The wedding day arrived quickly. Early in the morning, before dawn, Shi's mother led people to help Shi Yi tidy up her appearance, only to find that Shi Yi was missing. Ning Zhan came to welcome the bride, but when he didn't see her, he was furious and insisted that the Shi family was dissatisfied and had secretly hidden her.

Shi's mother was speechless and Shi's father lost face in front of the guests and was also very dissatisfied with her. Ever since giving birth to the original owner, Shi's mother's health had not been very good. Her own children had fallen into such a situation because of Shi Yi, and she could not complain. She had to do her best to help arrange things, but in the end, she was still blamed. Shi's mother fell ill in a fit of anger.

A few months later, the neighboring Yueyi Kingdom suddenly launched a large-scale military campaign. The Yu Kingdom was caught off guard and the eldest prince, Qi Yundi, led the army and swept through the country, capturing several cities in succession.

Marquis Dingyuan came from a family of military generals. Marquis Dingyuan and his son were ordered to go on an expedition. During a raid on the enemy camp, Ning Zhan discovered that the person following Qi Yundi was actually Shi Yi. Enraged, he acted impulsively and was killed on the spot.

Marquis Dingyuan, grieving the loss of his beloved son, learned that Shi Yi was in an enemy country. He wrote a petition in blood and brought the Shi family to the palace.

With war raging, the emperor relied heavily on Marquis Dingyuan and, without even listening to their explanations, directly accused the Shi family of treason. The Shi family father and son were beheaded, and upon hearing the news, Shi's mother, who was bedridden, vomited blood and died on the spot.

Suddenly struck by a family tragedy, the original owner was completely bewildered. Before she could even handle her mother's funeral, she was dragged to a brothel. The original owner was a stubborn and principled person, and the madam's high-pressure tactics did not make her accept her fate. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape, the original owner, covered in wounds, died alone on a stormy night with a high fever.

After absorbing the memories, Shi Lan frowned and slowly opened her eyes.

Beside the curtain, a beautiful woman with delicate features, her eyes showing signs of fatigue and fragility, was carefully wiping her small hands with a warm, damp handkerchief.

This is the stone mother that the original owner relied on the most.

Shi Lan cleared her throat and mumbled out a "Mother".

When Shi's mother saw that she had woken up, she quickly threw off the handkerchief, told the maid to pour water, and lovingly stroked her head, gently asking her if she had slept well and if she felt unwell.

Shi Lan shook her head, then stretched out her chubby little hands in a coquettish manner, wanting a hug.

With a smile on her lips, Shi's mother said, "You're so grown up, yet you still act like a child," but she reached out and hugged her tightly.

Shi Lan buried her head in the faintly scented fabric of her clothes, recalling the scene in her memory of her mother, her face withered, half-reclining on the bed, coughing up blood when she heard the news of the family tragedy, and felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Stone Mother gently stroked her back, her cheek lightly brushing against the forehead of her disheveled hair, and said, "Have you learned your lesson this time?"

The stone mother's tone was gentle; it was more of a reproach than a reprimand.

Shi Lan gave a muffled hum, her chubby little hands clutching her mother's clothes, refusing to show her face.

Helpless, Shi's mother tapped her dark little head. "Don't think you can get away with this this time. Your father is furious and says he'll discipline you properly once you've recovered."

Shi Lan raised her head, tilting her fair face upwards, and said softly, "Mother, I know I was wrong. Please tell Father to forgive me this time."

Stone Mother smiled faintly, "I don't care."

Shi Lan stubbornly tugged at her mother's sleeve, twisting and turning in her mother's arms like a twisted candy rope.

Stone Mother chuckled, but refused to budge.

The maids serving nearby all lowered their heads and covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.

The sound of the curtains rising and falling came from outside the door, followed by a man's deep, clear voice, "What are you saying, so happy?"

Upon hearing the voice, Shi's mother raised her hand and looked at the man, "Master is back."

Shi Lan tilted her head and looked past her mother at the refined and slender man, who was the original owner's father, Shi Qinghong.

A sudden surge of longing arose in Shi Lan's heart, a feeling completely different from that she felt when she saw her mother.

When Shi's father saw Shi Lan, a fleeting smile appeared on his lips.

Shi Lan looked timidly at her father, whose face was stern, and mumbled, "Dad."

Upon hearing this muffled voice, Shi Lan frowned before anyone else could react.

Seeing that she seemed frightened, Shi's mother quickly patted her back and frowned at Shi's father, saying, "Lan'er has just recovered, don't frighten her."

Mr. Shi paused, his expression softening considerably, even his tone becoming gentle and soothing, "From now on, you're not allowed to shake off people and run away on your own, understand?"

Shi Lan looked up at him with her bright, dark eyes and nodded obediently.

Only then did Mr. Shi smile and stroke her soft hair.

After seeing Shi Lan, Shi's father had official business to attend to, so he went to his study.

Shi's mother busied herself preparing some easily digestible porridge and rice for Shi Lan.

The room finally quieted down, and Shi Lan sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, pondering her emotional changes.

From the moment she opened her eyes, she realized something was wrong. Her emotions had completely regressed to those of a child. Just now, when facing Mr. and Mrs. Shi, she acted cute and charming without any pressure. This was unbelievable and dangerous to Shi Lan. Her emotions were out of her control, which, in a sense, meant she had become the original owner's puppet.

The mission this time is to save the Shi family. The original owner's thinking is still in a childlike mode. Shi Yi is so decisive and ruthless that the original owner alone is not able to turn the tide. The Shi family will still be unable to escape the fate of being wiped out.

If the original owner's wish is not fulfilled, it is equivalent to failure. She will not give the stone she holds to Shi Lan. Wouldn't Shi Lan's trip be in vain?

With her mind in turmoil, Shi Lan leaned against the soft, large pillow and sighed softly.

The greetings of maids rang out from outside the door. As the curtain rose and fell, a young girl with a pearl-embroidered headdress and a face somewhat resembling that of the Stone Mother walked in with a stern expression.

Shi Lan sat up and called out softly, "Sister."

The person who came was Shi Xi, the eldest daughter of the Shi family.

Shi Xi gave a stern "hmm" and sat down beside her. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and unlike the pale and disfigured woman she had been in a few days ago, she breathed a sigh of relief. However, she still said relentlessly, "All you do is run around all day and complain that the people following you are in the way. Now you've suffered the consequences!"

Shi Lan smiled sweetly, snuggled up to her, leaned against her shoulder, and said shamelessly, "Sister, I know I was wrong. Father has already scolded me."

Shi Xi glanced at the little tyrant in the house, raised her hand and pointed at her, "You know you're wrong? Every time you admit your mistake, you immediately repeat it. I just hope you'll remember it next time."

Shi Lan chuckled and leaned back, her round body resting against the large cushion.

A maidservant brought in some medicine, and Shi Xi pulled her up as soon as she saw her. "Get up quickly, it's time to drink your medicine."

Shi Lan pouted and refused to move.

Shi Xi tugged twice but couldn't budge it, so she let go and said, "Bi Cao just finished making candied fruit. I brought you some. If you're not going to drink it, I'll take it back."

Upon hearing this, Shi Lan reflexively drooled, quickly sat up, and waved her little hand at Cui Zhi.

Cuizhi pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, and handed over the thin-walled white porcelain bowl.

Shi Lan frowned, picked up the small bowl, and looked at Shi Xi pitifully.

Shi Xi turned her eyes to look at her personal maid, Bicao, who smiled and opened the small box she was holding, handing it to her.