In the bamboo garden, Shen Lixue glanced at Qiuhe, who was hanging her head and looking very uneasy, and smiled faintly: "From today onwards, Qiuhe is promoted to second-class maid!"
Shen Lixue already has two first-class maids, Chunhua and Qiuyue, sent by the Lei family. Before finding fault with them, she cannot promote any more head maids. Moreover, Qiuhe's character also needs to be tested. Let's promote her from third-class to second-class maids first.
Qiuhe was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed, "Thank you, Miss!" She never dreamed that she would not only not be kicked out of the Prime Minister's mansion after causing trouble, but would also be promoted to a second-class maid.
The maid Qiuyue entered the inner room: "Young Miss, Granny Ding is here!"
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow: "Please let her in!" Ding Mama was one of Lei's capable assistants. Her coming to the Bamboo Garden was probably not a friendly visit, but Shen Lixue was not afraid of unfriendly visitors.
Granny Ding was nearly fifty years old, wearing a knitted sweater, with a kind face, and always greeted people with a smile: "Young Miss!"
"Please sit down, Granny!" Granny Ding held a certain position in the Prime Minister's residence, so Shen Lixue wouldn't be too disrespectful.
"This servant wouldn't dare!" Granny Ding declined Shen Lixue's offer. "This servant was ordered by the Prime Minister and his wife to inform the eldest young lady that six days from now is an auspicious day for her to be included in the ancestral genealogy, but..."
Shen Lixue smiled: "But what?" The infant who died young is not included in the family genealogy. Everyone thought that Shen Lixue had passed away fifteen years ago, so of course her name was not on the Shen family genealogy. However, after she returned to the Prime Minister's residence, beat up Shen Yelei, and took away Shen Yingxue's title of Prince An, Shen Minghui and Lei Shi not only did not hold a grudge, but also allowed her to be included in the family genealogy? It's really a strange thing.
"The eldest young lady is still in mourning, and she has traveled thousands of miles from Qingzhou to the capital. If she is to be included in the family genealogy, she must first go to the temple to invite a Buddha statue to the Prime Minister's residence for worship, to protect the safety of everyone in the Prime Minister's residence..." Granny Ding said calmly, occasionally stealing glances at Shen Lixue's expression.
Shen Lixue seemed unaware, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully: "Qingyan Capital still has this custom!"
“Yes, Miss, I have heard of such things!” At Ding Mama’s prompting, the maid Qiuyue echoed her words.
"Is that so?" Shen Lixue didn't speak again, but smiled and looked at Ding Mama. Her cold gaze was clearly warm and refreshing, but it made Ding Mama feel very strange. Her throat tightened, and she almost choked. A thin layer of cold sweat seeped out on her forehead: Why is Shen Lixue looking at me like that? Has she guessed something?
"Does Granny know which temple has the most efficacious Buddha?" Shen Lixue glanced to the side, a warm smile on her beautiful face: Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious, and Lei is digging a trap again. Since she has nothing better to do, she might as well play along with her for a few rounds.
Shen Lixue agreed to go to the temple! Ding Mama's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly relaxed, and her tense old face beamed with joy: "The most efficacious Buddha is naturally Luoye Temple!"
Shen Lixue smiled politely: "Thank you for informing me, Granny. I will make preparations and then go to Luoye Temple to pray to Buddha!"
"Excellent! I'll inform Madam immediately and prepare for the young lady's induction ceremony!" Ding Mama happily went to report to Madam Lei.
After dismissing Qiuyue, Shen Lixue looked at Qiuhe: "Qiuhe, do you know how far the capital is from Luoye Temple?"
"It must be nearly a hundred miles away!" Qiuhe muttered in confusion, "Usually, the ladies and young ladies go to Xiangguo Temple, which is thirty miles away, to offer incense. Why is the eldest young lady being made to go to Luoye Temple, which is so far away, to pray to Buddha?"
Shen Lixue held her teacup, a cold smile on her face. Why? Of course, it was to set up a trap for her: "Qiuhe, how long have you been at the Prime Minister's residence?"
"Miss, I have been in the manor for a year and a half!" Qiu He didn't know why Shen Lixue would ask this question, but she still answered truthfully.
"At this time of year, has anything special happened at the Prime Minister's residence?" It wouldn't be easy for Madam Lei to scheme against Shen Lixue.
"It's March now, March..." Qiu He muttered softly, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "There's a big event at the Prime Minister's residence in March!"
Five days later, at the crack of dawn, Shen Lixue washed up, finished her meal, and walked out of the bamboo garden accompanied by Chunhua and Qiuyue.
Inside the Prime Minister's residence, pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water create a dreamlike scene. Along the blue stone paths, maids in blue jackets, carrying cups and plates, walk gracefully. Upon seeing Shen Lixue, they curtsy and greet her: "Young Miss!"
Shen Lixue smiled slightly and continued walking. The maids and servants stood up and continued their work.
From afar, Shen Lixue saw that the garden had been renovated, and the decorations in the living room, hall, and banquet hall had all been changed. The entire Prime Minister's residence had undergone a complete transformation compared to before.
As I was walking, a soft voice called out from my side: "Sister Lixue!"
Shen Lixue turned around and saw Shen Yingxue, dressed in a green robe, walking towards her with an air of nonchalance, like a fairy: "Sister, is there something you need?"
"Knowing that you are going to Luoye Temple to pray to Buddha today, I have come to see you off!" Shen Yingxue smiled brightly and charmingly: "Are you satisfied with the arrangements made for the Prime Minister's residence by Mother?"
Shen Lixue's lips curled into a beautiful smile: "Madam is very thoughtful!" She is not only thoughtful in arranging the Prime Minister's residence, but also in scheming against her.
"Mother values my elder sister's inclusion in the family genealogy and has meticulously decorated the Prime Minister's residence, all to bring honor to my elder sister!" Shen Yingxue smiled slightly, her beauty captivating.
"It's getting late, I need to set off for Luoye Temple. Please do as you please, sister!" Passing by Shen Yingxue, Shen Lixue walked straight out of the mansion: Shen Yingxue came to talk to her to comfort her and let her go to Luoye Temple to pray to Buddha without worry. It was just a cover-up!
Watching Shen Lixue's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Shen Yingxue's beautiful eyes were filled with mockery: "Fool, once you leave, you won't be coming back. How could this Prime Minister's residence possibly be prepared for you to be included in the family genealogy..."
012 Lei's Birthday Banquet
"Shen Lixue is gone!" The dignified and virtuous Lei Shi moved gracefully to stand side by side with Shen Yingxue. Her dark eyes were like a deep pool, growing deeper and deeper, as if they wanted to suck people in.
Shen Yingxue was taken aback: "Mother, what are you doing here?"
"Just like you, I've come to see Shen Lixue off!" Lei's thoughtful gaze was unfathomable.
Prince An is about to return to the capital. Time is too short, and I don't have time to think of a more perfect plan to deal with Shen Lixue. Holding a grand ceremony to be included in the family genealogy is a great temptation for Shen Lixue. Perhaps she guessed that I was scheming against her, but in order to be included in the Shen family genealogy, she decided to take the risk.
A chilling smile crept across Lei's lips: The capital is his territory, and Shen Lixue, a newcomer, actually thinks she can defeat him. He doesn't know whether to call her confident or foolish…
Five meters away, several maids walked by carrying some small and exquisite ornaments. Ding Mama hurriedly stopped them: "Today is Madam's birthday. What are you doing with these antique bottles? Replace them all with birthday auspicious items. It's almost dawn, so hurry up and make sure you finish replacing them before the guests enter the mansion!"
That's right. The Lei family decorated the Prime Minister's residence not to include Shen Lixue in the family genealogy, but to hold her birthday banquet. The antique decorations they displayed before were just to confuse Shen Lixue. Now that Shen Lixue has left the Prime Minister's residence, there is no need for them to display useless antique decorations anymore. Displaying auspicious birthday ornaments to reflect the Lei family's birthday is the most important thing.
After leaving the Prime Minister's residence, Shen Lixue boarded the luxurious carriage that Lei Shi had specially prepared for her and headed towards Luoye Temple. It was still early, and there were few pedestrians on the streets of the capital. The clatter of hooves sounded particularly clear on the quiet road.
Shen Lixue slept late and woke up early, feeling a bit sleepy. She sat in the carriage with her eyes closed, resting. Chunhua and Qiuyue didn't say much either, quietly sitting in the corner like invisible people.
The carriage left the capital and embarked on the official road, arriving at Luoye Temple without any hindrance. Shen Lixue entered the temple to pray to Buddha, then handed the offering to Chunhua to carry. She slowly walked out of the temple, gazing at the Prime Minister's carriage not far away. Shen Lixue lowered her eyelids slightly.
Things are going too smoothly; it feels unreal. The Lei family and Shen Yingxue hate me to the core and would never let me be so easily included in the family register. But why haven't they made any moves yet? Could it be…?
"Uncle Niu (driver), look over there!" Qiu Yue exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the left rear, her gaze filled with shock.
Following Qiu Yue's gaze, Shen Lixue saw seven or eight men dressed in black, wearing black masks and carrying long swords, rushing towards them. They exuded a murderous aura, their eyes flashing with cold light, as if they had an irreconcilable blood feud with Shen Lixue and the others.
Shen Lixue's deep eyes narrowed slightly, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips. Speak of the devil and he appears! From the Prime Minister's residence to the temple and then to obtaining the Buddha statue, the journey was unimpeded. She would lower her guard, and the man in black would naturally have an opportunity to take advantage of her. The Lei family is truly clever!
"Uncle Niu, hurry up and drive the carriage!" Chunhua realized what was happening and pulled Qiuyue onto the carriage.