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

Jian Yue smiled and sighed, "Yes, Xiao Cui, do you understand now? Sometimes, you can't judge a person by their appearance. Perhaps you'll know what kind of person the young master really is in the future. For now, just watch quietly."

Xiao Cui nodded, turned and left to deliver the letter. She hadn't been gone long when there was a knock on the door. Then, Xiao Tao came in, peeking in and looking around, which made Jian Yue sneer.

"Miss, I saw that Sister Xiaocui went out, and I thought that there was no one to serve you here, so I came over. Miss, are you in your room?"

Jian Yue hummed in agreement and said timidly, "Oh, it's Xiao Tao. I thought it was someone else. I didn't dare to say anything. I'm fine. I felt a little uncomfortable at the Princess's residence these past few days. Now that I'm back, I've relaxed and feel exhausted, so I just lay down."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao walked up to Jian Yue, peeked into the gauze curtains, and asked, "Miss, are you feeling unwell? Do you need Xiao Tao to serve you?"

Jian Yue hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but after a while she nodded and said, "Then come and rub it for me! My whole body aches."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao was overjoyed. She immediately lifted the gauze curtain and went inside, beginning to massage Jian Yue's legs. As she spoke, she said, "It's not that I'm saying anything, but Miss, you really spoil Sister Xiao Cui too much. You're so tired, why didn't you keep Sister Xiao Cui to serve you a little longer? I saw Sister Xiao Cui leave the courtyard just now, but I don't know where she went. Did you let her go out, Miss?"

Jian Yue smiled and said, "Xiao Cui has been exhausted these past few days, and she was even kidnapped. Now that she's back, she must be even more tired than me. I'll let her go out and relax."

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, my legs hurt terribly, my back aches, and this... my back, yes, right there. Xiao Tao, you're so kind of you to come and take care of me. I don't even know what to say."

Jian Yue lay on the bed, groaning with pleasure. Xiao Tao could only continue pressing down on her, completely unable to say anything else. She was angry but her face was pale, yet she couldn't retaliate.

She wasn't there to serve anyone; she just wanted to find out what Jian Yue had been doing these past few days, and about that Xiao Cui, who was always arrogant and haughty because of her mistress's favor. She wanted to take advantage of her absence to say something bad about Jian Yue. Who knew that Jian Yue would actually enjoy her service? And as a servant, she couldn't just walk away.

After finally taking care of Jian Yue, Xiao Tao rubbed her sore wrists and looked at the sleeping Jian Yue. She stared at her with wide eyes and bit her lip for a long time before turning around and leaving the room. When she closed the door, she was so angry that she forgot to be quiet and the door made a loud noise.

Watching Xiao Tao leave, Jian Yue opened her eyes, chuckled twice at the door, and then closed her eyes again.

Xiao Tao left unwillingly and went to Xiao Rou's room. At this time, Xiao Rou was about to go to sleep when Xiao Tao barged in. She frowned slightly but did not say anything.

She had seen Xiao Tao's restlessness lately, but she felt a sense of irony in her heart. This kind of eagerness showed that she was not cut out to be someone of high status.

She had just seen her enter the young lady's room, and seeing Xiao Tao's exasperated state, she figured she hadn't gotten anything out of her.

Seeing that Xiao Rou was ignoring her completely and only focused on tidying the quilt, Xiao Tao finally couldn't help but say, "Are you really disregarding the eldest young lady's orders? What good will it do you to side with the sixth young lady like this?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Rou asked in return, "What are you trying to say?"

Xiao Tao glared and sneered, "What I want to say? You don't know, do you? What? Did those two slaps from that little bitch Xiao Cui scare you so much that you're afraid to work for Miss anymore?"

You must understand, in this manor, the Sixth Miss is merely someone who married in place of the Eldest Miss; her status is nowhere near that of the Eldest Miss. Aren't you afraid that if I tell the Eldest Miss, she'll skin you alive?"

Xiao Rou paused upon hearing this and looked at Xiao Tao. At this moment, Xiao Tao thought she was scared and said with a smug smile, "Don't blame me for reminding you, we have to work together to deal with Xiao Cui. Otherwise, none of us can step forward to help the Sixth Miss, and we won't be able to do things for the Eldest Miss at all times."

Xiao Rou put down the blanket in her hands, looked coldly at Xiao Tao, and said sarcastically, "Are you doing this for the young lady? Or for yourself?"

Xiao Tao was taken aback: "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? Didn't you want to rise to the top and become a phoenix? Why are you still thinking about the young lady's mission? Or are you using the young lady's mission as an excuse to dream of becoming someone superior?"

Xiao Tao was speechless for a moment, then saw Xiao Rou smile, walk up to her, raise her hand and lift her chin with her fingers and say, "Look at you, in terms of looks, you can't even compare to me, how can you compare to the Sixth Miss? Even if the young master has a crooked mouth and crooked eyes, he probably wouldn't even look at you!"

Wake up! Stop daydreaming. Stay away from the Second Young Master and the Eldest Young Master. If the Madam finds out, you won't even be able to save your life.

"Oh, and one more thing, do you really think you can bring down Xiao Cui? Xiao Cui has been with Miss for more than just a year or two. You could say Miss was practically raised by Xiao Cui's older sister. The trust she has in Xiao Cui is something you and I couldn't match even if we tried for ten lifetimes. You'd be better off thinking of other ways to get closer to Miss."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao angrily retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? I know! You're just jealous that I'm close to Miss and that I can go into her room, so that's why you're making up stories about me like this."

"Xiaorou, I never expected you to be this kind of person. Not only are you betraying your master for personal gain, but you're also so cunning and scheming. Just you wait, I'll go tell the young lady right now and have her deal with you."

Xiao Rou suddenly sneered and asked, "Who do you want to punish me? The eldest young lady is not one of the people in this courtyard. I am doing my job properly in the sixth young lady's courtyard. Why is the eldest young lady overstepping her bounds and punishing me?"

Xiao Tao, you're right. That day, it wasn't just Xiao Cui's slap that woke me up, but the young lady's slap also made me understand some things. Of course, foolish people can't understand. If you think you're right, then go ahead and do it. As for me, don't interfere, otherwise, I will definitely not let you off the hook.

Although I'm not anything special right now, don't forget, you, Xiao Tao, are even less capable than me.

After saying that, Xiaorou walked to the door, pointed outside and said, "I won't see you off. Hurry up and go. You have to get up early tomorrow to help Miss with her dressing."

Xiao Tao turned and left in anger, wanting to utter a few more curses before she left, but to her surprise, the door slammed shut behind her as soon as she stepped out of the house, leaving her face ashen with rage, standing there staring blankly.

As she closed the door, a ruthless glint flashed in Xiaorou's eyes, followed by a soft laugh. No one saw that laugh; if someone had, they would have felt a chill run down their spine.

Jianyue slept very soundly that night, perhaps because Xiaotao's massage had an effect. She was woken up by Xiaocui the next day.

"Miss, please rise and pay your respects to Madam."

Jian Yue stood up, cleared her mind, and asked, "What time is it?"

"At 1:15 AM, this is the first time Miss has paid her respects since returning. If Madam catches you doing something wrong, she might reprimand you. If Miss finds this troublesome, she'd better get up quickly."

Jian Yue yawned, nodded, and calmly got up. After dressing, Xiao Cui opened the door and called Xiao Rou in. Xiao Tao really wanted to come in, but Xiao Cui glared at her and shut her up. She could only lower her eyes to hide the resentment in them and stand outside the door.

Xiao Cui quickly closed the door, then said to Jian Yue, who was already sitting in front of the dressing mirror, "Miss, you look beautiful today."

Jian Yue smiled shyly: "When have I ever looked bad? Xiao Rou, please wear this headdress for me! It was given to me by my elder sister herself. I love it very much, and it will definitely make me look even better."

Xiao Rou nodded and looked in the direction Jian Yue was pointing, and saw the set of jewelry.

She recognized the headdress. It was the one the eldest young lady had personally delivered to her after she ran back to the eldest young lady's courtyard after being beaten that day, and after being slapped by the eldest young lady. This headdress was one of the eldest young lady's most prized headdresses. It was given to the eldest young lady by the first madam when she came of age. Unexpectedly, it was to be worn by the sixth young lady today.

She quickly combed Jian Yue's hair and put on a set of hair ornaments before stepping aside. Jian Yue looked at the bronze mirror with satisfaction, admiring it as she said, "Xiao Rou's technique is really good. This hair is really beautifully combed. It never hurts me. Xiao Cui is different. Every time she pulls my hair, it hurts terribly."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui scolded, "Miss, you're getting tired of the old and looking for the new. Fine, from now on, Xiao Rongpu will be the one to comb your hair. But, Miss, if you get married, Xiao Rou won't be able to comb your hair anymore."

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue was stunned, as if she had thought of the serious consequences of this matter. Her face was filled with struggle and conflict. Finally, she looked at Xiao Cui and pleaded with her eyes full of hope, "Xiao Cui, can I bring Xiao Rou with me when I marry him?"

Xiao Cui was taken aback: "Miss wants Xiao Rou and Xiao Cui to be her dowry maids together?"

Jian Yue nodded heavily and looked at Xiao Rou, saying, "You're the only one by my side. You'll have to do many things yourself when we get there. I'll be scared if I don't have anyone I know well with me. Besides, Xiao Rou is good at combing hair. Wouldn't it be a win-win situation if I took her with me?"

Xiao Cui pretended to hesitate for a moment, and even cast a sour, jealous look at Xiao Rou. Xiao Rou lowered her head, and although she sensed it, she did not move or say anything.

Then, Xiao Cui said, seemingly in a difficult position, "But Miss, the dowry is not something I can decide. It requires the master and madam's approval. Why don't you talk to the madam about it during today's greetings?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue's eyes lit up immediately: "Really?"

Xiao Cui nodded: "Really."