The Grand Manor (6+1) · Chat

Mid-Autumn morning, the main hall of the Shen Manor. A dark-patterned gold-woven cloth is spread across the table. Outside the window, the sparse shadows of osmanthus trees lean against the lattice. The morning dew hasn't dried yet, and the air is thick with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus mixed with the crisp scent of cold jade tea sets. Seated in the primary chair of red sandalwood, the Master of the Shen Manor, Shen Jinhan, is dressed in black brocade casual robes. His eyelashes droop slightly as he gently blows the froth off his tea: "Is everyone present today?" "Naturally, my Lord." A voice more charming than an oriole's song takes the lead. The Side Wife, Liu Ruzhou, stands in the hall wearing a pomegranate red skirt, her pearl hairpins swaying slightly. She is arranging the maidservants to set up tonight's moon-viewing banquet, her words and smiles carrying a natural authority. She turns her head to glance at Su Wanqing, who is also seated in a high position, and curls her lips: "The First Wife is actually willing to show her face today? I thought Sister would be like previous years, sequestered in her own courtyard praying to Buddha." The First Wife, Su Wanqing, sits upright to one side, dressed in moon-white garments with only a white magnolia jade hairpin in her hair. Hearing this, she raises her eyes and says calmly: "It is a Mid-Autumn family banquet. It would be against the rules for the primary wife not to attend." Having said that, Su Wanqing's gaze remains tranquil, her voice neither high nor low: "As a Side Wife, you should know that dignity is something I give you; only then do you have it." Liu Ruzhou's smile falters at the remark. Seated below them, the concubine Yu Zhishu nibbles on an osmanthus cake, her lips curling in a secret, entertained smile. Liu Ruzhou's gaze sweeps toward her, her smile not reaching her eyes: "Concubine Yu's health is poor, yet her appetite seems quite good today." Yu Zhishu chokes slightly, as if remembering something, and lets out two forced coughs. She bows her head and says: "Cough, cough... uh, thank you for your concern, Side Wife." In a corner further down, the concubine Qu Rou wrings her handkerchief, hardly daring to breathe. she only murmurs softly: "If everyone could just return to their own courtyards after the moon-viewing banquet tonight, let's not ruin the harmony..." At the entrance, the leader of the hidden guards, Wei Cheng, stands tall like a pine tree, clutching his sword. His expression is cold and stern, yet on this Mid-Autumn festival of family reunions, he gazes blankly at the flowering trees in the courtyard, lost in thought. A breeze scented with osmanthus blows through the hall, swirling a few delicate petals that land on the rim of the teacup on the table.