Chapter 32: The Necessary Skill of a White Lotus
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Butler Zhao glanced at her fair and tender hands. He just assumed that she had not suffered much hardship in the past but had suddenly become poor, so she could not adopt a more humble lifestyle.
With that, he did not say anything else. In any case, he did not have to pay for her, so there was no need to worry about letting her stay in the residence. The main issue was that it wasn't easy to find good guards at the current time.
At this moment, a few weak coughs from a female was heard from afar.
"Madam, the wind is strong here and you're not feeling well. Let's go back!"
"Alright, Xiao Die. Since I'm in good spirits today, I want to take a good look at the scenery in this residence again. Who knows…"
The woman let out a low cough and sighed, "Who knows? One day I won't be able to see it again…"
The maidservant was so anxious that she was about to cry. "Madam, don't say things like this. You've just caught a cold. You'll recover…"
The maidservant's voice lowered gradually. Everyone knew that Madam was suffering from a mental illness that she could not recover from.
Butler Zhao frowned imperceptibly. When he saw the master and servant walk over, he hurriedly bowed and called her "Madam."
The woman seemed to be used to Butler Zhao's attitude. She nodded lightly and glanced at Feng Lisheng and the other person. Then, she asked casually, "Are these the new guards in the residence?"
Shen Mingjiao looked at Mrs. Zhao, the lady in the rumors, curiously.
At a glance, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. The woman in front of her was very beautiful, and her facial features were bright and imposing. Perhaps as she had been sick for too long, her face was pale, and the look between her eyebrows made her seem to be always frowning.
Even so, she was still a melancholic beauty.
Sensing her gaze, Mrs. Zhao tilted her head and looked over. Their gazes met.
Shen Mingjiao looked into the other party's dark and calm eyes and couldn't help but be stunned. She thought to herself. Mrs. Zhao's eyes are really beautiful. They're like the best grade of obsidian.
Mrs. Zhao saw that Shen Mingjiao's clothes were washed so cleanly that they were white. She said, "I still lack a maid who can take care of flowers and plants in my courtyard. If you don't mind, you can come to my courtyard to work."
Butler Zhao was a little surprised. Even if Madam was not favored, she was still the legitimate wife of the Official.
He thought to himself. This lady has good fortune. Not only does she not have to worry about what to say when she is by Madam's side, but she also did not have to worry about her meals.
Shen Mingjiao wanted to refuse, but she remembered that she was now playing the role of a poor woman who was following her husband to make a living. If she refused, she would arouse suspicion.
This was good too. It would be easier for her to ask about Miss Yun Shu.
Hence, she looked at Feng Lisheng comfortingly and went forward to greet Mrs. Zhao with a smile.
"Sister, why are you here?"
At this moment, a soft and timid female voice came from afar.
When Butler Zhao saw who it was, he quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. "Madam Lian."
Shen Mingjiao raised her eyebrows. This must be the rumored true love of Official Zhao.
That person who had turned from a lowly maidservant to a high-ranking official, Concubine Lian… Oh no, she had to be called Madam Lian now.
She couldn't help but look over curiously. Compared to Mrs. Zhao, who only had a maidservant with her, what this person had was clearly more than just a little.
Madam Lian took the lead. She was followed by a dozen or so maidservants and old maids.
Tsk! The extravagance of this was not inferior to that of the matriarchs of those advanced families in the capital!
But… when she saw Madam Lian's appearance clearly, she immediately retracted her gaze in disappointment.
How should she put it? Madam Lian could barely be considered delicate and pretty! She had a thin figure, ordinary facial features, and slightly fair skin. The only thing she could show off was her eyes. They were clear and hazy, and they gave off a pitiful feeling.
Aside from being inferior to Mrs. Zhao, even Mrs. Zhao's maidservant, Xiao Die, was more energetic than her.
She had thought that the true love of Official Zhao, who had attracted so much attention, would at the very least be a delicate white lotus even if she was not a stunning beauty.
But… this was it!
Cai Lian glanced at them nonchalantly before leading the group of servants towards Mrs. Zhao.
It was a pity that her physical features were too poor. From her gait, she could not give off the vibes of a favorite concubine.
Cai Lian walked closer towards her and bowed pretentiously. "Sister, I heard that you are sick. Why aren't you recuperating in the courtyard? Shall I talk to my husband tonight and get a better doctor for you, Sister?"
Mrs. Zhao looked at her coldly and turned to leave without saying a word.
Looking at her pale face, Cai Lian could not help but feel satisfied.
Look, the once high and mighty Miss is just so-so now!
She grabbed Mrs. Zhao's sleeve and said pitifully, "Sister, are you still blaming me for snatching your husband away? But… but didn't you personally say that you despised my husband's family when they were facing some problems? You said that you didn't want to be implicated, so…"
Mrs. Zhao's expression was cold. Anger flashed across her eyes and she flung her sleeve, which was being grabbed, away.
"Let go."
Cai Lian fell to the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she cried pitifully, "Sister, let me off. My husband and I are truly in love. Please… Please fulfill our wish!"
After saying that, she knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
Shen Mingjiao felt goosebumps all over her body.
Seriously… The lines, the expressions and the actions… It was really awkward!
She felt so embarrassed just by watching it!
Compared to the person in front of her, Shen Mingjiao felt that her cousin, Shen Mingyao, was inexplicably much more lovable. At least she was good-looking!
But… why did this scene feel so familiar, as if it was from some illogical, cliche romance novel?
Sure enough, in the next moment, a man dressed in the robe of a fourth-grade official rushed in.
He rushed forward and hugged Madam Lian tightly, who was crying frantically on the ground. Then, he coaxed her gently, "Lian'er, don't be afraid."
He looked up and glared at Mrs. Zhao. "How many times have I told you? Lian'er is the woman I love the most in my life. Why do you always bully her when I'm not at home?!"
Mrs. Zhao pursed her lips and a trace of hurt flashed past her eyes. She said calmly, "I didn't push her…"
After saying that, she suppressed the itch in her throat and turned around to leave. Her back was straightened up well.
Cai Lian tugged at Zhao Ke's sleeve and whispered, "Husband, don't blame Miss. She's just in a bad mood because she is ill…"
Zhao Ke patted Cai Lian's head gently. "Lian'er, you're too kind. I feel filthy just by taking another look at such a vain and vicious woman. If she knows what to do, she should just renounce her position."
Mrs. Zhao's back stiffened, as if something in her heart was shattering bit by bit.
Shen Mingjiao glanced at Zhao Ke's handsome face.
He looks like a normal man, how could he be blind?
Feng Lisheng frowned. According to the information he had found, Zhao Ke was very good at being an official and he was considered a practical person. Why was he like this when it comes to family matters…
Xiao Die's heart ached as she looked at her Madam's increasingly pale face, she turned around and glared at Cai Lian.
Cai Lian looked over while lying in Zhao Ke's arms. Her gaze was as deep as a lake, as if it could suck people in.
Facing this gaze, Xiao Die felt dizzy.
-- Gift
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