Warm medicine emits fragrance

The next morning, after having breakfast, Fan Liuer went back to her bed to read storybooks.

Li Chenbi hasn't come these past few days, and with no one watching over her, she's become increasingly lazy, even feeling like her bones are about to give way.

Siqing came in from outside, closing the door as she said, "Madam Fan, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival."

Fan Liuer rarely went out and had lost track of time; she only remembered this when Siqing mentioned it.

However, whether it was a holiday or not had nothing to do with Fan Liuer. She gave a perfunctory "Oh" and continued reading the storybook.

Siqing walked over and sat down beside her bed. "Madam Fan, I'd like to ask you for a day off tomorrow."

Fan Liuer then shifted her attention from the storybook. "Are you going home to celebrate the festival with your family?"

Siqing shook her head. "No, my family is all in my hometown, but I have a cousin in Xingzhou City, and I want to spend the festival with him."

The Lantern Festival is a day for family reunion, so it's natural to spend time with loved ones.

"Okay, then go ahead."

As Fan Liuer spoke, she remembered something, got up and walked to her dressing table, opened the box, which contained some loose silver.

Fan Liuer now receives a considerable monthly allowance, and Li Chenbi also gives her a lot of rewards. She saves most of it in her own little treasury, keeping only a small amount for rewards or to have Siqing go out of the mansion to buy her things.

She took out a few small pieces of silver and handed them to Siqing. "Didn't you say before that there's a lantern festival in Xingzhou City during the Lantern Festival? Many unmarried men and women go out to pray for blessings, release lanterns, and buy new clothes to dress up nicely tomorrow?"

Ideally, she should find a guy who matches her and forget about her sweetheart in the kitchen.

Siqing didn't stand on ceremony with Fan Liuer. Although Fan Liuer loved money, she was very generous to Siqing when it came to small amounts of money. She would give Siqing a reward every time she went out of the mansion to run errands for her.

Taking the loose silver, Siqing said with a smile, "Thank you, Madam Fan."

After putting the money away, Siqing remembered to ask Fan Liuer, "Madam Fan, how are you going to spend tomorrow?"

Fan Liuer lay back on the couch. "Why don't you go to the market today and find me some new storybooks? I'll just live like that tomorrow."

Siqing thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you take advantage of tomorrow to make up with Second Master? So much time has passed, and tomorrow is a holiday, so Second Master will definitely not be angry with you anymore."

Fan Liuer considered it for a moment and felt that Siqing's words made sense.

Besides, she hasn't made enough money yet, and continuing like this with Li Chenbi won't do her any good.

"Alright, then I'll go find him tomorrow."

"Why wait until tomorrow? Let's go today."

Fan Liuer hesitated for a moment, "Today is not a festival yet. Without the blessing of a festival, I'm afraid he's still angry."

Siqing pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "How about this, I'll go and pass on a message for you. Tell him that you've invited Second Master to go out to the lantern festival tomorrow. If Second Master agrees, then he's forgiven you."

"What if he doesn't respond?"

"Then you can go by yourself. The weather has warmed up these past few days, and it's not so cold at night anymore. Wear more clothes and bring a hand warmer. You'll be fine going out. I'll wait for you on the street, and when you arrive, we'll go release lanterns together."

Siqing spoke with great excitement, and Fan Liuer listened with equal enthusiasm.

There is no such custom in her hometown, and she has never been to a lantern festival. Every time she reads a storybook about a lantern festival, she longs to participate in one herself.

"Alright, go and tell Manager Li later."

It was still early. Li Chenbi was still sleeping upstairs, and Li Qiuping hadn't gotten up yet either. Even if the two of them were anxious, they could only wait.

And so they waited until the afternoon.

Siqing would open the door and peek outside whenever she had free time to see if Li Qiuping had arrived.

After opening the door countless times, she finally saw Li Qiuping walking over from not far away, and she immediately waved to him.

Li Qiuping was somewhat surprised and walked up to her. "What's wrong?"

Siqing said, "Manager Li, Madam Fan would like to ask you to inquire whether Second Master is free tomorrow. Madam Fan would like to invite Second Master to go to the lantern festival together."

Upon hearing this, Li Qiuping's eyes lit up. "Really? I'm free!"

He was happier than anyone else to hear the news.

Fan Liuer's initiative to show goodwill meant that her irritable master was about to enter a period of peace.

"You haven't even asked Second Master yet, how do you know he's free?" Siqing felt he was being somewhat perfunctory.

Li Qiuping laughed and said, "You can rest assured, Madam Fan. I said I'm free, and I am! Alright, I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going upstairs."

He had to hurry and report this good news.

He rushed upstairs, stood at the door and called out "Second Master!" As soon as someone inside responded, he pushed open the door and strode inside.

Li Chenbi was having a meal at the table when he heard the commotion and looked up at him. "What have you found out?"

"I have something more important to report."

"What is it?"

Li Qiuping said happily, "Madam Fan invites you to go to the lantern festival together tomorrow."

Li Chenbi paused slightly, but quickly returned to normal, lowered his eyes, and continued eating. "Oh."

Li Qiuping was dumbfounded. Oh, what does that mean?

Is this acceptable or unacceptable?

Li Chenbi took two bites, then lost his appetite and slammed his chopsticks down.

"Disgusting!"

Li Qiuping swallowed hard, his mind filled with questions.

"Second Master, don't you want to go?" This shouldn't be the case.

Li Chenbi snorted, "Why should I go to such an insincere invitation?"

Li Qiuping understood; it turned out he was angry that Fan Liuer hadn't come to find him in person.

"Then I'll go and talk to Siqing, and have Madam Fan come and talk to you personally?" Li Qiuping tentatively suggested.

As soon as he spoke, he received a glare from Li Chenbi.

Li Qiuping immediately shut up.

After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but speak.

"So you mean you're not going? If you're not going, then I'll go and refuse Madam Fan."

These words earned him another glare from Li Chenbi.

Li Qiuping understood now.

I have to go, but I'll also continue to be angry.

After reporting this matter, Li Qiuping began to report on other things.

"Sir, we found out about the man you asked me to investigate yesterday. He is a wealthy merchant from Lizhou Prefecture named Qi Weiming, and his family owns a casino."

Upon hearing this, Li Chenbi raised an eyebrow slightly. "A casino? What's his purpose in coming to Xingzhou?"

Li Qiuping: "I heard him tell others that Lizhou is close to the border and war is about to break out, so he wanted to move his whole family to avoid the war. This trip was to Xingzhou for inspection."

After listening, Li Chenbi asked Li Qiuping, "Do you think this is believable?"

Li Qiuping shook his head. "There are huge loopholes. If his family runs a casino, then he should have a certain influence in the local area. If he wants to move his whole family, it means he has to give up the resources and status that his family has accumulated over decades or even generations. This is not something that ordinary people can do."