Early in the morning, Yue Zhan left home just after 5 a.m., as usual. Shi Lan finished her breakfast and came to the garden, walking along the path.
Shi Lan heard the sound of dry leaves being crushed behind her and turned to look.
Grandma Gu was slowly walking towards her.
Shi Lan tilted her head back, a smug smile playing on her lips.
Seeing her like this, Aunt Gu knew that she had gotten the goods. Without even exchanging pleasantries, she directly reached out her hand and said, "Thank you for your trouble, madam. I will take the goods with me."
Shi Lan clasped her hands in front of her chest, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, and her rosy lips pursed, as if she hadn't even seen the hand extended in front of her. "Auntie, have you forgotten what I said?"
Grandma Gu was stunned for a moment.
Seeing her like this, Shi Lan's expression immediately changed, and she glanced at her unhappily: "Didn't Auntie promise me yesterday that she would take me with Bu Shangshi?"
After a moment's thought, Aunt Gu said, "Old Man Liu has indeed agreed to your request, but he is in a hurry and cannot wait much longer. If you wish to come with me, you must leave the manor with me immediately. I wonder if you are willing?"
Shi Lan was just waiting for this, so she naturally agreed. She immediately put on a smile again and followed Aunt Gu toward the gate of the mansion. Before leaving, she glanced into the distance, where the leaves were swaying slightly, as if trying to stop her, or as if they were just being gently brushed by the wind.
As soon as they stepped out of the mansion and turned a corner, Granny Gu's hunched back suddenly straightened up. Only then did Shi Lan realize that Granny Gu was tall, almost as tall as herself. Moreover, she was long-legged and had a steady, even gait, indicating that she must be a martial arts expert.
Shi Lan's eyebrows twitched slightly. She hadn't expected that Old Man Liu would actually invest so much. It was a waste to keep such a skilled person in the mansion as a servant who trimmed flowers and plants.
After turning two more corners and looking at the surrounding environment, Shi Lan understood.
She's been here several times.
Aunt Gu cautiously knocked on a courtyard gate, and a moment later, a familiar face came out to open it.
Looking at the face she had painstakingly painted on herself, only to have it instantly exposed by Liu Weng, Shi Lan felt a strange mix of emotions.
The visitor opened the door and went inside. Aunt Gu locked the door again before leading Shi Lan inside.
Pushing open the door, in the main room, Old Man Liu sat with his eyes lowered, sipping tea, seemingly oblivious to Shi Lan who had already entered the room.
Looking at Liu Weng, who was putting on airs, Shi Lan remained silent. Anyone can put on airs; after all, she wasn't the one being chased around. Whoever was anxious knew better.
Shi Lan silently counted in her mind, wondering if he could make it past ten.
Before she could even count to five, Old Man Liu put down his teacup, looked up with a smile as if he had just noticed her, and said with a smile, "Lan Niang has arrived. Look how old I am, my eyes are failing and my ears are not working well either." As he spoke, he gestured for Shi Lan to sit down at the lower seat, and then said to the inside, "Yao Geluo, prepare tea."
As soon as Liu Weng finished speaking, the curtain swayed, and the person who had just opened the door came over with a teacup.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to get tea, Shi Lan quickly scanned the area from top to bottom and suddenly realized why Liu Weng had seen through her.
It turns out that this medicine doctor, Gro, was missing a finger on one of his hands.
There are very few people in this world who are born with a missing finger, so how could she have imagined that she would impersonate such a person?
Shi Lan gently tapped the rim of her cup and sighed inwardly, thinking how cruel fate was.
After enjoying the tea, it was time to get down to business. Shi Lan had done her best to buy Yue Zhan time to surround the area. If she didn't produce the token now, Liu Weng might turn on her and try to snatch it.
“Uncle Liu, please look, this is the pass token,” Shi Lan placed the token on the table and gestured to him.
Old Liu led the way with a smile, though he was actually quite impatient. If he weren't so confident in his status, he probably would have asked for it as soon as they met.
Yao Geluo picked up the token and carefully placed it in front of Liu Weng.
Old Liu picked it up and held it up to the light, squinting at it for a while before smiling. "Not bad, it's real." He turned to Shi Lan and gave her a kind and gentle smile. "Lan Niang has really helped me a lot. I don't know how to thank you enough."
Shi Lan smiled and bowed slightly, "Uncle Liu, you flatter me. I am only able to live up to my name because of you. It is nothing to thank you for such a small thing."
Old Liu chuckled as he accepted Shi Lan's flattery, put the token into his pocket, and said to Granny Gu, "Let's get started."
Aunt Gu had been standing behind Shi Lan. Upon hearing Liu Weng's instructions, she opened her palm and grabbed Shi Lan's neck.
Shi Lan had been wary of her ever since she noticed that she was different. As soon as Liu Weng finished speaking, Shi Lan grabbed a teacup and smashed it hard against Aunt Gu.
The teacup, still steaming hot, was splashed at her. Aunt Gu didn't dare to catch it head-on and quickly dodged to the side. The teacup flew high into the air and crashed into the pillar behind her.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shi Lan suddenly exerted force with both legs, leaped up from the ground, grabbed a small table, and smacked it at Granny Gu's forehead.
A crisp cracking sound came out of the window, followed by a loud crash outside. When Yue Zhan led a group of people in, they saw Shi Lan fiercely smashing Aunt Gu's head until it was covered in blood.
Hearing the commotion, Ashina rushed out of the inner room. Seeing everyone, he hurriedly shouted to Liu Weng, "My lord, let's go!" He then led the remaining guards and rushed towards Yue Zhan and the others.
Old Liu was a man of experience; seeing the situation inside was not good, he didn't run outside, but instead went into the inner room.
Seeing his reaction, Shi Lan guessed that there was probably a secret passage inside. She quickly kicked Aunt Gu a few times, and while she was staggering, she finished her off with a flying kick. Then she turned and chased after her inside.
Inside the room, Bu Mingbo was staring blankly as Yao Geluo struggled to move the heavy wooden planks on the bed. Seeing this, Liu Weng said angrily, "Aren't you going to help?"
Bu Mingbo then realized what was happening and hurriedly agreed to step forward. However, he had never lifted anything heavy before, and after moving for a long time, he still couldn't move a single board. Instead, he hindered Yao Geluo's movements, which angered Liu Weng so much that he pushed him aside and took over the task himself.
When Shi Lan entered, the large wooden bed had been mostly moved aside, revealing a dark opening inside.
Shi Lan remained silent, then grabbed Liu Weng by the collar and dragged him backward.
Liu Weng was stepping onto the couch to descend into the cave when Shi Lan dragged him down to the ground in a disheveled state. Yao Geluo muttered something upon seeing this and then pounced on Shi Lan.
With Liu Weng in her hand, Shi Lan couldn't free herself, so she reflexively kicked him hard, sending him flying several steps away.
Yao Geluo spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered, and collapsed to the ground.
Shi Lan turned to look at Bu Mingbo, still wary of him.
Bu Mingbo's legs trembled as he looked at Shi Lan, whose eyes were filled with murderous intent, and he took two steps back.
Shi Lan then grabbed Liu Weng and dragged him toward the hall.
Liu Weng resisted repeatedly, attempting to break free from Shi Lan's confinement.
Unfortunately, he was getting old and his strength was much less than that of a young person. In addition, he had just injured his leg a few days ago and was unable to exert any strength. He was dragged to the edge of the hall.
Knowing that Liu Weng had reached the hall and it was too late to come over, Yao Geluo struggled to his feet and pounced on him like a madman. (To be continued.)
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