After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

After returning to the woodshed, Xiao Ran immediately released her two imprisoned maids.

Once Chun Tao regained her freedom, she couldn't wait to get close to Xiao Ran and start talking non-stop, recounting all the grievances she had suffered. Her little mouth chattered on and on.

Xia He, however, was different; she keenly noticed her young lady's unusual silence.

"Miss, did Madam He say something to you?"

At this moment, Xia He appeared extremely weak, and the red marks on her hands were shocking, the marks of being punished. Even so, her heart and eyes were still full of concern for the girl.

Looking at Xia He's hands, Xiao Ran felt a pang of pity and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"

Xia He gently shook her head and said with a firm look in her eyes, "This servant is not in pain. As long as you are safe and sound, what does this little bit of suffering matter?"

Xiao Ran's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. Recalling the past, she realized that these two maids had always been there for her, supporting her unconditionally and selflessly.

Take this incident for example; the reason they were injured and suffered is ultimately because of themselves...

"I'm sorry... I'm so useless, I couldn't even protect you all..." Xiao Ran's voice was choked with sobs, full of self-blame and guilt.

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao immediately stopped talking, rushed over, hugged Xiao Ran tightly, and said:

“Young lady, what are you saying! If it weren’t for you, we would probably have starved to death on the streets long ago. We’ve remembered all the kindness and protection you’ve shown us over the years. You’ve already done so much!”

Xia He, also enduring the pain, limped over and echoed:

"Yes, young lady! If you hadn't bought me when I sold myself to bury my father, I probably wouldn't be here today. We can never repay your great kindness in this lifetime."

Xiao Ran sighed heavily, hugged them back, and said:

"Okay, I won't let you get hurt next time."

"Mmm!" Chun Tao's face was filled with a warm and gentle smile, which seemed to be contagious, easing Xiao Ran's originally heavy mood. Xiao Ran's lips turned up slightly, revealing a smile.

"By the way." Xiao Ran gently broke free from Chun Tao's embrace, raised her hand to straighten her slightly disheveled clothes, then took out a hairpin from her sleeve and asked with a solemn expression, "Have you ever seen Father hold this hairpin?"

Chun Tao took the hairpin, examined it carefully for a while, and finally shook her head, saying with certainty, "I have never seen it before."

At this moment, Xia He frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation in her expression. Xiao Ran keenly noticed her unusual demeanor, so she turned her gaze to Xia He and asked softly, "Xia He, do you know something?"

Xia He hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and then hesitantly spoke:

“Miss, I overheard other maids talking about how some mistresses in the capital use tricks to turn their ill-gotten gains into exquisite jewelry. That way, even if they are caught later, they can claim it's part of their dowry from their maiden home, thus secretly embezzling money from the household.”

"Do you have any way to investigate this gold hairpin?"

Seeing Xiao Ran's extremely serious expression, Xia He seemed to have made a decision in her heart.

“This servant can give it a try.”