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

Chen Yiru received the letter, but Qin Yao was unaware of it, so she remained worried.

It is certain that Yu Zhi did not die in this riot.

However, Chen Yiru is an unknown. She didn't go there in her previous life, so what will her fate be?

Qin Yao was extremely worried.

It's been so long that she really couldn't remember it without some kind of prompt.

Although Qin Yao wrote several more letters and had them sent out by fast horse, she was still afraid that they would be blocked outside and unable to get in.

When Chen Jinzhi arrived, Qin Yao was still thinking about her past life.

It wasn't until Qiu Liu reminded her that she came to her senses.

"Greetings, Sister Qin!" Chen Jinzhi bowed politely.

This greatly upset Qin Yao.

"How can this be..."

"Sister, there's no need to be modest." Chen Jinzhi raised her hand to stop Qin Yao from stepping forward.

"I have already given so much in return for what I did for the academy. Now that you have troubled me to bring a doctor to save my life, how can I not thank you?"

After saying that, he bowed deeply to Qin Yao.

Qin Yao was satisfied with Chen Jinzhi; he was knowledgeable, had good character, and knew how to be grateful—a person worthy of being befriended.

"Then I'll take the liberty of calling you Jinzhi. Come, sit down!"

Since we were in the hall and there were maids and nannies present, there was no need to be overly discreet.

However, Chen Jinzhi still felt apologetic.

"Jinzhi originally wanted her elders to come with her, but now... it's too abrupt..."

Qin Yao understood perfectly well that Madam Jiang was no longer in charge of the household, and even if she were, she wouldn't help a mere illegitimate son like him.

Needless to say, Aunt Shen was unable to go out and receive guests.

Qin Yao was still unmarried, and she was afraid of being criticized if a man from another family came to visit.

He didn't want to let the debt of saving his life pass by so easily, so he personally visited to show his sincerity.

"Jinzhi, there's no need to worry. You've come to visit the Qin family; no one will dare to object."

Qin Yao dared to take responsibility for the Qin family, so naturally she wasn't afraid of rumors and gossip.

Besides, rumors are all public opinion, and what kind of public opinion can't be solved with money?

Anyone who dares to say anything about her, I'll have them stripped bare and exposed tomorrow, let's see whose gossip is more captivating.

Chen Jinzhi felt relieved when he heard Qin Yao say that.

"Oh right, I haven't congratulated Jinzhi on getting into high school yet!" Qin Yao said with a smile.

She was a female guest and didn't see him; she just delivered a gift and left early. It's perfect time for her to congratulate him now.

"I also want to thank my sister for her congratulatory gift; Jinzhi really likes it."

The others gave him precious treasures, just to save face for his father.

Only Qin Yao gave him something that was meant for him as a person.

"I'm glad you like it. If you need anything in the future, you can always visit the Treasure Pavilion."

The items all come from her shop, not from her own collection, and there's nothing to hide about that.

Qin Yao looked at Chen Jinzhi, then suddenly changed the subject and started talking about Chen Yiru.

Has your sister written to you?

"I've been here." Chen Jinzhi hesitated for a moment, then continued, "My sister warned me to be careful of my older brother, but..."

After all, he was his own brother, and they were blood relatives. His brother sent him a letter asking him to come over, saying that he had something to discuss.

He didn't suspect anything, thinking it was his own estate and he had servants there, but...

However, he had no concrete evidence, since his memory was limited to having dinner with Sharon Chan.

Everyone knows it can't be anyone else but him, but no one has any proof.

"It's all in the past, and he's been punished," Qin Yao comforted him.

If Chen's father still had some fatherly affection for him before, now he has completely given up on him.

The baby in Jiang Qianqian's belly won't be a threat; they'd better pray it's a girl, otherwise...

I'm afraid it won't last long.

Chen Jinzhi left after sitting for a short while. Qingzhi took the gift box inside, talking as she walked.

"Young Master Chen is really too kind, bringing so many things with him all at once."

Qiu Liu said, "Compared to my own life, what is this little bit of stuff? Besides, our young lady has contributed far more than she has!"

Aside from the money from Kangshan Academy, Doctor Li's money, the medicine, and the money for helping to rob Chen Minzhi.

This cannot be measured simply by money.

Qin Yao listened to their bickering lazily, leaning back in her chair and lost in thought.

Chen Yiru really is the type to only report good news and not bad news. It's likely that no one in her family, except for her father, knows the situation.

Lunch had just been set out when Liu Qingping arrived.

Just then, the bowls and chopsticks were added, and Liu Qingping and Qin Yao ate while sharing what they had just seen.

"I don't know what happened, but the Third Prince actually led his personal guards out of the city and even called my cousin Jinghong away."

Otherwise, she wouldn't have come out. She originally wanted to chase after him to gossip, but she was scolded instead. Liu Qingping pouted. The Third Prince even went to discuss it with the Princess's mother.

Her brother came back too, leaving her the only one excluded.

"Personnel? Leaving the city?" Qin Yao put down her chopsticks, her mind racing.

Who is the Third Prince? He led his personal guards out of the city.

"Did they...?" Qin Yao looked at Liu Qingping's confused eyes and withdrew her question about mobilizing troops with the tiger tally.

Obviously, they didn't know.

"Is there anything?" Liu Qingping asked.

"It's nothing, you eat first!" Qin Yao said, standing up and sending someone to find Mo Yao to inquire about the whereabouts of the Third Prince.

"Hey! Sister Qin!" Liu Qingping also stood up. Seeing Qin Yao leave, she forgot about her meal and chased after Qin Yao, calling out, "Wait for me!"

Qin Yao headed straight for the city gate, and Liu Qingping had a carriage follow behind her.

Mo Yao was on duty today and received a message from Qin Yao. He was already waiting at the door.

Qin Yao arrived at the city gate tower, lifted the curtain, and Mo Yao walked over and whispered:

"Miss, the Third Prince has gone south."

Mo Yao didn't know why Miss Qin Yao was inquiring about the Third Prince's whereabouts, but he believed that Qin Yao must have her own reasons, and he just needed to listen to her.

The south is directly in the direction of the military camp. The Third Prince's trip... really is to mobilize troops to quell the rebellion!

Qin Yao just wanted to get out of the city as soon as possible, so she didn't say anything to Mo Yao and had Er Jiu drive the car out of the city.

Liu Qingping followed immediately. Yang Yu, who had just seen Mo Yao and Qin Yao talking, saw his sister's carriage, greeted his colleagues, and rode after them.

Qin Yao's carriage was moving very fast, and Liu Qingping was struggling to keep up, but she didn't stop, nor did she stop when she heard Yang Yu's voice.

She now roughly knows that Qin Yao is going to chase after the Third Prince. Her brother just scolded her for being ignorant and forbade her to get close. Now she wants to go and see for herself.

By the time Yang Yu caught up, Qin Yao had already spotted the people resting in the pavilion not far ahead.

It was the Third Prince and Yang Jinghong who had left the city.

Qin Yao stopped ten meters away from the pavilion, only then realizing that she had been a bit presumptuous.

Why should she stop him, and why should he listen to her "nonsense"?

Even if it were true, wouldn't he suspect her...?

Qin Yao hesitated for a moment, and then, hearing Yang Yu lecturing Liu Qingping from behind, she lifted the curtain and came down.

The people on the other side all looked over, especially the Third Prince's personal guards.

They were on high alert, their hands on their weapons, and they did not relax at all even when they saw Qin Yao, a woman.

Qin Yao came down, but instead of going to find the Third Prince, she looked at Yang Jinghong.