Qingfeng Courtyard
After leaving Minglan Courtyard last night, Leng Ruo Li returned to her room and then entered the system space.
She had gathered the medicinal herbs needed to detoxify herself and was now preparing the antidote. In her system space laboratory, she extracted the components of the required herbs.
Then, she developed a medicinal liquid that could be applied to the face and another agent for oral consumption.
After a night of hard work, she had successfully developed the antidote. By taking the antidote and diligently applying the medicinal liquid, the black toxic spots on her face would be completely removed within half a month.
At this moment, Leng Ruo Li could hardly conceal her joy. She started playing music in the system space and danced alone. She truly looked forward to seeing her facial black spots disappear.
This morning, Leng Ruo Li woke up early and went for a run in the courtyard, doing some simple training. The physical condition of the original owner's body was truly poor; after running only two laps around the small courtyard, she was already out of breath and panting.
She had to strengthen this body's physique to be in a better state to face the challenges posed by those malicious individuals.
The events that transpired in Minglan Courtyard this morning quickly reached Leng Ruo Li's ears. She merely sneered, considering it just a lesson for that mother and daughter pair.
Before long, the matter had spread throughout the entire General's Mansion. Although Madam Liu had publicly forbidden any discussion of the incident, the servants and maids in the mansion still gossiped about it in private, behind their masters' backs.
After completing her morning exercises, Leng Ruo Li felt incredibly refreshed. She then strolled through the rear garden with a cheerful gait.
Just then, a figure flashed past her rapidly. Leng Ruo Li immediately gave chase.
Following the figure all the way to her original father's Xilin Courtyard, the person stopped. Then, he turned to face her.
"Eldest Young Lady, it is I."
Once Leng Ruo Li clearly saw his face, she frowned and asked,
"Steward Qi, why have you led me to my father's courtyard?"
Steward Qi made a shushing gesture and said with a benevolent smile, "Eldest Young Lady, do not be afraid. I brought you here to tell you something."
"What is it?" Leng Ruo Li's expression faltered slightly.
"You must guard against Madam Liu and her daughter recently. I suspect they might try to kill you soon."
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruo Li calmly asked, "Who are you? And why are you telling me this?"
Steward Qi smiled knowingly, "Heh heh, Eldest Young Lady, you are truly not foolish anymore, and you've become clever. Your mother's spirit in heaven can now rest in peace."
Hearing this, Leng Ruo Li's frown deepened. This old man had even brought up the original owner's birth mother. What exactly was his identity?
Leng Ruo Li looked up at Steward Qi, examining him from head to toe.
This Steward Qi had a kind face, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and he was tall and sturdy. He was around fifty years old, not seeming like a bad person at all.
Ever since her soul had transmigrated into Leng Ruo Li's body and she had lived in General Leng's Mansion, Steward Qi was the one who had helped her the most.
Some time ago, the items in her courtyard were destroyed by Leng Ruo Shuang. Madam Liu and her daughter not only refused to replace the daily necessities in her courtyard but also instructed the mansion's servants to alienate her.
During those days, Steward Qi secretly sent her all the necessary daily supplies, including two old quilts.
"Steward Qi, do you have any relationship with my mother?"
Steward Qi pursed his lips and looked at her, hesitant to speak.
"Alas... Eldest Young Lady, I was originally your mother's bodyguard. Later, after your mother passed away, I also had an accident and was seriously injured. After my body recovered, my martial arts declined. General Leng, seeing that I had no children, allowed me to become the steward of the mansion."
Leng Ruo Li was stunned upon hearing this, "Oh, no wonder. So you were my father's subordinate."
"Then you didn't just lead me here to remind me to guard against that mother and daughter, did you?"
"Yes, Eldest Young Lady. I also have good news to tell you: General Leng, your father, has replied to my letter saying that he will be returning to the capital in a few days."
Hearing this, Leng Ruo Li was in a daze for a long time. Was the father the original owner had not seen for eight years finally returning? It was a pity, though, that the original owner would not live to see the father she longed for day and night.
At this moment, her chest suddenly felt a sharp pain, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears, flowing down uncontrollably. Leng Ruo Li knew these were residual emotions from the original owner. She also knew that her father was returning.
From this, it could be inferred how much the original owner missed her father before her death. Yet, her father was returning from the frontier, and she would never see him again.
Leng Ruo Li tightly pressed her chest, her face pale, her lips trembling, which greatly startled Steward Qi.
"Eldest Young Lady, Eldest Young Lady, are you alright?" Steward Qi kept calling out to her, busying himself with helping Leng Ruo Li back to Qingfeng Courtyard.
After half an incense stick's time, Leng Ruo Li's complexion finally returned to normal, but her face was still filled with worry for Leng Ruo Li.
"Eldest Young Lady, what happened just now? Why did your complexion suddenly turn so unsightly? Your pulse was also erratic. You almost scared this old servant to death."
"Steward Qi, I am fine now. I apologize for making you worry."
Leng Ruo Li said to Steward Qiao with great apology.
"It's alright, as long as you are alright."
Steward Qi looked at Leng Ruo Li's slender frame, feeling immensely ashamed. His brows furrowed, and he sighed, saying,
"Alas... Eldest Young Lady, it is this old servant's uselessness. All these years, I could only watch you suffer from afar. And a while ago, even... it's all my fault for being careless and falling into Madam Liu's scheme, allowing villains to exploit the loophole and abduct you."
"After I discovered you were missing, I had people search the entire capital, but you were nowhere to be found. There was nothing I could do but write a letter and have someone send it to Beijiang to inform General Leng that you were missing. Fortunately, Eldest Young Lady, you were able to return to the General's Mansion safely."
Leng Ruo Li heard this and smiled, saying, "Steward Qi, don't worry. Aren't I fine now?"
"That man who drugged and abducted me that day, instead of taking me out of the capital as Madam Liu ordered, directly tried to kill me. Later, I managed to escape."
"Alas... Heaven truly has eyes." Steward Qi sighed again. "Alright, Eldest Young Lady, since you are alright, this old servant will take his leave now."
Afterward, Steward Qi turned and left Qingfeng Courtyard.
Leng Ruo Li walked out of her room and lazily sat in the courtyard, basking in the golden sunlight. A gentle breeze blew, and withered leaves twirled from the trees, falling to the ground. The entire courtyard was covered in a golden carpet.
She suddenly felt like going out to play in the fields.
Thus, in a good mood, she walked into the rooms of Xing'er and Ling'er.
Leng Ruo Li: "Xing'er, Ling'er, your lady will take you out for some fresh air today."
Xing'er's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Okay, Young Lady! It's been a long time since this servant has left the mansion."
As she spoke, Leng Ruo Li raised her eyebrows, reached out, and pinched Xing'er's nose, feigning anger and saying, "You're just too fond of playing."
Xing'er took Leng Ruo Li's hand and said with a smile, "Young Lady, please take us with you!"
"Let's go! Ling'er, come out and play with us too."
Leng Ruo Li walked over and took Ling'er's hand. She knew Ling'er was still very downcast, but the dead could not be revived. Those who lived must continue to live well.
Half an hour later
Outside the capital, Leng Ruo Li, accompanied by her two little maids, each carrying a large bamboo basket, ran along the fields.
Autumn here was truly beautiful. The mountains and plains were covered with golden wild chrysanthemums.
"Young Lady, these wild chrysanthemums have a faint fragrance; they smell so nice."
Ever since leaving the General's Mansion, Xing'er had been chattering non-stop because she had rarely ventured out of the capital city in her life.
But Ling'er was different. She had grown up in the countryside, farming, and had seen many such wild chrysanthemums. However, after coming out to play, her mood had indeed improved significantly, and she frolicked alongside Xing'er.
"You two little rascals, play all you want, but don't forget to pick wild chrysanthemums for me."
Leng Ruo Li reminded them with a smile in her eyes. Then, she too bent her slender waist and diligently picked her wild chrysanthemums.
She intended to pick these wild chrysanthemums, dry them, and brew chrysanthemum tea with the rock sugar she stored in the system space. It was very effective for clearing internal heat.