In the latter half of the night, those who had gone out to the pleasure district returned together.
Everyone’s faces were beaming with joy, and the children excitedly shared their experiences. The four cubs were still full of energy; after Bai Sheng got them into their rooms, she had a hard time quieting them down.
Lu Hua "coincidentally" met Yan Shuo on Zhuangyuan Bridge. Yan Shuo, blushing, said that his father would visit to propose marriage in a few days.
Ga Mei successfully threw herself into Qing Feng's arms. Qing Feng was greatly startled and swore that he would be responsible for Ga Mei.
Lu Tong, mustering all his courage, confessed to—Uncle Ding, no, he admitted that he liked Ding Xiang and wanted to marry her.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Ding was greatly shocked that this hunk of bronze had managed to poach his prize cabbage right under his nose. Furious, he chased Lu Tong around several times on his bad leg.
After the chase, he was drenched in sweat, and his pent-up frustration was allayed. He finally agreed to let Lu Tong marry Ding Xiang.
However, Uncle Ding stipulated that they would only be engaged first. If Lu Tong went astray and was unkind to his Xiang Xiang, he would cancel the engagement.
Lu Tong was so excited that he immediately started calling Uncle Ding "Dad."
Lu Tu ultimately couldn't muster the courage to take that step. However, Su Jin Feng smiled at him several times that night, making his heart sweeter than if he had drunk honey water.
After the Lantern Festival, Tian Guihua and others were scheduled to return to Hongshu Village. Granny Wu, having just recognized her daughter, was reluctant to leave, and Concubine Mei wouldn't let her go, so she temporarily stayed in the capital.
The others were sent back to Hongshu Village by Bai Sheng using her spatial shifting illusion.
Thinking that their Madam could use spatial shifting illusions, allowing them to meet often in the future, there wasn't much sadness when they parted.
The "Red Powder Beauty" shop began business, the lingerie workshop in the manor started working, as did the "Hundred Flowers Manor" and the perfume workshop. Everything returned to its bustling routine.
Prince Yu remained in the capital temporarily as he had to attend the Ten Thousand Dynasties Assembly at the end of March.
One day, an unexpected distinguished guest arrived at the Lu residence – the Grand Princess.
Everyone was shocked and surprised. As ordinary small merchants, they had no opportunity to interact with the Grand Princess. Why would the Grand Princess come to the Lu residence?
Since Uncle Mei San couldn't make an appearance, Lu Ye wanted to accompany Bai Sheng to receive her, but the Grand Princess stated that she wished to speak with Shopkeeper Bai alone.
After everyone else was dismissed, only the Grand Princess and Bai Sheng remained in the reception hall.
After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Sheng took her seat and took the opportunity to subtly appraise the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess was in her twenties, with a beautiful and well-maintained appearance. Although she exuded an imposing nobility, she lacked the aggressive aura of Princess Xin Yao and the Empress. She appeared gentle and dignified.
The Grand Princess also quietly observed Bai Sheng, remaining silent.
Bai Sheng sat upright, allowing herself to be scrutinized without any trepidation. "Your Highness's visit truly brightens my humble abode. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit, Your Highness?"
The Grand Princess smiled, "Shopkeeper Bai is a very busy person, so I won't beat around the bush. Today, I have come to you unceremoniously to ask for your help."
"Help?" Bai Sheng asked, puzzled. "I am but a small merchant; how could I possibly help Your Highness?"
The Grand Princess's gaze swept over Bai Sheng's face. "I heard that you cured my fifth sister Xin Yao's face, so I wish to ask Shopkeeper Bai to help treat someone else's face."
Before Bai Sheng could reply, the Grand Princess immediately added, "Of course, I won't let Shopkeeper Bai labor for nothing. Since my fifth sister sold you a significant piece of news, I shall also offer you one. There are many officials and ministers; which family's dirt do you wish to know?"
Bai Sheng was slightly astonished. "Does Your Highness truly know the scandalous secrets of the court officials? You are truly formidable!"
The Grand Princess modestly smiled, "Shopkeeper Bai is too kind. Having been born into a scheming royal family and residing in the ever-changing court, one naturally needs some means of self-preservation. I have no other skills, only the ability to gather intelligence for my own protection. If Shopkeeper Bai agrees to my request, the information I provide will certainly not disappoint you."
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness. However, I am not a renowned physician, merely dabbling in some unorthodox methods. It was by chance that I cured Princess Xin Yao's face, and I dare not presumptuously take on such a great responsibility." After speaking, Bai Sheng subtly pinched her front neck while the Grand Princess wasn't looking.
The Grand Princess lowered her eyes and smiled. "Shopkeeper Bai is too modest. To be frank, the person I wish for you to help treat is very important to me.
I know that before the year's end, the young ladies from the Zhou and Dong families visited you five times, requesting your assistance in treating their faces, but you refused without hesitation. I presume it is because you still remember the schemes those two ladies devised against you, and therefore, you are unwilling to help.
If Shopkeeper Bai desires dirt on the Zhou and Dong families, I can assist you."
Upon hearing the Grand Princess's words, Bai Sheng glanced at her and candidly admitted, "Your Highness is correct. I am merely a small merchant and tend to hold grudges, so no matter how much Miss Zhou and Miss Dong implore or coerce me, I will not treat their faces.
I have always repaid kindness with kindness and sought vengeance for wrongs. Therefore, I am indeed very interested in the scandalous information about the Zhou and Dong families. However, if I may be so bold as to offend Your Highness, ordinary gossip will not move me."
"What level of scandalous information does Shopkeeper Bai require? Is it to mildly punish the Zhou and Dong families, or to uproot and destroy them entirely?" the Grand Princess asked gently with a smile.
Bai Sheng did not answer directly. Instead, she looked around the room and then sighed deeply. "Your Highness, look at this residence. It is famously known as a haunted house in the capital!
My family came from the Zhuanghu household in Tianshui Town, Bianzhou. We know nothing about the capital, so unknowingly, we spent a fortune to purchase this haunted house.
Because we value our reputation, we dared not reveal the truth to the outside. However, I dare not hide anything from you.
Oh, Your Highness, you have no idea! Ever since we moved in, I feel people walking around my bed every night while I sleep, or leaning in to whisper in my ear. I wake up in fright but see nothing.
Sometimes, someone knocks on the door in the middle of the night. When I open it, there is no one outside.
Moreover, I often have nightmares where hundreds of ferocious ghosts with green faces and fangs grip my neck, howling in my ears that they are innocent, that they did not collude with the enemy, and they implore me to seek justice for them." As Bai Sheng spoke, she pulled open her collar, revealing dark green finger marks on her slender, fair neck.
The Grand Princess shivered almost imperceptibly, glanced timidly around, and hugged her arms.
Bai Sheng mentally awarded herself an Oscar, continuing, "But, as you know, I am just a small merchant from a farming background. Where would I have such abilities?
Therefore, I am very curious about the Baili family case from years ago. I heard that the Zhou and Dong families were two of the main officials who impeached General Baili. May I ask Your Highness if there are any inside stories regarding this? If so, I am willing to bravely try and treat the important person for Your Highness."