The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Qin Yao returned home late at night, and the Princess specially instructed someone to escort her back.

Qin Yao got out of the car, thanked the housekeeper who brought her back, and watched the housekeeper leave before entering the house with Xiao Wu.

Qin Yao entrusted many matters of the Qin family to her nanny, focusing on external affairs herself, so there weren't many people in the family at the moment.

However, this does not prevent Qin Yao from increasing the guard force. She used to think it was unnecessary, but now it's different. Prince Lan is clearly coming for her.

Or perhaps it's also because of the eldest princess behind her.

The situation is unclear, so it's best to be cautious.

Qin Yao had Xiao Wu summon everyone back from outside and also transferred all the servants with some martial arts skills back from the manor before she could rest with peace of mind.

When she opened her eyes again, the house's defenses were almost in place.

The masters arranged the manpower, with Liu Dalai leading the team. From now on, the Qin family would have to go through them when coming and going.

Qin Yao listened to their report and nodded. She trusted them to handle things; they were all people left behind by her father, and these were minor issues for them.

"You should also keep an eye on things with the nanny. Try not to go out unless there's something urgent," Qin Yao instructed.

She has an impenetrable defense, but they might try to target the people around her, which would be troublesome.

"Don't worry, Miss, someone's with us. We'll head back as soon as we're done," Liu Da replied.

Qin Yao gestured for Qiu Liu to take out the item, and Qiu Liu turned around and took out a jade pendant, handing it to Liu Da.

"Hurry up and take a sip of tea!" Qin Yao instructed, picking up her teacup.

Liu Da accepted the jade pendant, turned around, and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"I will certainly live up to your expectations, Miss."

After saying that, he glanced at Qiu Liu beside him before striding away.

Qingzhi chuckled softly before picking up the teapot to add tea for Qin Yao, chattering as she poured.

"Brother Liu is as capable as ever! Miss, Brother Liu has already secured a house since he came back. Is the matchmaker ready?"

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, but before she could speak, Qiu Liu, who was standing to the side, had already come in, wrung out a handkerchief.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Qingzhi hurriedly dodged, and while dodging, she continued speaking, oblivious to her own mortality:

"Sister Qiuliu, you've wronged me! Brother Liu said it himself!"

Qingzhi laughed as she spoke, but Qiuliu, forgetting to hit her, blushed deeply, stomped her foot, covered her face, and ran out.

"Eh? Miss?" Qingzhi watched Qiuliu run away and was at a loss. She and Qiuliu were the closest, and she didn't want Qiuliu to be angry with her.

"It's alright, go and get ready first, then we'll go find the west side of the city."

Qin Yao didn't explain, and simply gave the order.

Although Qiu Liu is a bit older than Qing Zhi, it's understandable that she's shy since it's the first time she's met Qing Zhi. It wouldn't be good if she talked too much.

It's good that Qingzhi is confused; it makes Qiuliu less embarrassed.

Qingzhi admired her mistress the most, so she listened to everything her mistress said. Her mistress didn't explain, because it was for her own good. Therefore, she stopped thinking about it and happily went off to do her work.

After lunch, Qin Yao went out accompanied by Qingzhi.

Qiu Liu stayed at home. Firstly, she needed some peace and quiet after the teasing, and secondly, Qin Yao intended to promote her, so she had to take charge. In the future, when Qin Yao was not around, she would have to uphold the Qin family's reputation.

As for Liu Da...

He hasn't begged her yet, and Qiu Liu hasn't let a word out. Otherwise, if Xiao Wu had accidentally let it slip, Qin Yao might not know now.

After learning about this, Qin Yao observed Qiu Liu, who had expressed that she didn't want to find a husband, so she definitely couldn't force her.

At first, Qiu Liu was normal, but from some unknown day onwards, she often became absent-minded. Until one day, when she heard that someone was injured, Qiu Liu, who was grinding ink, accidentally knocked over the inkstone.

Qin Yao knew that she wasn't entirely unintentional.

Qin Yao also approached Liu Da afterward. She trusted Liu Da's character. However, Liu Da had previously told her that he wanted to achieve something before asking for her help, so as to give Qiu Liu some dignity.

With that, Qin Yao couldn't say anything more.

They followed her to do things for the princess, and if they did well, they might be able to ask for a favor later.

Qin Yao was naturally happy to see it happen.

As she was pondering, the carriage suddenly stopped. Qingzhi lifted the curtain to ask what was going on, and seeing something, she immediately turned around to show Qin Yao what was happening on the other side.

Qin Yao subconsciously turned her head and saw many women dressed in dance costumes getting off a magnificent carriage across the street.

This is... a dancer from the Prince of Lan's residence!

"Miss! Look!" Qingzhi pointed to the carriage behind them.

This carriage was about the same size as the one in front, but only one person got out.

To be precise, they carried one person down!

Qingzhi looked at the man's raised hand with surprise.

"She's alright?!"

Qin Yao naturally saw it too.

That person was none other than Jiang Xiaoxiao, whom everyone thought was in grave danger!

"Let's go!" Qin Yao lowered the curtain and told Xiao Wu to drive away.

Qin Yao didn't want to waste her time on people she didn't care about anyway.

Qingzhi could no longer see what was happening outside, but she knew that Jiang Xiaoxiao on the other side was lively and energetic. What surprised her even more was that her mistress was so calm.

At times like this, shouldn't we investigate, find the problem, and take action again?

That's it?

As the carriage slowly drove away, Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was opposite, seemed to sense something and suddenly asked someone to help her up.

Sure enough, upon closer inspection, they spotted the departing carriage.

She had ridden in the Qin family's carriages countless times, and she knew their markings and quality better than Qin Yao did.

Qin Yao saw her, didn't she? She saw that she came back alive!

Did you think she was dead?

This was the first time Jiang Xiaoxiao had smiled like this since her injury, because Qin Yao had no idea what she had gained...

If she can get things done for Prince Lan quickly, she can also enjoy herself.

……