Madam Chen returned home in the afternoon.

Chun Tao had always been quick-tempered.

“Madam, that Prime Minister’s wife was clearly looking for trouble on purpose.”

When Madam recommended the new lip balm earlier, she kept finding faults, obviously trying to make things difficult.

“What’s so great about a titled lady? Our Miss is still a princess!”

Madam Chen frowned. “Forget it. Now is not the time to turn against them.”

She had already entrusted the business of Lan Fang Pavilion entirely to Yuan’er.

Her son had been working hard, even going three days without proper sleep.

As his mother, there wasn’t much she could do to help except to maintain relationships and spread the word about their products.

As for the Prime Minister’s wife, it was best to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Outside the room, Jiang Yuanxi listened in confusion.

“Brother, brother.” She went to find Jiang Yuansheng.

Seeing her, Jiang Yuansheng immediately put down his book.

He smiled gently. “Come, big brother will hold you.”

Jiang Yuanxi was momentarily dazzled.

[Big Brother is so handsome… So dashing.]

She eagerly climbed onto Jiang Yuansheng’s lap, taking in his crisp, pine-like scent, and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

[Such a handsome brother—this lap is mine! Hehe.]

Jiang Yuansheng chuckled.

His little sister was as much of a little flirt as ever.

But this was good—having a brother like him would surely raise her standards, preventing her from settling for ordinary men in the future.

But despite being entranced by his beauty, Jiang Yuanxi didn’t forget her purpose.

“Brother, is a titled lady more important than a princess?”

Jiang Yuansheng wasn’t sure why she was asking this but patiently explained.

“In terms of status, a princess is naturally higher.” After all, the royal family’s dignity was not to be challenged.

“However, Prime Minister Yufeng has achieved great merit. Since there was no higher rank left to grant him, His Majesty could only bestow a title upon his wife. And she is the only Yufeng Titled Lady, which, in some ways, makes her more influential than an ordinary princess.”

“I see,” Jiang Yuanxi murmured.

No wonder Sima Pingting had treated Sister Yun coldly today.

Jiang Yuansheng asked, “Why are you curious about this?”

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes darted around. “Uh, Fourth Brother told me to ask.”

[I can’t let Big Brother know it was me. The Prime Minister’s wife bullied Mother—I’m going to get revenge for her.]

Jiang Yuansheng frowned.

After Jiang Yuanxi left, he sent someone to investigate.

That’s how he learned the full story.

That night, Jiang Yuansheng gathered their father and brothers for a meeting.

Taking a slow sip of tea, he spoke calmly, “Father, Mother was bullied by the Prime Minister’s wife today.”

“What?!” Jiang Fengyuan shot to his feet.

No wonder his wife had seemed out of sorts today, barely acknowledging him—she had suffered grievances outside.

“I’ll go chop her down right now!”

Before he could flip the table, Jiang Yuanfan stepped in to support him. “Father, slow down. Let Big Brother finish speaking.”

Jiang Yuansheng continued, “Mother went to Spring Full Tower to promote Lan Fang Pavilion’s new lip balm, but the Prime Minister’s wife kept criticizing it.”

Jiang Yuanwu fumed, “What nonsense! Father, let’s go over this afternoon and tear down the Prime Minister’s mansion!”

“Yes, and give that old man Sima Dao a beating while we’re at it!”

Jiang Yuansheng rubbed his forehead.

These two combined still weren’t as clever as their little sister.

Jiang Yuanfan sighed, “Father, he’s the Prime Minister who helped His Majesty expand the empire. Do you think he’ll die first, or we will?”

Jiang Fengyuan fell silent.

That was obvious—the rootless Jiang family would disappear much faster. He forced himself to calm down and sat back down.

Jiang Yuanfan shot a side glance at him. “Father, don’t let these fools influence you.”

“Who are you calling a fool?!” Jiang Yuanwu protested.

Jiang Yuanfan smirked. “Whoever admits it.”

“Obviously, you!”

Realizing he had been tricked, Jiang Yuanwu rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

“You say that again!”

Jiang Yuancheng propped his chin on his hand, watching the drama unfold.

Fight, fight! It’s been a while since I’ve seen some fun.

Best if Father joins in and chases them around—now that would be entertaining.

Jiang Yuansheng sighed, exhausted.

“Enough!” Jiang Fengyuan ordered.

“Sit down and listen to your big brother!”

Reluctantly, the two stopped.

Jiang Yuansheng took a deep breath. “Father, Little Sister said we need to help Mother obtain a noble title.”

Jiang Fengyuan’s eyes lit up.

Why hadn’t he thought of that?

If his wife became a titled lady, they wouldn’t need to fear Sima Dao.

He could tear down the Prime Minister’s gates, and the Emperor would turn a blind eye.

“Tomorrow, I will petition His Majesty to let me serve on the frontier!”

If he earned military merit, his wife would naturally be granted a title.

Jiang Yuansheng, however, felt uneasy.

He doubted this was what their little sister had meant.

…

That night, after everyone had fallen asleep, Jiang Yuanxi quietly climbed out of bed.

The shadow guards had just started to doze off when they heard movement.

“Quick! Wake everyone up—the Princess is on the move.”

The captain roused his men immediately.

Jiang Yuanxi stealthily sneaked into Jiang Yuanwu’s room.

As a martial artist, he was a light sleeper and instantly noticed the sound.

He was immediately alert—until he smelled the familiar scent of milk.

Yuanxi?!

What was she doing here in the middle of the night?

Jiang Yuanxi tiptoed onto his bed.

“Second Brother, Second Brother.” She tugged at his ear, whispering.

Jiang Yuanwu opened his eyes. “Yuanxi, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Yuanxi grinned. “Second Brother, let’s go out and play.”

Jiang Yuanwu: …

It was the middle of the night. Every tea house and tavern in the capital was closed.

Where were they supposed to play?

Sitting up, he tried to reason with her. “Be good. I’ll take you out tomorrow, alright?”

Jiang Yuanxi shook her head vigorously.

Leaning close, she whispered a few words.

Jiang Yuanwu froze. He must have misheard.

But the little girl clung to his hand and repeated herself.

“Second Brother, first we do this, then that, and then we do this.”

Jiang Yuanwu sighed in resignation and got dressed.

Just as Jiang Yuanxi was about to leave, she remembered something. “Wait, Brother! I need to grab something first.”

Standing outside, Jiang Yuanwu’s face was cold.

He spoke into the air, “Go inform the palace—the Princess is about to break into the imperial harem tonight.”

From the treetops, a muffled thud was heard.

Jiang Yuanwu clicked his tongue.

The palace guards really aren’t that skilled—falling out of trees so easily.

..

In the palace.

“What did you just say?!”

The Emperor sat up abruptly.

Eunuch Cao had no choice but to repeat himself.

“Your Majesty, the Jiang family has sent word that Princess Xihe is planning to break into the harem tonight, and they cannot stop her.”

The Emperor rubbed his temples, exhaling sharply.

“What kind of nonsense is this? I am the Emperor, yet people are informing me that someone is about to break into my own harem?” He was furious.

He regretted not listening to his ministers—perhaps it had been a mistake to officially recognize Yuanxi as a princess.

“What is that girl up to now, not sleeping in the middle of the night?!”

Eunuch Cao hesitated. “Shall I send guards to stop her?”

“Stop her?!” The Emperor’s anger flared.

“She’s the princess I personally appointed! What’s wrong with her coming home?!”

Eunuch Cao wisely kept silent.

The Emperor sighed. “Bring me my documents.”

He glanced at the first petition and immediately threw it aside.

“Ridiculous! They all just want money!”