The facts proved that Xiao Qing Ran's guess was right. Sanguine was indeed as she had said. In the end, she did not really punish those officials, especially those old officials who had merely given a small punishment.

It was just a small test, but the situation in the court had already changed.

This was sufficient to show that the peace and quiet in the imperial court was the surface, and the internal turmoil in the secret world was the real thing.

Today, Xiao Qing Qing was practicing her martial arts in the courtyard. A servant came to tell her that it was Third Madame looking for her.

Third Madame, this Zhao Ya, who had entered the mansion at first, but had been intercepted by Xiao Qing Ran's mother, was the only person in the mansion who had a pair of children.

The number one son of the General's Estate, Xiao Jin Qing, was out all year round. He was just like Xiao Zhi when he was young, being the leader of the army. He was out all year round, never to return.

Because of their poor health, the four girls, Xiao Yan, were brought to the mountain to train since they were teens.

Thus, although this Third Madame was an old woman, she was still able to speak words of praise in front of Sou He.

However, this did not mean that Xiao Qing Ran was going to give her this face.

"If your aunt wants to see me, she should come over personally. I don't have the time to listen to her lecture." Xiao Qing Qing sat on the hammock and swung her legs as she spoke.

Xiao Qingyi was very fond of this hammock, especially on a warm afternoon like this one. She would lie down here and rest for a while, even if it was not to rest.

Such a warm feeling seemed to be able to illuminate some of the darkness within her heart.

"Miss, weren't those Third Madame's men just now?" What is she doing here? " Riko came in from outside.

Due to someone sneaking out to look for food yesterday, today's fruit was turned into snacks by Li Er.

"Tell me to look for trouble." Xiao Qing Qing placed one hand under her head and raised her eyebrows to take a glance at the tray in her hands. She raised her eyebrows. "Today's dessert is not bad. My Little Li's cooking skills are getting better and better."

"Miss, you don't need to say anything nice to coax me. For the past two days, you haven't had any fruits to eat." Riko curled her lips, indicating that she wasn't going to buy it.

Xiao Qingran sighed to herself as she received the plate: "Li'er, I truly feel that it's more tiring to fight with you every day than to plan with those people in the imperial court."

"So, Miss, in order to prevent you from getting so tired, can you be more obedient in the future?" Riko immediately followed up. Her vicious mouth was basically used on Xiao Qing Ran.

Xiao Qing Ran sighed again. She could only swallow her anger.

"Miss, a message was sent over just now saying that the crown prince wants you to make a trip there when you have time." Riko stood at the side and pondered, "Didn't we already settle all the matters in the court last time? Is the crown prince suspecting something? "

Xiao Qing pursed her lips, pinched a piece of pastry and stuffed it into her mouth: "Not necessarily, perhaps it's because of my expression that I'm thanking him. After all, didn't we send a message to him in advance last time?" Furthermore, even though the secret manual has been taken care of, with his trump card gone, he will definitely think of another way. Think about it, it's about time for me to go over and discuss the next step. "

"Then should Miss take the opportunity to tell the Crown Prince about this matter and ask him about it?"

Based on what he said last time, the lord had already planned for the young lady to marry the crown prince. However, in the current situation, the young lady did not seem to be on good terms with the crown prince.

"There's no need to rush. Wait until the matter of mother's tablet entering the ancestral hall is resolved before …"

"Xiao Qing Ran, how dare you! How dare a junior like you ask me to call you personally?" A pretentious, charming and deliberately strict voice came from outside the door.

The woman's voice was very sharp, making people feel extremely uncomfortable when they heard it.

Xiao Qing frowned slightly and sat up.

Riko was very observant as she stretched out her hand to grab the plate of pastries.

Zhao Ya brought two maids behind her. With a sound, she entered the room and placed her hands in front of her stomach. With a feigned posture, she took three steps forward.

It was as if she wasn't a lady of a noble family, yet she still had to do it, causing people to feel extremely uncomfortable.

Xiao Qing raised her eyebrows and did not get out of the hammock as she maintained her original posture: "Third Madame, now that the First Madam is in bed, even though you do not have the title of 'Madam Manager' on your head, you still bear this responsibility. It's a little unruly for you to bring two lowly servants and rush into my courtyard so quickly, isn't it a little too much?"

"Rules? How dare a junior like you ask me what rules I have to follow? " Zhao Ya stood three meters away, "Let me ask you, I just ordered a servant to call you over, why did you send him off with just a few casual words? Are you ignoring my orders or looking down on your elders? "

"Heh ~" Xiao Qingyi held the bedside with both hands and swung it around like a swing: "Third Aunt, what are you saying? I just told the servant that it's not convenient for me right now, so if you have something important to say, come over yourself, is there anything wrong with that? "

"Inconvenient?" What's so inconvenient about you? " Zhao Ya knew that she was looking for an excuse, so she refused to give her permission. "From what I see, you are very idle right now. Furthermore, even if you have something on your mind, you should still follow my orders."

Riko was truly not used to this woman saying 'orders'. She even had an aggressive look as she spoke to her mistress. However, due to her status, she did not say much and only looked at her with a displeased expression.

Xiao Qingyi pursed her lips, her tone calm: "I'm not feeling well."

Zhao Ya glared at her. "Where are you unwell?"

"Not anywhere." Xiao Qingyi laughed, "I was lying down for a while, but when I saw you Third Aunt, I felt even worse."

Zhao Ya choked, "You …"

"Alright." Xiao Qingran took another small piece of pastries and interrupted her: "Third Aunt, you should get down to business. Seeing that you're so anxious, don't delay any longer."

Zhao Ya clenched her fists tightly. Only after a while did she swallow her anger and change the topic. "I heard that you said yesterday that you would allow your mother's tablet to enter the ancestral hall?"

"That's right."

"Old master, you've agreed?"

"Yes."

"You need to pay respects half a month later?"

"Right."

Zhao Ya's eyes darkened and she subconsciously clenched her fists tightly.

He was the first one to follow the general. When he was young, he suffered a lot when he followed the general. In the end, he finally managed to get his man to ascend to the throne, but there was a slut by his side.

That girl's mother became the wife of a general after him, and although she died, her title was taken away by someone else. He had finally gained control of the country, and now that he was about to become the official wife, was he going to hand her over now?

She definitely wouldn't!

"Xiao Qing Ran, do you really think that after your mother's tablet enters the ancestral hall, you will become the main daughter of the General's Estate?" "Although the current wife of the general has come to take over your mother's position, in name, she is still the mistress of the general's estate. Even if you are able to turn the situation around, in the eyes of outsiders, you are only an orphan girl with the title of direct daughter."

"Third Aunt is a smart person. You've stayed in this house the longest, so I know what you're thinking. So just tell me directly what you want to say, and you don't need to waste the time of the two of them by going around in circles."

"Alright, since you are so straightforward, I will say it directly." Zhao Ya took two steps forward and waved her hands. The two female servants behind her retreated to the entrance and stood a distance away from them, where they would not overhear their conversation.

She subconsciously glanced at Riko, but seeing that Xiao Qing Ran did not intend to send her away, she tried her best to be tactful: "Like I said before, your current identity is only that of an orphan. I know that you and the crown prince are in love, but even if you marry each other with the status of a direct daughter and marry into the crown prince's residence, on the surface, it would seem glorious, but actually isn't so."

"Since ancient times, all the children from the family have gotten married. First, they have to depend on their families. Other than your father, you don't have any other siblings in the family. If you marry in the future, no one will support you."

"I have an idea that you can consider. If you were to tell your father to give up on the idea of letting your mother join the family tree and instead let me join the family tree, then I will definitely remember your kindness."

As you know, your fourth sister is still young. A few days ago, I received a letter saying that she will be back soon, and when she returns, she will be pointed out as a good relative. In addition, your elder brother has been out on the battlefield for many years.

Xiao Qingxi curled her lips and looked at her with a faint smile, not interrupting her.

"Speaking of which, it's also for your own good. You're still young, how would you know about the complicated affairs of the clan? If you listen to my words, there's no harm in it. If you can marry into the Crown Prince's Palace, you'll surely have a better reputation than that of yours, no?"

"You can be at ease, as long as I become the real Madam, I will definitely not treat you unfairly. In the future, you will have your own blood related brother and sister, isn't this a good thing?"

Xiao Qingran was waiting for her to lead the show without any skill. In the end, she raised her eyebrows and asked: "Third Aunt, are you done speaking?"

Zhao Ya furrowed her brows. She thought that she had explained everything correctly, but when she heard his tone, she suddenly felt uncertain, "What? Have you thought it through? "

"Yes, I've thought it through. I'll think it over carefully. If there's nothing else, Third Madame can leave." Xiao Qinglan's tone was indifferent, and on the surface, nothing could be seen.

This caused Zhao Ya to feel uncertain. With a doubtful tone, she said, "You really will consider it."

She kept having the feeling that this girl's appearance wasn't as innocent and harmless as she seemed on the surface.

"Of course, Third Madame's words are already like this. If I don't think it over carefully, it would be because I don't recognize the kind heart." Xiao Qingran pursed her lips, "But this is not a small matter. Third Madame should at least let me think about it carefully, right?"

"Alright, since that's the case, you should consider it carefully." Zhao Ya thought that her lecture had made sense and seemed very happy. "Since that's the case, I won't disturb your rest any longer. When you're done thinking, send someone over to inform me."

"Alright."