Daohua strolled around Chang’an Street a few times, making sure no one was following her before she entered the Four Seasons Seed Shop, then Xiaoliu drove her back to the Yan Residence in a carriage.
The Yan Family kept Daohua’s disappearance a tight secret; only Yan Zhigao, Madam Li, Yan Wenxiu, Yan Wentao, and Yan Wenkai were aware of it. Everyone else thought Daohua had been at the Four Seasons Manor all along.
When Daohua returned to the residence, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai were still out searching for her.
After briefly explaining to her father and elder brother what had happened after falling into the river and comforting Madam Li, Daohua asked, "Manman and Bald, Zhuzi, are they all okay?"
Yan Wenxiu replied, "They’re all fine. To avoid suspicion, Manman returned to the Four Seasons Manor yesterday. Bald and Zhuzi are out looking for you with your third and fourth brothers."
Daohua sighed in relief. "That’s good." She paused then added, "Big brother, quickly send a message to third and fourth brother; let them know I’m back, so they don’t keep searching for me outside."
Madam Li chimed in, "And Yeyang." Looking at Daohua, she said, "Everyone was so scared by your accident; Yeyang turned pale."
Yan Zhigao also spoke up, "From now on, when you go to see the old master at the Four Seasons Manor, it is best to have Yeyang or your third and fourth brothers accompany you; do not go alone again."
Daohua knew her disappearance had frightened her family and obediently nodded in agreement.
Seeing her daughter weary, Madam Li told Daohua to rest back in her quarters.
The thought of someone hiring a hitman to kill Daohua deeply worried Yan Zhigao, Madam Li, and Yan Wenxiu.
"Under the Emperor’s very nose, there are people so lawless!" Madam Li said with a furious face.
Yan Zhigao and Yan Wenxiu exchanged glances, both frowning in silence.
Both men had their suspicions about who was targeting their daughter (sister), but the Jiang Family was too powerful for them to contend with; they would have to be extra cautious in the future.
"Our family must take more bodyguards when going out from now on!"
After returning to her own courtyard, Daohua had her maids draw a hot bath so she could soak, easing her tired and aching body.
Rolling down a steep cliff and being swept so far by the river had left her body covered in bruises.
After the bath, Daohua was so exhausted that she fell asleep while Bi Shi was still drying her hair.
Bi Shi hurriedly said, "Miss, you haven’t had dinner yet. Didn’t you say earlier that you were very hungry?"
Daohua mumbled unclearly, "Let me sleep for a bit; when the food arrives, you can wake me."
Seeing her mistress was truly fatigued, Bi Shi did not insist and carefully dried her hair.
Not long afterward, Guyu returned with a food basket.
"Has the miss fallen asleep?"
Bi Shi made a gesture to be quiet and, taking Guyu outside the inner chamber, whispered, "I think the miss is quite tired; let her sleep a little more."
Guyu asked, "But what about the food?"
Bi Shi responded, "Keep it warm on the stove. If the miss wakes up in the middle of the night, she can still eat."
In the middle of the night, Daohua woke up hungry.
Since the day before, she had not really had a proper meal, and her stomach was uncomfortably empty.
Bi Shi, keeping vigil outside, heard movement; upon asking, she found out that Daohua wanted to eat and immediately brought over the warm food.
Daohua drank a bowl of tremella soup and ate some stir-fried dishes before putting down her chopsticks.
Seeing Daohua go back to bed right after eating, Bi Shi quickly put two pillows behind her back, "Miss, you can’t go to sleep immediately after eating. You should recline and rest for a while."
Daohua hummed in acknowledgment, "I know. I’m not going to sleep; I’ll just rest my eyes." She waved her off, "Alright, you don’t have to attend to me anymore. It must have already passed 1:00 AM. You should go to sleep."
Bi Shi offered, "Shall I stay and fan you, miss? The weather has gotten hotter since the Dragon Boat Festival passed."
Daohua smiled and shook her head, "Ice is already placed in the room, and I can fan myself. Go to sleep; I will call you if I need anything."
So, without further conversation, Bi Shi quietly left the inner chamber.
Once alone, Daohua closed her eyes, waving the round fan in her hand lazily. Sleepiness crept over her, and the fan slowed its pace.
In a daze, Daohua thought she heard a faint sound, but assuming it was Bi Shi who had knocked something over outside, she paid it no mind.
Turning over, the fan slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.