Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

So, Su Wanshan tentatively asked, "Sister, what... do you mean?"

Su Qianrou said jokingly, "My body is in Cao Ying but my heart is in Han. My sister probably doesn't know, but Yuehong is really loyal to me. Oh, no, I should say she likes me to death. Every time our parents send something over, she always thinks of me first, and I always come right away. If you didn't know, you would think that Yuehong is a spy that my sister planted next to me."

Now, Su Wanshan and Yuehong were completely panicked.

Yuehong hurriedly knelt down and explained in a panic, "Miss, I didn't, I didn't mean it."

Su Wanshan pretended to be on the verge of tears, "Sister, how could I possibly plant a spy by your side? Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare to do that. If Mother found out, wouldn't she hate me even more?"

“Of course I knew my sister wouldn’t do that, so it was just a joke. Why did you take it seriously? And Yuehong, why are you kneeling down? Get up.”

Yuehong didn't stand up, but looked at her nervously.

"What, do you expect me to help you up myself?"

"This servant dares not," Yuehong finally stood up, though she was still somewhat nervous.

"Alright, I'm a little tired, you can go back now, little sister."

"Sister, Yuehong is your maid, I can't accept her."

"Why not? She likes you, and you happen to need a maid. I'm just doing you a favor."

"But……".

"Alright, sister, it's just a small matter. Why do you keep making excuses? Let's just leave it at that."

Su Wanshan didn't know her intentions, so she could only agree first, "Then thank you very much, sister."

"You're too kind, little sister."

Afterwards, Su Wanshan left Qifeng Courtyard with Yuehong and Yuexin.

After they left, Juxia asked in confusion, "Miss, what happened...?"

"Do you know that killing someone is like killing their heart? Destroying what she cares about little by little is far more painful for her than killing her outright?"

Juxia and Chunzhu stared at her in shock, never expecting her to say such a thing, and with such a calm expression, as if she were doing something insignificant.

Seeing that they didn't speak, Su Qianrou looked at them and saw their incredulous expressions. "What, do you think I'm ruthless?"

"No, it's just that I feel Miss has changed quite a bit," Juxia said.

“Kindness is often taken advantage of. I was too kind before, which is why she did such a heinous thing. Now that I have already died once, if she does it again, then all the effort I put into saving my life would have been in vain.”

“It’s wonderful that you think this way, Miss. I told you long ago that the Second Miss had ill intentions, but you didn’t believe me,” Chunzhu said excitedly.

"From now on, my principle is: I will not offend others unless they offend me, and if they offend me, I will retaliate." Su Qianrou took the opportunity to make changes and let them accept her as she was now.

Juxia and Chunzhu not only did not doubt her, but also agreed with her statement.

After leaving Qifeng Courtyard, Su Wanshan went to Lixiang Courtyard alone.

Aunt Liu was somewhat surprised to see her. "Why did you come alone? Where's Yuexin? Why didn't she come with you?"

Su Wanshan didn't answer, but walked over and sat down next to her with a heavy expression.

Aunt Liu couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Su Qianrou seems to know that I drugged her."

“That’s impossible,” Aunt Liu immediately denied, because she felt that Su Qianrou was too intelligent to discover what they had done.

Then, Su Wanshan voiced all her suspicions, "Before, every time that bitch Lin Rong talked about me, she would help me, but recently, she has chosen to turn a blind eye, and..."

After listening, Aunt Liu was also confused, but she still didn't believe that things had been exposed. "Given her personality, even if she only suspected something, she would definitely come to question you, let alone discover it. She wouldn't be silent like this now, and she didn't even mention that bitch Lin Rong."

"How do you know she didn't tell Lin Rong?"

"Given Lin Rong's fiercely protective nature, if she knew we were going to harm her precious daughter, would she be as calm as she is now?"

"Then tell me, why did Su Qianrou do this?"

"No matter the reason, it's always good to be on guard. Pay close attention to Yuehong; she can betray Su Qianrou, and she can betray you too."

"I see".

The next day, Su Qianrou leaned back on the couch, eating hibiscus cake while reading miscellaneous notes, feeling very comfortable.

A moment later, Chunzhu came in and said, "Miss, Madam and the Second Miss have left the manor."

Su Qianrou put the last bite of hibiscus cake into her mouth, then sat up. "Let's change our clothes and go out," she said, placing her notebook on the table.

"Miss, are you really going to the Spring Banquet? If Madam finds out, she might be angry," Chunzhu said worriedly.

"It's okay, I'll just sweet-talk her and coax her."

“Miss, you’re not fully recovered yet. Why don’t you wait until next time?” Juxia advised.

"Yes, Miss, although it is already March, it is still a bit chilly. Your illness is not fully recovered yet. If you catch a cold again, it would be a loss."

"It's alright, just wear more clothes," she said, and walked into the inner room.

Helpless, Chunzhu and Juxia had no choice but to follow.

Afterwards, Su Qianrou changed into a light green, diagonally-buttoned, high-necked long gown, embroidered with lifelike magnolia flowers, and wore a light green pleated skirt, which perfectly complemented the vibrant spring.

At the gate of the mansion, Su Qianrou and Chunzhu were about to leave when, unexpectedly, Su Jing'an was also in the mansion and was walking towards them.

Su Qianrou was somewhat surprised to see him. "Father, what are you doing in the mansion? Shouldn't you be at the government office at this hour?"

"I came back to get something... Are you going out?"

"Yes, I want to go to the Spring Banquet."

"Didn't your mother tell you not to go, and to stay at home and recuperate properly?"

"So I waited until she left before sneaking over," Su Qianrou said playfully.

Su Jing'an couldn't help but smile, and then said affectionately, "You... you're feeling much better now. It's cold outside, so wear more clothes and don't catch a cold."

"I won't get cold. Look, Chunzhu and Juxia are so afraid I'll get cold, they practically want to wrap me up like a dumpling," Su Qianrou said, stretching out her arms to show him how round she looked.

Su Jing'an looked at her with a smile, "Even if it's a zongzi, it's the most beautiful zongzi in the world."

"Dad, I can't tell if you're mocking me or praising me."

"Of course I'm praising you. Our Rou'er is the most beautiful," Su Jing'an said, affectionately patting her head.

Su Qianrou looked at him, her face smiling, but her feelings were somewhat complicated. Even though many days had passed, she was still touched by the doting affection that Su Jing'an and Lin Rong showed her, and a ripple of emotion stirred within her.

Afterwards, Su Jing'an personally escorted her to the outskirts of the city.