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

As a businessman, he had many servants in his household who knew martial arts, and several martial arts instructors. Qin Liu was one of them.

He had already mastered his skills and was considered one of the best among the servants who practiced martial arts. Qin Yao would often take him with her when she went out.

He was taciturn and not good with words. He seemed honest and kind. If it weren't for her past life, she would never have imagined that he would betray her.

Merchants value profit even more than reputation, and the Qin family is no exception. Qin's father always taught them to conduct business with conscience and to live with conscience.

Therefore, most of the servants in the house were poor people they had taken in.

Orphaned and yet deeply indebted to.

They are not afraid of being betrayed.

Qin Liu was someone she picked up and had always stayed with her, but he betrayed her because of a piece of cake!

It's hard to say whether she was just unlucky and misjudged people, or whether Qin Liu was simply a heartless and treacherous person.

Regardless, she felt no guilt whatsoever about using this kind of person.

Soon, Qin Liu arrived at the door in his carriage, and Qin Yao came out with two maids.

Her carriage was very luxurious. It was made for her by her father with the emperor's personal permission. He hired a famous craftsman, the master of Shu embroidery, and used golden nanmu wood and silk threads as the main materials.

The interior was also exceptionally spacious. Although it couldn't compare to the carriages in the Imperial Palace, it was unique in Kyoto, except for the royal family.

The carriage swayed and rattled until it arrived at the entrance of the Marquis's residence.

In the past, Qin Yao would always show her generosity by arriving early to pay her respects, while Jiang Xiaoxiao would have to get ready.

But this time, she deliberately arrived a little late. It was already quite late, so Jiang Xiaoxiao, who couldn't wait any longer, was already standing at the door.

Seeing the carriage approaching, he couldn't wait to go forward, but was pulled back by someone behind him, and stood still.

Two maids had already gotten out of the carriage to invite her, but Jiang Xiaoxiao remained motionless. Qin Yao lifted the carriage curtain and asked her curiously.

"Little sister Xiaoxiao, are you not going? If not, I'll be leaving now."

Jiang Xiaoxiao was taken aback by Qin Yao's words and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Who said I'm not going?!"

Furious, why didn't Qin Yao get out of the car to invite her in today?

She's a daughter of a noble family, and Qin Yao didn't even get out of the carriage—how could she possibly save face?

"Why isn't my sister getting on the bus? It's getting late, and if she doesn't get on soon, she'll be late." Qin Yao still looked innocent.

"I……!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted to retort, but Jiang Su, who was standing to the side, had already spoken up.

"Alright, get in the car now!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao's face turned pale and then red. After a moment of hesitation, she got into the carriage with the help of her maid.

After entering, he ignored Qin Yao and sat to the side, sulking.

Meanwhile, Jiang Su had already mounted his horse and was preparing to set off.

"Where is Your Highness going?" Qin Yao asked knowingly.

"I will escort you there!"

That's a very clever way of putting it; it's just for my sister and fiancée, and has nothing to do with the daughter of the Vice Minister's family.

Even if something happens later, it has nothing to do with him.

Qin Yao smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

I hope you will remain calm in the future.

The curtain was lowered, and the carriage headed towards its destination.

"Get our young lady some food to tide her over!" Jiang Xiaoxiao's maid, Changwu, said.

Her voice wasn't quiet, and Qin Yao, who was resting with her eyes closed, frowned and opened them.

Jiang Xiaoxiao did not scold her, but turned her face away from Qin Yao.

She's angry and wants her maid to stand up for her.

Qin Yao glanced at Qingzhi, who immediately understood.

"Changwu, didn't you prepare any food for your young lady before you left? We just ate before leaving, and she didn't ask for anything. Why don't you ask the young master to go and buy some for Miss Jiang?"

Qingzhi spoke without even taking a breath, expressing her dissatisfaction with their increasingly demanding attitude, as if they were easy to bully.

Of course, she wasn't wrong; they really didn't bring anything, it was intentional, this Miss Jiang always comes to seek attention.

She immediately wanted to eat this and that, so the young lady bought some to keep on hand, treating her with the same tolerance and care as her own younger sister, but she didn't seem grateful.

Changwu's face stiffened as she looked at Jiang Xiaoxiao.

"Sister Qin, what did I do to offend you?" Jiang Xiaoxiao put away her arrogance and put on a wronged look.

"No? Why would my sister think that?"

"Sister didn't plan to go. It was only because your brother came to find me early this morning that I hurriedly got ready to leave. Is my sister really upset that I wasn't prepared?"

Being a "white lotus" (a person who is innocent and naive) is something everyone can do, right?

She's just putting on an act. What hasn't she seen in the business world? If Jiang Xiaoxiao weren't deliberately being indulged, would anyone really think she's an easy fool to manipulate?

Jiang Xiaoxiao, who had expected to be comforted and benefit from the situation, was speechless.

"So that's how it is. I misunderstood you, sister."

Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was not good at being humble, naturally did not apologize or reprimand her maid. She made a few indifferent remarks and then the conversation cooled down.

Fortunately, the road to Shennv Lake is not far, otherwise I don't know how long I would have been embarrassed.

The carriage was parked by the lake, and a painted boat was moored right in front of us.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was the first to get off the carriage, and without waiting for Qin Yao behind her, she eagerly boarded the ship.

When Qin Yao got off the train, she saw several carriages parked by the roadside and Jiang Su standing to one side.

"Isn't Your Highness going back yet?" Qin Yao asked knowingly.

"I have made an appointment with someone, and we will travel together when my friend arrives."

Qin Yao nodded, indicating that the work was being done well.

She hadn't asked in her past life because she thought Jiang Su didn't trust her either.

They arrived rather late; the pleasure boat was already filled with many people, all of whom were close friends with the Vice Minister's daughter, Xia Qiutang.

They weren't particularly high-status individuals; they were either illegitimate daughters or held low-ranking official positions.

Not many people come, and even the mistress of a high-ranking family is not allowed to attend.

This also makes things easier for them, because if something happens and the other party isn't of high status, they won't dare to act arrogantly.

"Qin Liu, you stay on the shore," Qin Yao instructed.

"Yes, Miss!" Qin Liu replied respectfully.

If it weren't for those eyes inadvertently glancing at the people on the ship, Qin Yao would have truly believed in his loyalty.

Unfortunately, he was destined to be Xia Qiutang's dog.

As soon as Qin Yao boarded the ship, Xia Qiutang came to greet her, acting as if the two were very familiar with each other, and intimately took her arm.

"Yaoyao, you're finally here! Come on, let's go over there."

"You can't hit someone who's smiling," Qin Yao smiled and agreed, then followed her to the other side.

There are fewer people here, making it easier to operate!

Qin Yao glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was surrounded by her friends. Anyone who didn't know better would think she had come alone!

"Yaoyao, I'm so happy you could come today."

Happy? Qin Yao almost burst out laughing.

Xia Qiutang probably doesn't want to see her right now!

After all, she occupied the position that Xia Qiutang wanted.

"Miss Xia, you're too kind. It's just that the young master invited me, and Xiaoxiao is coming too, so I couldn't refuse."

Regardless, she wanted Xia Qiutang to know that she wasn't going to do anything for Xia Qiutang's sake.

Xia Qiutang's smile faltered, and she gave him an awkward laugh.

Qin Yao wanted to tell her to stop smiling because of her insincere expression.

"Come on, Yao Yao, this is the best spot to enjoy the view." Xia Qiutang changed the subject and led Qin Yao toward the side of the boat.

Qin Yao naturally understood her intentions and followed her without objection.

Standing by the boat, Qin Yao's smile deepened. In her past life, she had fallen off here.

She fell into the water, and several servants actually jumped in to save her. If Qiu Liu hadn't been able to swim and rescued her first, her reputation would probably have been ruined long ago.

No matter what, the Marquis's mansion would never accept a woman with a tarnished reputation as its mistress.

Therefore, she only had two choices: either marry the man who saved her, or the Marquis's mansion would still want her and make her a concubine.

No, perhaps there is only one. The Marquis's mansion will not let the money that is about to be taken away, so it will still fulfill the marriage contract, but demote the wife to a concubine.

Outsiders would only praise the Marquis's family for their righteousness.

In this way, they gained both fame and money.

"Yaoyao, did you see that? There's a red bird on that mountain over there!"

As Xia Qiutang spoke, she moved closer. Just a second before she was about to press down on her, Qin Yao took a step to the side and then turned around.

"where?"

"what!"

Two voices sounded at the same time.

Xia Qiutang, who was about to fall towards Qin Yao, lost her balance and fell into the water when Qin Yao dodged her.

With a "thump," screams came from the surrounding girls.

"Someone has fallen into the water! Quick! Save them!"

Qin Yao pretended to be panicked and took a few steps back to avoid being seen from below the boat.

Qiu Liu supported her from behind and nodded to her.

Qingzhi had already run to the side, shouting for Qin Liu to go and save people.

The servants who had been prepared in advance, along with Qin Liu, all went into the water, making the lake as lively as if dumplings were being boiled.