After dinner, Shi's mother, who had been worried about Shi Rong for many days, naturally wanted to talk to her son. Shi Xi also had something to say to his brother and lingered, unwilling to leave.

Shi Lan knew that Shi Yi's visit this time was not to congratulate her but to cause trouble, so after dinner she dragged Cui Zhi to take a walk in the garden. Tian Guo glanced at Shi Yi who was following closely behind, turned around silently, but quietly followed behind after Shi Yi passed by.

Shi Lan admired the scenery as she arrived at the pavilion. Cui Zhi laid out a soft cushion, and Shi Lan sat down on it, looking down at Shi Yi who was walking towards her from afar. Shi Yi gently placed her fair fingers on Cherry's arm, her slender waist swaying gracefully, her enchanting and elegant steps leisurely. The evening breeze blew, blowing her lilac dress, revealing her winding waist and her long and beautiful neck.

Shi Lan pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, thinking to herself, "She's not even of marriageable age yet and she's already so charming. No wonder she's so infatuated with Ning Zhan that he disregarded military orders and insisted on storming the enemy camp."

Seeing Shi Yi's behavior, Cui Zhi muttered disapprovingly, "So effeminate, what kind of behavior is this?"

Shi Lan glanced at her indifferently.

Cuizhi quickly covered her mouth, reflecting on how she had been too indulgent lately, actually gossiping about her mistress in front of her young lady.

As Shi Yi approached, Shi Lan straightened her back more and more. Just when she thought Shi Yi was about to come in, Shi Yi stopped, raised her head slightly, and looked at Shi Lan above her.

Shi Lan was not about to back down, so she immediately widened her eyes and stared at Shi Yi.

Looking at her like this, Shi Yi suddenly gave a cold smile, her eyes and brows carrying an inexplicable meaning. Without saying anything, she turned and left.

A gentle breeze stirred. Shi Lan blinked her sore eyes and turned to Cui Zhi, asking in a daze, "What is she laughing at?"

Cuizhi shook her head, looking puzzled.

Shi Lan raised her chubby hand and rubbed her chin. After a while, she suddenly said, "Let's go back." With that, she jumped off the stone bench and walked outside.

Cuizhi was a little puzzled, but she didn't ask any more questions. She followed Shi Lan all the way back to Lanxiang Courtyard. As soon as they entered, Shi Lan called out to Tianye and asked her to go to the side courtyard to monitor Shi Yi's every move.

Sweet Leaf hesitated, not moving.

Shi Lan was very unhappy, and her usually gentle and bright eyes turned cold. "If you don't want to, go back to Rong Qing's place. My place is too small to accommodate a big Buddha."

Sweet Leaf's expression changed instantly, and a fierce aura burst forth from her body.

Shi Lan stared at her coldly, her rosy lips pressed tightly together.

Sweet Leaf lowered her eyes, remaining silent, yet her feet seemed rooted to the spot, motionless.

Shi Lan clenched her fists slightly, her large eyes scanning the surroundings, as if she were about to call for help.

Cui Zhi looked at the two people in the room with unease, wanting to persuade them, but she dared not speak because of Shi Lan's attitude.

At the door, Sweetie brought in the stewed medicinal soup. Seeing that something was wrong in the room, she quickly smiled and said, "Miss, the temperature of this soup is just right. After you drink this, I will give you a new prescription tomorrow. Please don't complain that it's too sweet."

Shi Lan looked up at her, and Tian Guo's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, seemingly unaware of the tense atmosphere in the room.

Shi Lan took the medicine bowl, lowered her head and smelled it; a faint licorice scent mixed with a hint of bitterness.

Shi Lan frowned, but still drank the medicine in one gulp. She picked up a piece of apricot flesh marinated with herbs, honey and other ingredients, and slowly sipped it. The bitterness in her mouth gradually subsided, and a faint sweetness slowly returned.

Shi Lan narrowed her eyes, her slightly furrowed brows smoothed out, and the emotions that had almost erupted just now subsided.

Sweet Fruit glanced at Shi Lan, then turned and pulled Sweet Leaf, saying, "Miss, if there's nothing else, we'll go downstairs."

Shi Lan glanced at the sweet fruit, then at the sweet leaves, and nodded in agreement.

During this time, Tianguo had done her best to help her recover from her injuries. Although she was acting on Rong Qing's orders, Shi Lan appreciated it and was happy to give her face at this time.

Sweet Fruit greeted them with a smile, then pulled the stubborn Sweet Leaf back to the small kitchen.

As soon as she entered, Sweet Fruit ignored Sweet Leaf and said coldly, "You've become so powerful now, you don't even listen to Miss anymore."

Sweet Leaf glanced at Sweet Fruit and said sarcastically, "I'm not as good as you. Look how happy you've made this little girl. I think you should stay here and be your capable head maid. Maybe you can find a good husband and become a housekeeper or something."

Sweet Fruit was so angry that her face turned pale and then red. After breathing for a while, she finally calmed down.

"What did our master say before sending us here?" Sweet Fruit looked at her coldly and said, "He told us to follow Miss Shi, obey her orders, and protect her, right?"

Sweetie looked at her without saying a word.

Sweet Fruit continued, "But what about you? A few days ago, Miss was unwell and stayed indoors, not going out for a walk. You didn't want to stay here and went out to find some peace and quiet, so I pretended not to see it. But now she has something she needs you to do, and you're hiding behind her. What are you trying to do?"

"You're the only one she has who knows martial arts. What's wrong with sending you to gather information?" Sweet Fruit stepped forward and said, "I think you've had too many good days and forgotten your master's temperament. Over the years, have you seen any of the unruly assassins still alive?"

Sweet Leaf immediately recalled the tragic fate of those people, and her body involuntarily shivered.

Sweet Fruit lifted the lid of the steaming earthenware pot, looked inside at the red date and egg stew, and said, "You've seen Shi Yi's skills before. She was crippled by the master just like that. How could she be willing to accept it? Anyone would hate Miss to the bone in her place. You should keep a close eye on her now and pray that she doesn't behave herself, so that you can make amends. Miss is kind-hearted and doesn't hold grudges. Those who do their best for her will not be treated unfairly, and that applies to you and me as well."

Sweet Leaf's eyes flickered slightly, but she still looked somewhat unwilling.

Sweet Fruit lowered her head and stirred the earthenware pot, saying in a low voice, "Even top assassins like us can't guarantee success every time. It's fate that we're here to serve Miss Shi. Who else have you seen the special treatment Master gives Miss Shi?" She paused, then said earnestly, "As long as we do our best and try to build a good relationship, if something unexpected happens in the future, Master might spare our lives for Miss Shi's sake."

Sweet Leaf lowered his head, lost in thought and remained silent.

Sweet Fruit scooped out a small half bowl of steamed egg and stuffed it into Sweet Leaf's hand. "Eat quickly, and then go to the side courtyard. Don't delay Miss's business."

Sweetie looked up at her, then at the steaming bowl in her hand, finished her meal in a few bites, her expression hardening, and disappeared into the night.

In the middle of the night, the maids and servants had all gone to bed. Shi Lan lay on the edge of the bed reading the biography of a virtuous woman, while Cui Zhi sat beside her, gently rubbing her itchy wounds. A few noises came from outside the door, followed by Tian Ye's voice.

"Is Miss asleep?"

Shi Lan tilted her head and looked at Cui Zhi.

Cuizhi got up and opened the closed door, whispering, "I was just about to go to sleep. Come in and talk if you need anything."

Sweetie nodded, slipped inside, quickly walked to the bedside, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "Miss, someone secretly went to the side courtyard just now. I followed her all the way and watched her return to the main courtyard..." (To be continued.)