Cold-faced Empress

"Can……"

Fu Siying waved her hand, unwilling to say more, and then scolded, "You were too reckless. You shouldn't have agreed to this. I was already close to forcing her to give up the idea of ​​having you as her guarantor!"

She strongly disagreed with Luo Qiansu's offer of help.

Luo Qiansu, whose expression was serious, paused for a moment, then shook her head: "I'm doing this for your own good."

"for me?"

"If things don't work out with her and the agreement gets leaked, with me as your guarantor, I can at least offer some defense on your behalf. You could even say that we were both coerced by her. But without a guarantor, if things fail, you'll have absolutely no way to maneuver!"

Fu Siying was well aware of this. She was afraid of implicating Luo Qiansu, but she didn't expect that Luo Qiansu was also thinking of her.

This is a friend worth making sincerely. She just never understood why Luo Qiansu was so good to her. They had only known each other for a short time, yet Luo Qiansu was already opening her heart to her.

"Qian Su, thank you so much. I don't know what I've done to deserve such treatment from you." Fu Siying was somewhat moved. She dared not trust anyone anymore, except for Luo Qian Su, who made her feel at ease.

This warmth is of utmost importance.

Luo Qiansu smiled and took her hand, and the two walked out of the woods: "You don't know, I have actually admired you for a long time. I think a woman like you is free and easy, which is enviable. My personality and family background do not allow me to be like you."

Fu Siying could only manage a wry smile; she utterly disagreed with Luo Qiansu's idea. Carefree and straightforward? If she could, she'd prefer to be a quiet and virtuous ordinary girl.

Luo Qiansu smiled: "I've never had the chance to befriend you before, but thanks to the Qixi Palace Banquet, we met. I'm more than happy to have your approval as a friend and to be able to help you."

Looking at Luo Qiansu's hands clasped together, Fu Siying smiled, her heart filled with an overwhelming warmth.

Thank you.

Thank you that someone is still able to help her.

……

After pretending to return home to bury their deceased father, Qingyi and Runyi officially moved into Xiao Li's new house. They received no wages; Xiao Li simply provided them with food and lodging.

If Madam Li knew that these twin maids were ruthless characters who had killed people, I wonder if she would still be happy to have gotten two maids to serve her for free.

Wei Lanling is currently imprisoned in the Marquis of Wei's mansion to protect the child in her womb, whose existence is uncertain. The Marquis and his wife, because their only son Ning Ruicheng was castrated and their fiefdom was taken back by the Emperor, should have apologized to Fu Siying, but they made no move to do so, appearing completely resigned to their fate.

On the surface, Fu Siying couldn't do anything to them. But behind the scenes, she simply found young lads and beggars on the street to teach them some doggerel, making the joke about the Marquis of Wei's mansion known to everyone in the capital, causing quite a stir.

The Marquis of Wei's household was furious and vented all their anger on Wei Lanling. She was provided with food and drink, but also constantly subjected to verbal abuse and curses, causing her immense suffering.

The other family that should apologize to Fu Siying, the Grand Princess Sumin's residence, sent some gold and silver jewelry with an arrogant and condescending attitude, and the servants acted as if they were giving alms to beggars.

Did she really think that the grudge Hu Lingjing had caused her could be settled with just some money and a three-month house arrest?

She only made a note of it for the time being, since the most urgent task was to protect Yunzhi from being summoned to the palace.

Just two days later, Fu Siying and Xia Suxi began their transaction.

Suddenly, anecdotes about the Imperial Scholar Xia began to circulate widely in the capital. The Xia family had produced many literary giants and great scholars; the patriarch of the family had been the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince when the Emperor was still the Crown Prince. The Imperial Scholar Xia had a legitimate daughter who was also exceptionally talented.

The interesting tidbit is related to Miss Xia.

The discussion was lively in the streets and alleys, teahouses and restaurants.

"The eldest daughter of the Xia family has admired Prince Mu for many years and has been in love with him since childhood. For this reason, the Xia family has rejected the advances of many noble families. This is something that all the aristocratic families know!"

"Miss Xia and Miss Hu are close friends, and Miss Hu is also the cousin of the Emperor and Prince Mu. It is conceivable that Miss Hu must often try to bring the two together."

"Both of them are talented and beautiful. Isn't Prince Mu suffering from a cold constitution? And Miss Xia also seems aloof and elegant. I think they are a perfect match."

Rumors about Xia Suxi's long-standing affection for Prince Mu, her determination to marry no one else, and the perfect match between the two spread like wildfire, instantly dominating the conversations of everyone in the capital. Previous reports of Prince Lian trying to woo Miss Xia were long forgotten.