Qian Jiyun pondered for a moment and nodded.

The female Shadow Guards in the Prince of the Second Rank’s Residence were trained for the future Princess Consort. They were not only strong in martial arts but also well-versed in literature.

There were not many of them. If he remembered correctly, only 10 female shadow guards were worthy of being under Yan Feng’s command.

“That’s good. Bring them here. I want to choose them myself.”

“Yes, Master.”

Since Qian Jiyun wanted to choose personally, Yan Feng had no objections and left to give instructions.

…

At the 11th stockaded village of the 18 stockaded villages…

Shen Zhuxin and her group returned ahead of Shen Yan and Qi Gu. They did not gain much from the trip.

However, the people in the village had already seen the real Bipetalous Scarlet-Blue Flower and Moon Whisper Grass.

Therefore, after some discussion, and with the approval of Ai Qi, Luo Zhongyin, and the other chiefs, they chose a group of trusted people to pick these two medicinal herbs outside the village.

Shen Zhuxin and the others did not mention what An Jiuyue had said because Shen Yan had yet to return.

They sat in the meeting hall after Shen Yan and Qi Gu returned. Shen Zhuxin told the elders what An Jiuyue had told her.

However, she did not take her words to heart and only mentioned them in passing when she informed the elders that they had received a favor from someone.

“What did you say?!”

However, despite only mentioning it casually, Shen Yan, and even the other chiefs, stood up reflexly and glared at Shen Zhuxin and the other youngsters.

“Zhuxin, why didn’t you say so earlier!” Ai Qi shouted angrily and questioned Shen Zhuxin.

He did not care if Shen Zhuxin was Shen Yan’s precious daughter at this moment.

If Shen Zhuxin and her group had mentioned this earlier, they might have had a chance to chase after them and invite them back. Now that a day had passed, it was too late.

“Where are they, Zhuxin? Where are they?” Luo Zhongyin asked anxiously.

“You… You children, don’t you understand priorities? Sigh!” Ge Li shook his head and looked at his son, Ge Wei, reproachfully.

Ge Wei was part of the group that went out to gather herbs, but he also did not mention this to Ge Li.

“You brat, I’ll skin you alive!”

He raised his hand and slapped the back of his son’s head with great force. It almost left Ge Wei dumbstruck.

“Father, she only said something random. Why would I mention it?”

Ge Wei covered the back of his head that was throbbing from the slap and pursed his lips. He felt wronged.

It’s only a sentence—one without rhyme or reason! Props to Zhuxin’s good memory for even passing the message on to the elders!

They were only focused on gathering more herbs, only thinking about their brothers who had contracted the disease.

“How dare you!” Ge Li yelled again.

Sui Mu looked at Shen Yan and asked with a frown, “Big Brother, who do you think this person is? She actually told us not to owe favors easily!”

Everyone knew it was not easy owing someone a favor. However, she rejected the chance to make the 18 Stockaded Villages owe her a favor.

Shen Yan pondered for a long time before speaking softly.

“There are two possibilities. The first is that the two of them deliberately said that because they didn’t want anything to do with the 18 Stockaded Villages. The second is that although they picked herbs together, they’re not on the same side. She doesn’t want us to owe only her companion a favor.”