When Shen Qiyin arrived at the main hall, she saw Old Madam Shen and Madam Shen together, speaking to Song Lanyan with exceptional attentiveness and care.
The last time they met, the other person's face was covered by a light veil, so she was unable to see her true face.
This time I saw it clearly.
Song Lanyan looked to be about the same age as her. She was a famous beauty in the capital, and also had exceptional talent. Half of the young men from prominent families would be eager to have her.
Now, seeing her graceful figure, gentle as a breeze, with eyebrows like distant mountains and a face like a lotus, I know the rumors are true.
After glancing at it twice, Shen Qiyin looked away and instead focused her gaze on the things she had brought.
Several boxes were stacked together, making it hard to miss them.
Noticing her gaze, Song Lanyan explained softly, "What happened yesterday was all my younger brother's fault, and my father has already severely punished him."
"I have come to apologize to Miss Shen today."
"These are as an apology; I hope you won't find them offensive."
Before Shen Qiyin could even speak, Old Madam Shen eagerly interjected, "Oh dear, no problem at all, Miss Song, what are you saying? How could anything from the Marquis's manor be bad?"
Song Lanyan smiled slightly and said nothing more.
She looked at Shen Qiyin again and said, "I see that Miss Shen looks quite well. It seems that Guangrentang is indeed worthy of its reputation."
Chen Xiyin's eyes flickered slightly.
Her complexion was not just "okay," it was "incredibly good."
Whether Song Lanyan said this because she suspected her of taking poison or for some other reason, she didn't care. The matter was over, and even if the Marquis of Jianning had all sorts of suspicions, it wouldn't matter.
So she replied casually, "You flatter me."
Song Lanyan: "Speaking of which, I met Miss Chen once before. I wonder if you noticed it at the time?"
Knowing that she was referring to the time at the entrance of Qiying Pavilion, Shen Qiyin didn't pretend to be confused and frankly said, "With your extraordinary beauty, Miss, you will naturally not blend into the crowd."
"I saw you chatting happily with a member of the Thousand Eagle Guard in the car. Are you old acquaintances?"
"no."
"You only became familiar with them after you went to Qiying Pavilion for medical treatment?"
"Um."
"And what about you and Lord Xiao?"
"How is my relationship with Lord Xiao?" She seemed to understand the purpose of Song Lanyan's visit today.
The apology was a pretense; the real purpose was to gather intelligence.
Song Lanyan's eyes revealed a probing look: "Are you very familiar with him?"
"I'm not familiar with him..." Shen Qiyin paused slightly before saying, "...not familiar with him."
The fact that Song Lanyan, the daughter of the Marquis of Jianning, is infatuated with Xiao Yan, the heir of the Duke of Ningguo, is no secret in the capital; in fact, it is common knowledge.
Although Song Lanyan and Xiao Yan did not manage to get married in their previous life until her death, many things have changed now that she has been reborn. It is hard to say whether their path to marriage will be affected.
Such a talented, beautiful, and well-off girl, who is also deeply in love with him—if she were a man, she would like her too. Who knows, Xiao Yan might fall for her after finishing his career.
If I were to say today that I am very familiar with Xiao Yan, Song Lanyan would definitely not be happy. What if she makes things difficult for me in the future if she and Xiao Yan get together?
Even if they weren't together, it's an undeniable fact that Song Lanyan is fond of Xiao Yan. For him to say in front of her that he's acquainted with Xiao Yan is no different from a provocation!
Therefore, Shen Qiyin said firmly, "However, we only have occasional contact due to official business."
Song Lanyan still seemed to have doubts: "But I heard that Lord Xiao was also present that day, and he even taught my younger brother a good lesson to avenge you, didn't he?"
"no!"
"Then why did he do that?"
“Probably because if something happens to me, no one can heal his men.” Shen Qiyin’s tone was sincere, not feigned: “Just like Marquis Wu’an.”
“I see…” Song Lanyan looked thoughtful, her tone wistful.
"That's right, that's exactly it."
"I didn't realize I'd talked so much with Miss Chen." Song Lanyan's eyes seemed to show guilt. "You're not feeling well right now, so you should take good care of yourself. I'm afraid I've troubled you too much, so I'll take my leave now."
Shen Qiyin stood up and nodded: "Then, Miss Song, please take care."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law hurriedly got up, saying, "Are you leaving already? Please stay a little longer."
"I won't bother you any longer," Song Lanyan politely declined. "Goodbye."
She nodded slightly to Chen Qiyin and then left with her maids and servants.
As soon as the person left, Madam Shen immediately went to the boxes of gifts.
She opened each item one by one and found that they were all medicinal herbs and tonics. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed: "I thought they would send some gold and silver utensils or something, but who knew they would send these things!"
Upon hearing this, Xianglan quickly reminded her, "Isn't the Second Miss ill? These are the things you should bring when visiting a sick person." Shut up, you idiot! Do you even know how to speak like a human being?
Your daughter has taken poison! Poison!
She almost died from choking on a big pork knuckle, and you're still thinking about gold and silver utensils? Are you out of your mind?
To Xianglan's surprise, Madam Shen was even more "lacking" than she had imagined.
For some reason, she immediately followed up with, "Yin'er, these tonics and medicinal herbs must be worth some money, right?"
"Otherwise, it would be rather ridiculous that a noble family like ours couldn't even come up with a decent apology."
Shen Qiyin resealed the items and said calmly, "What else could be so laughable as you?"
"What do you mean by this?" Madam Shen frowned, displeased.
"It didn't mean anything, I just said it offhand. If you don't like it, just pretend I didn't say anything."
After saying that, she told Banxia to take her things and prepare to return to the Begonia Courtyard.
Madam Shen became anxious again: "Hey! Where are you taking these things?"
"Of course I'll take it from my own room. These things I risked my life for, how could I possibly give them to someone else?" Shen Qiyin said matter-of-factly.
"I was thinking that your grandmother hasn't been feeling well lately, and the bird's nest inside would be a good way to help her recover."
“You’re still so young, and you’re not seriously injured anymore, so why waste this good stuff?”
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