The next morning, carriages arrived one after another outside the gate of the Shi residence. Shi's father and Shi Ronggong stood at the gate to welcome their colleagues, relatives, and classmates. Liu Mama, with a group of maids, led the female relatives who came with her to the banquet hall connected to the garden at the back.

Shi's mother got up early and, with Shi Xi, who was becoming more and more like a young lady, greeted the ladies and young women. Shi Lan didn't want to discuss cosmetics with girls who were much older than her, nor did she want to play with children of similar age, so she pleaded with her mother to go out later.

Shi's mother felt sorry for her weak body, so she told her to rest well and that if she still wanted to move around after the hottest part of the day, she could go to the garden to sit.

Shi Lan smiled and agreed. After the messenger left, she leaned back on the couch and muttered to herself, "I wonder if that young master of the Zhou family will come."

Hearing this, Cuizhi, who was tidying up the curtains, turned around with a smile and said, "He will definitely come. The Zhou family is very concerned about face. The esteemed Jieyuan Gong (top scholar in the imperial examinations) has specially sent an invitation. Even if Zhou Yuanming is busy, he will make time to come."

Shi Lan relaxed a bit, but she was still a little uneasy until she heard the person coming over. Seeing this, Tian Ye volunteered, "Miss, why don't I go out and take a look? If Zhou Yuanming doesn't know what's good for him, I'll bring him here."

Sweet Leaf's fierceness made Cui Zhi break out in a cold sweat. Just as she was about to say that it was inappropriate, Shi Lan nodded and praised, "That's good. Go there and see. If Zhou Yuanming has set off, be careful not to disturb him."

Sweet Leaf bowed and accepted the order, then turned and walked out.

Cuizhi moved her lips, but swallowed back the words of advice she was about to say.

Sweet Fruit smiled when she saw that Cui Zhi looked unhappy.

Cuizhi grew up in seclusion with Shilan since childhood. Although she was a maid, her treatment was almost the same as that of a young lady from an ordinary merchant family. Her way of handling things was very different from those of the Jianghu people. What surprised her was that Shilan, a daughter of an official family, acted just like her mistress, being impulsive and decisive, and not caring about whether the means were honorable or not in order to achieve her goals.

As the sun rose to its zenith, Tianguo squinted at it and said, "Miss, it's getting late. I'll go wait in the study first. You can come over after you've had lunch."

Shi Lan nodded, and Cui Zhi instructed the maid to bring out lunch.

Shi Lan was preoccupied and didn't eat much. She quickly picked up a few bites with her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and put down her chopsticks.

Cuizhi wanted to persuade her to eat some more, but looking at the rich, dark sauces on the table, she stopped herself and only reminded herself to make some soft snacks for her to eat later.

After drinking another cup of jujube tea, Tianxing hurriedly ran in from outside. As soon as she entered, she whispered, "Miss, Miss, someone's here."

“Let’s go take a look,” Shi Lan stood up abruptly and ran outside. Cui Zhi quickly pulled her narrow-sleeved, fitted skirt straight and followed closely behind.

Sweet Apricot cleverly lifted the colorful beaded chain, and after Shi Lan passed by, she jogged a few steps to lead the way.

“Miss, come this way. This is the window facing the small pavilion, so we can see what’s going on inside,” Tianxing squeezed through the flower bushes behind the pavilion and waved to Shi Lan.

Shi Lan lifted her skirt and carefully stepped over the densely blooming flowers, waded through the knee-high flower wall, and looked through the branches overhead at the half-open window.

A few steps away, Sweet Fruit peeked out from behind the tree and whispered, "Miss, the Second Miss has been inside for a while. Sweet Leaf came by earlier and said that Liu Mama is leading Zhou Yuanming over."

Shi Lan nodded and looked inside. She saw a figure appearing and disappearing, occasionally darting to the window before suddenly walking inside.

"Is Shi Yi the only one inside?" Shi Lan asked in a low voice.

Sweet Fruit nodded and said, "Yes, Cherry didn't come over. She's probably keeping watch over there." As she spoke, she pointed to a corner of the flower wall near the study.

Shi Lan tilted her head and craned her neck to look, and sure enough, she saw a figure peeking out from there.

"Go and knock her down, don't let her send a message," Shi Lan waved her hand and said.

Sweet Fruit nodded readily and pulled Sweet Apricot and Green Ginger toward Cherry, who was staring blankly into the distance.

Shi Lan squinted at the pavilion, looked around, and seeing no one, she lifted her skirt and squeezed out of the flower wall, tiptoed up to the pavilion.

At this moment, a sweet fragrance filled the attic. The scent was faint and light, yet it stirred a claw in one's heart, gently and softly scratching, making one restless and confused.

Shi Lan pulled out a handkerchief and covered her mouth and nose, thinking to herself that this incense was potent. Even she, a young girl who didn't know anything, felt uncomfortable after just a few breaths; how much more so would Ning Zhan, a man full of vigor and vitality? Shi Yi's move was truly ruthless. With Ning Zhan's mind clouded, his alertness would inevitably decline. At that point, all she had to do was knock him unconscious, then destroy their clothes. When Ning Zhan woke up, wouldn't he be able to do whatever she said?

The attic stairs were made of solid wood, and they creaked as people walked on them. Although Shi Lan was very careful, they still made a slight noise.

Inside the door, Shi Yi seemed to hear a noise and turned around to pull the door panel, but for some reason, she hesitated and then withdrew her hand.

Shi Lan stared fearfully at the trembling door. She was still a few steps away from the door. If Shi Yi opened the door now, she would probably be no match for her, and her plan would likely fall apart.

Fortunately, the door only trembled twice before stopping.

Shi Lan curled her lips slightly, secretly praising her good luck, and quietly approached the door.

The room was completely silent, with only the sound of my own breathing and the rustling of the wooden planks in the breeze.

Shi Lan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," Shi Yi's voice came from inside after a dull knock.

Shi Lan frowned slightly, raised her hand and poked a hole in the green gauze pasted on the door, then looked inside.

Inside, heavy curtains hung, and a figure stood with her back to the door, arms slightly bent, hands clasped in front of her, long legs pressed tightly together, and a thin dress flowing smoothly down, outlining her beautiful curves.

Shi Lan pursed her lips, gently pushed open the door, and went inside.

The soft footsteps drew closer, and Shi Yi's back stiffened slightly. She tried her best to hold on, but her hands remained loosely clasped together.

Having lived two lives, this was the first time she had lowered herself for a man. If her martial arts hadn't been completely destroyed, her arm crippled, and the intelligence network she had painstakingly built half-ruined, how could she have lowered herself to submit to Ning Zhan?

However, the thought that this man was Shi Lan's most beloved older sister gave Shi Yi a surge of pleasure.

Shi Lan has that young man protecting her, so she can't do anything about him, but she can torment the other members of the Shi family. During Shi Rong's good days, she steals Shi Xi's man and destroys Shi's mother's expectations. All of this can satisfy her and make her happy.

Thinking of the storm that the Shi family would face later, Shi Yi smiled slightly. As the footsteps approached behind her, she adjusted her expression to its best and slowly turned around. (To be continued.)