Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

After settling her younger sister in, Xiao Lan gave her aunt a meaningful look. The aunt and niece returned to the outer hall. After they sat down, Jiang Xiuzhi looked at Xiao Lan. "Lanlan, is there something you want to tell your aunt?" "Aunt, you really can't hide anything from you," Xiao Lan said with a faint smile. "Aunt, I was supposed to leave for Minglu Academy in ten days." Xiao Lan looked at Jiang Xiuzhi. "I wonder when Aunt plans to return to the capital? If the timing is close, perhaps we can return together." Xiao Lan was a literature enthusiast in modern times, and she had nine years of compulsory education. She genuinely loved poetry and prose. In addition, during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, the Great Xia Kingdom expanded its territory and waged wars for many years, resulting in a decline in civil officials. Therefore, during the reign of Emperor Taizu, a girls' academy was established. Many of the girls' academy students were sought after by military families. Now, Emperor Gaozong has further expanded schools and opened up a system of co-education. Minglu Academy is located in the suburbs of the capital and is considered the highest institution of learning in the Great Xia Kingdom. It is only open to the children of officials of the fifth rank or above with excellent academic performance. However, in order to attract more talented people, it will release eight places for boys and two places for girls each year. Those who can be recommended by local officials or renowned scholars to take the entrance exam will be given priority based on their academic performance. Ye Lanyi was actually not qualified to enter the academy according to her rank, while Xiao Lan was. However, in their previous lives, it was the opposite. Xiao Lan entered the academy by writing a recommendation letter under the pseudonym of Young Master Lan, while Ye Lanyi found her aunt, who had become an Imperial Noble Consort, and entered the academy as the niece of the Imperial Noble Consort. As a result, her rivals found a handle on her and caused quite a stir in the court.

"As you know, I brought Yuyu to visit your maternal grandparents. They went to your eldest uncle's house, and I was thinking of discussing our return date after they come back."

Jiang Chunlai, the maternal grandfather of the Jiang family, and his maternal grandmother had two sons and two daughters.

The eldest son, Jiang Yanming, was married to a woman from the Wang family of Lingnan for twenty-five years. They had one son and one daughter: the eldest son, Jiang Boyi, and the second daughter, Jiang Feiyan.

The second son, Jiang Chang'an, had a son and a daughter with Yao. The eldest daughter was Jiang Zhuzhu, and the second son was Jiang Yunbai.

The third woman, Jiang Nihuang, Xiao Lan's mother, had one son and one daughter: Xiao Mu'an and Xiao Lan.

The fourth daughter, Jiang Xiuzhi, died in childbirth at a young age. Years later, she had a daughter, Wu Yuyu. Jiang Nihuang and Jiang Xiuzhi married at the same time, but their only daughter was a year younger than Xiao Lan. However, this wasn't the main point. In her previous life, Xiao Lan was indecisive and impulsive, but a letter from her aunt before her death revealed the truth: her maternal grandmother was actually her maternal grandfather's second wife. Although her grandmother was a renowned beauty, her poor health prevented anyone from marrying her, as her sickly condition was considered detrimental to having children. Her maternal grandfather, heartbroken after the death of his wife, returned to his hometown with colleagues during a break and saw her grandmother, becoming instantly captivated by her beauty and proposing to marry her as his second wife. At the time, the Huang family was a branch of the wealthiest family in Liaodong City, and they were very wealthy. Finally, they married off their sickly daughter, and the family was overjoyed, sending her off with a magnificent wedding procession, causing a sensation throughout the city. The maternal grandmother, fearing the difficulty of conceiving due to her ailing health, treated the maternal grandfather with tenderness and affection. Soon, he began residing in the main wife's quarters, and in the first year, she gave birth to her eldest son. Moreover, the maternal grandmother's health improved, and in the second year, she gave birth to her second son. Therefore, the maternal grandmother favored her eldest son immensely, considering him a lucky star who not only solidified her position as the main wife but also, with the birth of her child, cured her own illness.

My maternal grandfather's first wife died in childbirth, and their daughter also perished. Therefore, he doted on his first daughter, Xiao Nihuang, showering her with affection and affection. He was a complete doting father.

The remaining two children, including the second uncle, had difficulty walking due to a serious illness he suffered as a child, resulting in a noticeable limp. He also received considerable favoritism from his parents.

On the contrary, the youngest aunt received less care than her older brothers and sisters, so Xiao Lan knew that her aunt's words were just an excuse. The truth was probably related to the Wu family; the matriarch had no male heir and was not favored by her husband, so the concubines and mistresses were naturally eager to take advantage. It was quite distressing. However, Xiao Lan knew that if her aunt returned to the capital in a year, just like in her previous life, the General's Mansion would truly be in turmoil. In her previous life, Wu De had taken Qin Rong, the sister of one of his officers, into his household. This Qin Rong was also a formidable character. Her brother had previously been stationed at a camp outside the capital and was rarely home. After her mother's death, she, having grown up playing martial arts with her brother, wasn't very skilled at needlework, so she made a living by collecting herbs in the mountains. Once, she rescued someone who had fallen off a cliff in the mountains. Alone in a room with her brother, they quickly became intimate. Coincidentally, the man who fell off the cliff was a well-known poison doctor in the martial arts world. During his time recuperating at the Qin family's house, he taught Qin Rong some simple poison recipes. After his injuries healed, the poison doctor left without leaving a single word. Later, perhaps heartbroken, Qin Rong became reckless and decided to marry anyone she could find. However, almost no one she liked was willing to marry her, as Nancheng was a small city. Anyone who wanted to marry knew about her affair with the poison doctor. Good families certainly wouldn't dare to marry her. Later, a wealthy man was willing to take her as a concubine, but the dowry was only a single load of fruits and vegetables, without even a decent piece of jewelry. Clearly, they knew the inside story. Qin Rong later discussed it with her brother, and through the magistrate's intercession, she got a job as a cook at the general's mansion. Within two months, she went from an ordinary cook to the general's personal cook. Later, it was said that Wu De was drunk and she was forced to stay. That night, Wu De called for water three times in his room. The next day, she was elevated to the rank of Consort Rong. A year later, after giving birth to Wu De's youngest son, Wu Laibao, she was further elevated to the rank of Secondary Consort. Later, the aunt died in sorrow. After her cousin married, she directly became a Consort Ru, wielding significant power as the matriarch.

Judging by the time, Qin Rong shouldn't have entered the Martial Academy yet. In her previous life, Xiao Lan had always suspected that her aunt's death was related to Qin Rong, but she lacked evidence. In this life, Xiao Lan was determined to prevent Qin Rong from entering the academy, and even if she couldn't, she would take all necessary precautions. Thinking of this, Xiao Lan composed herself and looked at Jiang Xiuzhi, saying, "Aunt, there are some things I shouldn't say, but you have always doted on Lan'er since childhood, and Yu-meimei and I have been close since we were little. My mother didn't give me any more siblings, so Yu-meimei is practically my own sister. I've often heard people say that only when parents are loving and harmonious can their children be fully protected."

After listening, Jiang Xiuzhi stared intently at Xiao Lan. Although she knew her niece was clever from a young age, she hadn't expected her to speak with such insightful wisdom. She guessed that what she'd heard was that her older sister was worried about her. But that made sense; even if she and Wu De didn't get along, they couldn't show it to outsiders. That would make her feel better, but it would only subject Yu'er to suspicion and contempt. Thinking this, Jiang Xiuzhi composed herself and smiled, "Lan'er is right. My Lan'er is indeed clever. Your aunt has been away for almost half a year now. Things at the General's Mansion are complicated, and your uncle is rather careless. Let's discuss the date after your maternal grandfather returns in a couple of days, say goodbye, and then return to the capital together. You can stay at your aunt's house for a couple of days first, settle in, and then go to the academy to report."

Xiao Lan was secretly pleased; it seemed her aunt had taken her advice to heart. She no longer needed to prepare a long explanation. She simply said goodbye to her aunt and returned to her own courtyard.