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

Outside Yuhe Hall.

After the matter was settled, Lu Jihan changed his clothes and went outside the city. The Thousand Buddha Festival activities were still being held on the streets.

He had to go and relieve Yunchen on patrol duty.

The old lady pulled Qin and Li aside for a while, saying something about being tolerant and giving them some rewards.

For the Qin family, this was tantamount to slapping them in the face and then giving them a sweet treat.

As soon as they left Yuhe Hall, Hongxing spoke up for Qin Shi, saying, "I don't know what the old lady was thinking. Shen Qinghe has only been a concubine for a short time, how can she be qualified to manage the needlework shop? Besides, she's not even the young marquis's first concubine, why should she be in charge?"

"Red apricot".

Qin's tone was full of warning, and the smile on her face had faded.

"Madam! If you can't speak for yourself, why don't you let me speak for you?"

Hongxing was filled with indignation on behalf of Qin Shi: "Originally, Miss, you have been married into the Marquis's mansion for so long but have never taken over the management of the mansion. This time, you finally had the opportunity to manage the mansion, but it was because the old lady bypassed you and directly gave the young marquis a maidservant."

It just so happens that this vixen has gained the young marquis's favor, which makes you lose face. That's why the old lady is willing to give you this opportunity to appease you!

But who knew that this power of management, which you hadn't even held for half a month, would be handed over to that vixen! How could I swallow this insult? I feel so sorry for you, Miss!

"Stop talking!"

Qin's tone became agitated, her voice rising several octaves: "Do you think I don't know any of this? Do you think I don't understand any of this? What kind of place is this? If others hear this, they'll probably take away all the management power! Don't say another word!"

"This servant..." Hongxing felt extremely wronged by Qin's words, but she also realized that this was indeed not the place to talk: "This servant understands. It was this servant's fault. This servant has made Miss sad."

"Stay calm in everything. Have you forgotten how Zhou Mama was punished and sent away? You are my maid, representing my face. Your actions also represent my will. You must remain composed."

Madam Qin said expressionlessly, "It's just a needlework shop. If she wants it, give it to her. It's not skill to get this part of the management rights; the skill is to hold onto it securely."

Hongxing looked at her, then belatedly realized what she meant: "Miss, you mean...?"

As Hongxing was speaking, footsteps came from behind her before she could finish. Qin immediately grabbed Hongxing's wrist and made her stop talking.

Before long, Madam Li approached Madam Qin with her maid: "Sister Qin, I originally thought my life was hard, having to tend to my husband's flowers and plants, endure his philandering, and tolerate all the restless women under my command. But seeing you today, I truly feel that Sister Qin has it much harder than I do."

As Li spoke, she took Qin's hand and said with concern, "I saw it just now too. The young marquis's attitude towards Shen Qinghe was truly caring. He has never shown such protectiveness towards Shen Qinghe in front of you before, sister."

I originally thought Shen Yun'er was difficult enough to deal with. Who knew Shen Qinghe was the real problem? In less than two months, she became a concubine and gained the young marquis's favor. She seems cunning and composed; she's a real threat. Sister… good luck to you!

After saying that, Li left with a regretful look on her face. But as soon as she turned the corner, Li's sneer could be heard.

Qin was so angry that she clenched the handle of the round fan in her hand.

Shen Qinghe made her a laughingstock, took away her power as a housekeeper, and stole her husband's favor.

She was even ridiculed by the daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank, Li Shi, which completely disgraced the Duke of Qin's mansion!

-

Shen Qinghe returned to the courtyard; today was truly a good day for her.

Although Qing'er was somewhat happy, she was also a little worried: "Sister, I don't think you look very happy today. Madam's expression doesn't seem very good. I heard that Madam has only recently gained the power to manage the household, and now that you've taken away the sewing room, I'm afraid she's unhappy."

As she spoke, Qing'er looked outside to make sure no one was around before whispering in Shen Qinghe's ear, "This servant is afraid that Madam will cause trouble for you, sister."

"What's there to be afraid of? We'll deal with whatever comes our way, whether it's soldiers or water."

Shen Qinghe remained calm. She had already thought it through: in this grand mansion, where was there no competition or struggle?

It was rife with open and covert struggles.

Since she wants to climb the social ladder and desires gold, silver, and power, she will inevitably reach this point; there's no way to avoid it.

If you're going to fight, then fight to the end. You can't just fight halfway through and then say she's scared, can you?

That can't be the case.

The servants Lu Jihan sent to build the small kitchen were all specially in charge of construction and were quick and efficient.

Moreover, the small kitchen wasn't big, and its structure wasn't complicated. After several busy days, the small kitchen was completely finished by evening.

Shen Qinghe looked at her small kitchen. Although it was smaller than the small kitchen in the mansion, it was enough for two or three people to use at the same time.

A sense of satisfaction suddenly welled up in her heart. From now on, everything in this small room would be under her control, and she would have the final say.

She no longer needs to ask for other people's opinions or thoughts; it all depends on her own joys and sorrows.

Just then, a commotion came from the courtyard entrance. As soon as the door opened, Qing'er called out, "Sister, it's Guards Lin Feng and Yun Chen, who have come with a servant to deliver something!"

Shen Qinghe hurriedly ran out of the small kitchen and saw Lin Feng bowing to her, while Yun Chen and his servants carried the things into the courtyard.

"Miss Qinghe, the young marquis thinks the small kitchen should be finished today, so he sent his subordinate to deliver some things to you."

Lin Feng smiled broadly, his face beaming with joy. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought that Lu Jihan was presenting betrothal gifts to Shen Qinghe.

"That was the bronze mirror that was moved from the young lady's courtyard before. The young marquis instructed his subordinates to find two better ones, saying that one could be placed in the washroom and the other in the bedroom. In short, the young lady can put it wherever she likes."

"That entire set of dressing mirrors and dressing cases was made of rosewood, using the most fashionable design in Chang'an at the time: twin lotus flowers and swimming koi."

"The cooking utensils, pots, pans, and bowls are all fully equipped. The vegetables, rice, flour, cooking oil, fish, meat, and so on were all delivered by the young marquis's subordinates. A special guard will deliver fresh food every three days. Please use them with peace of mind, young lady. If anything is missing or lacking, just tell the subordinates."

A group of people brought the things over, neatly arranged them for her, and then left in a grand procession.

Shen Qinghe looked at the kitchen, which was now completely filled with utensils and neatly arranged. The rice container in the corner was filled with white rice, and the water tank next to it was already full of water. Fish and meat were hanging on the other wall.

A feeling of happiness welled up in Shen Qinghe's heart.

Qing'er, beaming with joy, poked her head out and asked, "Sister, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Looking at the abundant and complete array of ingredients in the kitchen, Shen Qinghe waved her hand and declared, "We're having barbecue today!"

Without further ado, Shen Qinghe and Qing'er quickly washed and cleaned all the ingredients for the barbecue, sorted them into categories, and set up two small stoves in the yard, covering them with a clean and hard thin stone slab.

Before long, the pork belly and beef on the stone slab were sizzling and dripping with oil, and the aroma of the meat filled the nostrils of the two people.

After being coated with Shen Qinghe's specially prepared seasoning, Qing'er ate a piece of meat and was completely mesmerized by the delicious aroma. "My goodness, sister, how come this seasoning you made smells so good?!"

As soon as Qing'er finished speaking, she noticed something at the courtyard gate. After glancing at it, she whispered, "Sister, Green Sleeves is back."

Shen Qinghe raised an eyebrow, thinking that her chance had come, and said loudly, "I'll send these to the young marquis first. You take Green Sleeve with you, and Fang Yu can eat while grilling. You don't need to wait for me."

In reality, she had Qing'er keep a close eye on Lvxiu and Fangyu.

-

The procession for the Thousand Buddhas Festival in Chang'an was very lively.

Chang'an was a prosperous and wealthy city, and its inhabitants naturally lived in peace and contentment, full of enthusiasm for life. With the Thousand Buddhas Festival being a rare occasion, they naturally left their doors unlocked at night.

Shen Qinghe, carrying a food box, had barely left the Marquis's residence when she was spotted by a rogue young master mingling among the common people.

Shen Qinghe was about to reach the city gate, thinking that she would soon see Lu Jihan, when suddenly a folding fan appeared in front of her with a snap.

The fan was decorated with a romantic design of mandarin ducks playing in the water. A dashing young master in a luxurious brocade robe, accompanied by his servant, blocked Shen Qinghe's path.

"Oh my, whose young lady is this? She's got such striking features, her figure is even more beautiful than the top courtesan in the brothel. How about we go for a cup of tea?"

The young master was quite handsome and had a respectable appearance: "Don't be ungrateful. Follow me, and you'll enjoy endless riches and treasures."

A servant boy standing nearby said, "Our master is the second young master of the Duke of Qin's mansion! Following him is a blessing you've accumulated over ten lifetimes!"

Not far away.

"General, that seems to be the girl who came last time," a soldier pointed out.

Lu Jihan turned his head and saw Shen Qinghe and his brother-in-law Qin Linfeng entangled and pulling at each other.

His gaze turned cold!