It's time to tear down the Drunken Spring Pavilion!
That kind of shady and despicable place has harmed countless women over the years and should have been razed to the ground long ago.
Even though none of those women were his relatives, Xiao Ling still felt an intense aversion to that place. He tacitly approved of Shen Yuan's suggestion.
"Your martial arts skills are quite good, you must also know archery, right?" Shen Yuan asked.
Xiao Ling nodded.
Shen Yuan had an idea. She beckoned to Xiao Ling, making him bend down and come closer to her. Then she whispered her entire plan in his ear.
The girl's warm breath landed on Xiao Ling's neck, sending shivers down his spine. A surge of heat spread from his ear, like an electric current coursing through his entire body.
Xiao Ling quickly suppressed the inexplicable thoughts in his mind, focused his attention on the things Shen Yuan had told him.
"At that time, you will shoot an arrow through the night sky, aimed at where I am standing. Remember that?" After Shen Yuan finished speaking, she noticed that Xiao Ling was a little distracted, so she tapped the table.
Xiao Ling turned his head to the side, but Shen Yuan moved away. Their hair brushed against each other, and then they instantly separated.
It was as if everything that had just happened was Xiao Ling's hallucination.
Xiao Ling nodded slightly.
Shen Yuan sat down again at the counter, reviewing her plan for any shortcomings, when she saw Xiao Ling pick up a pen and write a line on a piece of paper: [Be careful in everything, but you can rest assured.]
Be careful in everything? Or can you rest assured?
Shen Yuan was stunned for a moment.
"Be careful in everything" was a reminder to her to be extra cautious when entering the brothel.
You can rest assured that he will definitely handle the matters entrusted to him.
Understanding Xiao Ling's meaning, Shen Yuan smiled and nodded at her.
In the flickering candlelight, their eyes were filled with each other's image.
Shen Yuan was somewhat dazed. She had only known Xiao Ling for a short time and knew very little about his background and past, yet she was willing to fight alongside him and even entrust her life to him in this plan.
But this... is clearly wrong.
In this world, the only people she could trust were Granny Liu and the dagger in her hand!
Shen Yuan lowered her eyes without showing any emotion and said to Xiao Ling, "Be careful then, don't let anyone notice, and don't leave any evidence!"
Xiao Ling nodded.
Shen Yuan added, "However, in the meantime, I need to ask Elder Murong for a favor."
As the two were talking, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside, as if Granny Liu had returned. Shen Yuan quickly lifted her skirt and went outside, where she saw Granny Liu being helped down from the carriage by the servant of the wealthy man.
Shen Yuan stepped forward and took Liu Mama from the servant's hands. "Grandma, why are you back so late today? Have you had dinner?"
"I've already eaten." Granny Liu nodded, and after entering the room, she continued, "Madam Liu's condition hasn't been good these past few days. She's afraid she could give birth at any moment. She wants me to stay in the mansion, just in case."
"Isn't Madam Liu's due date at the end of the year? There's still a month left, why is she suddenly going to give birth?"
“Her belly has dropped significantly these past few days. I touched it and the baby has already engaged in the pelvis. If she could give birth a month early, it would be better for both her and the baby, so Madam Liu asked me to wait for her at the mansion.”
Shen Yuan nodded, "That's fine too!"
She's been planning to pull off a big heist these past few days, and it's good that Granny Liu is staying at the manor for now, at least this matter won't involve her.
Shen Yuan took Liu Mama's hand and said, "Then let's pack our things first. I'll take you to the master's mansion first thing tomorrow morning!"
"good!"
The next day, Shen Yuan carried a bundle and escorted Granny Liu to the mansion. The two followed the steward and were led into the courtyard where Madam Liu lived.
Upon seeing Shen Yuan, Madam Liu was overjoyed: "Grandma, your granddaughter is so filial, personally bringing you here."
"Miss Yuan, don't worry, I will definitely treat your grandmother well and will not allow anyone in the manor to neglect her."
“Madam Liu’s words are law, so I am at ease.” Shen Yuan bowed to Madam Liu before sitting down and asking, “But I wonder where Madam has arranged accommodations for my grandmother?”
Liu said, "It's in the servants' quarters in the backyard."
After saying that, she saw Shen Yuan frown and quickly explained, "Although it is a servant's residence, I had someone prepare a separate room for you, Granny Liu, to rest in. All the bedding is from my room, so she won't have trouble sleeping."
The wealthy man's household had a rule that, apart from his personal maids, all other servants had to live in the servants' quarters. Therefore, after Liu Mama entered the mansion, the steward arranged for her to live in the servants' quarters in the backyard.
However, Madam Liu had specifically instructed that Granny Liu be treated well, and had the steward prepare a separate bedroom, clean it, and put on brand new bedding.
Shen Yuan knew that Liu Shi's actions were already a special consideration for Granny Liu. Granny Liu had entered the manor as a midwife, so naturally she couldn't have her own courtyard like a guest.
However, what Shen Yuan cared about was not whether Granny Liu had her own courtyard and house, but that the servants' quarters were quite far from the courtyard where Madam Liu lived.
Currently, Aunt Zhao is in charge of managing the household. Even though Madam Liu is the first wife, it's hard to guarantee that the servants won't side with Aunt Zhao. If Granny Liu is controlled by Aunt Zhao on the day Madam Liu gives birth, delaying the delivery, the consequences would be unimaginable!
So Shen Yuan said, "Madam, could you arrange for my grandmother to stay in the courtyard where you live, even if it's just a side room? Only in this way can my grandmother be at your beck and call and protect you and the children."
Liu said with difficulty, "But I can't prepare a separate bedroom in my courtyard for Granny Liu to rest in at the moment."
"I can sleep with Madam's maid, as long as there is a bed and a set of bedding," said Granny Liu.
Upon hearing Liu Mama's words, Madam Liu immediately sent someone to prepare a new bed for Liu Mama.
Having the midwife in her own courtyard made her feel more at ease.
Just then, Liu felt a sudden pain in her stomach. She raised her hand to touch her belly, a motherly smile spreading across her face. "The little one kicked me. Looks like he can't wait!"
Even through her clothes, Shen Yuan could see Liu's slightly protruding belly moving gently. Her eyes widened instantly, and she couldn't help but feel a little curious.
Seeing her fluttering, watery eyes filled with curiosity, Madam Liu smiled and took Shen Yuan's hand, placing it on her stomach. "My dear, say hello to your sister Yuan!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yuan felt something hit her palm.
They're quite strong.
Shen Yuan smiled and said, "When you come out, I'll buy you candy!"
——
During the coldest days of winter, the wind howls fiercely.
For several days in a row, the north wind blew, and people in every household began to stay at home and not go out unless necessary. As a result, there were fewer and fewer customers in the pharmacy, and one helper was enough to look after the store.
But Zuichunlou is different. Even when the weather is cold, the building is as warm as spring in March. The stove is burning with silver charcoal, which warms the whole building and attracts guests.
After Hua's mother finished washing and dressing Shen Yuan, she looked at her beautiful face and nodded with satisfaction.
"As long as you entertain the guests well tonight, Mom will take you to entertain guests every day from now on, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury from now on! You can lie in our building and enjoy a life of ease!"
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