As night fell, Shi Lan changed into light Hu clothing and quietly left the room.

Passing through the garden with its exquisite pavilions, and over the towering, dark buildings, a few meters away stands a high, repaired wall.

Ever since seeing Zhu'er's expression during the day, Shi Lan felt an urgent sense of urgency. She felt it was necessary to resolve her problem as soon as possible, and if possible, she also wanted to follow the clues and find out the merchant's whereabouts from the fake mother.

After all, the fake mother and the merchant had known each other for a long time, and even if they didn't say it, everyone knew what was going on.

With great effort, Shi Lan climbed over the high wall and leaped down lightly. She looked around alertly and, relying on her memory, ran towards the wooden shack area where the common people lived. Passing through narrow paths, Shi Lan looked around and saw nothing but low roofs and dilapidated wooden doors. They all looked the same to her.

Shi Lan tiptoed and craned her neck to look at each house. After passing through about three or four alleys, she finally found one that looked somewhat familiar.

Shi Lan steadied herself, carefully jumped through the door, and pressed her ear against the window to listen intently.

There seemed to be a slight fluctuation in the room. Listening closely, it sounded like the sound of wiping the string grooves and accidentally plucking them, or like a light, casual singing.

Shi Lan listened intently, and the sound of the strings was extremely familiar. Overjoyed, she hurriedly went forward and knocked on the door.

After a moment of silence, a clear and melodious voice rang out, "Who is it?"

Shi Lan unconsciously straightened her clothes, gathered her slightly loose hair, and smiled gently. "Sir Bu, it's me."

In the quiet night, Shi Lan listened to the sound she made, as clear as a lark's first song and as gentle as the murmuring of clear water.

Shi Lan frowned, knowing that it was the original owner's emotions that were causing the problem. She could only pinch her throat and silently remind herself to control her emotions.

The sound of chairs rubbing together came from inside the room. A moment later, the door was opened, revealing Bu Mingbo's handsome and fair face.

“It’s Lan Niang, please come in,” Bu Mingbo said with a smile, stepping aside.

Shi Lan smiled at Bu Mingbo and stepped inside.

The room was dark, with only a candle flickering on and off. Bu Mingbo quickly lit two more candlesticks and said awkwardly, "You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Only after Aunt Sun left did I realize how much money these seemingly insignificant items cost."

Shi Lan frowned slightly and asked him calmly, "The fake mother is gone? She was doing well here, why would she leave? A few days ago, A Lang said that the fake mother could train people and that he wanted to select two more to give to his subordinates."

Bu Mingbo's eyebrows twitched, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. He said, "As you know, in the past two years, it's just you and Yue Niang by Aunt Sun's side. Not long after you left, Yue Niang also left with Old Man Liu. Aunt Sun often lamented that life was boring and said she wanted to go back to her hometown. I thought she was just saying it, so I didn't pay attention. Who knew that two days ago when I went out to visit a friend, when I came back, she had already packed her bags and quietly left, leaving me with this empty house. It made me, someone who never worries about firewood and rice, panic all of a sudden."

Bu Mingbo shook his head and sighed with a smile.

Shi Lan smiled, a faint feeling of admiration welling up inside her. She didn't care about it at all; her personality was sometimes extreme, black was black, and white was white.

The original owner died, and the murderer was Bu Mingbo. Although it was for the sake of living and there was a reason for it, who doesn't want to live? What right does he have to decide someone else's life and death? However, since the original owner doesn't blame him and still has feelings for him, Shi Lan can't go against her wishes and can only respond with a smile.

Bu Mingbo poured Shi Lan a cup of hot tea and pushed it in front of her, saying, "I don't have your skillful hands, so please don't complain if it doesn't taste good."

Shi Lan smiled slightly, picked it up and sniffed it for a moment, "Is this scented tea?"

Bu Mingbo laughed and said, "Not bad, how is it? How does it taste?"

Bu Mingbo lightly clenched his fists, one hand resting on the table, the other hand loosely resting on his knee, his chin slightly raised, a hint of self-satisfaction in his expression.

Shi Lan put down her teacup and smiled, "The aroma is rich yet elegant, and the tea has a sweet fragrance. This is excellent for a scented tea. In a place like this, it would be hard to find even for a hundred taels of silver!"

Bu Mingbo's lips curled up, his eyes practically overflowing with smugness, yet he feigned composure and calmness, delicately picking up his teacup with his fingers.

“A friend of mine found this by chance. He likes strong flavors, so he gave it to me.”

Shi Lan raised an eyebrow and forced a smile as she complimented, "I didn't expect that you would have made such a friend in just a few days. I admire you greatly."

Bu Mingbo quickly waved his hand with a smile.

Shi Lan pursed her lips, losing interest in conversation. After exchanging a few polite words with him, she prepared to take her leave.

Since Aunt Sun had already left, her plan to investigate her constitution had fallen through, and this trip had been in vain.

Bu Mingbo escorted her to the door and peeked out into the empty alleyway.

Seeing his expression, Shi Lan smiled and said, "The people in the manor are waiting for me up ahead. The Grand Master can escort me here."

Bu Mingbo paused just as he was about to step out the door, turned around to look at the room, and said, "That's fine too."

Shi Lan walked slowly along the dark alleyway, and after a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

The original owner entered the governor's mansion simply because her and Bu Mingbo's lives were in the hands of Shi Weng, and if they did not comply, they might lose their lives at any time.

Now that she belongs to Yue Zhan, although she is just a courtesan, it is difficult for Shi Weng, a merchant, to even see her. Moreover, the governor's mansion is guarded by soldiers, and it is a pipe dream for his guards to go in and take her life.

Since the original owner still had some ambiguous feelings for Bu Mingbo, Shi Lan thought she might as well go all the way and send Bu Mingbo to the capital. It was there that Aunt Sun had invited him, and he knew the place and the people there, so he should be able to live well.

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