The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Liu Muqiu's expression was unnatural: "They... are people from your eldest brother's courtyard."

Zhou Ming'an paused, realized he had said the wrong thing, and shut his mouth in annoyance.

"Let them in."

With her sister-in-law in the inner room, Liu Muqiu had no choice but to get up and go to the outer room to meet the two concubines.

The two girls are named Yu Shuang and Qing Qing, and they are both sixteen years old this year.

She had just married into the Marquis's mansion last year when her mother-in-law stuffed the two of them into the east courtyard, one after the other.

Yu Shuang was once a young lady from a wealthy family. She was well-versed in poetry and literature, and her temperament was beyond question. Moreover, because her family had fallen on hard times, she was more gentle and compliant than Liu Mu when facing men.

Qingqing was a singing girl whom Zhou Shili had rewarded at the old lady's birthday banquet last year; she was more lively.

These two people were like fish bones stuck in Liu Muqiu's throat.

What kind of logic is it to put a woman next to your son right after he gets married?

Fortunately, the couple had a harmonious relationship, and the husband was also morally upright.

For more than a year, Zhou Shili moved them to a secluded courtyard, and their food, clothing and daily necessities were not reduced, but they were not allowed to visit the eldest grandmother often.

They would only visit the main wife's grandmother during holidays and festivals; otherwise, they would stay quietly and obediently in their own courtyard.

Why did you suddenly come here today?

"Greetings to the eldest madam."

The two women bowed respectfully, and Aunt Qing spoke first: "We heard that the old lady is unwell and were thinking of going to serve her."

Before she could finish speaking, Madam Wan's face turned cold: "The master hasn't even asked yet, what right do you have to speak?"

"Haven't seen anyone for a year, and you've forgotten all the rules?"

Aunt Qing's face darkened, and she bit her lower lip without saying a word.

Liu Muqiu's gaze fell on Yu Shuang, who remained silent to the side.

"you say."

Yu Shuang lowered her head, her posture respectful and submissive: "It is exactly what Aunt Qing said. We were chosen by the old lady back then. Thanks to the old lady's kindness, we have such a peaceful and good life today. Therefore, we want to visit the old lady to express our gratitude."

Yu Shuang was clearly much more eloquent than Qing Qing.

Liu Muqiu stared at her for a long time before finally nodding.

Madam Wan quickly looked at her master, hoping he would not agree.

Just as they both said, they were chosen by the old lady to steal the master's affections and undermine the eldest mistress's position.

At worst, it would still disgust Grandma.

The old lady has changed a lot, but who knows if seeing these two will remind her of the past and cause chaos in the East Courtyard once again?

With her keen mind, how could Liu Muqiu not have thought of these things?

Now her mother-in-law has changed her ways and is treating her well, making her almost forget the torment she once suffered.

But seeing these two people still reminded her of the dark days when she first entered the Marquis's mansion, a period of immense endurance.

So she wanted to test whether her mother-in-law had really changed.

Even if these two people went to their mother-in-law, would she remain unmoved or would she waver?

"What they said makes sense. After all, the old lady personally selected them, and each one of them is more beautiful than a flower. The old lady will feel more at ease seeing them."

"Go."

The two thanked the old lady and went out to the main courtyard.

Throughout the entire process, Yu Shuang never looked up to look directly at Liu Muqiu, a stark contrast to the impetuous Qingqing beside her.

But the more this happened, the more wary Liu Muqiu became.

Fortunately, Zhou Shili didn't seem to care about them, which offered her some comfort.

.

Yu Shuang and Qingqing arrived at Lu Mingzhao's courtyard.

Upon hearing the news of their arrival, Zhao Xianglan immediately looked at the old lady who was exercising in the courtyard.

Cuiju frowned and asked, "Should we let them in?"

Zhao Xianglan didn't hesitate: "What are you doing here? The old lady didn't summon them."

Zhao Xianglan naturally thought of Madam Wan's situation as well, but she didn't share Liu Muqiu's intention to test the old lady.

Why would a servant like her gamble on something like this?

The old lady's personality is good for the entire Marquis's mansion now. If she were to revert to her old ways after meeting those scoundrels, Zhao Xianglan would be the first to suffer a terrible fate.

"Aunt Zhao, I think it would be better to let them in," said Cuizhu, who was usually quiet.

Zhao Xianglan glanced at her sideways: "You used to get beaten the most. The old lady would make you kneel in front of the footstool for a whole day. Have you forgotten all that?"

Cuizhu pursed her lips: "Of course I haven't forgotten."

"But since the mistress has released them, she must have her reasons. We servants have no right to make decisions for the mistress."

"What if the eldest madam comes over tonight and asks who wouldn't let them in? What will we say then?"

"..." Zhao Xianglan fell silent for a moment.

Cuiju looked left and right, then said, "I think Sister Cuizhu has a point. So... should we come in or not?"

Zhao Xianglan sighed, "Never mind, I'll go talk to the old lady."

Lu Mingzhao took the handkerchief from Zhao Xianglan and, upon hearing her words, also felt somewhat puzzled.

But then I thought, I'm just idling around anyway.

"Let them in, let me see them."

Yu Shuang and Qing Qing entered the courtyard and walked along the corridor to the entrance of the main house, where they knelt down and kowtowed twice.

"Greetings to the old lady."

The two girls were both beautiful, and considering that they had been forced into this world by the time-traveling woman, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I went up and helped them up.

"Thank you for thinking of me. I'm perfectly healthy."

Qingqing was startled by the old lady's actions.

Although she was bought by the old lady, she was still a courtesan. The old lady would rather look down on her than hold her hand and help her up.

Yu Shuang subtly observed the old lady.

Lu Mingzhao spoke a few more words to the two of them, nothing more than how they were eating and how they were dressed.

After talking for a while, the two got up to say goodbye.

Watching them walk away, Lu Mingzhao sighed, "They were all good daughters, what a pity..."

Zhao Xianglan paused, secretly observing the old lady's expression, and then tentatively said, "Speaking of which, it's true. The master only has the eldest mistress in his heart, while the two concubines have been alone in their empty rooms for a year."

"Perhaps it would be better to send them away."

Lu Mingzhao paused, then stroked his chin: "...That makes some sense."

"I'll ask them if they'd like to come next time."

.

On the other side, in the east courtyard, Zhou Ming'an, realizing he had spoken out of turn, remained silent, his head bowed as he embroidered.

Liu Muqiu remained silent for a long time.

It wasn't until Madam Wan returned with the news: "Madam, the two of them are back. They stood at the entrance of Lanfang Pavilion for a while, and then I let them go straight back to their courtyard."

Liu Muqiu gripped the account book tightly and hurriedly asked, "What about the old lady? Did she give any instructions?"

"No, the old lady kept them for a few words and then let them go."

"Okay." Liu Muqiu's tone was one of relief.

Zhou Ming'an could tell that his sister-in-law was worried that his mother would take this opportunity to cause trouble again.

Fortunately, the thing my sister-in-law was most worried about didn't happen.

Zhou Ming'an couldn't help but think of himself once again.

Was her anxiety these past few days just a false alarm?

Perhaps it was all just a coincidence, the clothes were a coincidence, the purse was a coincidence—even if the sachet was made intentionally, it doesn't necessarily mean it was the mother.

After all, my mother has really changed these days.

As dusk approached, she bid farewell to her elder sister-in-law and headed towards the backyard.

As she passed by her mother's courtyard, she slowly stopped.

Cuilan immediately said, "It would be good for you to go and see the old lady, Miss."

With Cuilan's encouragement, Zhou Ming'an really got through it.

At that time, Zhao Mama was helping Lu Mingzhao change clothes in the room, so she sat in the outer room to wait.

But when her gaze swept over one spot, her pupils suddenly contracted.

How is that possible?

Was she seeing things?