In the evening, after seeing off the ladies, Shi Lan called Tan Yue over.
After recounting how Wang Yuan had smashed cups and bowls in anger, Tan Yue smiled broadly and said, "Young Madam, you didn't see it. When Xiang Xue went to the steward to collect the cups, she got a scolding from him. Hehe, it was so satisfying! I've never seen Xiang Xue's face turn so dark before."
Shi Lan looked at Tan Yue laughing carefree and shook her head. "Don't be too happy yet. Wang Yuan won't just stand by and watch me win over those ladies. Tomorrow, go and invite Third Brother over. I have some things to discuss with him."
This was the first time Tan Yue had felt truly proud since arriving at the Zhu family. Even though Shi Lan had warned her, she still smiled and left.
The next morning, Shi Lan had just finished breakfast when Shi Yan rushed over.
The clever moon explorer ran out into the yard to keep watch.
After Shi Yan sat down, he drank a cup of water to catch his breath.
"Fifth Sister, why did you call me here in such a hurry? Is there something you need?"
Shi Lan nodded and solemnly recounted her meeting with Liu Hanchi a few days ago.
"Third Brother, neither the Zhu family nor the Liu family can do anything to each other right now. This stalemate is not good for us. The Shi family has too much stuff. If we want to transport it out of Pingcheng smoothly, we can't let the situation remain calm. Here's what we'll do: give Zhu Boyan some incentives and let him go out and recruit soldiers. Those soldiers guarding the city gate are just loafing around. As long as Zhu Boyan isn't in the city, those guards will naturally relax their vigilance. Then we can ask Liu Hanchi to lend a hand, and maybe we can succeed."
Shi Yan nodded. "Okay, I'll go get the silver dollars later and deliver them to him tomorrow."
Shi Lan added, "Furthermore, you can only stay here at the Shi family for a maximum of one month. You must leave at the beginning of next month, or things may change."
Shi Yan was shocked. "How can we possibly manage this in time? It will take three or four months to sell all those shops at home."
Shi Lan shook her head, her face resolute. "Third brother, listen to me. Push the price of the shop down to the lowest possible level. If you really can't sell it, consider it a favor to give to Liu Hanchi and ask him to help you find a more stable, larger business. That way, our ancestors can sit more comfortably."
Shi Yan looked at Shi Lan with surprise and suspicion. After a long while, he stammered, "Fifth Sister, have you received some news? Is the Zhu family going to make a move against our family?"
Shi Lan was surprised that Shi Yan's senses were so sharp, and quickly laughed and said, "No, as long as Zhu Boyan is in charge of the Zhu family, he will not do anything stupid like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose."
After thinking about it, Shi Yan felt relieved.
Zhu Boyan doesn't understand business. If he kills all the Shi family members, he won't be able to manage such a large operation, and the two cities he controls will be paralyzed immediately.
Seeing that Shi Yan didn't suspect anything, Shi Lan thought to herself, "But if the person in charge is that idiot Zhu Yan, then things might not be so sure."
After agreeing on a plan, Shi Yan handed Shi Lan a small box.
Shi Lan glanced at the small box and asked curiously, "What's this?"
"It's lotus powder. They say it's made from freshly budded lotus flowers. This kind of powder is very nourishing. Our ancestors cared about you and asked me to bring you some."
Shi Lan felt a warmth in her heart, gently opened the box, and a faint fragrance wafted into her nostrils. "Please thank the ancestor for me."
Shi Yan pursed his lips. "Don't forget to drink some of this every day. Look at you, it's only been a few days, and your face is as white as a ghost."
Shi Lan smiled and changed the subject, "Go and urge your uncles and elders at home to leave. This is not a place to stay for long."
Shi Yan knew that Shi Lan didn't want to talk about those troublesome things, so he went along with her and said, "Okay, I'll remember. I'll definitely get them on the ship within a month. But what about you then? How about I send someone to pick you up, and you come with us?"
Shi Lan shook her head. "I have my own plans. You take your people and leave first. I'll come find you after I've finished dealing with things here."
Shi Yan nodded.
Since his last meeting with Shi Lan, he had realized that his cousin was not as well-behaved as he had thought. Since she said she would come to meet him, she must have her own plan. He decided not to interfere and ruin her plans.
As the sun rose higher, Shi Yan glanced at the sky, then got up to say goodbye.
Shi Lan nodded. In any case, she had confessed everything she needed to. As for whether she could escape alive, that depended on the Shi family's luck.
The next day, Shi Yan gave the money to Zhu Boyan, and just as he remembered, Zhu Yan was taken by Zhu Boyan, shuttling back and forth between Yunping and other cities, busy with his work.
Shi Lan was bored, so every few days she would invite the ladies over for tea and a chat.
Wang Yuan was able to endure it at first, but after one or two times, she finally broke down.
On this day, Shi Lan invited the wives of Division Commander Han and Regiment Commander Liu over for a chat. Division Commander Han's wife was a fan of opera, and she even sang a few lines when she got excited.
Shi Lan, to show her support, ordered someone to find an opera troupe and bring out face powder to dress her up and ask her to sing a song.
Mrs. Han was polite and refused to agree.
Shi Lan took the face powder, carefully mixed it, and was eager to help Mrs. Han with her makeup. Mrs. Liu, who was more familiar with Mrs. Han, cheered and applauded from the side.
The three of them were talking animatedly.
Just then, a loud gong and drum sounded from the platform across the emerald green lotus pond. Suddenly, a person appeared on the platform, dressed in theatrical costume, singing with great enthusiasm.
Mrs. Han was already somewhat interested, but she was taken aback when she heard the commotion on the stage.
Mrs. Liu was stunned. She turned to look at the person who was gracefully moving with her lotus-like steps and stopped talking.
Shi Lan frowned and whispered a rebuke to the servants attending her, "Go and see what's going on?"
The servant acknowledged and withdrew. A moment later, he came back to report that Aunt Yuan had heard that Madam Han enjoyed listening to opera, so she specially performed a piece for Madam Han to critique.
Shi Lan was so angry that her chest heaved repeatedly. After a while, she said with a livid face, "Aunt Yuan is very kind."
Mrs. Han and Mrs. Liu looked at each other in dismay. They had long heard that the young master of the Zhu family doted on his concubine, but they never expected that he would dote on her to this extent.
A mere concubine dared to openly challenge the wife, and even made a scene in front of outsiders.
Mrs. Han and Mrs. Liu were both married through proper channels. Seeing Shi Lan clearly furious but still having to desperately hold back, they couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
He lost interest in acting for a moment, and after a few casual words, he hurriedly said goodbye.
After seeing the two off, Shi Lan returned to Qinglan Courtyard without saying a word.
As soon as she entered, Tan Yue rushed out from inside, "Young Madam, did I delay anything?"
Shi Lan gave her a reproachful look, dismissed the servants who were attending to her, and poked her forehead with her head, saying, "You, you never know how to keep your mouth shut."
Tan Yue chuckled twice and followed Shi Lan into the house. "Young Madam, you still haven't told me how well I did!"
Shi Lan glanced at her sideways and smiled. "Well done. Wang Yuan arrived at just the right time."
Tan Yue chuckled and said, "Young Madam, why are you going to such lengths to make Wang Yuan stand out?"
Shi Lan leaned back in her chair and smiled slightly, "Because I want her to become famous in Zhu's army!"
The lunar prober scratched his head, completely bewildered.
Shi Lan pursed her lips, smiling without saying a word.
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