The Grand Princess was furious.

The entire princess’s manor was mobilized, yet no one could find the thief.

The commotion was so great that nearly everyone knew about it.

Wu Cuirou, upon hearing the news, immediately reported it.

“Your Highness, I know who did it.”

All eyes turned to her.

The Grand Princess included.

“If you find the culprit, I will reward you handsomely!”

Wu Cuirou’s heart pounded with excitement—this was her chance to gain favor for the An Guo Mansion!

“It’s her!” Wu Cuirou pointed in a direction.

Following her finger, they saw a chubby little girl with flushed cheeks happily munching on food at a table.

Many noble ladies had to hold back their laughter.

Sensing the attention, the little one smacked her lips and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Madam Chen protectively pulled Jiang Yuanxi into her embrace.

“I just passed by and saw her, along with the guards behind her, damaging Your Highness’s flowers,” Wu Cuirou knelt on the ground, feeling triumphant.

So what if Madam Chen was here? She had caught them red-handed.

That daughter of hers was nothing but trouble.

Since the Chen family had separated from the An Guo Mansion and was now on its own, there was no powerful backing for them.

Madam Chen was also the descendant of a convicted criminal—there was no way she could escape this.

Wu Cuirou looked at Madam Chen smugly.

Madam Chen’s palms were sweating from nervousness, her face turning pale.

Yuanxi’s little hands still carried the fragrance of the flowers.

If the Grand Princess checked, she would surely notice.

But Madam Chen didn’t believe Yuanxi could have destroyed so many flowers alone.

Yet, as long as Wu Cuirou insisted it was Yuanxi, her daughter would be punished.

The Jiang family had no solid foundation to protect her.

Only by relying on the Han Guo Mansion was there a sliver of hope.

She handed her daughter over to Han Qianhua.

Then she knelt straight to the ground.

“It was my fault. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

She was willing to accept any punishment.

“Xinwan!” Han Qianhua was anxious.

Gritting her teeth, she knelt as well. “I too have failed to discipline properly. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

Jiang Yuanxi swallowed the last bite of meat.

Then, she walked straight to Wu Cuirou, wiping her greasy hands on her clothes.

“You little troublemaker!” Wu Cuirou’s eyes widened in fury.

This was the expensive misty gauze fabric she had rented for a hefty price!

She still had to return it!

Jiang Yuanxi glanced at her indifferently, unfazed.

【Oops, did I get into trouble? But I didn’t destroy those flowers, I only picked some osmanthus.】

The two kneeling women’s expressions turned cold.

If Yuanxi didn’t do it, then who did?

Just when everyone thought the Grand Princess would punish them—

She suddenly picked up Jiang Yuanxi and covered her mouth as she laughed heartily.

Her tone was affectionate. “Our Yuanxi is growing up.”

Everyone: …

They must be dreaming.

Wu Cuirou looked up in disbelief.

The Grand Princess was holding that little troublemaker in her arms!

Madam Chen and Han Qianhua were just as stunned.

The Grand Princess personally helped them up.

“It’s just a few flowers. If Yuanxi wants to play with them, let her.”

Everyone: A moment ago, you were furious and ready to punish someone.

How could you be so biased?

The Grand Princess called for two maids. “Bring seats for Madam Jiang and Madam Han.”

As the guards carried the chairs past Wu Cuirou, her face turned green with envy.

Why did Madam Chen get to sit there?

And why—why was the Grand Princess so fond of that little troublemaker?

Chen and Han Qianhua sat down cautiously.

They had no idea what the Grand Princess was thinking.

Madam Chen speculated—was it because of the incident at the temple last time?

Or had the Eldest Princess suddenly developed a soft heart?

Han Qianhua, on the other hand, was simply delighted. Yuanxi must have been so adorable that even the Grand Princess couldn’t resist her charm.

Jiang Yuanxi lowered her head.

When you make a mistake, you must admit it.

She tugged at the Grand Princess’s sleeve.

“Auntie, I was wrong.”

【I shouldn’t have picked the osmanthus and worried my mother and godmother.】

Her greasy little hands grabbed the Grand Princess’s plain gown.

Madam Chen’s heart almost stopped.

Yet the Grand Princess didn’t mind at all.

“Yuanxi, you know your mistake and are willing to change. That makes Auntie very happy.”

“Auntie grows flowers just for you to play with. How about I send them all to your home?”

Everyone gasped—this was true favoritism!

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Thank you, Auntie!”

“But I only picked osmanthus,” she pointed at the broken branches on the ground. “I didn’t do that.” Her little face was filled with grievance.

She didn’t like being wronged.

Wu Cuirou’s eyes flickered as she pulled her sleeves lower to cover her hands.

The Grand Princess narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze landing on Wu Cuirou.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Who really destroyed my flowers?”

Wu Cuirou trembled.

No one knew what she had done.

As long as she insisted it was Jiang Yuanxi, the Eldest Princess would punish Madam Chen.

“Your Highness, it was Jiang Yuanxi. It was her!”

The Grand Princess’s voice turned icy. “Nanny Chang, investigate.”

Nanny Chang, the Grand Princess’s personal maid, was an expert at interrogations.

She stepped forward and said, “Madam Wu, please show your hands.”

Wu Cuirou shrank back. “It was obviously her. You should check her instead!”

Madam Chen regretted not silencing this woman earlier.

Wu Cuirou was ruthless—she even dared to frame Yuanxi.

This time, she would make sure Wu Cuirou suffered.

Nanny Chang signaled to the maids.

They stepped forward and pried Wu Cuirou’s hands open.

One glance was enough for Nanny Chang to understand.

“Your Highness, her palms are stained with flower sap and have scratches. She’s the culprit.”

The Grand Princess’s eyes narrowed. “Ruining my flower banquet and framing an innocent child—you will receive thirty strokes. Also, which family are you from? I don’t recall inviting you.”

Wu Cuirou quickly answered, “I am Wu Cuirou from the An Guo Mansion.”

“Wu Cuirou?” The Grand Princess frowned. “When did I invite her?” Her expression grew displeased.

Wu Cuirou hastily presented her invitation, which indeed bore the name “Madam Jiang.”

Nanny Chang immediately clarified, “Your Highness, this must be a mistake. The invitation was meant for Madam Chen.”

Since General Jiang Fengyuan had severed ties with the An Guo Mansion, the invitation should have gone to the Jiang family.

In short, this was a misunderstanding.

“Enough.” The Grand Princess yawned lazily. “I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t pursue this further. Give her a beating and throw her out.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Wu Cuirou slumped as the guards dragged her away.

The noblewomen whispered among themselves.

“Madam Chen is now under the protection of both the Grand Princess and the Han Guo Mansion. The An Guo Mansion wasted a good hand.”

“Indeed. We must treat the Jiang family with more respect from now on.”

In the crowd, Qian Rou clenched her fists.

So Madam Chen still survived, even after her family’s downfall and exile from the An Guo Mansion.

She would see how long Madam Chen could keep standing.