Xun Rong opened his eyes and stared intently at Xun Wu, his dark eyes seemingly able to see through all the thoughts in a person's heart.
Xun Wu felt a cold sweat break out on his back from being stared at like that. He quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Uncle should know that Shan Twelve is the direct grandson of the Shan family head. Although the Shan family has declined somewhat in recent years, it still has a solid foundation. Wealth and material possessions are not necessarily of interest to the Shan family. If it were just to vent our anger, the Shan family might very well make such an excessive request."
Suppressing his displeasure, Xun Rong let out a soft breath and said, "Eighteen was indeed reckless this time, but he is, after all, your cousin. You should know what to do, right?"
Xun Wu felt a slight dissatisfaction, but still responded in a low voice and turned to leave.
After being discharged from the hospital, he glanced in the direction of Qingyuan and said in a low voice, "It's a good thing you have a good father. If you weren't born of the same mother as the patriarch, he wouldn't care whether you live or die."
"Speak," he said, flicking his sleeves as he returned to his courtyard, where he waited quietly for the people from the mountain family to arrive.
In the Green Courtyard, Shi Lan was about to return to her room when she was pulled aside by Bi, another maid who also served Xun Shiba, and whispered, "What's wrong with my lord? Why did he kick us all out as soon as he came back and hide in his room all by himself?"
Shi Lan curled her lip in disdain, pushed open her door and said, "I've gotten into trouble and I'm in a bad mood. You should stay away from me to avoid getting caught in the crossfire."
Bi watched in surprise as she entered the house as if it were none of her business, and quickly grabbed her hand as she was about to close the door, saying, "Since you know he's in a bad mood, why aren't you going to comfort him? You shouldn't be..."
She abruptly stopped speaking, glanced around furtively, and lowered her voice considerably, saying, "Haven't you always admired your husband? He's feeling down right now. If you could cheer him up, wouldn't that mean you could..."
Bi raised her eyebrows playfully.
Shi Lan twitched her lips.
Admire that coward?
Stop joking! It's the original owner of this body who likes him; she wouldn't even consider him a second.
"That is our master. Everything I do is to fulfill the duty of a loyal servant. I never covet anything that does not belong to me," Shi Lan declared solemnly.
Bi Man's eyes were full of disbelief.
As someone who grew up with her, I know exactly what she's thinking.
Seeing her like this, Shi Lan worried that she might talk nonsense and that not only she, but she herself would also suffer.
“I am a slave, and my master is my master. Even if one day I am favored by my master and become a concubine, and am fortunate enough to receive the grace of heaven and have children, they will still be born out of wedlock. You have seen the lives of the illegitimate sons and daughters in our household,” Shi Lan said, holding Bi’s hand. “I don’t want my children to live that kind of life, so please don’t say such things again.”
Bi lowered her eyes, thinking that the illegitimate sons in the mansion were at best just accessories to the legitimate sons, and at worst they were not even as good as ordinary maids. As for the illegitimate sisters, they were just dowry items sent out with the legitimate sons. Their future lives were in the hands of the legitimate sisters.
Well then, they can live their lives as they please. When their husbands get married, if the mistress is kind enough to marry them off to a kind and caring man, they can make do and live out their lives together.
Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, Shi Lan smiled slightly and said, "Alright, you take care of the young master for now. I'll come and relieve you once I'm ready."
Bi pushed her into the house, saying, "You must be tired after being out all day. I'll take care of your husband, so you can rest easy."
Shi Lan nodded and accepted her kindness with a smile.
Night gradually fell, and a tense atmosphere filled the main courtyard. Xun Wu greeted the mountain people who had come to demand an explanation on behalf of Xun Rong.
In the courtyard, Bi set out the food and went to call Xun Shiba, who was lying on the couch with his head covered. Not only was she kicked out, but she was also slapped twice.
Bi ran back crying. When Shi Lan saw that Bi's face was red and swollen from covering it, she quickly fetched a basin of cold water and applied it to her face.
Another maid came calling from outside the door. Helpless, Shi Lan let Bi Qin apply the compress and went into the main hall herself.
Upon entering, one sees food spilled on the floor.
Shi Lan waved to the maid, signaling her to clean up the floor.
When Xun Shiba saw Shi Lan, he angrily pulled the blanket over his head again and curled up on the couch.
Shi Lan stood by the couch, feeling nauseous at the sight of his cowardly behavior. However, she was still a maid in his courtyard, serving him personally. If she didn't speak up, she wouldn't have any excuse if the mistress of the house blamed her.
"The lights are still on in the front yard, so the Shan family probably hasn't left yet. The fact that no one has come to call them means the terms have already been agreed upon. If you wake up, young master, it would be best to go to the front yard..."
Before Shi Lan could finish speaking, Xun Shiba abruptly threw off the covers, glaring at her fiercely and saying, "I injured Shan Shier, and the Shan family wants nothing more than to devour me alive. You knew they hadn't left, yet you still sent me there. What are your true intentions?"
Shi Lan was taken aback, feeling that he was completely unreasonable.
"This is the Xun family's territory. No matter how arrogant the Shan family members are, they won't do anything here."
Shi Lan found it both funny and sad. Short-sighted, cowardly, weak, and cold-hearted, he was truly useless except for his face.
Xun Shiba glared angrily at Shi Lan.
Shi Lan said, "If the Shan family hadn't compromised, how could the front courtyard have been so peaceful? Now that everyone has reached a consensus, shouldn't you, as the person involved in this matter, go and apologize to the Shan family? Shouldn't you thank the family head and the other gentlemen who went to great lengths to help you?"
Xun Shiba slowly lowered his head, staring at the pattern of the brocade quilt, and said, "My uncle loves me, so he certainly won't care about these things. Xun Wu has always disliked me. Seeing me lower my head, he'll probably laugh at me."
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