Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Prison Department of Punishment.

Yuan Pu was shocked to see his daughter dressed in fine clothes standing outside the railing, clutching the straw beneath him.

"Shouldn't you have been exiled?"

Su Zhi's lips curled up, her eyes flashing with a hint of coldness as she stared straight at the disheveled man in front of her.

"Of course they were rescued."

The man lowered his voice, "Xiao Zong saved you, right? What about your third brother? How is he?"

Su Zhi smoothed her hair and said softly, "Wrong! My life was saved by Marquis Changping. As for Third Brother, you should ask Lord Xiao."

She clapped her hands, and Xiao Zong walked over from around the corner and stood beside her.

"The Third Young Master is safe for now, but I will have to listen to Miss Chu's opinion on how to deal with him afterward."

Yuan Pu was stunned. "Miss Chu? What does this have to do with Chu Lanyin?"

Xiao Zong put his arm around Su Zhi's shoulder, his expression filled with tenderness as he looked down.

"The Miss Chu I'm referring to is the one standing right in front of you."

"How can this be?"

A look of bewilderment flashed across Yuan Pu's face, then he quickly sorted through the clues. His gaze suddenly changed, his eyes twitched in alarm, and he almost fell backward.

"Su Ying lied to me!"

To seek revenge, she not only hid her identity and infiltrated his side, but also made him mistakenly believe that her illegitimate child with Chu Xia was his biological daughter.

hateful!

"Does it hurt? You ruined my parents' lives. Do you know how much pain they suffered!"

Su Zhi watched him pound his head in despair, a wave of exhilarating satisfaction washing over her. She glared at him, her nails digging into the railing, her body trembling slightly with excitement.

She finally avenged her parents!

"My child, it's all my fault. I'm heartless and cruel, and I've ruined your parents' lives. But think about it, all these years, have I ever mistreated you? For this reason, please, please let Jun'er go, okay?"

"You haven't mistreated me because you mistakenly believe I'm of the Yuan family bloodline. If I weren't, would you still have allowed my mother to give birth to me? Your so-called benevolence and righteousness are all built on your hypocrisy!"

Where were you when my stepmother and stepsister bullied me? Where were you when I was sick and dying as a child? Now you want to see the bond between father and daughter, but I want to ask you, where does this bond come from?

Yuan Pu wiped his face, his smile sinister.

"With the Marquis of Changping's mansion as your backing, you've become quite arrogant. You disregard the kindness of your upbringing and the bond between siblings. I'd like to see if you dare to kill your third brother!"

Su Zhi's voice was hoarse and ruthless as she said, "Fine! Since you're so looking forward to it, on the day of your execution, I'll definitely bring Yuan Jun's head and send you two to the underworld to reunite!"

After saying that, she turned around nimbly and walked straight out.

Yuan Pu was frightened by her resolute appearance and immediately lost his courage.

"No! Come back! My child, I was wrong, I apologize! Please, forgive your third brother!"

Su Zhi turned her head and said, "You shouldn't beg me, nor should you apologize to me. If you want me to let your son go, you should ask my mother if she agrees!"

"Your mother is dead, how can I ask her?"

"They say sincerity moves mountains. Lord Yuan, please kowtow to my mother right here. She is kind-hearted and will surely give you an answer first thing tomorrow morning!"

You want me to kneel before her?

"I won't force you; whether you kneel or not is entirely up to you!"

Yuan Pu's eyes were filled with anger, but he still lost his nerve.

"I kneel!"

Su Zhi summoned a jailer, slipped him five taels of silver, and instructed him to keep an eye on Yuan Pu.

The jailer chuckled and accepted the order, "Just you wait, Miss, I'll make sure he doesn't slack off!"

Su Zhi nodded and walked out of the prison with Xiao Zong.

The two went to Weiyan Tower, and everyone who saw her offered their congratulations.

Su Zhi returned the gifts one by one and inquired about the restaurant's situation from Manager Li.

Manager Li said, "Ever since the Yuan family's incident, business has been sluggish. Now that Miss has been recognized by her ancestors, I believe that from now on, the restaurant will be even more prosperous than before!"

Everyone chimed in with agreement.

Luo Mei handed the land deed to Su Zhi, "Miss, ever since I took this, I haven't been able to sleep at night. Today, I can finally return it to its rightful owner!"

"I gave you the release papers when I got married, so you are no longer my slave. In my heart, you are like my own sister. Consider this a gift from your younger sister, and you must accept it!"

Luo Mei quickly refused, "No, this is too expensive!"

Su Zhi held her hand, "I have enough to eat and drink now. You've suffered so much with me, and I hope you can have a comfortable life too."

If you find your ideal husband, this restaurant will be your dowry; if not, it will be your place to live. Sister Luomei, from now on, we should all live for ourselves!

Luo Mei sobbed uncontrollably, "This servant...this servant has always felt that her life is unlucky, but now it seems...it looks like no one is luckier than me! But, this servant cannot...cannot accept..."

Xu Muxin couldn't stand it anymore and pretended to pry Luo Mei's hand off.

"You're stupid for not wanting money! Don't give it to me, I'm so poor I'll have to beg for food!"

Luo Mei took a step back and glared at her, "Are you out of your mind because you're so poor?"

"I'm really desperate for money!" Xu Muxin showed her her patched clothes. "I'm so poor I'm practically starving!"

Luo Mei hurriedly tucked the document into her bosom, wrinkling her nose. "This was given to me by Miss, you're not allowed to take it!"

Xu Muxin shook her hand, staring intently at Luo Mei's chest, her gaze lingering.

Su Zhi tugged at her sleeve, her brows furrowed slightly, "Although the Empress Dowager has lost power, you are still her granddaughter. How could you be in such a sorry state?"

A group of people covered their mouths and chuckled, even Xiao Zong beside them smiled without saying a word.

Su Zhi nudged the man's waist with her elbow, "What's going on?"

Xiao Zong's eyes were unfathomable as he said softly, "Wei Yan Lou has been deserted lately, but there is one person who frequents it."

Su Zhi immediately understood and gave a meaningful "Oh".

"Feng Quan, Lord Feng, is indeed a rare guest!"

Xu Muxin blushed instantly after her little scheme was exposed. She wiped her body with her jade-like hands and turned to walk towards the backyard.

"I'm going to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients!"

"You're shy!"

"Who would have thought that the fearless Princess Pingyi would have a day when she feels embarrassed!"

Hearing the teasing from the crowd, Xu Muxin quickened her pace and soon disappeared from everyone's sight.

Luo Mei returned to the main topic, "Since Miss insists on handing the restaurant over to me, then I will make the decision. Apart from Manager Li's 30%, the remaining 70% of the profits will be split 40/40 between you and me."

Su Zhi knew Luo Mei's temper well; if she didn't agree today, she could keep nagging her for days.

She shrugged helplessly. "Fine, we'll do it your way."

As Xiao Zong emerged from the restaurant, he lifted his robe to prepare to board the carriage, but Su Zhi blocked the entrance, raising an eyebrow at him.

"The banquet is over, and we should each return to our respective residences. This time, Lord Xiao and I will not be going the same way!"

Xiao Zong smiled and said, "To be honest, I left in a hurry at noon because I forgot something important at your residence and need to go back to retrieve it."

Su Zhi's pupils contracted slightly. This person is too cunning!

They walked in silence until they reached the gate of the mansion. Su Zhi walked ahead with a gloomy face, while Xiao Zong followed behind with a relaxed and unhurried demeanor.

The maids and servants lowered their heads and pretended to be blind, not daring to say a word.

The banquet room had been cleaned up. Su Zhi glanced at Xiao Zong and said, "Tell me clearly what you left behind so I can have them look for it."

Xiao Zong sat down and took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.

"I misremembered. It's not that I forgot something, it's that I forgot to give you the congratulatory gift."

His expression doesn't suggest he's forgotten!

Su Zhi wanted to see what he was up to, so she picked up the box, but it looked familiar. Opening it, she indeed saw the tourmaline earrings.

What does he mean? Does he want her to be reminded of her past love by looking at the object?

Seeing that she looked unwell, Xiao Zong explained, "Don't overthink it. The earrings were found by the maid while she was cleaning the room. I thought that since I gave them to you, they should be yours, so I brought them to you today while I was attending the banquet."

Recalling the past, Su Zhi's eyes stung, and she said in a muffled voice, "Who's overthinking this?"