Zhu Shi and Zheng were originally honest and decent people, who were used to working hard to earn their own living.
Take cooking for example. When the chef in the kitchen was cooking, Zheng would stand by and give orders. If she was not satisfied with something, she would immediately push the chef aside and do the cooking herself.
This habit also directly led to the fact that there were not many servants in the Shanyang General's Mansion. All together, there were less than twenty people.
Don't underestimate this small group of people. When they start gossiping, it's not an exaggeration to say that it's overwhelming and the whole city is in turmoil.
Recently, there are always some maids and servants gathering in twos and threes, whispering about something.
In the courtyard, three little girls just walked out of a small hall. A chubby little girl immediately whispered mysteriously to the other two: "Have you heard that the person who poisoned Zhao Shuzuo is among us; Madam Yuchi seems to have found a clue, and this person's true colors will soon be exposed."
A tall, older young woman glared at her with disdain and said angrily, "Here it comes again, here it comes again, Du Qiyan, can't you just be quiet for a while? You're not Madam Yuchi, how do you know?"
"Sister Ling, what I said is true." The little girl Du Qiyan said seriously. She looked more dedicated than the MLM personnel in later generations. "Sister Ling, you also know that I followed Ning'er and Hei'er. They said this news themselves. I heard it with my own ears. How could it be false?"
"Well, what do you two ladies say?" Hearing the fat girl say this, the other two also perked up, and the three little heads instantly gathered together. Then, the fat girl Du Qiyan, like a fortune teller who caught a fool, started to make up stories... ...
On the bluestone path of the outer courtyard, a servant who was looking around like a thief grabbed a fat boy passing by and said mysteriously: "Yishan, have you heard?"
"What did you hear?" the fat man asked with a simple and honest look on his face, puzzled.
"Are you stupid, Yishan? You don't even know such a big thing. Next time you go out, don't say you are from the General's Mansion." The servant looked at the fat man with contempt and sneered.
"What's the matter, my brother Zi Teng?"
"Wasn't Zhao Shuzuo poisoned to death in our front yard?"
"Uh, yeah, what's wrong?"
"The person who poisoned the food has been found. There's a chance that the palace guards will come to arrest him soon." The servant said solemnly.
"Is it true?" The fat boy's simple and honest expression disappeared in an instant, and a gossipy face immediately emerged.
"I'm going to lie to you, I'm going to read my name Du Ziteng backwards"
... ...
Looking around the General's Mansion, there were cows flying everywhere. This rumor was so detailed that if someone compiled it later, it could be published as a book.
Amidst all this nonsense, the face of a woman in her twenties became increasingly gloomy with each passing moment.
This woman had beautiful eyebrows and features, but there was a hint of sinister evil between her eyes, which completely destroyed her beauty, leaving only a ferocious look. This person was none other than Zhu Si.
Zhu Si is the only spy sent by Cuiwei Pavilion to the General's Mansion to keep a close eye on Zhu Li's movements. She has sneaked into the mansion since Zhu Shi and his wife moved into Shanyang. It can be said that she is the spy who has been lurking in the General's Mansion for the longest time, not even the first one.
Because she had always been serving Zheng personally, her status was not low. Even Yuchi Jin, Wang Yueyao, Guo Qizuo and others had to be polite and respectfully address her as Mrs. Zhu when they saw her.
In later generations, if one could work to this level, one could be considered successful. It was a time of great success and she could apply for early retirement and lead a leisurely life of contentment. However, a sudden order from Cuiwei Pavilion put her in a precarious situation.
Cuiwei Pavilion got wind that the Heshuo military seemed to have mastered an important technology. They didn't know what specific technology it was, but they only knew that this technology seemed to be related to Zhao Jing. This was all thanks to Liu's actions of hunting down Zhao Jing. It was precisely because of Liu's fierce behavior that it attracted the attention of Cuiwei Pavilion.
The shrewish woman forced Zhao Jing into a state of desperation, and he finally had to seek Zhu Li's consent and move into the General's Mansion. How could the Cuiwei Pavilion's servants miss such a good opportunity, as they had connections in the General's Mansion.
Shi Yu immediately ordered Zhu Si to go and investigate, hoping to succeed quickly so as to get some useful information from Zhao Jing.
After receiving the order, Zhu Si did not dare to neglect it and took the opportunity to come to Zhao Jing's residence that night.
As the saying goes, greed blinds the mind and sex controls the soul. As a beautiful lady, how could Zhu Si not take advantage of her inherent advantages? A vivid and wicked drama of Brother Zhao happened at Zhao Jing's residence.
Zhu Li was always on expeditions abroad. As Zhu Li's recently promoted secretary, Zhao Jing usually had nothing to do. However, as an official in Heshuo, how could he not know some key figures
Zhao Jing obviously knew Zhu Si's identity, as she was a capable person around Zhu Li's mother. Although he cheered himself up and had a little fun with Zhu Si, he would not dare to cross the line even if he had ten times the courage.
No matter how hard Zhu Si tried and how much she sacrificed her looks, Zhao Jing still adhered to the gentleman's way. He could tease her but refrain from touching her. His life and future sexual happiness were hanging by a thread, so how could he not control himself? However, Zhu Si's behavior did arouse his suspicion.
As for Justine, she flirted and flattered herself in front of a stranger, but not only did she fail to achieve her goal, she also aroused the other party's suspicion, which naturally aroused her anger.
Although she appeared to be in a state of amorous feelings, in her heart she was cursing Zhao Jing's ancestors for eighteen generations: Damn it, what an idiot with the intention of stealing but not the courage. I have delivered the goods to his door, but this guy doesn't dare to move. How can she complete the task
Not only did Zhao Jing not touch her, but he spoke evasively, as if he was trying to find out her purpose, which made Zhu Si have evil intentions.
She was someone close to Zheng and was not afraid of others' suspicion of her, but Zhu Li was definitely not among them.
Unfortunately, Zhao Jing happened to be someone close to Zhu Li. As long as Zhao Jing gossiped about Zhu Li, she would be in trouble.
People who have something to hide cannot stand being investigated, and they will almost certainly be found out once they are investigated.
She is still young, and her best years have just begun; she has a bright future. Shiyu once promised in person that when Shiyu leaves Shanyang, he will hand over Cuiwei Pavilion in Shanyang to her to manage. Zhu Si will never allow herself to have an accident now.
There are many ways to make a person shut up, but the most direct and safest way is to make him never speak again.
So Zhao Jing died, and his death was very miserable. Such a gentleman behaved like this, but was still exiled to Wild Dog Ridge. Where is justice
After Zhu Si killed Zhao Jing, and then heard the rumors in the General's Mansion, she was obviously like a frightened bird. It would be strange if she didn't look ugly.
However, as a senior spy, Zhu Si had to restrain herself from panicking. If she panicked, she would surely be doomed.
After some thought, she raised her brows and came up with a plan.
At this time, it was no longer safe to continue staying in the general's mansion. For Zhu Si, the safest place now was of course Cuiwei Pavilion.
How to walk out of the general's mansion and enter Cuiwei Pavilion in such a tense environment? She obviously had her own plan.
In the inner courtyard, Wang Yueyao was so sad because of Zhu Li's fainting that she fainted several times from crying.
Zhu Chun and Zheng loved her very much and placed her properly in a quiet attic.
It was quiet all around, with only a maid serving quietly, for fear of disturbing the lady who was in inexplicable sadness.
But at this moment, a figure suddenly rushed in. The maid saw the figure and was about to scold, but suddenly she saw the other person's face clearly. It was Zhu Si. She immediately swallowed back the scolding that was about to come out of her throat.
Zhu Si was a senior maid who had always been serving Zheng. In the eyes of these maids and servants, Zhu Si was almost like the CEOs of later generations, both of whom were powerful figures.
"Yue'er, is anyone here?" Wang Yueyao's voice sounded at the right time. It was obviously Zhu Si's action that woke her up.
The little girl was about to respond when she heard Wang Yueyao's question, but Zhu Si didn't wait for her to speak and immediately apologized: "I am sorry for disturbing you, my lady. I came here uninvited. It was really rude. Please forgive me, lady."
Just looking at her expression, there was no trace of suddenness, uneasiness or fear, which woke up Wang Yueyao, which was obviously exactly what she wanted.
"It's Sister Zhu Si. It's Yueyao who should be apologizing. The general is ill, but Yueyao can't do anything to help. I have to trouble the sisters in the mansion to take care of him. I feel really ashamed." Wang Yueyao sighed with sobs and self-pity.
She wanted to be like Yuchi Jin and step forward to take charge of the situation after Zhu Li suddenly got into trouble, so as to share some responsibility with the person in her heart.
But when she saw that her lover was missing and barely breathing, she felt so painful that she wanted to die, and her whole body felt weak and powerless as if she had lost her soul.
"My lady, there's no need to be so formal. Besides, it's because of the general that you've become so haggard." Zhu Si kept trying to comfort her, her face full of concern. Her expression was like that of an old woman in her fifties or sixties who was feeling sorry for her precious grandson.
Wang Yueyao has seen this kind of care too much in the past few days. The more others show this kind of care, the more uncomfortable she feels.
Wang Yueyao was also a very strong-willed woman. At this time, the more others cared for and protected her, the more uncomfortable she felt and the more she blamed herself.
This expression was seen by Zhu Si, and it was exactly what she wanted, so she pretended to be casual and said: "Madam, you just need to take good care of your health, which will be the greatest help to the general. What if you put other things aside?"
"Besides, isn't Madam Yuchi still in the mansion?"
It was obviously Zhu Si who did the mention of Yuchi Jin on purpose. Others didn't know that, as a small leader of Cuiwei Pavilion, she knew everything. Wang Yueyao was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, and she had always been unwilling to be outdone by Yuchi Jin.
Mentioning Yuchi Jin at this time is not a comfort but a stimulation.
Sure enough, when Wang Yueyao heard Zhu Si mention her love rival, her originally shaky body instantly straightened up, and in her beautiful eyes like night pearls, there was a flickering flame of unwillingness.