The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

"Help me?" Situ Yaorao was puzzled.

"good."

"How are you going to help me? Can't you just stay here and watch over me?" Situ Yaorao asked playfully. Clearly, she didn't care about Nangong Ling's help. Things like this always happen once.

"I'm just helping you find the mastermind behind this. I also know someone in Wulou. Although he can't cancel this business, he should be able to find the master behind it." Nangong Ling said.

"Would a killer betray his master?" Situ Yaorao said with disdain.

"Of course not, so it depends on the method. If you want to know, I can help you check it out."

"Okay, please."

"You're my apprentice, too. As a master, how can I not help my apprentice when he's in trouble?" Nangong Ling said calmly. Looking at Situ Yaorao, he couldn't understand why she didn't refuse the imperial edict again. If she wanted to, she could still refuse. After all, the emperor had agreed to one of her conditions before.

"Situ..."

"Nangong, is there anything else?" Situ Yaorao looked at Nangong Ling in confusion.

"Why not reject this imperial decree?"

"Why do you want to refuse?" Situ Yaorao asked back.

"This imperial decree will bring you endless disasters."

"But if I refuse, what will Tantai Wuyue do?" Situ Yaorao said helplessly. This imperial decree had been calculated against everyone from the very beginning.

Because she likes Tan Tai Wu Yue, she won't let him lose face. Because Tan Tai Wu Yue likes her, she won't let her secret be exposed.

The imperial edict was like shackles that locked everyone up.

"People say that love can wear you down. It seems to be true now. You're one of the smarter women I've ever met. I thought you'd have a better outcome, but I didn't expect you'd be like this because of love." Nangong Ling shook his head, somewhat disappointed.

"When you, Nangong, meet someone you like and are willing to give everything for her, you will understand my feelings." Situ Yaorao did not refute, but just said lightly.

Nangong Ling's eyes flashed when he heard this, but he didn't say anything.

The breeze was just right, and the two of them stood in the courtyard, looking like a perfect match. They looked so well-matched. Situ Yaorao was extremely beautiful, and Nangong Ling was no less beautiful.

However, both of them knew that there was no possibility between them.

Nangong Ling had once thought about what the woman he loved would look like. But in the end, he couldn't imagine it. At least, it wouldn't be Situ Yaorao, and certainly not Lian Qiao.

In the end, he came to only one conclusion: he would not fall in love with anyone.

"Situ, I have no way to persuade you. But... you should not take matters of the heart too seriously." Nangong Ling looked at Situ Yaorao and said softly.

Situ Yaorao was stunned when she heard this. She didn't expect this person to suddenly say such a thing. But she still said, "Okay. I'll try my best."

"I'll take this feather arrow first. I'll come back and tell you the result when I get it. And tomorrow I'll come to teach you music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Be prepared. I won't be merciful." After saying that, Nangong Ling took the feather arrow and left.

Situ Yaorao gave a bitter smile. God knew she didn't want to learn at all.

At the mansion, after Situ Yaorao sent Nangong Ling away, she returned to her room. At this time, Xiu'er was in the lobby. Seeing Situ Yaorao coming back, she hurriedly stood up and said, "Cousin."

"Xiu'er, why are you sitting here? Go upstairs and find a room to rest. It's just me and Lian'er here, so the rooms are all empty. You can choose one." Situ Yaorao saw Xiu'er here and thought she didn't know where to stay, so she said. Xiu'er heard this and shook her head: "Cousin, no. Xiu'er wants to go out for a walk."

"In this house? Okay, I'll accompany you for a walk." Situ Yaorao agreed readily.

"Xiu'er wants to go to the capital. She has only been here for a short time and has no idea what interesting things there are. When my cousin gets married, it will be time for my aunt to send her to get married as well. So, I want to see more of the capital." Xiu'er said cautiously. Situ Yaorao finally understood after hearing this.

It seems that this girl wants her to accompany her out of the house.

In the past, Situ Yaorao would have gone out. But now… she had just returned to the Situ family, and her relationship with General Situ hadn't been reconciled yet. If she went out again, Situ Honglei would inevitably say something. Then, another argument would ensue.

"Sister, Xiu'er really wants to walk around the capital." Seeing that Situ Yaorao didn't agree, Xiu'er gritted her teeth and continued. Situ Yaorao looked at Xiu'er deeply and smiled, "Okay, but if we go out, it would be too boring for the two of us. My sister Honglei is a very interesting person, why not ask her to come along." After that, Situ Yaorao called Lian'er over.

"Miss." Lian'er bowed respectfully.

"Lian'er, my cousin and I want to go out for a walk. Please ask Hong Lei for me and tell her I'm inviting her out," Situ Yaorao said calmly. Lian'er was taken aback when she heard this. The sun rises from the north? Why would a young lady want to invite Miss Hong Lei out? Lian'er was puzzled, but she went respectfully anyway.

"Xiu'er, do you think this is okay?" Situ Yaorao looked at Xiu'er with a smile. Xiu'er smiled slightly when she heard it, but her eyes were slightly narrowed. I don't know what she was thinking.

In response, Situ Yaorao just smiled.

No matter what, Xiu'er did what she wanted. Whether it was what she wanted in her heart was none of her business.

The steaming tea on the crescent-shaped tea tray was fragrant. The woman sat on a chair, looking at Lian'er kneeling on the ground in disbelief and said, "You said, my sister is looking for me?"

Haha! Where did the sun come from? Situ Yaorao actually came to her shopping? It was hilarious.

"Yes, my young lady said that she and her cousin are going out for fun today, so she wanted to invite you to come too." Lian'er said obediently. Situ Honglei understood immediately after hearing this.

It seems that he was afraid of being scolded if they went out together, so he dragged her along? Now, if she said she disagreed, Situ Yaorao might even say in front of her father that her sisterly love was cold and indifferent.

"Okay, I'll go right away." Situ Honglei naturally wouldn't give Situ Yaorao that chance. Plus, her complexion had improved a bit. She was in a good mood and was planning to go out. Although she felt annoyed about going out with Situ Yaorao, at least she wouldn't leave any room for gossip. Thinking of this, Situ Honglei calmed down.

She walked out of the room and followed Lian'er to Situ Yaorao's courtyard.

Seeing Situ Honglei coming, Situ Yaorao laughed secretly. As expected, this woman would definitely come.

"My sister pays her respects to my elder sister." Situ Honglei lowered her skirt and said respectfully. Situ Yaorao glanced at Situ Honglei after hearing this. Today, she was wearing a plain dress.

There is a clear beauty between her eyebrows and eyes. She looks like a lotus in clear water.

Situ Honglei and Situ Yaorao have completely opposite temperaments. If Situ Honglei looks like a lotus flower that emerges from the mud without being stained, then Situ Yaorao is like a rose that is extremely charming.

Of course, lotus flowers have taint, and roses also have thorns.

"Sister, this is my cousin from my mother's family. Xiu'er." Situ Yaorao pulled Xiu'er over and introduced her to Situ Honglei. Upon hearing this, Situ Honglei's smile became even brighter.

She took off the jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Xiu'er, saying, "Hello, cousin Xiu'er. This bracelet was given to me by my father a few days ago. I'm new to it, so I'm giving it to you."

"Thank you, Sister Honglei." Xiu'er smiled and looked as cute as a harmless white rabbit.

"Sister, I wonder where you are going to play when you called me here?" Situ Honglei asked.

"I'm not sure where to go in the capital for women. It depends on you, Honglei," Situ Yaorao said calmly. She had no intention of leaving in the first place. It all came down to Xiu'er's sudden suggestion.

Since Mrs. Situ asked her to take good care of her cousin, she naturally would not be vague.