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

The clerk recorded everything Jiang Xin said, copied it down, and handed it to Xiao Zong for preview.

Xiao Zong looked it over and found no mistakes. He then instructed his subordinates to take it to Jiang Xin for her signature.

After Jiang Xin pressed her handprint, she spat out a mouthful of blood and said, "Lord Xiao, my sister... is not a bad person by nature. If she hadn't been forced into this situation, she wouldn't have agreed to Yuan Pu's scheme. I beg you, spare her life, and I will bear all the blame."

Xiao Zong put away the confession, raised his head and said, "You are quite a sentimental person. I wonder if your sister will appreciate your kindness?"

"Sir, are we going to find my sister?" she called out. "I can go with you, and I can persuade her from the side. She will listen to me."

"No need. You just stay in jail. I'll take care of your sister."

Jiang Xin is young, but she is a strong-willed woman. Her older sister, Jiang Rou, dared to agree to Yuan Pu's request, so she must also be a resolute and courageous person. If the two of them were to meet, they would likely both suffer heavy losses.

He turned and went out. When he reached the door, he told his men, "Find a doctor to treat her injuries."

"Yes."

Back in the main office building, Xiao Zong stood at the door and glanced around, but didn't see Yuan Zhi.

He thought to himself: I let her slip away without me noticing. Next time I should tie her up!

She had no martial arts skills, but she was incredibly bold, always running around and never staying still. She even dared to go to brothels, places frequented by all sorts of people, so the Leopard Guards naturally couldn't contain her.

However, brothels are extremely dangerous places, and she has no experience in the ways of the world, making her vulnerable to being tricked. We should send more people to accompany her to prevent any trouble.

He walked straight in, went around the table, and his eyes were drawn to a small lump on the chair.

No matter how spacious the chair was, it wasn't a place to sleep. Yuan Zhi was probably extremely tired, so he didn't even move and curled up on it to fall asleep.

Her head rested on the tiger skin, her breathing even, her body folded up like a pink little shrimp. The late autumn weather was too cold; she hugged her arms, occasionally shivering, looking utterly pitiful.

That guy Dou Zhao, he didn't even bother to find a blanket for the young mistress?!

Xiao Zong took a casual robe from the clothes rack and covered Yuan Zhi with it, shielding his back from the wind, and stood guard for more than half an hour.

Yuan Zhi woke up and saw him leaning against the desk, motionless, with a meaningful look in his eyes. She scrambled to her feet and said, "Sorry, I took your seat."

"How does it feel?"

"What does it feel like?"

Xiao Zong sat down, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, and pulled her back into his arms.

"Sitting here, it feels like giving orders."

Yuan Zhi draped her arm over his shoulder, rubbed her chin against his cool armor, and chuckled, "It's really nice."

His voice was clear and calm: "Child, this is power. So many people flock to it, but how many will have the last laugh? Every step we take is a journey on the edge of a storm, and the dangers involved are far beyond what the two of us can withstand."

Yuan Zhi reached out a finger and touched his Adam's apple. "Who made us both born with rebellious bones, choosing to defy fate instead of taking the broad road ahead!"

Xiao Zong hugged her and laughed loudly, "You're right!"

"Stop laughing!" Yuan Zhi asked urgently, "Has the little maid gotten any information yet?"

Xiao Zong handed her the confession, and after Yuan Zhi finished reading it, she extended an invitation: "Now that we have the goods, let's go together, Lord Xiao!"

Xiao Zong changed into casual clothes, and the two left the Leopard Guard and headed straight for the Yuan family's estate in the countryside.

The dirt road was bumpy and difficult to travel, and Yuan Zhi, riding on his horse, felt his whole body shaken and bruised.

The grass and trees on both sides of the road were withered and yellow, with only a small part of the fields planted with green wheat, adding a touch of vitality to the season when everything was withering.

When the gatekeeper saw the Fifth Miss and her husband approaching, he sent a young servant to inform them and then stepped forward to stop them.

"Miss, what brings you here, young master?"

Yuan Zhi was helped off the horse by Xiao Zong and stepped forward, saying, "I was bored at home and thought there was a fun place in our house, so I brought my husband to see it."

The servants led Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zong to the flower hall and had tea served. Xiao Zong didn't touch a drop, keeping his eyes closed and leaning back in his chair, dozing off.

Yuan Zhi blew on the floating tea leaves, touched the teacup to his lips, and then put it down again.

"I heard that my father found a daughter who had been lost for many years and is raising her here. Why hasn't she come to pay her respects?"

The servant tried to decline, saying, "The sixth young lady is frail and sickly, and is not fit to receive guests."

Yuan Zhi questioned, "Am I a guest?"

"No, no, no, it's just that the Sixth Miss is too weak to withstand the wind."

“It’s one of her younger sisters. It’s one thing if she doesn’t come to pay her respects, but I’m already here. How can I possibly accommodate her? Go and tell her to come to the flower hall.”

"This……"

The servant hesitated, unsure whether he should go and call for help.

Xiao Zong's eyes were like knives. "What a cunning, shirking-responsible servant! You won't listen to your master. Why don't you come with me to the Leopard Guard and I'll personally teach you manners! What do you say?"

"No, I wouldn't dare! I'll go and fetch him right away."

Yuan Rou was practicing calligraphy when she heard the two people visiting. Her hand trembled, and she ruined a piece of calligraphy.

The old woman cried out that it was time to finish, but Yuan Rou remained calm. She put down her pen, washed her hands in the basin, and went over with the old woman and the maid.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, she was helped by her nanny to bow to Yuanzhi.

"Yuan Rou greets her elder sister and brother-in-law."

Yuan Zhi helped her up and looked her over carefully.

I thought my father would find a seductive vixen, but it turned out to be a sickly beauty.

Although Yuan Rou was not a stunning beauty, she had a delicate and graceful air about her, much like the young and deceased Consort Yin.

In her previous life, after entering the palace, she heard many rumors about Consort Yin. The most shocking of all was the news that Consort Yin had passed away, and His Majesty had suspended court for three days, unable to extricate himself from his grief.

Men can never forget their exes; this tactic is truly brilliant.

Xiao Zong noticed it too, and turned his head tentatively, saying, "You look familiar, I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

Yuan Zhi pretended not to know, "Really? I don't think she looks like her father or her sisters."

The old woman hurriedly explained, "Sixth Miss is more like her biological mother."

"Have you met her mother?"

The old woman was taken aback, and stammered, "No, no."

Yuan Zhi sneered, "Why are you interrupting! I think it's because Sixth Sister has too good a temper that you all have become so disrespectful! Everyone in the house, kneel down in the courtyard. Don't get up without my order!"

Several people cursed inwardly: If it weren't for the fact that you married the commander, would a concubine's daughter like you even dare to act so arrogantly here?!

You can curse as you please, but you still have to kneel.

The old woman shook the sixth young lady, hoping she would plead for her, but Yuan Rou brushed her hand away and said indifferently, "Go."

For a moment, only the three of them remained in the flower hall. Yuan Zhi smiled deeply, "As the older sister, I'm helping my younger sister discipline the servant. I hope my younger sister won't blame me?"

Yuan Rou replied tactfully, "Sister always thinks of Rou'er in every way. How could Rou'er not understand your good intentions? Thank you, sister."

"We're sisters, there's no need to be so polite."

Yuan Zhi pulled her down to sit, exclaiming in surprise, "I know why my husband thought you looked familiar!"

"Why?"

"Today I secretly went to a brothel without my husband's knowledge, and he caught me red-handed. The little maid who serves me has some features that resemble yours. My husband has met her once before, so he thought you looked familiar. What was that girl's name again? Oh, I remember now, Jiang Xin!"