Shen Li was not angry at being rebuked by a maidservant. This insignificant character didn't even merit her annoyance.
Without sparing a single glance at Chun Ya, Shen Li slowly tossed these words to Shen Miao, "Sister, when did the bond between us become so estranged? It was just a little joke I played on you, yet your personal maid is so aggressive. If this gets out, it won't matter if I lose face, but I wonder if Second Aunt's long - standing reputation for strict family discipline can still be upheld."
In the past, Shen Li was not good at acting. But the despair on the city tower was like a dagger, stabbing deeply into her heart. The tears that had never shed until death in her previous life now welled up as her nose wrinkled. The cold and aloof look on her face just now instantly turned into a tearful one.
She was originally the most beautiful daughter of the Shen family. However, in the past, she didn't know how to dress up or be endearing, so she was looked down upon.
Now, without any makeup and with a slight frown, she was extremely lovable.
Seeing her like this, Shen Miao immediately frowned. A strange feeling welled up in her heart, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was strange.
At the age of sixteen, Shen Miao really didn't know how to respond to this.
"Chun Ya, you were personally trained by my mother to be my substitute maid. How could you be so impolite to elder sister? If my mother finds out, she will surely punish you severely!"
Punishing the servant in front of others was, of course, to silence them.
However, Shen Li was in a bad mood today and didn't want to be silenced so easily.
"Sister is right. I don't really care, but I've always admired Second Aunt since I was a child. How could you damage Second Aunt's reputation?" As soon as Shen Miao finished speaking, Shen Li immediately picked up the conversation.
The previous aggrieved and charming look disappeared from her face in an instant, replaced by a pair of cold and indifferent pupils. "Since Second Aunt would surely punish you severely even if she knew about this, I naturally won't go against her wishes. Chun Ya, go clean the entire Western Courtyard thoroughly with Chun Ju and Ling Hua. Or, go back to the Eastern Courtyard with them to receive punishment from Second Aunt."
Shen Li's tone was not harsh, but every word made it hard for others to refuse.
Seeing Shen Li giving orders like this, Shen Miao suddenly felt even more embarrassed.
Originally, Shen Li's saying that she was not welcome was just a joke, but in a flash, she was going to punish the maid she had given as well as her own personal maid!
Moreover, the meaning of the second half of the sentence was very clear -
Either accept the punishment or get out!
Under her long sleeves, Shen Miao clenched her fists tightly and stared fixedly at Shen Li.
This good - for - nothing, how did she suddenly become so tough!
At this moment, Shen Li also turned her head. Their eyes met. Although she was sitting, the look in her eyes when looking at Shen Miao was so cold that it sent shivers down one's spine.
"What, do you think what I'm doing is inappropriate? My... dear sister?"
Hearing Shen Li's words, Shen Miao always felt uncomfortable all over.
However, every word Shen Li said was reasonable, leaving her not knowing how to respond.
If she directly refuted, the gentle and amiable image she had always presented in front of Shen Li would be gone.
Shen Li knew that Shen Miao wouldn't reveal her true colors so soon.
Firstly, Shen Miao was a person who cared about her reputation. Everyone outside knew that the second young lady of the Shen family was the most gentle and elegant. If she flew into a rage today, and for a few servants who had made mistakes, it would be unworthy if the news spread and people gossiped about it.
As for the second reason... the people from the second branch probably didn't dare to do anything out of line for now.
After all, the Night Shadow Department was still there. Her literary second uncle had only obtained an official position in the court thanks to her father, who was in charge of the Night Shadow Department.
So although Shen Li's words were not harsh, every word forced Shen Miao into silence.
Shen Li enjoyed looking at Shen Miao's greenish - pale face and didn't give her a way out for a long time.
It wasn't until Shen Miao's face turned completely red that Shen Li let out a soft laugh and showed a naive look as before. "How about it, sister? Am I really scary when I act fierce?"
Shen Miao, who had been so embarrassed that she wanted to dig a hole in the ground, finally relaxed. She looked up at Shen Li and saw her silly smile, then let out a sigh of relief.
Sure enough, she was just a paper tiger.
She didn't believe that a near - drowning could instantly turn a person into someone else.
However, Shen Miao was still too young. She only saw the silly smile on Shen Li's face but didn't notice the cold and sharp look hidden in her eyes.
"My dear elder sister, I've never seen you like that before. You really gave me a fright." At this time, Shen Miao finally walked from the door to the bedside and immediately grabbed Shen Li's hand, looking extremely affectionate.
"You're always so naughty."
Although Shen Miao was the younger sister, her tone when speaking to Shen Li was like that of an elder sister scolding a younger one.
Shen Li didn't mind. The previous posturing and making things difficult were not the main point. She knew that Shen Miao had prepared a grand drama for her today.
"I've made you laugh. You know I like to play jokes." Shen Li didn't pull her hand away from Shen Miao's but instead held her hand and asked kindly, "It's quite a coincidence. I just woke up, and you came to visit. Are you worried about me?"
"Of course. You were in a coma for several days after falling into the water. I haven't been able to sleep well for several days! I came to see you specially today, but your joke really gave me a scare!"
Since Shen Li had given her a way out, Shen Miao naturally took it.
With a tone of feigned annoyance, anyone would think that what had just happened was really a joke and that their relationship was truly close.
However, Shen Li knew very well what Shen Miao had come for today.
In her previous life, after she had regained consciousness from the near - drowning, the first person to visit her was Shen Miao.
She claimed to be concerned, and Shen Li had been touched at that time.
But in fact, on that day, Shen Miao had told her that Xiao Hanzhi was very bothered by her falling into the water.
After all, there were many people present that day. She had lost his face by falling into the water while performing a sword dance.
So, in her previous life, Shen Miao had advised her that she must visit him in person to apologize.
Coincidentally, Xiao Hanzhi was going to visit the Shen Mansion that afternoon, and she was supposed to show up and apologize in person.
At that time, Shen Li really thought that Shen Miao's words came from the bottom of her heart, and she actually went.
However, Shen Li didn't know that what awaited her then was endless humiliation...
It was also from that day on that the news that the only daughter of the Grand Priest of the Night Shadow Department was infatuated with the Fourth Prince and had fallen into the water while dancing a sword for him spread throughout the entire capital.