Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 417 - 416: The Tall Threshold

"Oh dear!"

Nanny Shi’s eyes filled with joy before she could hide it, and she eagerly took a few steps forward to carefully examine Yan Daoxin again. "This is truly pitiful!

Who could be so cruel to let such a delicate young lady end up so haggard? How much suffering must she have endured!

This old woman can’t bear to see it!

Fortunately, your sister is clever and found our Little Mountain Building, otherwise such a beautiful girl would have perished, what a tragedy that would be!

Girl, don’t be afraid. You two weak women have traveled a long distance and are stranded here. I heard from your sister that you wanted to visit relatives, but they had moved away?

What can be done! You don’t seem like you’ve just missed a meal or two, and continuing like this isn’t a solution either!

Just now, I thought, hearing from your sister, that maybe you two were just hungry, and a bit of food and drink might solve the issue.

But now, on closer look, you must have suffered much hardship along the way. It’s evident it’s not that simple; your bodies are too weak, and a single hearty meal won’t restore you!"

As she spoke, she greedily examined Yan Daoxin’s face, noticing how listless he seemed, too tired even to mask it.

Yan Daoxin turned his head slowly, dazedly, to look at Zhu Yu, like someone just awoken from a faint, bewildered and not comprehending the situation.

Zhu Yu hastily spoke up: "Nanny Shi is absolutely right, and that’s exactly what worries me.

But our sisters have used up all our travel money, and here in Lianxiang City, we’re unfamiliar and have no place to stay. Apart from hurrying to find our uncle and look for him, there’s really no other way!"

Although Nanny Shi’s previous words were directed at Yan Daoxin, Zhu Yu’s response hit the nail on the head, making Nanny Shi pleased. She quickly pointed toward Little Mountain Building behind her: "Miss Yan Ning’s words sound so formal.

Meeting people outside is fate! Didn’t you just say that finding our door was also ordained by the heavens?

Since heaven has led me to help you, this old woman can’t go against that.

This is what we’ll do, you two should stay in my Little Mountain Building for now. I have plenty of space and rooms, and it won’t be a burden to provide for you two.

In our Little Mountain Building, we also have a doctor who can help nurse your sister back to health. Seeing her so gaunt, it really breaks my heart!"

As Nanny Shi spoke, she clasped her hands to her chest, filled with sympathy and concern, though her face, earnestly crumpled, showed little kindness.

Zhu Yu, with a look of incredulous delight, repeatedly confirmed with Nanny Shi that they wouldn’t be a burden, to which Nanny Shi adornedly denied, expressing her full sympathy for the sisters’ plight.

So after a profusion of thanks, Zhu Yu diligently "helped" Yan Daoxin up. The two staggered to their feet and followed Nanny Shi toward the Little Mountain Building.

The several servants followed suit, carrying things not too far behind, as if fearing the sisters might change their minds halfway and not want to go with them.

Zhu Yu seemed somewhat timid on the way, yet in reality, she secretly observed the surroundings.

They were escorted out of the woods, across the clearing, and led to the front of the Little Mountain Building.

The gatekeeper, ever vigilant, opened the door as soon as he saw them from afar, welcoming them inside.

The main entrance of the Little Mountain Building was narrow and tall, with an especially high threshold. Even when following Lu Qing into the palace, Zhu Yu hadn’t seen a threshold so absurdly tall.

She wasn’t short for a woman herself and had to calculate how high she would need to lift her leg to step over the threshold.

Nanny Shi, being a short, stout old woman, found the threshold even more challenging.

Zhu Yu had been too preoccupied with putting on a performance and setting the scene to notice how Nanny Shi had originally exited. Now, watching closely, Zhu Yu saw two taller, stronger-looking protectors come out as soon as Nanny Shi reached the door, lifting her over the threshold.

With Zhu Yu’s earlier insistence, the servants refrained from trying to touch the "Yan Family Sisters" and instead watched from behind to see how they would enter.

The threshold was no challenge for Yan Daoxin, but as a feeble woman who had endured a long escape and just awoken from unconsciousness, it was impossible for him to have such energy.

Thus, they deliberately feigned weakness and struggled to cross the high threshold, realizing how exhausting acting the part could be. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Once they finally made it over the high threshold and entered the Little Mountain Building, their sweat wasn’t feigned; it was genuine!

Nanny Shi stood inside, watching them struggle over the threshold with satisfaction. Once they were in, she warmly welcomed them and gestured for them to follow her to their quarters.

As Zhu Yu entered, she noticed the entire Little Mountain Building was dimly lit and filled with an indescribable scent, like a place steeped in the aroma of medicinal herbs over the years.

Yan Daoxin, though slouched with lowered head and hair covering his face, was noted by Zhu Yu, who walked beside him, listening to the sound of him sniffing the unusual smells in the air.

From the outside, the Little Mountain Building looked tall, but once inside, Zhu Yu discovered hidden complexities.

The interior was unlike a typical wooden house. Besides the dim lighting, the stairs twisted and turned, seemingly leading everywhere yet possessing no discernible order, creating a chaotic feel.

Thus, led around and about, up and down, and after countless turns, they finally stopped at the end of a floor where crooked wooden stairs led up to a room above.