“My goodness, how could this girl be so ugly!”
“She looks fair and tender, but why are there such big scars on her face?”
“Help! With a face like that, she shouldn’t even go out and scare people. My son is crying!”
“……”
There were quite a few people in the clinic. Zhou Ruyan’s appearance scared a child into wailing.
“Waaah……”
“Lan Shuang, I hate you!”
Zhou Ruyan was so upset she started crying. She didn’t understand what had happened—she had planned to make an impression at the banquet that day, but suddenly her face became red and itchy, impossible to show. The household doctor said it was likely an allergic reaction.
However, it hadn’t improved, and she had heard that today a renowned white-clad doctor would be at the health hall, so she came hoping to get treatment.
Unexpectedly, fate had other plans—she ran into Lan Shuang.
“My goodness, Sister Ruyan, what happened to you?”
Lan Shuang covered her mouth in exaggerated shock, as if frightened, and said dramatically,
“How did you get yourself like this? It’s terrifying!”
“You did this on purpose, Lan Shuang!”
Zhou Ruyan hastily grabbed the veil Xiao Tao brought and put it on, her eyes red as she glared at Lan Shuang.
Lan Shuang blinked her big eyes innocently. “Sister Ruyan, you misunderstood me. I just wanted to greet you. Who knew after you and my Third Brother broke off the engagement, you’d… end up like this?”
“You’re the one who’s scarred, not me!”
Zhou Ruyan retorted angrily, only to feel the mocking eyes around her.
She was mortified, wishing she could crawl into a hole.
“Don’t be upset, Sister Ruyan. These are just small setbacks; you’ll get through them.”
Lan Shuang’s words were oddly similar to the advice Zhou Ruyan often heard from others. Zhou Ruyan felt a strange sense of familiarity.
“Doctor said it’s just an allergy; it’ll get better in a few days!”
“Well, Sister Ruyan, be careful. Scratching your face might leave scars.”
Lan Shuang’s well-meaning reminder only made her more annoyed.
“Get out! All of you, get out!”
Zhou Ruyan, having suffered a huge embarrassment, ran out of the clinic, covering her face.
Xiao Tao glared at Lan Shuang and quickly chased after her.
In the clinic, Lan Shuang curled her lips into a mischievous smile.
Zhou Ruyan, haven’t you always cared so much about your reputation? After today, I doubt you’ll be able to maintain it.
Lan Shuang equally detested everyone who kicked someone when they were down.
“Who’s downstairs?”
In a room on the second floor of the clinic, Pei Yanzhou closed the window and sat down. Sitting across from him was Bai Weili, the famous doctor from the health hall.
“Seems like a girl from the Lan family,” Bai Weili said regretfully. “I’ve only seen her from afar, so I’m not entirely sure.”
“Her?”
Pei Yanzhou glanced outside again. The last time he saw her was during the day the family was raided; it was late, so he didn’t see her clearly.
“You know her?”
Bai Weili raised an eyebrow in surprise. “That’s odd. You haven’t returned to Kyoto for a year. How would you know her?”
“I don’t,” Pei Yanzhou replied, resuming his usual serious demeanor. “She… is quite interesting.”
“First time I’ve heard you describe a girl like that,” Bai Weili commented.
While treating his wounds, she grumbled,
“You were lucky to meet someone with decent medical skills; otherwise, how would you even be sitting here letting me tend your injuries? Do you know what kind of patient I dislike the most? Patients like you—constantly messing around before the wounds heal!”
“Done wrapping?”
Pei Yanzhou didn’t bother arguing. “Once it’s done, leave.”
“All right, all right. You’re the boss, then!”
Bai Weili pursed her lips in silence, obediently finishing bandaging Pei Yanzhou’s wounds, not daring to say more.
After leaving the clinic, Lan Shuang began wandering through West Street.
There were many ways to earn silver, but West Street was full of ordinary people. Aside from basic necessities, there wasn’t much worth buying. To make serious money, she would need to target the wealthy and powerful.
Deciding to change her plan, Lan Shuang turned toward East Street. West Street was about survival, while East Street was lively and prosperous—like two different worlds.
On East Street, luxurious carriages passed by constantly. Lan Shuang, dressed plainly, now felt completely out of place among the high-end shops.
Silk shops, jewelry shops… she inspected each one, even stopping at a restaurant for lunch.
She ordered three dishes and one soup. The food was decent, though a bit plain.
“Customer, here’s your wine.”
The waiter set a cup of sake in front of Lan Shuang. She took a small sip and frowned.
“Waiter, bring me your finest wine.”
“Husband, the Lan family has fallen on hard times. How can she ask for the best wine? We can’t afford it.”
Lan Shuang heard a familiar voice. She looked toward the source.
It was Fifth Princess Pei Lu, accompanied by the original owner’s ex-husband, Ji Yunqian.
The two were probably here to dine at Fengyu Hall. The princess wore ordinary clothes, likely in disguise. Lan Shuang glanced up at them.
“Shuang’er, don’t try to show off,” Ji Yunqian stepped forward, his eyes strangely tender.
Lan Shuang: …
A chill ran down her spine.
Pei Lu, disliking Ji Yunqian’s gaze, frowned and said,
“Miss Lan, see how fond my husband is of you? Why not come back to the mansion with him?”
She deliberately raised her voice so that all the diners in the hall could hear, trying to shame Lan Shuang.
“How generous of you, madam,” Lan Shuang replied dryly.
The straight-minded Ji Yunqian didn’t catch on and even seemed pleased with himself.
“Shuang’er, since madam doesn’t mind, come back with me.”
“Pfft…”
Lan Shuang rolled her eyes dramatically. “I was the one engaged to you first. Now that you’ve married her, don’t provoke me again!”
Everyone around: !!!
“So the original fiancée is actually the one being wronged.”
“This girl looks charming, but who knows if she’s telling the truth or not?”
“……”
Pei Lu, embarrassed and furious, glared at Lan Shuang. “Given your current state, only your husband would not reject you.”
Pei Lu’s words hit Ji Yunqian right in the chest, and he smiled at Lan Shuang.
“Shuang’er, I know you’re shy and waiting here on purpose. I’ve come.”
She must have known he would come to dine here every month, so she deliberately waited.
Lan Shuang: …
Just a moment ago, she had thought the restaurant’s food was good. Now, it had completely lost its appeal.
“Waiter, pack it to go.”
She planned to bring it back for her two sisters-in-law.
“Pfft…”
Pei Lu couldn’t help laughing. “Miss Lan, you’re really down on your luck. You even have the food packed to take home—how embarrassing!”
“What’s embarrassing about it? Every grain of rice comes from hard work. I’m just not wasting it.”
Lan Shuang stood confidently and let the waiter pack the food. This side of her was something Ji Yunqian had never seen before.
In the past, Lan Shuang had always been gentle and charming in front of him. Now, she seemed completely indifferent to everything.
“Customer, that will be ten taels of silver in total.”
The waiter wiped sweat from his brow, nervous and careful, not wanting to offend these “noble” patrons.