols in Yuan, and that place produces this."

  "Lets not force it!" Li said with a smile, "When two armies are at war, dont let this small thing cause any misunderstandings. Ive heard that the imperial court has been uneasy these past few days, with the censors impeachment of Prince Ding An being relentless. Although the Empress Dowager has withheld her judgment, there is no clear imperial decree. In my opinion, its better to be cautious."

  Many friends asked about the update schedule, temporarily around 19:00 every afternoon one update per day. After being busy with my nieces wedding for a few days, I will make another arrangement. Thank you all for your concern.