These women were sleeping very soundly, apparently drugged before they arrived. Xiang Wan didn't have any Rehe medicine on hand to wake them up quickly, and even if she could, what to do with them was another problem. Their pulses were steady; they were just ordinary people. If she let them go, they might be intercepted halfway, and their fate would be even worse.

The safest approach seems to be to leave them here and block the door. This room is quite secluded; aside from Old Yang, whom Li Yu mentioned, it's unlikely anyone else will easily come here. If they do wake up midway, they'll have to rely on their own luck.

Thinking of this, Xiang Wan pressed acupoints on each of the women to induce sleep, ensuring they would be in bed for an hour or two. She took some small iron tools from the wall and kept them on her person for future use. She also used the tools on the wall to set up some traps. These would be able to deter anyone who tried to force their way in.

After finishing all that, Xiang Wan tidied her clothes, went out the door, and walked in another direction.

This floor seemed to be for those wearing veils; I saw quite a few people resting in the rooms along the way. The furnishings were very simple, mostly just a communal sleeping area with some toiletries. There was a window in the door, specifically for observation.

All of these people were either sitting silently or lying down asleep, their veils still on, and no one was seen talking to each other. Xiang Wan then realized that what Li Yu had said was true; the faces beneath the veils had had their tongues cut out and noses gouged out, making it impossible for them to speak or converse with each other.

On the way, they encountered a patrolman wearing a mask who shouted at Xiang Wan.

"Why are you wandering around? If you're going to be a pig, you have to act like one. Obedience is the only condition for your survival."

Xiang Wan stood still, and the man pulled out a whip from behind his waist and lashed it at her with a sharp crack. Xiang Wan jumped back and dodged it.

"Oh ho, you dare to resist? If I don't beat you to a pulp today, how will you ever show your face here again?"

The man raised his arm, glaring fiercely at Xiang Wan, as if to lash out at her chest. Xiang Wan lowered her head, silently clenching the hidden weapon between her fingertips, ready to throw it the moment the man swung the whip.

"You're crazy, losing your temper again?"

A familiar voice rang out from behind the person. Xiang Wan glanced up quickly, then silently lowered her head and put the hidden weapon back.

Shi Di arrived here at some unknown time, still wearing his mask, but Xiang Wan recognized him.

"Uh, young master, what brings you here?" The man put down his hand, put away his whip, and bowed as he said, "I was disciplining this blind fool. I apologize for the commotion."

"Stop bullying them, we're counting on them to do the work."

"Yes, yes, young master, I know you are kind-hearted. You have no idea what these people are like behind the scenes, even though they usually act very obedient. If we don't teach them a lesson, who knows what they will become."

"Alright, stop talking. You might as well find a place to rest instead."

"Yes, I'm going back right away."

"Um."

After Shi Di finished speaking, he turned and left, and Xiang Wan silently followed him.

The man stared hatefully at Xiang Wan's back, as if he wanted to poke a hole in her with his eyes. After the man walked away, he muttered something, turned around, and strode away.

Xiang Wan pretended not to see anything, lowered her head, and followed closely behind Shi Di.

After walking for a while, Shi Di stopped and turned to look at Xiang Wan. Xiang Wan had her head down and wasn't looking at the road. When she saw that the people in front of her had stopped, she stopped as well.

What are you doing following me?

Xiang Wan clenched her hands tightly and silently lowered her head even further.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you can't speak."

Shi Di reached out and lifted her chin. Xiang Wan glanced at him in a panic, dodged his hand, and lowered her head to the side.

"Don't be nervous, I won't do anything to you," Shi Di said with a light laugh. "Saving you just now was nothing more than a small favor, you don't need to follow me."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Wan shook her head vigorously, looked up at him with a mournful expression, and then pretended to be stubborn, sticking her neck out as if she was determined to follow him.

Shi Di shook his head, turned around, and strode forward. Xiang Wan followed closely behind, keeping a distance of about ten feet.

Having finally run into Shi Di here, he could glean some information from him. Besides, judging from his appearance, he didn't recognize him, making it easier to follow him under the pretext of repaying a debt of gratitude.

Reaching a doorway, Shi Di turned around and waited for Xiang Wan to come up to him before teasingly asking, "I need to use the restroom now, are you coming with me?"

Xiang Wan nodded and silently stood aside, waiting.

Shi Di smiled and pushed open the door to enter. Not long after, he came out and walked in another direction.

Xiang Wan quickly followed him, turning several corners and climbing a few steps until they arrived at a separate room. Shi Di opened the door and went in, without closing it. Xiang Wan hesitated at the door for a moment, then pushed it open and entered.

"Brother Di, why did you bring someone with you?"

Feng Yulian's sweet voice rang out, and Xiang Wan froze, immediately standing still. She lowered her eyes, thankfully wearing a veil, so she wouldn't be recognized for a while.

She had marked her all the way, never expecting her to appear before her like this. So, these two had been together all along; their performance in front of her before was truly Oscar-worthy. It's understandable that the original owner hadn't noticed. Unfortunately, she had hoped to get Feng Yulian to betray her, but reality slapped her hard in the face. Thinking back on her conversations with Feng Yulian along the way, and her own words and actions, she really wanted to slap herself to clear her head.

Xiang Wan waited quietly, wondering what Shi Di wanted to do by letting her in.

"Lian'er, don't worry, it's just about finding someone to serve you."

"Really? Could he be someone with ulterior motives?"

As Feng Yulian spoke, she scrutinized Xiang Wan from head to toe with a critical eye, and reached out to lift her veil.

Xiang Wan turned her head and moved a few steps to the side.

Feng Yulian was furious and shouted, "Why are you hiding? What's wrong with me glancing at you? You're just a servant, what makes you think you can be so temperamental?"

When he reached out to lift the veil again, Xiang Wan quickly hid behind Shi Di, grabbing his hem and saying she would never let go.

"Brother Di, step aside. I'm going to lift her veil today and see what kind of face is behind it. She still dares to cling to you."

Xiang Wan clung tightly to Shi Di's back, shaking her head desperately, as if Shi Di was her last lifeline.

Shi Di chuckled, put his arm around Feng Yulian's shoulder, and whispered something in her ear. A moment later, Feng Yulian beamed and gave Xiang Wan a disdainful glare.