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After scolding her, Nanny Qi again advised earnestly and kindly, "Remember, next time, don’t be so reckless, you’re the master and with child, it’s not worth it for you to take such risks for a servant like me. I’ve lived a long life and am content; my dear girl, just take good care of yourself."

At that moment, Nanny Qi appeared very kind-hearted, just like any elderly lady in a common household, prattling on about this and that, hoping that her children and grandchildren would lead good lives.

Lian Hua listened and nodded as Nanny Qi spoke, and when Nanny Qi finished, she replied, "Understood, Grandma Qi." In one ear and out the other.

Nanny Qi had come on her behalf and since she was now part of Canglan Court, she was considered Lian Hua’s person; someone Lian Hua should protect, and given that she was stronger than Nanny Qi, the strong ought to protect the weak. As for what to do next time, that would be a concern for later.

After calming Nanny Qi down, Lian Hua looked at the serpent on the ground, her gaze turning cold, and she commanded Pang Ya, "You and Grandma Qi wait before going back inside. First, sit outside with her for a while. We’ll check the courtyard thoroughly before you enter the house."

Having spoken to Pang Ya, she then addressed Xiao Jizi, "Take off your outer robe and drape it over Grandma Qi, don’t let her get cold."

"Alright." Xiao Jizi promptly started to take off his robe.

Lian Hua then instructed Xiao Qing, "Go and get the rest of the Realgar Wine we had for Dragon Boat Festival, and sprinkle some on everyone first."

"Yes." Xiao Qing hurried off.

Once Xiao Qing had returned, everyone had Realgar Wine sprinkled on them.

Lian Hua issued a command to Xiao Jizi and the others, "Everyone, fetch the tools for work, the fire tongs, long metal pincers, fruit picking hooks, and so on, and comb through this courtyard inside and out, starting with Grandma Qi’s room!" She exuded an authoritative presence.

All three responded in unison, "Yes," and hurriedly scattered toward the courtyard, kitchen, and storeroom.

Xiao Linzi felt an inexplicable aura of credibility emanating from Master Lian at that moment and unconsciously wanted to bow and obey her, not just because she was the master.

As Xiao Jizi was searching for tools, he inwardly praised his master, who usually seemed carefree but never dropped the ball at crucial moments. When the incident occurred, he thought about who might have released the serpent, neglecting the possibility that more could be lurking in the courtyard.

That’s his master for you, always clear-headed, organizing everything meticulously, inspiring the desire to bow in submission.

Nanny Qi, seeing Lian Hua gearing up to personally lead the search, became anxious and urgently voiced her concern, "My dear girl, with your esteemed status, you shouldn’t go yourself; just stay with this old servant, let those below handle these matters."

How could it be? She had just earnestly advised her, and she had agreed, but now she was about to risk herself again?!

Oh dear, this young lady was too keen to prove herself; how had she not seen this before!

Lian Hua bent down to pick up a rattan, shot Nanny Qi a confident smile, "Don’t worry, Grandma Qi, I’ll take good care of myself. I’ve beaten snakes before, I did it quite a bit when I was younger, don’t I look perfectly fine?"

In her youth, she loved to play and cause trouble, dashing here and there, familiar with every nook and cranny in the neighborhood, despised by the adults but celebrated by the children.

They often called each other to go play.

When they encountered bugs, they liked to poke them with sticks.

They weren’t afraid of snakes either, throwing stones until the snakes were dead, even competing over who had the better aim.

But they couldn’t let her mother learn of this, for if she did, a spanking was inevitable.

Nanny Qi became more anxious; how long ago was her childhood? How can it compare to now? There’s no comparability here. This young lady was quite the talker, and she hurriedly pulled her to prevent her from leaving.

Lian Hua saw Nanny Qi’s worry and hurriedly patted her chest, promising, "Grandma, I’ll just take a look from behind. They can lead the way, and I’ll just watch the excitement from the back." And beat any snakes that slip through the net if she encountered them.

After speaking, she patted the back of Nanny Qi’s hand reassuringly, and when Xiao Jizi and the others brought their tools, she pointed towards the door of Nanny Qi’s room with a raised rattan and shouted, "Search for me!"

"Got it!" The three men responded energetically in unison.

Xiao Linzi was somewhat excited, feeling as if he had been injected with chicken blood. Doing anything with his master seemed extraordinarily invigorating, and he rushed in first.

Following behind was Xiao Qing, who entered the room shortly after. It didn’t take long before Nanny Qi’s room was turned upside down in a complete mess. Fortunately, Nanny Qi hadn’t been there long and didn’t have much to sort through.

Xiao Jizi then went to check behind the room.

The room wasn’t large. The two inside quickly finished searching and came out to report to Lian Hua, "Master, there’s nothing in Nanny Qi’s room."

Lian Hua nodded solemnly and looked towards the back of the house, where Xiao Jizi was searching.

After waiting a while, suddenly they heard Xiao Jizi shout, "There’s one here!" followed by a series of thudding sounds.

Xiao Linzi and Xiao Qing hurried over, and Lian Hua also wanted to take a look. But Nanny Qi was holding her hand tightly, so she could only stretch her neck to see, her face growing colder and more serious.

The three of them killed the serpent and searched carefully once again before returning to the spot, throwing the snake to the ground to join the others.

At this moment, everyone looked solemn and angry. One snake might be a coincidence, but two ensured that someone was certainly out to harm Nanny Qi, their master, and the people of Canglan Court!

Nanny Qi had now completely calmed down, regaining her previous composure and no longer the worried elderly lady she was earlier. She was once more the managerial nanny of the Former Empress Dowager.

If conspiracies and tricks were to come, then so be it!

With a cold face, she said to Lian Hua, "Master Lian, what do you plan to do?" Lian Hua had organized everything methodically just now, and her question also held a testing intention.

Lian Hua looked at Nanny Qi, her small face tensed, and said, "First check around all the houses thoroughly before we do anything else." Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with coldness and fury.

After speaking to Nanny Qi, Lian Hua then turned to Xiao Jizi and the others and said, "You three spread out and continue to search. Don’t stray too far so you can back each other up.

We’ll comb through every inch of Canglan Court’s houses, front, and back.

From now on, unless it’s necessary, don’t shout loudly. "

If it was almost certainly someone’s doing, then they mustn’t alert the enemy.

"Understood!" The three responded and dispersed, jogging toward their respective directions.

Lian Hua looked back at Nanny Qi, saw that her hand had relaxed, and then comfortingly patted her.

She broke free from her grip and took the Realgar Wine from the ground, handing it to Pang Ya with a stern voice, "Go sprinkle this wine in Grandma’s room.

Be thorough about it. Once you’re done, help her into her room and stay by her side without leaving her for a moment.

If there’s trouble, shout, and we will hear you. "

Pang Ya nodded subconsciously. She had thought the Beauty Lian before her was always gentle and delicate, but now she felt as if Beauty Lian were a general, possessing a decisive and commanding presence.

Lian Hua was about to leave but, still uneasy, turned back with a cold tone, "Remember, stay by her side without leaving. Even if she asks you to go, you mustn’t. If I find out you’ve left Grandma’s side even for a moment, you can forget about ever entering Canglan Court again."