The hot spring villa of the Jingning Marquis’ residence is located to the south of the capital, close to the city.

Originally an imperial property, it was granted as a reward to Xie Yuanchu’s grandfather for his great achievements.

In the cold weather, soaking in the hot springs is truly a luxury.

With the prospect of this trip, Rongrong felt invigorated, and her face showed none of the weakness typical of someone recovering from an illness.

She appeared quite spirited, putting both Xie Yuanchu and Zhenzhen at ease.

The day of departure for the hot spring villa quickly arrived.

Zhenzhen and Rongrong got up before dawn, with Zhenzhen preparing the luggage and food boxes for the journey, while Rongrong, having had an interest in cooking in her past life, busied herself in the kitchen.

As she was directing the kitchen staff, someone came in and said, “Sister Rongrong, your family has arrived.”

Rongrong was momentarily stunned and then remembered that the original owner’s family included a grandmother, an older brother, a sister-in-law, two nephews, and an adopted brother.

She asked, “Who has come?”

“It’s your brother and sister-in-law.”

Rongrong immediately thought they must be here to ask for money again.

According to her memories, the original owner’s parents were hardworking farmers who had sold their daughter due to a poor harvest caused by a natural disaster.

After the parents’ deaths, the brother and sister-in-law, who were lazy and inept at earning a living, would often come to the Marquis’ residence to beg for money.

“The Marquis’ residence is very busy right now, and I will be leaving with the Young Master shortly. I am unable to meet them. Please have Auntie help me send a message.”

The servant who delivered the news sighed and muttered, “It seems your brother and sister-in-law are very anxious.”

Seeing this, the cook, Auntie Han, suggested, “Since you’re occupied, why not have them bring your sister-in-law to the kitchen to speak with you?”

In the Marquis’ residence, the only place outsiders could enter was the kitchen, which had a back door used for deliveries of meat and vegetables.

The kitchen was bustling with maids at this time, so having Rongrong’s brother enter would be inconvenient.

However, it would be fine for the sister-in-law to come and talk.

Rongrong thought about it and agreed.

They would meet sooner or later, so it was better to deal with their bloodsucking intentions sooner.

The messenger soon returned with the message that Rongrong’s sister-in-law was waiting outside the kitchen.

Rongrong wiped her hands with a cloth and went to meet her.

The original owner’s sister-in-law was named Cuihe.

She was about five or six years older than Rongrong, had a stout figure from having two children, but was considered pretty among village women.

When she saw Rongrong, Cuihe’s eyes lit up.

She rubbed her hands and approached, saying, “It’s been just a few months, and you look even more refreshed than before.”

Since they were strangers, Rongrong didn’t like her being too familiar and took a step back, politely asking, “Did my brother and sister-in-law come to the capital for something urgent? Is there a shortage of money at home?”

“Yes, there’s a bit of a shortage,” Cuihe replied, somewhat embarrassed by the direct question.

Rongrong noticed this but pretended not to understand. “Is Grandmother ill?”

“No, she’s quite healthy! But she feels the house is too small now. You live so well in Marquis’s residence, so you can’t let her live in a hut.”

Rongrong, having the original owners memories, wasn’t fooled by Cuihe’s excuses.

“A hut for Grandmother? I remember last year my brother said the house was leaking, so I bought materials to build a new one. Why doesn’t Grandmother have a place to stay?”

Cuihe was caught off guard by Rongrong’s question.

Last year, she did buy materials, but only two rooms were built—one for her and her husband, and one for their two sons.

Grandmother and the grandchildren were still living in the old hut.

“That’s not the case. Your brother and I didn’t know much, and we were cheated by the builder. The materials were bad, so Grandmother had to return to the old house. But this can’t go on forever…” Cuihe quickly came up with an excuse.

If it were the original mistress, she would have been easily deceived, but Rongrong was harder to trick.

She said calmly, “Since you and my brother are so unwilling, why don’t you switch places with Grandmother? You stay in the hut for now, and I’ll arrange to raise money for you once I redeem myself and leave the Mansion.”

“You want to redeem yourself?” Cuihe was shocked to hear this.

“Yes.”

The original owner’s brother and sister-in-law were indeed quite opportunistic, relying on their sister’s position to their advantage.

It seems their expectations were high, given the original owner’s earlier boastful stories about her favored status in the Marquis’ residence.

“… You’re not going to be a concubine anymore?” the sister-in-law, Cuihe, asked with a mix of confusion and concern.

Rongrong shook her head, “You must not speak of this again, and certainly not in the village. I am merely a maid in the Marquis’ residence, not a concubine.”

Cuihe looked worried and tried to push further, “But… did your master abandon you after using you?”

Rongrong’s patience was wearing thin. “Be quiet! Do you understand where you are? If others hear these words, neither of us will be able to leave here alive.”

Cuihe fell silent, her anxious expression unchanged. “Maybe you should go out and speak with your brother?”

“There is nothing to discuss. Just relay my message: I am in need of money right now, so don’t bother coming back. Besides, when they sold me, the contract was a living one. Your brother promised to redeem me in the future, but now it seems he has forgotten his words?”

Cuihe was at a loss for words, unable to respond effectively.

“Forget it,” Rongrong added, “I don’t expect you to come up with the money to redeem me. Just tell my brother that I am in need of money, and coming back here won’t change that.”

With that, Rongrong went back to the kitchen to finish up preparations for Xie Yuanchu’s departure.

Once she was done, she returned to the study to help Xie Yuanchu dress.

As she was assisting him with his clothes, the curtain was suddenly pulled aside, and a teenage girl burst in.

The girl, around fifteen or sixteen years old, was dressed in a richly embroidered jacket and had a strikingly pretty appearance.

“Big Brother, what exactly do you mean by this?” the girl, Yuanrui, demanded, clearly upset and frowning deeply as she confronted Xie Yuanchu.

Xie Yuanchu, casually having Rongrong help with his sash, responded calmly, “Yuanrui, if there is anything to be said, your sister-in-law should have already explained it to you. There’s no need for further discussion with me.”

“Alright, tell me, is this the Crown Prince’s wish or my brother’s?”

The Crown Prince?

Hearing the mention of the Crown Prince, Rongrong’s hand shook, causing Xie Yuanchu to wince in pain.

He glanced at her, and Rongrong quickly looked down, her mind racing with shock.

The Marquis’s residence had three legitimate daughters: the eldest, Xie Yuanluo, and the second, Xie Yuanfang, were already married.

The youngest, Xie Yuanrui, was still unmarried and waiting for a suitor.

But why was Xie Yuanrui involved with the Crown Prince?

Had something changed recently?

Rongrong had been subtly probing Zhenzhen for news and learned that the Crown Prince had once broken off an engagement with the Chen family’s eldest daughter and had not married since.

Zhenzhen didn’t know much more, and though Xie Yuanchu was friends with the Crown Prince, he rarely discussed the Crown Prince’s personal matters.

From Xie Yuanrui’s tone, was she aiming to become the Crown Prince’s consort?

Although she was five or six years younger than the Crown Prince, she was at the right age, and her family background was suitable for the role of a consort.

Rongrong wondered why Xie Yuanchu opposed it.

Xie Yuanchu was clearly unhappy with Xie Yuanrui’s antics and frowned, saying, “Whether it’s my wish or the Crown Prince’s, what difference does it make? You just need to know that it can’t be done.”

Xie Yuanrui was unwilling to accept this.

Her eyes were red as she clung to Xie Yuanchu’s sleeve and argued, “Why can’t it be done? The Empress Dowager has hinted to Mother several times. Brother, why are you stopping me?”

“I’m stopping you for your own good.” Xie Yuanchu, seeing Rongrong struggling with her belt, pushed her hand away.

Rongrong was momentarily dazed.

In her past life, Jing Rong had encountered the Crown Prince, who was about to marry.

In this life, as Xue Rongrong, the Crown Prince was still preparing for marriage.

Was there no escaping him, no matter who she became?

“Go on. Have Zhenzhen pack the breakfast into a box. I’ll eat it on the carriage.”

“Yes.” Rongrong respectfully left.

With only the Xie siblings left in the room, Xie Yuanchu lowered his voice, “What happiness can you expect if you become someone else’s stepmother in the Eastern Palace?”

Xie Yuanrui’s brows furrowed.

After a long pause, she said, “As long as I can stay by the Crown Prince’s side, I’m willing to do anything.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Before, it was understandable if the Crown Prince was engaged to Miss Chen, but now the Eastern Palace is empty.

Even if there’s a royal grandson, what of it? As long as I enter the Eastern Palace, I will give the Crown Prince a legitimate royal grandson in the future.”

“Is that what a young lady should say? I tell you, the royal grandson is more precious to the Crown Prince than his own eyes. Don’t ever think that he will value you.”

Xie Yuanrui, initially angry, suddenly brightened up at Xie Yuanchu’s words, “Brother, if I am good to the royal grandson, do you think the Crown Prince will look at me differently?”

“Uh…”

“Brother, I’ve admired the Crown Prince since I was young. I heard from sister-in-law that the Crown Prince will be staying at our family’s hot spring villa. Can you speak favorably for me?”

“What use is it for me to speak favorably? I’ll discuss this with Mother. Don’t get too involved.”

Seeing Xie Yuanchu finally wavering, Xie Yuanrui was overjoyed.

She jumped into his arms, “I knew you cared for me the most.”

“Alright, go back to your room. Don’t delay my schedule.”

“Yes, yes, Brother, you hurry up and leave. Don’t let the Crown Prince arrive before you!” Xie Yuanrui smiled sweetly and skipped out.

As Rongrong was preparing the food box and waiting outside, she saw Xie Yuanrui come out with a joyful expression, which made her heart sink a bit.

Was Xie Yuanrui so happy because Xie Yuanchu had agreed to help her get into the Eastern Palace?