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

"Miss, we've been out for so long, are you sure it's alright?"

Xiao Cui pretended to help Jian Yue tidy up her clothes and whispered something in the fitting room.

"What does it matter? My cheapskate father has already allowed me to leave the manor, so why would he care when I go back? Be smart, don't let him find out anything."

The person in question acted as if nothing had happened, but Xiao Cui was already covered in a cold sweat.

The two were currently in the fitting room of a clothing store. Their purpose in coming out today was to meet with Shangguan Hanque, so that he wouldn't worry that they would be targeted if they acted recklessly.

So, while the two were trying on clothes, Jian Yue quietly left, leaving Xiao Cui standing in the fitting room, pretending to be Jian Yue trying on various clothes.

Although Xiao Cui was quite bold, it was her first time doing something like this, so she was a little nervous. Moreover, if this went on for too long, people would inevitably become suspicious.

Just now, the guard had come to check several times. If Xiao Cui hadn't been skilled in voice modulation, she wouldn't have been able to handle it at all.

Now that Jianyue has returned, Xiaocui finally feels relieved. She thought for a moment and whispered, "What did the young master say?"

"What else can I say? They just don't want me to take any risks."

Jian Yue tugged at her sleeves, turned around and looked at the pile of clothes next to her, saying, "Take all of these out and say you've bought them. Put the bill on the Qiu family's books. Oh, and let's go out for a stroll later."

"Still going? It's getting late. If we don't go now, won't something bad happen?"

Jian Yue smiled and said, "What could possibly happen? He already let me out, so why would he rush me back? If I'm late, I can only blame it on the fact that I haven't been shopping in the past fifteen years and I'm just being greedy."

"What about those people? Are we just going to let them follow us like this?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue glanced back at the people who had hidden themselves, and smiled, saying, "What are you afraid of? Come along. These are free bodyguards, why not take them? In the past, when we were in danger, who would care? Now, if something happens to your young lady, these people will come and protect her even if it costs them their heads."

Besides, with them around, everything we do will reach Qiu Zhenzhou's ears, preventing him from suspecting us. Why not? Xiao Cui, don't worry, we'll go out and look around in a bit. If you like anything, just say so. It's free money, after all, it's not our own money we're spending.”

Xiao Cui was speechless. Looking at her mistress's enthusiastic expression, she immediately felt that her mistress was heartless and complained, "Miss, can't you be a little more careful? You're about to marry someone who's incredibly ugly, how can you still be so happy?"

Jian Yue was taken aback, looked at Xiao Cui, saw her bitter face, and immediately laughed: "Why shouldn't I be happy? After all, this is my first time getting married in my life, isn't it?"

Besides, no matter how bad that prince is, he's still a prince. Your young lady's status is worlds apart from his; we should be content.

Whether it's good or bad, it's hard to say right now.

"But……"

"Alright, Xiao Cui, let's not talk about this anymore. It's time to go out."

After getting ready, Jian Yue interrupted Xiao Cui and walked straight out. Once outside, she looked timid again, lowering her eyes and not daring to look at anyone.

Xiao Cui quickly came over and, in cooperation, said to the owner of the clothing shop, "Wrap all these clothes up for my young lady and send them to the Qiu residence. Just say that the sixth young lady bought them and ask the steward, Uncle Qiu, for the money."

The boss is always perceptive. Who says he hasn't seen this young lady before? But she's dressed so elegantly and has several bodyguards following her. After a moment's thought, he realized that she was the legitimate daughter of the Qiu family, who was supposed to marry the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan.

It is said that this young lady was also born to Madam Qiu. Because of her poor health, a fortune teller said that she needed to be raised in the countryside to grow up. Therefore, after the emperor bestowed the marriage upon her, she was brought back by the Qiu family.

Despite this, there was still a lot of gossip outside, with people saying that this so-called legitimate daughter was just a wild girl that the Qiu family had found from somewhere, just to prevent their daughter from marrying that crooked-mouthed, slanted-eyed, and tyrannical young master.

However, the owner of the clothing store didn't care about those rumors. He just loved money. Whoever paid him was the boss. He didn't care whether she was a real young lady or not. Now that she was a member of the Qiu family, she was naturally a young lady.

"Yes, Miss, don't worry, I will definitely deliver the items. I will also let you know if I have any new styles in the future. You are welcome to come again."

Jian Yue nodded shyly, and the flirtatious look in her eyes made the owner of the clothing shop sway. After the group left the shop, he shook his head and sighed, "A beautiful flower is destined to be eaten by a pig again."

Xiao Cui helped Jian Yue walk out. When they passed the four guards, Jian Yue gave them a shy and respectful curtsy and said softly, "Thank you for waiting here."

The voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible if one didn't listen carefully. The head guard was taken aback, and then saw Xiao Cui shout at him, "What are you looking at? How dare you look at my young lady? Quickly lower your head and stay behind her, don't disturb my young lady's shopping."

The guard was startled by the scolding and saw that Xiao Cui and Jian Yue had already walked out of the clothing shop. Helpless, he could only call everyone to follow behind the two, keeping a distance that was just right for their protection.

However, things can change unexpectedly, and sometimes, bad luck can come even if you don't want it to.

Just as Jian Yue and Xiao Cui stepped out of the clothing shop, they hadn't gone more than a few steps when they felt a gust of wind rushing towards them. Xiao Cui was startled and helped Jian Yue to the side, barely managing to avoid it.

"Miss, are you okay?"

"fine."

As soon as Jian Yue finished speaking, she heard another gust of wind behind her, accompanied by howling screams that were deafening.

"Thief! Thief! Someone stole my purse! I'll reward you handsomely if you catch him!"

Looking towards the sound, Jian Yue saw a girl wearing a green dress and a strange headdress rushing past her along the path she had cleared earlier. Jian Yue narrowed her eyes; both the girl and the man from before were using light-footed skills, and they were quite good at it.

"Miss."

Xiao Cui spoke softly, and then Jian Yue looked at her and said in sign language: "Go back to the manor. There is no sound on the street right now."

The mistress and servant exchanged a glance, and then Jian Yue, as if frightened, suddenly collapsed to the ground. Xiao Cui, while supporting Jian Yue, cried out, "Miss, are you alright? What happened to you, Miss?"

Upon hearing this, the fourth brother's guard immediately ran over and placed the two of them between him.

"Is Miss alright?"

The leader asked again, and Xiao Cui shook her head anxiously, "I don't know, Miss said she felt dizzy and then collapsed. Miss, please don't scare me."

With Xiao Cui's 'efforts', Xiao Cui vaguely woke up, shook her head, and said with a 'pale' face, "It's nothing, I was just scared."

The voice sounded like someone recovering from a serious illness, evoking pity in those who heard it. The guards felt guilty, realizing that their failure to protect the young lady had caused her distress.

As they were talking, Xiao Cui helped Jian Yue up and muttered, "It's all that thief's fault. Why didn't he use the wide road and had to bump into our young lady? How come the security in the capital is so bad? They can't even catch a single thief. Young lady, let's go back and find a doctor to take a look. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease."

Before Jian Yue could finish speaking, Xiao Cui looked up and saw a man dressed in plain clothes with a black veil suddenly appear in front of her. She was startled and was about to shout when the man stretched out his long sword, shoved her aside, and with his other hand, lifted Jian Yue up and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her away.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Cui immediately shouted anxiously, "How could you do this, you thief? You're robbing people, but why are you also kidnapping them? What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and chase after them! The young lady has been abducted by a thief!"

The guards were also startled by the sudden turn of events, but Xiao Cui's shout brought them back to their senses. The head guard quickly said to two of them, "Go back to the manor and inform the master. We'll go after the young lady."

After saying that, the group quickly parted ways and chased after each other.

The abduction of Jian Yue also alarmed Yan Xingzhi, who happened to be drinking tea at the nearby Triumph Tower. He had seen the girl shouting "Good thing you caught the thief!" and just then saw the man suddenly avoid the girl's path, turn back, and carry Jian Yue away.

At first, he didn't realize it was Jian Yue. After all, Yan Xingzhi had only investigated in secret and hadn't personally met the person Bai Jianan was talking about.

However, he recognized the uniform of the guards from the Qiu family, which is why he took a closer look at the person who had been robbed. Only then did he realize that it was actually Bai Jianan's beloved.

Instantly, the teacup in his hand flew towards the fleeing person, and he leaped from the building to chase after him.

The man was skilled; the teacup Yan Xingzhi threw was instantly shattered by him. Without even turning his head, the man turned a corner in the street and disappeared from Yan Xingzhi's sight.

Yan Xingzhi frowned, stopped in his tracks, and summoned the Qilin Pavilion members with a whistle.

"Go back and inform the Pavilion Master, I will go after them and find out what's going on."

After saying that, he headed in the direction where the man had disappeared.

Xiao Cui was extremely anxious. She knew that if she didn't use her lightness skill, she wouldn't be able to catch up at all, but this was not the place for her to use it.

Plus……

Remembering the hint Jian Yue had given her earlier, Xiao Cui finally bit her lip, deciding not to act rashly and preparing to return to the Qiu family. However, just as she turned to leave, a sinister voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Did my little brother just kidnap your young lady?"

Xiao Cui was startled and turned her head in fright. She felt a numbness in her neck and immediately lost consciousness.

Upon learning that Jian Yue had been kidnapped, Madam Sun felt a buzzing in her head. She couldn't help but stand up and look at the person who had brought the news: "Kidnapped? How could this happen?"