The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

"What the princess said is absolutely true..."

Tian Xueyan smiled bitterly. Twenty years of life in the palace had only brought her the experience of reading people's faces and living cautiously. Then she was seized by fear and almost had a mental breakdown.

Now that all the hardships have paid off, she can finally control her own destiny. In order to live for herself in the future, she will do anything, not to mention her reputation as a daughter.

Tian Xueyan bowed to Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan again, her tone firm.

"My only hope is to follow Hero Huang in the future and repay his life-saving grace with all my heart. Besides that, I also have selfish motives. Given my status and situation, only Hero Huang can protect me for the rest of my life. I beg Your Majesty and Princess to grant my wish!"

Seeing that Tian Xueyan spoke sincerely and did not hide her true thoughts, Zhao Xuan felt that she was someone worth making friends with.

But why did Tian Xueyan's words sound like they had some different meaning towards her father?

Zhao Xuan stared at Tian Xueyan intently. Tian Xueyan was calm at first, but soon her cheeks were covered with two blushes.

She subconsciously looked at Huang Shuo secretly, her eyes full of trust and admiration, and even an unspeakable tenderness.

But Huang Shuo still thought that Zhao Xuan didn't believe Tian Xueyan, and Tian Xueyan looked at him and hoped that he could plead for her.

So Huang Shuo said to Zhao Xuan seriously.

"Xuan'er, she's quite pitiful. She has a home but can't return. Her family treats her badly and even wants to kill her. Can you please take her in for a few days for Dad's sake?"

Now Zhao Xuan could see clearly that Tian Xueyan had fallen in love with her father inadvertently. She was actually a little happy for her father. Her father was three years younger than her master and was only 34 years old now. He should have his own happy life.

But her father didn't get the real meaning of Tian Xueyan's eyes at all. After he finished speaking, he sat aside and drank tea, taking a sip and shaking his head, enjoying it very much.

Zhao Xuan was worried for Tian Xueyan. The words she had just said to express her feelings were clearly meant for her father, but her father...

Zhao Xuan shook her head unconsciously. If she wanted her father's iron tree to bloom, Tian Xueyan would have to put in a lot of effort.

"Miss Xueyan, as long as my father agrees, I have no objection."

When Huang Shuo heard Zhao Xuan mention him, he put down his teacup and looked confused.

"Why do you need my consent? This is your house. Besides, I've already promised her that I'll let her repay the favor. What else do I need to agree to?"

Zhao Xuan was exhausted, it was like playing the lute to a cow.

Zhao Xuan winked at Tian Xueyan with a cunning look on her face.

"I'm counting on you! Work harder and harder!"

As he spoke, he raised his fist and waved it to encourage Tian Xueyan.

Tian Xueyan had been living on the edge of thin ice all year round and had never felt such a relaxed and comfortable friendship. She was so moved that she burst into tears, which made Zhao Xuan confused.

"Why are you still crying?"

Huang Shuo sighed on the side.

"She's good in every way, especially making money. She can sell any embroidery for a couple of taels of silver. But she has this habit of crying all the time. When will she change?"

Tian Xueyan quickly wiped away her tears, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I'm not crying, I'm just crying for joy..."

"Dad! I believe in you too! Work hard, work harder!"

Zhao Xuan waved her fist at Huang Shuo and encouraged him.

“What do I need to work on?”

Huang Shuo suddenly stepped forward, pulled Zhao Xuan aside, glared at Gu Zhanghua with jealousy, and questioned Zhao Xuan in a low voice.

"My dear, you haven't forgotten me now that you've married, have you? I don't want to work hard anymore. I just want to lie down in your house, eat and drink, and not worry about anything. I can have a good rest for a while!"

"What are you talking about, Dad!" Zhao Xuan laughed. "Don't worry, I'll support you! For the rest of my life!"

Gu Zhanghua was given a glare by Huang Shuo for no reason. He could only touch his chin and smile at Tian Xueyan.

"Our family is a little special..."

Tian Xueyan smiled knowingly and took over the conversation.

"I know it's difficult for someone to get involved between them. You and I both need to keep working hard."

Gu Zhanghua quickly distanced himself from Tian Xueyan.

"I'm different from you. I'm married through a formal arrangement, and we're both in the honeymoon phase."

Gu Zhanghua said, nodding at Huang Shuo: "You still have a long way to go!"

Tian Xueyan: “…”

You are right. The road ahead is long and arduous, but I will continue to search for it.

?

Zhao Xuan then instructed the housekeeper to arrange guest rooms for Huang Shuo and Tian Xueyan to rest. She and Gu Zhanghua then took Chunlan and Shishu to pack up the gifts they brought back.

Xiao Aiyue's gifts filled up two large carts, so there was no need to pack them up. Gu Zhanghua immediately sent the attendant to the palace to deliver them to Xiao Aiyue.

The two of them had to pack the gifts for everyone in the mansion and their relatives and friends, sort them into categories, and distribute them to everyone during lunch. The gifts for the second and third brothers would be brought into the palace at the palace banquet tomorrow and presented to everyone personally.

The two were sweating profusely and were busy until lunchtime. When they appeared in the kitchen with Qing'e and Chunlan, each holding a pile of gift boxes in their arms, everyone was excited.

"Don't worry, everyone has a share! Line up and get ready for the gifts!"

Zhao Xuan said to the crowd that gathered around her.

"We don't want any gifts. It's better for the prince and princess to return home safely than any gifts! Don't you agree?"

The housekeeper was the first to speak out and express everyone's thoughts.

Zhao Xuan sighed in a fake manner and looked at the gift box in her arms.

"I wasted all my time and effort, and you didn't even want the gift I brought you. Forget it, I'll give it to someone else!"

The housekeeper hurriedly snatched a gift box from Zhao Xuan's arms and looked at her with wide eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes! Princess, you said it was a gift for all of us, so don't go back on your word!"

Zhao Xuan burst into laughter.

"Housekeeper, Chunlan, Qing'e, each of you three will receive a jade hairpin, a specialty of Yue State, and everyone else will receive a jade pendant!"

Everyone came forward to receive their own gifts, and they were all very happy and thanked Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua.

Gu Zhanghua smiled without saying anything, letting Zhao Xuan chat and laugh with everyone.

The Xianwang Mansion finally returned to its former lively and bustling family atmosphere.

Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan happily had lunch with everyone. Just as they arrived at the study to have some tea and rest, they saw Qing'e walk into the study mysteriously.

"Your Majesty, Princess, a lady wishes to see you."

After saying that, he gave Zhao Xuan a charming smile.

Zhao Xuan laughed so hard that she was silly.

"Madam? Which madam?"

Qing'e covered her lips and coughed, smiling awkwardly but politely.

"A lady that the prince and princess are very familiar with... I'm sorry, I dare not say her name."

Zhao Xuan stood up and walked in front of Qing'e, then raised her hand and gave Qing'e a head-slap.

"Are you crazy? What's going on? Is there anything you dare not say in our house? Just tell me, I'll support you!"

Gu Zhanghua suddenly had an idea, stared at Qing'e, and blurted out.

"The madam you are talking about, isn't that my mother?!"

Zhao Xuan had built the Prince Xian's Mansion into an iron barrel, with every single person in it being loyal to her. Qing'e had also been subdued by Zhao Xuan.

The only lady that Qing'e dared not mention and was afraid of was none other than her mother. However, her mother suddenly left the palace and came to Prince Xian's mansion, and acted so mysteriously. What was she trying to do?

Qing'e nodded and nodded, looking constipated, obviously she was holding it in very hard.

"Your Highness, this is what you said, not me. The lady who came here is indeed surnamed Xiao, but I don't know why she dressed like that. She also didn't allow me to report the truth. She only brought her wet nurse with her."

It’s confirmed, the wet nurse must be Grandma Wu, his mother is really here.

Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan looked at each other, their hearts trembling. They had no idea whether their mother, who was used to making trouble, would bring them a surprise or a shock.

The two of them hurried out of the study.

Gu Zhanghua continued to analyze.

"I just sent two large carts of gifts to the palace. Could it be that my mother is not satisfied and is here to settle accounts with me? Everything I bought was according to the gift list she wrote, and there is no difference!"

Gu Zhanghua paused and looked at Zhao Xuan nervously.

"Or maybe my mother suddenly found out that you're not Tian Shiliu, but Zhao Xuan, and is here to fight you to the death?"

Zhao Xuan's thinking was much simpler. She simply rolled her eyes at Gu Zhanghua.

"Just go and take a look and you'll know. Aren't you tired of thinking so much? What difference does it make if you know it a day earlier or a day later? Tian Shang has already taken on such a difficult task, and he still can't deal with your mother?"

"Our mother!" Gu Zhanghua seriously corrected Zhao Xuan, "You must first correct your attitude before you can pass this level!"

"Why do I suddenly feel sorry for our mother?"

Zhao Xuan changed her words very smoothly, and she suddenly felt a little guilty.

"From what I can see right now, it seems like she's the only one among my family who doesn't know I'm Zhao Xuan, right?"

"No, Third Brother and his wives don't know either..."

“Does it matter whether they know or not?”

Gu Zhanghua: “…”

It really doesn't matter. What matters is that, up to now, only his mother is kept in the dark about Zhao Xuan's true identity.