After listening to the butler’s words, Shi Lan’s mother wiped away the tears that were quietly streaming down her face, for it was only at times like these that she could understand the real Shi Lan.
The butler stayed in the separate residence for half an hour; when he left, he stood up straight, but could not hide the signs of old age.
Shi Lan’s mother sighed and returned to the study, her heart a tumult of emotions and at a loss for what to do.
"Come on, let’s continue the class."
Shi Lan glanced at her and said, "Tomorrow I will bring some things for you, which will also be the next step in your plan."
Shi Lan’s mother must, in the shortest time possible, mobilize all of the Shi Family’s old shareholders and, moreover, persuade them to stand on her side.
"This afternoon, you will start having other lessons. I won’t be appearing every day, because I also have my own things to do. How far you want to go, what purpose you want to achieve, will depend on your own willpower and determination."
"Convey my apologies to Yan Shixiu for me."
"I don’t convey messages for anyone," Shi Lan refused directly.
Despite this, despite the girl having a different face and body than her daughter, her ways of speaking and behaving were almost identical to Shi Lan. Shi Lan’s mother couldn’t figure it out and wanted to seek confirmation, but then, what would it change even if she got the results?
Shi Lan didn’t care how far Shi Lan’s mother could go or what she could achieve; it all depended entirely on what she wanted to gain.
As long as she no longer vented her resentment on Yan Shixiu.
After the butler returned to the Shi Family, he "truthfully" reported his investigation results.
"Second Madame, the First Madame is now staying in the master’s former residence, and moreover, she’s been drowning her sorrows in alcohol."
Upon hearing this, Ding Hong sneered, "She really knows where to go. The old man used to hide away there when he had nothing better to do, leading us to once think it was some kind of paradise. Only after visiting did we discover it’s nothing more than a broken-down house. Let her stay there if she wants to; as long as she doesn’t come out to harm the other members of the Shi Family, I can turn a blind eye. But are you sure... she’s drowning her sorrows?"
"What else can she do now, and what could she do?" the butler asked Ding Hong twice in a row.
After hearing the butler, Ding Hong finally felt relieved and said with a cold laugh, "If that’s the case, just send someone to watch over her then. Shi Xiu’s appreciation banquet is coming up soon; we can’t let this woman cause any trouble."
"Don’t worry, Madame."
The butler deliberately omitted the word ’second’ to make Ding Hong lower her guard.
Upon hearing the word ’Madame,’ Ding Hong indeed felt overjoyed.
"You’ve done well, butler. Rest assured, I will never treat your family unfairly like Shi Lan did in the past."
"Thank you, Madame." The butler’s emotions were impeccably concealed.
In the Shi Family, one should never trust the sweet nothings of these people. For now, you’re just useful, but when you’re no longer needed, whether you live or die is of no concern to the Shi Family.
After the butler had left, the Third Madame, Si Junlan, asked Ding Hong, "Second Sister-in-law, I think now is an excellent opportunity to solidify your position."
After hearing this, Ding Hong glanced at Si Junlan and said, "Your mouth certainly knows how to scheme."
"Second Sister-in-law, am I not thinking on your behalf? You know I have no desires, being able to live a life of luxury in the Shi Family satisfies me completely; what else is there to worry about? To help secure your headship, of course, I need to offer my help and advice." Si Junlan was eloquent and managed to reassure Ding Hong, "In any case, that woman likes to drink. If she drinks herself to death at home, no one would even know, right?"