My elder sister is so noble, this time it's my turn to strike back

At first glance, Qiu Ning found that the girl looked a bit like her, except that the girl in the portrait had the most popular bun at the time, a pair of charming peach blossom eyes, willow-like eyebrows, and a straight and beautiful nose.

At first glance, she is indeed an absolute beauty, and bears 50% resemblance to me.

But when she looked more closely, wasn't this the outfit Qiuyao had worn last night? Qiu Ning recognized it; the earrings Qiuyao had worn last night were the same pair in the portrait.

For a moment, many speculations flashed through Qiu Ning's mind.

She calmly asked Madam Li, "Madam, could you tell me where this portrait came from?"

Nanny Li had long considered Qiu Ning her own, and she had tacitly allowed Qiu Ning to frequently come in and out of the Ye Ting Palace these days.

"Two eunuchs just came in, holding this portrait and asking me about it. They said this woman had helped a nobleman last night, and they wanted me to find her, saying there would be a reward. But I saw something strange on their faces, so I'm asking you: Where were you at midnight last night?"

Qiu Ning did not directly answer Nanny Li's words, but her eyes flickered.

According to her speculation, Qiuyao should have been with Prince Yong last night.

But why didn't Prince Yong send someone to pick her up openly today, but chose to secretly inquire about Qiuyao's identity?

There must be something wrong here.

So he said, "I was just taking a walk outside at midnight last night to digest my food. I didn't come into contact with any noble people at all. Besides, you see me every day, Ma'am. When have you ever seen me dressed like this?"

Nanny Li thought about it carefully and realized that this was indeed the case. She felt relieved for Qiu Ning. She also warned:

"It's good that it's not you. You know, this harem is full of spies from all the masters. If you make a wrong move, you could be doomed."

"In that case, I'll go back and tell them to look somewhere else."

As Nanny Li said this, she was about to go look for the two eunuchs, but was suddenly grabbed by Qiu Ning.

"Wait a minute, Mammy. I know who the person in the portrait is."

Nanny Li paused in her tracks and looked at Qiu Ning in surprise: "You knew?"

Qiu Ning nodded. "That's right. If I'm not mistaken, the person in this portrait is my eldest sister, Qiu Yao, who is from the same mother as me. It's just that this portrait is a copy, so there may be some differences from the original, so Madam couldn't recognize it at first."

When Matron Li heard this, she suddenly understood.

"I was wondering why I felt like I was missing something. Turns out it's Qiuyao. You two are sisters, so it's normal that you look alike."

But then, Nanny Li had a new question, "Why would Qiuyao go out so late at night?"

Could it be that he provoked a big shot that he shouldn't have provoked?

When she thought of this, Nanny Li's face turned a little ugly.

Qiu Ning comforted her, "Madam, don't worry. Since they're secretly investigating, as long as we hand her over and deny any involvement, saying she left the palace on her own last night, this matter won't implicate us."

Upon hearing this, Nanny Li nodded in agreement.

"But why do I feel like you seem to be looking forward to Qiuyao being found?" Nanny Li read a gloating expression on Qiu Ning's face and was a little surprised.

Qiu Ning's lips curved up as she smiled, "Didn't Mammy just say that there's a reward for finding my elder sister? When my elder sister becomes successful, won't I, as her younger sister, be able to benefit from it as well?"

Listening to Qiu Ning's hypocritical remarks, Nanny Li did not expose her, but she also did not want to express any opinion.

What does the affairs of two sisters have to do with you?

Soon, Qiuyao was led out, holding a zither, and appeared in front of the two eunuchs.

The two of them first carefully compared the portraits. After confirming that they were correct, they stood up and bowed to Qiu Yao, saying:

"I am the steward of Prince Yong's mansion. Everyone calls me Uncle Zhou. The prince has ordered that Miss Qiu pack up and follow me to the palace to receive the reward."

When these words were spoken, all the palace maids watching were stunned, and they all looked at Qiu Yao in disbelief.

How could Qiu Yao be so lucky to be treated so politely by the palace steward, and even asked to go to the palace to receive the reward? She actually had a relationship with Prince Yong.

He is a prince of high rank and power, the only remaining prince in the current royal family. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is second only to the emperor.

For a moment, all kinds of jealous, envious, longing, and even fawning eyes were cast at Qiuyao.

Qiuyao was like a victorious rooster at this moment, holding her head high, and returned a salute to Zhou Bo leisurely, saying:

"Qiuyao would like to thank His Majesty in advance. I would also like to trouble Uncle Zhou to wait for a moment. Let me go wash up first."

Zhou Bo paused, then said, "Okay, Miss Qiu, please hurry up. I have to return to the palace as soon as possible to report to the prince."

In fact, Zhou Bo was complaining in his heart that according to Qiuyao's identity, even if she went to the palace, she would probably just be a lowly concubine, worse than the servants in the palace. He didn't know what the point of making such a fuss was.

"it is good!"

Qiuyao turned her head and exhaled fiercely, as if she wanted to spit out all the grievances she had suffered in the Sin House Division these days.

She was so happy, as if she was back to the time when she was the eldest daughter of the prime minister, and she felt like the center of attention.

Especially when he saw the wary and frightened looks of Song Lian and others, he felt so proud.

On this side, after hearing the news, Zhang quickly put down the embroidery in her hands and rushed over from the embroidery room, fearing that something had happened to Qiuyao.

When they arrived, they found that there was a circle of people surrounding Qiuyao's house, and two eunuchs who looked very respectable were sitting outside the yard. Zhang's heart tightened.

She was the wife of the prime minister before and had seen many big scenes. When she saw Zhou Bo and another attendant, she knew they looked like they worked for a wealthy family.

Zhang nodded politely to everyone and walked into Qiuyao's room with some trepidation.

"Yao'er, who are those people outside? Where are they taking you?"

On the way here, Zhang heard that someone wanted to take Qiuyao away from the laundry. She didn't hear the specific reason, so she hurried over.

"Mother, I have good news for you. Prince Yong has taken a liking to me and has sent someone to bring me into his palace."

Seeing Zhang, Qiuyao couldn't wait to share in the glory. It had been so long since she had been praised, envied, and noticed by so many people.

But after hearing these words, Zhang suddenly froze!

She was shocked, wondering if she had misheard. "Yao'er, what do you mean? What do you mean Prince Yong has taken a fancy to you? When did you..."

Because there were outsiders present, Zhang moved closer to Qiuyao and lowered her voice, saying, "Yao'er, you must think carefully. Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. Moreover, I heard that the palace has many beautiful wives and concubines in the backyard. With your current status, I'm afraid..."

I'm afraid I can only be a concubine.

"Mother! Even you don't think highly of me, do you?"

Before Zhang could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Qiuyao.