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They exchanged a few words and then parted ways.

Xie Heng returned to the city in another carriage, while Shen Lantang's carriage also mingled with a group of minor officials and returned.

The horses trotted back to the Xie Residence around late afternoon. As soon as they entered, Lan Xin and Baozhu rushed out from the main gate.

"Miss, you're finally back!"

They were naturally very worried about Shen Lantang going with Xie Heng to do something important, but Shen Lantang just smiled and patted their heads.

"What are you worried about? Father is here."

"Lan Tang is back! It's good that she's back! It's good that she's back!"

Madam Xie also came out of the house to greet them.

"Mother."

Madam Xie looked Shen Lantang up and down, then smiled and said, "Not bad, not bad, this outfit suits you quite well."

After the competition, Shen Lantang went back to her room to change her clothes. She took off her servant's clothes and put on a set of brocade men's clothing. With the addition of shoulder pads, she looked quite presentable.

This was all a ruse to deceive people. During the competition, no one would care if she acted as a tool or servant. But after the competition, when there were many important people around, she would dress up as a servant again, which would not only attract attention but also make her memorable. The two changes of clothes were also part of her and Xie Heng's plan.

Shen Lantang was in a great mood, and blinked playfully, saying:

"If Mother likes it, Lan Tang will wear it for you often in the future."

"Don't upset the girls in your family!"

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted and laughed for a while. After all, this dress was sensitive, so Shen Lantang quickly returned to her courtyard and changed back into her usual clothes.

Baozhu teased as she helped Shen Lantang change her clothes.

"Miss looks so beautiful in this outfit, it's truly hard to tell if she's male or female."

"That's right." Shen Lantang was still quite proud of herself. Who was she? She was the owner of the number one gold and silver jewelry shop in the entire Zhaojing. Back then, in order to satisfy those picky noble ladies, she had studied makeup very well. What was a man's makeup? She could even pull off an old woman's makeup.

"Alright, Miss."

Lan Xin inserted a gold fork shaped like a flower petal into her hair, then stepped back half a step, satisfied.

Shen Lantang looked at herself in the mirror from left to right and was satisfied.

"This men's outfit..." Shen Lantang paused, then said:

"Burn it. Lan Xin, you watch over it yourself."

"Yes."

Shen Lantang walked out of the courtyard and was in the garden when she met Xie Ying running over.

"Sister-in-law, what have you been busy with these past few days? I haven't seen you at all."

Shen Lantang gently tapped her forehead as she leaned closer. "If you know you're busy, then don't ask. It's precisely because I can't tell you that I haven't told you."

"Okay, okay, I don't want to know either. So, will you stay with me from now on?"

"Okay, where do you want to go?"

"Hmm... let's go to Auntie's for dinner first!"

"Okay, I was just about to go too."

A huge weight was lifted from Shen Lantang's heart, and she felt light all over. She strode out towards the sky.

Just one day later, news spread that Xuanxin and a country Daoist priest had competed outside the city. It was said that the contest was evenly matched, and the country Daoist priest finally displayed a beautiful Underwater Garden, which was so stunning that it amazed all the adults present. All of this was due to a book called "Chemistry".

In other words, Xuanxin's previous techniques were not miracles; he had simply learned them from books to fool the public.

Once this matter was made public, the people in the city were outraged. The number of tourists visiting Mystic Temple did not decrease but increased, because many of those who had previously bought Pregnancy-Safeguarding Talisman went up the mountain to cause trouble.

When Shen Lantang heard about this, she was eating watermelon. It was a watermelon grown by farmers outside the city, soaked in well water, sweet and refreshing, a delightful feeling that went straight to her heart.

"Nowadays, Xuanxin is hated by everyone."

Wow, really?

Shen Lantang took a bite of watermelon and exclaimed in surprise.

"But he deserved it." This watermelon is seedless, that's amazing!

"Mmm-hmm," Xie Ying echoed, "Serves you right!"

Yan said, "I also want to thank Lan Tang for helping me avoid that bowl of talisman water that day. Who knows what would happen if I ate that kind of fake stuff?"

Shen Lantang, having enjoyed the watermelon, was in high spirits. Her virtuous and gentle demeanor returned, and she said with a light laugh, "Sister-in-law, you flatter me. It's just a yellow talisman; it won't cause any trouble."

That's true; after all, everything depends on dosage.

"No matter what, we should thank you. Mother also mentioned that she originally intended to take everyone up the mountain to pray for blessings, but unexpectedly we worshipped a false god. Mother and I both feel guilty. It just so happens that it's been a bit cooler these past few days, Lady Yunya is planning to hold an autumn welcoming party, inviting all the dignitaries of Zhaojing to participate. Aunt, Lan Tang, and Yingying, why don't you come too?"

Xie Ying hurriedly said, "I want to go! I want to go!"

She's finally moved on from her first love and is now bored at home.

Lan Tang replied, "Since I have nothing to do at home anyway, I'll definitely go if you invite me, sister -Lan Tang."

"Then it's settled. Please have Madam send over the invitations tomorrow, and we'll see you then."

"Good."

After talking for a while, Yan left when she saw the time.

It was getting late, and Shen Lantang was just about to head back when Xie Heng returned.

"Lan Tang, come to my study."

After Xuanxin's incident, Shen Lantang had some interaction with this father-in-law. She wondered if there was any follow-up to Xuanxin's matter, so she went to see him.

Xie Heng changed his clothes quickly and waited for her in the study. Madam Xie sat beside him, seemingly trying to support Lan Tang and telling him, as her father-in-law, not to be too harsh on his daughter-in-law.

"Father, Mother."

Shen Lantang entered and bowed.

Xie Heng looked at his daughter-in-law, who was both strange and possessed supernatural abilities, in the hall, his eyes filled with a complex emotion, but he quickly regained his composure.