"What amazing news? Look how happy my second sister-in-law is."

Li Youran nimbly jumped off the carriage and looked at Zhao Lanzhi.

"I guarantee you'll be shocked when I tell you this," Zhao Lanzhi said with a smile, keeping everyone in suspense. "Wang Xiangyu is pregnant!"

This was truly a rare piece of news. Li Youran was taken aback at first, then raised an eyebrow with interest.

"To try to ignite something by striking ice," Li Youran continued. "Second sister-in-law, that's absolutely impossible."

Li Youran knew this better than anyone else: Wang Xiangyu could never be pregnant, unless…

A bold idea suddenly popped into Li Youran's mind, and she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows again.

"Little sister, you are unaware of this."

"My little sister is still young, don't tell her those nonsense things."

Just as Zhao Lanzhi was about to continue speaking, Li Tairan interrupted her.

"Second sister-in-law, don't pay attention to second brother, hurry up and continue."

No matter how much Li Youran tried to coax her, Zhao Lanzhi just smiled and remained silent.

"It's nothing, let Lanzhi finish what she has to say!"

Seeing Li Youran's intense curiosity, Madam Li said helplessly.

After listening to Zhao Lanzhi's story about seeking a child, Li Youran raised his eyebrows in surprise for the third time.

"The rumors that the little sister still has the mark of virginity have been circulating all over the streets, and everyone knows that Lu Chuan is impotent. Now that Wang Xiangyu is pregnant again, everyone has this suspicion, but they only dare to talk about it behind her back and dare not say it to her face."

Zhao Lanzhi added.

"Wang Xiangyu's family doesn't care about all that. They don't care if the child is Lu Chuan's or not, as long as the Lu family is willing to acknowledge the child. If Wang Xiangyu gives birth to a boy, he will be the Lu family's first grandson. The Wang family is very arrogant now, walking around with their heads held high."

Li Youran finally understood: Lu Chuan wanted this child to quell the rumors. Therefore, the Lu family must know where the child came from, and perhaps they even orchestrated it themselves—after all, what despicable things wouldn't the Lu family do?

Li Youran considered the matter closed after hearing about it, since she had no interest in dealing with such uninteresting things.

Remembering that Tang Lei had said he would leave around the Lantern Festival, and the Lantern Festival was the day after tomorrow, Li Youran wondered if Tang Lei had left or not. So, early the next morning, she drove her carriage to the blacksmith shop.

They were still a day late. Uncle Tang told me that Tang Lei had set off early the day before.

Li Youran was disappointed when she arrived at the wrong place. She initially intended to go straight home, but after thinking about it, she took the carriage to the steamed bun shop instead.

"You old man, you still know how to come back." Hua Ruyu rolled her eyes at Li Youran and said with disdain.

Since Li Youran encouraged Hua Ruyu to boldly pursue Tang Lei, their relationship has progressed further, gradually developing into that of best friends, and they speak to each other without any reservations.

"Working for you was originally just a cover, but who knew it would become my main job."

Hua Ruyu deeply regretted her impulsive decision to agree to watch the steamed bun shop for Li Youran for a few days.

"What's wrong? Hasn't Xiao Zhou finished with the things at home yet?"

Before the Lunar New Year, Xiao Zhou asked for leave to go home for the holiday, saying he wouldn't be back until the sixth day of the new year.

Li Youran thought that Hua Ruyu only needed to be looked after for a few days, but who knew that Xiao Zhou's family had arranged a blind date for him and he had been busy until now and had not returned.

"Alright, alright, it's a major life event after all. I'll stay here and help you out for a few more days."

Hua Ruyi wasn't really bothered by the matter, so she readily waved her hand.

"Fortunately, I hired another capable colleague who helped me a lot."

As Hua Ruyi spoke, she shouted loudly towards the kitchen.

"Iron Ox~"

"The shopkeeper's here!"

Just from the name, Li Youran thought he was a big, stupid guy, but she didn't expect him to be a tall and handsome man.

"Shopkeeper, is there anything you need me to do?"

Tie Niu wiped his hands on his apron and continued.

"It's still cold now, so you shouldn't wipe the table anymore. A girl's hands are very delicate and can't be exposed to cold water."

Hua Ruyu nodded shyly when she heard Tie Niu's words.

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.

Li Youran found Tie Niu rather strange. Despite having such good qualities, he chose to work as a waiter in a steamed bun shop.

Moreover, Hua Ruyu was tall and burly, not the kind of woman men would find attractive. Yet, Tie Niu would intentionally or unintentionally say sweet things to her and flirt with her.

Something unusual must be going on. Li Youran felt it was best to be cautious and take precautions against Tie Niu.

However, seeing Hua Ruyu's expression, she felt that even if she told her, Hua Ruyu might not believe her.

"By the way, two scholars came looking for you earlier and left you letters."

As Hua Ruyu spoke, she took out two letters from her bosom and continued.

"I didn't realize you were so charming; you have so many admirers."

Hua Ruyu said sourly.

Seeing that Li Youran was about to leave after receiving the letter, Hua Ruyu shouted loudly at Li Youran.

"Why don't you open it and let me see? I've never seen what a love letter looks like before!"

Li Youran was very fortunate that it wasn't mealtime. If there were other people around, she would have wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

"It's just selling some lousy steamed buns, what's so great about that? Even if I smash your whole shop today, I can afford to pay for it!"

Li Youran originally wanted to help out at the pancake shop, but as soon as she arrived, she heard someone causing trouble. When she got closer and saw that it was Wang Niangzi, Li Youran suddenly felt a headache coming on. She thought to herself, "Does this crazy woman really think the Li family is easy to bully?"

"Smash it, smash it as hard as you can, I'm sure you can afford to pay for it."

When Lady Wang heard Li Youran's words, she stopped what she was doing and wondered if Li Youran was frightened by her and that she would say such a thing.

"It's because your daughter is said to have nine sons of a dragon, each one different. Ordinary people like us can't do this."

When the onlookers heard Li Youran's words, they knew she was mocking Wang Xiangyu for having a child from the Mountain of Seeking Children, and they burst into laughter.

"You adulterous whore who can't even lay a child of her own, yet you dare to slander my Xiangyu! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

"Madam Wang, did I say anything? I was clearly praising your Xiangyu for being fertile!"

After Li Youran finished speaking, she turned to the crowd of onlookers and asked a question.

"Don't you all agree?"

Yes~

Several people who enjoyed a good laugh joined in the commotion.

"Fine, you just wait, I'll get someone to deal with you!"

When Lady Wang saw that public opinion was turning against her, she fled in panic.

"Madam Wang, I wish your Xiangyu will quickly give birth to nine sons!"

Li Youran shouted loudly at Wang Niangzi's back, followed by another burst of laughter.