Wu Cuirou was anxious. If Madam Chen didn’t take on the task, it would fall onto her shoulders.

What could the wealth of the Duke’s household accomplish?

She would have to make up the difference herself, and she wasn’t foolish enough to do that.

“Mother, Sister-in-law only needs to give orders, and the servants will handle the rest. It won’t take much effort.”

Madam Chen responded, “If that’s the case, then I see no issue with handing it over to Sister-in-law. If you don’t understand anything, you can always come to ask me.”

“Enough,” the Old Madam interjected, “Wu-shi will take care of it. The rest of you may leave.”

Wu Cuirou wanted to say more, but the Old Madam stopped her.

Once the two had left, the Old Madam raised a hand to her forehead.

“For a simple birthday banquet, look at them. Do they really think I’m senile?”

Mammy Wang stepped forward to console her. “The Second Madam was forced into this. But what I can’t understand is why Madam Chen kept refusing.”

The Old Madam pondered. “What kind of game is she playing?”

In previous years, Madam Chen would have rushed to take on these responsibilities.

Could it be that she had discovered something?

Upon further thought, the Old Madam dismissed the possibility.

If Madam Chen truly knew, she wouldn’t have been so calm today.

…

Madam Chen returned home feeling relieved and recounted everything to Jiang Fengyuan.

Jiang Fengyuan was livid.

These people clearly treated Xinniang as a money tree.

Jiang Fengyuan walked over to his wife.

“Xinniang, when can we finally move out on our own?”

[Move out? That’s easy—just tear our names from the clan records, and it’ll all be over.]

After Jiang Yuanxi’s words, the couple exchanged glances.

Why hadn’t they thought of that? Instead of merely establishing a new household, they could cut ties with the Jiang family entirely.

That way, they would never have anything to do with the Duke’s household again.

The couple shared a knowing look and began acting out their plan.

Jiang Fengyuan sighed, “Xinniang, the Duke’s household has treated us poorly. But if we want to sever ties, we must plan carefully.”

Madam Chen furrowed her brows. “The general is at the height of his power. How could the Duke allow us to leave so easily?”

[Father has finally made up his mind. Mother, don’t worry.]

[As long as we suffer grievances at the birthday banquet, Father can cry about it to the Emperor. That should do the trick.]

Jiang Fengyuan suddenly glanced at his wife.

The Emperor’s intervention was indeed an idea.

But while they enjoyed imperial favor, why would the Emperor concern himself with a noble family’s domestic affairs?

Jiang Yuanxi continued.

[Father practically helped the Emperor seize the throne. He has no reason to refuse.]

Jiang Fengyuan sighed. “Daughter, how would the Emperor believe that I am a peerless talent?”

[If all else fails…]

Jiang Fengyuan leaned in to listen.

[Then just throw a tantrum, just like Father does when coaxing Mother.]

Jiang Fengyuan: …That’s not the same thing at all.

Madam Chen’s face turned slightly red.

This child… how does she know everything?

The couple didn’t take their daughter’s words to heart.

After a day of thinking, Jiang Yuanxi grew tired.

A child was still a child—her energy had limits.

Madam Chen saw her daughter yawning and instructed Chun Zhi to take her to bed.

Once the child was gone, Madam Chen spoke in a hushed voice.

“General, Yuanxi said that the Old Madam… is involved in a murder case.”

Jiang Fengyuan instantly grew alert.

In her youth, the Old Madam had been known for her filial piety and benevolence in Shengjing.

Even Jiang Fengyuan had benefited from her protection.

How could someone like that be involved in a murder?

Unless…

The couple suddenly realized something.

If that was the case, then this was truly terrifying.

---

Liu Ruqing had gone to see Jiang Yuanwu again today, but unfortunately, he had already left early in the morning.

She felt restless and exhausted.

Days had passed without seeing Jiang Yuanwu. It was as if he was deliberately avoiding her.

Jiang Ruowei from the Jiang family knew her true identity, leaving her constantly on edge, afraid the truth would be exposed.

Only by clinging to Jiang Yuanwu could she secure her safety.

Yet now, she couldn’t even see him.

Thinking about what Jiang Ruowei had told her that day, she hesitated.

“Ah—” Deep in thought, she suddenly collided with someone.

She stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Fortunately, the person caught her.

Jiang Qisheng narrowed his eyes as he recognized her.

“Nubi greets Second Master,” the maid accompanying Liu Ruqing bowed.

Liu Ruqing suddenly looked up.

He was elegant, exuding a mature charm.

His eyes carried a trace of roguishness—completely unlike the blockheaded Jiang Yuanwu.

Liu Ruqing instantly softened her posture.

What a handsome man.

Jiang Qisheng openly swept his gaze over Liu Ruqing, his expression filled with amusement.

Noticing his gaze, Liu Ruqing felt her whole body grow warm.

She quickly pulled away from his arms, her face flushed.

“Qingqing greets Second Master.”

“No need for formalities. Yuanwu isn’t around?”

Liu Ruqing lowered her head and nodded lightly.

“He doesn’t seem like the type to be considerate,” Jiang Qisheng chuckled as he walked away.

Liu Ruqing let out a deep breath, her heart pounding.

After he left, she seemed to reach a decision.

She strode away with newfound determination.

…

The birthday banquet arrived as scheduled.

Wu Cuirou greeted guests at the entrance with a bright smile.

Seeing so many people attend, the Old Madam was overjoyed.

She even felt more accepting of Wu-shi. Perhaps she wasn’t so useless after all.

Madam Chen chatted happily with her close friend, Lu Tinghong.

Because of their ancestors’ connections, Lu Tinghong had come to the banquet.

Lu Tinghong eagerly scooped up Jiang Yuanxi.

“Let me take a good look at you!” She had missed the child dearly.

Jiang Yuanxi wore a pink dress that day, with fluffy white ribbons tying her two small buns.

Her round little face was utterly adorable.

[Beautiful Godmother, I missed you so much!]

After all, she was her lucky star.

The large gold nugget Lu Tinghong had given her before was still her treasured possession.

So, no matter how much Lu Tinghong teased her, Jiang Yuanxi enthusiastically responded.

[Beautiful Godmother, how am I doing? Give me some money!]

Her face was starting to ache from smiling.

“Yunwan, name your price—let Yuanxi be my daughter,” Lu Tinghong joked.

Madam Chen chuckled behind her hand. “If you want a daughter, go have one yourself.”

This little treasure of hers had been hard-won

..

Meanwhile, Concubine Hua sat properly in her seat, an empty chair beside her.

She glanced around and finally relaxed when she spotted Jiang Ruowei.

“Where were you just now? Don’t run around. Today’s guests are all prominent figures—we can’t afford to offend the Second Madam,” Concubine Hua cautioned.

“I understand, Mother,” Jiang Ruowei replied as she sipped her tea.

She felt relieved after dealing with that person.

Concubine Hua assumed her daughter was simply happy about the grand event and offered more words of advice.

[Huh? Why is there a black thread around Jiang Ruowei’s head?]

Madam Chen instinctively looked up but saw nothing.

[Ah! She killed someone.]

Madam Chen gasped, turning to look at Jiang Ruowei.

Jiang Ruowei… had killed someone?

But she was only nine years old!

[Who did she kill?]

The black thread had a faint red glow.

[They’re not dead yet! Mother, hurry! We need to save them!]

Jiang Yuanxi squirmed, eager to run over.

Madam Chen immediately made an excuse to leave.

Thus, they began their search for the victim.