After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

"No way!" Huo Xin quickly rejected the idea.

"Why not?" The madam stared at her suspiciously.

Huo Xin smiled calmly: "The sisters in the building tried to explain in various ways a few days ago, but did anyone in Beijing listen? No. On the contrary, the rumors spread wider and wider, and became more and more intense."

"Now everyone is completely convinced that Ping Le Kang has vases painted by Li Qinhu. Even if there are a few more fake ones outside, not many people will believe it. The smart ones will think that we deliberately released the news, or even worse, they might mistakenly believe that we have many, many vases in Ping Le Kang."

“Once a seed of doubt takes root in a person’s heart, they will not easily believe it. So when people buy fake vases, they will definitely have someone authenticate them. We have never seen Li Qinhu’s real paintings, so others will be able to easily find out whether the vase is real or fake. Wouldn’t that further confirm that only Ping Le Kang Li has real vases? What should we do then?”

"Yes, what should we do then?" The madam became more and more panicked as she listened, and she couldn't even sit still.

Although she was born a maid, she was protected by her mother when she was young, and when she grew up a little, she went to the lady's side and was protected by her mother and the lady. Therefore, she has never suffered much hardship in her life.

If it weren't for the fact that Madam insisted she manage Ping Le Kang, and that Ping Le Kang offered a lot of lucrative opportunities, she wouldn't want to leave Madam's side for even a moment.

Huo Xin gently coaxed, "Mom, don't worry. The only way now is to let everyone see the fake vase appear in our Ping Le Kang and then sell it. Otherwise, Ping Le Kang will not have peace until the vase is found."

"No, no, Lord Wei won't agree." The madam waved her hands frantically. "Don't let Lord Wei's nonchalant appearance fool you. If he gets angry, we'll both be dead."

"Mother has solved such a big problem for Lord Wei. He should be overjoyed, why would he be angry? Mother, don't scare yourself. Many things have to be done first and reported later. If we have to rely on the lord for everything, how can we gain merit? How can we win Lord Wei's favor?"

"This..." The madam hesitated, but still dared not. "No, no, it's still not possible. Wei Wenrun is now obsessed with using the vase to curry favor with the emperor, like a fly swarming around an egg. If I don't tell him beforehand that the vase is fake, and he mistakenly thinks it's a real vase, he'll kill me!"

“You grew up with Madam since you were little. Even if he really misunderstood, given your reputation, Lord Wei can’t kill you immediately. He’ll at least have to hear your explanation. Besides, you’re Madam’s dowry maid. You have to consider the owner before you beat a dog… uh, of course, I’m not saying you’re a dog. I’m saying Lord Wei can’t kill you, and he wouldn’t dare to. With Madam here, what are you afraid of?”

"Then you can just cry in front of the Madam and explain everything clearly. The Madam will definitely not let Lord Wei do anything to you. Besides, you are the backbone of Ping Le Kang. He cannot do without you for even a day, otherwise everything will be in chaos. Where in the capital can Lord Wei find someone more loyal than you?"

“What you said makes some sense,” the madam hesitated, “but…”

"Mom, there are no 'buts'. If we want to make a name for ourselves, we'll do it; if we don't, we'll wait for Lord Wei to take action. But the problem is, while we're waiting for Lord Wei, Ping Le Kang's business might go bankrupt because of the rumors. Will the Wei family take in a former brothel madam as a maid then? And will they still value her in the household?"

Officials are most concerned with their reputation and honor, and would never take in a madam from the largest brothel in the capital. Aside from Ping Le Kang, the madam has nowhere else in the capital to stand.

"No need to say anything more! I'll do it!" The madam gritted her teeth and made up her mind. "You know, I know, before this matter is resolved, if I find out from a third person..."

Huo Xin gently grasped the madam's hand and continued, "If Madam finds out from a third person, I'd rather be struck by lightning."

"Very good." The madam smiled with satisfaction. "I'll leave this matter to you."

Two days later, Ping Le Kang hired a group of temporary workers to move goods. The workers went in and out, making trip after trip, carrying piles of clothes and jewelry. Suddenly, one of the workers carrying a box tripped and fell, scattering things all over the ground. As the box rolled, the three small characters "Li Qin Hu" flashed across its surface.

The madam, who was overseeing the work, immediately picked up the vase with lightning speed, clutching it to her chest as if it were a precious treasure. She then launched into a tirade against the laborer: "Are you trying to kill me?! You can't even lift a box properly! What good are you?! Do you think my money grows on trees? If you break it again, don't blame me for not paying you..."

"Mommy, Mommy, wait, don't be angry. I can pay them your wages for you." A young man who was drinking and carousing grabbed the madam while taking out silver from his purse.

The madam's eyes lit up at the sight of the silver, and she beamed with joy, saying, "Thank you, young master, you're so kind!" She then turned and lashed out at the laborers, "What are you all standing there for! Get to work! Don't think that just because a kind young master has come to your rescue, you can slack off. If you don't work properly, I'll still deduct your wages!"

The day laborers continued moving things cautiously, this time being much more careful.

Seeing that they were somewhat obedient, the madam was satisfied. At this moment, the young men who had stepped forward earlier reached out to stop the madam: "Madam, don't go yet."

The madam gave him a flirtatious wink: "What? Do you gentlemen still want to give me money?"

Several young masters pushed and shoved, finally pushing forward a man holding a fan to speak: "It's not that Madam can't have money, I have plenty, but..."

"but what?"

The man holding the fan snapped it open, saying, "But you have to give me the vase you're holding."

"Then I don't want the money." The madam clutched the vase in her arms tightly, turned around and left with a nervous expression.

"Don't leave."

"Can't go."

Several young men blocked the madam's path, forcing her to stand still.

The man holding the fan stepped forward: "Ten thousand taels of silver."

"Young master, I am not for sale."

"Fifty thousand taels."

“Young master, this bottle is a family heirloom, and I really won’t sell it.”

"One hundred thousand taels."

"Young master, this is just an ordinary vase; it's not worth much."

"Three hundred thousand taels. Whether it's worth it or not is up to me. Will you sell it or not?"

The madam was so embarrassed she almost cried: "Young master, please spare me! You'll be making a huge mistake buying such a worthless vase. I only bought it because I love the peonies on it—"

"Alright, this is the last time." The young master slammed his fan shut. "Five hundred thousand taels."

The madam was so frightened that she took a few steps back. "Young master, I—"

The young man holding the fan snorted coldly, leaned closer, and warned in a low voice, "Enough nonsense. Do you think I'm an ignorant child? This vase is the one Li Qinhu painted herself. If you say another word, believe me, I'll smash Ping Le Kang right now!"