Chunlan knew what kind of person her mother-in-law was, and if she didn't want to tell anyone, no one else would be able to tell her.
This is also the reason why Grandma Jiang has been with Mrs. Shen for so many years and has always been deeply trusted.
So Chunlan didn't get the answer, and she didn't ask again without the knowledge.
But she was young after all, so if she kept such a big thing in her heart, she would inevitably have a look on her face.
Chunlan was not on duty the next day, so she made an appointment with Mingxiu to make purses together.
It's almost autumn, and the New Year is not far away. By then, the master will have to give out rewards everywhere, and will have to give out a lot of money every time. All these must be made in advance and more preparations must be made.
Although the gift bag does not need to be as exquisite as the ones used by the masters, it should not be so shabby that it would be a joke if given out.
Chunlan originally agreed to come over and teach Ming embroidery how to make decent-looking purses using the scraps she had accumulated in daily life and simple and trouble-free patterns.
But even though people are here, their thoughts are nowhere to be found.
"Ouch!" Chunlan didn't know how many times she pricked her finger, so she simply threw away the brace in her hand and kept silent while holding the bleeding finger.
Seeing this, Mingxiu quietly put away the things in her hands, reached out and poured a cup of tea for Chunlan and said, "Sister, have you been too tired recently? Have a sip of tea and take a break.
"I have memorized all the things my sister taught me today. I will just ask my sister to help me look at them later when I make them.
"This is this year's new tea that our girl specially gave me as a reward because she knew that my sister often came to my room.
"My sister came over today, so I made this pot specially."
"You girl, your skills with words are improving faster than your embroidery skills, and you are becoming more and more good at making people happy.
"I'm giving you new tea because the eldest lady cares about you. It has nothing to do with me."
"My sister has done me an injustice by saying this. From top to bottom, all the maids in the yard, I am the only one who has received this reward.
"Not to mention Minghui who bought it with me, no matter what, I can't get past Sister Mingyu, right?
"Everyone knows in their hearts that this is what the girl asked me to use to entertain my sister. Otherwise, I have no merit and no hard work, how can I dare to accept this only reward!
"The spring water for making tea today was sent by Sister Mingyu to the maid early in the morning!"
If things were normal, Mingxiu's words would only make Chunlan feel more and more comfortable with Shen Tianshu, and wonder how she could be assigned to work under the eldest girl.
But after listening to what Aunt Jiang said yesterday, I suddenly realized that the reason why Shuangtangyuan was so kind to her from top to bottom was mostly because she was by the old lady's side and was of use to them.
Thinking of this, Chunlan lost interest even more. She took a few sips of tea to save her face, then stood up and said goodbye.
Mingxiu sent the people away and came back to clean up the cloth that was spread everywhere on the couch. She couldn't help but feel a little drumming in her heart.
She thought about it, then threw away the half-packed pieces of cloth in her hand, quickly walked outside the main house, lifted up a crack in the door curtain, and carefully looked inside.
Mingyu saw him in the house and hurried over and asked in a low voice: "Is something wrong?"
"Sister Mingyu, what are you busy with right now?"
"Nothing's wrong, I just practiced calligraphy for a while, and now I'm reading a book!" Mingyu said, "What, are you okay?"
No wonder Mingyu asked this. Mingxiu was basically only responsible for needlework, and she was not scheduled to be on duty at ordinary times, so she spent most of her time in the wing room, rarely walking around in front of Shen Tianshu, let alone asking for an audience.
Already.
"I have something to say, but I don't know if this is the right time."
"Is there anything inappropriate here? Come in and I'll pass it on to you."
Mingyu stretched out his hand to pull the person in, went into the inner room to say a few words to Shen Tianshu, and soon came back to bring Mingxiu in.
Shen Tianshu put the book in his hand on the table, looked at Mingxiu and asked, "What's the matter?"
"This slave has seen the girl." Mingxiu hurriedly stepped forward to salute, stood up, and then explained Chunlan's strange behavior today. After speaking, he lowered his eyes with some restraint and said, "This is the first time this slave has encountered such a situation. , I don’t know how to deal with it, and I don’t dare to ask casually. If I do something wrong, I will ask the girl to teach me a lesson.”
"I don't eat people, so you don't need to be so restrained." Seeing Mingxiu's nervous look, Shen Tianshu joked casually.
But although she raised the corners of her lips and slightly bent her eyes, the smile did not reach her eyes.
"You did a good job today. Whether it's her own business or the old lady's room, as long as she doesn't want to talk about it, don't pry.
"If she wants to tell you, just listen quietly and don't make any comments or spread the word."
After Shen Tianshu finished speaking, he praised Mingxiu a few more words, and soon the little girl left with her cheeks reddening and her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Mingyu sent Mingxiu out and when he came back, he saw that some of the fake smile on Shen Tianshu's face had disappeared.
The book is still on the table at hand, but I have no intention of picking it up and continuing to read.
Shen Tianshu stood up and walked around the room a few times, then suddenly asked: "The person dad sent to pick up someone from Hengzhou Mansion should be able to get home today, right?"
Mingyu calculated the time in his mind and said, "Based on the time I used to come back from holidays in the past, even if the road is difficult, I should definitely be there before lunch."
Shen Tianshu stopped at the window, holding the half-open window sash and looking into the courtyard. At this time, the Shen Mansion, which was still peaceful on the surface, was about to usher in a storm.
"Call all the people in our yard together and give them a good beating, so that they all behave honestly and tuck their tails between their legs these days.
"At this juncture, if anyone gets into any trouble and the news reaches the ears of your old lady and father, I can't protect them."
"Yes!" Mingyu promised and went down to deliver the message.
At the same time, the carriage Shen Yuanlin was riding in also slowly stopped at the gate of Yongzhou City.
A government official got off his horse, passed the crowd lining up to enter the city, and stepped forward to show his badge.
The soldiers guarding the gate immediately separated a few people, moved aside the resisting horses, and allowed the convoy to enter the city first.
Shen Yuanlin lifted the curtain and looked outside for a long time.
It was fine that he didn't see Shen Zhonglei, but Mrs. Xu didn't come, and she didn't even send anyone to greet him. This was something that had never happened before.
Shen Zhonglei is busy with official duties and does not want to show excessive love for his son outside, so it is normal not to come.
But Xu's love for her son was not fake. In the past, even if she didn't come, she would definitely send someone close to her to greet him outside the city gate.
Not a single familiar face was seen today, and Shen Yuanlin inevitably had some bad guesses in his heart.
"Tell me the truth. Is my mother seriously ill? That's why you are so anxious to take me home?"