The next morning, Shi Lan got up early and felt refreshed and relaxed.

Cuizhi helped her wash up, and just as she combed her hair a couple of times, she heard the crisp sound of Tianxing outside.

Immediately, the beaded curtain rustled, and Shi Xi rushed in with a gust of cool air.

"Get out," Shi Xi said coldly before anyone could greet her. The young girl already possessed a restrained yet imposing aura.

Cuizhi looked up at Shilan, who was staring into the bronze mirror. Shilan nodded. Cuizhi took a pearl flower, fastened it in her hair, and led the maids outside.

The door creaked softly, and the room suddenly fell silent.

Shi Lan looked at herself in the mirror and felt that her left bun was a little crooked. She tried to fix it, but when she couldn't, she gave up and thought to herself that she would have Cui Zhi fix it later.

Shi Xi strode over to Shi Lan in two quick steps and slapped her fair little hand onto the table in front of her.

Shi Lan was caught off guard and was startled.

What are you doing?!

Shi Lan frowned unhappily and looked up at her.

Shi Xi took a deep breath and tried to keep her tone calm as she asked, "I'm asking you, what happened yesterday?"

Shi Lan picked up the small silver bracelet from the makeup box and looked at it casually, saying, "What's going on?"

"You're still pretending," Shi Xi's chest heaved twice, and she said, "I heard from Mother that you were the one who discovered what happened in the attic first?"

Shi Lan nodded and said, "Yes."

Shi Xi's face suddenly turned red, and she said, "How old are you? You're already doing those harmful things. Do you know that you're ruining Shi Yi's life?"

Shi Lan glanced at her, slipped the silver bracelet onto her wrist, swung it a couple of times, and said, "I don't know. I only know that she originally wanted to seduce my future brother-in-law, but by some twist of fate, that person became Zhou Yuanming." Shi Lan scoffed, "She brought this on herself; who else can she blame?"

Shi Xi was taken aback, blinked, and then realized what she meant. "You're talking nonsense."

"I'm talking nonsense?" Shi Lan snorted and said coldly, "If you don't believe me, I can call people over. From buying that incense to inviting certain people, I can let you find out everything." Shi Lan glared at Shi Xi and said quietly, "Your fiancé is no good either. I advise you not to have any illusions about him."

Shi Xi's face, like the tide, quickly faded from pink to death. Since she was twelve, she had known that her future was tied to the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion. She had also fantasized about Ning Zhan. Although she had never met him in person, she often imagined his appearance and character and envisioned their future life together based on Shi Rong's descriptions. Shi Lan's words were like a heavy hammer blow, leaving her completely bewildered.

“That’s impossible. Ning Zhan rarely comes to the manor. How could he have any connection with Shi Yi, who never leaves the side courtyard?” Shi Xi’s tone was very soft, as if she were questioning him, or as if she were muttering to herself.

Seeing that she was in a daze and out of her mind, Shi Lan secretly blamed herself for not being able to control her temper and saying everything without considering her feelings.

"Believe it or not, I've seen it once. You should know a thing or two about Shi Yi. If she wasn't confident, would she have dared to take such a risky move on a day like yesterday?"

Shi Xi glanced at her briefly without saying a word.

That look in his eyes clearly said that even if he was confident, you still ruined it.

Shi Lan cleared her throat awkwardly, ignoring the strange look in her eyes. She took her cold, damp hand and said in a low voice, "It's better to know sooner rather than later. I've met Ning Zhan; he's just so-so, nothing like what my brother described. There are so many talented young men in Yu Kingdom; any one of them is better than him. Do you really have to be with him?"

Warm, soft fingers conveyed warmth. Shi Xi looked down at the two chubby hands that were enveloping her right hand, then looked up at Shi Lan, who was gazing at her intently, and managed a weak smile.

"You make it sound so simple. The Ning family and our family have a marriage agreement. If we break off the engagement, wouldn't that make our parents look like they are being unfaithful and dishonest?"

Shi Lan pouted, her youthful face showing a mischievous slyness and the spoiled arrogance of being pampered by her family. "If you don't want to get married, I naturally have ways to make it happen. Just don't blame me for embarrassing you in front of your parents."

Seeing her lazy appearance, Shi Xi couldn't help but pinch her chubby cheeks. "You're so good at talking. From childhood to adulthood, when have I ever embarrassed you?"

Shi Lan twisted her waist, contorted her face, and dodged backward repeatedly, "Don't pinch, don't pinch, if you pinch too much, I'll drool in my sleep at night."

Shi Xi chuckled and simply stretched out both hands, grabbing her soft, chubby face and kneading it vigorously.

The room was filled with laughter in an instant. Outside the door, Cuizhi breathed a sigh of relief, and Bicao beside her did almost the same. The two looked at each other and smiled at the same time.

Sweet Fruit came out of the small kitchen carrying a tray. When she saw the two of them, she smiled and said, "What's so funny? Let me hear it too."

Cuizhi smiled and said it was nothing, opened the door, and let her in to deliver the morning's usual health-preserving tea.

Shi Lan had gotten used to it by now. She took the cup, drank a small half-cup, and felt warm all over before putting it down.

Sweet Fruit had been in the small kitchen and didn't know Shi Xi was coming, so she only brought in one bowl. Now she was busy bringing over another bowl. Shi Xi had heard that Sweet Fruit's cooking skills were excellent, so she took this opportunity to try it.

Cuizhi ordered the maids to set the table and prepare breakfast.

Shi Lan tilted her head and said to Shi Xi, "The breakfast that Tian Guo made is delicious. You should stay and try it too."

Shi Xi got up early and, knowing about Shi Yi's situation, rushed over without even having a sip of water. Now, hearing what Shi Lan said, she also felt hungry and said, "Then I'm in for a treat today."

Sweetie smiled and said it was too kind of Miss, and directed the maid to bring out the red bean and lotus seed porridge that had been cooked all morning, along with soft and sweet water chestnut and yam cake, and a few refreshing side dishes.

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