Shi Lan touched the slippery substance and immediately shook her hand off. She turned to the man and asked, "What's wrong with you? I'm not a man-eating tiger, so why did you scare her like this? Husband, you're not the only friend of your brother, are you? Go and see which house doesn't scare her, and send her to that house. Our house probably can't accommodate her."
Shi Lan waited for a moment and saw that the man did not speak, but only looked at her with a pleading look in his eyes.
At this moment, Shi Lan thought of how she had knowingly helped the Imperial Concubine eliminate potential rivals despite knowing something was wrong, which led to those who had long harbored ill intentions coming to her door, causing Haoze to be unconscious at this moment.
She really was spoiled by Haoze. Shi Lan silently reflected on this, and suddenly felt much more at ease about the man bringing Zhou Yuxiu back. He must have been in a difficult position.
However, Shi Lan felt it was best to be upfront about Zhou Yuxiu, as she clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Then let her stay at home for now, but if she offends me, don't blame me for kicking her out of the house with a broom," she said, her face stern, and strode forward.
The man hurriedly took two steps forward to catch up, and looked down to see that Shi Lan's lips were tightly pursed, and she looked quite angry. He knew that this matter was a bit rash, but what could he do? Brother Zhou really didn't have any relatives at home, otherwise he wouldn't have entrusted it to him knowing that it was inappropriate.
Fortunately, Lan Niang has a sharp tongue but a kind heart, so Yu Xiu won't really suffer any grievances here.
The man held the lantern high to light the way ahead, lest his wife, whose eyesight was poor, trip and fall again.
Seeing the two of them talking intimately and ignoring her completely as they walked away, Zhou Yuxiu's face turned deathly pale with anger. She forced back the tears in her eyes, her lips pressed tightly together, and her usually beautiful and bright face suddenly took on a sharp edge.
Shi Lan has always had keen senses, and she could feel Zhou Yuxiu's hostility even from several feet away. A chill ran down her spine, and she couldn't help but shiver.
The man looked around and, seeing that no one was around, quietly extended his hand, touched the back of her cold hand, and gently held it in his palm.
His warm, large hands had a thin layer of calluses, and his fingers caressed her tender skin, bringing out a tingling, soft numbness.
Shi Lan's waist trembled, and her long, straight legs couldn't help but shake. She gritted her teeth and endured for a while before she could hide anything.
The night was quiet, with the sounds of insects and frogs echoing from the ridges of the fields. Fireflies danced merrily in the breeze. Shi Lan leaned slightly closer to the man, glancing at him from time to time, while pondering how to awaken his consciousness and let him know his true identity.
The man looked up at the houses lit up in the distance. Perhaps unaware of it himself, a hint of joy lingered in his eyes and brows, as if that were the place where his soul found its home.
Shi Lan followed his gaze and saw a very simple farmhouse courtyard with a few houses, a simple wooden wall, and a wisp of smoke drifting out of the chimney. An old man was moving something by the green-canopied horse-drawn cart at the door.
The man handed the lantern to Shi Lan, told her to "be careful," and strode towards the old man.
Shi Lan frowned and carefully examined the somewhat luxuriously decorated carriage. Looking at the dilapidated courtyard and her own coarse cloth dress, she suddenly couldn't understand what was going on. So, this man had been away from home for three years, and this time he had returned in glory?
Yu Xiu hurried along and finally caught up. Seeing Shi Lan in a daze, she pulled out a handkerchief she had been hiding and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She tried to appear nonchalant and said, "Brother Zhou is an exceptional man. If it weren't for your mother's passing, he would have already taken up his post as a guerrilla general." She squinted, looking at the man's back with longing and a dreamy gaze, and said, "How could a man like that only have one woman by his side, especially such a rude and uncouth one?"
Yu Xiu glanced at Shi Lan with disdain, then took small, swaying steps as she walked towards the man.
"Brother Mo, is there anything I can help you with?"
Hearing Yu Xiu's voice become cheerful and sweet again, Shi Lan narrowed her eyes.
In the courtyard, the man helped move everything into the house. He turned around and saw that Shi Lan was still standing in the same place. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and told the old man to unload the horse and the carriage shaft and carry them into the courtyard in batches. Then he went straight past Yu Xiu and came to Shi Lan.
"Why are you still standing there like an idiot? Aunt Wang has already cooked the food. It will get cold if you don't go back soon."
Shi Lan turned her gaze and smiled at the man. "Yu Xiu just told me that you're going to be a high-ranking official, and that high-ranking officials have many concubines. Someone as uncouth as me should hurry up and move out. I was so stunned that I forgot to go back."
The man frowned deeply, and his tone turned harsh. "Don't listen to her nonsense. What concubine? I only need you. Others are none of my business."
Shi Lan smiled, tilted her head slightly, and raised the corner of her eye. Her large eyes sparkled in the lantern light. "Really?"
The man stared intently at Shi Lan, his Adam's apple bobbing unconsciously. "Of course it's true."
The man's voice was slightly hoarse, with a rustling, caressing quality that made Shi Lan's ears itch and her fair cheeks flush slightly.
The man pursed his lips, suddenly turned his head, and swallowed hard while looking at the sky.
"Alright, let's save these things for tonight. I'll take you to meet Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang first. They'll be staying with us from now on."
Shi Lan smiled as she watched him look at the sky, the ground, and the fence, but not at her own appearance. She chuckled inwardly, then turned her gaze to the jealous and resentful eyes peering out from the doorway. The smile in her eyes deepened.
Little brat, trying to outdo her? You don't even know your own limitations.
Shi Lan followed the man into the house, where Aunt Wang had already set the food on the table.
A simple stir-fried bok choy, a few flatbreads, and a small bowl of congee.
Shi Lan had already prepared for this meal by dressing herself. Although she didn't know who had passed away, she was sure that the person was in mourning, otherwise she wouldn't be dressed in white.
The man remained calm, invited everyone to sit down, and then began to eat.
Shi Lan glanced at Zhou Yuxiu, who clearly disliked her but was forcing herself to endure it, then took a small sip of porridge, the faint taste of corn spreading in her mouth.
Shi Lan has experienced many things in the world. Although her skills are not very good, her taste buds are very discerning. With just one bite, she felt that the cooking time was perfect. After taking another bite of the pancake, she found that it was soft and firm, sweet and delicious, which brought out the sweetness of the corn itself and the soft and elastic texture of the wheat after being kneaded.
"It's delicious," Shi Lan said with a satisfied smile to Aunt Wang, who was cautiously looking at her.
Seeing her bright eyes and sincere face, Aunt Wang immediately smiled, and the anxiety between her brows subsided considerably. "I'm glad you like it, Madam. If you don't mind, I'll make it for you every day. I guarantee you'll enjoy it."
Shi Lan laughed and said, "I don't mind at all. If you complain about something that tastes so good, you'll be struck by lightning."
As she spoke, she glanced at Yuxiu, who was stirring the porridge bowl with a spoon, and asked in feigned surprise, "What's wrong, sister? Did you eat something on the way? Aren't you hungry now?"
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