Mei Ji quickly stepped out from behind Leng Ruo Li and explained, "I haven't eaten anything your son brought me."
"Then where did the two eggs and chicken legs in this bowl go?"
The old woman picked up the empty bowl and threw it at Mei Ji. Fortunately, Leng Ruo Li reacted quickly and caught the empty bowl, otherwise, Mei Ji's face would have been injured.
"Madam, you haven't understood the truth and are wrongly accusing someone. Doing this could land you in jail."
The old woman was uneducated. Upon hearing about jail, she became a bit scared.
"Then who ate the things in this bowl?"
"Madam, I can swear to the heavens that Mei Ji did not eat the things in this bowl. Your son came to Mei Ji's door and knocked, but Mei Ji didn't even let him in. Your son placed the items at the doorstep and left. As for who stole and ate them, I will help you find out. However, please do not cause a scene outside our door right now."
"Fine, if you can find out who ate the things in this bowl, I won't hold her accountable," the old woman said, her nostrils flaring.
At this moment, the pale scholar from before hurried over, grabbed the old woman, and pulled her away, all the while apologizing to Mei Ji.
"Miss Mei Ji, I'm sorry. I'll pull my mother away immediately."
Mei Ji's face was dark, and she did not respond. Although she was now only a dirty, broken body, she did not think highly of such a weak and incompetent pale scholar.
After the old woman and the pale scholar left, Leng Ruo Li thought of a plan. To catch the person who stole the food, it was still best to use bait.
"Let's go buy some good food on the street."
As she spoke, Leng Ruo Li took out a silicone "human skin mask" from her "sleeve" and put it on Mei Ji's face.
This "human skin mask" was an essential item for her whenever she executed a mission in her previous life.
She decided to give one to Mei Ji.
"Mei Ji, your appearance is too striking. To lessen your troubles, if you want to go out in the future, wear this mask. Your appearance will become more ordinary, and it will be much more convenient for you to come and go."
"Thank you, Miss Leng!"
Mei Ji recalled that just a few days ago, when she went out to buy food, she was harassed by those hooligans and only escaped with great difficulty. Because of that, she hadn't dared to go out for some time.
If she wore the "human skin mask" given to her by Miss Leng and changed her appearance, it would indeed be much more convenient for her.
The two went to the street. Leng Ruo Li bought a lot of food for Mei Ji and specifically bought two roast chickens and some meat for Mei Ji to take back first.
When it was time for dinner, Leng Ruo Li would go to Mei Ji's residence again.
Then, Leng Ruo Li turned and headed to the Hundred Herbs Hall.
As soon as she stepped into the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Hall medical clinic, she heard Nie Caidie and her two daughters, along with Liu Nianhua and her son, sitting in the inner hall, chatting and laughing happily. However, she did not see her old apprentice. Leng Ruo Li guessed that he must be out on a house call, so she didn't ask further.
When they saw Leng Ruo Li enter, they quickly greeted her.
"Miss, you're here!"
Leng Ruo Li smiled and nodded at them, asking, "What were you just talking about? You were so happy."
"Miss, Da Niu and Er Niu and I went back home again just now. My mother-in-law and my two younger uncles have moved back to their original residences. When they saw me return, all three of them were scared out of their wits," Nie Caidie said with a smile.
Everyone: "Hahaha..."
"That's good. But you all need to be careful. Your mother-in-law is not a kind person," Leng Ruo Li reminded them with a smile.
"Miss, don't worry. I've already figured out my mother-in-law's temperament. She's actually just a paper tiger who bullies the weak and fears the strong. I won't be afraid of her anymore," Nie Caidie replied with a smile.
"That's good. Then I won't have to worry about you being bullied again."
"Hahaha—"
Everyone burst into laughter again.
After chatting with them for a while, Leng Ruo Li quickly put on her protective gear and went into the room to examine Nie Caidie's husband.
After finishing up at the Hundred Herbs Hall medical clinic, she then went to Jinxiu Pavilion.
At this time, her Jinxiu Pavilion clothing store was still busy with many people, but the shop's renovation was almost complete.
When everyone saw Leng Ruo Li enter the shop, they happily greeted her.
"Miss, the shop's renovation is almost finished. Please check it one more time and see if there are any places we've missed. We'll fix them properly," Zhao Yuanqing said with a smile, revealing his white teeth.
Leng Ruo Li listened and walked around the room, looking carefully. The renovation was done very well, and there was no need for further touching up.
She looked at Zhao Yuanqing and smiled with satisfaction.
"Brother Zhao, this is already very good. There's no need to touch it up further."
Zhao Yuanqing smiled and nodded slightly.
At this moment, Shi Zhenghe walked up to her again and said, "Miss, the shop is renovated. Should we paint some pictures on the walls?"
"Mmm, that's a good idea! But I've already prepared a lot of wallpaper. We can just stick them up," Leng Ruo Li said with a mysterious smile.
"Oh, oh, is that so!"
Shi Zhenghe was somewhat surprised.
Afterward, Leng Ruo Li inquired about the conditions of the family members of the employees she had seen that day.
"Niu Hua, has the abscess on your son's foot healed?" Leng Ruo Li asked.
"Thank you, Miss. The abscess on my son's foot is already forming a blood scab."
Then, she asked Niu Cui.
"Niu Cui, has your mother-in-law's eye improved?"
"Thank you, Miss. After my mother-in-law took the pills you prescribed, her eye has improved a lot. She can see things much clearer now, unlike before. She's now constantly nagging me, saying she wants to come and thank you in person."
"Haha... Your mother-in-law is too kind," Leng Ruo Li said with a laugh.
...
After inquiring about these patients' conditions, Leng Ruo Li quickly returned to Mei Ji's residence.
Leng Ruo Li took a basin and placed it outside the door. The two of them hid in the shadows.
After waiting for about half an incense stick's worth of time, a disheveled, ragged, sallow-faced, dirt-covered woman with bony hands emerged from the alley, staggering. She reached the door of Mei Ji's house and, with a rough, emaciated hand, took the roast chicken placed outside.
When Leng Ruo Li saw this "beggar" clearly, her face was filled with astonishment.
"Isn't this the Poison Granny who was rescued that night?"
"So she was hiding here!"