Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Hearing Zhou Feng's words, Sun San Niang, who was chopping vegetables, was about to say something when Zhao Pan'er nodded, her tone very calm: "These past few days, San Niang and I have been in the kitchen of the mansion researching some dishes for you. We also had some new ideas after our trip to the north these past two days."

Zhou Feng was taken aback when he heard this. He had already prepared a lot of explanations, after all, anyone who had read the original work would understand Zhao Pan'er's obsession with half-covered face.

I didn't expect her to agree to close the shop so easily.

Noticing Zhou Feng's expression, Zhao Pan'er smiled gently, calmly squatted down, and continued to add firewood to the stove.

Zhou Feng smiled knowingly, reached out and ruffled Zhao Pan'er's hair before turning and leaving the kitchen.

This woman was even smarter than he had imagined.

After Zhou Feng's footsteps faded into the distance, Sun Sanniang approached Zhao Pan'er and lowered her voice: "Pan'er, although we've decided to follow him, we're not married yet. If we just move into the Celestial Master's Mansion like this, what if people gossip? Some things are easier said than done."

Zhao Pan'er stuffed the last few pieces of firewood into the stove, then clapped her hands to brush off the dust, and turned to Sun San Niang: "San Niang, didn't you notice this when you entered the manor?"

"What did you notice?"

Sun San Niang was taken aback. They had been to the Celestial Master's Mansion before and hadn't noticed any changes!

Zhao Pan'er rolled her eyes at her helplessly: "Didn't you notice that there are at least twice as many guards at the door as before we left, and they all look very serious?"

"And that Chen Xiao, he always had a smile on his face when he saw us before, but this time his face was tense. Something must have happened recently, and it's not a small matter. I think Zhou Lang let us stay here to protect us."

Sun San Niang opened her mouth.

She was so focused on the scenery when she came in that she didn't even notice the guards!

Although she was older than Zhao Pan'er, she still had to rely on Zhao Pan'er's judgment in these matters.

After the two women reached an agreement, Sun Sanniang suddenly felt a pang of anxiety and quickly turned to Zhao Pan'er: "We're all staying here, but... what about Yin Zhang? Although she's gone to Lord Shen's house, she still comes back occasionally. What if something really happens there, and Yin Zhang happens to be back..."

Zhao Pan'er sighed softly.

Song Yinzhang has been getting very close to Shen Ruzhuo lately, and she's rarely home. Zhao Pan'er had already tried to persuade her several times before she went north, but it didn't really work.

The other party even clearly showed resistance towards her.

But after all, they've been sisters for so many years. If something really happens to Song Yinzhang because of this, how will she face her sister in the afterlife?

"How about this, I'll go talk to Zhou Lang and see if I can ask him to send someone to tell Yin Zhang not to go back."

Zhao Pan'er was unwilling to take any risks, fearing it would affect Zhou Feng, so having him send someone to inform him was the most appropriate course of action.

"Okay, then go ahead! I can handle the cooking myself, business comes first!"

Sun San Niang nodded and waved her hand, urging Zhao Pan'er to hurry up and inform Yin Zhang as soon as possible, as this would reduce her danger.

Just as Zhao Pan'er was about to leave, there was a knock on the kitchen door, and a female guard's voice came from outside: "Madam, there is a lady surnamed Song at the door requesting an audience. She says she is here to see you and Madam Sun."

Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang exchanged a glance and noticed the blush on each other's faces.

How... how did she become a lady?

But inexplicably, neither of the two women refused; instead, they tacitly accepted the guard's address to them.

"Well... why don't you take her to the restaurant first, and invite Zhou Lang to come along too? We'll be there right away!"

Zhao Pan'er coughed lightly and gave instructions to the person outside the door.

"yes!"

After the guards left, the two women noticed the blush on each other's faces and chuckled softly.

But the next second, they all raised the backs of their hands and placed them on their cheeks to cool them down.

Song Yinzhang will be here soon, and as her older sister, I can't let her see me like this.

The noodles here are ready, and it won't be long. Song Yinzhang isn't an outsider; we've eaten together countless times, so there's no need to avoid suspicion.

"Sister Pan'er!"

When Sun San Niang and Zhao Pan'er arrived at the restaurant, Chen Xiao had not yet arrived; instead, Song Yin Zhang was already waiting there.

At this moment, Song Yinzhang was wearing a bright red coat, her face expressionless, giving off an air of poise, as if she were a noblewoman from the mansion of some high-ranking official.

But because she herself did not have that kind of status, it seemed like she was just imitating someone else.

The way she called out "Sister Pan'er" sounded completely different from before, with a tone that was distant and unfamiliar, and even had a sense of haughty arrogance.

Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang exchanged a glance. Both women were very familiar with Song Yin Zhang, so they immediately sensed that something was wrong.

But Zhao Pan'er quietly shook her head at Sun San Niang, signaling her to be patient and observe the situation first.

"Yinzhang, how did you know we were back?"

Song Yinzhang's face showed a hint of smugness: "Master Shen knew I cared about you, so he specially sent people to guard outside the Celestial Master's Mansion, to notify us immediately if there was any movement. Just now, Master Shen said a carriage entered the mansion, so I knew it was you returning!"

Zhao Pan'er nodded silently. She had learned about Shen Ruzhuo before. How dare a mere seventh-rank official like him send people to stake out Zhou Lang's residence?

It seems that the trouble Zhou Lang mentioned this time is quite significant, causing all sorts of demons and monsters to come out.

Seeing the solemn expression on Zhao Pan'er's face, Song Yinzhang felt even more smug.

It's unclear when exactly, but Zhao Pan'er became the leader of the three sisters, and everyone had to follow her orders and arrangements.

Song Yinzhang could only follow behind obediently, never uttering a word of rebuttal, while Sun Sanniang merely echoed Zhao Pan'er from behind.

Seeing Zhao Pan'er's expression now, Song Yinzhang felt a strange sense of pleasure.

"Sister Pan'er, let me tell you the truth. I've come here to take you to my residence."

"Passing through the residence? Whose residence?"

Zhao Pan'er frowned slightly and turned her head to look at Song Yinzhang.

"Naturally, it's Lord Shen's residence! That mere Taoist priest Zhou Feng dared to offend the Emperor, Sister Pan'er, you'll definitely be implicated. But Lord Shen said that although everyone in the entire capital city knows about your affair with Zhou Feng, as long as you stay in his residence, you'll be guaranteed to be safe!"