Gu Xin had already visited the Li family several times, so the maid wasn't worried that she wouldn't be able to find the outhouse. Therefore, when she said there was no need to lead the way, Li Shan's maid really didn't lead the way.
The way Li Shan had pulled her just now made her feel uneasy. Coupled with her previous suspicions about Li Shan, Gu Xin had just told Gu Si to cover for her, as she needed to go to Madam Li's place to check on Cai Xiaolian before she felt at ease.
Since the last time the Li family sold off Li Erye's concubines and imprisoned Li Erye, there has been a shortage of servants in the backyard.
Gu Xin saw Cai Xiaolian before she even reached Madam Li's place.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Gu Xin ran over and carefully looked Cai Xiaolian over. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Cai Xiaolian was alright.
“I went to the outhouse. What about you? Why are you alone? Where’s Sisi?” Cai Xiaolian asked.
She had a maid from the Li family with her, so Gu Xin didn't say much, only that she was also going to the outhouse and that Sisi was playing the zither with Li Shan.
Gu Xin racked her brains for a moment and finally decided to stay by Cai Xiaolian's side, asking the maid who was leading Cai Xiaolian to go to Coral Pavilion to tell Gu Si.
After the maid left, Cai Xiaolian asked, "Xinxin, is there something you need?"
Gu Xin shook her head: "It's nothing, it's just a little strange. I said I was looking for you just now, and Li Shan grabbed me nervously. I was worried you might be in danger!"
Cai Xiaolian chuckled: "What danger could there be if your father came along?"
Cai Xiaolian had little contact with Li Shan, and Li Shan usually acted like a normal young girl, so she didn't think much of it.
Gu Xin nodded: "Hehe, I know. So I just missed Mom because I hadn't seen her for a while!"
The mother and daughter chatted and laughed as they headed towards the flower hall.
In the flower hall, Gu Xin didn't see Gu Shouxin, but Old Madam Li and Madam Xie were chatting with Madam Li.
Cai Xiaolian asked and learned that after she went to the outhouse, Gu Shouxin went to play chess with the Duke of Rongguo, and then Old Madam Li and Madam Xie came over.
That day, after the Gu family left, Li Shan went to the small Buddhist shrine where Madam Li lived.
He dismissed the servants, knelt on the prayer mat, and looked at his mother who was copying scriptures with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
Madam Li didn't even look up: "Luckily it didn't succeed, otherwise, that little maid would definitely have ruined it! Tell me, what good are you? You can't even keep an eye on a maid?"
Li Shan pretended to bow her head and shed tears: "I'm sorry, Mother. I thought she really went to the outhouse. She's been eating there the whole time, and she's drunk two jugs of water."
After finishing the last stroke, Madam Li put down her pen and looked at Li Shan, who was wiping away tears: "Alright, you and Han'er can go to the estate to play in a couple of days. Wait for my news, and go back when I tell you to!"
Li Shan shook her head: "Mother, no. I want to stay with you. How can you leave me alone? I can cover for you!"
Madam Li gave Li Shan a disdainful look: "How can you cover for me when you're so stupid? What if Gu Xin goes back and tells them, and they find out? How will you cover for me then? Since you're not in the manor, even if they suspect something, they won't be on guard against me! Alright, it's settled then. I'll talk to Han'er tomorrow and ask you sisters to go to the estate to find medicinal herbs for me. Han'er is the most filial; she'll agree."
Li Shan clenched her handkerchief tightly, then looked up again with the gentle demeanor of a submissive young girl: "Then Mother, please be careful. I'm leaving now."
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