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"I've heard that the Ministry of Punishment has been secretly gathering evidence against Yang Xu for years. Today, they're determined to bring him and his associates to justice! If he really ends up in prison, I'd love to join in the commotion and throw a pebble at him," Ying Que said with a smile.

But Rong Shu couldn't bring herself to laugh.

In her previous life, there was no such thing as Zhong Xueyan's suicide. She saved Xu Li'er, but Zhong Xueyan still died.

The riot at Donghua Gate made it clear to Rong Shu that Yang Xu had long been a thorn in someone's side, and his downfall was inevitable. Xu Li'er or Zhong Xueyan might have just been pawns in those people's long-term schemes.

To them, these two innocent and pitiful maidens were mere chess pieces to incite public anger.

Their deaths were "masterful moves."

"I've heard that some of the evidence used to convict Yang Xu came from Lord Husband's secret investigations," Ying Que said, unable to contain her admiration as she gave a thumbs-up. "Lord Husband is truly remarkable. Miss, do you think he'll get promoted this time?"

The servants of Qingheng Courtyard and Qiuyun Hall were always competing with each other. As a member of Qingheng Courtyard, Ying Que disliked how the Qiuyun Hall servants constantly praised Young Master Jiang all day.

If Lord Husband were to be promoted, it would surely infuriate the Qiuyun Hall folks.

Even rising from a sixth-rank official to a fifth-rank one would be great!

Ying Que's words caused Rong Shu to ponder for a moment. Next year, Gu Changjin would be promoted two ranks in one leap, from the sixth rank of the Ministry of Justice to the fourth rank of the Right Assistant Inspector General in the Board of Censors.

A sudden thought crossed Rong Shu's mind: What role did Gu Changjin play in the strife where Yang Xu was defeated?

Mama Zhang emerged from the room, drawing back the curtains. Rong Shu regained her composure and quickly rose to her feet, asking, "Has Mother awoken?"

Mother Zhang nodded, her face radiant with pleasure. "Madam mentioned that she has a craving for some Green-Stem Rice Porridge. This old servant will immediately instruct the kitchen maids to prepare it."

Upon hearing these words, Rong Shu's countenance lit up with delight. With one hand lifting the hem of her skirt and the other gently cradling a potted Chinese hibiscus, she gracefully stepped into the chamber.

Lady Shen had regained consciousness a few days earlier. Due to her weakened state, she had no appetite at all and could only manage to drink some soup these past two days.

Today, I have an appetite for Green Reed Porridge; it seems my health is gradually improving.

Rong Shu deftly inserted freshly plucked Hibiscus mutabilis into the vase on the small table by her bedside, wiping her hands clean before drawing near a round stool intricately carved with Chinese trumpet creeper motifs and seating herself upon it. She then turned to Madam Shen, inquiring gently, "Has Mother felt any better today?"

Supported by Aunt Zhou, Madam Shen leaned against a large cushion and said with a playful pout, "Of course, I'm much better now. In a couple of days, I should be able to get out of bed and breathe some fresh air. If I don't go out soon, I fear my bones might start to decay."

Rong Shu protested. "That won't do. Doctor Sun specifically said I need to remain in bed for at least another ten days. Besides, it rained a few days ago, and the wind outside is still chilly."

Madam Shen also knew that she had frightened her daughter this time.

The other day when she woke up, Zhaozhao was sitting on the imperial concubine's couch, poring over account books. Upon seeing her mother open her eyes, her tears fell like a string of broken pearls, unstoppable.

Her daughter had always cherished her dearly since childhood and rarely cried easily. At that moment, she wept like a small child, breaking Madam Shen's heart.

Sighing inwardly, Madam Shen said, "Alright, alright, alright. Mother will rest for another nine days, and then we'll move to our manor in the outskirts of the capital."

Rong Shu was taken aback and called out, "Mother."

After her brush with death, Madam Shen had gained a new perspective on life.

"You've been back at the Marquis's residence for half a month, and you're almost emptying Qiuyun Hall and Ho'an Hall. Even the autumn wind outside isn't as relentless as you. If you don't leave soon, someone might just chase you out with a broom."

Rong Shu replied, "Those items were originally your mother's; I'm merely returning them to their rightful owner. You still have several scrolls of calligraphy, fine ink blocks, and several boxes of—"

Madam Shen chuckled and interrupted, "Mother still has plenty of those. Please, stop there." She continued, "Didn't you go through Mother's account books?"

Only after Rong Shu had meticulously reviewed Madam Shen's records did she realize how affluent her mother truly was.

When Grandfather Jin donated half of the Shen family's wealth, he divided the remaining assets into two equal parts. Five percent was left to Uncle Shen to safeguard the family business, while the other five percent was bestowed upon Mother.

However, Grandfather Jin had a plan in mind. He only used two parts of that share for Mother's dowry, and secretly hid the remaining three parts in Yang State Prefecture, not even informing Uncle Shen.

Mother's abundance in wealth didn't mean she couldn't reclaim what had been taken from her.

Rong Shu smiled warmly but didn't mention to Madam Shen that she had retrieved two ancient ink blocks from her father that day.

"Mother, are you really serious about moving to the manor? You're not joking with Zhaozhao, right?"

"Why would I joke about it?" Madam Shen glanced at Rong Shu. "If I don't move to the manor, you won't be able to sleep soundly even when you return to Phoenix Avenue."

Madam Shen always kept her word. Once she was capable of getting out of bed, she instructed her servants to prepare for the move to the manor.

The night before their departure, Rong Xun came to Qingheng Courtyard, hesitating several times to speak.

Ever since Madam Shen regained consciousness, he visited Qingheng Courtyard every morning and evening. However, her attitude towards him remained as cold as ever.

In her youth, she would argue with him over his treatment of Zhaozhao. But as Zhaozhao grew older, Madam Shen's heart mellowed, and the thought of quarreling with Rong Xun vanished.

These past few days had been much the same, and Rong Xun had grown accustomed to it. He was not annoyed and sat by the bedside for a full half-hour before he left.

Madam Shen leaned back on the couch and said, "Lord, feel free to speak your mind."

She had lost a lot of weight. Her once bright and captivating face, like a flowering crabapple, now lacked any color, giving her an air of frailty.

Rong Xun looked at her and spoke gently, "How long do you plan to stay in the manor?"

Madam Shen's tone was indifferent, "Let's talk about it when my health improves on the manor. It'll likely take three or five years for me to fully recover. But Lord, rest assured, I will come back to see Rong Wan when she gets married. Since she is set to marry from Qingheng Courtyard, how can I, as her birth mother, be absent?"

Zhaozhao had gone through so much effort to secure her, the matriarch, some dignity. Madam Shen naturally wouldn't go against her daughter's wishes. In any case, she would return to the manor after Rong Wan's wedding.

Rong Xun understood her intentions and fell silent for a moment. Then, he lowered his voice and asked, "Zhen Niang, do you think we can ever go back to the year we were first married?"