Shi Lan followed the eunuch to the Shengxia Hall. The hall was very quiet at this time, with several palace maids standing respectfully to one side. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Shi Lan stood quietly in the hall, her gaze sweeping over the exquisite ornaments displayed there, when she heard slightly heavy footsteps behind her.

Shi Lan turned around and saw Duan Yang walking over with a furrowed brow and a tired expression.

"Shi Shi Alan greets Princess Duanyang."

Duan Yang casually flicked his sleeves and, with the help of a palace maid, sat down on the couch. "A-Lan, come and talk to me."

Shi Lan straightened her bent knees and sat on the couch that the palace maid had placed there.

"Ah Lan, you spoke so eloquently about headaches last time. I wonder if you have any effective remedies?" Duan Yang leaned against the table, her fair wrists supporting her head adorned with ornate hair ornaments. Her slender neck was slightly bent, and her fair face showed a hint of weariness.

Shi Lan looked closely at Duan Yang, seemingly not missing a single detail.

Duan Yang wasn't angry; he just lazily raised his eyes and glanced at Shi Lan, seemingly indifferent.

But how could Shi Lan be deceived by such a facade? Who is Duan Yang? If she weren't in so much pain and there was no one to help her, would she have lowered herself to speak so softly?

"I said back then that the princess should think less, but she didn't seem to listen."

Duan Yang frowned impatiently, and Shi Lan immediately stopped trying to persuade her, "I recently learned some techniques from my cousin that can relieve pain. If the princess is willing, I am willing to give it a try."

Duan Yang closed her eyes slightly, thinking of Ji Lang's superb witchcraft, and said listlessly, "It wouldn't hurt to give it a try."

Shi Lan got up and washed her hands, then asked Duan Yang to lie down on the couch. She then removed the hairpins that were tightly binding her scalp and gently pressed her head with her fingers.

Fifteen minutes later, Shi Lan eased her grip, and heard Duan Yang's soft, long snores in her ear.

The palace maid serving beside her looked on in surprise, her rosy lips slightly parted in astonishment, as if she could not believe that the princess had fallen asleep like that.

Shi Lan carefully got up, gestured to the palace maid to cover herself with the brocade quilt, and then quietly withdrew.

Sitting in the carriage returning to the Ji residence, Shi Lan smiled slightly.

In this era, books are the most precious treasure. The fall of the previous dynasty led to the current five-nation balance of power, but it also destroyed a large number of precious books. Ordinary people in the five nations were not qualified to read. There were quite a few nobles who could read and write, but they were ultimately not as knowledgeable and far-sighted as they were in the past when literature was at its peak.

The Yue Kingdom, with its vast collection of books, was home to the largest number of aristocratic families from the previous dynasty. Many secret records and classic texts were kept only in the libraries of these prominent clans.

The Jiang Kingdom has only existed for two hundred years, and its foundation is still rather weak. Although Duanyang is a princess, her knowledge is limited. Otherwise, how could she have done such a foolish thing as knowing that the original owner was a powerful ally, yet watching her die and adding bricks and tiles to the enemy's foundation?

The Ji family is a large clan with a history of thousands of years. It has stood the test of time despite the ravages of war. The clan's library contains countless books covering various fields.

When Lady Ji was married off to the State of Jiang, Ji Lang, who had a deep affection for her, accompanied her to the country. However, Lady Ji passed away a few years later. Ji Lang, dissatisfied with the Ji family but powerless to change anything, simply stayed and began studying witchcraft. Although Ji Lang had given up his aristocratic status, he was still a direct descendant of the Ji family, exceptionally intelligent, and well-read. He probably didn't even know how much knowledge he had memorized.

Shi Lan possesses intelligence no less than his, and due to her cultivation techniques, her divine soul is powerful. In the past few months, under Ji Lang's influence, she has not only thoroughly studied witchcraft, but has also dabbled in many miscellaneous subjects. Today, Shi Lan is only giving Duan Yang a very ordinary massage, but her technique is very special. In the Ji family, only the matriarch is qualified to enjoy it.

After suffering from a headache for a long time, Duan Yang will surely have a deeper impression of Shi Lan after a good night's sleep.

The next morning, the eunuch came again. When Shi Lan entered the Shengxia Hall at the invitation, Duan Yang walked towards her with a smile, her soft fingers reaching out affectionately to take Shi Lan's hand. "Ah Lan, you've finally come."

Shi Lan curtsied, and Duan Yang immediately pulled her up and led her to sit down at a table nearby.

"Alright, stop being so polite. I slept for three whole hours after you left yesterday, thanks to you."

Duan Yang's friendly attitude surprised all the palace maids in the hall. When they looked at Shi Lan again, their gazes were no longer as distant and indifferent as before.

Shi Lan smiled gently, lowered her eyes slightly, and replied respectfully, "It is an honor for me to do my part for the princess."

Duan Yang looked up at Shi Lan, feeling quite satisfied with her understanding and respect for hierarchy.

“Those who commit wrongdoings should be punished, and those who perform meritorious deeds should be rewarded. Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Shi Lan looked up at Duan Yang, and after a moment she stood up and solemnly knelt at Duan Yang's feet. "Princess, A Lan does indeed have something to ask of you."

Duan Yang revealed an expression that said, "I knew it," and the previous intimacy faded considerably. "Speak," she said.

Shi Lan straightened up, her slender waist ramrod straight. "A-Lan is willing to serve by the princess's side and share the princess's burdens. As for the rest, I ask the princess to handle it on her behalf."

Shi Lan's words startled Duan Yang. She knew that a concubine was essentially a maid who came with the bride. Since she was a concubine, how could she not serve the King of Zhao? Moreover, if a concubine did not serve the King of Zhao, she would be no different from a palace maid and would not have a high status. Wouldn't she be a slave for the rest of her life?

"Have you thought it through?" Duan Yang straightened his back, his expression becoming serious.

Shi Lan nodded, her face full of determination.

Duan Yang scrutinized her, seemingly pondering the truth of her words. Slowly, she stood up, helped Shi Lan up, and showed a gentle expression. "Alright, I just hope you won't regret it later."

Shi Lan stood up with Duan Yang's help, her delicate and beautiful face very serious. "No, I hope the princess will grant my request."

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