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

Shen Qinghe was afraid that the quail and asparagus soup she made would get cold, so she followed the maid's pace faster and faster.

Upon arriving at Fuhua Hall, Shen Qinghe saw Chen Xiaoniang, who had arrived earlier.

Shen Qinghe's heart sank. It was as if she had run into the very person she wanted to avoid. She would have to be careful with her words and actions.

Carrying the food box in her hand, she curtsied to Chen Xiaoniang and said, "This servant greets Chen Xiaoniang."

According to the rules, Shen Qinghe only needs to perform a half-squatting bow to Chen Xiaoniang.

A concubine is at most considered half a mistress.

Chen Xiaoniang's gaze swept across Shen Qinghe like a sharp knife, and she asked, waving her round fan and raising her chin:

"So you're the one the old lady sent to warm Hanlang's bed?"

Her voice was sharp, her tone sarcastic and arrogant, and she emphasized the words "warm the bed".

With three concubines brought into the house, Lu Jihan wouldn't even bother to touch them, let alone look at them for ten days or half a month.

Shen Qinghe understood that it was normal for Chen Xiaoniang to be jealous since she had just served the emperor.

Shen Qinghe avoided her whenever possible and turned a deaf ear to her insults:

"What you say is true, young lady. It is my blessing to serve the young lord."

Chen Xiaoniang felt like she'd been slapped in the face; she had nowhere to vent her anger. Seeing Shen Qinghe's slender waist and voluptuous figure, she cursed her inwardly as a vixen.

My gaze swept across her neck and I saw bruises that weren't completely covered up—clearly the marks left from sexual intercourse!

Then she remembered what Granny Zhou had said, that she had spent the night in Han Lang's room yesterday, and her jealousy burned even more fiercely.

She's been here for over half a year and has only seen Han Lang two or three times. How come this vixen can so easily win Han Lang's favor?!

Chen Xiaoniang stared at her, her gaze landing on the food box, a plan forming in her mind: "This is... for Madam?"

Shen Qinghe bowed her head and replied, "Yes, I didn't know you were here before, so I didn't make much. I'll order some more another day and send them to you."

"That sounds nice! You clearly don't respect me, a mere girl!"

Chen Xiaoniang was determined not to let her get away with it: "Do you think that the food made by the bed warmer is unworthy of me?"

The duties of a maidservant are not much different, but Chen Xiaoniang said it out loud in front of the other maids in the courtyard, clearly humiliating Shen Qinghe in public.

The maids around them began to whisper among themselves.

If this continues, all the maids in the bamboo garden will be able to ride on Shen Qinghe's neck.

Shen Qinghe tolerated Chen Xiaoniang because she didn't want to cause any trouble, but when Chen Xiaoniang really went all out to bully her, she wasn't a pushover who would just take it all.

Shen Qinghe stood up on her own, looked at Chen Xiaoniang, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"It is true that I am a maidservant, but that is still better than not seeing the young marquis for half a year."

"Sharp-tongued and quick-witted!"

Chen Xiaoniang was so angry by her words that her chest heaved up and down, and she raised her hand to slap Shen Qinghe.

Shen Qinghe swiftly grabbed Chen Xiaoniang's wrist, squeezing out a few tears: "I'm just a maidservant, are you so jealous that you can't even tolerate me?"

If Chen Xiaoniang continues, she will be confirming her reputation for jealousy in front of the maids, violating one of the seven grounds for divorce. At best, she will be reprimanded; at worst, she will be divorced.

Chen Xiaoniang never expected that Shen Qinghe could turn the tide with just a few words, leaving her speechless for a moment: "You!"

"What are the two younger sisters talking about?"

With the help of Granny Zhou, Madam Qin walked out slowly, and the servants quickly brought out a rosewood throne carved with lotus patterns.

Madam Qin slowly sat down, turning the jade beads in her hand one by one: "Tell me about it too?"

Shen Qinghe released Chen Xiaoniang's hand, took out the soup bowl from the food box, and knelt down to offer it to her:

"This servant, Shen Qinghe, greets Madam."

Madam Qin smiled faintly. "So it's Sister Shen. I heard early this morning that Grandmother was worried about my husband and specially sent someone to take care of him. I was just wondering what this is. It looks like quail and asparagus soup. Did you make it?"

"Yes, Madam, it was indeed made by this servant. Please, Madam..."

Shen Qinghe was speaking when she was abruptly interrupted by a sharp cry—

"Madam!" Chen Xiaoniang hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down in front of Qin Shi, and forcefully drew Qin Shi's attention away from her:

"I heard that Madam has been ill recently? I wonder how she is doing now?"

"It's alright. Physician Xu's medical skills are renowned throughout the entire Imperial Medical Academy. Sister, there's no need to worry."

Qin chuckled softly as she held the jade beads in her hands.

Chen Xiaoniang took out a triangular amulet and eagerly handed it over: "That's good. This is an amulet that I embroidered for you, Madam. I specially went to Xiangguo Temple to receive incense offerings for three days. It is my heartfelt wish, and I hope it can bring you good fortune and ward off misfortune."

"Sister, you're so kind. I remember the roasted pork next to Xiangguo Temple is excellent. Would you like to try it?"

"Of course I tried it..."

For a moment, only the voices of Chen Xiaoniang and Qin Shi could be heard in the courtyard.

From Xiangguo Temple to roasted pork, to what's fashionable in Chang'an lately, to which young master has gotten into trouble, the two women talked like sisters with a deep bond, having endless things to say.

But no one paid any attention to Shen Qinghe, who was holding a soup bowl to the side.

Granny Zhou and the surrounding maids ignored her completely, clearly intending to intimidate Shen Qinghe.

When Shen Qinghe arrived, fearing that Qin Shi might offend her by eating something cold, she specially cooked the quail and asparagus soup piping hot.

At this moment, the ceramic soup bowl was already very heavy and hot, and Shen Qinghe's fingertips were already red from the heat.

Soon, the sun rose.

The midday sun is extremely strong in summer.

Shen Qinghe knelt on the hard floor tiles, holding up a soup bowl. Her knees ached from kneeling, her arms were sore from holding up the bowl, her palms were burning, and her face was burning from the sun.

Large beads of sweat streamed down her face, and Shen Qinghe's face turned pale. She couldn't take it anymore and raised her voice, "Please try the quail and asparagus soup that I made, Madam."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoniang's eyes widened, and she immediately accused, "You're clearly not sincere, otherwise how come you can't even get an erection after all this time?! A mere maidservant, something unfit for public service, dares to force the madam to eat what you've prepared?!"

With a single sentence, he shut down Shen Qinghe's words, clearly making things difficult for her.

Qin Shi saw everything but didn't say anything to stop it. She watched as Chen Xiaoniang tormented Shen Qinghe, then picked up a cup of tea, took a small sip to moisten her throat, and acted like an outsider watching a play.

Sure enough, only a vixen can tame a vixen.

She only had Granny Zhou mention it casually, and it made Chen Xiaoniang so jealous. What a shallow fool.

Being stupid has its advantages; at least you're obedient and won't get your hands dirty.

Qin put on a smile again, pretending to be pulled into conversation by Chen Xiaoniang.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded, followed by a man's low, husky, and cold voice:

"What are you doing?"

Lu Jihan, dressed in a dark brocade robe embroidered with silver bamboo patterns, suddenly appeared at the entrance of Fuhua Hall. Upon seeing the scene before him, his eyes sharpened like knives.

Qin Shi never expected Lu Jihan to appear so suddenly; wasn't he supposed to come in the evening?!

She panicked immediately.