As if responding to Liang Youhui's wish, at the beginning of the wine ceremony, the rain suddenly stopped, and a rare rainbow appeared in the sky.

  Everyone stood on the platform and looked out.

  She gazed quietly to the side, where the pomegranate tree's emerald leaves still held a few raindrops that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight, casting a kaleidoscope of colors. She took a deep breath, and the air was filled with the fragrance of damp earth; everything seemed as vibrant and full of life as this midsummer season.

  Li's family got through June.

  Will it last for another year and a half?

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and pulled Liang You Hui towards the back garden: "Come on, let's go pick some flowers."

  Liang Bohui was overjoyed when he saw that the sky had cleared up and went to the backyard with Shen Mu, laughing and smiling.

  The backyard of the Liang family has many trees and few flowers.

  Two people picked a few jasmine flowers and saw that there were also pansies planted at the corner of the wall, so they picked some to dye their fingernails.

  A group of people were making merry in the garden when Zi Juan suddenly came running over with a flustered expression: "Third Young Mistress, Old Madam wants you and Second Miss to go to her place for a visit."

  Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

  Liáng Yòu Huì said: "At this time, I don't know what to ask Sān Shěn (third sister-in-law) about?"

  Zi Yuan's face turned slightly pale as she said, "News from the palace has come out that Empress Dowager has passed away!"

  What time?

  Shen Mu Qing was shocked.

  Liáng Yòu Huì said: "Really? The Empress Dowager has ascended to heaven?"

  Zi nodded and said, "The hemp cloth from the palace has already been sent over. In three days, the Dowager Lady and the Mistress will go to the Qianqing Palace to mourn."

  Shen Mu Qing listened and hurriedly pulled Liang You Hui back to the house to change into a plain white dress before heading to Xian He Tang. Wang Jiu Hua had already arrived, wearing a moon-white silver-striped shirt, dark brown satin jacket, and all her hair ornaments and accessories were removed, revealing a mourning attire.

  Madam Tai saw that Shen Ciqing and Liang Zihu were both simply wearing two silver hairpins, both wearing moon-white silver-striped shirts, one wearing a lotus-colored ramie jacket, the other wearing a stone-green ramie jacket, and nodded slightly.

  Three people exchanged greetings and stood in front of Tai Furen's kang for a moment before Feng Shi and Jiang Shuangrui slowly entered.

  Old Lady saw that everyone had arrived and solemnly said: "I suppose you've all heard. The Empress Dowager has passed away, and all the wives of officials above the fourth rank in the capital must go to mourn her. As for family matters, they will be temporarily handled by Shuang Rui."

  Jiang Shuangrui was quite surprised, but Shen Muqing felt that this was very proper — after all, Wang Wenhui would also have to go to the Si Shan Gate to cry for four days.

  No one raised an objection, and all knelt down in obedience with a "yes".

  Madam nodded slightly, and Qinglian handed the box containing the house keys and couplets to Jiang Shuangrui. The maid Hongyu beside him took it over.

  From that day on, the mothers in charge of household chores went to Xiangyun Temple every morning.

  Jiang Shuangrui was after all a newcomer to the household, and the Liang family was an old and respected one. The relationships between the servants were complex and Jiang Shuangrui couldn't help but feel awkward at times, often coming to ask Shen Muqing for advice.

  Shen Muqing also helped her wholeheartedly and didn't make any mistakes.

  Madam Tai and Madame Feng returned home to find everything in order, and they were both delighted.

  After the Double Ninth Festival, the osmanthus flowers start to bloom and give off their fragrance.

  As it was a period of national mourning, all joyful activities were suspended. The Gong family was even more cautious, fearing that they might do something wrong, and mostly stayed indoors without going out.

  With nothing to do, Shen Mu Qing made some sweet osmanthus sauce and had someone send it to the Li family.

  Mr. Li was very happy and asked Mrs. Wang to bring several baskets of hairy crabs.

  Shen Muqing loved to eat crabs and left a basket of them. He used the earthen stove in Liang Jimin's bathroom to steam the crabs, and invited Wang Wenxuan, Jiang Shuangrui, and Liang Youhui to have a crab feast at Diecui Hall. Wang Wenxuan brought some Shaoxing huangjiu (yellow rice wine) along.

  Jiang Shuangrui looked at her with a sour face: "Still, elder sister is considerate!"

  Wang Wanxu smiled but didn't speak, poured a cup of wine for Jiang Shuangrui, and drank it all in one gulp herself.

  Jiang Shuangrui naturally didn't say anything else and also drank up the wine in his cup.

  Shen Muqing finally felt at ease and couldn't help but glance gratefully at Wang Wenxue.

  Wang Wen Hui smiled quietly at Shen Mu Qing.

  Liáng Yòu Huì was very happy and had a lot to say to everyone.

  They were waiting for the crab to be served when Zijin came over to Lady Wang's side.

  Saw several people gathered together, and they were obviously stunned for a while.

  Yingfen and Mingxia pulled her along to drink together.

  Zi Xuan smiled and said, "No, no. The old lady is looking for Third Young Mistress to discuss something, I'll come back after I've finished my errand and then we can talk about this cup of wine."

  It was discovered that they had private gatherings.

  Shen Mu Qing's brow furrowed involuntarily.

  Zi Juan hastily explained: "It's Third Young Master, he just came back. The old madam has summoned Third Young Madam to discuss something!"

  What else did Liang Jiemin ask her to help with after being embarrassed by Nian Yun?

  Shen Mu Qing guessed, and couldn't help but go. He smiled at Wang Wen Hui and Jiang Shuang Rui, saying: "The crab is cooked, you two can eat first, no need to wait for me." Then he went back to the house, changed into his immortal clothes, and brought Liu Chun to see Madame Tai.

  She walked up to the gate of Weihua Gate and saw Shiqi standing there with a dejected expression.

  He also saw Shen Muqing, but he lowered his head and avoided Shen Muqing's gaze.

  Shen Muqing found it strange, but thinking that the person had already reached the door, he would know what happened once he went in, so he quickened his pace and entered the house.

  The old lady sat on the kang by the window, while Liang Jiayin stood in front of it. Both were very solemn. However, Liu Niang, who was usually serving beside the old lady, was nowhere to be seen.

  A faint sense of foreboding rose in Shen Muqing's heart.

  Seeing Shen Muqing enter, Liang Jieming lowered his head and stood there with his eyes cast down.

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment, suppressing the astonishment in her heart as she paid her respects to Lady Tai.

  The old lady nodded slightly and whispered to the people beside her: "You all go down!"

  The servant in the house bowed his knees and retreated.

  The old lady's expression was a few points more tired, pointing to the small stool beside Liang Jiemin, she said: "Mu Qing, sit down!"

  What's wrong again that I need to go back to my parents' home for help?

  Shen Mu sat quietly on a small stool, lost in thought with a faint smile.

  The madam's gaze fell on Liang Jimin: "Ji Min, you speak!"

  Li Qiming didn't even glance at Shen Muqing, and softly replied with a "yes". Then, he slightly turned his body towards the direction where Shen Muqing was sitting, and said in a low voice: "Father-in-law has just been suddenly imprisoned by imperial decree." Each word, each sound, like thunder on the horizon, rumbled past her ears.

  After a while, she finally heard her own voice weakly say: "What? What did you say?"

  In his heart, however, it was as clear as a mirror.

  Often walking by the river, finally got shoes wet!

  Liáng Jì Mǐn gazed at her with a look full of sympathy: "The imperial censor impeached her father-in-law for corruption, and the emperor issued an edict to throw him into prison."

  "Where's your wife? How is she?" Shen Muqing's whole body went limp, his body shaking uncontrollably. "When did this happen?"

  "It's already been taken care of." Liang Ji Min's voice was very soft, like a gentle breeze, and Shen Mu Qing had to listen carefully to make out what he was saying. "Mr. Ouyang has already been informed, and I'm sure the mistress has also received word."

  Shen Mu Qing took a deep breath and stood up shakily: "I want to go back to my mother's home."

  Liáng Jìmǐn was taken aback, gazing at Madame Tai.

  The old lady hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright, you go take a look. Ask clearly what the relative has done wrong?"

  His mind was in a mess, but he nodded randomly anyway.

  Old Mrs. Tao saw her dazed expression and instructed Liang Jiemin: "Later when you see your aunt, ask carefully and find out why your father-in-law was imprisoned."

  Liang Jimin nodded repeatedly, turned around and saw Shen Muqing walking out with one foot high and the other low.

  Back at the Treasured Pavilion, the crab was already on the table, and the air still lingered with the fragrance of Blushing Maiden Red.

  Everyone knew that Mrs. Tai had called Shen Muqing over for this matter, and no one was in the mood anymore.

  Liang Youhui pulled at Shen Muqing's sleeve and burst into tears.

  Wang Wen Hui plucked a chrysanthemum from the flower arrangement and was playing with it in her hand. Jiang Shuang Rui then pulled her hand and anxiously said: "What's to be done?" Shen Mu Qing looked at Wang Wen Hui who remained silent, and suddenly calmed down.

  The old are old and the young are young. At this moment, I'm a bit flustered. The people around me might be even more at a loss if they see me like this. She forced herself to put on a brave face and smiled: "I'll go back and take a look at the situation first."

  Ming Xia and Ying Fen both held back tears as they helped Shen Muqing get dressed.

  Shen Muqing was surprised by the strength of both of them.

  Waiting for her to change clothes and come out, Jiang Shuangrui said with tears in his eyes: "I'll take care of things at home, if there's anything, just bring a message back." Shen Muqing thanked her, and also instructed the pitiful Liang Youhui to stay at home and wait for her return, before leaving the yard with Yingfen and Mingxia.

  Back at the Shen residence, everyone's expression was calm. When they saw Shen Muqing return, the two gatekeepers even smiled at her.

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but wonder if everyone else hadn't received the news yet.

  As she thought about it, her hurried footsteps also slowed down a bit.

  It was Wang's mother who came out to greet her.

  Wang's mother looked a bit serious. The first sentence she said was "Third Young Master's wife also received the news", and Shen Muqing only dared to confirm that Shen Zhen had indeed been imprisoned.

  As soon as she entered the house, Mrs. Li was directing the maids to sort out and wash Shen Zhen's clothes. Seeing Shen Muqing, she raised her head and said "come" then continued to direct the little maids: "...inside cockroaches and mice are rampant, these clothes are all packed in camphor wood boxes."

  Her tone was so calm and matter-of-fact, as if she had lived there for several years and was familiar with everything.

  Shen Muqing's sorrow suddenly dissipated into thin air.

  Yes. Shen Zhen was just released from prison, he didn't die... even if he did, just go collect the body, what's there to cry about?

  She walked forward and greeted Mrs. Li, saying: "Madam, is there anything I can help with?"

  Li saw her daughter's eyes filled with sorrow but her expression was firm, she nodded slightly and showed a comforting smile, saying: "You go to Jiuxi Zhai to collect some books for your father - I heard that the imperial prison does not limit family members from sending clothes and books. Mr. Ouyang has already gone to inquire about the situation. We will temporarily pack our things, if we can send them, we will immediately have them delivered."

  Shen Mu nodded calmly and replied "yes", then went to Jiuxi Building.

  She met Chen Yinniang on the road.

  Aunt Chen's eyes were bloodshot and her gaze was terrified.

  Looking at her face as crystal clear as jade in the glow of sunset, Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but let out a long sigh.