The Marquis's line has ended? The pregnant maid is pregnant again!

Looking at Lu Jihan, he was young and held the rank of third grade official. He was diligent in his official duties, upright and incorruptible, and outstanding in both literary and military talents.

In his previous life, he had someone he loved. Even with the pressure from the Lady of the Marquis and the Old Lady, he remained chaste and aloof from women, never visiting brothels.

Even a blind person would know to choose Lu Jihan, right?

In his previous life, Lu Jihan had no heir, and it was only after Lu Huai'an realized his mistake that Lu Huai'an inherited the title.

As long as she bears a son or daughter for Lu Jihan, no matter how much Lu Huai'an realizes his mistake, the title will never go to him.

"Sister, don't be discouraged. The young marquis has always been indifferent to women, so it's normal that he couldn't serve you in bed for a while. I'm sure the old lady won't blame you."

Shen Yun'er took Shen Qinghe's arm with concern, pretending to comfort her, but in her heart she was thinking, "No, please don't blame her to death! Shen Qinghe will suffer every bit of the suffering she endured in her past life!"

Suppressing her disgust, Shen Qinghe calmly withdrew her hand and said with a forced smile, "Thank you for your kind words, sister."

Shen Yun'er keenly noticed that Shen Qinghe's expression was not good. In her previous life, she was thrown out by Lu Jihan on the first night. It seems that Shen Qinghe is even worse off than her!

Hahaha, Shen Yun'er could laugh herself awake just thinking about the torment Shen Qinghe would suffer in the future.

Despite her joy, Shen Yun'er didn't forget the important matter and pulled her aside to ask, "Sister, there's something else I'd like to ask for your help with."

Shen Yun'er tentatively looked at Shen Qinghe and asked, "Since we were little, elder sister, your cooking skills have been excellent. Even the old lady praises them highly. Yesterday, the second young master drank a little wine, and I'd like to make him a hangover soup. Elder sister, could you teach me?"

No wonder Shen Yun'er was putting on this act of sisterly affection; so that's what she was really up to. Shen Qinghe sneered inwardly, but her face remained impassive: "The recipe for the hangover soup is simple, but it seems my sister has more to offer than just the hangover soup recipe?"

Shen Yun'er wasn't embarrassed at having her thoughts exposed, and simply said, "Since you've said it, sister, then I won't beat around the bush. Could you teach me all the desserts and dishes you know?"

Fearing that Shen Qinghe might become suspicious, Shen Yun'er pretended to be nonchalant and explained, "I just want to take good care of the Second Young Master's daily life."

Shen Yun'er's gaze followed Shen Qinghe; she certainly wouldn't easily reveal her plans to Shen Qinghe.

She remembered that in her previous life, during the years when Lu Huai'an was a playboy, Shen Qinghe made pastries and dishes to sell in order to earn money, and at first she only made a little money.

After Lu Huai'an began to study diligently, Shen Qinghe often brought him food. Many of the scholars who tasted the food went on to become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and enter the imperial court as officials.

With their support, Shen Qinghe's products became famous overnight, sweeping across the entire city of Chang'an. At their peak, they were so popular that even a fortune in silver couldn't buy them. Later, they entered the palace, which allowed Shen Qinghe to meet the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

She had finally been reborn. If she learned those cooking skills and rushed to sell them, then Shen Qinghe in this life would become a poor imitation, and the one who would become famous throughout Chang'an would be Shen Yun'er!

Shen Qinghe immediately understood her intention: Shen Yun'er wanted to take everything from her past life, leaving nothing behind!

"I'm so sorry, sister. Although those dishes aren't anything particularly valuable, a large part of them were figured out by myself. It would probably take a lot of effort to learn them. It was fine before, but now that we both have to serve the young master's daily needs, I'm afraid we won't have the time."

Shen Qinghe refused without hesitation. She had studied needlework and embroidery diligently since childhood, and cooking was her own interest. Many of the dishes that later became popular in the capital were her own ideas and improvements.

She wouldn't tell Shen Yun'er! She's not stupid.

Shen Qinghe smiled and raised an eyebrow: "How about this, I used to learn from Granny Sun in the kitchen, so if you want to learn, just go to her."

Shen Yun'er didn't expect to run into such a snub here. It was obvious that Shen Qinghe was selfish and unwilling to pass on the secret recipe to her!

I really don't know what Shen Qinghe is so proud of? It's just a few broken secret recipes!

She refused to believe that she couldn't do it without Shen Qinghe. Just wait and see!

"Alright... fine, then I won't trouble you any longer, sister." Shen Yun'er said with a forced smile. "Then sister, please go and report back to the old lady!"

When he looked at Shen Qinghe, his eyes were filled with a bright, condescending pity, as if Shen Qinghe was about to step into some dragon's den or tiger's lair.

Shen Qinghe didn't say anything, turned around and went into Yuhe Hall.

As Shen Yun'er watched her plain back view, her mocking smile grew wider and wider. In her past life, all the good things fell on Shen Qinghe, and now it was her turn, Shen Yun'er's turn!

Inside Yuhe Hall.

As soon as Shen Qinghe entered, she bumped into Granny Kang, who pulled her inside:

"Young lady, you've finally arrived! The old lady has been talking about you!"

Shen Qinghe curtsied to the old lady and said, "This servant greets the old lady."

The old lady was sitting upright in a carved rosewood chair. When she saw Shen Qinghe arrive, she flicked the round Buddhist prayer beads one by one with her fingertips.

She sent someone to inquire early in the morning, and it was discovered that no water had been called for in the bamboo garden all night. She also heard that Ji Han had been furious and all the servants had been driven out.

She thus concluded that Shen Qinghe had failed to serve Lu Jihan.

When she arranged for Ji Han to marry a wife and take a concubine, none of them could get close to him, let alone serve him. That's why she didn't discuss it with her daughter-in-law and directly gave him a concubine.

In ordinary wealthy families, young masters of this age, especially the quick-witted ones, can already recite the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic.

But Ji Han remained unresponsive, refusing to even touch a woman. If things continued like this, when would she ever get a great-grandchild?

The old lady patted the armrest heavily and sighed, "Forget it, Ji Han's aversion to women is well-known throughout Chang'an. Even if you were a celestial being descended to earth, you couldn't possibly succeed in serving him in one night."

"Reporting to Madam, this servant was fortunate enough to receive the young marquis's favor last night."

Shen Qinghe knelt on the floor, straightened her back, and presented the handkerchief from her sleeve.

"What did you say?!" The old lady froze for a moment, her hand still moving the prayer beads, and exclaimed sharply, "Quick, quick, take a look!"

Granny Kang hurriedly took the handkerchief, carefully examined it, and then dared to announce the good news: "Madam! Miss Qinghe has indeed served the Emperor!"

The old lady took the handkerchief in disbelief, examined it closely several times, and immediately beamed with joy, her wrinkles crinkling with laughter: "Good...good!! I really didn't choose the wrong person! My great-grandson..."

Shen Qinghe lowered her eyes, blushing and embarrassed, and said, "Young Master also said that I should move into the bamboo garden this afternoon."

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!" The old lady stepped forward excitedly, then scolded Kang Mama, "What are you all standing there for? Help him up!"

"This little girl is really capable. The old lady has a sharp eye; she picked out the best one at a glance." Granny Kang hurriedly helped Shen Qinghe up and congratulated her with a smile.

"Qinghe, you've done very well. From now on, you'll be responsible for taking care of Jihan's daily needs. You don't need to come back to my courtyard to serve him. Your most important task is to serve him in bed and bear him an heir! If it's a boy, he'll be the young marquis's eldest son. As his mother, whatever you want, I can give you!"

The old lady was overjoyed. Seeing that Shen Qinghe didn't try to curry favor like those vixens, she was even more satisfied.

Shen Qinghe lowered her eyes and said sweetly, "I have no way to repay the old lady's kindness. I can only do my best to take good care of the young master and the old lady."

The old lady was so happy that she kept saying "yes," wishing she could put Shen Qinghe on Lu Jihan's bed right now.

After replying, Shen Qinghe went straight back to the bamboo garden.

Suddenly remembering the hangover soup Shen Yun'er had mentioned, a thought struck him: the young marquis was so drunk last night, he must have a headache today.

Shen Qinghe quickly ran to the kitchen to cook a hangover soup and made some snacks, which she then delivered to Lu Jihan after he finished court.

Soon, it was heard that Lu Jihan had returned to the manor. Shen Qinghe asked Qing'er to inquire and found out that Lu Jihan was at the martial arts training ground.

Upon entering the training ground, Shen Qinghe, carrying a food box, was dumbfounded. Her gaze was fixed on the bare, bronze-colored chest, and she couldn't look away.

Isn't his physique... a little too hot?!