After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

Inside the carriage, Cai'er was picking out a dress for Lin Xiaoxiao, while Wang Fugui was eavesdropping from the window.

"Young lady, we didn't bring any pale yellow dresses today."

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at the bag: "Then let's choose a similar color."

"Yes"

Cai'er asked, somewhat puzzled, "Miss, why do we always have to dress almost exactly like the First Madam?"

Lin Xiaoxiao brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and asked seemingly casually, "So, do you think I look better in this outfit or the First Madam looks better?"

"Of course you look better, young lady. You're not married yet and haven't had children, so you're younger and more energetic than the First Madam, although the First Madam is also very elegant."

Lin Xiaoxiao chuckled.

"temperament?"

"It's just a matter of being born into the right family. If I had that kind of background, I would be even more beautiful and elegant than her."

"Such a distinguished background, yet she's merely the wife of a high-ranking official."

"If it were me, I could also be the empress."

Wang Fugui was so startled that she covered her mouth with her two little paws. She had to quickly report this news to her host, so she flew away in a flash.

That woman is really ambitious!

Cai'er immediately covered Lin Xiaoxiao's mouth, her heart pounding with fear. "Young lady, you can't say things like that carelessly, it could get you beheaded!"

Lin Xiaoxiao brushed her hand away. "What are you afraid of? It's just the two of us here."

Cai'er whispered, "It's best to be careful; the walls may be overhearing."

Don't worry, I know.

When the Gu family's carriage arrived at Baiyun Temple, it was still dark. There were already many high-ranking officials and nobles waiting inside. Su Xiuran got off the carriage with Chunhe's help.

[What did you say? Lin Xiaoxiao wants to be empress?]

Su Xiuran and the Gu brothers paused in their tracks. Empress? What a boastful tone! How could she become Empress so easily?

Gu Linglong mumbled a few words, but Su Xiuran didn't hear them clearly and fell asleep again. There was nothing she could do; her body was like that of a baby, and she was particularly prone to drowsiness.

Coincidentally, Lin Xiaoxiao also got off the carriage at that moment.

Su Xiuran looked at Lin Xiaoxiao in her cream-colored dress, her eyes turning cold as ice.

As expected, Lin Xiaoxiao had been dissatisfied with the Gu family for a long time. The eldest son was right; there was indeed a traitor in the mansion.

She was always kind and gentle to others, and never scolded or punished the servants for minor mistakes. Compared to other households that beat and scolded or sold people at the drop of a hat, she was truly a good mistress.

Even so, there were still those who sided with outsiders, and thinking of this, Su Xiuran felt even more desolate.

Gu Yu'an and Gu Liyao exchanged a glance. This woman was indeed problematic; she even wanted to become empress. She truly had the ambition of a wolf.

Lin Xiaoxiao took small, delicate steps, "Isn't this Madam Gu? What a coincidence, you're here to offer incense too?"

Su Xiuran felt inexplicably disgusted by the other party's hypocritical behavior and immediately said rudely.

"Are you here to eat shit?"

"You, you, you..." Lin Xiaoxiao trembled with anger.

The three brothers burst out laughing. Their mother was usually dignified and gentle, and they had never seen her so aggressive before.

You know what, it’s quite cute!

"You're supposed to be a lady of high society, how dare you utter such vulgar language?"

The other women from the household arrived one after another and all heard Su Xiuran say such awful things, especially since she was talking about excrement and urine in front of the temple. It was so inappropriate.

"Mrs. Gu, Miss Lin was just trying to be kind by greeting you. How could you speak to her like that?"

Seeing that someone was speaking up for her, Lin Xiaoxiao took out her handkerchief and started sobbing.

"Perhaps it's because Lord Gu has recently encountered some trouble, and Madam is in a bad mood. It's alright."

"Oh my, no wonder the Vice Minister's wife took you as her goddaughter; you're so thoughtful."

Even if something happens at home, you can't lose the demeanor of a matriarch.

"She's supposed to be the daughter of a Duke's mansion, and this is her upbringing?"

"Tsk tsk..."

"If you ask me, you should stay in the manor and not come out."

"that is……"

Gu Liyao was furious when he heard so many people talking about her mother. He stood in front of Su Xiuran and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? Saying my mother is ill-mannered?"

Lin Xiaoxiao kept her head down and glanced smugly at Su Xiuran. So what if you're the daughter of the Duke's mansion?

So what if she's the wife of a high-ranking official?

They're still looked down upon, and they still can't beat me.

Su Xiuran pulled Gu Liyao back, saying, "I'm speaking with the ladies; please don't interrupt."

"But they..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Yu'an shook his head at him. He reluctantly retreated. Although he was a bit wild, he always listened to his older brother.

What is my brother doing? He not only doesn't protect Mother, but he also won't let me stand up for her.

Su Xiuran merely glanced indifferently at the people in front of her; most of them were people who had previously tried to curry favor with the Gu family and curry favor with her.

It's really like a tiger being bullied by a dog!

Su Xiuran caught a glimpse of a dark blue robe standing by the door, and she subtly withdrew her gaze.

Want to be an empress? Then I'll help you.

"Oh... so you mean Miss Lin is very well-mannered?"

"Of course."

"Then may I ask, Miss Lin, what is your status in staying at my second brother's residence?"

"A maidservant, or a concubine?"

Upon hearing this, the ladies around Lin Xiaoxiao quietly moved away from her. They had only heard that Lin Xiaoxiao was a distinguished guest of the Gu family and the goddaughter of the Vice Minister.

They might be willing to exchange a few words with her, but if she were a concubine, they would naturally disdain to associate with her. They had no intention of lowering themselves to the status of the mistress to get along with a concubine, even if it was a perfect opportunity to suppress Su Xiuran.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Lin Xiaoxiao twisted the handkerchief tightly with her fingers, and her knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

"Of course, it's my cousin."

Su Xiuran smoothed her hair behind her ear. "I've never heard of any cousin in the Gu family."

"Could it be some kind of lover/adopted sister relationship?"

These words elicited a murmur of surprise from those around them.

"I've never heard of the Gu family having any cousins ​​before."

"Could they really be lovers?"

"Only women in brothels call men that."

"Shh, keep your voice down, this is a temple."

Lin Xiaoxiao's face paled slightly. "We only found out recently when a distant relative of the old lady came to visit. You and Master Gu have already separated the family, so you probably wouldn't know."

Su Xiuran nodded. "I think you and my second brother are a very good match. Would you like me to act as your matchmaker and help you marry him?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds. "Madam, you misunderstand. I only have brotherly affection for Lord Gu Er; I have no other thoughts."

Su Xiuran didn't say anything, but just smiled faintly and led the three brothers into the temple.

The figure in dark blue at the doorway steadied himself before standing still, exuding an aura of icy coldness.

What a touching brother-sister relationship!

She said she didn't want to be a concubine, so he disobeyed his mother and went against his elder brother to help her gain a status that would allow her to stand in public...

Ha ha.

Gu Minghai chuckled to himself, then swept his sleeves and went inside, not even glancing at Lin Xiaoxiao as he passed by.

Lin Xiaoxiao panicked when she saw Gu Minghai. Did he not hear her?

She's still young and inexperienced, and she can't do without Gu Minghai's help. If he heard what she just said, then...

Lin Xiaoxiao almost ground her teeth to powder.

It was intentional, Su Xiuran definitely did it on purpose...