After all that commotion, Shi Lan was a little tired. She ordered Cui Zhi to see the two off, and then leaned against a large soft pillow, lying diagonally on the couch.
When Cuizhi returned and saw her like this, she felt very sorry for her. She quickly took off the beads and brocade flowers wrapped around her head and combed her long, jet-black hair.
Shi Lan closed her eyes and spread her hands, letting her do as she pleased.
The delicate knotted buttons were loosened one by one, and Cuizhi gently removed her clothes, shoes, and socks, leaving only her snow-white and soft undergarment.
Cui Zhi carefully examined the thin silk shirt that clung to her soft, plump body. A light and faint medicinal fragrance permeated the air around her, but there were no signs of bandaging on her body.
Cuizhi bent down and whispered in Shi Lan's ear, "Miss, I'll go get some warm water to wipe you down."
Shi Lan opened her eyes, waved her hand and said, "Forget it, it's getting late. Going in and out like this will only attract attention."
Cuizhi responded with a "yes" and helped her to lie down on the bed.
Shi Lan snuggled into the familiar scented bedding, tilting her head to look at Cui Zhi, "What's been going on in the side courtyard these past few days?"
Cuizhi shook her head and said, "It's hard to say what happened. Cherry only asked Granny Zhang to go out and buy some medicinal herbs on the second day, and then she never came out again. Tianye went to check on her once and said that everything was fine. I also asked Tianxing to go and check on her secretly. She said that the whole yard smelled of medicine, but she searched everywhere and couldn't find any dregs of the medicine."
Shi Lan nodded without saying anything.
Seeing that her face was pale and her expression had slightly improved, Cuizhi assumed that she was tired. She quickly moved the lampshade away and said, "It's getting late, Miss. You should rest early. You have to pay your respects to Madam early tomorrow morning. If you are late, the eldest young lady will surely scold you."
Shi Lan glanced at Cui Zhi, who was backlit, and nodded. Although she didn't know what the imposter had done these past few days, it seemed safe as long as it hadn't alarmed the Shi family.
Cuizhi closed the curtains, blew out the candles, and went out.
Shi Lan opened her eyes and looked at the shadows of the decorations in the dim room. The displeasure she had just suppressed slowly welled up again.
In the woods, she lost too much blood and fainted. She didn't know what happened afterward, but she asked Rong Qing about it. He was always vague, and when pressed, he said he made two cuts as a lesson.
When Shi Lan tried to ask for more details, he turned and left, refusing to show his face again.
Shi Lan was unable to move freely and couldn't do anything about him, but it would be a lie to say she wasn't curious. That's why she asked about the side courtyard as soon as she returned, just to find out how badly Shi Yi was injured.
Hearing Cuizhi say there was no movement, Shi Lan assumed it was a minor injury that didn't involve her life, which disappointed her.
He claimed to be a friend, but when he arrived, he was almost dead. Since he could hurt Shi Yi, it meant he was stronger than her. So why didn't he teach her a more profound lesson and vent his anger?
Shi Lan pouted, grabbed the curtain, and tugged at it hard, which aggravated the injury on her shoulder and back, making her wince in pain.
The next morning, Cuizhi drew back the curtains, and bright sunlight shone on Shilan's face as she slept soundly.
Cui Zhi looked down at Shi Lan's fair and translucent face, which resembled alabaster, and remained silent for a moment before her eyes reddened.
Shi Lan fluttered her eyelashes, opened her eyes, and saw Cui Zhi silently wiping away tears with her head down.
"What's going on so early in the morning?" Shi Lan asked, blinking.
Cuizhi turned her face away, wiped away her tears, and said with a smile, "This servant is happy to see you." As she spoke, she reached out and helped her sit up, placed a soft pillow behind her, washed her face with a warm handkerchief, and then helped her get dressed.
Sweetie came in through the door carrying a small bowl of steaming hot tea. "Miss, have a bowl of nourishing tea first. Don't eat anything too greasy when you go to Madam's later. I'll check your pulse again when we get back and adjust your prescription and medicinal diet."
Cuizhi was combing Shilan's hair when she turned her head and glanced at the small bowl. She then said to Tianxing, who was waiting by the door and wanted to come over, "Go and get the box that holds the candied fruit."
Sweet Apricot responded crisply and quickly took the box and placed it in front of Shi Lan.
Shi Lan frowned, picked up the bowl, took a sip, and was surprised to find that it was a little sweet. But she still habitually picked up a candied fruit and put it in her mouth, then looked at the sweet fruit curiously.
Sweet Fruit smiled slightly, glanced down at the various candied fruits in the box, and said, "These are fine for the young lady, but as this servant would suggest, she should eat more fresh seasonal fruits."
Shi Lan did know that fresh fruits and vegetables can replenish vitamins and promote wound healing, which is scientifically proven. However, this was ancient times, and she didn't expect that anyone would know this.
Shi Lan blinked her dark, grape-like eyes at her, her chubby cheeks twitching like a greedy squirrel, innocent, naive, and adorable.
Sweet Fruit looked at her and for a moment seemed to understand why her master treated her so differently. It was because she also wanted to pamper such a little person, protect her under her wings, and give her all the good things she could.
Perhaps this is what it means to be in darkness yet yearn for light!
Cuizhi helped Shilan to the dressing table, tied up her smooth long hair, and when it was time to put on her hair ornaments, her fingers slid over the brocade flowers that she had taken off the night before, and then picked up two pearl flowers made of pink rice-grain pearls and put them on her hair bun.
Shi Lan shook her head in front of the bronze mirror, feeling that it was too glamorous and wanted to change it. But then Cui Zhi picked up the unused rouge that had been set aside and carefully applied it to her face.
Shi Lan frowned and tilted her head to avoid him.
Cuizhi knew that she had never liked these things, but her face was pale and bloodless. How could she cover it up without applying powder?
Therefore, he could only sigh and advise, "Miss, please bear with it for a while. Madam and the eldest young lady always care about you. If they see you with such a face, wouldn't they be terrified?"
Shi Lan paused, turned around, and her small face remained stern.
A faint fragrance wafted over, and Shi Lan pouted, cursing Shi Yi in her heart several times, while also complaining about Rong Qing.
Cui Zhi carefully spread the powder, looked it over from left to right, and only stopped when she couldn't find any flaws.
Shi Lan looked at herself in the dim mirror, dissatisfied with the blurry image, and turned to ask Tian Guo, "How is it?"
She felt that since Tianguo could impersonate people so perfectly, she must have a better understanding of these things.
Sweet Fruit examined it for a moment and then smiled and said, "Sister Cuizhi's skills are naturally excellent, but the quality of this powder is a bit poor. If you look closely, the flaws will inevitably be visible. I will make some of my own special powder later, so that Sister Cuizhi's skillful hands will not be wasted."
As soon as Tianguo finished speaking, Cuizhi pursed her lips and glanced at her, somewhat puzzled. She didn't understand why Tianguo was being so friendly to her, since just a few days ago she had been cold and indifferent to her.
Shi Lan acknowledged her skill, immediately nodding and helping Cui Zhi up from the stool. She then led a large entourage of maids to Shi's mother's residence. (To be continued.)
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