Chapter Sixteen Down the Mountain (Part One)

  She slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky before waking up. Du Ruo brought water and helped her wash while reporting, "Xiao Lanyu has come to Miss Xiao's room three times already, but when she heard that you were still sleeping, she didn't disturb you!"

  Yan Dai nodded slightly, just about to say something when Du Ruo spoke up again: "Nowadays, Cai Xia who serves Sixth Master has also come by, saying that Sixth Master has some words he wishes to speak with Miss. When Miss is free, someone will be sent over to invite him."

  Nodding understandingly, Yuan Dai said: "I know!"

  The two were still talking when they heard Qiao Lan's voice coming from outside: "Has Ninth Miss woken up yet?"

  Lost in thought for a moment, Yuan Dai said: "Go tell her that I'll be there in just a moment, and I'm going to Sister Xiao's place myself! So she doesn't have to rush!"

  Yu Ruo smiled and nodded, hastily stepping out to inform Qiao Lan of Yuan Dai's words. After Qiao Lan left, Yuan Dai here had just finished washing up and sat down in front of the dressing table, when outside, Cui Yi's voice came: "Miss Xiao has arrived!"

  Xiao Cui walked in at that moment and saw her sister's expression. Yan Dai couldn't help but shake her head, saying: "Sister, you're getting more and more impatient!"

  Xiao Chengyan smiled and said: "I've come, it's not that I thought of something, but I have to discuss it with my sister in a hurry!"

  Yan Dai didn't mind and casually asked: "Sister, what are you thinking about? Why are you in such a hurry?"

  Xiao Chengxian didn't respond immediately, but instead looked up at Yuande who was styling her hair. With a knowing smile, Yuande said: "They will find out sooner or later anyway, sister just go ahead and say it!"

  Xiao Chengxian heard this and finally felt at ease, saying: "I was thinking of asking, on our way to Pingjing, should we bring tenth sister along?"

  Yan Dai's expression changed as soon as she heard these words. It was clear that Xiao Chengyu didn't want to bring Ling Yuanyuan along, which is why she asked this question. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a slight tightening of her scalp. Although it was painful to be pulled like this, it also made her understand Du Ruo's reaction. After smiling slightly, she said: "I just want to say, sister don't underestimate the tenth sister!"

  Xiao Chengxian fell silent as soon as she heard this. Although Ling Yuexuan was young and naive, it didn't mean she was foolish. Lu Weiyin's secret would eventually be exposed to the public. In this situation, even Ling Yuexuan, who knew their plan, might think of something. However, Ling Yuexuan probably wouldn't think that the whole thing was actually orchestrated by Yuan Dai.

  Sighing, Xiao Chengyan said: "I understand what you mean, sister!"

  Yuandai was doing her makeup here. Xiao Chengyan had nothing to do on the other side, so she couldn't help but glance at her from time to time. Later, however, she suddenly smiled as if she had thought of something and said: "Speaking of which, my sister is quite skilled in medicine. And yet, her body isn't actually that bad, I wonder why her complexion is so poor?"

  This is the second time today that I've been asked this question. Although I know that what Xiaocheng said was just a casual remark, without any intention of prying, Yuandai still couldn't help but smile wryly and sigh: "Thanks for reminding me, sister! My complexion will get better soon!"

  Xiao Chengxian suddenly heard this, but couldn't help raising her eyebrows slightly, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes. After a long time, she shook her head and said: "Sister is also... being too cautious!"

  But these words suddenly reminded Yu Dai of the sentence spoken by Bai Li this morning, and she couldn't help but laugh lightly, saying: "A steady sail gets a thousand miles, what do you think, sister?"

  Xiao Chengxian was left speechless for a good while, and could only glare at her.

  Yi Shi finished dressing up and had breakfast. On the other side, Ling Yuan Xuan surprisingly brought Yan Liu over.

  Perhaps due to the fact that she couldn't sleep well last night, even her light makeup couldn't completely conceal the fatigue on her face. As soon as she came in, she forced a smile at the two of them and said: "The two sisters look great today!"

  Xiao Chengxian saw her coming in, and was somewhat at a loss for words. He smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything. Yuandai, who was standing beside him, smiled and said: "Tenth sister has arrived just in time! We have something to discuss with you!"

  Ling Yuexuan was taken aback, and couldn't help but look at Yuan Dai in surprise. Yuan Dai slightly raised her hand, dismissing the people inside the house, before turning to Ling Yuexuan and saying: "This matter is actually about Landlord Lu's nephew! I discussed it with Sister Xiao, and we thought it would be better to ask for your opinion!"

  Suddenly hearing Yan Dai's slightly ambiguous words, Ling Yuan Xuan couldn't help but blush: "What does it mean to ask about the affairs of Brother Lu? What kind of nonsense are you talking about, sister?" Yet, there was a hint of guilt in her tone.

  Yan Dai hastily waved her hand and smiled: "It was I who spoke wrongly! I just wanted to tell my sister that the illness Land's brother-in-law has contracted is not actually smallpox!"

  Ling Yuexuan was suddenly startled, and the next moment she asked in a low voice: "Isn't it smallpox?"

  Yan Dai nodded slightly: "Exactly! We were just suspicious at first, but who would have thought that the people below would make a fuss out of thin air!"

  She let out a long sigh, and Ling Yuexuan's expression visibly relaxed: "So that's it! I was worried for a whole night!" After saying this, she quickly added: "Since that's the case, I'll go back now and tell Eldest Sister about this, so she can also breathe a sigh of relief!"

  When it comes to this typhoid fever, the person who is most worried in the entire courtyard is none other than Madame Guo. After all, she has a pair of children by her side, and encountering such an event, how can she not be alarmed?

  Yuandai didn't respond, but instead gave a glance to Xiaochengyan. The conversation had already reached this point, and Xiaochengyan naturally understood Yuandai's intention, so she hastily added: "What we want to discuss with tenth sister is precisely this matter!"

  Ling Yuexuan was filled with doubts, and couldn't help but glance at Xiao Chengxian. Xiao Chengxian quickly asked: "Sister, do you still remember what the three of us privately discussed when you first arrived at the other courtyard?"

  Being reminded by her, Ling Yuexuan quickly realized: "Sister is saying... going down the mountain..." The last two words were spoken extremely softly.

  Xiao Chengyan smiled and leaned over, saying in a low voice: "Exactly! Originally, this time the eldest sister followed, I was worried that it would be difficult to handle! But now, out of thin air, a heavenly flower rumor has been fabricated, which may be an opportunity for us!"

  Her eyes flickered slightly, and then Ling Yuexuan nodded: "But sister-in-law..."

  Xiao Cheng said with a calm expression: "Don't worry, sister. This time down the mountain will be no more than three days! It should be fine!"

  Ling Yuexuan had grown up in the inner chambers since childhood, and was naturally curious about the outside world. Now that she had this opportunity, she didn't want to let it slip away, so after hesitating for a long time, she finally nodded heavily: "Sister is absolutely right!"

  It wasn't until she heard these words that Xiao Chengyan finally put down the heart that had been hanging high for a long time.

  Yuan Dai chimed in with a timely smile: "In that case, sister should move out of big sister-in-law's place as soon as possible!"

  Although Guo's family must be like a startled bird, guarding the two children tightly and not allowing them to take a step out of the house. However, Ling Yuexuan lives with her after all, even if it's not good to meet every day because of the plague, but if there is no news, it's still not quite right.

  Ling Yuexuan heard this and nodded slightly, saying: "I came over today with the intention of moving out!"

  The plague is highly contagious, the fewer people living in a courtyard, the smaller the chance of being infected. Ling Yuexuan came over this time to discuss with Xiao Xianyan about moving to an independent small courtyard and no longer living with Guo's mother and son to avoid trouble.