There is a god in the sky

Chapter 200 Who is the Murderer 7

"Make way, let our young lady from the Tong family enter first!"

Manager Shen shouted loudly, and heads popped out from the carriages in front.

Upon learning that she was a lady from the Tong family, everyone quickly made way for her.

Many ladies also took the opportunity to come over and exchange a few pleasantries.

Shen Lan stood on the right side of the carriage, her head slightly lowered, listening to a dignified voice coming from inside: "This blockage can't go on forever. Quickly have the servants from the manor come and clear it up."

Manager Shen smiled apologetically and said, "Grandma, you don't know, there are just too many guests today, we can't accommodate them all."

"Hmph, then let them get out of the car and walk over. It's only a few steps."

That's a good idea, but for those ladies who value their image, they obviously wouldn't want to show their faces in public.

Shen Lan followed this lady from the Tong family through the gate, and went straight to the second gate, where she was surrounded by a group of women.

Surrounded by noise, Shen Lan retreated to the outer edge of the crowd and cautiously observed the group.

The Tong family is large, ranging from women in their forties and fifties to little girls as young as a few years old; it's a huge, colorful group that's impossible to recognize.

"Grandma, you must be tired from your journey. Please come in with me. The old lady has been missing you terribly."

"It's been many years, but my sister-in-law is still as energetic as ever."

Shen Lan lifted her foot to follow, but was stopped by an old woman.

It wasn't just her; all the maids who had followed their aunt back to the mansion were stopped.

The old woman smiled politely and said in a soft voice, "You can choose two people to go in and serve, the rest of you can rest to the side. The room is crowded with people, there's not even room to put your feet down."

Since that's the case, only the maids and servants most trusted by the young lady can enter. Shen Lan, being the last one to arrive, is not qualified to enter.

She followed the crowd to a side room, where she found that maids from various households had already gathered, chattering and making quite a scene.

Shen Lan had originally wanted to find an excuse to go out, but now she wasn't in a hurry. Perhaps she could meet the servants of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion here.

She moved through the crowd, listening to their conversations and trying to identify whose family they were based on their clothes and appearance.

"Hey, isn't this lady from the Tong family? Why is she here with us?" a pretty young maid asked Shen Lan.

Shen Lan smiled shyly, "I went to pick up my great-aunt. I brought her servants over just now and saw an acquaintance, so I was just about to come over and say hello. Which family are you from, little sister?"

The maidservant was extremely well-mannered, bowing slightly. "My master is a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Court, surnamed Xue."

Several people gathered around, introducing themselves to each other, clearly intending to get closer to Shen Lan.

Shen Lan's gaze settled on a young maid wearing a gold lock.

She said she was from the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, and Shen Lan moved closer to her without making a sound.

The maidservant said coquettishly, "Good sister, I wonder what arrangements the manor has for us? We can't all just stay crammed here, can we?"

Although they were servants, the fact that their master could take them out meant that they were useful.

They can't be expected to sit here on the sidelines while others enjoy watching the show and having drinks outside.

Shen Lan said with difficulty, "I don't know either. Should I go ask?"

"Okay, thank you for your help, sister. May I ask your name?"

"You can call me Xiaolan."

She reached out and grabbed the little maid, winked at her, and then said loudly, "Then come with me, little sister."

She brought the person out.

After jogging along, Shen Lan pulled her behind the artificial hill and laughed, "Finally out! My sister and I hit it off immediately. How about I show you around?"

"Won't this... offend our masters?"

“Of course I won’t go near them. The Tong residence is so big, I won’t run into them.”

The maid was skeptical.

Shen Lan had brought her out earlier, and she was feeling uneasy, wondering why Shen Lan was treating her differently since it was their first meeting.

"I still don't know your name," Shen Lan asked affectionately.

“My name is Yanni, and I serve the Crown Prince’s wife.”

Shen Lan thought to herself: This is too good of luck!

She looked puzzled and asked, "Did the Crown Prince's wife bring a lot of people today? I don't think I saw anyone from your household just now."

Yanni pouted and said unhappily, "Old Madam Tong was born in the Year of the Ox, and it is said that she clashes with those born in the Year of the Rooster, so I cannot enter the second gate."

The so-called zodiac sign clash is only used to refer to servants and unimportant guests.

Shen Lan didn't believe it. If the Crown Prince were born in the Year of the Rooster, the Tong family would have kept him out of the house as well.

Shen Lan comforted her, "There's nothing we can do about it. I know a path that leads to the backyard. Shall I take you to the stage to watch the show?"

Jenny asked, puzzled, "Won't it be troublesome if we get caught?"

Despite asking that question, Jenny's eyes held a hint of eager anticipation.

Shen Lan made this suggestion because she could tell that her identity was extraordinary.

"Just take a look, then come back."

Jenny peeked out and saw servants coming and going. She asked anxiously, "Is that road safe?"

"We're not doing anything bad, so it doesn't matter if people see us."

Shen Lan pulled her out.

If she was questioned on the street, she would make up an excuse to avoid it.

They wandered further and further into the desert and stopped encountering anyone.

Shen Lan walked along the path she remembered, not walking fast, as if they were really on a leisurely stroll.

Yanni gradually lowered her guard and confided many things to Shen Lan.

Shen Lan soon learned that she was a servant born into the Marquis's household. She was chosen by the heir's wife at the age of eight and started as a lowly maid. She was given important responsibilities after she accidentally saved the young master's life.

"Madam said that after the New Year, I will be sent to serve the young master. From now on, I will be the young master's head maid."

Jenny was pretty and had a sweet voice; she was a girl that people liked.

It is no easy feat to become the most trusted person by one's master's side.

"Congratulations, little sister." Shen Lan took a pearl out of her purse and gave it to her.

“This pearl was a gift from the master. I have no use for it, so I’m giving it to my sister as a congratulatory gift.”

This pearl is quite large and has a good luster. It may not be much in the master's eyes, but it is definitely a fine item in the eyes of the servants.

It's perfect for setting hairpins and making jewelry.

Jenny's eyes widened; she was exactly missing a large pearl, and this gift was truly a perfect match for her.

"I cannot accept rewards without merit..." She looked away with difficulty.

Shen Lan stuffed the pearl into her palm, "I know you don't lack these things. The Crown Prince's wife values ​​you so much, she will definitely reward you with many good things."

This is just a small token of my appreciation; I hope you won't find it offensive.

Yanni said shyly, "It's not that exaggerated. Your Tong family is very generous."

Shen Lan asked in confusion, "I heard that the Crown Prince's wife is highly regarded by the elders, and the Lady of the Marquis has entrusted her with managing many shops. The Qixiu Workshop must be doing very well. The Crown Prince's wife must be very rich."

"Although it is managed by our wife, the income still has to be handed over."

"I see." Shen Lan suddenly realized.

"By the way, I heard that someone died at Qixiu Workshop a couple of days ago. What happened?"

Jenny's expression changed, and she stammered, "She didn't die in the shop... she... she fell from the building by accident."

"Oh, that's really bad luck. It's the New Year. Could it be that your competitors are deliberately trying to smear your shop? Some shopkeepers are just heartless."

Yanni didn't want to say more and shook her head, saying, "No, I don't know either. It might just be an accident."

Will the government believe it?

Jenny smiled and said, "There's nothing to disbelieve. Even the government needs evidence to investigate cases."