Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1244 - 635: Source of Calamity

Second watch, asking for pink support.

*****

As noon approached, the Nian Garden was basked in bright sunshine, lush with greenery, with a warm breeze blowing gently. In contrast, the Evergreen Garden was shrouded in dark clouds, as if a dense, cold pressure hung over the entire courtyard. The maids, wives, and servants standing solemnly in various spots around the courtyard were all holding their breath, as silent as cicadas in winter. Even those hurrying about were treading lightly, as if afraid that the slightest disturbance beneath their feet would provoke some disaster to befall them. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

To the servants in the Evergreen Garden, this was nothing short of a calamity falling out of the blue. These past few days, their Sixth Master had been in a rare good mood. When the master is in good spirits, naturally, the servants can relax as well. But who could have guessed that within just the time it took for the Sixth Master to leave the courtyard for less than a Chinese hour and return, the atmosphere had completely changed.

Everyone serving in Shen Liu’s courtyard knew that their Sixth Master did not have the best temper. However, a situation as serious as today’s was seldom seen.

When the Sixth Master was truly enraged, it was not just a matter that could be resolved with some skin-deep punishment. Consequently, everyone in the Evergreen Garden feared for themselves, anxious about being implicated. At the same time, they were all secretly speculating in their hearts.

What would be the outcome for Cai Xiu, who was taken into the room for questioning by the Sixth Master?

Indeed, even if some were not yet aware of the details, one thing was clear to everyone. That was, Cai Xiu had violated a taboo and committed a grievous mistake. Moreover, this matter involved not only Cai Xiu but also implicated others.

Cai Xiu was brought into the room by the Sixth Master for direct questioning, while the others did not even have the qualification to be questioned by the Sixth Master directly. They were being interrogated by the Sixth Master’s confidants in a side courtyard.

Under the eaves of the Upper Room in the Evergreen Garden, two elderly women stood, straining their ears to listen for any movement inside the room and exchanging glances. Cai Xiu was one of the few favored maids close to Shen Liu, and she had a relatively outstanding appearance. Among the Shen Mansion’s servants, there had long been private discussions, all thinking that Cai Xiu would eventually become a personal maid in Shen Liu’s room. This "personal maid" naturally refers not only to a serving maid but indicates Shen Liu’s bedchamber maid.

It was precisely this status that made Cai Xiu’s position in the Shen Mansion quite exceptional. Even common masters had to be polite to her. Needless to say, the mansion’s servants. Those who served beside Shen Liu also had to get along by understanding Cai Xiu’s mood, thinking of ways to curry favor with her.

Today Cai Xiu made a mistake. They wondered if their Sixth Master would be merciful because of her charms.

Because of Cai Xiu’s position, everyone in the Evergreen Garden paid closer attention to the development of the situation in the Upper Room. In their eyes, whether Cai Xiu would rise or fall, whether she would suddenly ascend to heaven or step into hell, was decided today.

In the Upper Room of the Evergreen Garden, since it was not yet midsummer, there was no ice basin placed in the room. However, the chill that pervaded the room was colder than if several ice basins had been set.

The source of that chill was Shen Liu, sitting upright at the head.

"... The ones you bribed are being questioned elsewhere. I already understand the whole story, so you don’t need to tell me again. I just ask you, why?" Shen Liu sat sternly in his chair, staring at Cai Xiu, and asked coldly.

Cai Xiu knelt on the ground, her face pale. A piece of silk cloth lay discarded in front of her — the very fabric Lian Manman had torn from her. Of course, she had already changed her clothes, and she had thought of excuses.

But Shen Liu’s words left her with no excuses to offer. Having served beside Shen Liu for so long, she knew his temper. If she tried to be evasive now, it would only serve to anger Shen Liu further.

Moreover, as things stood, there was no argument she could make. The course of events had entirely exceeded her expectations.

She had long harbored intentions against Lian Manman. But today’s incident was a decision made on impulse. Although she only attended to Shen Liu’s clothing, out of personal interest, she was more attentive to his whereabouts than anyone else. Knowing Shen Liu had gone to the study in the rockery, she had secretly followed him. At that moment, her thoughts were full of Shen Liu, not of Lian Manman.

Hiding on the side for a long time, she still couldn’t muster the courage to go to the study to see Shen Liu. The servants around Shen Liu had clearly defined roles, she knew that even if she went to that study without reason to see Shen Liu, the outcome was likely unwelcoming. She feared that unfavorable result, so she dared not approach, thinking that as long as she stayed close to Shen Liu, it was as if she was a bit closer to him.