Shen Miao looked so distressed that she was on the verge of crying. At her budding age, she had delicate and refined features, looking extremely charming. Just a simple act of coquetry was enough to arouse one's pity.
After hearing Shen Miao's words, Shen Junming broke out in a cold sweat. "Ask your mother to go with you. Don't be in a hurry. You're sure to find it."
This was an item bestowed by the emperor. Losing it would be a serious crime!
"Since it was a reward from the emperor father, we'd like to help look for it too, Lord Shen. What do you think?" Xiao Hanzhi, who was sitting beside them, suddenly spoke up.
Originally, he didn't want to get involved in this matter. He came to the Shen Mansion to enjoy the rare birds because the Shen family was in charge of the Night Ghost Division, which would be a great help for him to seize the throne in the future.
Although he didn't want to move for a jade pendant, upon hearing that it was a reward from the emperor father, as a prince, he naturally had to go and check it out.
Xiao Jinnan and Xiao Luochi also got interested and were ready to go with their fourth brother.
"Then I'd like to go too." Princess Heyuan also stood up and said softly.
She came to the Shen Mansion to enjoy the rare birds just to get closer to Xiao Hanzhi. If Xiao Hanzhi left, she must follow, or else all her efforts would be in vain.
At this moment, Shen Li was sitting quietly on one side. Seeing that everyone had expressed their attitudes, as an elder sister, she naturally couldn't just ignore it.
"Is the jade pendant you mentioned the one you never take off? I've seen it quite often and still remember what it looks like. If you don't mind, I can also help look for it."
Shen Li walked to Shen Miao's side, gently patted her hand, and comforted her, "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find it."
The originally pleasant bird - watching gathering instantly turned into a treasure - hunting journey for a group of people.
Most of them had their own ulterior motives, just waiting for the show to unfold.
The group marched in a grand manner to the Eastern Courtyard. They summoned all the servants and rummaged through each other's bedrooms, but still couldn't find the jade pendant.
"Besides the Eastern Courtyard, the place I stay the longest is the Western Courtyard..."
Shen Miao gently bit her lips and looked at Shen Li with a feigned sad and troubled expression. "I'm just going to your courtyard to look for the jade pendant. You won't blame me, will you, sister?"
Shen Li saw that Shen Miao's eyes, as clear as autumn water, were already filled with tears. It seemed that if she refused, the tears would roll down her cheeks.
"How could I blame you? You're just looking for something, not doing anything wrong. Don't cry. It'll break my heart if you do."
Shen Li said with a smile, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
Shen Miao, you're still too naive.
As soon as Shen Li left, Jiaoyue, who was guarding the Western Courtyard, summoned the servants there.
"Miss Shen said that we must guard the Western Courtyard well. Not even a fly should be allowed in!"
When Shen Li first entered the Second Lord's Mansion, she said that since there was only herself in the Western Courtyard, there was no need to cause trouble by having too many servants. So she only kept a few and sent the rest to other courtyards to work.
But with fewer people, those who remained had to take on more tasks.
The Western Courtyard was not small. As time passed, seeing that Miss Shen was kind - tempered, the servants vented their resentment on her. As a result, they didn't really listen to Jiaoyue's words.
"Sister Jiaoyue, why do we need to guard this courtyard? With the state of our Western Courtyard, is there even going to be a thief?"
As soon as this was said, everyone burst into laughter.
Who didn't know that Miss Shen usually dressed simply and used all the gold, silver, jewelry, clothes, and spices sent by the Second Miss? The Second Miss only sent some shabby things. Who would come here to take those things away?
"Bold!" Jiaoyue suddenly said sternly.
"Even if Miss Shen is not in a good situation, she is still the legitimate eldest miss. How can you gossip about her in private?"
Since Shen Li's personality had changed after waking up, Jiaoyue also gained more confidence.
"Have you seen what happened to Chunju and Linghua?" Jiaoyue scanned the faces of these people one by one. "If you also want to take full responsibility for the Western Courtyard, you can."
"Remember, the master and mistress haven't returned yet. Once they come back, with her parents' support, do you think you'll have a good time? Miss Shen was kind - tempered before and never bothered with you. It seems that the master's constant tolerance has made you forget your own identity."
"If you do a good job in what the master has told you, there will surely be rewards. If you do a bad job... no one knows what decision Miss Shen will make. Now Miss Shen has asked us to guard the Western Courtyard. Can you do it?"
Jiaoyue had been holding these words in her heart for a long time. Since she came to the Second Lord's Mansion with Shen Li and was bullied by the servants, these words had gone through her mind hundreds of times. She had long wanted to teach these people a lesson.
"Sister Jiaoyue, we'll definitely help Miss Shen guard the Western Courtyard well!"
"Please say some good words for us in front of Miss Shen. We're all loyal to her!"
Jiaoyue's words suddenly woke them up. Miss Shen was after all the most legitimate eldest miss. Her father was the real high priest of the Night Ghost Division. Shen Li was the only legitimate eldest miss, and there was no accident that she would take charge of the Night Ghost Division in the future.
They were really blind. Just because Miss Shen was kind - tempered, they had been so presumptuous. Fortunately, she hadn't blamed them yet, and there was still a chance to make amends.
Jiaoyue assigned these people their tasks. There was a little girl named Peixiang who was not yet fourteen. She took Peixiang to guard the main gate of the Western Courtyard.
Peixiang was very cute, with a rosy complexion. There was a faint fragrance around her. Taking a whiff of it seemed to make one's mood better.
Just as Jiaoyue was about to ask Peixiang what kind of perfume she was wearing, she saw Chunya walking in a hurry towards the Western Courtyard. It seemed that she was hiding something in her arms. She was looking around furtively as she walked, looking extremely suspicious.
Just as Chunya was about to step into the Western Courtyard, Jiaoyue stopped her.
"Stop! What are you doing in the Western Courtyard?"
When the group walked in a grand manner to the Western Courtyard, this was the scene they saw.
Jiaoyue was pressing Chunya face - down on the ground. Peixiang was shouting from the side, "Sister Jiaoyue, are you okay?"
Less than five meters behind them were all the servants of the Western Courtyard, quietly watching how Jiaoyue was dealing with Chunya.
"What a disgrace!" Shen Junming stepped forward first and shouted angrily.
Seeing that her own miss had returned, Jiaoyue let go of Chunya and quickly knelt on the ground.
"Second Lord, I saw Chunya sneaking into the Western Courtyard. She kept trying to get in but wouldn't say why. When I stopped her from entering, she tried to fight me. I did this to protect myself!"
After saying that, she kowtowed to Shen Junming. "Please punish me, Second Lord!"
Shen Junming snorted and said to Shen Li and Shen Miao, "Quickly help them up. Go back and discipline your own maids properly!"
"Jiaoyue, get up quickly. Uncle doesn't blame you anymore." Shen Li stepped forward and helped Jiaoyue up.