Hearing Yue Zhan softly ask her if there was any way to find Liu Weng, Shi Lan smiled slightly and said, "I do have a way, but you have to promise me one thing first."
Yue Zhan had long since lost his temper with her, so there was no reason for him not to agree.
Seeing that he nodded, Shi Lan said, "I want Liu Weng's life. As long as you agree to hand him over to me, I will tell you how."
Yue Zhan was in a dilemma. The guards he had already captured confessed that Shi Weng's status in their tribe was second only to the Khan. He was eager to capture Liu Weng because the autumn harvest was approaching, and he needed to quickly find out news from the Turks and make arrangements in advance. If he handed the man over to Shi Lan as soon as he captured him, his plan would be somewhat difficult.
“Lan Niang, I know he killed your stepmother. You want to kill him for revenge. I promise you, I will hand him over to you for disposal, but it will probably take a while,” Yue Zhan decided to tell the truth after thinking for a moment.
Shi Lan knew this was his biggest concession, so he immediately nodded and readily told her about Qiu Yue's visit. When asked why she had come to see her, Shi Lan explained that they had arrested Bu Mingbo, who taught her music theory, and were using him to threaten her.
Yue Zhan already knew about Bu Mingbo's visit to her, and after hearing Shi Lan's explanation, he had no doubts about her; on the contrary, he was very happy.
He felt that Shi Lan's willingness to tell him meant that she trusted him, but he automatically ignored the fact that she needed to rely on his strength.
Now that a consensus has been reached, everything is much easier. After giving the steward a few instructions, Yue Zhan met with Shi Lan to discuss the next steps.
Shi Lan was very interested in capturing Shi Weng, as was Yue Zhan. The two of them talked back and forth, quite enthusiastically. It wasn't until Zhu'er came over to ask if they had eaten that they realized it was already dark outside.
Yue Zhan had been traveling for several days straight without even having a hot meal. Hearing that there was a meal, his stomach started growling.
Shi Lan smiled and told them to hurry up and set the table. Dou'er came in carrying a large food box and quickly filled the table.
Shi Lan spent the whole afternoon in the corridor and wasn't hungry at all, so she grabbed a red bean flatbread and slowly nibbled on it.
Yue Zhan devoured the large plate of steamed meat, a big bowl of mutton soup noodles, and two flatbreads on the table. Still a little hungry, Shi Lan pushed the honey-roasted spare ribs on her table towards him.
Yue Zhan didn't take it, but pushed it back to her, saying, "This stuff is too sweet, only you like it." As he spoke, he grabbed a sesame cake and ate it with the remaining mutton soup noodles that Shi Lan hadn't touched.
Shi Lan was taken aback by his words, and pointed at the honey-grilled pork ribs, saying, "If you don't like it, why did you ask the kitchen to make it?"
Yue Zhan chuckled as he ate his pancake without saying a word, slurping down the soup with relish.
Shi Lan turned to Zhu'er and asked, "You don't like to eat this either?"
Zhu'er nodded somewhat shyly and said, "My lady, I prefer stronger flavors."
Shi Lan was stunned.
In the blink of an eye, Yue Zhan had finished most of the bowl. Looking up at Shi Lan who wasn't eating, he quickly said, "What are you doing? Eat up."
Shi Lan responded blankly, slowly biting into her pancake, her dark eyes darting around as she looked at Yue Zhan.
After dinner, Yue Zhan asked Zhu'er to prepare water for a bath and rest. Shi Lan tried for a while but still couldn't bring herself to ask why he had made desserts specifically for her.
Once she lay down on the bed, Shi Lan mustered her courage several times before finally trying to speak, but when she turned her head, she saw that Yue Zhan was already breathing evenly and had fallen asleep.
Shi Lan let out a soft breath, her heart filled with mixed feelings—disappointment? relief? regret?
Perhaps a little of both.
Shi Lan closed her eyes, and the room fell silent.
Another day passed in the blink of an eye, and Yue Zhan continued his search outside. Groups of soldiers moved through every street, and every household was searched. Shops along the street were also questioned to see if anyone was selling anything to people who looked different from the Tang people.
This hadn't happened in a long time, and the people were in a panic. Yue Zhan, however, didn't offer any explanation, which only made everyone in the city more anxious.
In contrast, Shi Lan, who stayed in the mansion, had a much easier time. All she needed to do was take a walk and enjoy the breeze every day.
The afternoon sun was bright and intense, and even though it was already autumn, it was still very hot. Shi Lan strolled slowly along the garden path, fanning herself with a round fan. A few fallen leaves occasionally drifted down around her, creating a unique and pleasant atmosphere with the slightly cool breeze.
A few steps away, the branches swayed, and Shi Lan stopped, shouting warily, "Who's there?"
The branches and leaves rustled as a weathered hand parted them, revealing the person inside.
His face was sallow, thin, and wrinkled.
Shi Lan recognized her; she was Granny Gu, who tended the flowers and plants. It was Granny Gu who had given the original owner that strange look when she suggested letting Bu Mingbo go.
"I'm the gardener here, did I frighten you, madam?"
Grandma Gu's voice was hoarse, which was particularly unpleasant to listen to.
"It's alright," Shi Lan said calmly, nodding as she waved her fan, and continued walking forward.
Aunt Gu stepped forward and came to Shi Lan's side, whispering, "Qiu Yue has offended you, Madam. Old Man Liu was very angry when he heard about it and has already dealt with it. Please don't take it to heart, Madam."
Shi Lan already knew that Qiu Yue was dead. When Yue Zhan heard that Qiu Yue had met with him, he sent his steward there, but all he found was Qiu Yue's body.
Shi Lan had been loitering around here waiting for nothing more than her. Now that she had finally shown herself, Shi Lan chuckled inwardly, but feigned unfamiliarity and asked, "You are...?"
Aunt Gu bowed her head respectfully and said, "My surname is Gu."
Shi Lan nodded, "Aunt Gu."
Aunt Gu bowed her head respectfully, appearing ready to listen attentively.
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