The next morning, Shi Lan followed Li Tiezhu to the county government office to recognize her relatives.
Shi Luan led the uneasy Li Tiezhu to the study, while Shi Lan chatted with her sister-in-law Liu Shi for a while, and before they knew it, it was noon.
After dinner, Madam Liu wanted Shi Lan to stay for a few more days, but Shi Lan was worried that Li Tiezhu wouldn't be comfortable, so she declined. After dinner, she made an appointment to come back in a few days and then went back with Li Tiezhu in a carriage.
A few days later, Shi Luan missed his sister and didn't want her to be too far away, so he bought another house in the county and sent someone to bring the two of them over.
Shi Lan discussed it with Li Tiezhu. Although Li Tiezhu was somewhat reluctant, he readily agreed when he thought that his wife would give birth next year, and that he, as a man, knew nothing about these things and would have to rely on her brother and sister-in-law for help.
Two days later, Shi Lan and her husband moved into a two-courtyard house not far from the county government office with their belongings. At the same time, Li Tiezhu officially took office as a yamen runner in the county government office and began to receive a salary from the imperial court.
Having solved the basic problem of survival, Shi Lan, with her increasingly heavy belly, went to the Liu residence to visit Madam Han.
The Liu family had many friends in the county, so they naturally heard about the magistrate's search for relatives. In the inner courtyard, when Madam Han heard that Shi Lan had come to visit, she hurriedly swept the bed to welcome him.
Shi Lan smiled and chatted with her for a long time. First, she praised the beautiful scenery of Liu Mansion and the unique shapes of the flowers and trees. Then she praised the exquisite and elegant furnishings in the mansion, and the embroidered screens and ornaments were so lifelike.
Han smiled and agreed, but she was actually quite uneasy.
This county magistrate has powerful connections and his family is not lacking in gold and silver. The Liu family is not influential and usually can't find an opportunity to curry favor with him, so how could they dare to offend him?
Shi Lan, as his younger sister, usually lived a secluded life and rarely came when invited. Today, she made a special trip to the Liu residence and praised him in every way. Although Madam Han was not very knowledgeable, she knew that Shi Lan had not come to praise the Liu family alone.
At first, Han thought she was there to make money, but when she offered to give her gifts several times, she firmly refused, even turning down a small trinket inlaid with gold thread.
Han was completely confused, unable to figure out Shi Lan's true intentions. It wasn't until Shi Lan casually mentioned that she had lived in Li Family Village for some time that Han suddenly had a flash of inspiration and felt that she was vaguely getting to the bottom of things.
With the idea of ​​sacrificing a friend rather than himself, Han ordered someone to summon Li Chunni, who was also from Lijia Village, while secretly pondering his next move.
Normally, in a wealthy family like the Liu family, concubines should come to pay their respects every morning and evening. Madam Han used to follow this rule. However, recently, all the young women in the mansion have been restless, making a ruckus every day. Madam Han found this annoying and sent them to stay in her own courtyard, forbidding them from going out unless necessary.
Everyone thought this would be a boon for Li Chunni, who was good at pleasing men, but unexpectedly, it was Zhang Yinglian, who stirred up trouble, who was favored instead. Madam Han was a little surprised by this, but she was also happy to see a joke. Anyway, Young Master Liu was fickle, and his rise and fall in favor would be over in the blink of an eye.
However, looking at Shi Lan calmly eating her sweet soup, Han suddenly became unsure whether she should change her attitude towards Li Chunni.
Han was lost in thought when a maidservant came to report that Aunt Chun had come to pay her respects.
Upon hearing the name announced by the maid, Shi Lan almost spat out her mouthful of sweet water.
Han straightened her back, her face habitually cold. "Let her in."
Shi Lan smiled and nodded at her, then turned her gaze to the doorway.
Living in a large mansion, Han spent most of her time trying to figure out what people were thinking. Shi Lan's casual glance was interpreted as a warning by Han, who quickly abandoned her usual domineering demeanor and put on a kind smile on her fair and round face.
Li Chunni entered the room, curtsied according to custom, and then stood quietly to the side with her head bowed.
Han glanced at Shi Lan ingratiatingly, trying to soften her voice, "Aunt Chun, I've heard you're from Li Family Village?"
Li Chunni, holding a peach-pink handkerchief, respectfully replied, "Yes, Madam."
Shi Lan picked up a piece of peach cut into bite-sized pieces, put it in her mouth, and swallowed the sweet and juicy flesh with her eyes slightly narrowed.
Madam Han smiled and nodded in a seemingly serious manner. "Madam Li also stayed in Li Family Village for a while. Hearing that you were from there, she wanted to invite you to come and meet her. Hurry up and go and greet Madam Li!"
After Han finished speaking, she turned her eyes to Shi Lan, seemingly wanting to take the opportunity to probe her attitude.
Shi Lan was well aware of the tricks of the Da Zhai Men (a powerful family in China), and she didn't care about Han Shi's probing. Her target was Li Chunni, and she would be at ease as long as she saw that this vicious woman was not doing well.
Upon hearing Han's instructions, Li Chunni stepped forward gracefully, her gaze lowered as she stared at Shi Lan's skirt that trailed on the ground. She curtsied and said, "Greetings, Madam Li."
Shi Lan put down the silver spoon in her hand, turned her head and looked at her teasingly, "No need for formalities."
Li Chunni looked up and saw Shi Lan. Her eyes, full of charm, widened in surprise. Shi Lan saw that Li Chunni's face was pale and she was trembling all over. She felt extremely happy.
With a slight frown, she looked Li Chunni up and down, then turned to Han with a smile and said, "The land and water of Li Family Village are truly excellent; the women raised here are different from those elsewhere."
Han's lips twitched. Although Shi Lan had been smiling the whole time, she felt that something was off.
Shi Lan didn't expect her to reply, and said, "Speaking of which, this aunt looks familiar to me. She seems to be the woman I rescued by the river in Lijia Village."
Li Chunni dared not speak, but bit her lower lip tightly, lowering her head to hide her bloodshot eyes filled with hatred.
Shi Lan touched her belly, a gentle smile flashing across her face before she looked at Li Chunni with a mocking expression and said, "It's quite a coincidence that I became pregnant after that day. I guess it's a case of good people getting good rewards."
Shi Lan's words acted like a fuse, igniting Li Chunni's deeply suppressed resentment, anger, and hatred. She hated Li Tiezhu for being heartless and resolutely rejecting her tender confession, and resented Shi Lan for not dying and stubbornly clinging to Li Tiezhu's position as his wife. She was also unwilling to accept that she had a second chance and should have to watch Shi Lan flaunt her power in front of her.
A maidservant brought over a teacup, and Li Chunni suddenly felt a surge of anger and tripped her.
Caught off guard by someone's mischief, the maidservant immediately tilted her body and poured the scalding hot tea she was holding straight at Shi Lan.
Shi Lan has been diligently cultivating lately, and her five senses are already far more acute than those of ordinary people. As soon as Li Chunni made her move, Shi Lan got up and hid far away to the side.
Han, who was sitting not far away, grimaced as the hot tea splashed everywhere. She wanted to get angry, but because Shi Lan was there, she could only grit her teeth and endure it. However, her eyes looked like she wanted to devour Li Chunni alive.
After watching this farce, Shi Lan was certain that Li Chunni, who had offended the Han family, would only have a worse time. She then gathered her thin sleeves and headed home.
Before leaving, she maliciously reminded Han that there were many women in the mansion, and the walls and such should be repaired more often to prevent giving scoundrels an opportunity to take advantage.
Seeing that Han Shi readily agreed, Shi Lan went to her brother's house for a free meal, feeling quite satisfied.
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