The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Jian Yue shook her head: "Do you think I'm stupid? Although I'm not as good as Qiu Lingfeng right now, with a little dressing up, I can certainly be on par with her. Why do anything unnecessary? Besides, even if I wanted to go out in plain clothes, Qiu Zhenzhou might not let me. Why do you think Qiu Zhenzhou sent so much rouge, powder, and silk a few days ago? Since I can't escape it either way, I might as well give my cheap father some face and make things easier for myself, right?"

As she spoke, Jian Yue got up and opened the cabinet before Xiao Cui came in, selecting the accessories she wanted to wear.

Seeing that Jian Yue was really going to dress up carefully, Hua Xiangrong frowned and said, "Tsk tsk, you're making Qiu Zhenzhou look good, but you're wasting this pretty face. I said, why are you being so reckless? If you go like this and that spendthrift young master really takes a liking to you, what are you going to do?"

"Isn't it perfect that I've taken a liking to him? If I don't marry this prince now, who knows if another one will come along. I might as well see what kind of person this so-called perverted prince really is. Xiao Cui, let me see, which color of rouge will make me look delicate and innocent, and also attract attention?"

Xiao Cui was quite quick and efficient. She swiftly retrieved a number of items from the rouge box and began applying them to Jian Yue's face. In an instant, Jian Yue's delicate features were transformed into a captivatingly alluring face, yet she retained her pure and lively charm. Even now, standing before Hua Xiangrong's glamorous attire, she was not inferior to her.

Hua Xiangrong raised an eyebrow, a playful look on her face.

"Is this considered a plan to sacrifice oneself?"

Jian Yue jokingly added, "If I don't go to hell, who will? Isn't this Buddhist verse already clear? Alright, Sister Hua, you understand now. This is the most convenient path. I can't wait to see Qiu Zhenzhou's true colors when the promised eldest daughter of the Qiu family suddenly disappears on their wedding night, or assassinates the groom."

Hua Xiangrong scoffed: "Assassination? You really think you can get away unscathed? Is the princess's mansion just for show? If you really intend to feed the tiger with your life, then hurry up and give the princess a grandson. Otherwise, the princess's mansion will not treat you like a precious gem."

Hua Xiangrong got more and more excited as she talked, leaving Jian Yue at a loss for words. She quickly changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Sister Hua, you said that people from the Qilin Pavilion sent a visiting card? Do you know who they are?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangrong stood up abruptly, her expression turning ferocious as she looked at Jian Yue: "How dare you say that? You're about to get married and have a family, how did you become the Pavilion Master's favored concubine? What exactly happened?"

Seeing that Hua Xiangrong was angry, Jian Yue quickly said, "Sister, don't be angry. This is just that person talking. It's just an ordinary transaction."

Although Lanyue Tower was the largest in the capital, it was still a brothel. No matter how heavy the people inside were, it was not as fragile as the slightest breeze that could cause it to collapse.

But the Qilin Pavilion is different. Not to mention the high-ranking officials and nobles, even those in the capital city all respect and flatter it. Therefore, if we truly gain this backing, our chances of victory will be even greater.”

Hua Xiangrong frowned, not quite agreeing: "How can I not be anxious? You're practically asking a tiger for its skin. The Qilin Pavilion is mysterious and unpredictable, and the Pavilion Master's whereabouts are even more elusive. He's not someone an ordinary person could ever see. Now he's suddenly appearing in front of you. Do you think it's just a coincidence? But speaking of which, when did you hook up with such a juicy guy? How come I didn't know?"

At this point, she suddenly looked at Jian Yue and asked, "Could it be that the trouble was caused by the person who broke into the house that day? Damn it, I knew it. During that fight, everyone in my building was beaten to the point of near death, but those who came all left unscathed, and they were even swaggering around. I couldn't even find anyone to ask for medical expenses. It turns out they were from the Qilin Pavilion."

Hua Xiangrong gritted her teeth, and Jian Yue couldn't help but shiver. Then she saw Hua Xiangrong suddenly look at her with an inscrutable gaze and say, "Yueyue, tell me, if you really married the heir of Qingyan Marquis and then instigated him to fight with Qilin Pavilion, wouldn't that be a very exciting thing to think about?"

Jian Yue was speechless, then rubbed her forehead in silence. Sister Hua's thoughts were unpredictable, and this wasn't the first time she had encountered them, but each time she did, it gave her a headache. After a long while, she finally said, "Sister Hua, don't worry, I will definitely not let anyone slaughter me. I don't know what the Qilin Pavilion wants yet, but if they really want to harm me, I won't get entangled with them any longer."

Hua Xiangrong nodded, then said seriously, "You better be careful. If anything happens, just tell me the code. I will never stand by and watch you get bullied. If all else fails, I'll take all the young ladies and wives in the building and move to Qilin Pavilion. We'll eat his food and live in his house. We'll eat him out of house and see how arrogant he can be then."

Jian Yue was speechless. Could Qilin Pavilion really eat people out of house and home?

After saying that, Hua Xiangrong seemed to have thought of something and gave a sinister laugh: "However, there should be some scum from the Qilin Pavilion in my building as well, so I should take some time to clean it up properly."

Jian Yue shook her head speechlessly, then calmly said, "The person who was being chased that day was actually the head of the Qilin Pavilion. That's how we met. It's a bit strange that his own people were chasing him. So, I think those people were probably not from the Qilin Pavilion."

Hua Xiangrong was taken aback and was about to ask another question when she heard a knock on the door.

"Sixth Miss, the master is urging you to go quickly, lest you offend the young master."

Xiao Rou's voice rang out at this moment. Jian Yue glanced at Xiao Cui, who understood and shouted loudly, "I know. Go and tell the person the master sent that he will be there immediately and then come back to comb the young lady's hair."

Xiao Rou responded and left. Jian Yue then said to Hua Xiangrong, "To make a long story short, sister, keep a close eye on the Second Prince and the Crown Prince's people these next few days. The Second Prince was able to easily resolve what happened that day, so he must know the identities of those people."

The person from that day was actually the head of the Qilin Pavilion? Hua Xiangrong was a little confused, but she knew that this was not the time to discuss matters, so she could only instruct, "In that case, Yueyue, that person is unfathomable. If he really is the head of the Qilin Pavilion, you must be extremely careful. If you really fall, you are no match for him at all."

Hua Xiangrong looked worried, her eyes unusually serious. Jian Yue's heart also suddenly jumped. But thinking of that person's elusive nature, she could only smile and say, "Sister, don't worry. If he is really someone I can't afford to offend, I will naturally stay away. However, if he comes knocking on my door, I won't just sit and wait to die. I can't avoid him either way, so I will be extremely cautious. Besides, he hasn't suppressed me at all so far, so he must still have something he needs me to do."

In short, the deal has already begun. As you said, the other party is not someone to be trifled with. Cutting ties with them now won't bring any benefits; on the contrary, it will offend them, which would be a losing proposition.

Seeing the distress on Hua Xiangrong's face, Jian Yue, already dressed, walked to Hua Xiangrong's side, took her hand and comforted her, "Sister, I know you feel sorry for me, but you should also understand that these are things I have to do. Otherwise, you wouldn't have stayed behind to help me back then, enduring hardship in the brothel, even giving up the chance to be with my brother."

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangrong immediately shook off Jian Yue's hand with disdain, her tone unpleasant: "What do you mean by 'for you'? You should know that opening a brothel is my grand ambition. Now, I'm just helping you along the way. Besides, my Lan Yue Lou is not that kind of lowly brothel. You will say that you take everything on yourself, calling me 'sister' but treating me like an outsider. Humph."

Jian Yue smiled and rested her head on her shoulder, saying, "Sister, I've always treated you like my own sister. I'm an honest and upright person, so naturally I just want a peaceful life and to be with my family."

However, time is not on my side. My mother is still suffering, and I have not yet found a way to save her. The Qiu family is wealthy and powerful. I need to be fully prepared to do what the Qilin Pavilion can do in an instant.

But the Pavilion Master of the Qilin Pavilion came last night and promised to help Mother. Do you think I'd give up? Even if their conditions are as difficult as climbing mountains of knives and seas of fire, I have to brave them.”

Hearing this, Hua Xiangrong became even more worried. The Qilin Pavilion was a place that would devour people without spitting out the bones, but its skills were also first-rate. Now, it had directly approached a girl who had just arrived in the capital. She wondered what its intentions were. However, seeing Jian Yue's determined look, she could only suppress her thoughts and think about when she would meet Shangguan Hanque to discuss it further.

After thinking it over, she turned around helplessly, disdainfully pushed Jian Yue's head aside, and said, "Fine, fine, I can't argue with you. You're right no matter what, I'm just worrying for nothing."

"Alright, weren't you going to see that young master? It's getting late. That young master won't be easy to please. You'd better hurry. This battle is going to be a long one; we can't let our guard down."

Jian Yue smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, sister, I know what to do."

Bai Jianan waited in the front yard for a long time, but Jian Yue did not appear. He was not in a hurry, since Jian Yue would definitely come out eventually. However, at this moment, he looked at Qiu Zhenzhou with an anxious and impatient expression.

"Why haven't you come out yet? Could it be that your young lady is unwilling to see me, or is dissatisfied with me?"

He immediately frowned and looked coldly at Qiu Zhenzhou. Upon hearing this, Qiu Zhenzhou quickly got up, unable to drink his tea, and hurriedly went to find Uncle Qiu to ask him questions.

Just then, Jian Yue arrived late. Seeing Qiu Zhenzhou scolding Qiu Bo, she timidly said, "Lingxiu is late. Please calm down, Father."

Her voice was exceptionally soft and pitiful. Even though Qiu Zhenzhou's expression was unpleasant at the moment, he couldn't bear to continue his anger after hearing her voice. He could only gently rebuke her, "How can you be so impolite? Coming over so late and keeping the young master waiting. Come over quickly and apologize to the young master."