Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

When Xiao Lan hurried back to the Jiang family home, she found that Xiao Mu'an and Yan Nan Hui had already arrived some time ago. The two were chatting happily with Jiang Huangshi, seemingly having talked for quite some time. Xiao Lan didn't know what Yan Nan Hui had said to Jiang Huangshi, but as soon as she stepped into the house, she immediately saw Jiang Huangshi's face, which was full of undisguised joy. She couldn't help but think to herself, "This Yan Nan Hui is truly a formidable character. Not only can he make young ladies' hearts flutter, but he's also so adept at charming the elderly."

Xiao Lan gracefully entered the room, first offering a gentle bow to Yan Nanhui to express her greetings, before turning to face Madam Jiang Huang and respectfully performing the same bow. Then, she parted her lips slightly and softly asked, "Grandmother, what are you discussing so joyfully?" Her words were full of affection.

Jiang Huangshi replied with a beaming smile, "Just now, the Fifth Prince told his grandmother about many interesting things you experienced in the capital! Oh my, I had no idea that our Lan'er was such a talented person!" After saying that, she let out another hearty laugh.

"Madam Jiang, you are unaware of her true nature! Lanlan is truly exceptionally talented and skilled! Not only is she proficient in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she is also incredibly knowledgeable! This time, my southern tour was entirely thanks to the ingenious salt-making method provided by Lanlan! It is precisely for this reason that Father Emperor specially dispatched me to Jiangnan to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of this salt-making method." Yan Nan Hui said with a smile, but he did not reveal his true thoughts. If this salt-making method were successfully implemented, he would very likely become the first among the princes to be granted the title of Prince. However, these words involved court secrets and his personal future, and it was not appropriate to speak them openly. Nevertheless, everyone present was a worldly-wise person, and they were well aware of the Emperor's possible actions.

At this moment, Madam Jiang Huang responded with a beaming smile, "Your Highness is too kind! Even if Lan'er comes up with the most brilliant ideas, without Your Highness's discerning eye and appreciation, she would likely have no opportunity to use her extraordinary talents!" As Madam Jiang Huang spoke, she increasingly found her grandson-in-law to be elegant and distinguished, and the more she looked at him, the happier she became. As the saying goes, a mother-in-law's eyes light up when she looks at her son-in-law; and now it seems that this old saying is absolutely true for her grandson-in-law!

Yan Nan Hui's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. For some reason, looking at the lively and adorable Lan Lan in front of him, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind—this child is so lovable, she must have inherited the excellent genes of her maternal grandmother! Thinking of this, Yan Nan Hui became even more interested in Jiang Huang Shi, so he chatted with her warmly, and before he knew it, time had quietly passed, and they hadn't even stopped for dinner.

Meanwhile, while Yan Nanhui and Jiang Huangshi were having a pleasant conversation, Xiao Lan quietly leaned close to her brother Xiao Mu'an and asked in a low voice, "Brother, where is Grandfather? We haven't seen him since we came in."

Xiao Mu'an replied in a low voice, "Grandmother just said that Grandfather went to your eldest uncle's place. I heard that something happened to my cousin, but I haven't had a chance to ask about the details yet." Actually, he had only casually inquired about it with Madam Jiang when Xiao Lan wasn't around, and he really didn't know the details.

Xiao Lan frowned, lost in thought. She tried hard to recall her experiences from her previous life, but in her memory, nothing major had happened at her uncle's house around this time. Yet now even her maternal grandfather had personally gone there. Could it be that, as she suspected, her rebirth had caused a chain reaction, triggering a series of unexpected changes? Thinking of this, Xiao Lan's mood became somewhat heavy.

After Yan Nanhui finished his sumptuous dinner at the Jiang family's house, Xiao Lan had a sudden inspiration. She found an excuse to say that she wanted to go to the bustling night market. Without further ado, she pulled Yan Nanhui and Xiao Mu'an along, and they set off for the night market.

As soon as she boarded the carriage, Xiao Lan impatiently ordered the driver, "Hurry up and head straight for Shaxi Town!" It turned out that while they were having dinner, the clever and resourceful Xiao Lan had secretly found the experienced Granny Yu when no one was paying attention, and from her, she had learned in detail Gu Sanlang's exact address.

And so, filled with anticipation, Xiao Lan led Yan Nan Hui, who in turn brought his well-trained guards, along with Xiao Mu An, who had come purely to watch the excitement. This group formed a formidable force and sped towards Shaxi Town like lightning.

Before long, they arrived at their destination—Shaxi Town. Upon alighting from the carriage, Xiao Lan methodically directed her men to surround Gu Sanlang's house, giving no one a chance to escape. Then, she ordered her men to forcibly break into the house and drag Gu Sanlang, who was enjoying his meal at the table, out. Appearing with Gu Sanlang were his wife, Yao Shi, and Jiang Zhuzhu, who should have been renamed Yao Zhuzhu.

However, before Yao could even open her mouth to speak, the guard standing to the side glared angrily and shouted, "You audacious scoundrels! Seeing the incomparably noble Fifth Prince here, how dare you not bow and pay your respects? Do you intend to commit the crime of disrespect?"

Upon seeing that the visitor was none other than the Fifth Prince Yan Nan Hui, Gu Sanlang hurriedly pulled his wife and mother-in-law forward and respectfully bowed to Yan Nan Hui. His heart pounded with anxiety, and a fine layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. After much hesitation, he cautiously asked, "May I ask what brings Your Highness the Fifth Prince to my humble abode today? I am truly terrified..."

Upon hearing this, Yan Nanhui's lips curled into a cold smile. He subtly shifted his body, revealing Xiao Lan, who had been standing behind him, to everyone. It turned out that Xiao Lan had already told Yan Nanhui all the secrets of the Jiang family on the way there. Therefore, Yan Nanhui didn't intend to personally intervene; he would simply offer assistance when Xiao Lan needed it.

"It's been a long time, everyone! Haha..." As her clear, melodious yet slightly chilling voice rang out, Xiao Lan slowly stepped out from behind Yan Nan and appeared before Gu Sanlang and the others. Her gaze was piercing, staring directly at the group before her, and she couldn't help but sneer when she saw the utterly astonished expressions on their faces. Then, without any politeness, she went straight to the point: "I've heard that you, Gu Sanlang, frequently visit my Jiang family, but my maternal grandmother has already stated that she doesn't know you at all. Even so, you still shamelessly linger at my Jiang family's gate, even spreading rumors that you're related to my Jiang family. Well then, today I, this young lady, will ask you face to face, what kind of relative are you to my Jiang family?"

When Gu Sanlang first saw Xiao Lan, he was completely stunned. He had never expected that such a beautiful and charming woman would come to find him. For a moment, his gaze seemed to be fixed on Xiao Lan, and he was secretly amazed.

It wasn't until he noticed Yao Zhuzhu subtly winking at him and whispering something that Gu Sanlang snapped out of his daze. Thanks to Yao Zhuzhu's prompting, he finally understood that the stunningly beautiful woman before him was Xiao Lan, the one Yao's mother and daughter had often mentioned, the one whom Jiang Huangshi cherished and doted on.

At this moment, Xiao Lan bluntly questioned Gu Sanlang. Faced with Xiao Lan's questioning, Gu Sanlang thought for a moment, then put on a fawning smile and slowly said, "Little sister-in-law, you see, I'm your sister Zhuzhu's husband, so naturally I'm also the old lady's grandson-in-law! Our two families live so close, so I was thinking of visiting the old lady more often to see if there's anything I can help with. Besides, even just chatting with the old lady and keeping her company would be good. That way, it's a way of showing filial piety on behalf of your sister."

However, no matter how much Gu Sanlang tried to ingratiate himself and spoke eloquently, Xiao Lan remained unmoved. Her large, bright eyes were fixed on Gu Sanlang, revealing a coldness and disdain, clearly showing no interest in his rhetoric.

"First, I need to clarify that I don't have a biological older sister. My only blood relative is my cousin, Jiang Feiyan. Given your situation, you probably know nothing about her! So, what gives you the right to claim you're fulfilling your filial duties on her behalf? And what's more, you dare to call me your sister-in-law? Don't you know that's blatantly taking advantage of me? In the past, when we argued, perhaps I couldn't do anything to you because I was outnumbered, but not long ago..." "His Majesty has personally issued an edict bestowing a marriage upon me! And the betrothed is none other than the incomparably noble Fifth Prince. From this day forward, I will be a person who ascends to the royal register, a symbol of supreme glory. Your wanton and slanderous behavior towards me is absolutely intolerable! If you cannot explain things clearly and plainly today, then I'm sorry, I will show no mercy and will not hesitate to send you to the authorities in a moment, so that we can have a proper discussion in front of the officials!" Having said that, Xiao Lan's mood was originally relatively calm, and she wasn't particularly angry. However, just now, seeing Gu Sanlang's lewd appearance, especially hearing him call her "little sister-in-law," for some reason, the increasingly thin figure and haggard face of Jiang Huangshi instantly flashed into Xiao Lan's mind. Thinking of this, the anger that had been suppressed in Xiao Lan's heart for so long erupted like a volcano, and she could no longer suppress it.

Just then, Yao swayed her hips and walked forward with a hint of dissatisfaction and resentment on her face. She said, "Xiao Lan, you can't do this! No matter what, Zhuzhu is still your cousin! Back then, she called me 'Aunt' so affectionately, and her voice was so sweet. She called me that for so many years. Just because I'm divorced from your uncle, are you going to turn your back on me?"

Hearing this, Yao Zhuzhu quickly stepped forward and stood beside her mother, chiming in, "That's right, Cousin Xiao Lan, think about it carefully. When you were little, you often came to our house to play, and my mother and I treated you so well! Whenever there was something delicious at home, my mother would never skimp on you; she would always be the first to think of saving some for you. Our friendship isn't something that developed overnight; how can you just forget it like that?" As she spoke, Yao Zhuzhu gently tugged at Xiao Lan's sleeve, as if trying to evoke her past memories.

"Hmph! You should all understand that we're divorced now. If I remember correctly, you, Yao Zhuzhu, weren't even considered a member of the Jiang family! The reason we didn't make a huge fuss back then was because Cousin Yunbai still needed to take the imperial examination. How could he have a shameless, disgraceful mother? That's why we showed mercy and didn't wipe him out. But that's not a reason for you to push your luck and act recklessly! If you really want to completely turn your back on us, we can just make Cousin Yunbai give up the imperial examination. But you should think it over carefully." "Well, my second uncle doesn't only have Yunbai as a son. If Yunbai's future is ruined because of you, I hope you'll still be so stubborn then!" Xiao Lan said with a cold smile, paused for a moment, and then slowly added, "Furthermore, your Yao family must have many grandchildren who need to take the imperial examinations, as well as granddaughters of marriageable age who are looking for partners, right? Are you really willing to watch them all suffer because of you?"