TN | The Malicious Empress

Chapter 6: Undercurrent

But now it was otherwise. She did not know when the timid appearance had disappeared to be replaced with solemnness. Not quite a sudden pressure of seriousness, but it was a slight feeling of distance. There was a moment when Chen Rou Qiu suddenly felt that the person in front of her was not the stupid and foolish daughter of the First household but some mistress of higher status and power, the kind that would make smarter and sharper people shiver.

In the next second, one could see that the young female shifted her gaze, "I believe that Third Shenshen also feels that Little Five is not wrong."

Chen Rou Qiu was surprised for a moment, before she looked at the displeasure of the Old Furen sitting at a higher level and said reluctantly, "Be that as it may, it was really too careless of Little Five to fall into the pond. How do the few maids beside you take care of people? Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law are not by one's side so the maids started to bully the masters? According to what ShenShen sees, it would be better to replace these maids."

A laugh escaped from Ren Wan Yun with a 'pu-chi' sound. Chen Rou Qiu glared at her somewhat angrily and a sneer formed on Ren Wan Yun lips.

This DiMei of hers looked like a well-educated person but her heart was extremely shrewd. These kind of words could only be used to deceive that foolish Jennie. She most likely wanted to change the people by Jennie's side. By now Shen Yue had also reached the age where others would start paying attention and in the capital, no matter how far Jennie's foolish or stupid reputation has spread, in terms of status, Shen Yue's was unable to be compared to Jennie's. After all, Shen Xin still held the military power in his hands.

Consequently the Third household was also ready to create trouble.

Jennie lowered her head, "Gu Yu and the rest are Father and Mother's people, why would Third Shen want to replace them? At present there are many personnel changes in the West courtyard. Just a few days ago, a batch of second rank maids were sent over and Fifth Lady did not recognise a single one. If Gu Yu and the rest are changed, then Fifth Lady would not know who to talk to in the West courtyard."

Ren Wan Yu's smile stopped short.

In the West courtyard, because Shen Xin and his wife were not in the capital most of the year many of the maids in the courtyard had been changed. There were Old Furen's, Second Households, and Third Household's people. But because the Second household was managing the family, naturally there were more people from the Second household. If these words were not said it would be better, but if it was spread to outsiders that the daughter of the First household did not know a single servant in her own courtyard, what intentions did the Second and Third household have? There was no logic that a younger sister-in-law could intervene in the courtyard of the Eldest Brother.

Her brain started to turn quickly as she smiled, giving Chen Rou Qiu a look before saying to Shen Jennie, "Your Third Shen is joking with you. Gu Yu and the few maids are just careless and sloppy but we, the Shen family, are benevolent and cannot bear to do such inhuman things. Little Five must not be anxious."

The words at the end choked Chen Rou Qiu.

Shen Yuan Bo looked at his mother and then looked over at Chen Rou Qiu before yawning. Old Shen Furen was getting impatient with her own Second and Third daughters-in-law when she saw the scene and said, "That's enough. It's only some trivial matter. Second son's family, carry Seventh son over and then disperse. So many people making so much noise that it makes one's head dizzy."

Ren Wan Yu quickly carried Shen Yuan Bo to Old Shen Furen's couch and said, "Mother, these daughters-in-law will go first. Seventh Son will play obediently with Old Furen."

Chen Rou Qiu glanced over at Shen Yuan Bo and both her hands went up to her belly as she slowly exited from Rong Jing Tang. The Second household had sons so they were looked upon highly by Old Shen Furen. So what if she had the ability... Shen Yue was still a daughter. It would be good if she had a son. In the Shen residence, the things from the First residence would need to be fought over and if she had a son, at least there would be equal shares, not like now, letting the Second household have all the advantage. Moreover... There was still a Di son in the First household. Even though he followed Shen Xin to the border, who knew if he would come back to fight for a share.

After much thinking, Chen Rou Qiu raised her head and her eyes landed on the people heading towards the West courtyard.

The young female was wearing a dark red embroidered dress where before she always loved to wear brightly coloured ones. In addition, with no parents at her side, she did not know how to dress up and would always portray an unsophisticated look.

But now, the crimson colour of the clothes made her complexion fairer. She obviously still had the same appearance but one felt that she was much more solemn. And there was also an... imposing air?

Gu Yu softly said, "Young Lady's health is not recovered yet, why the hurry to head to the academy? Since the health condition was already explained, the homework does not need to be completed in a rush. It would be better..."

"No." Jennie interrupted her words, "Prepare the carriage immediately."

They were clearly not harsh words, so Gu Yu did not know why she shivered and dared not ask more.

CHAPTER COMPLETED & EDITED