Zhihua pursed her lips and hesitated to tell Shi Jin about her relationship with the eldest son.

"I'm not afraid of your jokes. Although I'm reckless, I'm pretty good-looking after all." Zhi Hua was a little shy, "Actually, I used to be a maid in the eldest son's yard, and I did some menial work there with only my strength. At that time

The eldest mistress has not yet married into the Hou family, and the eldest son is Meng Lang, who has no one to control him. That day he saw me watering the flowers, and wanted to force me to submit. I am not well-educated, but I also know that the eldest son is not a good man, so I took advantage of him

He broke his head before he could react and ran away."

"Later I ran to the garden and met the second master. I knew the second master was benevolent, so I asked him for help. Unexpectedly, the second master actually took me back to Qingfengyuan, and gradually I became the eldest maid."

Speaking of this, she was quite emotional, "It is really a terrible crime for a maid to hit the master. I wanted to die at that time. Although the second master is not affectionate, as long as he abides by his rules

, he will not embarrass us."

Shi Jin was in a trance and didn't know what he was thinking.

.

The mountain behind Huangjue Temple.

The breeze blows on my face, the bamboo forest rustles, and among the tall and straight greenery, there is a sudden corner pavilion.

Tingyi Honggan Spring flows along the mountain, and bamboo leaves float in the water, flowing down the river.

"Your Highness, I will have no regrets." An old man in a green shirt with a long beard held a white piece of money in his hand. He cupped his hand towards the noble man opposite him in black clothes with dark red embroidery, nodded and said with a smile.

Although the man in black clothes with dark red embroidery was simple in clothing, he had a sharp face, a pair of eagle eyes with a gloomy look, and the sunspots fell loudly from his hands, "I have never regretted it."

"Have you confirmed Fan Cheng's identity?" he asked again.

"Not yet." The old man said leisurely, "But Your Highness, don't you already have the answer in your heart?"

"The certainty is only 50-50."

"That's why Your Highness just let Kang Guangwen try to win him over?" The old man pondered, "But, Your Highness, do you know that His Highness seems to be aware of it?"

Hearing these words, his eagle-like eyes swept over him with a heavy sense of oppression, "Has he discovered it?"

"It's just suspicion." The old man stroked his long beard, "His Highness has doubts, but it's not as good as hitting the ground. At the moment, the money shopkeeper is still in the hands of Tiqisi, so why not take a gamble and get it right?

His Highness received help from Yi Qingtian; the bet was wrong, although the Marquis of Jing'an Mansion has declined, but Your Highness can remember who is behind them?"

Prince Xiao Ce naturally remembered, "It was Gu's teacher, Prince Yao Zhizhang."

"That's right! It's harmless. Why don't we use Princess Yichang as bait to form a good relationship before the second prince realizes His Highness's plan?" The old man's eyes were shining, and he was obviously confident.

Princess Yichang is the youngest daughter of the prince's aunt. She has been smart since she was a child, and has fair skin and beautiful appearance. She is the object of admiration for many good men in Haojing.

The prince stood up, clasped his hands and turned his back to the old man. As far as he could see, the mountains and mountains were full of verdant green, and the rivers and mountains of thousands of feet were all visible.

"Just follow what Mr. Chen said." Xiao Ce made the final decision.

.

In a blink of an eye, July 15th is the Ghost Festival.

Because Shi Jin was in Jing'an Marquis Mansion and it was inconvenient to worship his ancestors, he took a half-day leave and brought some homemade cakes and snacks with him, hoping to take his brother to the graves to worship his father and mother.

Her memory of her mother has been blurry, and she only vaguely remembers that she was a gentle and pleasant woman. When her brother was still young, she had no memory at all.

But their father, who passed away from illness three years ago, is still fresh in their memories.

The graves of the two men were overgrown with weeds. Shi Jin first cleared away the weeds and then closed the slightly thin tombs.

The sky today is overcast, but not that hot. Everyone knows that the Hungry Ghost Festival is a day when ghosts are rampant. Shi Jin raised his eyes and looked at the sky, wondering if his father and mother could find their way home?

After gathering her clothes a little, she took her brother and knelt down in front of her father's grave, lit incense and candles, put out snacks, poured some wine, and then talked a lot as usual.

"Everything is fine with my daughter, father doesn't have to worry about it." At the end, she was about to stand up, then knelt down straightly, "I hope that my father and mother will bless my brother's life to be safe and smooth, without any illness or disaster."

Cui Shinian, who was also wearing plain clothes, kowtowed to the two tombs, then said with red eyes, "Sister, I sold myself to the Marquis Mansion for me. I always felt that there was something in my heart."

I'm ashamed. I will definitely study hard and redeem my sister's life early."

Shi Jin's heart swelled with heat, and she hugged him and said in a dumb voice, "It's good if you have this heart. You have a weak body. Although you want to study and be sensible, you also need to pay attention to your health."

Shi Nian nodded firmly, "Sister, I understand."

The two of them stayed on the mountain for a full hour before collecting the basket and heading down.

Shi Jin wore a printed and dyed blue flower thorn hairpin skirt today, but it was difficult to hide the color. A pair of willow eyebrows were furrowed, as if she was worried, her lips were slightly pink, and she was only slightly pursed, and her chin was small and smooth, slightly pinched.

Hey, he's very lovable.

Cui Xiucai was waiting in Wanggui Pavilion at the foot of the mountain. When he turned around, he saw her leading Shi Nian down the mountain step by step.

A young man who was sitting in the pavilion to rest together saw Shi Jin and praised her in a low voice, "Which girl is so beautiful?"

"I don't know if there is a match? If you want to know which family, I would rather let my mother propose marriage."

Cui Xiucai frowned slightly, stood up, and walked towards Shi Jin and Shinian.

"Cousin, are you still waiting here?" Shi Jin couldn't help but ask, why would Cui Xiucai be waiting here?

Cui Xiucai also wanted to worship his ancestors today, but in a different direction than them. Shi Jin thought that if Cui Xiucai was quick, he wouldn't have to wait for them. Unexpectedly, he was waiting in this pavilion.

Cui Xiucai smiled and said, "It's okay, I just came down the mountain."

He naturally took the basket from Shi Jin's hand and protected the two of them towards the city.

The young people waiting in the distance couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when they saw the flower protector beside Shi Jin.

The little interlude in the middle passed by in a flash.

Shi Jin followed Cui Xiucai and Adi into the city. Seeing that the time was getting late, she couldn't help stroking her forehead and said, "I have to go back in a hurry. Cousin, why don't you take Adi home first and wait until the end of the month to collect the moon?"

Money, I will go back to see you again."

Cui Xiucai's eyes flashed, and then he hesitantly asked her, "Didn't that person make things difficult for you last time?"

He had always wanted to ask, but after hesitating several times, he finally said it.

Thinking of Qi Mojing's threat, Shi Jin's heart trembled, but he finally shook his head, "No, everything is fine in the Hou Mansion."

Cui Xiucai hesitated, "Next year will be the imperial examination year again. When I win the exam..."

After thinking about it, I realized that it was just nonsense, so I swallowed it again.

Shi Jin smiled and patted Shi Nian on the back, "If my cousin can really win the prize, Shi Nian will be able to take advantage of him."

The two said goodbye to each other, and Shi Jin hurried back to Jingan Hou Mansion before sunset.

Just as he was about to enter through the corner gate, he saw the second young master Qi Tianyi preparing a carriage and taking the third young lady Qi Shu out.

Shi Jin only glanced at it before entering the mansion.

In the middle of the night before the Ghost Festival, there is always some rare excitement on the streets. Things like setting off river lanterns, setting off flames, and making flower trays attract many people to watch.

Shi Jin is no longer a three-year-old child, so naturally he is not very interested in these things.

She returned to Qingfengyuan, and Zhihua happened to be looking for her, "Shi Jin, the second master is back and I need to see you for something."

Shi Jin didn't bother to change his clothes, so he went to see the second master in a Jingchai cloth skirt.

At that time, the second master was wearing a black long-sleeved robe and sitting on a low couch behind the desk, painting. Shi Jin was about to speak, but he raised his hand to stop him, so he had to stand aside and say nothing.

After he finished writing the signature next to the painting and printed a small seal, he raised his head and saw Shi Jin lowering his head with his hands down, wondering what he was thinking.

Qi Mojing glanced around her body, picked up the towel on the side and wiped her hands, "Going out to worship your ancestors?"

Shi Jin might as well ask him, he nodded subconsciously, raised his head again, and asked him respectfully, "I heard from Zhi Hua that the second master is looking for me?"

Qi Mojing put the painting aside on a double-layered mahogany shelf and glanced up at her, "The day after tomorrow is the birthday of Princess Yichang. I have been invited by the prince, so I am afraid I have to go over to the banquet. You should prepare too, let's go together.

past."

Shi Jin couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Although it was Princess Yichang's birthday, a male guest like the Second Master could just accompany her at the banquet. Why did she need a maid when she was accompanied by Shimo?

Seemingly sensing Shi Jin's doubts, Qi Mojing pointed behind her with a pen and said, "Try on that dress, it will still fit you."

Shi Jin turned around and saw a black embroidered blue patterned cross-collar boy's coat hanging on a hanger next to the rose chair.

The clothes were brand new. Shi Jin remembered that Shi Mo also had clothes like this.

She said "yes" and went over to pick up the clothes. She was about to go back to the penthouse to try it on, but he stopped her and said, "Just try it on here."

As he spoke, without raising his head, he pointed to a hidden corner door connected to one side of the mahogany bookshelf.

Shi Jinyou hugged his clothes, knelt down, saluted, and entered the inner room.

This inner room is very simple, with only a mahogany canopy bed standing in place, and an elevated long lamp with cantilevered arms standing at the head of the bed.

Facing the bed, there is a green gauze fan window, facing the bookcase where Qi Mojing is lying at the desk outside.

Shi Jin couldn't escape, and saw that the second master was concentrating on studying, so he untied his blue flowered coarse cloth skirt and put it on one side, and then put on the black clothes.

Qi Mojing heard the subtle voice and raised his head inadvertently. He saw the Western glazed relief ornaments on one side of the high and low mahogany shelves next to the bookcase reflecting the overlapping shadows on the green screen window. He froze.

When Shi Jin came out and walked up to him, Mr. Qi glanced at the glass ornaments calmly and slowly raised his head.

There was some imperceptible redness on his face, he glanced at Shi Jin lightly, and then immersed himself in the book again.

"That's right, let's go down." He said, his voice was the same as before.
Chapter completed!