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

Jiang Su has disappeared.

The next day, the Jiang family found Jiang Liu lying on the ground, while Jiang Su was nowhere to be found, and immediately reported it to the authorities.

It just so rained heavily last night, and the rainwater washed away the traces, making it difficult to determine the direction he left in.

As for those she offended, for Jiang Su's safety, Liu disregarded her pride and spoke of Xia Qiutang's affairs.

However, when the officials went there, they were only told that the person hadn't even left the house.

Just let it go.

Upon hearing that the authorities could not find anyone, Liu suddenly lost her sense of security.

She was used to relying on others, but now her son was missing, Jiang Liu was in a coma, and Xia Qiutang had also betrayed her son.

Jiang Xiaoxiao is even worse than her, what is she supposed to do!

Liu felt like she was going to faint. The official's reply seemed far off, so Liu had to go out with the nanny and the others to search for him.

Jiang Xiaoxiao searched the whole way, complaining the whole way.

"That damned Xiao Liu, why is he always nowhere to be found when we need him!"

Unfortunately, Xiao Liu, who had already returned to the Qin family, couldn't hear it.

After searching for several days without finding a trace, Liu had no choice but to give up.

There was always a glimmer of hope in my heart that Jiang Su might have just gone out for a short while and would be back in a few days.

Meanwhile, Qin Yao received two invitations, both inviting her to a banquet.

One letter was from the princess's residence, and the other was from the Chen family.

Fortunately, the two locations were only a day apart, otherwise she would have had to rush.

Qiu Liu quickly prepared gifts for Qin Yao to choose from.

The gifts given to scholars are nothing more than writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and rare calligraphy and paintings. Qin Yao felt there was nothing to be picky about; the main thing was to see what the person lacked.

Qiu Liu asked Er Jiu to ask Wang Sheng, and Qin Yao also mentioned it in her letter to Chen Yiru.

The two quickly picked out their gifts.

Yang Jinghong was a great lover of calligraphy, and the gift he presented was a piece of calligraphy by the late Mr. Yunyi from the previous dynasty.

Chen Jinzhi loved reading, so Qin Yao picked out a few rare books and sent them to him.

Chen Yiru couldn't come back, so she asked Qin Yao to take better care of her younger brother.

Qin Yao didn't care too much. After all, he was the only precious grandson of the Chen family. Apart from helping him at the academy, she really couldn't think of any other way she could take care of him.

I assumed it was just that Chen Yiru was confused because she was concerned.

The day for the Princess's residence was approaching, and when the day arrived, Qin Yao took a carriage to the Princess's residence.

Yang Jinghong was low-key and never revealed his identity. It was only when the Princess held a banquet for him that everyone realized that he was actually the famous heir of the Marquis of Dingbei.

Of course, Qin Yao also knew a little about the Marquis of Dingbei's affairs.

The Marquis of Dingbei was stationed in the north and could not return to the capital without being summoned. Although the Marquis of Dingbei and his family made sacrifices and contributions to the country, they were also feared by the emperor.

Their fates were either to have their military power revoked and be trapped in Kyoto, or... to die on the battlefield!

If the Marquis of Dingbei wanted to save himself, the only way was to have his children study literature.

They prayed for grace so that their son could enter the academy and participate in the imperial examinations.

However... in his previous life, Yang Jinghong was unable to take the exam, which was probably also due to the influence of those above him.

This life is different now; I hope these loyal generals can have a good ending.

The guests invited to the Princess's banquet were all wealthy and powerful, many of whom Qin Yao had never met before. Fortunately, she was pulled away by Liu Qingping as soon as she arrived.

Liu Qingping was terrified of a large number of relatives, but she was exceptionally kind to Qin Yao, and the two of them hid in the courtyard to steal a moment of peace.

The two didn't come out until the banquet began.

Of course, Liu Qingping was bound to be reprimanded; as the head of the household, she had simply vanished without a trace!

She wasn't embarrassed at all for taking the shortcut; she just apologized and that was the end of it.

The banquet was large, and Liu Qingping couldn't accompany her at the moment, so Qin Yao followed the maid to find a seat.

As soon as she sat down, Qin Yao looked around and politely smiled back at everyone.

This table is full of young ladies and wives; those who know each other exchange a few words, while those who don't are being introduced.

Qin Yao's arrival immediately drew puzzled looks from everyone.

When someone introduced her as Qin Yao from the Qin family, everyone suddenly realized who she was.

"So it was Miss Qin..."

Qin Yao greeted them one by one.

Most of the people who can come here are of a higher status than her.

"I've been wanting these things from Cuige Pavilion for a long time. I wonder if Miss Qin could do me the favor of opening a back door?"

Qin Yao looked at the woman who was speaking; she was Jiang, the wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue.

It's true that I like it, but it's not true that I can't buy it.

Since severing ties with the Jiang family, Diancui Pavilion's items have been reserved for the wealthy and powerful. How could they not be available? It's just that people don't bother to snatch them.

Knowing what she meant, Qin Yao responded with a smile.

"Madam is joking. What do you mean by inconvenience? It is Diancui Pavilion's good fortune that you have taken a liking to their products."

"Ladies and gentlemen, next month, the masters of Diancui Pavilion will be holding a jewelry forging competition. You must come! Everything in the shop will be discounted, and we guarantee you'll have a great time!"

When these women get together, they talk about clothes and jewelry, and once the topic turns to jewelry, they all become quite talkative.

In particular, when discussing the headdresses worn by the Chen family when their daughters were married off.

That thing is priceless, impossible to find! Who wouldn't want it?

Qin Yao handled the situation with ease, but Liu Qingping was stumped.

She was surrounded by royalty and nobles.

Especially Princess Jing'an, whom she disliked the most.

Liu Qingping had never been to the palace since childhood. She was a princess who appeared halfway through her life, and was also a princess who was "recognized".

How could someone like Jing'an, who considers himself superior, possibly be interested in her?

The two of them basically start arguing whenever they meet.

As soon as Jing'an sat down, she started firing at Liu Qingping:

"I heard that Qingping is getting very close to a merchant girl, a merchant girl who was jilted at the time?"

"Sister Qingping, don't forget your place and lest you disgrace the royal family!"

Liu Qingping hadn't intended to speak to her, but how could she tolerate her mentioning Qin Yao?

Just as I was about to lose my temper, I suddenly remembered what Qin Yao had said: some people just like to see others get angry; the calmer you are, the more anxious they become.

Then you poke at her sore spot and make her jump up and down.

Liu Qingping suppressed her anger and said calmly:

"Indeed, I can't compare to Sister Jing'an. I only got some dividends, but Sister Jing'an got a fiancé!"

Who doesn't know about the rivalry between Princess Jing'an and another princess, Jingyin, over one man?

Although Jing'an received the imperial decree for marriage, her reputation was completely ruined!

"you!……"

Princess Jing'an was so angry that her face turned ashen, but she couldn't find any words to refute her.

Liu Qingping wins this round.

The eldest princess sat upright and paid no attention to their quarrel.

However, the smile on her lips showed that she was very satisfied with Liu Qingping's performance.

After the banquet ended, Qin Yao said goodbye to Liu Qingping and left.

I still need to prepare for Chen Jinzhi's high school graduation banquet tomorrow.

However, just as Qin Yao arrived home, someone rushed in to report that something had happened to Chen Jinzhi!

……