With a mix of excitement and nervousness, Gu Liyan happily wandered around the garden. "Xiao Bai, it's Xiao Bai... I can't be mistaken, that's Xiao Bai's voice! It's her, it must be her!"

Gu Liyan suddenly realized something. "I was indeed unconscious for a long time, but even after reincarnation, she wouldn't be this age. Could it be that after I left, she..."

Gu Liyan recalled the scene of Hua Baixian committing suicide for him, and was immediately filled with emotion. "Little Bai, have you done something foolish again because of me..."

Gu Liyan felt incredibly melancholy, but behind his sorrow, he rallied, declaring, "This time is different! I will protect you for the rest of my life!"

Just then, Huang Xi, who was passing by, saw Gu Liyan's excited expression and couldn't help but walk over and point at him, saying, "You scoundrel, whose girl are you eyeing now!"

Gu Liyan wasn't angry when Huang Xi called him a hooligan. Instead, he smiled and bowed, saying, "Hello, Miss Huang."

"Hmph, stop pretending! We all know what kind of person you are. If you don't want to work, then get out of here! Don't get in the way!" Huang Xi said irritably.

Gu Liyan smiled instead of getting angry. "Since I work here, I will naturally accept the tasks assigned by my superiors. I wonder what kind of work Miss Huang plans to give me this time?"

Huang Xi glared at Gu Liyan. "Hmph, it's good that you know who your boss is!"

Huang Xi's eyes lit up and he immediately had an idea. "Here's what we'll do. The outhouse next to the woodshed is unattended. Go and clean it from top to bottom, inside and out! You're not allowed to eat dinner until you're done!"

Huang Xi thought to himself: It's almost dinnertime, he'll definitely beg me because he can't finish cleaning up!

Looking at Huang Xi's smug smile, Gu Liyan immediately understood her little scheme. She had made this request of herself because she didn't want him to eat!

However, Gu Liyan did not refuse, but nodded gently, "Okay, I'll go right away."

Seeing Gu Liyan so calm and collected, Huang Xi stomped her feet in anger, "I don't believe you can finish cleaning up this!"

...

Soon, it was dinner time, and the women gathered together again to eat and chat about everyday things.

“Sixth Sister will be hosting tomorrow. She just sent word that she won’t be back until tonight and asked us to help her prepare her dance dress,” Hongling said. “I’ll leave this to Fifth Sister. I need to prepare for hosting the ceremony the day after tomorrow.”

Qingqing didn't say anything, just nodded slightly and then lowered her head to eat.

"Sigh, I wonder how Sixth Sister is doing with her mission. It's really worrying," Cheng Xi sighed, her face filled with concern.

"Don't worry, Sixth Sister's swordsmanship is superb, she'll definitely be fine!" Green Embroidery said.

Qingqing sat in the corner, focused only on eating, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

"By the way, Qingqing. I heard someone was causing trouble while you were in charge?" Green Embroidery looked at Qingqing and asked calmly, "Has it been dealt with?"

The women raised their heads and looked at Qingqing with serious expressions and questioning gazes.

Qingqing pursed her lips and nodded, saying nothing.

"That's good. If something like this happens again, have your servant inform us. Don't let the master down!" Hong Ling nodded and spoke in a lecturing tone.

Qingqing nodded in response.

"I'm full," Huang Xi said, putting down her chopsticks, and then ran out of the room.

"Isn't she on a diet? Why did she eat so much? What's she rushing off to?" Cheng Xi asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Didn't Third Sister say she was going to mess with Gu Liyan? I guess she made him clean the latrines, and now she's adding some fuel to the fire!" Green Embroidery's eyes lit up, and she said with a smile.

The women burst into laughter.

Clang—

Everyone was startled by the sound of the bowls and chopsticks. All eyes turned to Qingqing, who angrily put down her bowls and chopsticks.

"Qing, Qingqing? What's wrong?" Green Embroidery was startled and asked cautiously.

The other three also looked at Qingqing with strange expressions, all of them showing dissatisfaction.

Qingqing stood up and used sign language:

He (Gu Liyan) is not a bad person. Today, someone harassed me, and he was the one who helped me out since you weren't there!

The three women stared blankly at Qingqing, their expressions turning strange—

Huang Xi, clutching her stomach, went to the outhouse, only to be greeted by a fragrance of peach blossoms. "Did I go to the wrong place? Why does it smell so good?"

“You’re not wrong, this is indeed a latrine!” Gu Liyan leaned against the tree trunk, drinking his wine as he looked at Huang Xi.

"You, you filthy scoundrel! What are you doing sitting here?" Huang Xi pointed at Gu Liyan and said angrily.

"Are you stupid? Didn't you ask me to clean the latrines?" Gu Liyan said with a smile.

"I told you to work, not to slack off!" Huang Xi said angrily.

"I didn't slack off, I've already done what you asked, but..."

Gu Liyan glanced at Huang Xi and said with a smile, "If anyone needs to use the restroom after this, that's not my job! I need to go eat now, goodbye!"

"You!" Huang Xi pointed at Gu Liyan, her stomach suddenly throbbing with anger, leaving her powerless. She stomped her feet in fury. "You just wait!"

After saying that, he ran into the outhouse...

"You think I'm as stupid as you to wait? It smells weird here, so let's go." Gu Liyan turned and left.

When Huang Xi came out again, Gu Liyan was no longer there. "That bastard, I don't believe I can't deal with you!"

Back in her room, Huang Xi was surprised to find Qing Qing and the others waiting at the door. Huang Xi asked in surprise, "Why did you all come here?"

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