Shi Lan frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Yi did not answer, but said instead, "After some time, when my cousin is feeling better, I will arrange for someone to send her back. The Qian family is far from the capital, and if there is no opportunity, it will be difficult for her to return to the capital in the future."

Shi Lan was startled and turned around to look at him, only to see the person who should have been sitting in the chair behind him, his face as pale as paper, his body swaying as if he were about to fall.

Shi Lan was startled and subconsciously asked, "Miss Qian, are you alright?" She reached out to help her up.

Bao Xia slapped her hand away and said coldly, "No need for Miss Shi to come all this way."

Shi Lan hissed softly, frowned, and withdrew her hand.

Upon seeing this, Zhi Cui took two steps forward and was about to strike back.

Shi Lan winked at her and shook her head almost imperceptibly.

Zhi Cui bit her lip and returned to her side, tenderly stroking the red marks, feeling extremely resentful.

Zhu Yi frowned. Seeing Qian Zhiqing almost faint and collapse into Bao Xia's arms, he knew it was not the time to pursue the matter. He simply said coldly, "Someone, prepare the carriage."

He then apologized to Shi Lan with a face full of remorse, bid farewell to Shi Xu and the others, and left with everyone.

The door to the side room closed, and Zhi Cui pouted and complained, "Why did you stop me from disciplining such an unruly servant?"

Shi Lan laughed and said, "You said yourself that we have no rules. If we just fight back like this, wouldn't it make us look like we have no rules either?"

Zhi Cui snorted but didn't say anything.

Shi Ling chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I saw it just now. Prince Zhu's brows were furrowed with worry. Even if you don't hit her, that maid will still suffer when she gets back."

Shi Lan blushed and nudged her, saying, "You're so clever."

Shi Ling covered her mouth and chuckled softly, making Shi Lan even more embarrassed, and she couldn't help but tickle her.

Shi Ling giggled and hid on the other side of her younger brother and sister-in-law, while Shi Xu watched coldly from the sidelines.

He was about the same age as Zhu Yi and was also a man. Seeing the way he looked at his second sister, he knew that he had already fallen in love with her. However, the cousin's behavior was disgusting. But didn't Zhu Yi say that he was going to send her away?

So he decided to lend a hand.

Shi Xu stroked his chin, waved to a clever-looking servant, and whispered a few instructions.

The servant nodded, withdrew, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Shi Lan was unaware of Shi Xu's little actions. At that moment, she was being dragged by the greedy Shi Lei to find a suitable spirit food from the pile of food nearby.

As the sun began to set, the group returned to their residence, having had their fill of fun. As soon as they entered, Xingbi stepped forward and said, "Miss, the Marquis's residence sent this over."

She opened her hand, showing Shi Lan a carved lacquer box about half the size of her palm.

Shi Lan glanced at it noncommittally and casually asked, "What's this?"

Xingbi opened the box, revealing a pale blue paste, and said, "It's Bihe Glue. The nanny who delivered it said that this stuff is only used by nobles in the palace, and ordinary people can't even see it." Xingbi closed the lid, tilted her head and asked curiously, "But why did the Marquis's mansion send this over?"

Zhi Cui snorted coldly, muttering, "Of course, you only send it if someone is injured; otherwise, who would use this?"

Shi Lan frowned. Although she knew she was upset on her behalf, she still scolded, "Alright, stop talking."

Zhi Cui pouted, her face full of dissatisfaction.

Shi Lan sighed and let Ren Xingbi and Zhi Cui help her wash up and change before calling the two of them over.

"You two are my head maids, and also the ones I have the most respect for. Back in Huainan, there were fewer people in my family, so there weren't so many conflicts. Now that we're back in the Marquis's mansion, we're all family. Although there have been some disagreements, people have been considerate of our relationship. Even if you said something inappropriate, no one would really hold it against you. But in a while, I will be marrying into the Marquis's mansion," she said, glancing at Zhi Cui. "You saw it today too. Qian Zhi Qing was unkind to me. The Marquis's wife is her aunt, so how could she possibly be kind to me?" She said calmly, "Even if it's just to give me a hard time and slap me in the face, she'll use you as examples."

Shi Lan looked at Zhi Cui and Xing Bi, who were standing with their hands hanging down in front of her, and said, "The reason I'm telling you this in advance is so that you can think it through. The Marquis's mansion is not so easy to enter. If you are afraid, I will keep you here and let your mother find you a stable and reliable family. You can have children and live a good life in the future."

Xingbi and Zhicui exchanged a glance, and then both knelt down.

Zhi Cui crawled two steps on her knees and grabbed Shi Lan's skirt tightly, saying, "Miss, I know I was wrong. From now on, I will definitely think things through before I speak. Please don't send me away, Miss." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, as if she would burst into tears if Shi Lan didn't agree.

Xingbi, who was standing to the side, didn't say anything, but nodded repeatedly with red eyes.

Shi Lan sighed, told the two to stand up, and said, "You've been with me for a long time, how could I bear to let you go? But the Marquis's mansion is not the Earl's mansion after all. If you decide to follow me, you should talk less and observe more, and think things through before you act."

Zhi Cui and Xing Bi nodded repeatedly. Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, Shi Lan knew they were really taking it to heart, so she dismissed them.

At this moment, in the Marquis's residence, Doctor Leng, with a long beard and a troubled expression, came out of Zhiping Courtyard.

Granny Ruan, who was standing beside her, asked anxiously, "How is the situation? Is it serious?"

Doctor Leng handed over a prescription and shook his head, saying, "There's nothing seriously wrong, but this person's health is a bit weak; I'm afraid that in the future..."

Knowing that these doctors always liked to make things mysterious, Granny Ruan quickly slipped her a piece of silver.

Doctor Leng stroked his beard, moved slightly closer to Granny Ruan, and whispered, "I'm afraid it will hinder your ability to have children."

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