Your Highness, please stop chasing me.

"Judging by the time, Father and Eldest Brother should be heading to the capital soon. We need to give the An family a good talking-to," Mu Xue said thoughtfully.

"It's good that Miss knows what's going on." Granny Kang was pleased with the changes in Mu Xue. As the saying goes, everyone looks out for themselves.

If only the young lady had half the courage of the young lady, then Consort An wouldn't have been able to cause so much trouble for so many years, and almost killed the young lady. However, Granny Kang really couldn't say this to Mu Xueming.

Seeing the worried look on Kang Mama's face, Mu Xue's eyes flickered slightly, and she subtly changed the subject: "Mama, my stomach is growling, is there anything good to eat?"

"You little glutton! There's your favorite steamed egg with hibiscus, and that milk bun you mentioned last time..." Granny Kang smiled and returned to Yuyue Garden with Muxue.

......

"Madam, you must do justice for this old servant! This Fifth Miss wants to kill me!" Granny Wang cried out hoarsely as she knelt before Consort An.

Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were torn, making her look even more miserable than when she left Yuyue Garden.

“Madam, the way Fifth Miss is hitting and scolding me is a slap in your face!” Granny Wang continued to add fuel to the fire.

Mu Jiaojiao watched with great interest as Wang Mama wailed and cried, and she decided to add fuel to the fire: "Mother, Father is going to the capital in the next couple of days. We can't let that little slut Mu Xue go to the capital, otherwise, with that person in the palace backing us up, we'll be in big trouble."

Mu Jiaojiao was unusually quick-witted this time.

Aunt An did not speak immediately. She elegantly picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

Seeing that her mother had no reaction, Mu Jiaojiao couldn't help but fan the flames: "Mother, my sister doesn't care about you at all. We went to Jingci Nunnery to fulfill her vow and pray for blessings. When you came back, my sister didn't even come out to greet you. If word gets out, she'll be considered unfilial."

Seeing that Mu Jiaojiao was speaking up for her, Granny Wang couldn't resist stirring things up: "Yes, Madam, everyone knows how much you've taken care of Fifth Miss day and night all these years. But now that she's better, she just randomly beats and scolds the servants in your courtyard, showing no regard for your seniority whatsoever!"

Mu Jiaojiao chimed in, "Mother, when my eldest brother comes back, he will definitely protect her. Do you really want to let her take advantage of you and act like a tyrant? She will definitely take revenge on her daughter."

Aunt An gave a cold laugh, her eyes filled with malice.

She put down her teacup and glanced at Granny Wang with displeasure: "Fifth Miss is a young lady of the Mu family. It is her duty to discipline servants. Do you expect me to reprimand her for the sake of a servant like you?"

"This old servant wouldn't dare, Madam is right." Granny Wang lowered her head in fear. She knew all too well how Madam An could be; just thinking about it sent chills down her spine. She hated Mu Xue intensely. No one saw the vicious glint in her eyes.

"Wang Mama, you may leave now. Remind the servants in the manor not to provoke the Fifth Miss, lest they displease her and suffer needlessly," Aunt An said to Wang Mama.

Thinking hard.

Granny Wang stood up, replied, and withdrew.

Seeing that Aunt An didn't seem to intend to pursue the matter, Mu Jiaojiao said anxiously, "Mother!"

Aunt An gave Mu Jiaojiao a disapproving look, her gaze suddenly turning gloomy: "Jiaojiao, how many times have I told you to keep your composure? Why are you still so impulsive? How was you any different from a gossipy woman just now? That Granny Wang is an ignorant woman, are you going to join her?"

Seeing Aunt An's gaze, Mu Jiaojiao trembled involuntarily. This kind of mother felt unfamiliar to her. She stammered, "Mother, Jiaojiao knows she was wrong."

“Jiaojiao, your mother said that you should have a long-term vision. Otherwise, even if your mother helps you, do you think you can survive in the palace, a place that eats people alive?” Aunt An said with a frown.

Upon hearing Aunt An's words, Mu Jiaojiao suddenly looked up, her face filled with undisguised joy: "Mother, can you really let me join the royal family?"

"Would your mother lie to you? Don't go against Mu Xue now. Haven't you suffered enough from these past few losses? You can't beat her." Mu Jiaojiao knew her own limitations very well, but she didn't take Mu Xue seriously either.

In Aunt An's eyes, Mu Xue was nothing more than having a former palace maid, Kang, to help her, but so what?

Over the years, she has cut off all channels of communication between Kang Mama and the outside world, and now there is not a single piece of news in the palace about the Mu family's affairs.

Mu Xue was weak and alone. Even if she wasn't mentally impaired, she would eventually be controlled by her, just like her short-lived mother.

"But what about Brother Mo?" Mu Jiaojiao asked.

Aunt An smiled contemptuously and said disdainfully, "To put it bluntly, Mo Shijie is just Prince Jing's grandson. He couldn't even get an imperial edict to change his surname, so he's not really a proper member of the royal family anymore. He can still be used as a stepping stone."

Mu Jiaojiao hesitated, but she still had feelings for Mo Shijie.

"Jiaojiao, your mother will make plans for you. You will be transferred to marry into the royal family. Don't rush headlong into Prince Mo's affairs. Right now, Prince Jing's mansion still has value. Just keep your distance." Even though Prince Jing's mansion has been marginalized, Prince Jing is still the current emperor's uncle, and there will always be a time when he can be used.

"Jiaojiao understands, I will follow Mother's arrangements." Mu Jiaojiao replied obediently.

Aunt An finally smiled with satisfaction. She patted Mu Jiaojiao's shoulder and said softly, "Jiaojiao, your mother would never harm you."

......

At midday in early summer, a wisp of heat had already risen. Su Su returned to Yu Yue Garden with a large quantity of medicinal herbs as instructed by Mu Xue. Half a day had passed since she handed them over to Mu Xue, who then locked herself in the empty room she had prepared the day before, refusing to let anyone in.

Su Su listened to the sounds coming from the room, pressing her ear against the closed window all the way to the door, but it was so quiet she couldn't hear anything. Undeterred, she tried again from the doorway, listening from the window in the same position. She sighed in frustration.

Granny Kang sat in the pavilion watching this amusing scene. Ever since Su Su confessed her feelings, her attitude had changed. The current Su Su was much more endearing than her previous timid and hesitant self.

She called out "Susu" and waved to her.

Su Su trotted over to her side and asked dejectedly, "Granny, what has Miss been doing in the room all morning without eating or drinking? Has she been fiddling with those medicines the whole time?"

If someone were to say that Mu Xue is a goddess descended from heaven, Su Su would wholeheartedly agree without a doubt.

"Hehe, Susu, it's not our business as servants to guess about what happens to Miss. We just need to follow Miss's orders." Granny Kang reminded Susu, "This child is quite good, but she's a bit too straightforward."

“What the nanny said is true. Miss asked me to watch the door and not let anyone in to disturb her. No, I have to move a stool to the door to stand guard.” Su Su hurriedly moved a low stool and sat down at the doorway that Mu Xue was using as a pharmacy.

Granny Kang shook her head and looked at Su Su with amusement.