Chapter 17 clearly indicates the presence of evil spirits!

Si Niannian cursed Jie Ge'an in her heart countless times. After wandering around for a while, she knocked on the door of a house and was warmly welcomed inside by the person who opened the door.

Half an hour later, the person wearing the gauze hat returned to Huajianfu, seemingly confirming their identity as a kitchen helper.

Everything seemed normal.

Listening to his subordinate's report, Jie Ge'an said in a deep voice, "Wrong."

The person who came back was not the one who went out.

Even though I don't know when I was left behind, I was wrong.

Gu Yu was so shocked that she stammered, "Master, I followed you the whole way and I definitely didn't see wrong, besides..."

"It doesn't taste right."

Jie Ge'an waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more, and subtly toyed with the teacup in his hand, saying, "You really couldn't smell anything?"

That unique, cool fragrance, so rich it even had a touch of bitterness, permeated every nook and cranny, lingering long afterward, as if it had hooks that burrowed into his very being.

Whenever this smell appeared, Jie Ge'an's heart would inexplicably skip a beat.

That's how it was last time.

This time too.

But whether it was last time or this time, it seemed that only he could smell that fragrance.

The group, including Gu Yu, looked at each other blankly and shook their heads.

I can't smell it, I can't smell it at all.

Jie Ge'an found it amusing and scoffed, "This is interesting. It's not incense, could it be a strange poison targeting me?"

"Send someone to find out what the eldest daughter of the Song family is doing today. Go now."

"As for him..." Jie Ge'an looked at Tian Ye, who had passed out drunk, and said impatiently, "Have his men take him away."

He's wasted enough time on this idiot.

Gu Yu hurried to carry the person away, but Jie Ge'an suddenly said, "Call Xu Wuyang over tonight, I have something to ask him."

When Jie Ge'an left, he also took with him the pastry box that Lao Ding had prepared for him. It had eight layers, and each layer was filled with the special pastries of Huajianfu.

Old Ding wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said with a sigh of relief, "We've finally gotten rid of this big shot. Did he see through something just now?"

Otherwise, why would it be so abnormal?

The flower maid took off her veil and said disdainfully, "Impossible."

Jie Ge'an and Si Niannian had only met once, so they would never recognize each other.

Furthermore, Xie Ge'an holds a high position of power; how could he possibly be interested in the daughter of a minor official?

Hua Niang pouted and said, "I think he just didn't want to deal with that noisy wild boar next to him, so he made up some excuse to talk nonsense."

"Stop thinking about it," Hua Niang patted Lao Ding on the shoulder. "You keep an eye on the shop. I'm going to deliver something to the girl."

Si Niannian did not mention a word about her situation in the Song family.

She took the opportunity to find out what was going on.

However, when Hua Niang arrived at the Song family with a load of goods on her shoulders and introduced herself, she only saw a head maidservant from Madam Song's side.

The maidservant, with an arrogant expression, covered her nose from several steps away: "So, you're the one who wants to see our mistress?"

Hua Niang gave a simple, honest smile: "It's me."

“Niannian and I are from the same hometown, so I came here specifically to bring her some things. I also brought some local produce for Niannian’s mother, all of which are in this carrying pole!”

"Let me open it and show you," the flower seller said with a smile, lifting the leaves covering the basket. "These local produce are all homegrown. I brought them all this way just to..."

"Alright!"

The maid gave Hua Niang a disdainful look and said scornfully, "Things from the countryside, who knows if they've been gnawed by rats? Nobody wants these junk!"

Hua Niang nervously rubbed her hands together.

The maid said impatiently, "Madam said that there are matters to attend to at home and it is not convenient to entertain you right now. Leave your things here and go quickly."

If you have any contact with a poor, down-on-their-luck relative, it's like getting infected with lice.

The Song family must absolutely not touch such filthy things!

They are not allowed to enter the Song family's house!

The flower girl's smile was bitter as she said uneasily, "What if these things...?"

"Someone come here," the maid beckoned, pointing to the carrying pole, "take this to Jiuyou Hall."

"Tell the young woman that this was a gift from a poor relative in her hometown, and that she has plenty of these worthless things at home. She shouldn't receive any more of these gifts in the future!"

The old woman who was assigned to deliver the goods left with her carrying pole.

Hua Niang's eyes flickered slightly, as if she didn't want to leave yet, and she hesitated before saying, "Please, young lady, have mercy and let me see Madam. I actually still want to..."

"Madam is unavailable!"

The maid gave the gatekeeper a wink and said sternly, "If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or don't blame me for being rude!"

After Hua Niang left, turning back every few steps, the maid immediately ran to Madam Song and said, "Just as you thought, Madam, that woman clearly had ulterior motives."

If he hadn't been trying to curry favor with her, why would he have repeatedly asked to see the lady?

Madam Song said with a dark face, "I knew it would turn out like this!"

The Song family was insignificant among the powerful and wealthy families in Yujing.

But for some unruly people from poor and remote areas, no matter how big or small the official residence is, the Song family is already the ceiling that such people from the bottom of society can climb!

Those who were brought back with Si Niannian are indeed troublesome!

Madam Song said irritably, "Give the order that from now on, anyone who has any dealings with Si Niannian is not allowed to enter!"

The maid ran off to deliver the message. Madam Song pressed her temples wearily, her voice filled with frustration: "How is Han'er doing?"

Starting last night, unexplained water stains appeared out of nowhere in Song Qinghan's yard.

The floor tiles, walls, and even tables, chairs, and beds were covered in dark water stains, and the nauseating stench seemed to crawl into one's brain as soon as it was exposed.

What's even more frightening is that these water stains just won't come off no matter how much you wipe them!

Even though I just finished wiping it a moment ago, many new ones will appear in the blink of an eye!

This scene was so bizarre that Madam Song nearly fainted several times throughout the night. She had no choice but to temporarily close the courtyard under the pretext of letting Song Qinghan recuperate.

But sealing off the yard isn't the solution!

Moreover, Song Qinghan is still...

Mother Qian took a careful breath and whispered, "We've already sent someone to the outskirts of the city to invite a master; we should have news soon."

"Should we invite Doctor Zhao back again to give the Second Miss a proper check-up?"

"What good is a doctor?"

Madam Song retorted angrily, "Can a doctor really handle Han'er's condition?!"

The doctor clearly said that Song Qinghan was fine, but the way she looked, it was obvious that something was seriously wrong!

Furthermore, Song Mo inexplicably broke his leg, and his family suffered a series of misfortunes and bloodshed. It was clear that evil spirits were at work!

Mrs. Qian dared not speak.

Madam Song sighed repeatedly with worry: "Go and watch over Han'er yourself. Make sure she stays safe and doesn't get hurt!"

As for the rest, we'll just have to wait until the master arrives...

Madam Song was so anxious that her eyes were bloodshot. Without taking a break, she went to see Song Mo again.

Song Mo still hasn't woken up since last night!

While Madam Song was rushing to visit her youngest son, Si Niannian also received local produce delivered by Hua Niang.

Lai's mother kept quiet about Si Niannian being out for most of the day. She sorted out the things in the basket and said in a surprised tone, "I don't know what this fabric is made of. The feel is different from other fabrics."

It is not as smooth as silk, but softer than satin.

It looks ordinary, but it feels softer than the cotton stuffing in a cotton-padded jacket. It warms to the touch and is even more delicate than a baby's skin!

Si Niannian thought to herself that these were all made from the softest part of the cotton core, so of course they were different.

He feigned ignorance, saying, "Really? It's like this all the time in Guanbei. Hasn't Mom seen it before?"

Madam Lai chuckled and shook her head: "To be honest, young lady, this is truly the first time I've ever seen anything like this!"

Si Niannian slowly uttered an "ah".

Madam Lai said happily, "Although I can't tell the difference between good and bad, this soft undergarment will definitely be more comfortable to wear than slippery material."

"This servant will help you put them away, Miss. From now on, you can wear these!"

Anyway, no one can see what's underneath, so Si Niannian will never be laughed at for being shabby!

Si Niannian nodded in deep agreement, took a bite of the pastry in her hand, and said, "Is Qinghan Courtyard still sealed off?"

Madam Lai paused, closed the door, and whispered, "When the young lady went out, I went to inquire."

"I heard that the second young lady's condition doesn't seem to be very good..."

Si Niannian became interested and raised an eyebrow, asking, "How is it bad?"