Chapter Fifty-Four: Busy and Bustling

  In the following days, Shen Muqing was quite busy. He discussed with Master Jinlou, instructed the needlework class to make clothes, and inspected the small items sent by the wedding shop.

  At this moment, Shen Zhen called Shen Muqing to Jiu Si Zhai.

  "I've investigated and found that this spring, in the Queen's Palace, apart from two palace maids who suddenly fell ill and died, there were no other personnel entering or leaving."

  Shen Mu Qing's face changed greatly: "But I clearly heard Du Gu Gu say that her younger sister had served in front of the Empress, and it was only because of the master's kindness that she could rest at Ci En Temple..."

  Shen Zhen's face sank like water.

  "Or we can ask Du gugu," Shen Muqing said with some trepidation.

  "No!" Shen returned to the house, pacing back and forth, looking very anxious. "No, let me think, let me think!"

  Shen Mu Qing didn't dare disturb Shen Jian's train of thought, so she sat there blankly staring at the floor tiles beneath her feet, regretting it to death in her heart.

  Everyone made up their minds to mind their own business, but still couldn't help it.

  To be honest, I'm still too impulsive at times.

  "Mu Qing!" She heard Shen Zhen hesitantly calling out to her. She looked up, and saw that Shen had stopped pacing back and forth, standing in front of her with a delayed expression.

  Shen Zhen didn't nod immediately, instead he looked at her hesitantly and remained silent for a long time before finally nodding: "Go ahead. If you don't understand anything, go ask Mr. Ouyang - he's often invited to be the knowledgeable guest."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled gratefully at Shen Zhen.

  Who knew, Du Gugu was more impatient than Shen Xiang.

  On the third day after she took her sister away, she came to resign from Li's family.

  Mr. Li had been dissatisfied with her for several days, and naturally would not keep her. He politely said a few words to let someone send ten taels of silver to her as travel expenses.

  When she went to bid farewell to Shen Muqing, her face was full of gratitude: "Miss, I will never dare to forget your kindness for the rest of my life."

  Having walked 100 steps, one has already reached the age of 99; why give up now?

  Shen Mu Qing let Ying Fen take a unused purple silk thread and gave two 25-liang silver ingots wrapped in an old sweat towel to Du Gu Gu: "At home, there is Chen Niang, I cannot come with my wife. Auntie, you take it, if there's anything inconvenient, come find me again. After all, we've been together for five years, this little emotional debt still exists."

  Du's aunt nodded with tears in her eyes, a hint of guilt flashing across her face, and took the silver with downcast head, following the coarse servant maid out of the Shen mansion.

  After seeing off Du's aunt, Shen Muqing let out a sigh of relief. Liang Youhui sent Zi Sha to deliver grapes to her.

  "It was brought back by Master Hou from the north. The kernel is small like sesame, the skin is thin like cicada wings, and the taste is sweet like rock sugar. Second Miss asked to send two strings over for Shen Miss to try."

  Shen Muqing suddenly remembered his promise to Liang Youhui.

  She couldn't help but wipe the sweat from her forehead, and quietly pulled at the purple silk: "You go tell your family's young lady that I have a personal maid getting married on my side, and Madam has me helping with the arrangements. It's really busy and I can't get away. If she's interested in coming over to take a look, just let Lianmei know, and I'll send someone to invite her."

  Nowadays, there is nothing but using lively matters to coax Liang Youhui not to be angry.

  Zi Sha smiled and responded.

  Shen Muqing then let Luo Mei go to the warehouse to fetch four dried abalones as a return gift for the Liang family: "There's nothing good, two are given to Madame Liang, and two are given to your family's young lady."

  Zi Sha thanked and bid farewell, then went with Luo Mei to pay respects to the Li family, and afterwards they headed to the Liang manor.

  When Shen Muqing returned, she and Ying Fen were watching the satin quilt being sent by Xi Pu.

  She saw her coming back and hurriedly went up to greet her: "How was it?"

  Plum Blossom bowed her knees to Shen Muqing and greeted her: "Madam rewarded me with two taels of silver, and the mistress gave me one tael. When I saw Miss Liang, she said that such a fun thing, she naturally wanted to come and take a look. She also said, let the girl redeem herself by taking her home to live for a few days. If not

  "I'll never care about you again!" After saying that, she smiled and took out three small things from her purse.

  Deep and quiet, serene and subtle, lost in thought.

  I didn't expect the Liang family to be so generous.

  "Since it's a reward for you, then take it!"

  The plum blossom fell and the silver was collected. With a smile, "Miss Liang specially instructed me to ask you to send her a note early tomorrow morning."

  Shen Muqing's heart was empty, and he couldn't decline anymore. He hurriedly went to Li's place and discussed it with her, and they came up with a plan. Li seemed to approve of Shen Muqing and Liang Youhui's relationship as well, and agreed to let Liang Youhui come stay at their home for five or six days.

  Li's family received the note and immediately sent someone over to respond. They agreed to let Li Youhui come stay for a few days and also said they would come visit tomorrow at noon.

  Li arranged for his mother to pick someone up, and Shen Muqing had Luo Mei bring people to clean up the west wing of An Garden.

  The next day, Hui arrived at the Shen's house with two carriages, four sedan chairs, two wet nurses, four rough-looking servant women and a group of guards.

  After paying respects to the Li family, the two of them went to the An Yuan Garden.

  Liáng Yòu Huì was like a bird set free, overjoyed beyond measure.

  Shen Mu then pulled her to see Zhu Ji's dowry.

  Liang Youhui touched this and that, like a child who had entered the zoo, finding everything novel. She asked Shen Muqing straightforwardly: "What do you think we should give? Giving silver seems insincere. Giving things, but what does she still lack?"

  "Who wants you to spend money!"

  "After all, I'm also her master's friend, so you should show some respect." Liang Youhui nudged Shen Muqing with her elbow.

  Shen Mu Qing thought for a moment. It was also because of her family treating her as a friend that they would think of adding a box for Zhu Ji.

  She smiled and said: "If you really want to reward me, then give me some silver accessories!"

  "Why must it be silver? Wouldn't gold or jade inlays be even more beautiful?"

  Silver accessories can be used as currency after being cut with scissors, while gold or jade-inlaid ones need to be exchanged... Better safe than sorry, of course silver is better!

  But it's not necessarily clear even if you tell Liang Youhui.

  Shen Mu Qing vaguely said: "Zhu Ji is still in my house after marriage."

  Liang Youhui suddenly realized and said: "Hmm, her identity is still good enough for a reward of silver, it's also suitable for wearing."

  She called out to Zixia: "Go and have someone go to Wanjing's shop to order two sets of silver-headed satin, they will be delivered in two days."

  Zi Sha smiled and nodded in response, then retreated.

  Shen Mu Qing thanked Liang You Hui and smiled, "Zhu Qi has returned to her home. On the day of her wedding, you can come and drink at the wedding banquet. At that time, I will let her kowtow to you."

  Liang Youhui was very interested and repeatedly reminded her: "You mustn't forget. When the time comes, you have to remember to invite me."

  He nodded solemnly and busily.

  Liáng Yòu Huì sighed, "When my older sister got married, my mother said there were too many people and told me to stay in the house with mom serving me. I didn't even see her get into the sedan chair, and it was only later that Liu Niang gave me some money to send off. When the maids from our house and grandma's house got married, they just received a reward and were allowed to return home. I wanted to take a look but was severely scolded instead. This time, I must see how the bride cries on her wedding day."

  Shen Mu's face turned solemn and he lost his smile.

  Liáng Yòu Huì however became more and more excited: "Does Zhū Jī have any sisters... otherwise we can also be her sisters, close the door and let the new son-in-law lose money to come in..."

  "Whoever heard of a master like you!"

  "Oh, come on! It's fun!" Liang Youhui pulled Shen Muqing, who was half a head shorter than her, shaking her shoulders. "I'm the youngest at home and never get asked about anything. You're different, you can make decisions for everything. Later, you go talk to Mrs. Shen, she'll definitely agree."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "I don't need to ask Madam, she will definitely agree."

  Liang Youhui immediately looked at her with admiration: "Household chores, has Mrs. Shen handed them all over to you?"

  Shen Mu Qing led her to the west wing to show her where she would be living: "It's just Zhu Ji's daughter, she only has one - not even a brother or sister. Later, when you're with the ten sisters, they'll all be people from my household. If you don't mind, you can just consider yourself one of them."

  Liang Youhui immediately became excited: "Sister, tell Madame Shen to adopt me as her goddaughter! From now on, I'll come to your house every day and help you take care of Madame Shen!"

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but burst out laughing, but immediately thought of Li's illness, and that laughter was tinged with a few hints of forcedness.

  "What's wrong with you?"

  Shen Muqing didn't want to talk about these things with others. She pointed at the house and said: "Look, is there anything still missing?"

  The house was decorated entirely according to Liang Youhui's ideas. Black lacquer furniture, Ru kiln ceramics, and seasonal flowers and plants such as narcissus, winter plum blossoms, and evergreen trees were placed everywhere.

  Liang Youhui's gaze was immediately diverted, she turned around in the room, looking up at the ceiling covered with white summer cloth and exclaimed: "So beautiful!"

  Who wouldn't like a woman as easily satisfied as Liang Youhui?

  Shen Mu Qing's heart suddenly popped up with such an idea.

  Just as she let out a sigh of relief after arranging Liang Youhui's bed, Liang Youhui said: "Sister, I'll sleep with you!"

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  Chapter Fifty-Four: Busy and Bustling