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

"Hey, wait for me!" Yun Shao hurriedly chased after her, saying a few words to her before leaving.

“Miss Xiao, my older brother is a bit shy, but he’s a really nice person. Don’t let his cold exterior fool you; he’s warm-hearted than anyone else!”

After saying that, he hurriedly went out to chase after Chun Tao.

An awkward silence fell over the room, but Xiao Ran broke the silence first. She stood up, opened the food box, and took out a plate of pastries.

“It looks good, and it tastes…” Her words suddenly stopped, causing Duanli to look over.

Xiao Ran parted her lips slightly and took a bite.

"It's not too sweet or greasy, but it's also very fragrant. It's really delicious... Would you like to try some?" Xiao Ran moved the plate of pastries in front of him.

Duan Li also took a piece and put it in his mouth. Under Xiao Ran's expectant gaze, he slowly hummed in agreement.

After that, the room fell silent again, and even Xiao Ran didn't know how to respond.

She looked at her frozen fingers, which seemed to have been hurt a little more in her haste to open the box.

"you are not happy?"

Xiao Ran looked up in surprise, only to see a hint of concern on Duan Li's cold face.

How did he find out? She hadn't revealed a single detail, not even her maidservant noticed...

She lowered her eyes and withdrew her hand.

"I was just thinking about some unhappy things. Let's not talk about me anymore..." She suddenly looked up and said, "I've already talked to my father about that matter, and I think it won't be long before Magistrate Shen doesn't dare to act arrogantly anymore."

Duan Li hummed in agreement and nodded slightly: "He's much better now, and I haven't seen him collecting protection money anymore."

He gently pushed the plate of pastries a little closer to her.

"I'm leaving."

She looked up in surprise, and after a short while she figured out what had happened, but she still asked, "Su Ci wants you to go with him?"

Duan Li shook his head. "No, it was my own decision."

Hearing the expected answer, a trace of sadness still welled up in her heart, a sadness no less than the sadness she felt when she first recalled her past life.

"Are you really sure? What if Su Ci lies to you? He doesn't seem like a good person... Besides, if you're in the capital, I can help you live a peaceful life in Jing Kingdom. In my opinion..."

"Aran." Seeing her head lower and lower as she spoke, Duanli interrupted her, "I want to know about my past."

Xiao Mu was present when Magistrate Shen summoned him that day. After Magistrate Shen finished explaining his predicament and his wish that Xiao Mu not pursue the matter, Xiao Mu spoke to him privately.

"How have you been these past few months in the capital?"

"Reporting to the general, I am doing well."

"Hmm." Xiao Mu nodded slightly, then changed the subject, his expression showing a hint of helplessness: "I can roughly guess about 70-80% of what happened. My daughter has always been mischievous and naughty, so I suspect it was she who instigated you to do it."

Duanli remained silent.

“You don’t need to hide anything,” Xiao Mu said. “As a father, I know my daughter very well. She’s always had this wicked nature, but she’s loyal and righteous, which I’m very proud of.”

Duan Li frowned slightly. He couldn't fathom the deeper meaning behind Xiao Mu's words, so he simply remained silent and listened quietly.

“Young Master Duan, you should know in your heart that my daughter has the protection of the General’s Mansion, but what about you? You can’t rely on my daughter’s protection to live from now on.”