Along the way, Nurse Zhou was still regretful that she had failed to humiliate Shen Ninghua upon her arrival. Instead, what had happened just provided an excellent chance for Shen Ninghua to help her to prevail. After this event, no one in the mansion would dare to look down on her. The madam would be very unhappy if she knew what had happened.
Shen Ninghua, however, looked around with ease and the smile lingered on her lips. She hadn't seen the scenery for more than ten years. Now she felt that the beautiful courtyard looked really different. Especially when thinking that nothing had happened at this time, she couldn't help but feel delighted because this meant she had a lot of time to trample the enemies of her previous life one by one into hell.
Shen Dong was the Prime Minister of the country, and he had always been favored by the emperor. This mansion was also conferred by the emperor and everywhere of the mansion was delicate.
"Miss, the madam has told me that you must have been tired after the long trip and you can go directly to your room to get dressed first."
"Mother is very considerate, but I haven't seen my grandmother for a long time, and I miss her very much. In any case, I should go to see her first." Shen Ninghua looked back. "Qing Que, follow Nurse Zhou and let her lead you to put our luggage down."
Nurse Zhou's heart shivered: "Miss, you have been away from home for a long time and you must be unfamiliar with the road. Let me lead the way for you." If she didn't follow her, what if something happened and the madam blamed her?
Shen Ninghua looked at Nurse Zhou half smiling. "No, how is it possible that I am unfamiliar with my own home?"
Her eyes were dark and unfathomable, clear with light ripples, as if they could directly see through the bottom of people's hearts. Nurse Zhou was so shocked that she almost stepped back. Why did this Shen Ninghua give her a feeling of evilness?
"Miss, the madam and the second miss should be with the Old Lady now. It's just the right time for you to visit the Old Lady." When Nurse Zhou and Qing Que were far away, Bai Ruo said. Bai Ruo was the oldest and the most calm and considerate among the four of the maids. She was the first to serve Shen Ninghua. The other three respected her very much.
"Leading the way is nonsense. That nurse definitely wanted to send a message to her master ahead of you, but you are clever to send her away." Hong Ling also came forward and said with a smile.
Shen Ninghua looked at her and smiled, "Hong Ling is also becoming smart."
"Miss! I've been serving you all the time. How could it be possible that I made no progress at all." Hong Ling stamped her feet.
"Well, don't let Miss lose face." Bai Ruo scolded Hong Ling. Hong Ling quickly lowered her head and stood straight. Bi Zhu sniggered and Hong Ling glared at her.
Shen Ninghua ignored them and went straight to the Songtao Courtyard where her grandmother lived. Today Shen Dong took a day off. Shen Linghan would definitely try to show her kindness and filial piety to her father. How could it be possible that she was holding a party as the guard said?
On the way to the Old Lady's courtyard, Shen Ninghua's eyes swept over the maids who saluted her. She was smiling, but her heart was cold as ice.
When she came out of the valley in her previous life, her foot injury was quite serious. Zhao Yunxiang, her stepmother, sent her to another villa for recuperation, where she stayed for two and a half years. When she was allowed to return to the Shen Mansion, she was already 15 years old. At that time, she did not fit in with the family at all. Later, she worked hard to master the etiquette so as to avoid being despised. However, her reputation as an uneducated woman lacking civility continued to haunt her for a long time. When she became the empress, there were still opponents who cited this against her.
Now she figured out that if it were not for the purpose of making use of her by marrying her to Baili Jinze, the Shen family wouldn't take her back as long as she was alive.
At the gate of Songtao Courtyard, a maid in light pink dress saw Shen Ninghua and hurriedly went out to welcome her: "My name is Xue Zhu. I'm here to pay respect to miss. The Old Lady is waiting for you."
"I'm so grateful to grandma. I haven't been in home for a long time. Thank you for taking care of grandma." Shen Ninghua nodded slightly. Her face radiated with nobility and coolness, and her movements were natural and smooth. Xue Zhu was her grandmother's ablest maid.
Xue Zhu was in a daze and became more respectful towards Shen Ninghua: "This is my duty." This Shen Ninghua, the first daughter of the Shen family, did not look to be uneducated at all. Instead, she was much more dignified than Miss Linghan, and her appearance was just amazing.
Shen Ninghua smiled and nodded.
Her expression seemed to have magic power on Xue Zhu, who unknowingly added: "The first lady and second miss are also here."
Bai Ruo held Xue Zhu's hand and imperceptibly put a crystal clear jade bracelet on her wrist: "Thank you very much, sister Xue Zhu."
Xue Zhu paused. This bracelet was of premium quality. It had nice color and smooth texture. She wanted to return the bracelet, but found that Bai Ruo had backed off and stood respectfully behind Shen Ninghua. So she had no choice but to lift the curtain and said: "Miss, this way please."
"Your Old Lady, miss had come."
Shen Ninghua stepped into the main hall. The cool air, mingled with the cold fragrance, made her feel refreshed. She looked around, courtesied and said:
"Greetings, grandmother. Greetings, mother."
Old Lady Xiao turned around and saw Shen Ninghua.
Shen Ninghua was bowing and curtsying to pay her respect. She was slim and slender. Her pale blue dress made her look a little bit thin. She had a bright and plump forehead, a straight nose and cherry lips and gleaming teeth. Her fair face was as beautiful as that of Shen Linghan.
"No ceremony. I've just heard from your mother about your coming back. Fortunately, after such a long recuperation, you have not only recovered, but also become beautiful. It must be our ancestor's blessing. It's good to have you back."
"I'm sorry to make grandma worry about me. It must be because of grandmother's care for me that heaven gave me the chance to recover." When Shen Ninghua raised her head, her eyes were slightly red with tears.
Old Lady Xiao was satisfied. She used to worry that the granddaughter was uneducated. Now her worry proved to be groundless. The girl seemed to be of some use in her eyes.
Lady Zhao's eyes looked fierce. She slightly shook the teacup in her hand and fine ripples appeared in the water. The message she had received only said that Shen Ninghua's appearance had changed a lot, but she didn't know that she had become so beautiful. A girl with such outstanding appearance could pose a threat to Linghan.
Old Lady Xiao smiled amiably. When Shen Ninghua got up, she hurriedly said: "Take a seat and let Grandma have a look at you."
Shen Ninghua obediently stood by Old Lady Xiao, with some timidity and expectation in her eyes.
Old Lady Xiao was satisfied. She held Shen Ninghua's hand and said, "She really is exceptionally beautiful. Linghan, come to greet your elder sister."
Shen Ninghua had already noticed Shen Linghan, the "good younger sister" standing beside Old Lady Xiao. Now when she looked up and examined her carefully, her heart couldn't help but writhe with hatred. The pain of loosing her husband, the pain of having her bones smashed, and the pain of being torn apart... All had been because of this person in front of her, who had cast her into hell alive. Not even death could make her forget the deep hatred!
With hatred resounding in her heart, her tone was especially gentle: "Sister, long time no see."
Shen Linghan stood straight. Her eyebrows were like black mountains from afar, her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her lips were like red flower petals and her skin was like white and flawless jade... Just by standing there quietly, she made people feel that the whole world was bright. Such a beauty was very rare to see. Otherwise, Baili Jinze wouldn't have treated her as the treasure of his life and loved her in all his life."Elder sister, we haven't seen each other for a long time. I really couldn't recognize you. Mother told me earlier that your illness has been cured. I haven't received any message from the villa in the past half year and I have privately asked mother several times. What kind of adventure did you take to make yourself change dramatically?" Shen Linghan held Shen Ninghua's hand intimately. Her words sounded full of concern.If Shen Ninghua did not know the true nature of Shen Linghan, she would think that this sister really care
Shen Ninghua gave a cold smile when they came to the courtyard arranged by Madam Zhao.Nurse Zhou surreptitiously looked at Shen Ninghua's face, but could not figure out what she was thinking, "Miss, the madam had intended to let you live in Luomei Courtyard, but your cousin from the Zhao family often comes to live there, and the madam has been so busy recently with the madam dowager's birthday feast that she had no time to get things done before your arrival. Please excuse her.""You worry too much. I surely know that mother has been busy. This place is also excellent. Qing Que, see Nurse Zhou off.""Yes, miss."Bai Ruo tidied up the house quickly and made a cup of tea, "Miss, although the yard is spacious, it is not a good place to live in."Madam Zhao was smart enough to avoid gossip about her arrangement of residence for Shen Ninghua. The courtyard was spacious and pretty nice. But it was called Tranquility Courtya
In the room, Bai Ruo gently helped Shen Ninghua set her hair while Bi Zhu was holding a bronze mirror on the other side to let Shen Ninghua take a look at the hairpin."Miss, you look like a fairy when dressed up like this."said Hong Ling.Shen Ninghua seemed a little absent-minded. In the past two days she had been thinking about Chu Junyi's words about the black jade pendant, but she had no clues. She heard Hong Ling's words and regained her presence of mind, smiling, "You are more and more talkative. Have you spent all your time thinking about how to praise me?""Why, miss, you 've wronged me. You' re so beautiful that I can keep praising you for three days without thinking." Hong Ling said with her smilingly eyes. Then she got serious after Bai Ruo glared at her, "Miss, you instructed me to keep an eye on what's happening in the mansion, and I dare not neglect my duty at all. Today, the master took a day off and you can meet him when you go
"My aunt, you are right. This porcelain vase is really my mother's legacy." Shen Ninghua's face had a light smile, but her eyes turned red. Her appearance made people feel more and more pity for her.Her mother, Xia Jingyan, died when giving birth to her. However, her mother held a great place in her heart. When she was very young, her nanny used to tell her stories about her mother. She told her that her mother was quite knowledgeable and intelligent. However, she had to marry Shen Dong hastily when her family was persecuted later. With her intelligence and beauty, people thought she would definitely be favored by Shen Dong. On the contrary, Shen Dong was very fond of his concubines and turned a cold face towards Xia Jingyan. And she died when giving birth to Shen Ninghua.After Shen Ninghua became the empress, she implicitly asked Shen Dong several times about her mother, but every time he scolded her. In order to maintain the weak family relationship, sh
"Bang! Bang!" The sound of breaking porcelain lasted for a long time before it subsided. In Qinxue Courtyard, broken exquisite porcelains scattered everywhere. Shen Linghan angrily sat on the chair and Wan Xiang knelt on the ground with her forehead bleeding.Zhao Yunxiang, the first lady, frowned as soon as she entered the door. She hurriedly let Nurse Qin to ask someone to clean up the debris on the ground. "What are you doing? You can simply vent out by punishing the servants, but if you become ill by being too upset, won't you make that bitch satisfied and rejoice in your pain?"Shen Linghan's eyes turned red with resentment. She sat on the chair and said, "Mother, I can't bear this at all. Grandma said Shen Ninghua was the first daughter. What am I?" Thinking that Shen Ninghua would excel her everywhere in the future, she felt indignant and disturbed. That bitch had no business to be so conceited.Madam Zhao lovingly tidied Shen Linghan's
As the prime minister who was deeply trusted by the emperor and was good at maintaining relationship, Shen Dong maintained a balanced relationship with several princes in the court, neither too close nor too alienated. Therefore, when Shen Linghan held a banquet, many officials and young ladies came willingly. After all, the first daughter of the Shen family was so talented and beautiful that she was well-known in the capital city. There was no harm in making friends with her.Today's party was different from those of the past. Shen Ninghua, the real first daughter of the Shen family, was back. Although people did not talk about it in public, they were all secretly expecting a drama. They wondered how Shen Linghan, the second young lady, would get along with her.Because of the hot weather, the banquet was held in the pavilion beside the garden. Shen Ninghua came with Qing Que and other maids. From a distance, she could see the exquisite pavilion was surrou
Shen Ninghua clenched her fists and stared at the man. Baili Jinze! It was really Baili Jinze! She had imagined about meeting him many times, but she didn't expect this meeting to happen so soon. Gritting her teeth, Shen Ninghua forced herself to look away for fear of revealing the surging hatred in her eyes.Shen Linghan regained her presence of mind and came hurriedly forward to support Zhao Ruyun. "Cousin, are you OK? The elder sister didn't say those words purposely..." As Shen Linghan said those words, she showed a distressed expression on her face and looked up to Baili Jinze. As soon as she saw his face, she blushed.His body was slender and straight, his sideburns were high, his eyebrows were long and narrow, his lips were slightly pursed into a gentle arc, and he looked like a pearl standing among a pile of rubble, capturing people's attention at first sight.Baili Jinze retreated two small steps. He saw Shen Linghan's beautiful face a
In the pavilion, several people were enjoying painting, whisper and laughter coming out from time to time. Shen Ninghua was sitting in a position that was neither too far away nor too close, drinking tea alone. Her expression showed that she was not embarrassed by the cold reception. But rather she looked calm and tranquil.Chu Junyi glanced at her and his face looked a bit more thoughtful.After two hours, Zhao Yunxiang sent a maid to report that the meal was ready.Shen Dong went up and said, "Now it's lunchtime. How about Your Highness and master Chu have lunch here?""I've long heard about the delicacy of your family dishes. Today, I finally have the chance to taste some of them. How can I say no? Your Highness, shall we have a taste?" Chu Junyi asked, but in an affirmative tone.Baili Jinze looked as usual, as if he didn't mind Chu Junyi's lack of respect for him. "Then I will thank master Shen's hospitality."