Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Grandma, Wan'er was really afraid that my aunt would feel sad when she saw the unfinished little dress, so Wan'er chose to destroy it. Grandma, you won't blame Wan'er, right?" Shen Jingwan said, her eyes full of pleading and uneasiness.

Madam Shen sighed softly, patted Jingwan's shoulder, and comforted her gently: "You also know the word filial piety, which is very good."

There was kindness and understanding in her voice, as if telling Jingwan that no matter what happened, her feelings were accepted.

At this moment, Shen Chuning also took out a seemingly inconspicuous piece of paper from her sleeve.

She said slowly but firmly, "Grandma, I accidentally found this piece of paper at the gate of Aunt Xue's courtyard. The words 'Tianxi' on it are blurry, but still legible. As for its purpose, I don't know. But I feel that since I have discovered this secret, I should keep it."

When Aunt Xue heard the word "Tianxi", she immediately became alert. She subconsciously shouted, "Impossible, I've already burned it. This piece of paper must be fake!"

As soon as Aunt Xue shouted the first word, Shen Jingwan's heart sank, because she clearly realized that something was wrong.

However, she was still some distance away from Aunt Xue, and she couldn't get close to her immediately, let alone grab her.

Old Madam Shen stared intently at Aunt Xue's face and pressed, "Xiangxue, what on earth did you burn? And what is 'Tianxi'?"

Aunt Gui took the paper from Shen Chuning's hand and carefully observed the brown powder on the paper. She gently picked up some powder, rubbed it with two fingers, and then put it under her nose to smell it.

As the powder emanated a faint medicinal aroma, Aunt Gui frowned, clearly skeptical of the information on the paper. She placed the entire sheet of paper under her nose and sniffed, as if searching for a clue.

"Madam, this note does contain medicinal herbs." Aunt Gui said.

The housekeeper standing beside Old Madam Shen immediately spoke up, "Madam, there's a clinic in the west of the city called Tianxitang. They say they only sell one medicine that guarantees a boy if a woman takes it. My two grandsons were born because I gave my daughter-in-law the Tianxitang medicine."

Madam Shen asked in surprise, "Is it really that amazing? How come I've never heard of such news?"

The cleaning lady continued, "In fact, whether it's a young master or a young lady, they are equally precious in a wealthy family. Before I came to the mansion, I had always worked on the farm, so I understand the life of farmers very well. We farmers need men to do farm work, so we opened the wedding hall in the west of the city that day, and business has always been good."

When the cleaning lady mentioned this, she suddenly shook her head, revealing an indescribable puzzlement. "That's not right. Tianxitang's medicine is usually prepared for young wives who are not yet pregnant. Concubine Xue is already pregnant, so why would she take Tianxitang's medicine?"

Old Lady Shen was well aware of Concubine Xue's desire for her son. Therefore, after gaining a general understanding of the situation at Tianxi Hall, Old Lady Shen was already 70% certain that Concubine Xue had most likely purchased and taken the medicine at Tianxi Hall.

"Xiangxue, do you have anything to say?" asked Old Lady Shen.

Aunt Xue slid down from the chair and knelt forward, crying and apologizing, "Madam, Madam, when I heard that Xitang could give birth to a son that day, I was extremely anxious and secretly went to get medicine for you to take. I know my crime."

Shen Jingwan also hurriedly knelt down and cried to her grandmother: "Grandma, there is something wrong with the medicine. It must be the medicine from Tianxitang. We must report it to the authorities and cannot let Tianxitang continue to harm others."

The housekeeper began to grow displeased upon hearing this. "Miss Wan, what's the point? You can't poop, but you're blaming the toilet. Aunt Xue lost her own child, but she blames the Tianxitang medicine. Miss Wan, you don't know how many young wives give birth to sons through Tianxitang every year. If you dare to disrupt Tianxitang's business, those mothers-in-law who long for grandchildren will tear your Zizhu Courtyard apart."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingwan angrily scolded, "Who do you think you are? Is it your turn to interrupt the master when he's speaking?"

The cleaning lady wanted to argue a few more words, but when she saw Shen Chuning shaking her head so subtly that it was almost imperceptible, she had to shut her mouth awkwardly.

"Agui, go and ask Shen Zong to prepare something. Bring the visiting card from our mansion and ask the doctor from Tianxitang to come over."

……

Today is the day of the grand court meeting. Shen Huaizhong, the eldest master of the Shen family and the second master of the Shen family left the court together.

Since Mr. Shen Sanye held a low official position and was not qualified to attend the grand court meeting, he returned to his mansion alone.

Just as Shen Huaizhong and the other two stepped into the gate, they saw Shen Qingjiang preparing to go out.

"Where are you going?" Shen Huaizhong asked, staring at Shen Qingjiang with sharp eyes.

Shen Qingjiang lowered his head, crossed his hands in front of his chest, and dug his toes into the ground, "Dad, someone invited me out for a drink."

"Where are my colleagues? Drinking at noon? Don't we have to go back to the government office in the afternoon?"

"It's...it's just my colleagues in the Ministry of War. Otherwise, I could have other colleagues. We received our monthly salary today, and everyone was very happy." Shen Qingjiang explained hesitantly.

"I heard that you haven't been doing your duty well recently, and your superiors have complained to me."

"Dad, don't listen to what others say." Shen Qingjiang looked up at the sun, "I have an appointment with someone else, and I don't have much time left. I'm leaving first."

Just as Shen Qingjiang was about to turn around and leave, he bumped head-on into Shen Zong, who was about to enter the gate. Shen Zong immediately covered his forehead and shouted, "Oh, Third Master, where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Butler Shen, why don't you pay attention when you walk? Are you okay? If you are, I will leave first. I have something urgent to do." Shen Qingjiang said as he prepared to leave.

Just as Shen Qingjiang was about to run away, Shen Zong grabbed him and said, "Third Master, you can't just leave like this. Something big happened at home."

Shen Qingjiang pried Shen Zong's hand apart and said impatiently, "What does the incident at home have to do with me? Dad, Big Brother, and Second Master will handle it. My opinion is not important at all. Come back and tell me the outcome."

"Third Master, please listen to me first. Something happened in the third house." Shen Zong said while wiping the sweat from his forehead.