Not to mention that the atmosphere in the study became heavy as the two discussed their topic.
Shi Lan followed Xing Bi back into the house. Xing Bi opened the box that Zheng Ziran had given her. Inside, there was a piece of emerald green jade pendant on top and a thin piece of paper underneath.
Upon opening it, I found a property deed.
Shi Lan frowned, feeling that this was a bit too much as a congratulatory gift, so she told Xing Bi to put it aside and wait for Zhu Yi to return before making any further plans.
At the gate, Dan Cai came over to report that all the maids and servants in the courtyard were waiting outside to pay their respects to the madam.
Shi Lan knew this was the usual practice, so she straightened her expression and sat down in the main hall.
Dan Cai called in all the second and third-class maids in the courtyard, followed by the rough-working women in the courtyard.
Shi Lan glanced around indifferently and saw that everyone below was bowing their heads respectfully, looking honest and docile. She knew that one could not tell whether a person was good or bad at a moment. She did not know whether the people here were loyal, but that did not prevent her from establishing her authority.
"Which old woman was on guard duty last night?"
Shi Lan's voice was soft and gentle, with a touch of naiveté typical of her age.
After a brief moment of slight commotion in the crowd, two old women stepped forward.
"Reporting to the Lady of the Heir Apparent, it is this old servant."
Shi Lan smiled and, without asking any questions, said directly, "Dan Cai, send these two traitors to the master they want to serve."
Dan Cai responded and walked up to the two of them, saying expressionlessly, "Let's go."
The two old women looked at each other in bewilderment, then suddenly collapsed to the ground, wailing, "Madam, have mercy!"
One of them said, "This old servant did not intentionally let people in. It was just that I was so happy yesterday that I forgot myself and drank a couple more cups of wine."
The other gritted her teeth and said, "That Lanqiu is really cunning. She took advantage of our distraction and slipped in from the side. When she saw us trying to stop her, she started making a big fuss. We couldn't stop her in time, which is why we disturbed you, Madam." As she spoke, she kowtowed heavily and said, "Every word I said is true. Please, Madam, see for yourself."
Before she could finish speaking, another person also fell to the ground, the dull thud causing Shi Lan to frown slightly.
Dan Cai looked up at Shi Lan, who was also somewhat troubled. It was true that these two old women were causing her trouble, but perhaps they had really fallen into a trap.
She was just a little uneasy about having someone like that guarding the gate.
Heavy footsteps came from outside the door. The curtain was lifted and Zhu Yi walked in. He saw the two people lying on the ground and refused to get up. He recognized them as the old woman who guarded the door and frowned.
Shi Lan smiled faintly at him, and was about to speak when Zhu Yi said, "What happened? You upset Madam on the very first day. Did Dan Cai beat her up?"
The old women had initially intended to ask Zhu Yi for help when he came in, but to their surprise, he didn't even ask any questions and immediately stood up for Shi Lan. Now they were truly filled with regret.
I shouldn't have let that little vixen blind me with her small favors and let her in. Now I've lost my job.
Dan Cai Mumu responded, pointed to two strong old women, and ordered them to pick up the old woman on the ground and carry her over.
After this incident, the dozen or so people standing in the room fell silent, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Shi Lan thanked Zhu Yi for helping her establish her authority and smiled gently at him.
Sunlight illuminated her face, and Zhu Yi, sitting not far away, could clearly see the fine hairs on her cheeks trembling as she moved slightly.
Zhu Yi's fingers twitched slightly, and his eyes fell on her lips.
The swelling from last night seems to have subsided somewhat, though the color is slightly redder.
Zhu Yi swallowed hard and subconsciously licked his lips, the feeling of holding a soft woman in his arms last night washing over him again.
The person who had given him the incense had already turned around and gestured to Xingbi beside him to give him the purse that had been prepared in advance, and then said that the people in the courtyard would receive double the monthly allowance.
Everyone was overjoyed, and they exchanged glances without making it obvious that they admired the generous Lady of the Heir Apparent.
After everyone left, Zhi Cui brought over breakfast.
Because the cooks didn't know Shi Lan's tastes, Zhi Cui just stood there watching.
After breakfast, Zhu Yi led Shi Lan out to digest their food and familiarize themselves with the mansion. To avoid being disturbed, he left Zhi Cui and the others behind.
Even in the early morning, the summer weather was still hot, and Shi Lan felt sweat beading on her forehead after following him around for a while.
Zhu Yi then pointed to the pavilion not far away, offering to take her there to rest for a while.
Shi Lan nodded, but as soon as she took a step, she heard a commotion coming from the bushes not far away. The voice sounded vaguely familiar to Shi Lan, and when she heard that the conversation involved the person she cared about most, she couldn't help but slow down.
“Back then, I was in a difficult position. You had no manners when you were out there, and you offended the current wife of the Crown Prince. Even if I wanted to plead for you, I couldn’t find a reason. When I heard that you were flogged twenty times, I was so heartbroken that I couldn’t sleep all night. I was thinking of bringing you back to my side after you recovered, but I ended up back in Bazhou,” she paused and said, “Fortunately, we’re back now, and you don’t have to do these rough jobs anymore.”
Shi Lan listened intently for a while and confirmed that this person was Lan Qiu, who had caused her trouble last night. Thinking of her master, Shi Lan's ears perked up even more.
The person she was trying to persuade remained silent for a moment before saying, "I don't regret standing up for Miss Biao. You don't know how Miss Biao looked back then; it really broke my heart." She paused and added, "As for going back, let's forget about it. We're serving our master anyway, so it's the same wherever we are."
Lanqiu probably didn't expect her to refuse, and her voice was a little anxious, "How can that be the same? Look at you, it's only been a short time, and your hands are already like this. Even the doorman's hands are more delicate than yours."
Hearing this, Shi Lan glanced at Zhu Yi, who was listening to the opera with her.
The only person in the mansion who had offended her was the maid who followed Qian Zhiqing. At the time, Zhu Yi showed no sign of anything amiss, but unexpectedly, upon returning to the mansion, he ordered her to be beaten with twenty strokes of the cane.
Shi Lan twitched her lips.
That delicate girl, after twenty lashes, was half dead. Qian Zhiqing was truly heartless. She was someone who served her and stood up for her, yet she not only didn't plead for her, but also ignored her afterwards. How cold-hearted she must be.
Seeing Shi Lan's strange expression, Zhu Yi raised an eyebrow.
The two entered the pavilion in silence.
After settling down, Shi Lan glanced at him and said, "Poor, such a delicate girl, how could you hit her like that?"
Perhaps because she knew he was Haoze's clone, Shi Lan was initially a little unfamiliar with him, but afterwards she became more casual with him.
Seeing her bright eyes sparkling and her lips curved in a smile, Zhu Yi knew she wasn't angry and was just teasing him. So he said, "In my eyes, those who follow their master are only obedient and sensible servants, not delicate young ladies."
Shi Lan couldn't help but chuckle, covering her mouth and giving him a soft, piercing look.
Zhu Yi felt a tickle in his heart from her gaze. He wanted to get closer but felt the place was too open, so he said, "It's getting late. If we wait any longer, it will get hot and you'll catch a heatstroke. Why don't I take you to the waterside pavilion in front? It's the most comfortable place in the afternoon."
Shi Lan had long seen through his thoughts and wanted to help him achieve his own goals, so she nodded with a smile.
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