A group of servants were driven out of the kitchen by Feng Yu Heng, no one understood what the second miss meant, each standing in the courtyard in a daze.

  Feng Yu Huan then asked Wang Chuan Dao: "Do you still remember what I just told you?"

  Wang Chuan nodded, "Remember, Huang Quan should have arrived at Baicao Hall by now. It depends on how quickly they prepare the medicine, but it shouldn't take too long before he returns."

  "Alright." Feng Yu Heng added: "Then you go and invite people too, just do as I said. This kitchen you've also seen, it's this big, you should have an idea of how many people to bring."

  Wang Chuan took another look at the kitchen and turned around to leave.

  Feng Yu Huan returned to the courtyard and looked around at these servants, saying coldly: "Tomorrow's reunion dinner I have my own arrangements, you... are on holiday."

  She said that since there were arrangements, they would indeed be taken care of. After dismissing the servants, it wasn't long before Huang Quan brought in some colleagues from the Baicao Medicine shop, and piles of medicinal herbs were placed on the stove. Not long after, someone delivered vegetables, and a butcher followed, asking Feng Yuexia about the necessary items in detail. He then said with a smile: "Don't worry, Miss. For fish and meat, to ensure freshness, I'll have them delivered to your residence early tomorrow morning."

  Feng Yu Huan was very satisfied with this arrangement, and after discussing with the people brought back by Wang Chuan for an hour, she personally ordered all the menus. Only then did she return to Tong Sheng Xuan to rest. As for the kitchen side, it was supervised by Wang Chuan and Huang Quan together.

  In the evening, she went to the kitchen again and everything was going on in an orderly manner. Huang Quan and Wang Chuan also decided to take turns keeping watch under the kitchen at night to ensure food safety.

  That night, Xuan Tian Ming arrived as scheduled. All that could be heard was the sound of whips cracking in the garden of Tong Sheng Xuan, stirring up the fallen leaves of early autumn and sending them swirling through the air.

  Shen finally returned home.

  The Feng family got up early, one by one dressed and made-up. By the time it was almost noon, a servant came to inform the ladies of each courtyard that they should hurry to the entrance to welcome Madame's carriage which had already entered the capital.

  Because the reason for Madame Shen's departure from the mansion was to pray for blessings for the Feng family, her return is a glorious thing for the Feng mansion. Even the old lady wore bright new clothes and applied osmanthus hair oil on her head, making it shiny and smooth.

  Feng Jin had just returned from the imperial court and simply wore his official robes as he waited with everyone else.

  Before long, a horse-drawn carriage came into view and stopped in front of the Yu Feng's mansion. On the upper left corner of the carriage hung a wooden sign with the character "Feng" written on it.

  Yao Shi, An Shi, Han Shi and Jin Zhen took the lead in taking a step forward as concubines, they were to kneel down to welcome Shen Shi.

  As soon as the curtain of the carriage was lifted by someone, the four people knelt down on the ground in unison and said: "We respectfully welcome Madam back to the mansion."

  The first to come down was Manxi, who had been attending Shen's side all along. Feng Yuexiang took a few more glances at Manxi, and saw that the wounds were all in places that couldn't be seen from the outside. It seemed that Shen had a good grasp of the technique of scolding and beating servants, specifically targeting areas that wouldn't be visible to others, causing pain while avoiding detection.

  Manxi got off the carriage and turned around to help the person inside. Only then did Shen's plump figure squeeze out of the carriage, wearing a plain white dress, with only one white jade hairpin on her head, looking simple and elegant.

  The old lady had never seen Shen Shi dressed like this before, and she couldn't help but stare for a moment before recognizing her. After a while, she nodded repeatedly, thinking that the temples on Putuo Mountain were indeed good places for spiritual cultivation, even someone as worldly as Shen Shi could be transformed into such a state, it was truly rare.

  Shen immediately got off the carriage, and without saying a word, hurriedly bent down to help up the four people kneeling on the ground. She put her hands on Yao's and An's wrists, and only then said: "Sisters, please get up quickly, why are you showing such great courtesy? Please hurry up."

  The four of them stood up with Shen's support, and Shen gave them a gentle smile before turning around and taking two steps forward to stand in front of the old lady. Kneeling down on one knee, she said: "Your daughter-in-law greets you, Mother. The master from Pudu Temple is thinking of you and has asked me to give you his regards."

  The old lady was very satisfied with Shen's performance, but felt that since this daughter-in-law entered the house, she had never been so pleasing to her eyes.

  "Get up." The old lady still liked to hold onto her frame, but she only lifted her hand, and Zhao's mother proactively came forward to help Shen up. Then the old lady said: "You are in the temple praying for good fortune for the Feng family, at the same time you can also cultivate your body and mind, it is also your blessing and destiny. I just hope that you can make this blessing and destiny last long, and not waste the Feng family's efforts."

  "Shen's daughter-in-law obediently bowed her head: 'I will remember mother's teachings.'"

  The old lady's mouth twitched slightly, and with Shen Shi's dressing up and tone of speaking, she initially thought it was refreshing, but after saying more, she started to feel awkward, always feeling that the person in front of her wasn't Shen Shi at all?

  "I have seen the old master." Shen Shi turned to Feng Jin Yuan again, "I chanted scriptures for the old master a hundred times in the temple, wishing the old master peace and good fortune."

  Feng Jin Yuan was also surprised at Shen's change and nodded in admiration, "You can be like this, I'm relieved."

  They finished their pleasantries, and then it was the turn of a few children to pay their respects to Lady Shen.

  Madam Shen looked at the children with a kind motherly expression, first saying to Chen Yu and Zi Hao: "You are the eldest sister and brother, you must have an elder sibling's demeanor, usually be friendly and loving to your younger siblings, and also support them more when you're outside, do you understand?"

  "Daughter (son), remember."

  Shen nodded and turned to Feng Yuexiang, surprisingly pulling her hand up, saying with a heavy heart: "Mother specially prayed for you in the temple, you are the first child of the Feng family to have an engagement, Mother asked Bodhisattva to bless you and the Crown Prince to live a happy life together."

  Feng Yu Huan looked at Shen Shi, and for a moment, she thought this person's face was kind and benevolent. With these words, it really did move her somewhat. Unfortunately... unfortunately, it was all just an act, with hatred and madness hidden in his eyes that couldn't be concealed.

  She smiled wryly and bowed her head to Lady Shen: "Thank you, Mother."

  Mrs. Shen patted her hand, then rubbed Zi Rui's head, asked about some enlightening homework, and had a good talk with Xiang Rong. Finally, her gaze fell on the arm that was still hanging around Dan Ni's neck: "Mother doesn't know how to help you relieve this arm pain." Mrs. Shen said, and actually shed a tear, "In these days, Mother has been reflecting on her mistakes, and now she really regrets not being able to take the punishment for Dan Ni."

  Feng Pian Dai was still young, and she was taken aback by Shen's tears. She also started crying and ran into Shen's arms: "Mother, Pian Dai misses you."

  Feng Yu's feathers stood on end as she felt a chill run down her spine, and she clearly saw the disgust in Shen Shi's eyes.

  After Fen Dai finished crying, Shen Shi turned to comfort Jin Zhen: "These days are all thanks to you for taking care of Master. In the past, I was not good to you, don't take it to heart. Now we are all sisters in our own family, and it's different from before." After comforting Jin Zhen, she went to comfort Han Shi: "Your complexion is really not good, if your body doesn't feel well, remember to see a doctor!"

  Finally, the focus fell back on Yao's body. Shen walked a few steps forward and hugged Yao tightly. Tears streamed down her face as she said, "Sister, I should be calling you Elder Sister Yao. You entered the manor before me, but who would have thought that something like this would happen in your hometown? These past days, my temper has been high, and I've been making things difficult for you. Please don't blame me, Elder Sister Yao."

  "Mrs. Shen was originally fat and had a lot of strength, Mrs. Yao was hugged by her and found it hard to breathe, so she quickly said: 'Don't blame you, how could I blame the madam? Madam, please don't do this, let the servants see and laugh.'"

  Shen's family finally let go of Yao's family, then under the approving gaze of the old lady and Feng Jin Yuan, followed everyone to the banquet set in Peony Courtyard.

  The last one to walk, Fen Dai wiped away a tear, the previous excitement was instantly retracted, only to see her glare at Han Shi, coldly saying: "Shen Shi has changed his nature now, I'm afraid the feng shui of this house will change again, you are truly useless!"

  The fierce gaze made Han's body tremble, and his face turned even paler.

  The old lady was all smiles today, and when she walked in, she deliberately waited for Shen Shi. However, Shen Shi had changed her usual demeanor, no longer showing off, but instead followed the old lady step by step, without taking a single step out of line.

  The old lady couldn't help but nod repeatedly. If Shen's family could always be like this, it seemed that the Feng family was truly blessed.

  Everyone sat down in the Peony Courtyard, and a group of servants began to lay out the dishes. The old lady told Shen Shi: "Today's table setting is arranged by Ah Huang Zhang Luo, also to let her learn how to manage the household. After all, when she marries into the Royal Wang Mansion in the future, she will have to be the mistress, and she can't not know anything at her natal home."

  Feng Jin Yuan also said: "If there's anything improper on her part, as her stepmother, you should instruct her."

  An heard this and couldn't help but lower his head, sighing lightly. He said to let Shen take charge, but that would only make things more chaotic. When would Shen ever be able to manage the household properly? If it weren't for Sun Yu always covering for her, who knows what kind of state she would have reduced this family to by now.

  "Your humble servant is afraid of not understanding the rules of the Wang mansion, and fears making mistakes. It's not urgent to come now, Ah Huang is only twelve years old, when she turns fourteen, Master may as well invite a nanny from the palace to enter the mansion, teach her for the last year, and Ah Huang will be accomplished."

  Feng Jin Yuan thought Shen Shi's words were very reasonable and couldn't help but say: "You're still the one who thinks things through."

  Shen's lips curled up in a smile, almost choking on Feng Yuexia.

  It's true that this enchanting move, whether it's Han or Jin Zhen, is quite pleasing to watch. But Shen... forget it, in a world where appearance matters, why bother arguing with her?

  She withdrew her gaze and stared at the last dish being placed on the table, thinking to herself that it wouldn't be long before a good show would unfold.

  Soon, sixteen main dishes, eight cold dishes, a pot of soup and a serving of porridge were placed in front of everyone.

  Everyone looked at the dishes on the table, thinking that they were just the usual things you see every day, but somehow when they got to the plate, they didn't seem quite right. And when you sniffed them carefully, there was a strange smell...