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Qiu Chan gave a simple smile, feeling that what she did was just her duty and didn't require a reward. "I didn't do much, no need for a reward."

"Tell me."

"Well, if you insist, Miss, could you give me three days off? I've heard that the person who stole the pig's head meat has been seen at Ten Mile Slope outside the city."

"You're really persistent," Li Xia said. The incident with the stolen pig's head meat had happened long ago. At the time, Li Xia had even asked Qiu Ling to help investigate, but they couldn't find anything. She had forgotten about it, not expecting this girl to still remember.

"The theft of meat is an unforgivable grudge," Qiu Chan said earnestly.

"Are you sure he's at Ten Mile Slope?" Ten Mile Slope was the first small town past the south gate of the city, and it was quite prosperous.

"I'm not certain, that's why I need to go and confirm," Qiu Chan replied honestly, not giving any false information.

"They've recently built several shopping centers at Ten Mile Slope, and there's even a popular amusement park built on the mountain," Qiu Ling chimed in as she walked into the courtyard.

This amusement park couldn't be another project of the Fourth Miss Lu, could it?

"Qiu Chan, let's go to Ten Mile Slope together," Li Xia said. She wanted to see the amusement park. In the post-apocalyptic world, seeing the ruins of an amusement park, Li Xia had often imagined its former bustling atmosphere. Now she could go to confirm some of her past thoughts, and also search for medicine.

Zhou Heng had sent a letter saying there was progress in researching the prescription. However, several rare medicinal ingredients in the new prescription were hard to find. He asked Li Xia to look for them, and after inquiring, she learned that these herbs had been found in the deep mountains beyond Ten Mile Slope. Li Xia had been wondering what excuse she could use to leave and make the trip. Now this was the perfect opportunity.

"Really, Miss?" Qiu Chan was reluctant to leave on her own for a few days. Going together would be ideal.

"When have I ever lied to you?" Li Xia said. Once she said it, she would definitely go.

After discussing Qiu Chan's matter, Li Xia told Qiu Ling to assist Li Hui for a few days.

Qiu Ling followed the order and was sent by Li Hui to investigate. Only then did she discover that the Fourth Miss Lu had partnered with the Fourth Prince in so many business ventures. This Fourth Prince had indeed amassed quite a fortune.

Old Madam Lu had just finished breakfast and was listening to her maid talk to pass the time when a servant reported that Mrs. Lu had arrived.

She had just gone to the Li residence yesterday, why was she here today? She ordered someone to invite Mrs. Lu in, noticing her troubled expression as she entered. Old Madam Lu dismissed the servants, leaving only mother and daughter in the room.

"What's wrong? Coming here so early with such a gloomy face," Old Madam Lu said, feeling Mrs. Lu's forehead to check for a fever.

"Mother, tell me the truth, has big brother taken sides?" Mrs. Lu asked seriously.

"How dare you speak such treasonous words," Old Madam Lu scolded in a low voice, glancing outside the room.

"Mother, please just tell your daughter the truth," Mrs. Lu persisted.

"No, your father made your brother swear on his deathbed that the Lu family would never take sides. We are to remain loyal subjects to the emperor," Old Madam Lu said, her expression turning serious as she realized Mrs. Lu truly had something important to discuss.

"Then do you know about Fourth Sister's association with the Fourth Prince?" Mrs. Lu asked disbelievingly.

"What did you say?" Old Madam Lu's voice suddenly rose. "You shouldn't make such accusations as her aunt."

"Someone saw them together with their own eyes, and yesterday's fall into the water was premeditated. Otherwise, how could Fourth Sister have fallen in on her own?" Mrs. Lu's words made Old Madam Lu's face darken. She knew her own daughter well; if Mrs. Lu didn't have solid evidence, she wouldn't bring it up. And for her to mention it here, it was likely true.

"How could Fourth Sister have connected with the Fourth Prince? What does she have to offer?" Old Madam Lu couldn't understand.

"Mother, don't you know? The musical drama that everyone in the Capital City is talking about was organized by Fourth Sister and the Fourth Prince together," Mrs. Lu's words once again shocked Old Madam Lu.

Old Madam Lu had heard the maids mention the musical drama. It was quite novel, different from traditional operas, without so many theatrical tones and twists. The expression was more direct and passionate, and many young ladies and madams had gone to see it. She never imagined it was organized by the Lu family's Fourth Miss and the Fourth Prince. Thinking of this, Old Madam Lu couldn't understand, "How did those two come together? Fourth Sister doesn't go out often."

"I don't know about that, but what I've found out is that they're deeply involved. The Fourth Prince is using Fourth Sister to help him make money and develop his influence," At this point, there was no need to explain why he was developing influence. Old Madam Lu, having been through much, understood what it meant.

"The Lu family will not allow our daughter to marry into the royal family," Old Madam Lu stated.

"Mother, I know you don't like my sister-in-law. But this concerns the survival of the Lu family. You need to be more mindful of the Lu Mansion," Mrs. Lu didn't want the Lu family to be ruined because of the Fourth Miss Lu.

"Don't worry, now that I know, I won't let this matter develop any further," Old Madam Lu said. She had been decisive in her youth. Only with age had she become a bit more benevolent.

Having achieved her goal, Mrs. Lu didn't stay long. She got up and left the Lu Mansion, returning to Qingyue Street.

Li Xia was still thinking of what excuse to use to persuade Mrs. Lu to let her go to Ten Mile Slope when Mrs. Lu had already sent someone to inform them that on Li Hui's day off, they would go to play at the Ten Mile Slope amusement park for three days.

After the amusement park opened, it attracted many visitors. Word spread quickly, and soon everyone in the Capital City knew that the Ten Mile Slope amusement park was especially fun. It had many novel attractions that appealed to both adults and children.

Zhou Dingxing heard about it from a school friend and wanted to go too. After pleading with Ms. Liu several times, she sent an invitation to Mrs. Lu for both families to go together.

Mrs. Lu had been in the Capital City for quite some time but hadn't gone out to play much. This was a good opportunity to get out for a while. Ms. Liu had her own estate at Ten Mile Slope, so staying for two days would be convenient.

Hearing that many young ladies went to Ten Mile Slope daily, Qiu Shui put all her effort into packing, determined to make Li Xia outshine all the other girls.

But Li Xia was going with a purpose in mind. She naturally wanted to keep things as simple as possible. Qiu Shui reluctantly repacked.

This time, all the Li family members went, including Auntie An and Aunt Wang. Li Xia got into the carriage and fell asleep leaning against Li Xin. Her abilities had been fluctuating violently these past two days, preventing her from sleeping well at night, which made Li Xia very uncomfortable.

Li Xin gazed at the sleeping Li Xia with concern. Li Xia's mental state wasn't good, and although she tried her best to conceal it, how could someone so close to her not notice? However, knowing Li Xia's personality, Li Xin didn't press the issue, even though Li Xia remained silent about it.

Upon reaching Ten Mile Slope, they arrived at the Gongshun Marquis Manor. Ms. Liu and Zhou Dingxing had arrived early. Zhou Dingxing was beside himself with excitement, eager to go play. When the Li family carriage arrived, Zhou Dingxing dragged Li Guang off to play.

Under Ms. Liu's attentive care, Zhou Dingxing had overcome the trauma of his kidnapping and become lively again. Despite the age gap of several years between them, he and Li Guang got along surprisingly well.