In the Zen Room located in the backyard, wisps of smoke drift out from the dark red window sill, and the heavy fragrance inside the room leaks through the door cracks, allowing any passing servant to catch a whiff of the pleasant aroma.
Whenever Mrs. Bao is in the Zen Room, Housekeeper Liu usually stands guard outside the door.
At this moment, he is pacing at the doorway, occasionally lowering his head to glance at the tightly closed door.
Just then, a servant hurriedly approaches him from the corridor.
"Housekeeper Liu." The servant pants urgently.
Housekeeper Liu notices her forehead covered in sweat and lowers his expression, "Rushing around , where are your manners?"
His tone is severe. Upon hearing his words, the servant immediately bows, standing properly, "I was wrong, Housekeeper Liu."
Housekeeper Liu doesn’t dwell on the matter and glances at her, "Well, what’s the matter?"
"It’s just that Miss Shu..." The servant cautiously raises her head, trembling as she speaks, "She hasn’t left yet and is still waiting in the hall."
Housekeeper Liu’s stern face gradually darkens.
The servant lowers her head, her heart pounding rapidly. Everyone working at Bao Mansion knows that Housekeeper Liu manages all the large and small matters within the Bao Family, and even Mrs. Bao respects him a lot. Naturally, the servants feel very tense every time they see him.
After all, working at Bao Mansion comes with generous pay, and there’s no shortage of people eager to squeeze in for these jobs.
Just as the servant stood there lost in thought, Housekeeper Liu’s resigned voice sounded above her head.
"If Miss Shu wants to wait, let her be."
The servant was momentarily stunned, then collected herself, "Alright." Having said that, she stepped back a couple of steps and left the Zen Room door.
Housekeeper Liu watched the direction in which the servant departed for a long time before turning his head towards the Zen Room.
"Zhenxing..." From inside the Zen Room, Mrs. Bao’s vigorous voice came, "Is she still there?" Dıscover more novels at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Upon Mrs. Bao speaking, Housekeeper Liu straightened up respectfully, looking towards the closed door, "Yes, she is."
"That girl." Mrs. Bao let out a long sigh, her tone carrying a trace of affection.
Housekeeper Liu understood her intention, "Are you still planning to meet her, ma’am?"
"Well, let’s just see her."
The door of the Zen Room was pushed open from the inside, and Mrs. Bao, dressed in a set of traditional Chinese cotton attire, gave off an impression of luxury. The jade necklace around her neck was clearly valuable.
As Housekeeper Liu saw her come out, he was about to extend his hand to assist, but seeing her gesture, he merely returned to his original position.
Leading the way, Mrs. Bao walked at the front while Housekeeper Liu followed closely behind, heading towards the hall.
Shu Tingting had actually come early in the morning. Considering the relationship between the Bao and the Shu family, it was Housekeeper Liu who went to the front hall to meet her and convey that Mrs. Bao was reciting scriptures in the Zen Room. Housekeeper Liu had already made it clear at that time that Mrs. Bao wouldn’t be available to see her for quite a while. Housekeeper Liu thought she understood, but surprisingly, she had no intention of leaving.
The Bao Mansion covers a large area, with much thought and care invested in its layout and design. Outsiders only see the majestic aspect, rarely realizing that within the exquisitely carved wooden corridors of these traditional Chinese courtyards are innumerable priceless decorations and rare flowers.
Shu Tingting was seated in the lower position. Any little sound prompted her to peek in the direction from whence it came. On the table beside her rested an exquisite teacup. She had already drunk two or three cups, and before it was empty, a servant would automatically refill it.
From a young age, Shu Tingting hadn’t visited the Bao Family often, yet she was much liked by Mrs. Bao.
Just as Shu Tingting was staring idly at her teacup, she heard faint footsteps approaching from the side door.
Could it be another passing servant? Shu Tingting leaned her cheek on her hand, propping her elbow on the armchair, her bright eyes revealing a hint of frustration.
As Mrs. Bao entered the front hall, she saw the girl’s dejected demeanor.
"Tingting, are you unhappy?" Mrs. Bao’s words carried a hint of playfulness.
Housekeeper Liu stood silently behind Mrs. Bao.
Upon hearing Mrs. Bao’s voice, Shu Tingting instantly perked up, hurriedly rising to approach her, "Granny Bao, seeing you makes me happy!"
Her voice soft, sweet, and a bit coquettish.
When she arrived by Mrs. Bao’s side, she naturally took the elderly woman’s hand until she was seated in the Taishi chair, then stood obediently in front of her.
"You little one, so young yet so glib, just like your mother." Mrs. Bao stretched out her hand and gently tapped the girl’s forehead.
This gesture highlighted his fondness for the girl.
"Hehe." Shu Tingting giggled without restraint.
Looking at her young and beautiful face, Mrs. Bao’s eyes shifted slightly, and a faint hint of darkness surfaced on her face, "What is it you’ve come to see me about this time?"
Having finished speaking, a servant silently placed a cup of tea beside Mrs. Bao’s table and quietly withdrew.
Shu Tingting watched as Mrs. Bao picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and didn’t rush to answer. Only when the other put down the teacup did she gaze at her with a face full of melancholy and seemed about to speak but stopped.
Mrs. Bao gave her a look, speaking slowly, "In front of me, is there anything you wouldn’t dare to say?"
The girl was straightforward by nature, forthright in her dealings, presumably due to the pampering of her family, which nurtured her fearless personality. It was precisely this honesty that made Mrs. Bao fond of her.
"Uh." Shu Tingting hesitated for a moment, her eyes brighten, "You told me I could say it, so if what I say displeases you, please don’t blame me."
Mrs. Bao looked at her innocent and carefree eyes, shaking her head somewhat helplessly, "Alright." Truthfully, even with her eyes closed, she could guess what the girl wanted to say.
Hearing the confirmation, Shu Tingting crouched down by Mrs. Bao’s feet, extending her small hand, pretending to gently tap her foot as if trying to please her.
Seeing this, the smile on Mrs. Bao’s face deepened, letting her be.
"Granny Bao, I heard from my mom that you want Lin Lin to be your granddaughter-in-law? Is she worthy?"
"You little rascal, what are you saying—has she done anything to offend you?" Mrs. Bao chided with feigned annoyance.
"It’s the truth," Shu Tingting pouted, muttering indignantly, "She always acted so superior just because she had good grades, it was really annoying."
The girl, unguarded, voiced her innermost thoughts, yet Mrs. Bao merely furrowed her brows slightly, "And whose fault is it that you didn’t study well, huh? Is it wrong for someone to have high academic achievements?"
Speaking of grades, Shu Tingting guiltily lowered her head, yet persisted in asking, "Granny Bao, you didn’t answer my question earlier?"