Shen Miao pouted unhappily and murmured, "Mother, I understand all these. It's getting late! Mother, go back quickly!"
With that, she reached out to take the comb and gently pushed Lady Shen. Lady Shen said helplessly, "You! Every time I talk to you about these things, you're impatient to listen!"
"Mother!" Shen Miao stamped her foot lightly and coquettishly pleaded with Lady Shen.
"Alright, alright! I'll leave now. You should also rest soon!"
After saying that, Lady Shen lovingly stroked her head, but secretly thought in her heart: Miao'er is still too young! There are some things she can't see through!
She turned her head and looked sternly at the maids beside Shen Miao. "Take good care of the young lady! The night is chilly. Don't let the young lady catch a cold!"
"Those who are loyal to the young lady will surely be rewarded in the future. But if I find anyone with a disloyal heart and betraying the master, I'll sell her off first. I have ways to make her wish she were dead!"
Although Lady Shen had a humble background and her natal family was not a prominent clan, she had managed the Shen Mansion for many years. Her imposing and formidable image had deeply rooted in people's hearts.
The maids turned pale with fright and quickly replied in the affirmative.
Lady Shen nodded in satisfaction and left with her entourage.
She knew that recently, since she had lost the power to manage the mansion, except for the indentures of the first - and second - rank maids in Shen Miao's room still in her hands, everyone in Jingchun Hall was dependent on Shen Li for their livelihood.
So she had to give them a warning.
Just thinking of that girl Shen Li gave her a headache.
According to her daughter, after Shen Li fell into the water, she seemed to have become smarter.
Previously, she was respectful to their second branch of the family, but now she regarded them as enemies.
Her formerly timid and submissive personality had also become assertive.
But anyway, she was just a sixteen - year - old girl. With a little trickery, Lady Shen could make her suffer.
Lady Shen was determined that no matter what, she must regain the power to manage the mansion.
She was fed up with this aggrieved life.
Jiao Yue trimmed the rather weak candle wick. The previously dim light suddenly brightened.
She poured a cup of almond milk for Shen Li. Looking at the time outside, Jiao Yue couldn't help but persuade, "Miss, it's getting late! Don't read anymore! The light is too dim at night. Be careful not to hurt your eyes!"
Shen Li looked up, put down the book in her hand, picked up the almond milk that Jiao Yue had just poured. She gently lifted the cup, and curling white mist rose up, warming her face.
Combined with the unique sweetness of almonds, before taking a sip, Shen Li sighed contentedly, "Ming Yue's craftsmanship is getting better!"
After drinking a cup of almond milk, Shen Li felt that all her internal organs were warmed up. "Jiao Yue, go and have a cup too to warm yourself up!"
Jiao Yue immediately happily poured herself a cup and sipped it slowly.
You know, this almond milk was specially made by Ming Yue for Shen Li. Although it seemed like a simple cup of almond milk, it actually contained more than a dozen precious tonics to nourish Shen Li's body.
Normally, Ming Yue was reluctant to give it to others.
Jiao Yue was secretly delighted. Today, she was really lucky to have such a delicious drink because of the young lady.
After her stomach was soothed, Shen Li's spirits soared again. She picked up the art - of - war book and studied it under the lamp.
Before she was sixteen, Shen Li had read some art - of - war books, but only under Shen Yi's coercion. She had only read them roughly.
Later, seeing Shen Miao become famous for her talent, she also tried to read poems and the Book of Songs for a while.
At a banquet hosted by the noble ladies in the capital, it was also Shen Miao who encouraged her to write a poem.
As a result, full of confidence, she wrote a poem, but was laughed at by everyone.
Since then, the "reputation" of Shen Li, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, being illiterate and stupid had spread, making her an even greater foil for Shen Miao.
Later, after marrying Xiao Hanzhi, she whole - heartedly planned for him and relearned the obscure art of war just to give him advice.
She also wanted to prove to him that she, Shen Li, was not a fool.
But she forgot that what Xiao Hanzhi liked was not the daughter of a military family who was well - versed in the art of war, but Shen Miao, who was both talented and beautiful.
Reborn in this life, she even more realized the importance of strategies.
In this large mansion, it was like a battlefield. Without seeing swords and guns, blood could still flow like a river.
"Miss, you've been reading for two hours. You can't read anymore!"
Jiao Yue put her hand on the book in Shen Li's hand to stop her from reading.
"Good Jiao Yue, let me read for a while longer! I'll go to bed after I finish this page!"
Shen Li refused with a straight face. "Miss has said this twice! Page after page, Miss's words have lost their credibility with me!"
"Jiao Yue! Good Jiao Yue! I promise this is really the last page." Shen Li pleaded coquettishly.
But Jiao Yue remained unmoved. Shen Li had no choice but to reluctantly put down the book and let Jiao Yue attend to her washing and changing into night clothes.
Although lying in bed, Shen Li was not sleepy at all. She tossed and turned.
"Han Yue! Are you there?"
Shen Li lifted the quilt and looked through the greenish - blue sheer bed curtain at the small couch in the room.
This small couch was where the maid on night duty slept. There was no one on it now.
"Yes!"
Just one word, but Shen Li still recognized that the voice came from the beam above her head.
Shen Li observed carefully. It was pitch - black up there and there was not a trace of breath. If Han Yue hadn't spoken just now, she might not have noticed that there was actually a person hiding there.
She couldn't help but admire Han Yue in her heart. Her hiding skills were really remarkable.
But thinking of Han Yue's cold appearance, she had the urge to tease her.
"Han Yue, who did you learn your martial arts from?"
Shen Li hugged the quilt to her chest, poked her head out of the bed curtain, and talked to Han Yue in mid - air.
"The masters in the Night Shade Division!"
"Oh! I also learned my martial arts in the Night Shade Division. I wonder which master taught you the skill of hiding your figure? It's so amazing! Maybe I know him!"
Han Yue's voice was as cold as ever. "He's dead!"
Shen Li's eyebrows twitched. "I'm sorry, Han Yue. I didn't know your master had passed away!"
Han Yue didn't respond, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Shen Li felt as if she was talking to herself.
She found another topic and asked, "Han Yue, what was your life like in the Night Shade Division? Tell me about it!"
"Eating, practicing martial arts, sleeping!" At this point, Han Yue's voice paused, as if she was thinking.
A few breaths later, she continued, "Performing missions!"
Shen Li had also stayed in the Night Shade Division. The life there was dull and full of a cold atmosphere. Staying there for a long time might even change a person's personality.
That's why she used to often sneak out and stay in the Shen Mansion.
But now, hearing from Han Yue about her days in the Night Shade Division, Shen Li felt that the Night Shade Division was even more boring and depressing!
Compared with Han Yue, her life was much more interesting!