Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

The atmosphere at the main entrance was somewhat awkward.

Shen Mo was not wearing his official robes today, but only a blue casual dress, and he was holding a potted ancient-style welcoming pine tree.

He stood there like a piece of warm, smooth jade, completely out of place in this bustling tavern, yet strangely commanding the atmosphere.

"My sister-in-law's new shop is opening, and I, Shen, have come to ask for a drink."

Seeing Shen Qiongju come out, Shen Mo smiled gently and handed her the pine tree, saying, "May Qionghua Pavilion prosper and remain evergreen like the pine and cypress."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Shen Qiongju bowed respectfully, saying, "Your presence is an honor to our humble shop."

Before the words were finished, a lavishly decorated carriage slowly came to a stop at the bottom of the steps.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and first a foot wearing a black boot stepped out.

Wen Xiujie was dressed in a brocade robe, with a jade pendant hanging at his waist, and a fake smile on his face.

He turned around and extended his hand with extreme eagerness, "Madam, please slow down."

A hand adorned with a jade bracelet rested on his palm.

Then, a woman wearing a scarlet brocade dress came down.

That was Madam Hu, Hu Yuzhen. She was the daughter of a general, born with a heroic spirit, and intolerant of any injustice.

His eyes and brows exuded an innate arrogance, and when he looked at people, it was as if he were looking down through slits in his eyes.

Shen Qiongju glanced at it only once before lowering her eyes.

In her previous life, she suffered endless torment in the Wen family. Although Madam Hu did not personally lay a hand on her, her indifference and indulgence were colder than a knife.

Hu Yuzhen is a noble Ragdoll cat, but if she is unhappy, she will scratch people until they bleed.

"Oh, so this is the Shen Family Tavern that's been making headlines lately?"

She covered her nose with a handkerchief, as if the air here was filthy, and her gaze swept over Shen Qiongju with scrutiny and contempt.

"Husband, is this the Lady Shen you kept mentioning when you were drunk that day?"

The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Wen Xiujie's face stiffened, and he gave an awkward laugh. "Madam is joking. It's just... just something needed for the case."

Hu Yuzhen snorted coldly, ignoring him, and walked straight towards Shen Qiongju. "Raise your head."

Shen Qiongju raised her head as instructed, her eyes clear yet carrying just the right amount of obsequiousness, "This humble woman, Shen, greets Madam."

Hu Yuzhen squinted, scrutinizing the face that was beautiful and charming even without makeup. She was indeed a beauty, no wonder her lecherous husband was so interested in her.

"She does have a foxy look."

Hu Yuzhen's tone was sarcastic, "But this place of commerce is ultimately not respectable. I heard you're a widow of the Pei family? Showing your face in public to do this kind of business of welcoming and seeing off guests, aren't you afraid the Pei family's ancestors will come looking for you in the middle of the night?"

These words are extremely harsh. If it were someone with a strong sense of pride, they would probably tear up on the spot or angrily retort.

But Shen Qiongju didn't. Instead, a bitter smile appeared on her lips. "Madam is right."

Shen Qiongju's voice was soft, neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the people around her to hear.

"I am a woman of ill fortune, having caused the death of my husband. Now the Pei family is in dire straits, with elderly parents and young children to support, dozens of mouths to feed."

"If given a choice, who wouldn't want to be like you, Madam, born into nobility, loved by Lord Wen, and living a peaceful and secure life as the mistress of the household?"

She looked up, her eyes filled with envy and self-consciousness.

"I am nothing but a blade of grass in the mud, forced to struggle in this mortal world just to survive. Now that I have met such a noble person as you, Madam, I feel that my wealth and status have offended you."

These words were spoken with great skill, not only putting himself in the mud but also praising Hu Yuzhen to the skies.

The kind of person Hu Yuzhen fears most is being compared to others.

If you stand up for yourself, she will break your bones; if you humble yourself and admit that she is the cloud and you are the mud, she will feel that arguing with you is beneath her dignity.

Sure enough, the fierceness on Hu Yuzhen's face dissipated by most.

She enjoyed being looked up to; "At least you have some self-awareness."

Hu Yuzhen gave a light snort, the hostility in her eyes fading considerably, replaced by a condescending condescension.

"Now that you've opened for business, I'm not one to be harsh. Let's see what tricks you can pull today."

Shen Qiongju felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders; she wouldn't have to have her party ruined anymore.

We've passed this hurdle.

"Madam, please come in. The best private room on the third floor has been prepared, and it also has the best view in the whole city."

She stepped aside to make way, her actions were extremely considerate.

Shen Mo, who was standing to the side, took in everything. He looked at the meek woman and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

Brother Zhihui, your sister-in-law is indeed a fox in rabbit skin.

The ability to bend and stretch, this forbearance and mental fortitude, is enough to establish oneself even in officialdom.

"Lord Wen, Madam Xie, please." Shen Mo spoke up at the right moment, breaking the deadlock.

Wen Xiujie quickly cupped his hands and said, "I have long heard that Magistrate Shen is a young talent. Would you do me the honor of having a chat?"

Each of the three had their own thoughts, yet they strangely went upstairs together.

The top-tier private room on the third floor is named "Cloud Top".

As soon as she opened the door, Hu Yuzhen stopped in her tracks.

Instead of the gaudy decorations typical of ordinary restaurants, this place features several elegant landscape paintings and a few potted orchids in the corner.

The most wonderful thing is that huge floor-to-ceiling glass window, which can take in the entire night view of half of Wuxian County.

"Interesting." Hu Yuzhen raised an eyebrow and finally looked at the room properly.

Solan walked in carrying a tray. "Distinguished guests, this is 'Imperial Concubine's Intoxication,' specially prepared by our master for his wife."

It was a slender, tall glass filled with pink wine, with a thin rim of frosting around the rim and a fresh jasmine flower inserted in it.

Hu Yuzhen took it and took a sip.

It has a pleasant sweet and sour taste with a subtle floral aroma and no harshness from strong liquor.

"This wine... is quite unique." Her eyes lit up.

"And this too."

Shen Qiongju personally placed a beautifully crafted deck of cards on the table. "This is the 'Thousand Gold Cards,' perfect for passing the time. If you find it boring, I can teach you how."

For the next half hour, the atmosphere in the private room became extremely strange.

Wen Xiujie, who used to be so arrogant in Wuxian, was now peeling oranges for his wife with a fawning expression.

Meanwhile, Madam Xie, who was usually arrogant and haughty, was holding several playing cards, her brows furrowed, muttering to herself, "No, this pair can't be played like this..."

Shen Mo sat to the side, swirling a glass of sake in his hand, watching the scene before him with a playful smile on his lips.

He looked at Shen Qiongju, who was sitting at the table patiently explaining the rules to Hu Yuzhen. She smiled gently and obediently, as if she really was a maid serving someone.