Chapter 179: Lian Sheng Inn

  Shen Mu Qing returned to her room and tidied herself up, changing into a silver-white silk dress with a bean-green embroidered hem and a pleated skirt.

  Ming Xia saw that she was simply wearing a braid and nothing else, hesitated and said: "Do you want to wear a pearl flower?"

  Shen Mu Qing walked in front of the dressing table and took a look, her appearance was a bit more subdued. Adding to this period of time where she couldn't eat or sleep well, her complexion didn't look too good.

  She thought for a moment, and then lightly applied a layer of peach-colored lip balm to her lips. Her slightly pale complexion immediately brightened up.

  "Alright then!" Shen Muqing smiled and said, "Those accessories were left to me by Madam, if I lose one when going out, my heart will ache."

  Ming Xia didn't say anything else and nodded in agreement, following Shen Muqing to the flower hall.

  Ying Fen said, "You're so annoying, Tou Xiao Que. She can recall the last ten sentences and each one is more infuriating than the last." Tou Xiao Que didn't say a word, and Ying Fen complained that she wasn't speaking up.

  "But do you dislike me being a maid?" She covered her mouth and smiled, "Good sister, in just a few years, I'll have to serve you carefully. Please, sister, teach me instead. That way, I won't have to do this serving tea and pouring water every day."

  Shen Mu Qing walked in just as he heard this sentence.

  She couldn't help but frown.

  There's a saying that goes, "Don't pursue a desperate enemy." When people are driven to desperation, they can do anything. Isn't there also the phrase "a rabbit will bite when it's desperate"? It's not good for Ying Fen to stare at someone like this.

  Shen Mu Qing lightly coughed once.

  Ying Fen immediately stood up and shouted "Auntie" with a slightly red face.

  Tu Xiaoque, who was about to refute, also stood up at the sight.

  She glared at Ying Fen and said, "Miss, can this person in your house really talk?"

  Some implication of informing on someone.

  Shen Mu Qing interrupted her, laughing: "Second sister, wait here for a moment. I've ordered the kitchen to prepare some food and we'll go see Madam Xiao together later."

  "Go, go see Madame. What's going on?" with a very guilty expression.

  Shen Muqing smiled coldly in her heart.

  Are you afraid I won't be able to win over your mother-in-law?

  However, a kindly smile appeared on his face: "I have something to say to the mistress!"

  A flash of panic flickered across Xiao Que's eyes.

  Shen Mu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly.

  What is she guilty of?

  The Jin Tai Fang hostel is a very inconspicuous small inn, with only one facade, the light is a bit dim, so that the people and things in the shop all look a bit dull.

  An old man with white hair and beard was sitting at the counter, chatting somewhat boredly with a shop boy.

  Seeing Tu Xiaoque enter, he turned around and smiled at Tu Xiaoque: "Second sister is back!" He also ordered the little servant: "Quickly lead the way for second sister."

  Tiao Xiao Que was very respectful to that person. She smiled with a hint of flattery, bent her knees and bowed, calling out "Master Hu".

  Hu Zhanggui nodded politely at her, but his eyes fell on Shen Muqing's servant standing beside her.

  Shen Mu Qing's body was as straight as a pine tree, and he nodded slightly towards Zhang, the shopkeeper.

  Mr. Hu smiled and nodded at her.

  Xiao Er quickly ran out of the counter: "Second sister, please follow me."

  Xiao Que followed the voice and went inside with Xiao Erzi.

  Shen Mu Qing calmly followed up without haste.

  The small shop looks somewhat desolate from the outside, but it's a different world once you step inside.

  Pavilions and kiosks, winding paths lead to secluded spots, elegant and refined atmosphere, not like an inn at all, but rather the backyard of a wealthy family.

  The lady lived in a courtyard surrounded by green trees on the east side. The second son led them to the gate and left after paying his respects.

  The sparrow in front of the door is chirping.

  A woman in her forties, presumably the mother, came to answer the door.

  Her expression was somewhat serious, and when she saw Tu Xiao Que, she only faintly said "you're back", but when she saw Shen Mu Qing behind Tu Xiao Que, she paused for a moment.

  Tou Xiao Que hastily and respectfully said: "Aunt Wu, this is Shen family's aunt."

  When Mrs. Wu heard that, a look of panic flashed across her face, and she hastily opened both doors, saying in a somewhat frightened tone: "I didn't know the honored guest had arrived, I'm so sorry!"

  Isn't that too polite?

  Shen Muqing muttered in her heart, with a smile on her face: "Mom is too polite. It's me who came in a hurry and disturbed you."

  "Mother, don't say that!" Wu Mama made a bow to Shen Muqing, her face showing a few points of embarrassment, and the little maid beside her had already run inside. Wu Mama then respectfully accompanied Shen Muqing inside.

  As soon as they stepped down from the steps, the curtain of the main house was lifted, and the mistress led out two beautiful maidservants who were seventeen or eighteen years old.

  From afar, she revealed a very joyful smile towards Shen Muqing.

  "Auntie, how did you suddenly come! Let me know in advance, I'll go to welcome you." Being treated with such courtesy by an elder, Shen Muqing was somewhat unaccustomed.

  She knelt down and paid her respects to the mistress: "It's me who came in a hurry, disturbing you!"

  "What's all this nonsense about disturbing or not disturbing?" The mistress hastily came forward and took her hand, "The autumn sun is fierce, come with me into the house where it's cool!"

  Shen Mu Qing gently took Da Tai Tai's hand and they walked into the house side by side.

  In the main hall of the three rooms, two men in their thirties stood in the hall. When they saw Shen Muqing enter, both immediately lowered their heads.

  Shen Muqing was introduced in this way, and Shen Muqing could only politely call out "Stone Boss" and "Wang Boss".

  Neither of them dared to raise their heads, and they both repeatedly said "I don't dare".

  The lady then said to the two attendants, "This matter is settled. I won't be leaving Kyoto for now. If you think it's not going well, send a message to the master and let him handle it himself."

  The two attendants responded with a humble "yes" and then walked out with their heads down.

  Shen Muqing suddenly realized that Xiao Xiao's father seemed to have disappeared? At a time when his son had caused such a big commotion, he hadn't even shown up?

  The madam seemed to have noticed her surprise, and took her hand to the eastern bedroom while explaining: "Both of us are busy. When Sa'er had an accident, Master also came with two people to wait anxiously, it's better to leave only one person. There are still many things at home waiting for decision."

  Shen Mu Qing's face involuntarily revealed a few strange expressions.

  Xiao Xiao is the only son to his mother, but just one of many to his father. This feeling is different after all. What about Xiao Xiao's nominal parents? Don't they care at all?

  The two of them sat down on the kang by the window, lost in thought.

  Following the madam out were her two maidservants who had brought tea and refreshments.

  The elder lady pointed to one of the maids wearing a silver-red jacket and said, "This is Yu Chuan." Then she pointed to another maid wearing a bean-green jacket and said, "This is Yin Gao."

  Shen Muqing knew that these were two capable assistants standing beside the madam.

  Ying Feng immediately took out two pouches and handed them over to the two men.

  "Just a little something."

  The two of them accepted it with a smile and bowed to Shen Muqing.

  Yingfen then took out several red lacquer gold-plated boxes from the hands of a little maid behind her and handed them to the two women: "Some food made at home, the young lady specially brought it over for the madam to taste."

  Yu Xian and Yin Gao busied themselves with both hands, resulting in a small box.

  "You're too polite! And you've even brought me something to eat!" The old lady smiled at Shen Muqing, looking very pleased.

  "It's just some small snacks made at home."

  "You can think of me anytime, this makes me happier than anything." Madame gazed at Shen Muqing with bright eyes, looking like she couldn't contain her joy.

  Deeply moved and ashamed, with tears streaming down his face.

  It can't be said that he's always thinking of her

  Mrs. Shen didn't wait for Qing to answer, and pointed at Ying Fen: "I know this one, her name is Ying Fen." Then she pointed at Ming Xia: "What's this one's name? I've never seen her before!"

  A perfect embodiment of a good family's demeanor.

  Shen Muqing secretly took a deep breath in her heart and let Yingfen, Mingxia and others come forward to pay their respects to the old lady.

  The madam carefully sized up several maids and smiled: "The young lady is surrounded by clever and quick-witted people."

  Shen Muqing didn't want to be underestimated by others. Ying Fen pointed out: "Since childhood, she has been serving by my side, and when Kyoto was besieged, she accompanied me in Kyoto." He also pointed at Ming Xia, "When our family members fled to Jiangnan to avoid disaster, she helped take care of them on the road, with a steady and reliable demeanor."

  The lady nodded as soon as she heard it, and Yu Chuan went back and forth, took the purse and rewarded the people who followed Shen Muqing.

  Several maids saw the maid beside Madame acting so generously, and naturally didn't show weakness. They accepted the handbag with ease, thanked her, and stood properly beside Shen Muqing.

  The lady ordered Yu Mei: "You take a few sisters from the side of the young lady and the second sister to go down and have tea."

  Shen Muqing also had something to say to Madame, and naturally nodded in agreement.

  Yingfen and Mingxia then led the people and Yu Chuan down.

  Tu Xiaoque walked at the end, and before leaving the door, he still looked at Shen Muqing with some unease.

  The big wife suddenly raised her eyes and looked towards the door, with a flash of sharpness in her eyes.

  Shen Muqing's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him.

  What a sharp gaze! This is indeed the true face of a wealthy lady!

  She thought, Mrs. Daimu smiled kindly at her, "Miss, you came to find me in such a hurry, what's wrong?" The tone sounded very calm, but Mrs. Daimu's tightly clenched fist revealed her tension.

  Shen Mu Qing hurriedly repeated Shen Zhen's words: "He said he could help deliver a letter. What do you want to say to Xiao Gongzi?"

  The lady listened in stunned silence for a while, with a faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.

  She pulled Shen Muqing's hand: "Is it said that the imperial court is willing to welcome the emperor back?"

  Shen Muqing found it difficult to answer this question, so she could only comfort her: "Being able to send someone is a good start."

  The old lady nodded repeatedly: "It's really a blessing from Buddha!"

  Shen Mu Qing saw her expression relax, and he also let out a breath of relief. He smiled and said: "I'll come to grind the ink for you. Do you have anything to say to Xiao Gongzi?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt it wasn't suitable, so he changed his words: "Or, I can ask Yu Chuan to come in and serve you."

  Magnesium and others finished speaking, the old lady had already shaken her head: "No need."

  Maybe you don't want Yuzhen and the others to know about it!

  Shen Muqing nodded understandingly and said: "Then I'll help you grind the ink!"

  The old lady, however, sat there motionless, staring at Shen Muqing standing by the bed for a while, and said in a low voice: "Auntie, I can recognize characters but won't be able to write them. Why don't I dictate and you write?"

  Deeply moved and stunned into silence.

  To be continued...

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  Chapter 179: Lian Sheng Inn