One

The moon is like water, the water is murmuring, everything is familiar.

She sat on the stone, her long skirt blooming in the water like flowers, and she made a little splash. In the moonlight, her hair was like a black silk satin, smooth and feminine, draped over her slender waist.

I couldn't see her face clearly, but the silhouette was beautiful.

One leaf of green lotus, two stems of lotus, placed diagonally beside him.

"Little fish, sing a song." He said.

"Okay." She replied with a smile.

"Wading the river to pick hibiscus, Lanze is more fragrant grass. Who do you want to leave behind? Thinking is far away. I also look at my hometown, and the road is long. ”

The singing came to an abrupt end.

"There are two more sentences, why don't you sing them?"

"I forgot."

"Leave home with one heart, and end up old with sorrow. Taught so many times, you always can't remember. He laughs.

"I know. But I don't like those two sentences. ”

There was silence.

"Little fish."

"Hmm."

"Don't be cranky."

She glanced at him, and then, with a slid of her body, she fell into the water, and the calm water shattered into stars.

Sparkling and picturesque.

"It's so good to be watery." His eyes were full of envy and yearning.

"Anan." She shouted.

"I'm here." Nagumo's voice was incomparably gentle.

Shen Qingluo woke up suddenly.

The face of a good-looking man looked at her with a smile: "It's all my fault, I made you drink a lot of wine last night." ”

She frowned in confusion, trying to separate the dream from reality.

She reached out and gently touched his face, and exclaimed tentatively, "Anan? ”

Nagumo smiled: "This name is very kind. ”

"Last night, you slept here? I don't seem to remember. She was a little embarrassed.

"You're drunk." He smiled and helped her up: "How can I rest assured." ”

She was in a trance.

Chicken broth, birthdays, satin shoes inlaid with pearls, rings, wine.

She remembered that she was indeed drunk, and she didn't even know how she came back after drinking three glasses of wine.

"It's good if you're awake." He smiled and said, "There's something going on outside, so I won't have breakfast with you." ”

Shen Qingluo smiled lightly: "Don't delay things, you can go." ”

Nanyun leaned over, kissed her cheek like a dragonfly, and whispered, "Your house is so fragrant." He smiled and turned away.

Shen Qingluo's face turned red.

Since Qingluan entered the door, he hadn't treated her like this for a long time.

In a good mood, her body seemed to be much lighter, she got dressed and got out of bed, touched the teapot on the table, poured a glass of water, and poured it down.

My throat was suddenly much clearer.

Still, the groggy feeling remains.

I have passed the morning sickness period, but I often still vomit.

There were a few heavy dry coughs outside the door, and then, I heard the voice of Steward Li: "Su Yue, I don't know if Mrs. has gotten up?" I have an urgent matter to see my wife, please pass me on my behalf. ”

Su Yue said: "Steward Li, our wife hasn't gotten up yet, do you want to wait?" ”

Shen Qingluo said loudly: "Steward Li, come in." ”

Steward Li agreed, lifted the curtain and came in.

Shen Qingluo asked Su Yue to pour tea for Steward Li.

Steward Li looked like he wanted to say something.

"Say it." Shen Qingluo said gently.

"Miss," he said, "the old slave has come to bid you farewell." ”

Shen Qingluo was stunned: "What did you say?" ”

Steward Li's voice was low: "The old slave is leaving today." ”

Shen Qingluo stood up and said in surprise, "Where are you going?" ”

Steward Li fell to his knees and said sadly: "The old slave can't wait for the eldest lady in the future." ”

Shen Qingluo froze: "Steward Li, don't panic, tell what's going on." You've been in my house all your life, watching me grow up, what can't you say to me. ”

Steward Li cried and said, "The master wants to dismiss me." ”

Shen Qingluo was taken aback: "When did it happen?" ”

"Just now. When the lord met me, he didn't say a word, and directly asked me to check out and leave. "Steward Li was very aggrieved.

Shen Qingluo pondered for a moment: "There must be some misunderstanding. Don't go yet, stay with me. When the master came back, I asked carefully why. ”

"Yes. Miss Xie is in charge. Steward Li put away his tears and got up.

Shen Qingluo frowned, unable to think hard.

Steward Li suddenly sniffed his nose and sneezed: "What kind of flower is this, it's so fragrant." ”

Shen Qingluo was slightly stunned. Indeed, there was a strange scent in the room.

No wonder Nanyun whispered just now: "Your house is so fragrant." ”

Could it be that Xiao Wu has sent some strange flowers recently?

In the corner of the wall, more than a dozen pots of flowers and plants are placed in an orderly and neat manner, and there is nothing strange about it.

Shen Qingluo followed the fragrance and found a flower behind a large iron fern. Purple flowers, faint fragrance.

What kind of flower is this?

Steward Li looked at it: "This is Bauhinia." ”

Shen Qingluo watched it up close, and because she got too close, she choked on the pollen.

Her heart sank.

"Is there anything strange about this flower?" She asked. Because she saw Steward Li's expression was very strange.

"Miss Hui, although this flower is beautiful, it shouldn't be placed in your house. The old slave once saw with his own eyes that a guy was beaten by Master Shen and expelled from Fengxiangfang because he mistakenly added this flower to the spice as lavender. Steward Li said quietly.

"Could it be that this flower is poisonous?" Her heart sank.

Steward Li did not object: "It's not poisonous, but the person who sent this pot of flowers, if it is not unintentional, it should be ulterior motives." ”

"Xiao Wu?" Shen Qingluo muttered to herself.

She really wants to believe that this matter was not done by Xiao Wu.

She just couldn't take the blow.

The person who hurt her can be Yuan'er or Qingluan, but it can't be Xiao Wu, because he is Xiao Rong's husband. But precisely because he is Xiaorong's husband, this is possible.

Ten days ago, Shen Qingluo took his child's life with a bowl of poisonous chicken soup.

He has this motivation.

If so, she wouldn't have anything to say.

"Ask Xiao Wu to ask clearly, maybe he didn't mean it, maybe he didn't understand the character of this flower, and he didn't know." Steward Li said.

Shen Qingluo shook her head, looking tired: "Forget it, move this flower out." ”

"If you don't ask clearly, then you will always have this shadow in your heart, and that will not be fair to Xiao Wu. Miss, let's ask clearly. "Although Steward Li is old, he is not confused about the major rights and wrongs.

Shen Qingluo looked over with an inquiring look with a slight hesitation.

Steward Li nodded.

Shen Qingluo sat heavily on the chair and did not speak.

Steward Li knew that the eldest lady had already made a decision.

After a while, Steward Li came to the front with Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu looked suspicious, entered the house, and gave Shen Qingluo a salute: "Madam, are you looking for me?" ”

Shen Qingluo smiled slightly: "I heard that the orchids in the flower room are blooming very well, why don't you send a few pots to me to see?" ”

"Madame Hui, although the orchid is very good, it is not suitable for Madame. So the villain didn't send it. Xiao Wu replied respectfully.

"Oh, but why?" Her fingers tapped gently and seemingly leisurely on the tabletop.

"Most of the flowers are scented, such as orchids and lilies, and their fragrance is too exciting and prone to insomnia, which affects rest." Xiao Wu said.

"Looks like you know a lot about flowers and plants." Shen Qingluo looked at the corner of the wall casually: "I don't know, what kind of flower is that?" I've never seen one. ”

Xiao Wu's eyes fell on the corner of the wall, and he said in surprise: "Strange, why is it here?" ”

Walking briskly, he pulled out two pots of flowers from the flowers.

"Madam, these two pots of flowers were not sent by the villain." Xiao Wu frowned.

Shen Qingluo remained silent: "Is there any problem?" ”

Xiao Wu said: "This pot is a redbud flower, although the fragrance is rich, its pollen can induce asthma and make people cough. He paused: "You should know what the consequences of a pregnant woman's cough are - miscarriage." And this pot of poinsettia is even more inappropriate, its white juice can irritate the skin, make the skin red and swollen and allergic, if accidentally eaten the stems and leaves, it can kill people. ”

Shen Qingluo and Steward Li exclaimed at the same time.

"These flowers and plants can only be viewed from a distance and cannot be played with closely, let alone placed in the house. Fortunately, it was discovered in time and did not cause consequences. It's just," Xiao Wu said, "The villain doesn't know how it got here." There happened to be two pots missing in the flower room. ”

Shen Qingluo looked at Xiao Wu carefully, Xiao Wu's face was calm and calm, and he didn't panic in the slightest.

"I see, let's move these flowers. Be careful in the future. She smiled and laid down a stone in her heart.

Finally got started.

Fortunately, it wasn't Xiao Wu.

She didn't lose her face.

If even Xiaorong betrays her, she is really embattled.

"Steward Li," Shen Qingluo said with a grim expression on her face: "You go in person and search the residences of these maids around me, be careful, and don't let go of any suspicions." She paused, "I'll spend them all." ”

"Yes." Steward Li replied very simply.

The eldest lady has always been steady, and she can make this decision, it is by no means a soldier, it must be, to the point of last resort.

Two

Shen Qingluo was playing with a ruby ring, and there was no expression on her face.

"Found in Qiulan's room?" She even tried to put it on her little finger: "Yes, it's beautiful." ”

"I found it under her mattress. The old slave felt that this thing was not like a fake, she was a girl, where did she get such a valuable thing. Steward Li said.

Shen Qingluo put the ring on the table and looked at Steward Li: "Steward Li, I need your help." ”

Steward Li straightened up: "Miss, you just command." ”

Shen Qingluo stood up and looked into the distance: "I thought about it for an afternoon, and finally figured out one thing, that is, why did he dismiss you." ”

"Why?" Steward Li wanted to know why.

That's because he found that he was surrounded by other people's cronies. For example, you, for example, Ah San. She sighed slightly: "So, next, he will slowly cultivate his own people." ”

Steward Li's mouth was wide open, unable to speak.

Shen Qingluo was a little sad: "No one can trust others casually, just like me." As you can see today, I have no one to trust but you. So, you have to help me, you can't leave. ”

Steward Li's eyes were red: "Miss, the old slave understands." I'm afraid, the master can't tolerate me. ”

"It's okay, it's all with me. After all, he still has to take care of what I mean. Tomorrow, you go back to the countryside and help me find two reliable girls. She looked at Steward Li and said earnestly: "I want to give birth to a child safely." ”

Steward Li thought for a moment: "If the eldest lady is not stupid, I have two nieces, maybe I can call for a while, but I am young and afraid of not being sensible." ”

A smile appeared on Shen Qingluo's face: "That's very good." Well, there you go. ”

Three

Three days later, Steward Li really brought two girls with thick eyebrows and big eyes to greet Shen Qingluo.

The two girls, with the same bun and the same clothes, and even their appearances are exactly the same, turned out to be twin sisters.

"What's your name? How old is it? Shen Qingluo smiled.

The girl timidly replied, "My name is Jinzi." My sister's name is Ginzi. Fourteen. ”

Shen Qingluo chuckled: "This name is so good." ”

Steward Li said with a smile: "Zhuanghu's family, it is auspicious." ”

Shen Qingluo smiled: "Very good, I like it very much." ”

"Madam, the second lady is here to greet you." Su Yue came in from outside to report.

Shen Qingluo had a hint of sarcasm on her lips, she really came.

There was a sound of ringing, and Qingluan quickly walked into the hall.

"Say hello to my sister." She bowed, lowered her eyebrows, and looked very respectful.

Shen Qingluo smiled: "Sister is exempt." Have a seat. ”

"I heard that my sister has been unwell recently, and my sister can't rest assured and is about to visit." Qingluan sat down.

Shen Qingluo smiled: "Since I drank my sister's wine that day, I really didn't feel well." ”

Qingluan looked around: "Sister, it's so lively here, it's like mine, it's deserted, and there is only Xiaohuan as a companion all day long." ”

"I have a few clever girls here, if you like it, how about giving it to you?" Shen Qingluo said.

Qingluan owed: "My sister doesn't dare to take love." ”

Shen Qingluo sneered: "It's really ridiculous that these words came out of your mouth. ”

Qingluan's face turned red, and he was a little embarrassed for a while.

"This pair of twin sisters, where did my sister find it?" She looked curiously at the gold and silver.

Shen Qingluo lowered her head and fiddled with the ring on her hand: "A new girl from the countryside." ”

Qingluan smiled and said, "As a housewife, is my sister still short of manpower?" ”

Shen Qingluo said slowly: "Although there are many girls, they are useless, as the saying goes, day and night, it is difficult to prevent thieves, and there are still thieves around me." ”

Qingluan was shocked when she saw the ring on Shen Qingluo's hand.

It is all too familiar to be the ruby ring that he gave to Qiulan.

How did it end up in her hands? Qingluan panicked.

Look around. Qiulan is not there.

"Looking for Qiulan?" Shen Qingluo sneered.

"My sister said she laughed, what should I do with her?" Qingluan sneered.

"Don't you like to be lively? Then, I just want you to watch the fun. Shen Qingluo said sharply: "Call Qiulan to come up." ”

A housekeeper came in from outside, like a chicken, and threw Qiulan in the hall.

"Qiulan, are you guilty?" Shen Qingluo said coldly.

Qiu Lan was visibly frightened, and fell to the ground, trembling.

The family grabbed her hair viciously and forced her to raise her head: "Madame asked you something, but you still don't answer!" ”

Qiu Lan looked at Shen Qingluo in horror, with an innocent expression: "Madam, what crime did Qiu Lan commit?" ”

Shen Qingluo pinched the ring and sneered, "You stole my ring, and you still don't admit it?" ”

Qiu Lan was a little panicked when she saw the ring, and she quickly glanced at Qingluan. The latter's face was calm, as if nothing had happened.

"This ring, I've been losing it for several days, and today it came out from under your pillow, what else do you have to say!" Shen Qingluo was condescending and had an awe-inspiring attitude.

Qiulan knew it, and said stiffly: "This is the ring that the slave maid has worn since childhood, and the lady should not blame the slave maid." Take a closer look and don't admit your mistake. ”

"Absolutely not, this is my dowry, you see," she flipped the ring and sneered, "You would never have thought that there was a 'Shen' character in it." ”

Shen Qingluo's eyes flashed, and she saw Qingluan's hand tremble.

"This ring, although it is not precious, but it is not something that ordinary people can have, just rely on you as a maid, and dare to be delusional!" Shen Qingluo looked at Qiulan, who was trembling: "Are you going to go to the government mansion to say it, or are you going to say it here?" She smiled sideways at Qingluan: "It's really hard to publicize what happened to the family." ”

The corners of Qingluan's mouth twitched, and he didn't speak.

Shen Qingluo suddenly said: "Fourth sister, I seem to remember, you seem to have such a ring, why don't you see you wearing it?" ”

Qingluan hurriedly said: "Ah, my sister remembered wrong." It's not mine. ”

Shen Qingluo smiled slightly: "How could I have said that it was yours?" ”

Turning his face, he said unhurriedly: "Although she is a lifelong contract, if the girl wants to be married to another high door, she still has to inform her family." Steward Li, send someone to inform her family. ”

Steward Li nodded and said, "Madam, what do you say to her family?" ”

"Stealing is not a big deal, if she is willing to change, it is not that she can't turn around, but the most taboo is to know her mistakes and not change, blindly strong, she refuses to confess, then, this family, can no longer tolerate her. Beat her for twenty boards first, and teach her a lesson, but don't slap her face, lest she not sell it for a good price. Shen Qingluo said slowly.

Qiulan looked horrified: "Madam, where are you going to sell me?" ”

Shen Qingluo smiled: "If you are unkind, don't blame me for being unjust." I heard that the most unbearable place in the world is called Qinglou, I wonder if you are interested? ”

Qingluan on the side shivered inexplicably, quickly raised his head, and glanced at Shen Qingluo.

Shen Qingluo's cold face did not have a trace of her familiar appearance.

In front of her, she is no longer a cowardly and bullying eldest sister.

Qiulan cried: "Madam, spare the slave and maid, the slave and maid know that they are wrong, please don't sell me to the Qinglou." ”

Shen Qingluo shouted loudly: "Steward Li, don't drag her away yet!" ”

Like wolves and tigers, the two family members rushed forward and grabbed Qiulan's hand.

Qiulan couldn't care anymore, and cried: "Madam, spare your life!" I didn't steal that ring, it was given to me by the second lady! She asked me to do things for her! Slaves and maids are wronged! The slave didn't steal! ”

Shen Qingluo waved her hand: "Wait!" ”

Qingluan stood up in a panic: "Blood spurts!" Don't listen to her nonsense! She's crazy! Don't drag her out yet! ”

Shen Qingluo glanced at her coldly: "Fourth sister, what are you anxious about!" ”

Qingluan's face was a little unbearable: "I have a headache, go back first." As he spoke, he turned to leave.

Shen Qingluo said coldly: "Since the matter involves the fourth sister, I can't let you leave easily!" Qiulan slandered you, don't you want to defend your innocence? Could it be that she's telling the truth? ”

Qingluan had no choice but to sit down slowly, his face pale.

At this moment, a family member outside the hall sang: "The old lady has arrived!" ”