And Ji Shuran was the stepmother; given this delicate relationship, speculations abounded.
When these words reached Ji Shuran's ears, she was quite upset, yet she treated Jiang Li even more kindly and affectionately, making Jiang Li feel exceedingly uncomfortable.
In Shuxiu Garden, the maids both inside and outside the courtyard were earnestly performing their duties, as everyone knew that Ji Shuran had been in a foul mood these past few days. Fearful of being made scapegoats, they worked with even more diligence than usual.
Two maids stood guard at the entrance, while inside, not even the ice in the bronze cow seemed capable of dispelling the heat of late summer, which only made the oppressive sultriness stir restlessness in everyone's hearts.
Ji Shuran was speaking with her sister, Lady Ji Chen.