The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Shen had been married into the Marquis's mansion for twenty years, and she still couldn't understand why. She shook her head and explained, "I don't know the reason either. The old people in the Marquis's mansion either don't know about this matter, or those who do know have been silenced."

I secretly suspect it's related to Aunt Shui's background. She was a courtesan from a government-run institution; what kind of background could lead to becoming a courtesan from such a background?

"Descendants of officials?" Only major cases like the confiscation of property would involve female relatives, who would either be exiled or forced into prostitution or slavery.

Madam Shen nodded, "I'm pretty sure of it. Otherwise, Master wouldn't love Madam Shui so much. Maybe the two families used to have a very close relationship."

So I guess the master and Madam Shui might have been childhood sweethearts. If it weren't for the misfortune that befell Madam Shui's family, who knows who might be sitting in the position of Marquis's wife now.”

"Madam." Granny Zhang exclaimed as if she had heard some earth-shattering news.

"Will the fact that Concubine Shui is staying in our Marquis's mansion implicate us?"

"It's unlikely they'll be implicated." If there really were a problem, this vast Marquis's mansion wouldn't just stand by and watch their love be buried.

After all, when Na Shui entered the household, the old Marquis was still breathing.

However, it seems that the Shui family had a plan to bring him into the Marquis's household, and not long after he entered the mansion, the old Marquis passed away.

"However, it will be difficult for Shui's children, especially his sons, to make a future."

Unless Sixth Sister receives some great blessing that benefits her brothers.

However, even with a legitimate eldest son, due to etiquette, her half-brother had to step back.

"Could it be that the old lady invited the second and third wives to assist you in managing the household, and there's another reason behind it? Is it because the eldest son's illegitimate son can't become our young master's right-hand man?"

Madam Shen smiled with satisfaction, "That's right, that's exactly what the old lady was planning."

"I never expected this. I've always been indignant that my mistress was being suppressed by a concubine, but I never imagined there were so many calculations going on behind the scenes."

"Hmph! So what if she enjoys the Marquis's utmost favor? So what if she has many children? They still can't compare to the legitimate sons and daughters born to you, Madam, in the eyes of the Old Madam and the Marquis."

Granny Zhang felt that she had finally gotten her revenge. The next time she saw Aunt Shui's seductive appearance, she would dare to stand up for herself and wouldn't have to worry about the Marquis being dissatisfied with the Madam or even the child she had given birth to over such a trivial matter.

“What the old woman says is true. My child rightfully deserves everything in this manor.” After saying this, Madam Shen recalled the matter of Lord He’s visit earlier that day.

"Granny, please tell Qin that we'll leave the rare book in Er Ya's hands alone for now. Let's pretend it never happened, and don't mention it again, understand?"

Although Granny Zhang didn't understand, she nodded in agreement, guessing in her heart that the Marquis had probably just spoken to the Madam about something.

Sigh, women these days, once they hold power in their hands, they don't respect men at all. But most women still can't live without men.

Look at her shrewd and wise Lady Hou. Her master only sat for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and she was already able to coax her mistress to change her mind and give up the delicious food that was about to be eaten.

But they were just servants, only allowed to obey their masters' orders, and dared not question such a trivial matter.

"Don't worry, Madam. But should I secretly retrieve the copies from the young ladies' quarters?" I didn't know what my masters meant, but I still had to ask.

"No need. Just find a way to keep that book in the manor when the young ladies get married in the future." Madam Shen didn't know what Marquis He was hiding from her, but based on the principle of "better to avoid trouble," she decided to be cautious.

After all, compared to the entire Marquis's mansion, that priceless rare book is nothing.

“Yes, Madam.” Granny Zhang understood immediately.

"By the way, regarding Rong-jie'er, Wenqin said that Er-yatou also sent a book there. When you have time, go and pick up that book and put it in the study in our inner courtyard."

"Take care of this quietly. You've been with me for many years; you know how to tell my cousin, right?"

"I understand, I will take care of it right away."

Shen waved his hand.

----

In the Green Grass Courtyard

"Greetings to Miss Wang. This old servant has some important business to discuss with you privately. Please ask Madam Wang to wait outside for a moment."

Granny Zhang had been trying to find the right words the whole way, but now that she had actually come to ask for something, she found it a little difficult to speak.

"Please sit down, Granny Zhang. What is it that you've gone to all this trouble to come to Qingwu Courtyard? From now on, just send a maid to call me here, and I'll send Zhang Mama or Chunyan to report back to you."

“Miss, it’s really not a big deal. But I heard from Wenqin that the second young lady of the manor gave you a book?” Granny Zhang asked cautiously, while Hua Sirong looked on with curiosity.

“Yes, that’s right. This is the book I have here. Look.” Hua Sirong took the book from the bookshelf and handed it to Granny Zhang.

If it were the original, she might be reluctant to part with it, but this is a copy she made herself. If there's a first copy, there's bound to be a second one. There's nothing to be reluctant about.

Granny Zhang: ...So easy?

“Miss, this book… Today, the Marquis of the manor heard a rumor from somewhere that our lady is coveting our niece’s dowry.”

But how could our lady accept such a accusation? In this household, besides the young master and the seventh young lady, only your cousin is related to you by blood.”

Hua Sirong looked puzzled. "Granny, this book was clearly given to me by the Second Miss. How is it related to my aunt? How can my uncle wrongly accuse my aunt without distinguishing right from wrong?"

"Should I go and explain things to my uncle?" Hua Sirong looked indignant on behalf of her aunt, as if she would immediately lead a group to smash up Lord He's stage if Granny Zhang nodded in agreement.

While feeling relieved, Granny Zhang quickly stopped her, saying, "No, no, no need, no need."

The young lady has been in the manor for almost three months, and she has yet to meet her nominal uncle. Is the reason for this something that this old nanny has to explain to her?

If the lady doesn't speak, she will never say another word in her life.

“Miss, the madam has already explained it to the Marquis in private, but if a man’s heart changes, even if you explain it clearly, he can still think of you as a heartless person.”

I noticed that ever since the Marquis left the main courtyard, Madam's spirits have not been good.

"So, I've come here with a humble expression because I want to ask you for a favor in private." Granny Zhang looked extremely embarrassed, but for her mistress's sake, she was willing to go all out.

How could Hua Sirong, who was watching from the side, possibly refuse? "What do you want, Granny? Just say it."

As you said yourself, my aunt and I share the same blood, we're naturally close, and I'll naturally help her if she's having any troubles.

“Oh, young lady. It’s like this. In my heart, I was thinking that since the Marquis doesn’t believe the Madam, if you and the Seventh Miss hand over the book that the Second Miss gave us, wouldn’t that clear our Madam’s name?”