Young widow in her boudoir

The person who opened the door was a maidservant in a blue lotus dress, whom the girl didn't recognize.

This maid was named Chunying. She was a third-class maid at Suxue Residence. She had round eyes and a round face, and her appearance was quite pleasing. However, she was very proper and respectful in her manners, adhering to the rules of a noble family.

She opened the door and saw Xie Rutang standing there, the young widow of the Shen family, who was also Pei Zhiheng's widowed sister-in-law.

Xie Rutang wore a slightly worn embroidered azalea silk dress. Although she was dressed simply and had no rouge on her lips, her eyebrows and eyes were still beautiful under the shimmering sunlight. Her skin was fair and smooth. Even if all the beautiful noble ladies in the capital were picked out, none of them could match the stunning beauty of Madam Shen in front of her. She was a feast for the eyes.

Chunying snapped out of her daze and quickly curtsied, "Greetings, Madam Shen."

She blinked again.

strange?

Why would Second Master's widowed sister-in-law come to Su Xue Ju...?

After Xie Rutang observed the mourning period, she often secluded herself in the backyard and rarely interacted with outsiders. The maids also rarely saw this Madam Shen.

Moreover, the rules of aristocratic families are extremely strict. A widow like Xie Rutang should normally keep a clear distance from the Second Master of Su Xue Ju to avoid suspicion.

"Madam Shen, are you here to see the Second Master? Is there something urgent?" Chunying immediately put on a kind smile.

Upon hearing this, Xie Rutang's cheeks flushed slightly, and her slender fingers unconsciously tightened around the brocade cloth in her arms. Wrapped in that cloth was Pei Zhiheng's dark blue outer robe. Since he returned to the capital, that garment had remained in Cuiwu Courtyard.

Xie Rutang was also angered by Pei Zhiheng's act of sending Hongyao over that night to humiliate her!

That's why she was so angry that she came back to return the clothes and ended things with him.

She had originally intended to give it to Hongyao last time, but if a maid found out that she, a widow, was keeping Pei Zhiheng's clothes, it would inevitably give people something to gossip about, so she came in person today.

She was initially apprehensive before coming, as the Pei family's social standing was incomparable to that of the Shen family.

Seeing that Chunying seemed easy to get along with, he wasn't so nervous anymore.

Xie Rutang clutched the brocade cloth tightly in her arms, having already prepared a set of words. She pursed her lips slightly, "When I left the manor earlier, I happened to bump into the Second Master outside. At that time, the Second Master was in a hurry to leave for the capital, and because I am a woman of the Shen family, he entrusted a valuable item to me temporarily. Today, I have come to return the item to its rightful owner."

So that's how it is. Chunying didn't suspect anything, but she frowned slightly. "It's just unfortunate that the Second Master isn't in the manor right now, and he probably won't be back for a while."

Xie Rutang was stunned.

Pei Zhiheng is not here?

She clearly remembered that he was off work today.

A gentle breeze ruffled a few strands of hair that fell beside her temples, making her even more charming and beautiful.

Chunying added, "However, it's the same if Madam entrusts it to me."

With that, he invited her into Su Xue Ju.

Xie Rutang had intended to return the clothes and leave, but Chunying warmly led her to the flower hall, laughing and chatting all the way.

In the hall, a maid prepared freshly brewed Biluochun tea, its broth a tender green and clear color. Several delicate dishes were also placed on the table. But what truly made one's heart tremble was that the teacups and saucers were made of celadon glaze from the imperial kiln. They were not usually available to the common people, and even if an official obtained half a piece, he would keep it in the treasury.

It is precisely these subtle details, this extravagance and debauchery, that reveal the difference in the background between the Shen family and the Pei family.

Chunying felt a pang of pity for Xie Rutang, who was in the prime of her life, so she personally brought her tea, saying, "I remember Madam Shen loves to drink Biluochun tea."

Xie Rutang smiled gently at her, "Thank you for your trouble."

Anyone who is gazed at with such a smiling face by a beautiful woman and softly expresses their thanks will blush.

Just as Chunying calmed herself down and retreated to the tea room, Zhulan suddenly entered, waving her handkerchief.

Zhu Lan has a delicate and refined appearance, with slightly upturned eyes that suggest she is not a gentle person.

Upon hearing that Xie Rutang had come to visit Suxue Residence, she immediately grabbed Chunying's ear and scolded her: "Foolish thing! Who is that Madam Shen? She's a well-known widow in the capital! How could you not read the room and just let her in like that!"

Chunying's eyes welled up with tears from the pain.

Zhu Lan's hands didn't stop, and her words were even more sharp: "Do you know how many people outside are desperate to curry favor with Second Master? Even though the Shen family has a history with us, Xie Rutang has been a widow for many years and only shows up when she needs something. Who knows what she's up to? Could it be that she's trying to use this opportunity to climb up to Second Master!"

Zhu Lan pondered to herself, "This Madam Shen rarely leaves her home and seldom interacts with the masters of the mansion. It's quite a coincidence that she would run into the Second Master outside and even be entrusted with keeping his belongings."

She gave a cold smile; no one would believe her story if she told them that.

Moreover, although Xie Rutang had a plain face and a non-aggressive personality, her figure was as alluring as a vixen's, with a curvaceous figure and full breasts that would make any woman blush.

She simply didn't believe Xie Rutang had any base desires to seduce men!

Besides, Ye Wanyu had previously held her hand and spoken to her privately.

It is said that the reason Shen Yuan was engaged to Xie Rutang was because Xie Rutang used some underhanded methods before the marriage, which even the courtesans in the red-light district were ashamed of. This is why Shen Yuan was so infatuated with her. Therefore, Zhu Lan felt even more contempt for her.

Under the tree, Ye Wanyu smiled and sighed softly to her, "I didn't want to talk about these dirty things, but since you work for the Second Master, you should know what's going on."

Ye Wanyu added, "Miss Hongyao, I have always regarded you as Second Master Pei's prospective concubine."

Zhu Lan blushed immediately and has remembered this incident ever since.

Only when Chunying's eyes were red from the pain and tears welled up in her eyes did Zhulan finally let go with a cold snort. "You little slut! All you do is cause trouble in the manor every day. Wait until the Second Master comes back and see what I say to you! I'll punish you by making you do rough laundry work from now on, and marry you off to the manor's mute stableman."

Chunying was still young, and her face turned pale with fright. She lowered her head and rubbed the hem of her skirt, stammering, "This servant...this servant saw that Madam Shen's face was gentle and kind, she shouldn't be that kind of person..."

Zhu Lan glared at her suddenly, "You think it's not true just because you say so? I think you've been blinded by greed!"

"I'll deduct one month's pay from your pay, so you won't be soft-hearted and release people carelessly in the future!"

Chunying's eyes widened, brimming with tears, but she dared not utter a sound. After all, Zhulan was the head maid of Suxue Residence, and she relied on Old Madam Pei as her backer, and usually forbade the maids to serve Pei Zhiheng closely.

Zhu Lan's expression was unfriendly. "How long has Madam Shen been sitting here? What has she been saying?"

Chunying shrank her neck and stammered, "About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Madam Shen came over and said she wanted to return something to the Second Master, but... she didn't say anything else."

Zhu Lan pondered for a moment. Now that the Second Master was not here, if he found out, he would definitely make them kick Madam Shen out to avoid getting involved in such a scandal.

Zhu Lan didn't seem to care much when she heard this, and said indifferently, "Go and tell Madam Shen that the Second Master is not in the manor right now. We servants would never dare to accept this item on her behalf. We might as well just point out her excuse and kick her out."

"Su Xue Ju is not a place where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come in."