“All right.”
Old Madam Lan swept her gaze over everyone present, her eyes drooping with exhaustion.
“That’s settled then. I’m tired—go rest.”
Her heart was heavy. The Lan family had once produced generations of loyal heroes, yet now they had fallen to this state. How could she not feel bitter?
That night, aside from Lan Shuang, no one slept well. The next morning, everyone sported huge dark circles under their eyes.
“Incredible!”
Early in the morning, Lan Shan’s shout startled them awake. He excitedly stood up.
“Shuang’er’s medicine is amazing! After just one night, I feel mostly recovered.”
Yesterday even moving had hurt terribly, but now the pain had eased a lot. Even traveling would be much easier—though he still needed to keep applying the medicine to heal fully.
“Where did this medicine come from?”
Min Shi was pleasantly surprised. “For Shuang’er to hide this right under those guards’ noses—she’s truly impressive.”
“I made it myself.”
The space was something Lan Shuang had obtained before transmigrating. Inside were many medicinal powders, pills, and prescriptions she had developed.
“What?!”
“Shuang’er—you’re not fooling us, are you?”
No wonder they were shocked. In the past, Lan Shuang liked to stay alone in her courtyard.
She rarely went out to socialize, sometimes staying in all day. Everyone had simply thought she had a quiet temperament.
“I believe Shuang’er.”
Lan Shan remembered her clever way of hiding silver and felt that his former understanding of his little sister had been far too superficial.
“I always liked researching this kind of thing. My master said my medical skills aren’t bad.”
Since she would surely rely on medicine in the future, Lan Shuang decided to reveal her abilities openly.
Everyone: !!!
“Shuang’er is really hiding great talent.”
Min Shi looked as though she was seeing Lan Shuang for the first time, though she wasn’t fully convinced inside.
She thought perhaps the younger sister meant well and was only saying this to calm their anxious hearts.
Second Sister-in-law Xu Shi, however, said excitedly, “Little Sister’s medical skills are truly good—my stomach doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.”
“That’s good.”
Old Madam Lan murmured softly. In the Lan family’s current situation, illness was the last thing they could afford.
If Shuang’er understood some medicine, perhaps their days would be a bit easier.
Everyone assumed Lan Shuang had only learned some basics—just enough to reassure them.
“Does Shuang’er still have extra medicine? Let Shan-ge’er take some to the north. Father and Mother will probably need it too.”
Min Shi had managed the household finances ever since she married in, so she spoke out of habit, issuing instructions.
Lan Shan quickly lowered his voice. “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law—Shuang’er already thought of that and had me hide plenty.”
Min Shi couldn’t hide her surprise. When had Lan Shuang become so thorough?
Not only her—even Old Madam Lan looked at Lan Shuang in astonishment.
Just then, soldiers arrived at the ruined temple to escort Lan Shan to the north for exile.
It was as if dark clouds once again gathered over their heads; everyone’s hearts sank.
Lan Shan forced a smile and waved to them.
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ll keep myself alive and come back to see you again.”
“Third Brother—take care of yourself.”
Lan Shuang quietly stuffed him a small packet of peach pastries and steamed buns. It wasn’t much, but the guards—out of respect for General Lan—pretended not to notice.
Little Lan Su clutched Min Shi’s hand tightly.
“Mother… why are they still shackling Third Uncle’s hands?”
“Su-ge’er, don’t look.”
Min Shi couldn’t bear for her son to see Lan Shan in such a pitiful state, so she gently covered Lan Su’s eyes.
Everyone watched with heavy hearts as Lan Shan was led away. At present, he was the only male of the Lan family subject to exile.
The new emperor, hoping to gain good favor, spared their collateral branches from harm, though those relatives would likely keep their distance to avoid suspicion.
Once vibrant and strong, Old Madam Lan now seemed to age in an instant; Lan Shuang noticed her back was slightly more stooped.
From the original memories, Old Madam Lan had always been very loving toward her, aside from insisting she learn proper etiquette, so Lan Shuang stepped forward to support her.
“Grandmother, Third Brother is clever—let’s trust that he can protect himself. Big Brother is steady, and Father oversees everything. They’ll surely be fine.”
“Shuang’er’s right—they will be fine.”
Xu Shi murmured softly, seemingly comforting herself, lightly stroking her belly, eyes full of worry.
Min Shi, more straightforward by nature, turned to Xu Shi. “Second Sister-in-law, let’s first get to a safe place to stay!”
“It’ll be some distance out of the city.”
Xu Shi finally collected herself and began to lead the way. Seeing her large belly and lack of servants, Lan Shuang lent her support.
As they left the ruined temple, Lan Shuang waved to the beggar children, secretly tossing a few pieces of silver to them, hoping for their safety.
After leaving the temple, everyone was hungry and thirsty. Concerned Xu Shi might not hold up, Lan Shuang found a reason to fetch food.
“Grandmother, Sister-in-law, I’ll go get something to eat.”
Old Madam Lan opened her mouth to refuse but noticed Xu Shi’s prominent belly and little Lan Su’s pale face.
The adults could endure, but the child and the pregnant woman could not.
“Take this, Shuang’er.”
Old Madam Lan, ever clever, had hidden a few gold sunflower seeds in her hair during the search and seizure. She gently held Lan Shuang’s hand, signaling her to be discreet.
“Don’t worry, Grandmother.”
Lan Shuang returned a reassuring glance. The emperor’s men were surely watching secretly, so she had to be extremely careful.
Passing through the bustling western street, Lan Shuang removed the tiny silver adornment from her hairpin and replaced it with a small bag of steamed buns and a water pouch.
When she hurried back, she happened to spot Xiao Tao, the maid who had delivered the canceled marriage contract the day before.
Behind her was a somewhat familiar Zhou family carriage.
Lan Shuang heard a gentle voice from inside:
“Old Madam, two ladies, people move upward. It’s not that I cling to the past—it’s just that Lan Shan and I have no fate.”
“First Young Mistress—or rather, Lady of the Lan House—you should understand the principle of matching social status. Please don’t trouble my young lady.”
Xiao Tao’s haughty manner was truly annoying. Min Shi’s face darkened.
“Rest assured, we have no intention of troubling Miss Zhou. Our families no longer have any connection. If you hadn’t blocked us, we wouldn’t have tried to make contact!”
Min Shi’s tone carried a subtle edge. Old Madam Lan interrupted, “Ruò Lán, speak cautiously.”
“I’m done.”
Min Shi couldn’t stand Zhou Ru Yan’s pretentiousness—if the girl had openly admitted she wanted to climb the social ladder, Min Shi might have respected her more.
“Old Madam still understands the proper way.”
Zhou Ru Yan flushed, embarrassed by Min Shi’s words, but a young lady’s pride mattered most.
Suppressing her disgust, she instructed Xiao Tao, “Give the old madam some silver. Life has been hard for the elderly, the weak, and the young—consider it my repayment for past favors with the Lan household.”
“My young lady is kind-hearted and will not mind your slip of the tongue. Please accept it.”
Xiao Tao handed over a purse, deliberately letting some spill on the ground to vent frustration on behalf of her young lady.
“Oh dear, sorry! I didn’t hold it properly. Ladies, please pick it up yourselves.”