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Shuang’er stretched its neck towards Tang Jinghong and then called out to Chu Qingzhi, “Fool, fool…”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “We shouldn’t insult others; we must be civilized.”

“Civilized, civilized…” Shuang’er obediently stopped calling out and instead focused on eating the walnut crumbs scattered on the table.

Tang Jinghong watched Shuang’er, growing fonder by the minute, “Qingzhi, can it say longer phrases?”

Chu Qingzhi instructed Shuang’er, “Try to repeat after me, without missing a single word, okay?”

Shuang’er looked at Chu Qingzhi, then at Tang Jinghong, and said, “Try to repeat after me, without missing a single word, okay?”

Tang Jinghong was delighted, “Can it say even longer sentences?” Seemingly annoyed by Tang Jinghong’s doubt, Shuang’er quickly protested, “Yes, yes…”

“Shuang’er, repeat everything I say next.” Tang Jinghong then began to read from a letter, testing Shuang’er’s capabilities.

Shuang’er demonstrated its strong memory and learning abilities by repeating Tang Jinghong’s words exactly, looking at him with disdain as if to say, Is that all you got?”

Tang Jinghong was full of praise.

Chu Qingzhi gently said, “Stop praising it, look at its attitude. If you keep it up, it’ll become arrogant.”

“Shuang’er deserves all the praise.” Tang Jinghong showed his appreciation towards Shuang’er, “Can you fly to my hand?”

Shuang’er eyed Tang Jinghong for a while and finally decided to fly over, seemingly acknowledging Tang Jinghong’s good relationship with Qingzhi. Qingzhi’s friend was its friend, after all.

Tang Jinghong examined Shuang’er more closely.

It’s amazing what a parrot can do.

After playing with Shuang’er for a while, Tang Jinghong set it aside and continued making walnut crisps with Chu Qingzhi.

He was leaving tomorrow and felt reluctant to part.

After some time, Chu Qingyan walked in, “Fifth Sister, Brother Jinghong.”

Chu Qingzhi turned around, “What brings you here?”

Chu Qingyan didn’t want to take up too much of Chu Qingzhi’s time and quickly said, “Fifth Sister, do you know how to make a whitening cream?”

“Who wants to whiten?” Chu Qingzhi inquired.

Chu Qingyan pointed, “It’s the landlord’s daughter from the neighboring village. She said she would pay anyone who can make her skin whiter. Fifth Sister, let’s earn that money.”

Chu Qingyan seemed particularly fond of money. “1’11 write down the ingredients for the whitening cream for you. You go and prepare them, okay?”

Chu Qingyan eagerly agreed, “Yes, you’re the best, Fifth Sister.”

After washing her hands, Chu Qingzhi went to the office, wrote down the ingredients on paper, and handed them to Chu Qingyan, “Let me know once you’ve gathered the ingredients.”

Chu Qingyan nodded, “Thank you, Fifth Sister.”

As Chu Qingyan left like a happy butterfly, “More money to earn.”

Chu Hongxiu, hearing Chu Qingyan’s voice, ran out from her house, “Qingyan, why are you so happy?”

Ever since becoming Chu Qingyan’s assistant, Chu Hongxiu had been able to bring a significant amount of money home each month. Now, her family urged her to work for Chu Qingyan even more enthusiastically than she did herself.

Chu Qingyan looked at Chu Hongxiu, “Fifth Sister gave me the recipe for the whitening cream. I’ll prepare it tomorrow. Come early, and we’ll go to the county to shop.”

“Okay, I’ll come after breakfast,” Chu Hongxiu replied.

Suddenly, Chu Qingyan said, “Hongxiu, ask your mother to make you two new sets of clothes. Your clothes are patched, and it would look bad in other people’s stores.”

She deliberately mentioned this, knowing the high wages she paid Chu Hongxiu, but Chu Hongxiu’s mother was reluctant to spend money, leaving her clothes in tatters.

Chu Hongxiu looked at her clothes and then at Chu Qingyan’s, realizing the stark difference, “I understand, Qingyan.”

Chu Qingyan advised, “Don’t be afraid to speak up. Say it’s my request. If your mother refuses to make new clothes, tell her I won’t let you work anymore. It would embarrass me.”

Chu Hongxiu got the message, smiling and nodding, “I know what to say, Qingyan.”

“Good, now go home and get some rest. Come find me early tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Returning home, Chu Hongxiu did as Chu Qingyan suggested, and her mother immediately agreed to make new clothes with good material, fearing the loss of the opportunity to work for Chu Qingzhi.

In Fengxin County, a group of black-clad figures approached a residence from the shadows, all gathering at one side of the wall, waiting for orders.

The leader raised a hand signal, and his followers dispersed, encircling the neighboring residence.

The leader scaled the wall and signaled again; all the black-clad figures immediately infiltrated the house, closing in on Li Tingzhao’s courtyard.

The intrusion was quickly noticed by the household, and someone went to inform Li Tingzhao.

Upon hearing the news, Li Tingzhao clapped his hands, summoning a petite figure who appeared before him in a flash, “Is it all taken care of?

“Yes, my lord,” the figure replied, drawing a sword and joining the fight against the black-clad attackers.

Li Tingzhao’s guards also emerged, engaging the assailants.

Back in his room, Li Tingzhao calmly poured a cup of tea, then stood up and walked outside.

His personal eunuch, Xiaoningzi, asked cautiously, “My lord, who sent these assassins?”

Li Tingzhao’s lips curled in a scornful smile, “Who else but the Lin family?”

“They’re too bold. My lord, we must teach them a lesson.”

“Send someone to cleanse the Lin family’s cloth shop.”

“Yes.”

After the skirmish, the black-clad attackers were completely annihilated, not anticipating the presence of a skilled protector on Li Tingzhao’s side, leading to their downfall.

Li Tingzhao ordered, “Clean up the courtyard!”

“Yes.”

Soon after, a grand cloth shop in the city was engulfed in flames. The well was sealed with large stones, and water containers were smashed, preventing timely firefighting efforts. The shop was burned to ashes.

Upon learning of the incident, Lady Lin fainted from anger. She knew Li Tingzhao was behind it but couldn’t openly accuse him, feeling both furious and helpless, cursing silently.

Li Tingzhao, hearing the news, was quite pleased, “Reap what you sow.”

In Chu Village.

Xiao Si, holding clothes, whispered, “Miss, shall we wear this today?”

Yu Wanwan got up, feeling increasingly agile, “Xiao Si, quickly measure me. The measuring tape Xiao Si used was drawn on a piece of cloth, a makeshift tool they utilized daily to track progress. Each morning, the two would measure Yu Wanwan’s body, observing the gradual slimming, though modest..