Having dealt with Shi Yi, who threatened the safety of the Shi family, Shi Lan heard the news that her father had broken off the engagement. She felt that the sky was exceptionally blue and the air was exceptionally fresh. Upon learning that Shi Xi was admiring chrysanthemums in the garden, she disregarded the rising autumn wind and ran to the garden to find her. However, her joy turned to sorrow, and she developed a fever that very night after returning home.
Shi's mother has been distressed lately. First, Shi Lan had a series of problems, then her illegitimate daughter got into trouble, her eldest daughter broke off her engagement, and now she heard that Shi Lan had fallen ill. Shi's mother couldn't bear it anymore and also fell ill.
Upon hearing this, Shi Rong, forgetting even to read the book, rushed over to visit her. Shi Xi, who was still a little sad, couldn't care less at this moment. Every day, she was either taking care of her mother or managing the household affairs. In her spare time, she would also visit Shi Lan to check if she was taking her medicine on time and if the maids were serving her well. She was so busy that she was dizzy and had long forgotten who Ning Zhan was.
In Lanxiang Courtyard, Shi Lan lay curled up on the bed, her nose red, her clear black and white eyes bloodshot, her usually rosy face flushed with an unusual redness, and her whole body burning hot.
Sweet Fruit carefully examined her tongue coating and then her face. After a long while, she withdrew her fingers from her wrist, her face full of suspicion. "Strange, this pulse seems real but weak, barely there, beating slowly, thin and weak. At first glance, it looks like evil qi has entered the body and she has a cold syndrome, but her face doesn't look like that. Why is that?"
Sweet Fruit stroked her chin, frowning and pondering.
Cuizhi looked at Shilan with concern, and pulled the quilt back up with her slender hand.
Shi Lan impatiently moved her neck and wriggled to pull the blanket down, feeling as if her body was on fire.
Seeing her like this, Cuizhi's eyes reddened, and she looked at Tianguo pleadingly, "You'd better think of something quickly."
Sweet Fruit glanced at her, then lowered her head and remained silent, her delicate eyebrows furrowing even more.
Doesn't she want to think of a solution? Others may not know, but she does. Sweet Leaf has to report everything about this little darling to her master every day.
Now that this master is ill, that other man is probably stirring up trouble. If things go wrong, he might end up being buried with him.
Seeing her troubled expression, Shi Lan smiled and said, "Well, life and death are predestined and cannot be forced. Just do your best. If I can't cure her, it's my fate."
Upon hearing this, Cuizhi could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.
Sweet Fruit was also feeling unwell, but she had been through a lot, so she didn't show her sadness. She just said, "Don't worry, Miss. I'm known in the martial arts world as the King of Hell. I can even bring someone who's about to die back to life, let alone a minor illness like yours."
Shi Lan smiled and nodded, "Okay, I believe you."
Sweet Fruit grinned, "Then I'll go write the prescription and brew the medicine."
Shi Lan nodded slightly.
Seeing that she had closed her eyes, Cuizhi guessed that she was about to sleep, so she lowered the curtain to block out the light.
After a series of rustling footsteps, the room fell silent. Shi Lan opened her eyes and looked at the purse hanging on the curtain. She sighed softly. It seemed that her time was almost up. The severe damage to her soul not only affected her emotions and temperament but also reduced the degree to which her soul adapted to her body.
During this time, she has been cultivating the Chaos Technique, hoping to stay as long as possible.
Shi Yi's nominal death fundamentally resolved the Shi family's crisis. If she were to leave now, her mission would be complete. However, she still had some concerns. She was the one who broke up Shi Xi's marriage, and she felt it was her responsibility to help find a good husband so that her sister, who had always cared for, loved, and looked after her, could find happiness.
And then there's Shi Rong, who hasn't yet taken the imperial examination, hasn't ridden through the streets on horseback with a red flower, and his parents haven't yet seen their most beloved daughter get married, nor their son Rong Guang.
Moreover, she hadn't even thanked Rong Qing yet. If it weren't for him, her ideas probably wouldn't have been implemented before she died in that dark night.
Shi Lan slowly closed her eyes. Too many regrets held her back, making her reluctant and unwilling to leave this place.
Golden light flowed rapidly throughout her body, and specks of golden light pierced through her skin, forming a hazy halo around her.
September was already halfway over. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Shi family mansion was unusually quiet. Shi's mother was still ill, Shi Lan was bedridden, and Shi Xi was in charge of the household affairs. Due to the many things to do and the heavy atmosphere at home, she did not want to make a fuss. She only ordered the steward to give the servants in the mansion half a month's wages and let them celebrate the festival on their own.
After Shi Lan finished cultivating the Chaos Technique, she groggily opened her eyes. Outside the window, several maids were whispering and laughing.
Shi Lan lifted the curtain and called Cui Zhi over to ask what was going on.
Cuizhi then told Shilan about the monthly allowance, and Shilan grinned with her chapped lips, saying, "Time flies, it's already Mid-Autumn Festival."
Cuizhi tucked a soft pillow behind her and helped her up.
Shi Lan took a few shallow breaths and said, "At this time last year, my eldest brother was still at the academy. He's back this year, so it's time for the whole family to sit down and have a meal together. Go, have Tianguo make something delicious. We'll go to Mother's place later."
Cuizhi looked down at her flushed face, hesitating and not moving.
Shi Lan glanced at her, and seeing her reluctant expression, smiled.
“I’m much better these past two days, you see,” she straightened her back and slowly stood up, “I’m not as weak as you thought.”
Cuizhi pursed her lips, thinking that she had indeed improved a lot in the past two days, and that she must have been overthinking things before. So she agreed and went to the small kitchen.
As evening fell and the autumn breeze grew cooler, Shi Lan, dressed in a peach-pink jacket and skirt with gold trim, a crescent-shaped silver fur cloak, furry mink gloves, and soft sable boots, arrived at the main courtyard.
Shi's mother already knew that Shi Lan was coming. Upon hearing the maid announce her arrival, she quickly had the curtains lifted.
Shi Xi, who had arrived early, hurried forward to greet her at the door. Seeing that she was wrapped up in fluffy fur, like a ball of fur, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
Shi Lan affectionately took her hand, smiling and playfully scolding her for not waiting for her first.
Shi Xi raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a smile. She gently touched the stray hairs under the fluffy hat and pulled her inside.
A brazier was burning inside, and as soon as Shi Lan entered, she felt a wave of heat hit her face, and her back and arms immediately broke out in a layer of sweat.
Seeing her frown, Cuizhi knew she was uncomfortable, so she quickly took off her tightly closed hat and cloak. Only then did Shi Lan feel lighter, and the hot and uncomfortable sweat gradually dissipated.
Shi's mother was weak and slumped on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, waving to her through a half-beaded curtain.
Shi Lan turned to look at Cui Zhi, and seeing her nod to indicate that her makeup was fine, she walked over with peace of mind.
Shi's mother held her hand and looked her over carefully. She saw that her face was rosy, her eyes were bright, and although her lips were chapped, they were obviously much better than before. Her mother finally felt relieved.
In a good mood, she felt much lighter and soon sat up. By the time the Shi family father and son arrived, she was already able to get up, sit cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), and even complained of being hungry.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Shi was overjoyed and immediately instructed the kitchen staff to prepare more of the foods that Mrs. Shi usually liked to eat.
Shi Lan smiled as she looked at her mother, whose face was haggard and whose figure was thin, but a trace of worry flashed through her heart. (To be continued.)
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