For the time being, its indeed better to see Peony first before talking, Mrs. Cen smiled faintly without approving or disapproving, and didnt refuse Mrs. Qis outstretched hand either. The two women walked hand in hand, seemingly very intimate, towards Peonys courtyard.

  As they walked to the gate, they saw Kuanger and Shuer, two little maids, one carrying a large wooden bucket and the other carrying a large food box, panting as they approached. Seeing everyone, they hastily put down what they were holding and came forward with beaming faces to pay their respects and ask after everyones well-being.

  Madam Cen was extremely dissatisfied in her heart. These two, Kuang and Shu, were not ordinary maidservants; they were both exceptionally beautiful, yet they had been assigned to do such rough work. The Liu family truly bullied people! Looking again, she saw that Shus eyes were already red, with a face full of grievances. Kuang secretly pulled at her hem, and the two stood obediently, not daring to say another word. Madam Cen looked over in their direction, just in time to see Madame Qis attendant and Liu Changs wet nurse, Zhu, staring sternly at the two, her face full of warning.

  At that moment, Mrs. Cen had an inexplicable feeling in her heart. These two maids obviously wanted to say something to her but didnt dare open their mouths. Looking at their timid appearance, she feared they must have a very difficult life every day. She couldnt help but think of the last time she saw Peony, who mentioned the grievances of her divorce, and also thought of Li Lis furious expression yesterday, which was beyond words. Perhaps the situation was far more severe than she had imagined?

  Xues wife saw the expression on her mother-in-laws face, so she signaled to the big servant girl Linger beside her: "Go and help them carry the food box, look at these two little things tired. They were so eager to win that they forgot how much strength they had."

  "Exactly! I just saw it and was startled. You little rascal, if you dont take care of yourself, what will become of you in the future?" She said while blocking Linger and gesturing to Niannuer and Nianjiaoer: "How can we let our guest do all the work? Why not go help out a bit?" Who knows whats inside that food box, if its something that cant be shown to others, and the He family sees it by mistake, itll really cause trouble.

  Nianger and Niangjiao immediately went forward to help, Kuanger and Shuer busily waved their hands in refusal: "Its too heavy, how dare we trouble our sisters? We can carry it!"

  Auntie Zhu gave a cold glance, and both Kuaner and Xuer let go of their hands, allowing Nian Nuer and Nian Jiaoer to step forward and take their hands. Auntie Zhu immediately gave Nian Jiaoer a signal with her eyes, and Nian Jiaoer understood, blinking her eyes, preparing to check the food in the food box as soon as they entered the courtyard to see if it was suitable.

  The courtyard of the peony house was quiet, not a single person in sight. Mrs. Cens face looked increasingly unpleasant, and Mrs. Qi gave Zhu Mama a signal with her eyes, and Zhu Mama shouted: "Where have all the people gone?"

  Lins mother and Yuhe quickly came out to greet them, but Lis mother and Lan Zhi took a long time to rush out of the east wing, their clothes still not properly tied, looking as if they had just gotten out of bed. It turned out that when they heard that someone from the He family had arrived, they didnt dare make any noise, let alone argue with Yuhe, so they hastily went back to their room to change into a skirt, but before they could finish, the guests arrived and caught them off guard.

  Madam Cen sized up the two of them and smiled: "A bit unfamiliar."

  "Mrs. Lin hastily replied: This is the lady seeing that there was no one serving in the young ladys room, being considerate of the young lady, rewarding her with it, they just arrived yesterday, and the lady didnt recognize them either."

  Mrs. Lins words were laced with meaning, and Liu knew that the Peony House had always been understaffed, yet only yesterday had she rewarded someone by sending them over, and in such a manner of service, too - it sounded like there was more to the story than met the eye. Lady Cen drew out her voice in a long "oh" and smiled, saying: "You can tell just by looking that youre a clever and capable person."

  Madam Qis face turned black, and she glared fiercely at Li Mama and Lan Zhi, shouting: "You despicable slaves! The sun is already high in the sky, and you havent gotten out of bed yet. If I didnt come, would you just sleep all day? Get down and receive thirty slaps for yourselves!"

  The two of them cried out in distress, busy shouting grievances, and also wanted Yuhua to testify for themselves. Yuhua smiled foolishly: "Madam, please spare them, they indeed got up relatively early, Lan Chi sister was teaching Fasheng to speak early this morning."

  Xue Shi laughed with interest: "What did you teach? I havent seen Shuai for a long time, is he still as smart and quick to learn as before?"

  With a flick of its tail, it took two sideways steps, smoothed out its feathers with its beak, stretched its neck and proudly showed off the new phrases it had just learned: "Bastard! Bastard!" As soon as it saw Rain荷 make a familiar gesture towards it, it became excited and shouted in a high-pitched voice: "Sickly thing! Short-lived!"

  Everyones face changed suddenly.

  Madam Qis silver teeth clenched, her aura was imposing as she pointed at Lan Zhi and shouted: "Guards! Take this coarse and despicable thing away and beat her severely!"

  Lan Zhis whole body felt cold, and she opened her eyes wide with fear: "I didnt!" Immediately after, her whole body trembled as she stared at Yu He, unable to form coherent sentences: "You framed me! You framed me! What grudge do you have against me that you would frame me like this?"

  Raindrops eyes welled up with tears, and she looked around nervously at Madame Qi on her left and Madame Cen on her right. She knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Madam, please be aware that it was just a misunderstanding, I didnt mean to say anything wrong. Sister Lanzhi never said those words. Mother Li, quickly come and testify for Sister Lanzhi!" In her heart, she silently thought: Sorry, Lanzhi, you may not have said this in person, but your family members have said plenty. Today is a rare opportunity, so I must let Madam know.

  Mrs. Li hesitated, wanting to defend Lan Zhi but fearing she would get herself involved, and not defending her would make the host family think she was stupid and lose face in front of the He family. After a moments thought, she said, "I can testify that Lan Zhi never said those words."

  She hesitated, and in the eyes of Mrs. Cen, it was just a quibble. She suppressed her anger and said calmly: "Relatives, lets not talk about this anymore. I suppose that stupid animal is too clever, and when people are talking quietly, they dont notice it picking up on things. We cant take it seriously. Lets go in and see Dan Niang first." Then she changed her expression to a smile and shouted loudly: "Dan Niang, why arent you coming out to greet us? Youre lazy again! Luckily your mother-in-law doesnt mind!"

  Lins mother hurried forward and supported her, saying in a low voice: "Dan Niangs body is not suitable, she cant get out of bed."

  Madam Qi was choked by Madam Cens sentence "When people talk secretly, if youre not careful, it will be picked up", wanting to argue but having nothing to say, had to smile and follow Madam Cen and her daughter-in-law into the house.

  Madam Qi had just entered the house when she saw Peony wearing only her undergarments, with her hair loose and her feet bare in her shoes. She looked pitiful leaning against the crystal screen, staring at Madam Xian and Lady Xue. Her heart skipped a beat as she feared that Peony might recklessly reveal what had happened the night before. Hurriedly taking a step forward to support Peony, she chided in a warm tone, "Whats going on? If youre not feeling well, then dont get up. Were all family here, who would blame you for being impolite?" As she spoke, she gave Peony a warning glance.

  Her face didnt show any signs of grievance, but only smiled faintly and said weakly: "The elders love Dan Niang, so they wont blame her for being rude. But etiquette cant be abandoned, Dan Niang doesnt dare to take advantage of the elders love to be willful." As she spoke, she looked extremely exhausted, yet didnt dare lean against Madame Qis body, and just propped herself up alone.

  Madam Qins heart ached as she thought of her own pampered son, who was now struggling to get up and greet his mother-in-law despite being ill. She quickly took three steps forward, supporting Peony, and asked, "Whats wrong again? Where are you uncomfortable?"

  "Last night I caught a chill and had a headache in the middle of the night. My body also hurts badly."

  Madam Qi let out a long sigh in secret, and hastily said: "Dont worry, daughter-in-law, Zi Shu has already gone to fetch Dr. Zhu to come home. After taking one dose of medicine, shell be fine." As she spoke, she carefully helped Madam Cen support Peony on either side, helping her onto the bed and telling her to lie down.

  Peony was nervous and frightened, stiffening her body as she walked. Mrs. Cen didnt notice the change in her daughters demeanor, but felt even more worried in her heart. She tried to probe Peony with a question about yesterdays events, but Peony just hung her head, her face pale as she bit her lip tightly, her voice trembling, yet not mentioning her own grievances at all.

  Look at Lins mother again, her eyes are wet, but she is desperately holding back. Mrs. Cens heart is like a knife cut, this is not dare to say! It has come to this point and still doesnt dare to speak! Nor does it know how the Liu familys old tigress treats Dan Niang on ordinary days. At the same time, she also hates her daughter for not speaking up at this point. How can she be so weak-willed? Wanting to have a few quiet words with Peony, but Mrs. Qi doesnt show any intention of leaving.

  Xues place also wanted to find Kuaner, Shuer, or Lin Mama and Yuhe to talk, but was also stared at by the people around Qi Furen, without any opportunity. Seeing that it was temporarily impossible to ask anything, Xue said: "Just now I saw Shuer carrying a food box, presumably sister hasnt had breakfast yet? Youre sick, how can you starve? Lets eat first and talk later."

  Everyone was busy preparing food, but when they turned around, the food box was gone. When asked, Nian Jiaoer and Linger, a senior maid beside Lady Xue, came in with embarrassed expressions. They smiled awkwardly and said: "This place is too far from the kitchen, and the two young maids are slow on their feet. The food has already gone cold. Ive already sent someone to fetch more, please wait for a moment, Young Mistress."

  Madam Qi frowned and said: "Whats going on? Are we going to let our master starve?"

  Niang Jiaoer repeatedly admitted her mistake. Peony hastily calmed things down: "Dont bother, Im not hungry." As she spoke, she gently rubbed her arm several times with a pained expression on her face.

  Madam Qi didnt notice Peonys little movement, and was only concerned with covering up the food issue: "Not hungry then dont eat? No wonder youre so weak. Hurry up and have the kitchen reheat it!"

  Madam Cen noticed Peonys slight movement and hastily said, "Is the pain severe? Where does it hurt? Let me take a look, scratching it will make it better."

  "Its all right, dont bother."

  Madam Cen smiled and said, "Whats there to be afraid of? Your mother didnt spare you when you were young. Go to sleep, someone will bring the rhinoceros horn!" As she spoke, she went to pull off Peonys clothes, but Peony quickly pulled them tight again: "Really, its not necessary."

  The more she didnt let her see, the more Mrs. Cen wanted to see, and with a stern face said: "What are you being stubborn about? I rushed here early in the morning just to see you, wasnt it because I was worried about you?"

  The peony hung its head and did not speak, loosened its hand, and let Mrs. Cen gently pull open her clothes.