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

The little girl lowered her eyes, looking carefully and nervously at the tips of her shoes.

Looking down at her, he could only see her smooth, fair forehead and a tiny white dot on her chin, which, illuminated by the candlelight, added to her delicate and melancholic air.

It was precisely this touch of fragility and melancholy that made Lu Jihan, in a daze, seem to see his cousin.

He reached out and gently stroked her eyebrows and eyes. Her delicate eyebrows were curved and upturned like willow leaves. His fingertips slid down her eyebrows and eyes to her cheeks.

"Master...do you dislike the bruises on my arms?" Shen Qinghe asked at the opportune moment.

The woman's gentle voice was slightly tense, as if she was very worried, which immediately brought Lu Jihan back to his senses.

He mistook her for his cousin again.

How could this be?

He always had sharp eyesight, and rarely made mistakes when facing so many soldiers and enemies on the battlefield.

Shen Qinghe sometimes really feels like his cousin, though he doesn't usually have that feeling.

Perhaps... concern makes one lose focus, and disrupts one's emotional state?

He tilted his head slightly, pinched his brow, looked at the desk for a moment, and then looked back at Shen Qinghe in front of him.

"Nonsense." After this brief interlude, Lu Jihan's scrutiny completely dissipated, and his heart softened. Although his tone was cold, his words carried concern: "Am I the kind of shallow person who only cares about appearances? Besides, what happened today was not your fault; you were also the aggrieved party."

Looking at the expression on the man's face, Shen Qinghe reached out and cupped his large hand, her fingertips intentionally or unintentionally stroking the back of his hand: "As long as Master knows that I am innocent, I will not suffer anymore."

After saying this, Shen Qinghe was extremely satisfied with her ability to lie through her teeth and please people.

As expected, upon hearing Shen Qinghe's words, Lu Jihan's icy expression melted away, and he raised his hand to rub the top of her head: "That's even more nonsense. Since you are my person, I will naturally not let you suffer in vain. Zhou Mama is indeed arrogant and domineering, and she should be punished properly."

-

Fu Hua Tang.

As Madam Qin was talking to Madam Zhou, Madam Zhou, even with her slow mind, finally understood what Madam Qin was planning.

"Young lady, you have a more thoughtful approach. I was too impulsive," said Madam Zhou, still clicking her tongue indignantly. "It's just that that wretched maid Shen Qinghe got off easy."

Before long, a maidservant announced from outside the door: "Young Madam, Guard Linfeng has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Qin was secretly puzzled. Her husband had only left more than an hour ago, so why would he send Linfeng again?

Madam Zhou, standing to the side, was overjoyed. She looked at Madam Qin with a beaming smile: "Miss, are you out of your mind with happiness? Why are you still standing there without reacting? Guard Linfeng is here! It must be that the young marquis has some new instructions. He was so gentle when he left tonight; he must have wanted more, which is why he sent Guard Linfeng so late at night! Perhaps the young marquis will arrive soon!"

Although Qin was puzzled, what Zhou Mama said made some sense. Thinking of Lu Jihan, she felt a flutter in her heart and couldn't help but feel a little shy: "Mama, what are you saying?"

She feigned annoyance, but her steps as she went out to greet him were incredibly light, and Zhou's mother followed with a smile, being very attentive.

To everyone's surprise, what happened as soon as the door opened completely froze the smile on Zhou's mother's face.

Lin Feng smiled and reported to Madam Qin, "Madam, the master has some words for me to convey."

Qin never expected that Lin Feng would speak with such a cold voice—

"Zhou Mama's arrogant behavior suggests that she has been acting like a tyrant in the Qin State Duke's mansion as the lady's wet nurse for a long time, and she still hasn't restrained herself now that she's in my Zhenguo Marquis's mansion. As for other matters, the lady is gentle and dignified, and may be influenced by Zhou Mama. Therefore, Zhou Mama is hereby punished with half a year's salary and sent to the Buddhist hall to copy Buddhist scriptures for a month to cultivate her character. Once she has reformed her temperament, she can return to serve the lady."

Qin Shi stopped in her tracks, and Zhou Mama was even more incredulous: "This servant, this servant is innocent! Please, Young Marquis, investigate thoroughly. Guard Linfeng, are you mistaken?"

Lin Feng also disliked Zhou Mama very much, firstly because of her eccentric behavior, and secondly because she bullied Qinghe.

"If there are any doubts, Mother can always ask Master." He looked at Madam Qin and said with an iron face, "Reporting to Madam, I have delivered your message. However, out of consideration for your reputation, I specifically asked me to inform you. I presume you already understand what to do?"

The shy smile on Qin's face vanished, replaced by a gentle, fake smile: "I already know my husband's feelings."

After Lin Feng left.

Madam Qin was both angry and puzzled. She turned to look at Zhou Mama: "How could this be? My husband is a very upright and honest man, and he's never the type to hold grudges. Since he didn't punish you during the day, he should have let it go after that kick. Why did he suddenly attack you at night?"

"This servant...this servant doesn't know either." Zhou Mama was used to being respected by Qin Shi's side and always considered herself half a mistress in the Bamboo Garden. How could she bear the hardship of copying Buddhist scriptures in the Buddhist hall?

In her panic, Madam Zhou wondered, "Could it be...could it be because when I went to look for that wretched maid..."

As she spoke, Zhou's mother felt a little guilty and dared not continue.

"Speak!" Qin shouted angrily.

Madam Zhou was terrified. Her old face scrunched up like a chrysanthemum: "This servant...didn't do anything! I just pinched Shen Qinghe's arm a few times! At most, it'll leave a few bruises. Miss, this servant...this servant doesn't want to go to the Buddhist hall!"

"You have no choice but to go, whether you want to or not. From what Lin Feng brought, your actions have already damaged the reputation of the Qin State Duke's Mansion." Madam Qin took a deep breath. "Mother, what can I say to you? You need to be more careful. Acting impulsively without fully understanding Shen Qinghe's true strength will only put us in a passive position!"

Madam Qin gripped the edge of the table: "Just a few bruises and I've already punished you. Someone like Shen Qinghe, you either need to recruit her or eliminate her completely."

-

"Master, I've brought the medicated oil." After returning late at night, Lin Feng went to the study to fetch the medicated oil and brought it over.

"Step back." Lu Jihan took the medicated oil and placed it in front of Shen Qinghe: "This is a specially made medicated oil that can reduce swelling and bruising."

"Thank you, young marquis." Shen Qinghe took the medicinal oil, opened it, and smelled it.

Surprisingly, what entered my nose was not the unpleasant smell of herbs, but a faint fragrance of jasmine.

She looked at Lu Jihan with some surprise.

Seeing her looking like a little mouse stealing oil, Lu Jihan tapped the table lightly with his fingertips: "Specially made, different from the ordinary ones."

His deep, magnetic voice carried a coldness and aloofness.

"I see." Shen Qinghe pursed her lips and began to apply the medicated oil.

She said she was just trying it out, but she was just going through the motions. What a great opportunity, why would she apply it herself?

But if you ask directly, you'll definitely be rejected.

A faint scent of jasmine wafts by, like a subtle hook, always tugging at one's thoughts.

Lu Jihan's tapping on the table became erratic. He coughed lightly, "Do you know how to use it?"