Chapter 25 - Wolf Cub Shen Xuanlin

The next morning, Nurse Qin brought a group of maids and old maidservants to Tranquility Courtyard.

Shen Ninghua had already gotten up and finished dressing. Now she was sitting in front of the mirror.

Bai Ruo led Nurse Qin into the room and said softly after paying respects to Shen Ninghua. “Miss, Nurse Qin is here.

She said she came to help you move.”

Shen Ninghua looked into the mirror and straightened up the hairpin on her hair. Then she turned her head and smiled, “Nurse Qin, thank you very much for coming so early and taking all the trouble to help me.

Hong Ling, bring a cup of tea to Nurse Qin.”

As soon as she entered the door, Nurse Qin noticed Bai Ruo’s behavior and was surprised. Nurse Qin served in the Palace when she was young. Although she was just an ordinary servant in a far-off palace, she knew all kinds of etiquette so well as if they were carved into her bones.

If it wasn’t for her ability, the first lady would not let her teach Shen Linghan rules and etiquette. But now she found the maids in Shen Ninghua’s yard even had better manners than she did.

How could this be possible?

Wasn’t Shen Ninghua never properly educated? Her performance now was just too amazing. Or maybe Shen Ninghua had some secrets that even the first lady failed to find out?

“Nurse Qin, I don’t have much to pack up here so I don’t need many people. Bai Ruo and Qing Que are enough to do the job.”

“You are welcome, miss. This is our servants’ duty to do these things.”

Nurse Qin looked back at the servants behind her. “Quickly help the miss pack up!”

“Yes.”

Shen Ninghua sat in front of the dressing table and smiled as she looked in the mirror at the servants behind her, who were at a loss what to do.

Nurse Qin regretted the moment she gave the order. Tranquility Courtyard was a far-off yard. In the beginning, the first lady arranged Shen Ninghua to live here. Apart from the basic furnishings, she didn’t buy much stuff for Shen Ninghua. Besides, Shen Ninghua had little luggage, and the servants didn’t need to carry the furnishings in the yard to the new yard.

As a result, each of the dozens of servants only carried a few things in their hands.

Shen Ninghua didn’t mind at all. “Since we have packed up, let’s go to Yingyue Courtyard directly.”

Bai Ruo and Bi Zhu followed Shen Ninghua on both sides. Hong Ling and Qing Que walked by the road with the group of embarrassed maids and old maidservants.

Thus, they formed a formidable array and headed towards Yingyue Courtyard.

Tranquility Courtyard was in the northwest corner of the backyard, and Yingyue Courtyard was in the south. Between the two yards was the botanical garden of the Shen family.

Shen Ninghua and the servants had just come to the garden when they saw that Madam Su and another lady were enjoying the flowers here.

“Ninghua, what are you doing with so many people?”

Madam Su quickly noticed Shen Ninghua and said to her.

“Greetings, aunt. Greetings, ma’am.”

Madam Shao, wife of the Minister of War, was holding a round fan with a jade handle and wearing a splendid suit. She said in surprise, “Is this the First Young Lady of your mansion? She’s really an extraordinary beauty.

What are you doing by taking so many people with you?”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes with a smile on her face. “Ma’am, I am moving to a new yard.”

“Moving to a new yard?”

Madam Shao looked at the almost empty-handed servants behind Shen Ninghua. “Where are your things?”

Shen Ninghua blushed. She lowered her head slightly and looked at Nurse Qin in embarrassment.

Nurse Qin hurriedly came forward. “In reply to ma’am, the first lady has already prepared everything in Yingyue Courtyard. The First Young Lady only needs to bring some of her own things there, and the other articles in Yingyue Courtyard are all new stuff.

The first lady was also worried that the First Young Lady might not be used to the new things, so she specially asked me to write them down today and send someone to have them modified tomorrow.”

If outsiders knew about what the first lady had done, the Shen family would be humiliated.

Shen Ninghua looked stunned, but she immediately added, “That’s right. Mother treats me very well.”

Madam Shao took a sip of tea, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and looked at Madam Su with a dignified smile. “I’ve heard that Mrs. Shen is the most virtuous.”

Madam Su nodded. “Definitely. My sister-in-law has always been considerate, and even the two of us can’t compare with her.

Since we have nothing to do today, how about going together to Yingyue Courtyard to have a look? That yard is very delicate.”

“Then it’s a feast for my eyes.”

Madam Shao smiled and looked at Shen Ninghua, feeling quite surprised.

She and Madam Su were bosom friends. Even after they were both married, they stayed close to each other and she knew Madam Su’s character very well. Although Madam Su was straightforward, she didn’t like meddling with others. What unique quality did Shen Ninghua possess that Madam Su was willing to go great lengths to help this girl?

Nurse Qin’s expression changed involuntarily, and she winked at a servant girl as they were walking to Yingyue Courtyard.

The servant girl got the signal and ran to the first lady’s Chunhua Courtyard without attracting attention.

Yingyue Courtyard was much more delicate than Tranquility Courtyard. The external appearance alone was already exquisite enough to brim with elegance from afar.

All kinds of flowers and plants in the yard were finely trimmed, making people feel happy at a glance.

Shen Ninghua looked at the grass and saw the steel-gray edge of someone’s clothes.

“Who is it?” she snapped, frowning.

Madam Su and Madam Shao were frightened and quickly followed Shen Ninghua’s eyesight.

Before they knew what was going on, they saw a figure running out quickly and rushing towards Shen Ninghua.

Madam Su was shocked. “Ninghua, be careful!”

Qing Que quickly stepped forward to stand in front of Shen Ninghua, and kicked at the figure, sending the gray figure into the grass at an even faster speed.

A moment later, sounds of childish shouting and swearing came out. “Ah, you cheap maid, how dare you beat the young master.”

It was Shen Xuanlin! Shen Ninghua’s expression changed, and a trace of coldness flashed in her eyes.

Zhao Yunxiang, the first lady, gave birth to a boy-girl twins, Shen Xuanye and Shen Linghan. After that, no other ladies in the family were pregnant again.

Then two years later, the third concubine unexpectedly gave birth to Shen Xuanlin, Shen Dong’s second son.

When Shen Xuanlin was only four years old, his birth mother died a sudden and violent death. Since then, he was raised by the first lady.

Shen Xuanlin was just like a wolf cub without any proper education. He not only disliked studying, but also was overbearing and unreasonable. He was used to beating and scolding the servants in the family out of no reason.

When he was only nine years old, he beat his private servant girl to death.

Shen Dong disliked him very much and simply ignored him.

“Second Young Master? Where are your servants? ”

Nurse Qin rushed over to help him up and was worried in her heart. Shen Xuanlin lived in the school in the past several days. Today, there happened to be no lessons and he was back home to have a rest. Hadn’t the first lady told him not to come here?

“Let go of me. Take the cheap maid into custody who just kicked me.”

Shen Xuanlin glared at Qing Que with a gloomy look.

Shen Ninghua stopped in front of Madam Su and Madam Shao. “Second younger brother, you are so reckless. It’s ok to bump into me, but if you knocked down Madam Shao, that would be a big mistake. Qing Que was wrong. I apologize to you on her behalf.”

“What do you think you are?”

Shen Xuanlin was like a firecracker. He ignored Shen Ninghua and glared at Qing Que. “Nurse Qin, what are you doing there? Tie that cheap girl up quickly.”

“Second Young Master, well…”

Just then, the first lady came with a group of servants carrying many things. Hearing Shen Xuanlin’s crying, she frowned. “Xuanlin, you are running wild again.

Greetings, Madam Shao. I was just helping Ninghua to check her things and didn’t know you are here. Please forgive my negligence.”

Madam Shao glanced at the maids and nurses behind the first lady and smiled meaningfully. “Mrs. Shen, you are too polite. Sister Su and I haven’t seen each other for a long time so I came to see her. I just want to chat with her and I’ll leave soon.”

The first lady smiled. Madam Shao’s husband was a state councilor. Although his rank was not as high as that of Shen Dong, he was also a Grade Two official. It was safe for her not to offend him. She was just about to exchange more polite formula when Shen Xuanlin’s angry voice interrupted her.

“Mother, why don’t you take that bitch into custody?”

“Xuanlin, what monkey businesses are you doing here? Have you finished your homework assigned by your father?”

Madam Zhao looked at him, and her face was full of pity and helplessness. “You are always so naughty. I don’t know how many times I have criticized you, but you never listened to me. Go back quickly, or your father will punish you again.”

Shen Ninghua sneered. The first lady sounded sincere. But if she really was so kind, Shen Xuanlin would not be brought up like this!

Shen Xuanlin got up. His face was flushed with anger. Maybe he was suffering from the heavy kick by Qing Que, so he covered his chest and coughed. Then he rushed to Qing Que.

Qing Que dodged, and Shen Xuanlin charged forward, rushing towards Madam Shao like a calf.

Shen Ninghua stopped him in a hurry, and her arms were hurt slightly when he bumped into her. Fortunately, Hong Ling supported her so she didn’t fall to the ground.

But Madam Shao was not so lucky. She directly fell to the ground.

The first lady raised her eyes and became anxious when she saw Madam Shao fell on the ground. “Hurry, help Mrs. Shao up quickly.”

Shen Ninghua held Madam Shao’s wrist. Then she frowned and turned back. “Qing Que, go fetch Doctor Zhang Nian. Hurry up.”

“Yes, miss.”

Seeing that Shen Ninghua was extremely nervous, Madam Su hurriedly asked, “What’s the matter, Ninghua? Is there anything wrong?”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes. “Auntie, if I’m not wrong, Mrs. Shao should be pregnant now. I don’t know what will happen after she was bumped.”

“What?”

Madam Shao suddenly grabbed Shen Ninghua’s hand. Her face was filled with ecstasy and then nervousness. “Am I pregnant? How’s the baby? ”

She had been married for many years but had not been able to conceive. How could she not be overjoyed upon hearing the good news today?

“I know some medical skills. I think I’m right, but you’d better wait for Doctor Zhang to come and let him have a look. He is recommended by Doctor Chen and must have marvelous medical skills.”

Shen Ninghua’s fingers were painful because Madam Shao grabbed her very hard, but she didn’t care much and just smiled to calm Madam Shao down.

Although Madam Su wondered why Shen Ninghua knew medical skills, she was also happy for her good friend. “Get up quickly. The ground is very damp. It will be bad if you get sick.”

“You are right.”

Madam Shao carefully stood up and became angry when she saw Shen Xuanlin, who was held by Nurse Qin and kept struggling. “Mrs. Shen is in charge of the affairs in the backyard, but you should also pay more attention to the upbringing of your children. Although he was born by a concubine, he is a child of the Shen family. Hurting us is nothing, but you can’t afford it if he offends a noble person one day.”

If the first lady didn’t like the son of a concubine, she could simply raise him elsewhere. Anyway, a kid couldn’t threaten her position. Intentionally raising him like this was way too much.

The first lady couldn’t find an excuse to refute Madam Shao, so she had to suppress her anger and apologize. “Yes, my worthless son has behaved badly. Xuanlin, apologize!”

Shen Xuanlin glared. He broke away from Nurse Qin’s hands and ran out of the garden.

Shen Ninghua frowned and looked at his back. “Mother, Madam Shao isn’t feeling too well. Let’s take her to Yingyue Courtyard to have a rest first and wait for the doctor’s arrival.”

If she wasn’t wrong, Shen Xuanlin’s last glare was full of resentment. How could a child be like this?

“Alright.”

Madam Zhao’s face was livid. She arranged Madam Shao to have a rest, and ordered the servant girls to quickly put on the things they had carried to Yingyue Courtyard.

Originally, she wanted to use other excuses to fool Shen Ninghua. Now Madam Shao was here, she dared not do so at the risk of ruining her reputation. She had to fill up Yingyue Courtyard according to the list given by Shen Ninghua.

In Qinxue Courtyard, maids were busy taking away the new long dress embodied with birds and flowers and the ice-blue dress made of golden soft silk. Shen Linghan was so angry that she broke the teacup.

“Mother is giving my dresses to Shen Ninghua?”

Rui Xue, who was ordered to pick up the dresses, knelt on the ground and shivered all over. “Miss, the madam said that the First Young Lady is short of dresses. You are the same size as her. The madam said she would have new ones made for you later.”

Shen Linghan’s whole body trembled with anger and swept the clothes directly to the ground. “Get out!”